Graduating Seniors of 2016

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller This semester, several of our seniors will be graduating and embarking into the unknown. We asked three of the graduating seniors - Walker Boldman, Brian Silengo, and Elizabeth Stuart – to expound on their journey at College of the Ozarks. Walker Boldman is a double major in Mathematics and Music. He is pursuing careers in music and/or engineering. However, his ultimate goal in life is to serve Christ wherever he is. One of the biggest influences on his time here at C of O has been Dr. Bruce Gerlach.

Walker Boldman

Walker has been influenced in many different ways by him and regards Dr. Gerlach as an encouragement, mentor and teacher. In any of his spare seconds, Walker loves reading a good book and traveling. When asked what the biggest takeaway he could offer to any current or future student at C of O, Walker stated, “Never tell someone you’re too busy to do something. You’ll miss so many opportunities and chances to meet new people and do new things.”

Brian Silengo

 Brian Silengo is a Music Ministry major with a minor in Christian Ministry and Biblical and Theological Studies. His future plans include moving back to Colorado, getting married, having kids – and lots of dogs! In addition, he would eventually like to go to Seminary. For his career path, Brian desires to serve God as a worship leader and music minister. People that have greatly influenced him are Dr. Chinn and Dr. Osbourne, for teaching him how to be an effective church leader, how to study the Word, and how to love people better. Dr. Gerlach and Dr. Cornish have also impacted his life by giving him an intense passion for music and pushing Brian to his musical limits. Brian’s favorite thing to do in his free time is to play guitar with his best friend, Hayden Rush. The biggest takeaways he offers to present and future students is, “To always take time to build relationships that would last a lifetime, to save your notes (because you’ll never know when they’ll help you in the long run), and to work hard and take assignments seriously – you take away what you put in.”

Elizabeth Stuart

Elizabeth Stuart is a Musical Theatre major and dreams of starting her own musical theatre/business school. Her favorite pastimes are being in musicals, as well as the “Christmas Card” hosted for the community at C of O annually. Some of the people that have influenced her the most during her C of O college career are her voice teachers: Jennifer Wolcott, Marsha Goldsmith, Gregg Busch, Mark and Lisa Young, and Dr. Bruce Gerlach. If she could offer any advice to any student, Elizabeth stated, “To listen to God first and foremost! His plans are always bigger and better for us. Although I am going into a profession where it is difficult at times to find a job, in the great words of Carrie Wilkerson, ‘Impact is immeasurably more important than income…’ For me, it is about showing God’s glory through my talent and the difference I can hopefully make in people’s lives.”

In conclusion, one is always making an impact, no matter the person, the circumstances, or the place in life. We pray that the seniors will disperse in the world, making a godly impact on every seen and unseen person they inspire. “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. He will put some things behind, [and] will pass an invisible boundary… If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” –Henry David Thoreau

Congratulations

2016 Seniors