Student Olivia Mosley receives full scholarship to Washington University in pursuit of a degree in photography
Kimberly Morice
-Asst. Photo Editor-
The end of spring semester means saying goodbye to students and sending them off to their chosen universities in the fall. Some students only spent a semester; others have spent many years at STLCC-Meramec.
One student has spent her time at Meramec in the art department, capturing moments with her camera and working in the Center of Visual Technology on campus. After five years of hard work and dedication to the art of photography, Meramec student Olivia Mosley expands her educational opportunities at Washington University in the fall of 2012.
“I got accepted to some other schools, but part of the reason I’ve been working here and waiting to transfer is because I just could not get enough money,” Mosley said. “I applied to Webster University because they have a good photo program. I was looking at UMSL and a couple of other art institutes out of state, but it was all too expensive.”
Mosley was the only STLCC student this year selected to receive the Danforth Scholarship, which ensures her a full ride to Washington University. Every student from the community college who submits an application to Washington University is considered for the Danforth scholarship.
“My brother, actually, is from Meramec as well, he transferred to Washington University and he was also a Danforth scholar – he didn’t get it, but he was a finalist,” Mosley said. “He seemed to really enjoy it and have a really good time there, so he told me to look into the art school. I looked into it and they have really awesome facilities and it looks really cool; it’s totally devoted to art and I thought it would be perfect for me.”
Mosley graduated with an Associate in Fine Arts – Photography option, with a focus in photography in 2010, but has remained as a part-time student and while working various campus jobs.
“My jobs have mainly been in the art department, but I’ve also done some peer leader work,” Mosley said. “I’ve really learned to contribute and become active. It’s a good way to meet people and friends and network. I think there’s definitely something special about Meramec.”
Mosley hopes to continue her campus involvement when she begins taking classes at Washington University.
“It’s such a big intimidating campus. I want to maybe start a club, or do community service maybe; I definitely want to have a job on campus because I’ve still got to pay the bills,” Mosley said.
Throughout her time at Meramec, Mosley has created a close bond with many of her instructors and the administrators on campus.
“All of my art teachers have been really amazing. I take a lot of classes in the Center of Visual Technology and all of the instructors there are just amazing and I really developed so many skills that would really be useful with getting a job and stuff like that,” Mosley said.
In her first semester, Mosley took Photography I with Professor David Hanlon. She has kept in close contact with Hanlon as she continued in the photography program.
“It’s certainly terrific that the work she’s put in over the last number of years is being recorded with the scholarship to another program that has quite a bit of a reputation,” Hanlon said. “She’s going to do really well in a continuing environment where students are really challenging themselves like she does. I’m really excited for her with what’s coming.”
For the second summer in a row, Mosley will spend time teaching photography to children through the continuing education program at Meramec. She hopes to one day take what she has learned into teaching early childhood education.
“I’d either like to do something with teaching and be able to do my own photographic projects on the side,” Mosley said. “If I could incorporate photography into education somehow – and I’m really interested in early education – then that’s something I would consider doing.”
Mosley is looking forward to moving on to Washington University in the fall, saying she is going to take all that she has learned at Meramec with her to her new school.
“I guess I’ve run my course here, I can’t really go further. There are still things I could learn, but I can’t really go to the next step,” Mosley said. “I just want to see what the next level for photography is, and for art in general. I just want to figure out what more there is to learn.”
Hanlon is supportive of Mosley’s journey and hopeful of her future at Washington University.
“[Mosley’s] work here has been developing quite a bit since she started,” Hanlon said. “She’s always been interested in experimenting with ways images could be used and how to be more effective and finding ways to use photography as an expressive tool.”
Like many students saying goodbye to Meramec, Mosley is worried about what Washington University will bring her in the fall.
“I’m going to miss it; I love Meramec,” Mosley said. “It’s an amazing community. There’s such a good atmosphere and it’s so friendly; I feel like I know everybody because I’ve been here for so long. I’m kind of scared of what the new school is going to be like; I don’t know if it’s going to be as friendly and warm.”
