King Heading to Edinboro for MFA
MOUNT OLIVE – Josiah King of Faison graduated summa cum laude from University of Mount Olive in December 2012 with a BA in art. During his time as a student, he was in the Honors Program, served in the Student Government Association as a senator, participated with Collide Campus Ministries and played in the ‘Awaken!’ worship band. As a recent alumnus, the 23 year old appreciates his MOC education more than ever. “Being away from college life, I have been able to see some of the fruit of my education at University of Mount Olive,” said King. “For me, University of Mount Olive was a place for growth. Not just in my field, but also in how I relate to people and situations.”
“I had the opportunity to meet so many different people who have shaped me in ways I could not have otherwise expected,” explained King as he described his time at MOC. “My professors have given me exposure to a range of different styles, encouraging me to find my own visual voice. Educationally, they have supported me in my pursuit of going to graduate school. With recommendations, narrowing down a selection of schools, and of course, actual teaching, they have had plenty on their plate to help me get to where I am.”
King was recently accepted to a graduate school—the Master of Fine Arts program at Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. He will serve a graduate assistantship while attending classes. “I first heard of this school from MOC President Philip P. Kerstetter,” said King. “He suggested that I look into Edinboro’s Art Department. It took visiting the program to make a decision. I found it to be a good fit for my goals in education. There are at least nine painting professors at the school, each with a varying style. I felt that there would be a wealth of knowledge available to me.”
He has two specific goals that he would like to accomplish as a student at Edinboro. “My primary goal is to strengthen the skills that I currently possess. I want to be the best painter that I can become. I seek to be technically proficient, knowledgeable in my craft, and a confident communicator,” King explained. “So much of being an artist is being confident about what you are doing, why you are doing it, and who you are trying to speak to. This pursuit leads into my second goal: teaching. It is my desire to become a college or university art professor, which this degree would prepare me for. As an art professor, I would want to pursue the arts in a way that both satisfies my calling as an artist, and aids my students in their journey.”
As King heads towards Edinboro, he will keep the invaluable lessons he learned at MOC close to heart. “I look forward to seeing what effect my time on the University of Mount Olive campus will have on my future.”
University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The College, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington and Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.moc.edu.