Getting involved at Northern Kentucky University has opened up a new world of experiences for sophomore visual communication design major Ryn Lonnemann. Over the past two years, they have taken part in the Northern Kentucky Leadership Institute’s Norse Leadership Society, the QPLUS (Queer, Persistence, Leadership, Unity, Services) Scholars program and—when they return to campus this fall for their junior year—student government. Growing up in Florence, Kentucky, Lonnemann says that participating in school choirs and art clubs inspired them to pursue a major in the arts. They chose to enroll at NKU not only for its inclusive community but for the opportunity to continue indulging their innate curiosity.
"Getting involved within a few organizations has strengthened my love for NKU’s campus and making friends,” Lonnemann says. “It’s refreshing to become friends with someone unexpected. I have gotten to know people from Nepal, Venezuela and even Japan. People from all over the world study here at NKU, and it’s nice to be a part of a unique and diverse community.”
"Getting involved within a few organizations has strengthened my love for NKU’s campus and making friends."
Their passion for the campus community was solidified by a freshman retreat with the Norse Leadership Society called Breaking Ground.
“It was a great resource to get to know other freshmen and learn how to make myself known on campus. I even went white water rafting for the first time,” they say. “I learned to develop what I took from Breaking Ground and get to know even more types of people. Not only did I learn more leadership development skills, but I also found new ways to get through obstacles in life and pursue my goals.”
Lonnemann hopes to use their degree in visual communication design to become a graphic designer after graduation, specifically in advertising. Their favorite class so far has been typography, which they say has allowed them to express their creativity to the fullest. They’ve also particularly enjoyed working with professors Maren Carpenter-Fearing and Hans Schellhas.
“Both have been wonderful professors and provide excellent feedback on assignments,” Lonnemann says. “They both have been extremely helpful in answering any questions I have, and they support me through my journey in the arts.”
They recommend current students visit the galleries in NKU’s School of the Arts (SOTA) building to see what their peers are working on—particularly when there’s a senior BFA exhibition. Lonnemann’s biggest challenge as a student in SOTA thus far has been completing their design portfolio: a chance to showcase their work to art and design faculty.
“The process seemed intimidating and stressful at first,” they say. “However, all the faculty have been extremely helpful in helping me succeed not only in my classes, but with the review as well.”
Lonnemann’s best advice to future students is to get involved on campus as much as possible.
“Make sure to attend the many events that are put on every year on campus,” they say. “There’s not one event that you won’t enjoy. Events and activities are a nice way to relax and disassociate from stress. Also, make sure to have fun! Don’t be afraid to talk to someone and make friends.”
