Calmes Named Outstanding Senior in Division of Communication Arts

May 14, 2020

Olivianna Calmes has been named the 2019-20 Outstanding Senior in the Division of Communication Arts. The Division is part of the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts at OBU.

Awards for outstanding seniors in all Colleges and Divisions are typically presented during a special awards chapel at the conclusion of the spring semester. With the awards chapel event not being held this year due to the University’s move to distance learning, these students are instead being recognized through an announcement via the University website and social media channels.

This honor is awarded to the most exemplary graduating senior majoring in communication studies, journalism and mass communication, or theatre. This student exhibits scholastic excellence, leadership, moral ideals, breadth of involvement and promise of success in the field of communication.

Dr. Vickie Ellis, chair of the Division of Communication Arts and professor of communication arts, praised Calmes and the many attributes which led to her receiving this recognition.

“Olivianna is a genius story-teller,” Ellis said. “Her production work and creative framing of the narrative are only overshadowed by her engaging personality, tenacious leadership and academic excellence. More than all of those qualities, Olivianna is a compassionate caring person who lives every day to reflect Jesus’ love. The Division of Communication Arts is better for having had Olivianna as a major over the years. She leaves a legacy of love, integrity, dedication, intellectual curiosity and creative spunk.”

Calmes will graduate with a degree in news and information. She interned during summer 2019 with Fox News in California. She has been extremely active on campus, serving this year as the vice president of OBU’s Student Government Association. She was nominated for best all-around female for the 2019 Harvest Court, served as an emcee for Campus Activities Board Spring Affair talent show and worked as a student ambassador as a member of the Herd in the Office of Admissions.