Harold Muliadi in the studio

Major: Art

Why was an atelier approach to art so crucial for you?

The atelier-inspired approach used by many Cal Lutheran art professors gives students opportunity to learn not only through instruction but by observing their professors in practice, displaying and modeling the skills, techniques, and conduct of an active artist. I think that effective problem solving strategies and skills are central to each university student’s development, and it’s invaluable to allow professors the space, time, and resources to model behavior for their students, demonstrating how they encounter, analyze, and resolve obstacles to creating the art they want and need to.

For myself, I often found my occasional feelings of uncertainty to be an obstacle in getting to where I need to be, and being able to observe my professors recognize and face challenges in creating their own art prompted me to see the creation of art differently.

Instead of expecting something like a multiple-choice exam where I had to have all the right answers, I learned to expect and even seek out the unfamiliar or unexpected, sharpening my technical skills and honing my “artist’s eye.”

In practical terms, this translated to things like, “how do I render a convincing reflection in a drawing or painting,” or “how do I create harmonious proportions of light and dark in a picture,” or the ever-present and unrelenting technical hurdle to anyone who’s ever tried their hand at drawing: “how in the world do I draw a straight line?”

Finally, I feel that observing professors create their own works in progress was instrumental in shaping my own approach to my paintings, not just in terms of subject matter or technique, but in displaying an organic development of ideas and approaches that revealed things that the structure and constraints of assignments couldn’t always convey.

How did you develop and discover your own style?

The foundations of my style started quite early on. Artistic style blossoms out of the way in which artists’ foundations and backgrounds teach them to see the world, and style is tempered and shaped by physiology and the tools within the artist’s reach. As a painter, I can see how my work shows influence from all of this.

I often hear my paintings referred to as impressionistic in style. I can think of at least two reasons for this. Growing up, I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about fine art, but I did find myself captivated by the concept art of the film and videogame industries. “Concept art,” while pretty diverse, by and large draws a lot of influence from impressionism out of necessity. As ideas which must be expressed quickly for other teams of artists to refine and realize, concept art pieces are executed quickly and loosely except in important focal points of their compositions. The concepts for the movie Blade Runner by artist Syd Mead, for example, are sketchy towards their edges but masterfully embody the crowded, futuristically hard-boiled sci-fi dystopia which was recreated in the film.

The second reason for the impressionistic way in which I paint is because I’ve always had poor eyesight. My eyes have long been nearsighted and easily strained, and in my drawing classes I found that taking off my glasses or simply looking over the top of my lenses gave my weary eyes rest and had the added benefit of allowing me to see my subject or the artwork I was working on as a fully-integrated, blurred-together unity when my long staring sessions often left me incapable of looking at the whole of what I was doing—a revelation, like putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. It was only later that I learned that a certain Claude Monet had the same way of looking at his subjects through his woefully cataracted eyes.

I also mentioned tools being important to the style of myself or of any artist. In my case, before I started at CLU and was trained in the use of a veritable arsenal of artistic instruments and implements, my primary tool was the humble and utilitarian disposable ballpoint pen. With Bic pens and any paper at hand, I spent thousands of hours milling out thousands of well-intentioned but rather low-quality drawings which formed the pillar of practice that my current skills rest upon. Millions and millions of little diagonal lines were how I shaded and filled out all of those drawings, and painting turned out to be similar, with the exception that brushes had many little bristles, and each brush used its bristles to make many little lines according to its own profile. In fact, I continue to use disposable pens, still using them regularly to make my concept and practice sketches.

And with reference to how I see the world, when I paint or draw figurative work, I do what figurative artists tend to do: I idealize my subjects. In my case, though, this idealization has somewhat less to do with desirable proportions or complexion than it might for many artists; rather, the idealized person is confident and strong, the master of his or her own world: human, yet exuding all of the poise and dignity of a god.

I think this comes from my lifelong struggles with self-esteem, uncertainty, anxiety, and compulsive, hard-to-manage thoughts. Art has served for me as an aid in controlling myself and my own mind, a sort of anti-Pandora’s Box, not creating chaos but reining it in and directing it.

What was the balance like between self-discovery and guidance from your professors?

As a student, it was important for me to realize that assignments are generally designed to guide students to a certain realization by taking a specific approach, rather than to tell them the one possible answer to the question.

When I have to think, for example, “How do I know what to paint?” I’m not hampered by the many different and sometimes contradictory ways I’ve been taught to come up with an answer to that. Instead, having had many different techniques lets me either follow or contradict these ideas, or play them off each other to make something new. Thus, following assignments and instruction aided my self discovery. I was able to change “I don’t know where to start” into “Well, I can take inspiration from abstract patterns. Or from nature. Or from actions. Or riff off of already existing imagery that works well.”

What was it like to have your first solo show here in the Kwan Fong Gallery?

The response to my show was very encouraging. I think the biggest thing I took away from doing that show was that the feedback I got from it emphatically demonstrated to me that I can make imagery that people enjoy. I had gotten a lot of compliments on my art before, but having my show in the Kwan Fong, where a lot of people I know could come and see it, and many did, was like the happy conclusion to a big chapter of my life as an artist, and it’s left me ready for more: more art and more shows, and whatever else I can pull my way.

Harold’s solo show in the Kwan Fong Gallery ran from November to January 2015.

Do you have any advice for future art students at Cal Lutheran?

I would say that four years (or two years for transfer students like me) isn’t a whole lot of time to learn to make art, so learning what kind of thing you want to make is important to do pretty early on. This isn’t as daunting as it might seem—the majority of knowing what you want to make is knowing what you like. And to explore this as much as possible, it’s necessary to make a lot of time to work on projects on your own that are not necessarily related to your classes. A big part of learning art is self-guided exploration—professors can mentor and help you, but it’s ultimately up to you to learn what art you make and why.

Learning art can sometimes be slow and frustrating. For myself at least, I’ve found it tends to happen like this: you spend a long time making things that don’t seem to even resemble what you want to make, but once in a while you make one (drawing, sculpture, painting, picture) that fits the bill and makes you feel fantastic. Then, you seem to lose the magic. You can’t recreate it! But as you go on, the pieces you make that satisfy your sensibilities start coming more and more frequently. Learning to make art is an odd sort of walk: two steps forward and one step back, every time. Don’t get discouraged when you have difficulty—instead, focus on the things you have a hard time doing. While you’re a student, people expect you to be deep in the learning process, so you can experiment, be bold, and show that you’re struggling to improve as much as you want.

George Salazar

Majors: Chemistry, Physics

My name is Greg Salazar, and I am a member of the class of 2014. I majored in chemistry (B.S.) and physics (B.A.).

Where are you now?

Right now, I’m living in Tampa, Florida. I attend the University of South Florida (USF).

What field are you studying?

My field is Applied Physics. My advisor, Dr. Anuja Datta, and I are working on brand new synthesis techniques for various perovskite oxides. We are interested in fabricating these materials with cheap, earth-abundant materials using a chemical/physical approach and in studying their electrical and optical properties. These are a fascinating family of materials that have applications with solar cells, photocatalysts, sensors, and other uses.

Did you do anything before graduate school?

Right before I went to graduate school, I had a brief stint as an Analytical Lab Technician at Cool Planet Energy Systems. My main job was analyzing the components of fuels the company was producing using Gas Chromatography—an instrument the chemistry department owns. I typically worked alongside Chemical Engineers and their team in the development of bio-based fuels.

What is your end goal?

My end goal is to be happy. I’m really interested in obtaining my Ph.D. and earning a position at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. I want to commit myself to developing environmentally safe, clean, and inexpensive materials to solve energy problems. I can later see myself working in public policy, advocating for science and public awareness.

How did Cal Lutheran help to prepare you for your current career path?

Cal Lutheran was a tremendous place. The opportunity to work side by side with faculty members was an important aspect of my road. My mentors Dr. Quinlan and Dr. Shaw and Professor Holden were instrumental in my personal and academic development. My mentors were crucial for my success to be the first in my family to graduate from college.

The small campus made it easy to get involved. I enjoyed ASCLUG and helped start the ACS (American Chemical Society) Student Chapter. These leadership opportunities really help you grow as an independent thinker and help you mature.

What advice would you give to current or prospective students?

My advice is two-fold. My first set of advice is to only do science if you’re curious why things work, ask too many questions, or have passion for problem solving. Then it’s to find a problem about the world that gets you excited to solve. I believe doing science otherwise can break you down early. You can help yourself by talking to the faculty—they’re really approachable.

Next, it’s to go to Career Services and help set yourself up for an internship freshman year. Yes, you may think it’s too early, but you want to do this right away. This can help as a stepping stone for a career, graduate school, or whatever you choose.

Why was Cal Lutheran the right school for you?

I always tell people I chose Cal Lutheran over a larger school because I wanted to work towards something big. At Cal Lutheran, you’re not just a fish in the sea, you can be an important part of the university. It won’t be easy, but some effort and motivation will open doors at this school for you to explore your own dreams and help you grow as a person.

What do you miss the most about being a Cal Lutheran student?

I miss running into people every day. It was awesome how I could see everyone and catch up with the most interesting things they’re doing. A random meet up at Jamba can end with an old friend at Chinese New Year or a simple walk down the spine. You really learn a lot about yourself talking to other people and seeing things from different perspectives.

Dimitris Politopoulos (left) representing Greek agriculture and food production

Graduate Program: Master of Business Administration (Marketing)

I grew up in a very hard working business environment. The city of Pyrgos in Peloponnese, where I was born and raised, is at the South Western part of mainland Greece and it is a highly productive place in terms of agricultural and food production. Moreover, my undergraduate studies are on Agricultural Business.

While being a student at the MBA of the School of Management at Cal Lutheran I realized that the above background along with the valuable knowledge provided by Cal Lutheran’s academic staff couldn’t be better used but to my own business. So, instantly after my first job as a Product Specialist in Athens, I moved back to Pyrgos and established “mfasis” with Sofia Pouha. We consulted to agricultural and food producing businesses on food quality and safety as well as on marketing.

However, consulting to this type of companies and professionals it was itself growing inside me a strong will to create a brand and establish a start up on food trade and especially on high quality – localy produced goods. That is how “776 Deluxe Foods S.A.” was born. Today, I have the opportunity to implement on a daily basis what I was taught at Cal Lutheran. 
It is quite exciting.

Kristi Wolzmuth Staley

Kristi Staley graduated from Cal Lutheran in May 2006 and didn’t waste anytime in getting a job, “I graduated on Saturday and went to work on Monday!” Staley is a public affairs specialist for Kratos Defense, a defense contractor who assists the U.S. Navy with public relations.

Staley declared her communication major as a freshman because of her “voracious appetite for the news.” Staley said, “I’ve always been plugged in to current events. What fascinates me as much as the news stories themselves is what goes on behind the scenes to produce them. I always knew it was a process I had to be a part of.”

Staley chose public relations as her emphasis and acknowledges that those specialized PR classes gave her “a great head start for [her] career, providing [her] with tremendous insight and skills that allowed [her] to hit the ground running.”

Staley seriously considered declaring a minor in art. However, she found that Cal Lutheran’s communication program enabled her to “integrate [her] passion for art, without having to take on a minor,” which allowed her to devote more time to internships. In fact, Staley did three internships while she was a student at Cal Lutheran, and she claims “it made a big difference when it came time to interview for jobs.”

“My biggest advice to current or prospective students is to do as many internships as you can — don’t just do one, and don’t wait until your senior year.”

Stephanie Saindon-Kaneen

Graduate Program: M.S. in Counseling and College Student Personnel

Preparing to graduate with your master’s degree and thinking about a career transition can be a stressful time, but not for Cal Lutheran students like Stephanie Saindon-Kaneen. She began applying for jobs in December 2013 in advance of graduating with her M.S. in Counseling and College Student Personnel. Within 30 days she had 10 responses, weeded out two, and ended up with eight offers!

She chose one from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and became its newest Resident Director of Weston Hall, looking after 450 college students (and a staff of 10 residential assistants) and dealing with all the surprising situations that crop up in a residence hall. One minute she’s mediating an unruly roommate issue, another she’s running to repair a broken water line, yet another she’s counseling an international student on how to understand American culture. And she’s able to handle it all thanks to the preparation and training she received at Cal Lutheran.

In praise of the master’s program at Cal Lutheran, she credits Diana Cherry and Elena Holumo as “great mentors” who taught her how to apply theory into practical application. In her internship alone, she underwent 150 real-time hours in a residential life experience. “I owe everything I am to Cal Lutheran,” Stephanie declares. “Everything I was learning applied to my new position, I found my passion, and I am now giving back.”

Sam Theis in the lab at Cal Lutheran

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

My name is Samuel Theis, I graduated from Cal Lutheran in 2014 as cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, with departmental honors. Lengthy, I know – it’s the official name of just one degree though, not two separate degrees!

Sam Theis at LECOM

Where and what are you studying now? What’s your end goal?

Currently, I’m attending the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and living in Erie, Pennsylvania.

I’m an OMS-I at LECOM pursuing a degree in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). I am also funding my education through a military – sponsored medical scholarship as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force (which I highly recommend to any aspiring docs, by the way). As a physician, I plan to serve in the Air Force on base somewhere for 4 years post-residency, which will conclude my obligation to the scholarship. After that, I have no clue where my path will take me, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

 How did Cal Lutheran help to prepare you for your current career path?

Everything about Cal Lutheran is small – except for how much the faculty care about their students’ success. Many of the faculty run an open-door policy, and are extremely friendly and accessible. Additionally, many classes are powered by discussions, which serve two purposes – they encourage you to read ahead of time to get an idea of the material, and allow the student to hear different ideas or approaches. This is the essence of a liberal arts education, and in my opinion is what distinguishes CLU from other large-scale universities. The science program is rigorous, unique, and highly influenced by new technologies: some of your courses may even take place in a computer lab where your job is to program molecular structure, or decipher and analyze strings of DNA. The Cal Lutheran science department is moving more towards a practical hands-on learning environment that takes the student outside of the traditional learning environment for the sake of real-world experience, which translates to more success in industry and future academia.

 What advice would you give to the current or prospective students of your major?

As a student, remember that your job is to study. The transition from high school to college is going to present itself as a big obstacle, and you want to make sure that you start out on top and ahead, instead of falling behind. Treat your peers and faculty with respect, as they will be your strongest advocates at going places after college. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be respectful to your professors in all circumstances, especially in an increasingly impersonal world. Those relationships that you establish now will follow you for a long time!

That being said, take time to enjoy yourself as well! The relationships that you develop here (professional or otherwise) will stay with you for a lifetime, so take time to live a little and socialize – it may be the last time you’ll get the chance before the real world!

Don’t pigeonhole yourself! If you are pursuing a career in medicine, but feel more at home in a different club (say, CLU’s American Chemical Society Student Chapter), join it! Employers and graduate schools are more interested in what you got from your experiences, not where you got them. Being a member of AMSA but having nothing interesting to say about how it influenced your undergraduate experience does nothing towards making yourself an attractive candidate!

What do you miss the most about being a Cal Lutheran student?

I miss seeing all of my friends on the West Coast, and the weather there of course.

Chelsea Fletcher

Majors: Environmental Science, Art

Where do you work?

I currently work in Ventura for California State Parks with the Natural Resources department, and I also work for the University of California Natural Reserve System- Sedgwick Reserve as Outreach Coordinator in the Santa Ynez Valley.

For state parks I am mostly doing field work. From invasive plant management, vegetation surveys, endangered animal surveys and outreach, to growing plants in our nursery for upcoming restoration projects, to nocturnal pollinator studies, and much more. With the UC position, I put together weekly newsletters, help with volunteers and docents, correspond with people who want to come see the reserve, and help out with restoration plots within the reserve.

How did Cal Lutheran help to prepare you for your current path?

Cal Lutheran helped prepare me for my current jobs by exposing me to some of the terminology, programs, and techniques that I have used in my job. The classes I took also gave me knowledge that have helped me immensely in the field.

What advice would you give to the current or prospective students of your major?

Take lots of both biology and geology classes! The special topics courses are also incredibly helpful later on down the road. Environmental Planning was one I took, it helped me realize that I didn’t want to go into planning as a full-time job, but I learned about different documents and permits that I work with in my current job. Take a wide variety in the ES department as you might not know what you will actually use once you graduate and you might even be surprised as to what knowledge gives you the upper hand against others wanting the same job. Study abroad and take environmental classes! I can’t say how much it helped to see how another country deals with the same issues we have and how different the approaches are.

Why was Cal Lutheran the right school for you?

Cal Lutheran was the right choice for me. It had the small class sizes, the teachers knew my name and I felt comfortable going in and just talking to my professors about my classes and what I wanted to achieve after graduation, and I had incredible one-on-one help. What I miss the most is the friendships I made while at Cal Lutheran, and being able to see my friends and classmates everyday. The friendships have continued though, and we all make the time to visit and call when we have a chance.

Michael Mayers hiking in Nevada

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

What are you up to now?

I’m in my first years of PhD studies in Biochemistry at The Scripps Research Institute. I’m studying the microbiome, which is just a fancy word to describe the bacteria that live in a person’s gut.  The project focuses on proteins produced by these bacteria about which not much is currently known.  Our lab has developed a method of isolating and identifying proteins that carry out specific types of functions, like specifically for me, protease activity, which is a class of protiens that cut up other proteins into smaller pieces.  By comparing the activity of these types of proteins in the gut microbiome of healthy mice and mice with Ulceritive Colitis, we hope to discover new proteases that may be potential targets for drugs that would fight colitis and colon cancer.

How did Cal Lutheran help to prepare you for your current career path?

The greatest preparation for grad school that I received from Cal Lutheran came from working under a Darling Summer Research Fellowship.  Working in the Organic Chemistry lab, doing both computational studies and wet chemistry, I got a taste of graduate level research and learned first-hand about the hard work and dedication is required to make progress.  Especially over time-frame as short as a single summer.  This has certainly made the transition to graduate school easier.

I would also say that the small size of Cal Lutheran allowed me to build close relationships with my professors which is very important in the scientific field.  Collaboration is essential to progress, and being able to drop by my professors office at any time and discuss ideas either from class, lab, or my research certainly helped me to refine a scientific way of thinking.

What advice would you give to the current or prospective students of your major?

Get involved and try to take in as much as you can.  If you’re interested in graduate studies, research is very important and the more experience you have, the better.  Even as a freshman, you can ask your professors how you can get involved.  However, research isn’t the only path you can take.  There are so many great resources available to you as a Cal Lutheran student, from your professors, to the library resources and staff, and even your textbooks.  All this knowledge is concentrated in one place and just waiting for you to take advantage of it, so go out and do it!

Why was Cal Lutheran the right school for you?

The small size of the school really allowed me to thrive.  I enjoyed getting to know all of my classmates and professors which made for some great conversations and hangouts.

What do you miss the most about being a Cal Lutheran student?

I miss all the great, random campus events.  From big ones like homecoming and Monte Carlo night to the random off-campus food events, these fun events kept things interesting, especially over the summer!   These were the times that I got to have great conversations all the friends I had made, as well as an opportunity to make some new ones.