Hi! My name is Jenny Gardner, and as I hinted briefly above, I am one of those "non-traditional" type students who has returned to school after a 7-year "hiatus" of working in the "fantasy" and "real" worlds. For five years, I was a castmember at Walt Disney World in Florida, and then for two years, after moving back to the Northwest suburbs, I created and sold recognition and incentive programs. (Why did I leave the land of sunshine and HEAT to come back to the land of ice scrapers and wind chill factors? Too much pixie dust on the brain, I guess!)

I entered National-Louis in the fall of 2001 as an undergrad Elementary Education student with a concentration in Art. In keeping with my "Disney" lingo, it would be both appropriate and honest for me to say that my introduction to NLU was rather "magical" - one day, I spontaneously found myself at the Wheaton Campus -- simply because I saw a small, directional sign for the school as I was driving home on Rt. 355! I recalled hearing somewhere that NLU was founded as a "teacher's college" and that it had an excellent Elementary Education program, so I decided to just "check it out." Needless to say, now here I am writing to you on the student website -- and the rest is history!

As a current student, I can personally confirm that what I had "heard" about National-Louis was correct - it is an excellent school - and that's a testimony which is coming straight from the keyboard of a self-described, "over-achiever" with extremely high expectations (both of myself and of the institution providing me with my education!). If you are a dedicated, motivated, creative person who would like to embark on an educational journey that will help you to fulfill all of your goals and provide you with the insights, knowledge, experiences, and role models you need to be a success as a future Art teacher - opt to enter NLU's Elementary Education program with a major in Art - and be prepared to be impressed! Each member of the NLU Art Department with whom I have had the pleasure of taking a class has been energetic, knowledgeable, challenging, and most of all, devoted to the study of Art and the achievement of students in this area. From actual teaching methods to history to cultures -- everything I have learned has been applicable to my future career as an Art/Elementary School teacher. The invaluable experiences I have had with certain members of the NLU Art faculty, however, will positively impact me for a lifetime!

Who would have thought a little sign on the highway would lead to a story with such a "fairy tale" ending? Check out the National-Louis Art/Elementary Education program - you could be in for some magic!

"I am a senior in the Liberal Arts Program majoring in Art. My special interest is Non-Western Art. I intend to continue my art history studies at the graduate level and eventually teach Non-Western art. I enjoy studying about the peoples of the world through the study of their artifacts and monuments."

"I like the small classes and personalized instruction at National Louis. I am a transfer student who has attended several other universities and colleges. So, I know how rare and important it is to have the opportunity to build a personal relationship with your professors. I haven't had a professor at N.L.U. that I couldn't say "hello" to in the hall or talk to about a problem. This is consistent though out the University; I have found all the staff to be helpful from admissions to student services to housing. I'm an art major with music and science minors at National Louis. I plan to teach at the Junior High School level after I graduate. Art is very difficult for me and I've found the supportive professors encouraging and sincere. I've been told that my struggle may be just the preparation I need to help students wrestle with artistic concept and technique. And, well, I just keep getting better".

"I'm currently enrolled in the Undergraduate Liberal Arts Studies Program with double major in Art and Psychology. National-Louis University offers good Psychology and interesting art history classes of different cultures. I also enjoy fascinating studio art classes such as Introduction to Art, Mixed Media and Ceramics. These two majors will help me attain my graduate degree, which will be in Art Therapy."

"Classical ballet has been my passion since I was seven years old and this passion was carried over to all art forms. When I began my studies at NLU, I was delighted to see the large variety of art classes that were offered. I love learning about the arts of people from different cultures and time periods. Art has helped me grow as a person and become more appreciative of the diversity around us."