35 Years of Experiential Learning: AgapeFest Offers Opportunities to Students of All Majors
Published: April 13, 2021
For 35 years, Greenville College students have planned and hosted the nation's only student-run Christian music festival each spring. AgapeFest is a Christ-centered ministry of Greenville College. Its primary goals are to exalt Jesus Christ while providing an experiential learning opportunity for students.
AgapeFest is a rite of passage unique to Greenville College where students put into practice what they have learned in their classes. And the staff isn't made up of just Music Business majors; in fact the 2011 staff is made up of over 70 students studying in over 25 different major programs.
First year student staff fill volunteer roles helping out wherever needed. In subsequent years, students apply for staff positions - running departments such as main stage, vendors, festival catering, second and third stage, and the battle of the bands competitions. Finally, about 10 students each year become the executive management team and plan the event - from the selection of the bands through to the festival cleanup once all the bands have left and the stage has been taken down.
"Some think the College must be mad to entrust our festival to the students. We disagree. This is one way in which we prove the value of a Greenville College education. This will be the 35th year that students have shown us that they have what it takes, and we are proud of them," said Ivan Filby, faculty advisor to AgapeFest.
Meet the 2011 AgapeFest Staff:AF Director
Chris Emanuel - Business Management/Marketing
AF Assistant Director
Carli Marlowe - Music Business
Artist Relations
Director - Matthew Moore - Music Business
Main Stage
Director - Mike Caroleo - Music Business/Digital Media
Ben Sanborn - Audio Engineering
Jared Green - Audio Engineering
Rob Shollenberger - Audio Engineering/Music Business
Phil Ortiz - Digital Media
Second Stage
Director - Brian Starkey - Digital Media, Audio Recording emphasis
Wesley Anderson - Business Management/Marketing
Ben Adamson - Audio Engineering
Olivia Huber - Contemporary Christian Music, Worship Arts emphasis
Hospitality
Director - Sarah Dothager - Elementary Education
Devon Meadows - Digital Media, Film emphasis
Perrin Robinson - Psychology
Mark Ufert - Digital Media/Art History Minor
Aly Gosselin - Elementary Education/Music Minor
Media Promotions
Director - MacKenzie Osborne - Media Promotions
Sarah Schulz - Music Business
Rylan Mitchell - Music Business and Marketing
Scott Rinkel - Communication, Public Relations emphasis
Brad Stewart - Accounting and Marketing
Joey Furman - Criminal Justice
Trina Thorell - Music, Vocal emphasis
Kat Bullock - Chemistry
Public Relations and Social Networking
Director - Jarrod Beasley - Youth Ministry
Nathan Crews - Youth Ministry
Staff Services
Director - Amber Featherston - Communication, Public Relations emphasis
Jamie Bruder - Communication, Public Relations emphasis
Beth Nations - Music Business
Lisa Burhanna - Digital Media, Graphic Design emphasis
Maria Rodriguez - Biology
Britney Benson - Urban Cross Cultural Ministry
Christine Black - Biology/Chemistry
Carrie Sleme - Art
Lauren Schwaar - Audio Engineering
Kelley Johnson - Urban Cross Cultural Ministry
Finance
Director - Arley Cornell - Digital Media
Becky Gaspar - Secondary English Education
Blakeley Woessner - Viola Performance
David Burns - Recording Industry
Em Martin - Art
Jessica McCubbin - Marketing
Mariah Thomas- Music Business
Megan Van de Loo - Math Education
Melissa Kopp - Psychology
Nicole Graham - Elementary Special Education/ TESOL
Shaina Lane - Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Ministry
Director - Britney Baker - Psychology
Jackson Nolen - Criminal Justice
Seth Balla - Speech Communications
Nati Jones - Psychology/Social Work
Jay Wilde - Pastoral Ministries
Amy Jo Russell - Social Work
Susanna Schultz - Social Work
Megan Armentrout - Social Work/Urban Cross Cultural Ministry
Grounds
Director - Mike Simpson - Digital Media, Video & Film emphasis
Michael Jadrich - Audio Engineering/Spanish
Daniel Mello - Marketing/Music Business
Austin Schumacher - Digital Media/Communications, Theater emphasis
Nicole Barks - Social Work
Juan Guerrero - Psychology
Brad Johnson - Music Business
Zach Bridier - Audio Engineering
Security
Director - Brent Wiedman - Business Management
Andrew Pihl - Business Admininstration
Tim Hess - Environmental Biology
Ryan Mulholland - History and Political Science
Craig Place - Chemistry
Steve deStefano - Youth ministry
Zach Griffey - Criminal Justice
Matt Pollek - Business Management
Wesley Bridges - Contemporary Christian Music, Worship Arts emphasis/Religion
Taylor Dunnington - Business Management
Todd Ganton - Business Management
Luke Nicholson - Business Management
Join us for the 35th year of AgapeFest April 29 and 30. Visit agapefest.com for more information or contact media@greenville.edu.
