For Jason Stoff, the definition of art can encompass many different forms. Whether Jason is passing the time creating his latest masterpiece or strumming tunes on his guitar, it is art that dominates the majority of his time at Southeast.
Originally from Highland, Ill., Jason decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in graphic design as a means of developing his talent for creating artistic expressions. His favorite way to spend time at Southeast is in the art studio, working on his designs. If you don’t find Jason hard at work, you can find him hanging out with his friends and playing 8-bit Nintendo or visiting local music stores to check out the latest tunes for sale.
Jason uses his artistic talents in a number of ways on campus. He is a student employed with the Department of Art, an Opening Week student leader and a freelance designer. But what consumes the majority of Jason’s time is his work as a Flight Peer Mentor for the Artist in Society Flight. His responsibilities to the Southeast art community are time consuming, but very enjoyable, Jason says. It is just part of what makes the University such a great experience for him.
“The time I’ve spent here has definitely broadened my horizons, and educated me far beyond the academic area,” he says. “I’m a better student, and better at time management, but I’ve also learned a great deal about living away from my family and friends back home.”
In what little time Jason has to spare, he also likes to travel. Future travel plans will hopefully take Jason to Australia next summer. But for now, he is traveling up Interstate 55 to St. Louis to take advantage of all the sights and sounds the city has to offer. He also likes to make the four-hour trip up to Urbana, Ill., to visit his girlfriend.
Jason considers himself an amateur guitarist, although he claims it is more noise than music. His artistic abilities are not limited to graphic design or the strings of his guitar. Like putting single images together, combining endless colors on a canvass or creating the opening bars to a song, Jason also takes individual parts and puts them together to build and create new computers.
Although Jason still has a couple of years before he plans to graduate, his experience at Southeast has shaped and molded who he is today.
Jason’s experiences have also provided him with some lighthearted, yet intuitive advice for future Southeast students.
“Make friends, because that’s the best way to pass the down time here,” says Jason. “Make plenty of time for naps throughout the day if you can’t (or won’t) sleep at night.”
Jason is still unsure whether his path at Southeast will lead him to graduate school after college, but if so, he hopes to find a warm climate in a large city. Jason’s future after college is like a blank canvas, waiting for an artist’s design. His love of art and graphic design, a love that has blossomed at Southeast, will undoubtedly lead Jason to achieve all of his goals and dreams.