Augustana not on the list for O’Rourke '24 — at first

Esme O’Rourke '24 from the small town of Niwot, Colo., had not considered going to a college in Illinois until she discovered Augustana through a softball recruiting website. Then something besides softball caught the attention of the lifelong artist: Augustana’s art program.

“I’ve always wanted to be an artist and have a creative career,” O’Rourke said. “The program interested me from the start.” 

O’Rourke scheduled a campus visit and portfolio review for an art scholarship.

“Visiting last February, at first I was really nervous,” she said. “My portfolio included the culmination of many years of my art. I was the first one to share my portfolio within my group. I thought I had to set the tone.” 

O’Rourke’s brave spirit paid off. “The faculty looking at my work, Rowan and Vickie, were super complimentary,” she said. “They expressed an interest in me, and that made me feel great.”

O’Rourke said that feeling of being welcomed and wanted didn’t stop when she left campus. A professor in the graphic design program connected her with a recent Augustana grad, Natalie DeBartolomeis ‘19, to hear about her experience.

Both grew up in Colorado and share an interest in creative careers. DeBartolomeis majored in business administration and graphic design and today works for a Chicago company as a senior art director.

“I reached out to Natalie to ask for some advice and pointers about pursuing art at Augustana,” O’Rourke said. “She was super nice and didn’t have a bad thing to say about her experience.”

O’Rourke says it’s now her turn to share advice with future Augustana artists. “The faculty and staff were so welcoming, and I felt like I fit in right away. I’m glad I was able to make so many connections before coming here because it’s scary being from so far away, but you will find a team, department or group you can rely on. 

“I’m really glad I ended up here. I feel like I get a lot more individual focus than at a bigger school, and it feels a lot more homey.”

O’Rourke will take over the college’s Instagram account (@augustana_illinois) on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Check out what life is like for her now in her second semester of her first year at Augustana.