Kate Nofziger graduated from Bethel University in 2026 with degrees in theater arts and studio arts. Throughout her time at Bethel, she discovered how her passions for storytelling, performance and visual art could work together, allowing her to grow as both an artist and a leader. Today, she serves as an artist’s assistant at AWS Sculpture Studio in South Bend, where she continues developing her skills in art. Looking ahead, Kate hopes to earn a master’s degree, teach at the collegiate level and continue creating meaningful art that inspires others.
Although she originally came to Bethel intending to study American Sign Language, Kate quickly found herself exploring a variety of creative opportunities. She became involved in Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, BU Voices, University Choir and nearly every theater production during her college career, serving both onstage and behind the scenes. Bethel’s encouragement to pursue multiple interests ultimately led her to combine her love for theater and visual art through a double major.
“I was someone who had too many interests,” Kate says. “I remember the encouragement I received from professors of doing things even outside of my major and being involved in extracurriculars. Bethel really helped me explore that, and I appreciate that because I was given a lot of good opportunities to grow as a creator.”
One of the defining moments of Kate’s college experience came during her senior year, when she designed and built Milky White, the life-sized cow puppet featured in Bethel’s production of “Into the Woods,” as her senior art thesis. The project combined sculpture, scenic design, engineering and performance, while allowing her to bring both of her majors together in one creative endeavor.
“Milky White was an accumulation of many ridiculous ideas, and somehow it all worked,” she says. “I had to ask for help throughout the process, and that taught me so much about collaboration. It ended up being one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever created.”
Kate says the relationships she built with Bethel’s faculty had the greatest impact on her college experience. Through the mentorship of her professors, she gained confidence in her artistic abilities while being encouraged to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom, including travel experiences, theater festivals and presenting her work at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
“The biggest value I’ve taken from being at a school like Bethel is having those deeper faculty-student relationships,” she says. “If you take advantage of the mentorship here, you’ll build relationships that go far beyond academics.”
As she begins her career as a professional artist, Kate hopes to continue using creativity to tell meaningful stories while investing in the next generation of artists.
“I want to be a working artist who’s sharing my skills and my heart with others,” she says. “Art has the ability to connect people and tell stories in ways words sometimes can’t, and I hope I can continue doing that throughout my career.”
Featured photo: Kate Nofziger ’26 designed and built Milky White, the life-sized cow puppet featured in Bethel University’s production of “Into the Woods,” as her senior studio arts thesis.