Many high school students think they know what they want to get out of their college experience, but they’re often surprised at how that vision can change over just four years. Fine arts (BFA) major Daniel Medley ’25 knew he wanted to pursue his love for art, but he never could have guessed just how transformative his college experience would be. During the pandemic, Medley was able to reflect on how he could incorporate his faith into both his education and passion for creativity. After touring Azusa Pacific University, Medley knew that APU would push him to commit himself to making art that glorifies God.
Art has always been an important part of Medley’s relationship with the Lord because his first interaction with God was through art. As a child, Medley began adding Jesus into his drawings, creating a whole book of Jesus with his favorite animated characters. “Before I understood Him as God the Father, He was the guy who drew with me,” Medley said. “When I was seven, my pastor was describing Jesus, and I realized that was who I was drawing with, and I wanted to know more about Him.” Medley continued to pursue art as a way to explore his faith and grow closer to God. When it was time to start thinking about college, art was the obvious field of study.
APU had everything that Medley was looking for in a Christian education, but it wasn’t until he toured the university after having toured another Christian school in Southern California that he knew APU was where he was meant to be. “When I got to APU, it just felt right, like I was home,” he said. “There was so much on campus that I wanted to draw, and it felt like Narnia. I felt a clear conviction from God that APU would be able to challenge me academically, personally, and spiritually."
Each semester has felt like its own journey, and Medley said the most important thing
about a journey is the people that are on it with you and learning to have vulnerability
and perseverance through the highs and lows. Medley's love for God has grown, and
with it his love for others has grown as well. “When I learned to see people as God’s
pieces of art in progress, it changed me,” he said. “I realized that God is the master
artist, and I have no clue what He’s going to do in people’s lives. He’s always working
on us and adding new things. This helped me see people and relationships in a new
way.” By connecting with others, Medley has seen how his faith plays out in his relationships.
“When I was a freshman, I could see that God was giving me little nuggets of wisdom,”
he said.
Having a group of friends to go through the celebrations, successes, and failures of life has been a transformational part of Medley’s experience at APU. The books he’s read throughout college have played a big part in his vigor for life and awe of humanity. Being introduced to writers like C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and G.K. Chesterton cultivated a desire to live life to the fullest in Medley. “When my friends and I are all reading the same book for class, we can connect over all the wisdom about humanity in them,” he said. “It’s helped me realize that I can experience my own version of Lord of the Rings right outside my room.”
Since his junior year, Medley has had a particular interest in art that involves dragons. One day, he was reading Friedrich Nietzsche and had to call his friend to talk through what the book was making him think. “I told my friend that Nietzsche had gotten me thinking, and he told me to relax because Nietzsche doesn’t even know Jesus,” Medley said. “My friend suggested that I write a story to work through my thoughts, so I did, and praise God for writing.” Encouragement to pursue creativity while sitting with deep intellectual ideas in college has been another way Medley has cultivated community. “Now that I’m a senior, I see how God was able to use these silly things like my fascination with dragons to satisfy my imagination, help me build community, and connect my passion with my academics.”
Medley will graduate this December, and while he doesn’t have any career plans set in stone yet, he knows that he won’t have to do anything alone. “There’s so much I want to do to glorify my Father in Heaven, but it’s not just about me,” he said. “I have big dreams, but I’ll need people to help me achieve them.” Medley is excited to tell unique stories, help others share their stories, encourage people to connect with those around them, and invest in the church. He plans to develop his storytelling skills further, possibly through graphic novels and children’s literature illustrations that help kids learn about Jesus. One of his biggest takeaways from his time at APU has been learning to live everyday life in a way that gives glory to God. “Jesus walked alongside his disciples and performed miracles that praised God along the way,” he said. “Part of me is zealous for achieving big things, but I also want to make time to walk alongside others in such a way that brings glory to the Father.”