Abigail de Jong ‘25 has always nurtured a wide array of interests — from history to environmental science, art to biology. When she first arrived at Geneva College, an enrollment counselor suggested she consider studying environmental science. At the same time, she was introduced to visual arts professor William Kofmehl, whose guidance opened the door to exploring Geneva’s art classes with the encouragement to “take inspiration and make it bigger.” This support, combined with a liberal arts curriculum, confirmed her path for both artistic creation and scientific pursuit. 

This intersection of disciplines comes to life in Abigail’s recently installed exhibit in the Science & Engineering Building. The exhibit is a testament not only to her curiosity, but also to the technical and creative skills she has developed. It visually captures how science and art have informed and elevated one another throughout her academic journey.  

“Nature one hundred percent inspires me,” she says. She draws a distinction between appreciating the visual form of a subject and understanding how it functions. She finds beauty in the patterns of nature — such as the delicate interactions of cells seen under a microscope — which offer both scientific insight and artistic inspiration. 

Even before college, Abigail understood the connection between biology and art. But it was at Geneva — particularly through classes like Organic Chemistry, where visualizing and diagramming were essential — that she discovered an appreciation for the elegance of other sciences. “To draw something, you have to know it,” she says, capturing the essence of both scientific inquiry and artistic creation.  

Abigail reflects on how her studies have expanded her appreciation for the intricacies of creation. “For every type of plant, [God] knows not just what they need to grow but how their cells are made.” Ultimately, she knows that the Lord is sustaining the details of life and is deeply and creatively involved in His Creation. “He really is an artist, and we spend a lot of time trying to mimic that.”  

One of the most formative experiences of her college career came during her time with the Au Sable Institute, where she engaged in intensive field studies at both their Michigan and Washington state locations. Between her sophomore and junior years, Abigail studied a variety of topics including alpine environments, immersing herself not only in textbook knowledge but in the ecosystems themselves. It was there that a fellow student commented their own surprise upon discovering that all biologists are not also artists. “We study the natural world and put it down on paper,” they observed, a sentiment that deeply resonated with her. That experience solidified her confidence that she had chosen the right path in pursuing environmental science while also making room for her artistic endeavors. 

Her permanent installation in S&E is the culmination of her interdisciplinary exploration. Built upon work by a former environmental science student, the project uses a combination of media and materials inspired by Geneva’s campus, inviting viewers to slow down and look closely. 

For this art series, Abigail used leaves from every species of tree represented across Geneva’s campus to compile nearly 30 black and white designs as collagraphs and photograms. Collagraphs are created through a printmaking technique that involves creating a plate with the materials attached to it, which are then inked and used to imprint the design. Photograms are created by placing materials on light-sensitive paper and exposing them to light in a form of photography that creates a distinct design. 

As she looks back on the project, Abigail hopes those who encounter it will begin to see the familiar with new eyes. She encourages viewers to let the installation prompt them to explore campus with more intentionality and to recognize the natural beauty around them.

By Amelia Jones, MBA ‘26 

Published in the Geneva Magazine, Summer 2025 Issue