Evan Hartono

Evan Hartono is a 21 year old senior majoring in Graphic design major born and raised, and currently resides in Jakarta, Indonesia.

There are a number of reasons why he chose Mercyhurst. First of all, he loves the warm and welcoming environment that the campus provides him, and he enjoys the support he can gain from his friends and the staff. The main thing that brought him here was the AIM Program, where anyone can be anything and where he has the opportunity to grow as a person with the courage and strength to pursue the things he loves. Another thing he enjoys about Mercyhurst is the Art Department. There, he has gained the chance to spend a considerable amount of time pursuing a passion that has been dear to his heart. By using different kinds of techniques to create a variety of works of art, he feels that he can showcase his thoughts, emotions, and creativity. Additionally, he greatly appreciates the many wonderful opportunities that Mercyhurst has provided him, since he can’t get these opportunities in any other part of the world. Overall, this has truly been a remarkable experience.

Fun facts about him are that his most favorite animal is the elephant, and had the opportunity to not just interact with them but also bathe them at the Mason Elephant Park in Bali, Indonesia. Another fun fact about me is that my talent in art was inspired by Disney’s The Lion King (something I have been obsessed with for more than 10 years). Every time I see both the live-action and animated versions, I always feel amazed and inspired (mainly by the animation/visuals and colors of the animals and environments) to come up with fresh ideas for my paintings and drawings during my spare time, especially back in Jakarta. He is also a member of two clubs on campus: The ISA (International Students Association) Club and Art Therapy Club.

Something unexpected about him is that he has been helping a local organization back in Jakarta, where my paintings have been turned into different kinds of items such as postcards, bags, and T-shirts. This was made for charity purposes to help special needs children and their families in Jakarta.

Jillian "Jill" Marcelli

Jillian "Jill" Marcelli is a senior double majoring in Graphic Design and Communication. She was born and raised in Olean, New York. 

Jill's goal is to achieve a high-paying job doing Graphic Design for companies that work alongside their customers to create personalized advertising. She has taken advantage of several internships to reach her career goal. Some of her internships have consist of; several writing internships in communication and working on web design for companies like DOT FM, Mercyhurst Athletics, Menergie, and Studios. 

Jill is an active member around campus Mercyhurst, as she writes for The Mercaid and is involved in Photo Club. These two organizations that she is a part of are setting her up for success in the field she hopes to enter after she graduates. 




Jill's parents provided her with different tools to help her achieve success in Graphic Design. Her parents often gave her art supplies, and she was able to create more through that. She was always encouraged to be active and go outside, unlike her friends who stayed inside and played video games. She believes it was a good thing that she was encouraged to go outside and do art, instead of staying indoors playing video games, as her friends did. She thinks if she had played video games. She would not be as dedicated and passionate for what she hopes to achieve. 

In Jill's free time outside, she played year-round soccer and ran track in High School. She was more active and driven than her friends. She had a goal to continue in college, but that was not an option as she suffered a dislocation in her left shoulder from soccer. She hopes to find a way to pursue her passion for soccer in the future.

Jill is an incredibly kind person, and it easy to talk to. She can often be found working on different Graphic Design projects as she is driven to achieve success in the goals she hopes to achieve. She will find success in the area of Graphic Design with her strong work ethic and passion for her studies. 


- Isabel C. Merriman