As part of Evangel's vision for increased financial strength twelve faculty and staff contracts will not be renewed in Fall 2016. Among the twelve are two Art Professors, Professor David Bigelow and Professor Lane Simmons. As art majors, friends of the art department, and alum of Evangel we are disheartened by the decision to take not one but two of our beloved professors.

As result of the announcement, we are concerned for the future of our department and the future Art students at Evangel. Under section four of our Student Bill of Rights we are peacefully petitioning a reconsideration of the decision process that caused a non-renewal of both Professor Bigelow and Professor Simmons' contracts.

It is our hope that the signatures on this petition will represent the immense impact that Professor Bigelow and Professor Simmons' instructions have had on our lives, our friend's lives, and our children's lives. We hope that each name will honor their legacy at Evangel and show our concern for an Art department that does not have them as professors.