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You Are Making a Difference! 2013 Graduates Comment 3

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.  Here are some additional comments (see previous posts for more comments) from the graduates of 2013 that express their thanks for what you have done for them.

My experience going to Belhaven for my AA Degree as well as my BASS was very spiritual and confronting. Having the faith to belief and trust in God gave me the interconnection to discover myself and to make a positive impact on myself as well as others.  I was very inspired going to Belhaven by faith for it gave me a sense of purpose to help me to find myself through my toughest times in my life, I found a sense of purpose to set my goals and finish them. Belhaven allowed me to build faithful relationships with the faculty, Instructors and my colleagues, as well as to form groups to have positive results to where these relationships are proven to be more supportive. Belhaven gave me the opportunity to find the faith I needed to get me through my education and without this faith I don’t believe I could have accomplished this at all. I just want to say Thank you to all of you.

 

Jackson graduate

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From the first meeting with the staff it was obvious that Belhaven was a perfect fit for me.  I always looked forward to walking through the door after a long day at work and being surrounded by people who always seemed to radiate Christianity.  Starting classes with a group prayer always gave us the chance to reflect on how fortunate we were to be in God’s presence and what a gift it was to have an opportunity to share prayer requests with others.  Never dreading a class was such a gift… and the faculty and staff at Belhaven were a large part of that. Taking the time to look into my Christian Worldview and how to focus on that still helps me to teach my boys, how to treat others and focus on making the right decisions today.  Attending Belhaven was a true blessing.

Chattanooga graduate

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If I were to give a brief summary of how attending Belhaven has impacted my life, I would say, “Belhaven helped me understand how to deal with people better by introducing me to worldviews!” Before I came to Belhaven I had been known as a person who loves people and could get along with most I meet, but I had some hidden areas of thought concerning people based on decisions they made. The understanding of worldviews helped me bridge relationships with individuals I would not have been able to connect with before because I did not understand them.”

The Belhaven Instructors who really impacted the most were Dr. James Quillin, Dr. Ken Jones, and Dr. Ademola Sodendie.

Overall my experiences at Belhaven was God breathed, I was led to be a part of Belhaven to enhance the area of my life God needed me to improve in! I will forever thank God for the opportunity to attend there and to learn.

Memphis graduate

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Belhaven University make me feel authentically supported when they said, “Please let me know how I can be helpful” and genuinely mean it. In addition, the excitement Belhaven staff express to co-learn with me rather than teach me, makes me feel like a partner in my learning experience, when it is so easy to feel like ‘a sponge that can only absorb.’ I know Belhaven staff has so much to share, but I love how Belhaven staff also openly articulate how much I have to share as well and how much they learn by engaging with me!

As educators, you have ensured a role of heightening my knowledge in academics. However, many of you have not seen me as one of the many students you have, but instead you value me for my uniqueness and strengths. Belhaven promotes an environment where I feel like I am able to not only share my contribution, but also know it is actually considered and appreciated. Thank you for being genuine. Thanks to Belhaven University, for seeing me as a partner in learning and sharing. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being one of the few great Christ centered colleges out there. May you inspire others to achieve the greatness you instilled in me.

With gratitude, Jackson graduate

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Attending school was another way for me to make a change in my life for the better.  My children and I could live better and would not have to struggle anymore.  It would show my children that no matter what if you believe in yourself; you could accomplish anything.  It was an opening for me to increase my awareness of the world around me, to know the Bible better and to meet students with a similar background.  I decided to go back to school because my job was a dead end and I was not going to advance within the company unless I acquired a degree.  I have had some great teachers and administrators along my journey.  The first one being Dr. Stripling the Literature teacher.  He challenged me in every aspect of my life not just as a student.  He would say do not just read the story and make a conclusion, but read it and apply it to the Bible and your life.   The next person I want to uplift is Elizabeth (asst. admissions director).  She was my cheerleader from the beginning and she believed in me throughout my journey with Belhaven.  I really missed her when she left.  I would like to thank Michelle for always smiling every time I entered the office because I had some rough days and it made a difference in my life.  Veronica was really good too.  She helped with my schedule and making sure I had my books for all of my classes.  Finally, there is Julien.  Julien was a student at the same time I was.  This made his motivation even better because he knew the struggles of being a parent, working and going to school.  I am a stronger person because of these great people and the lessons they taught me.

Houston Graduate

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YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! 2013 GRADUATE COMMENTS 2

Here are some more comments from the graduates of 2013.  They reiterate what I know: that you are an amazing faculty and that your work touches and changes lives.

I am so blessed to be a Graduate of Belhaven. I had a great experience there both academically and socially. The knowledge I gained at Belhaven has allowed me to have a thriving career with the Mississippi Department of Revenue as a Special Agent. Dr. Howard Bartee is a professor that had a great impact on my life. He challenged me to be a better student and person. I have great memories and I am extremely glad to be a Blazer!!! Keep me lifted in prayer as I enter a new season of my life. I pray that God enlarges the territory of Belhaven University and his hand remains with us all.

Jackson Graduate

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Before I began school at Belhaven University in 2009, I prayed that God would lead me to the school that HE wanted me to go to! I wanted GOD to move me out the way. I came to Belhaven with an extremely low GPA so I was very nervous about my college education this time. I wanted to do my very best and learn all I could. The staff at Belhaven always encouraged me. If I had questions about Financial Aid, both Jackson and Memphis worked hard to get me the answers I needed. One of the instructors that had a tremendous impact on me was Dr. Ken Jones, my Psychology/Social Services teacher. He is very knowledgeable in this area. I believed I learned the most from doing his papers and through presentations because of the research we had to put in. He also made learning fun. I believe coming to Belhaven was all a part of God’s plan. I made life-long friends, grew spiritually, and went from a 1.0 GPA to graduating with a 3.92. I am grateful for my journey at Belhaven and thankful for Dr. Ken Jones, Don Jones, Erica Johnson, and Altonious Peterson. I got just what I needed… A valuable education with a Christian Worldview.

Memphis Graduate

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My Belhaven experience was very challenging, positive, and rewarding. My instructors pushed me to achieve excellence in my studies and helped me to expand and enrich the Christian worldview I have had since my childhood. I remember Dr. Martin inspiring, encouraging, coercing, and cajoling us to get us through the program. I remember Dr. Jinkiri explaining complex principles of economics without ever cracking the textbook. I remember Dr. Redfern making us consider and discuss difficult ethical dilemmas and try to figure out the best solutions. I remember all of the instructors stressing the importance of being a good public servant, doing the right thing, and behaving in a Christ-like manner at all times. Thanks to all the faculty who made my time at Belhaven so memorable.

Jackson Graduate

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When I was at Belhaven in 2013 I was in the first Masters Program at the Chattanooga Campus. Staffing was tight and Dr. Trussell taught most of the classes. The work load was very heavy and I was going through a very busy time at work as well. I can get frustrated at times with bureaucracy. Things like schedules and financial aid drove me nuts. The faculty in Chattanooga all made this part of the process painless for me and eased my worries several times. Susan Haughton in Chattanooga and Susan Smith in Jackson (Financial Aid) were outstanding and the patience they showed me made me realize not only how valuable of an asset they are but how much their work is their ministry.

Their actions gave me pause and caused me to reflect on how I interact with people. I hope I am able to live up to their standards and share the grace they shared with me.

Chattanooga Graduate

Posted on 4 Comments on Plagiarism: Preparing Your Students to Avoid It.

Plagiarism: Preparing Your Students to Avoid It.

by Kim Priesmeyer

We’re all writing teachers, even if you teach business, history, or psychology, because we all assign papers in our classes.  Therefore, we will all be called to help students identify and use sources well in their writing.  The challenge is that many of our students are unprepared for this task, and they need our guidance.

First, provide as many guidelines as possible for their papers that require sources.  Take class time to teach students how to write an outline of their ideas, how to search for sources using the Belhaven databases, and how to use turnitin through Canvas as a “test drive” for their writing.  My webinar discussed how to implement structure into the research process so you’re setting up students for success.

Also, share important “tips of the trade” with students using the handout I’ve designed.  Many of our students don’t know how to select material to cite or how to integrate source material into their writing.  These are universal skills that students will need in every college course they take, so practicing this in class is time well spent.  Most of our students want to become better writers and want to use sources accurately and effectively, so taking a few extra steps can help students achieve success.

You can find the webinar Kim presented on this topic here: Plagiarism: Helping Your Students Avoid It.

Kim Priesmeyer, M.A.
Associate Professor of English
Belhaven University, Houston Campus

Posted on No Comments on You Are Making a Difference! 2013 Graduate Comments 1

You Are Making a Difference! 2013 Graduate Comments 1

I recently asked the 2013 graduates to share their memory of their time at Belhaven University.  I think you will find the comments below to be encouraging.  I will post others as more come in.

The MPA program was so critical in not only my professional development but my spiritual development as well. I was attracted to the program because the classes were once a week and your cohort was relatively small. It was easy to get assignments done because everyone was so encouraging each other. We were all there to accomplish the same goal. The professors that impacted my life during the program was Dr. Ervin Martin, Dr. Nycole Campbell, Ms. Samantha Martin, & Ms. Regina Irvin. They were all so important throughout my tenure at Belhaven. I learned a lot of lessons from all of them & I implement those lessons in not only my professional life but my personal life as well.     MPA Alum ’13, Jackson

Belhaven actually changed my life, my way of thinking and my way of maneuvering through business and life.  ’13, Houston

I think the person that made the biggest impact on me was Dr. Thompson.  He made me challenge my own belief system.  He created real life situations in the business world.  He would also bring articles to class that involved critical thinking.  Dr. Thompson brought a religious critical thinking component to a business world view.  Many of the classes were composed of a business world view with a Christian component. I really appreciated Dr. Thompson making me challenge my own beliefs and get out of my comfort zone.  Not only did I have my own internal monologue to deal with, but I had to defend or reason my belief system vocally.  This forced me to do more research on a biblical level to back up my points when discussion arose. Knowing I can defend my religious views with research, it has allowed me to be more confidence when in the business world to find the resources necessary to back up my stances on situations.   ’13 Memphis

My under graduate experience at Belhaven was wonderful! It was very challenging but absolutely rewarding at the same time.  My instructors were always very willing to work with my busy schedule and yet tough enough to educate me to a higher standard.  The staff at the campus were amazing to say the least and always willing to help in any way they could.  I am now an Operations Manager for GE and my career is looking very bright.  I have used my education to get promoted in my civilian career and in my military career.  Thank-you and the support staff for the opportunity to be a part of the university during my under graduate studies. ’13 Chattanooga