Michael Dukes, Alumni Director

Michael Dukes, class of ‘98, is Belhaven’s Alumni Director. If any of you alumni are on the fence about coming “Back to Belhaven” this year, read this short Q & A before you make up your mind! Register Online for all of the Homecoming events you plan to attend.

What is your favorite aspect of being Alumni Director? The interaction with alumni (and friends) from varying eras is always satisfying to my soul.  Helping connect alumni passions with something that is currently going on at Belhaven, and see them get involved, is the most enjoyable aspect of my role here.

What is your favorite time of year? Homecoming is the pinnacle for alumni involvement during the school year, so naturally it is my favorite time.  I could put together a Homecoming schedule full of activities and events, but my philosophy is to plan a few meaningful events and reserve the bulk of time available for simple conversation and “re-connection” for alumni.

What are some annual favorites that will be back again for Homecoming 09? Of course, the Alumni Awards Luncheon is a highlight each year.  This event allows us to honor a handful of Belhaven’s alumni who have made significant impact in their churches, careers, and communities since departing Belhaven.  This year’s recipients are certainly a worthy group.

Other staple events are the Sports Hall of Fame Banquet (Friday night), the Fifty Year Club Fall Meeting, and the 5k Run/Walk…AND the Football team will square off with Shorter College on the gridiron this year…GO BLAZERS!

Homecoming Court 2008

What are some special events that are new this year? The most significant new event for Homecoming this year will be the “Thirty Years of Excellence” Celebration, honoring Drs. Al Chestnut and Phil Kelly.  It’s a pretty remarkable thing to have faculty stay at one institution thirty years or longer, yet alone in one department.  We wanted to do something to honor these gentlemen and allow those who sat under their teaching the opportunity to express their thankfulness.

Although it’s not a totally new event, this year will see the return of our Blazer Basketball Mini-Camp (Saturday morning).  We want to encourage alumni with children or grandchildren to bring them and let our Belhaven student-athletes interact with them and teach them some basketball skills in the process!

What is the one thing  you hope all alumni experience when they come “Back to Belhaven?” Much of who I am as a person was shaped during my time at Belhaven, so my passions for the College run deep and true.  I know I am not the only one for whom this is the case.  So, my hope is that all alumni who are even remotely tempted to come back for Homecoming will make the choice to do so.  I am persuaded that just simply being back on campus will bring back some powerful memories for us all of what the Lord accomplished in our lives through Belhaven College and the people who were here with us.

• Music: Mary Chapin Carpenter is performing at the Belhaven College Center for the Arts tonight! If there are any tickets left, they can be found at Ticketmaster.

• Theatre: The Belhaven College Theatre Department is well-known for their dedication to making each play a success. As It Is In Heaven, a play set in the in the early 1800s in a Shaker village in Kentucky, will run this weekend (April 17 & 18) and next (April 22-25). Contact the Belhaven Box Office for more info or to purchase tickets: 601.965.7026/boxoffice@belhaven.edu.

• Art: A Senior Art Exhibit by Jaimie Bolton, Katie Kelly, Cassandra Linton, and Ken Richardson will be up for a few more days. Swing by and see it; I went today, and it is great! Bitsy Irby Visual Arts & Dance Center, Gallery (open 10-6 on weekdays).

• Neighborhood Concerts at the Pavilion: This weekend, Belhaven will host the second concert of this spring’s outdoor performance series. Ballet Magnificat! Trainee Company will present an afternoon of dance at the Pavilion on campus (next to the tennis courts). Bring your family, a few lawn chairs, and a picnic! Saturday, April 18th, from 2-4 pm. *canceled in case of rain, sleet, snow, or hail.

• Athletics: Tennis match against Spring Hill (2:00 pm on Saturday), including pre-match festivities such as food and interactive games. The Spring Football scrimmage is at 1:00 pm on Saturday. Come out and support the Blazers!