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.

Clara Brown, Campus Security Officer

“Belhaven surprised me,” states Clara Brown, who has been a Belhaven campus security officer  for 11 years now. As we continue to talk, I learn that it’s really the students’ openness and warmth that has been surprising. In stark contrast to her previous job on a different campus, Belhaven students were eager to make her part of “the Belhaven family,” as she now calls it. She says, “I like to see how students here volunteer, how they go to church, and how they invite me to pray with them.” In fact, she credits these students with helping her grow spiritually over the years.

When Clara talks about her job, she mentions the things she does (escorting students to and from their cars, unlocking doors, patrolling the campus, etc), but mostly she just talks about the students themselves. Her favorite aspect of her job? “I love helping students.” How has the job changed her perspective? “I am more of an athlete by nature, but hanging around artists at Belhaven has given me an appreciation for all of life.” A first that this job has provided? “It’s my first time working somewhere where I meet people from all over the world.” The most pivotal moment that changed her perspective towards students forever? The day a student athlete came up to her, gave her a hug, and told her she is loved. Today, “Miss Clara,” as she is affectionately known around campus, does her job joyfully–keeping campus safe for “her family.”

Mr. Eliud Michura and Dr. Randy Russ

How did Mr. Eliud Michura, a Kenyan, end up in Jackson, Miss. to observe how Belhaven College integrates faith and learning in student development? To answer this very complex question, I thought it would be interesting to play a little game of “Six Degrees” which usually includes Kevin Bacon. Not today. Today, we’re talking about how Belhaven connections span the globe and how the Lord has used them to bring a Dean of Students from a Kenyan university all the way to Belhaven College. This tale of “6 Degrees of Belhaven” began over a decade ago…

1. Jane Lang’at (class of 1998) and her husband Robert moved to Kenya, where Robert is the Provost at Kabarak University and Mr. Michura is the Dean of Students.
2. Dr. Joe Martin, Chair of the Belhaven Biblical Studies dept., connected Jane and Robert with…
3. Dr. Randy Russ, Belhaven Business professor who was already planning a trip to Africa, and who often gives seminars on faith integration in the classroom.
4. Dr. Russ changed his summer plans (2008) to include a stop in Kenya, where he did a seminar for small business owners, one of whom was Anne Michura…
5. Anne told her husband, Eliud, about Randy’s seminar…
6. A friendship was born between these two men, and Randy returned to Kenya in Winter 2008 and invited Eliud to come and observe how Belhaven trains students in faith integration.

So, by the time I met Eliud on the Belhaven campus last week, the Lord had already created an intricate path to bring him here, and it was filled with Belhaven connections. His stay at Belhaven will last 3 weeks, and during that time he will observe how Belhaven integrates the biblical worldview into student programs. He plans to take back many ideas to Kabarak University when he returns. Several things that Belhaven has impressed upon him include the heavy investment into students’ lives, the integration of faith and learning, and the general hospitality he has felt on our campus.

Dr. Russ hopes that this relationship continues to such a degree that Belhaven students could study in Kenya next summer, learning AND practicing “Business as Ministry” with students from Kabarak University. The goal of this program is to help communities spiritually AND economically. I hope to have follow-up news to this post in the coming months! Until then, welcome to campus Mr. Michura!

Every college freshman that walks onto the Belhaven campus this August 15th will face a temptation to turn and run. Why? College is new and exciting, but it’s also intimidating and scary. As a former BC college freshman myself, here are a few tips on making your transition to college a smooth one:

1. Pack smart. Instead of having a vague notion that you’re not allowed to bring incense or toaster ovens to your residence hall, check with Student Life on what’s allowed/forbidden. The Belhaven Office of Student Life newsletter has this information, so make sure you and your parents read it BEFORE packing the car and driving 8 hours!

2. Let go. College is a great time to start fresh. You don’t have to cling to your high school identity any more than you have to cling to your pet hampster (which is not allowed in the dorm). I’m not saying drop all ties to your family and high school friends, but I am saying that Belhaven is a great place to grow into who you want to be, not stay in the same old high school categories.

3. Be open. With 70% of the freshmen from out of state, chances are you will meet some people who are not like you. On a small campus like BC, people don’t expect diversity, but it is abundant. A true cliche: people really can’t be judged by appearances. You might be surprised at how being open can bring rich friendships with like minded people who just happen to look and talk differently!

4. Jump in. Unpack your car. Take a deep breath. Hug your parents good bye. Jump into meeting people! The first few weeks of school are a window of opportunity for meeting people. Everyone feels just as awkward as you, so stick out your hand and introduce yourself to the person in line behind you, join other people playing frisbee on the Gillespie Commons, and participate with all of the Orientation activities, even if you think they’re corny!

5. Plug in. Get involved in a local church. Keeping your relationship with the Lord a priority from the very beginning of college is the most important “tip” I can give, and this includes a healthy church life. Many churches have “Adopt-a-Student” programs that connect you with a local family, which can be a great way to have a “home away from home.” If you don’t have a car, give the church office a call. Chances are, they will offer you a ride.

Any other tips for freshmen out there?

The year was 1942. World War II raged, Casablanca premiered in New York City, and Elizabeth Spencer exited Belhaven with a diploma in hand.This Carrollton, Miss. native went on to achieve literary prestige in a time of great change.  She is also the subject of a feature-length documentary, says a recent article in  The Clarion-Ledger. The documentary is still in the works, but keep a look out for the interesting story of a Belhaven grad who went on to address many issues at the heart of a slowly changing Southern landscape.

I ran into David Potvin, Assistant Vice President over Campus Operations. If anyone knows what’s happening around campus, it’s David! Well, I quickly found out that things are not as quiet as they seem in the summer.

Changing light bulbs: not always easy

Does changing light bulbs sound mundane? How about when it saves you THOUSANDS in energy savings? Yes, BC’s going green, and the campus is blazing with brighter, more efficient lighting! Campus Ops used to change light bulbs in the student center wall sconces several times a week. They burned too hot, overheated, and then burned out. With compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), they haven’t had to be changed since they were put in over a year ago.

I can see my food now!

Similar “light bulb” moments have been happening all across campus. Belhaven’s well-known “Wall of Lights,” made up of decorative street lamps around campus, is a great way to keep the campus well-lit and secure at night…as long as the light bulbs are burning bright. This summer, all 136 lamps were refitted with CFL bulbs and the result is a brighter light along with a savings of $11,000-12,000 a year in energy costs.

Kevin, Ricky, and Clint help BC go green

I caught three Campus Ops employees on the job in the Dining Commons. Ricky, one of the employees, explained with pride how by changing out the food service area from energy-sucking track lighting to more brightly lit CFLs, “We’ve dropped power use by 60% in the dining hall food service area alone.” And now people can see their food! I asked the three employees if they felt good about their job, since it is providing such a savings AND a well-lit, secure campus environment…and they smiled for the camera, which is all I can really ask for!

For nearly a decade, Brent Kooi has worked with Belhaven students, first as Resident Director and then as Dean of Student Life. Through a series of events, including a gospel choir mission trip to Japan in 2007, Brent is leaving BC for the mission field. He says, “I thought I’d retire in Student Development–being a missionary was never in the plans.” Over a period of about a year, it became clear to Brent that being a missionary was indeed in God’s plans, and his time at BC drew to a close.

Brent laughs when asked what makes BC unique.  Since he knows the campus well, I’m sure he’s had his share of unique BC moments. But he doesn’t say “Dr. Kenyon’s mono-syllabic laugh” or even “the craze that comes over the campus during ‘Gotcha.’” He surprises me with this: “Belhaven’s unique because it is solidly Christian in curriculum and programs, yet there are so many opportunities for outreach and ministry on campus.”

As an RD, Brent had the opportunity to reach out to the Resident Assistants, as well as the students in his residence hall. He says his favorite memories are of “the late night talks at one or two a.m. that I’d have with guys in the residence hall.”

One of the RAs that Brent influenced was Greg Hawkins, class of  2005. In fact, Greg returned to BC shortly after graduation to work as an RD for Brent, who was Dean of Student Life by then. Three more years led to the culmination of Brent’s impact and Greg’s heart for students: Greg was named Dean of Students upon Brent’s departure! Greg says that he learned a lot from Brent, and he hopes “to foster an environment where students are able to grow in wisdom and awareness while discovering their calling.”

As Brent passes the torch to one of his own former RAs, his work has come full circle, and to me, it’s the embodiment of the Belhaven mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.

To follow his journey to Japan, check out Brent’s blog.

In the 125-plus years of Belhaven College’s existence, students and faculty have donned caps and gowns and experienced the traditions that make a Belhaven College commencement a special time for students and their families. Saturday, May 9th was no different: the somber but thrilling “Piping of the Colors” by bagpiper and student James Wakeland, the flowing processional of students and faculty, and the singing of the Belhaven College Hymn and Alma Mater combined to create an atmosphere of great expectation in what God will do, even in the difficult times these graduates face.

Dr. Doris Brougham, missionary, educator and multimedia producer, delivered the commencement address “Making a Difference” to the class of 2009. She also received the honorary degree Doctor of Christian Ministries, conferred by Dr. Roger Parrott.

Dr. Brougham clearly communicated that God has a plan for each graduate’s life, and as her own testimony shows, the plan is often different than first imagined. She shared her experiences in civil war China and with the tribal peoples of Taiwan, both of which God used to strengthen her trust in His faithful plan. She told of the humble radio program that she started to spread the gospel to unreached territories. She spoke of God blessing that radio program into an international Christian broadcasting company that has reached hundreds of thousands of Chinese speaking people. Above all, Dr. Brougham spoke of a life of no regrets—a life that has been surrendered to God and a life lived for God. She challenged the graduating class of 2009 to “start on the right path today” and keep on the road that God has planned for them.

Dr. Dolphus Weary, Director of Development for Mission Mississippi, gave the benediction, and hundreds of Belhaven graduates were released into the world with high hopes—hopes that are not set on the stock market or the end of a recession—but hopes set on the good plan of their Creator and Redeemer.

Thanks to Robby Piantanida, senior art major, for the photo.

When: Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 pm

Where: Belhaven College Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

Cost: FREE

For more information: See the full Belhaven College news release.