Eileen Allen, Administrative Assistant for Campus Operations

When asked to describe Belhaven University’s campus in three words, Mrs. Eileen Allen explains, “You can describe it in one—Beautiful!” Since 2006, Mrs. Allen has served as the Administrative Assistant in Campus Operations here at Belhaven. She is the beautiful red-haired lady that sits in the glass office upon entering the computer lab.

The beauty of our campus is her motivation for snapping shots of the university grounds. Mrs. Eileen admitted, “I am sure students see me walking around taking pictures, since I do it all the time. I always keep my camera handy; you never know when you will have the opportunity to capture art.”

Belhaven Campus by Eileen Allen

Mrs. Eileen was born here in Jackson and has lived in several cities throughout the state. She grew up in a home that valued art: “Since my mother is an artist and an art teacher, I have been exposed to art all my life. I personally love anything dealing with art, from photography to picture framing, and music as well.” Eileen opened an arts and crafts store from 1986-1990 in Brandon, Miss., where she offered “all types of art classes and sold every type of art supply that you could imagine.”

Gillespie Commons by Eileen Allen

She plans to dedicate more time and energy to her love of art and photography whenever she retires. When asked to define or explain art in her mind, she referenced her favorite quote: “Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is obvious from Eileen’s campus photographs that she loves capturing beauty and creating art. Thank you for sharing with us, Eileen!

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!

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.

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.