Tag Archives: Campus Operations

“IT’S BEAUTIFUL”

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The following post is contributed by Kelli Joy, our communications intern. Her assignment: interview Eileen Allen, Campus Operations’ quiet administrative assistant with an eye for capturing the beauty around her. Since it’s the people that make Belhaven such a wonderful place, we’ve chosen to highlight Mrs. Allen and a couple of her photos here.


Eileen Allen, Administrative Assistant for Campus Operations

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

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

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!

Getting to Know Clara Brown, Campus Security

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Clara Brown, Campus Security Officer

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.”