Parents & Alumni Weekend:  The Office of Student Retention and the Office of Development & Alumni invite you to join us for a fun-filled weekend at Belhaven University.  Whether you’re visiting your student or your alma mater, you’re sure to find plenty of activities to enjoy with your friends and family during homecoming weekend.  The excitement takes place Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22.  Check out the schedule and register online.  Some key events for parents are the President’s Parent Breakfast, Family Cookout, 7th Annual 5k Run/Walk, Blazer Football vs. Union College, Student/Parent Dessert Social, Musical Theatre Production and the meet the Blazers Basketball Event.

Connect:  Stay up-to-date with what is going on at Belhaven while connecting with other parents of current Belhaven students.  Join the Belhaven Parents facebook page. 

Planning Ahead:  When is fall break (mid-semester break)? When is Thanksgiving and Christmas Break?  When do the Residence Halls open for the spring semester?  For all of you who like to plan ahead, the 2011-2012 academic calendar is here! For any other dates of interest go to Belhaven University Academic Calendar

Fall Sports:  There’s a lot of excitement on campus.  Blazer Football, Soccer, Cross Country and Volleyball seasons are in full swing.  Last Saturday, Football claimed the first football victory ever over Mississippi College night, 35-31.  Men’s Soccer defeated East Texas Baptist University 8-0 and Women’s Soccer tied ETBU in overtime.  The Belhaven volleyball finished play at the Rhodes College Tournament with a 7-1 season record, including a 3-1 win over the host school.  The Cross Country teams ran in the Loyola University Invitational on Saturday morning, and Peter Davis was the top Blazers finisher, crossing the line with a time of 17:54.63.  Log on to Belhaven Athletics to keep an eye on fall sports.

Career Preparation:  For some students, this fall marks the start of their college career.  For others, it marks their final year of preparation for their calling in service to Christ.  Wherever a student is along this journey, the Office of Career Services is here to help them prepare.  The office offers career programming and one-on-one career counseling to help students plan for life after Belhaven.  Students may stop by the Office of Career Services in The Cube, or call to schedule an appointment at 601.968.5939.

Chapel:  The purpose of Chapel is to bring together the entire campus in a shared spiritually enriching hour, which allows students to be challenged to explore the depths of God’s truth and love.  Want to listen in?  Subscribe to Chapel Blog and listen to archived Chapel services online. 

Athletics, Arts & Campus Activities

Community Dance Concert – Members of Belhaven University Dance faculty join together with Belhaven alumni and other local dance artists to offer an inspiring and exciting evening of dance on Saturday, September 17 at 7:30 pm in the Concert Hall.

Poetry Reading – Darrell Bourque, two-time Poet Laureate of Louisiana, will visit Belhaven for a master workshop with students and a public reading on Wednesday, September 21 at 6:00 pm in Barber Auditorium.  Bourque was born in southwest Louisiana and began publishing poems while pursuing his Ph.D. at Florida State in the mid 1970s.  He is the author of six books of poems, including the recent volume In Ordinary Light: New and Selected Poems (2010).  Bourque was named Artist of the Year by the Acadiana Arts Council in 2001.

Theatre Performance – The Theatre department presents “Sister Calling My Name” by Buzz McLaughlin September 22-24 and 26-27 at 7:30 pm in Theatre 151. This play, directed by senior theatre major Dave Harris, is an emotionally touching story of Michael, who returns home to handle the affairs of his mentally challenged sister, Lindsay, who is in the care of his high-school sweetheart, Sister Anne; and journeys from the darkness of rejection and pain to a place of reconciliation. 

Upcoming Home Games

How Can We Help You?

Got housing questions?  Contact Greg Hawkins at 601.968.5969 or slife@belhaven.edu. 

Need to find financial aid and payment information?  Contact Linda Phillips at 601.968.5933 or studentaid@belhaven.edu.

Want to know what activities are happening on campus?  Contact Jo Beth Petty at 601.968.8990 or stleadership@belhaven.edu.  

Inquiring about academic success and resources?  Contact Ron Pirtle at 601.968.5932 or cadevelopment@belhaven.edu.

Got questions but not sure who to call?  Contact Amanda Slaughter at 601.968.8850 or aslaughter@belhaven.edu.

Advanced Registration: Advanced registration was held March 7-11 and allowed your son or daughter to have the opportunity to register for Fall, May Term and Summer I & Summer II classes.  Although these dates have passed there is still time for your student to register.  Your son or daughter should go online to Blazenet to choose their courses and then visit with their advisor to review the course selections.  After that step the advisor will submit the course selections and the schedule will be set to go!

Important! – Even if classes are in your student’s cart on Blazenet, the class is not on hold for them until they “Submit” for approval. This is a common confusion you may be able to help them with. Also, encourage them to follow up with their advisors after choosing their classes.

Ways to Get Involved: Is your son or daughter considering becoming more involved at Belhaven?  Here are some of the ways to be active on campus:

Spring Formal – A night full of fun, dancing and great food in the gorgeous setting of spring awaits students at this year’s Spring Formal.  This year’s formal will be held at the Castlewoods Country Club in Brandon from 9:00 pm – 12:00 am on Friday, April 15. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  Tickets will be sold, Tuesday, April 12 – Friday, April 15 in the Dining Commons during lunch and dinner. Tickets on Friday will be sold at lunch ONLY.  Students must show a Belhaven ID to purchase a ticket. All guests must be signed in with a Belhaven student. Directions will be available in all Residence Halls and in the Student Activities Office on the first floor of The Cube.

Escape to the Lake – Your student may need an escape before finals.  Encourage them to come for an outdoor dinner, some great relaxation, and quality recreation!  Escape to the Lake will be held at the Football Practice Field near the Gillespie Lake from 4:45 – 7:00pm, Monday, April 18th.




Arts, Athletics & Campus Events

The Arts are definitely on display in the month of April.  Encourage your student to see and hear the sights at the Spring Dance Concert beginning the weekend of April 1^st and continuing through April 9^th. There is also a Guitar Ensemble Concert on April 9^th at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall. For complete listings, link to The School of the Arts schedule – http://www.belhaven.edu/arts/schedule.htm.

Careers and Media: The Media Ethics Conference was a huge success!  The BU Communication Department had representatives from Fox, WLBT, WAPT, and Clear Channel Radio on hand to speak to Communication majors.  They discussed the media business and profitability and how one remains ethically balanced.  News Directors from all four local television stations shared stories that had aired on their stations and discussed with students why they treated the story in the manner they did.  Students were amazed and have indicated that it was awesome to speak to these News Managers about the business in which they plan to work one day. Thank you to the Department of Communication and Dr. Elayne H. Anthony for making this opportunity a reality for our students.

Athletics: The Belhaven Blazers are earning plenty of recognition as they compete on the court and the diamond.  In Women’s Basketball, Coach Billy Evans’ squad earned an invitation to the National Tournament for the first time in school history.  Four Belhaven spring sport teams are ranked nationally, with Softball at #8, Baseball at #23, Women’s Tennis at #25 and Men’s Tennis receiving votes.  For the most up-to-date details of all BU Athletics go to http://blazers.belhaven.edu/index.aspx .

Financial Aid: It’s not too late to request financial aid for the upcoming year. Be sure to remind your student to fill out their FAFSA for the 2011-12 Academic Year. To do so, they should access the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.edu. If you have questions, please call the office of Student Financial Planning at 1-800-960-5940 (toll free) or 601-968-5933 (local) or e-mail studentaid@belhaven.edu.Their office is also located on the first floor of Preston Hall.

Easter Break: Easter Break begins Friday, April 22^nd and is extended through Monday, April 25^th at 3:15 p.m. Finals week will resume at this time. Monday was added to Easter Break to help accommodate student travel schedules.

Advanced Registration:  Parents, be sure to remind your son or daughter that Advanced Registration is taking place this week, March 7-11. This provides your student the opportunity to register for Fall, May Term, Summer I & Summer II 2011 classes. Your son or daughter should go online to Blazenet to choose their courses and then visit with their advisor to review the course selections.

Financial Aid:  It’s time to start thinking about the next school year.  Be sure to remind your student to fill out their FAFSA for the 2011-2012 academic year.  Your son or daughter may access the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.edu.  If you have questions, please call the office of Student Financial Planning at 1-800-960-5940 (toll free) or 601-968-5933 (local) or e-mail studentaid@belhaven.edu.  Their office is also located on the first floor of Preston Hall.

Spring Graduation:  Belhaven University is pleased to announce that one of the world’s most significant visual artists and influential leaders in the Arts, Makoto Fujimura, will be the Jackson Campus commencement speaker on April 30.  Mako is an artist, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer by both faith-based and secular media.  As Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts (2003-2009), he has contributed internationally as an advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts.  Belhaven will award Mako an honorary doctorate in recognition of his significant work and leadership in the Arts.  It is a joy for Belhaven to honor him, and for Mako to honor us by accepting, because Belhaven University is one of only 30 schools in America accredited in all four Arts – Music, Theatre, Dance, and Visual Art, and the only evangelical University working at the highest levels in the Arts.

Biology Department Places 1^st and 2^nd:  Belhaven University’s Biology students placed first and second in the Health Science presentations at the annual Mississippi Academy of Sciences meeting in Hattiesburg.  This Academy includes students and faculty from all junior and senior colleges, as well as professional schools and science research centers in the state of Mississippi. Belhaven students Jonathan Kalehoff, Isaiah Tolo, James Pregraves, and Jarrett Morgan received first place for their presentation and second place was given to Grace Martin and Jessica Wiseman. 

Blazer Football: Belhaven University recently recognized former Blazer and current San Francisco 49er Tramaine Brock by retiring his jersey for his accomplishments on both the collegiate and professional levels.  Brock is the first player in the history of the Belhaven football program to play in the National Football League.  Brock, a native of Long Beach, MS, had a team high six interceptions and returned two for touchdowns for Belhaven in 2009.  Brock tied the Belhaven single season record for most interceptions and compiled 51 total tackles with 2.5 sacks, and 13.5 tackles for a loss in the 2009 season.  Brock was also named to the Mid-South Conference Western Division All-Conference Team. 

Ways To Get Involved:  Is your son or daughter considering becoming more involved at Belhaven?  Here are some of the ways he or she can get involved on campus:

• Peer Leaders are student leaders who help new students transition into life at Belhaven during Welcome Week.  Applications for Peer Leaders were due in the Office of Student Leadership by Tuesday, March 8. 
• Ambassadors are a vital part of Belhaven because they introduce prospective students to what life will be like for them as a student.  They give tours, talk to prospective students on the phone, and work with Admission Counselors.  Applications for Ambassadors will be available beginning in April.  For more information, contact Jake Donald, Assistant Director of Admission at jdonald@belhaven.edu.
• The Belhaven Activities Team (BAT) exists to plan, promote and provide activities for Belhaven students that help foster community, increase student involvement and build an exciting atmosphere on campus!  BAT is a team of diverse, talented, active, involved and motivated students who work diligently to provide quality programming for the students, faculty and staff of Belhaven University. To find out more about being a part of BAT, your son or daughter may contact the Student Coordinator of Activities, Blakeney Hatcliff at activities@belhaven.edu or call 601-968-8904.

       Arts, Athletics & Campus Life Events

Gotcha:  This highly intense game of water and strategy is back on campus.  Gotcha is open to all (full-time) students, staff, and faculty.  The game is free with a Belhaven ID.  Gotcha action began on Tuesday, March 8 at 1:00 pm and ends on Friday, April 15 at 5:00 pm.

On Course for Fitness:  Fitness classes for abs workouts and turbo jam sessions are now a part of on-campus Fitness Programming.  These classes are offered on Tuesday at 6:30 pm and Wednesday nights at 9:15 pm through March 9. Classes are free of charge and open to all Belhaven students.  For more information, contact Mary Downing Forester at mdforester@belhaven.edu. 

Job Fairs:  There are two upcoming career fairs for students heading into the workforce.  The Belhaven On Campus Career Fair will be Thursday, March 10 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Student Center Theatre.   The Governor’s Job Fair is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Mississippi Trademart building (which is located on the Fairgrounds on High Street). This is a great opportunity for your son or daughter, as there will be job offers given on this day!  If you have any questions regarding Career Services at Belhaven University, contact Claire T. Langley, Director of Career Services, at 601-968-5939 or clangley@belhaven.edu.

March Madness:  The Belhaven Women’s Basketball team will travel to Jackson, TN the week of March 14 to participate in the NAIA Women’s National Tournament.  This is the first time in school history that the Women’s team has earned a berth in this tournament field.   The 2010-11 Blazers won the Western Division of the Southern States Athletic Conference, and are led by SSAC Player of the Year, Regena Jackson, a junior guard from Denham Springs, LA.

Spring Break: Saturday, March 12 at 1pm – Monday, March 21 at 8am

Easter Break: Friday, April 22 at 8am – Monday, April 22 at 3:15pm*

*Monday was added to Easter Break to allow students a chance to travel home and to accommodate travel schedules.

Financial Aid:  For students and their families who are applying for need based aid such as federal grants, work study, and low interest loans, it is imperative to apply each year (as soon after January 1 as possible).  Apply for federal student financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) on the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  If you have questions, please call 1-800-960-5940 (toll free) or 601-968-5933 (local) or e-mail studentaid@belhaven.edu.

Career Services:  Does your son or daughter need help with planning for his or her career?  Career Services helps students plan for a successful career path based on their own unique skills, talents, and interests.  Career Services also students by assisting them in writing resumes, preparing for interviews, and searching for full-time and part-time employment.  Some upcoming events for this month include:

• Resume Workshop on Feb. 10 @ 11 am in the Student Center Theatre
• Graduate School Workshop on Feb. 17 @ 11 am in the Student Center Theatre
• Career Bootcamp on Feb. 24 @ 11 am – 3 pm in the Student Center Theatre

For a complete list of spring events, see the News & Events feed on Belhaven’s website.  If you would like more information about Career Services, please contact Claire T. Langley, Director of Career Services, at 601.968.5939 or clangley@belhaven.edu.

Spring Chapel Calendar: An integral aspect of Belhaven’s campus life, weekly chapel helps foster community and focus the campus on the university identifier, “Our Standard is Christ.” The 2011 chapel speakers include pastors, mission organizations, Christian business leaders, and more.  All services are held Tuesdays from 11:00-11:50 a.m. at the Center for the Arts unless otherwise noted.   For a complete chapel schedule and list of speakers, see the Spring 2011 Chapel Schedule online.

Faster Internet:  Great news!  Belhaven’s internet access is even faster.  The completed upgrade has increased total internet speed from 12 Mbps to 50 Mbps!  The Information Technology department has also been tweaking management rules this past week to best utilize all of the available bandwidth.  In allocating bandwidth, 80% has been allocated for students; 24 Mbps for the Student Wireless, 8 Mbps for the wired access for the Women’s Residence Halls, and 8 Mbps for the Men’s Residence Halls.  Students should have already noticed the increased speed last week.

Tutoring:  Encourage your son or daughter to utilize these valuable campus resources.  Hours of operation are below for Spring 2011.

• Worldview Learning Center:  Mondays – Thursdays, 6:00 – 9:30 pm in the Library.
• Writing Center:  Mondays – Thursdays, 1:00 – 5:00 pm & 6:00 – 9:00 pm in Preston Hall Room 305A.
• Math Lab:  Mondays & Wednesday, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm; Tuesdays, 2:00 – 5:00 pm & 6:00 – 9:00 pm; Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm in Fitzhugh 112. 

Arts, Athletics & Campus Life Events

Looking back…

MLK  Day:  On January 17, several hundred Belhaven students gathered in Rugg Arena to disperse throughout the Jackson community to serve over 15 different ministry organizations, including the John Perkins Foundation, Stewpot Community Services, Gateway Rescue Mission, Mississippi Children’s Home, Voice of Calvary Ministries, and several others.  Learn more about MLK Day at Belhaven by watching a special episode of Jake on the Street.

Health & Wellness:  Beginning January 20, Belhaven University introduced the Health and Wellness Series to students, friends and neighbors in the Belhaven Neighborhood.  Made possible through a generous grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, the BU Health & Wellness Series includes unique, educational, and hands-on programs that have been developed to help participants improve their health IQ.  Designed to inform about the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle, the educational programs are led by experts in a variety of fields and will be enhanced through interaction with Belhaven University Sports Medicine and Exercise Science students and faculty.  For a complete list of Spring 2011 events, log onto BU Health.

Leadership Fair:  There are countless ways for students to be involved on campus.  A Leadership Fair was held on campus last week to highlight the opportunities to serve as a Resident Assistant (RA), Peer Leader, or on the Belhaven Leadership Council (BLC) for the 2011-12 school year.  Applications are available now through the Office of Student Leadership and the Office of Student Life. 

Coming up…

Dance Ministry Ensemble Concert:  Belhaven University’s Department of Dance will be presenting the Dance Ministry Ensemble Concert on February 11 & 12, 2011, in the Visual Arts and Dance Center at 7:30 pm.  This concert is the unique opportunity to be encouraged and uplifted through the visual experience of dance.  Some of the themes and concepts explored in these pieces include God’s forgiveness, having been moved by the love of God, and the sovereignty of Christ in our lives.  Doors open at 7:00 pm.

Student Invitational Art Exhibition:  The art department presents an annual student exhibition on February 19 – March 19 with an opening reception on Saturday, February 19 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm in the Visual Arts and Dance Center Art Gallery.  Student’s works highlight a wide range of styles and media including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.  This exhibition is always one of the most festive and popular openings.  Admission is complimentary.

Black History Month:  During the month of February, Belhaven University will be celebrating ten days in history that changed our nation, as well as honoring ten inspiring people (Jesse Owens, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Pearl Bailey, Clara McBride Hale, Alex Haley, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Mark Dean) with information posted in the student center. Additionally the outdoor music in Gillespie Commons will take a break from classical music and accompany Black History Month with jazz.  Throughout the month there will be special events held in celebration of these days. These include jazz music, special speakers in Chapel, Soul Food Lunch, dance performances and performances by Belhaven V.O.I.C.E.S. (Gospel Choir).

Athletics:  Three years ago, Coach Levi Patton joined Belhaven as the Head Tennis Coach.  Through his leadership and vision, the tennis program has seen substantial growth and is currently the largest tennis program in the school’s history, and the tennis facility has been completely renovated.  Competitively, this year’s men’s team has already received votes in the NAIA top 25.  Learn more about the Tennis teams and view a complete listing of upcoming athletic events on the athletic website.

Also, the #12 ranked Blazer Softball team opens their season this Friday and Saturday by hosting the Sweet 16 Tournament at Freedom Ridge Park.  For fans wanting to see the best collegiate softball in the nation, this is the event.  The complete tournament schedule is available here.

Advance Registration: Advance Registration for spring semester classes began a few weeks ago.  This is the best opportunity for current students to sign up for the classes and the schedule they want.  To register for classes, students must make an appointment with their academic advisor.  If your son or daughter has not already done so, please encourage them to take advantage of Advance Registration.

Parent Resources:  We have recently updated the Parent Resources page on the Belhaven website.  We hope it will provide you with more information and resources to help you stay better connect as your son or daughter is enrolled here.  We also are currently in transition from moving from this email newsletter to the Parent’s Blog.  This blog will be updated regularly during the academic year, provide easy access to past newsletters, and the freedom to interact online.  You will receive an email subscription in the coming weeks. 

Calendar Changes: Due to recent regulatory requirements affecting college and universities, the Belhaven academic calendar has been adjusted with a new spring 2011 term, including new dates for the final exams and May commencement.  An updated calendar may be found online.

Belhaven Online Bookstore:  Are you looking for the right Christmas gift for the Blazers in your family?  Check out the online bookstore!  For a limited time, shipping is free for all purchases!  Place your orders for Christmas by December 16^th.

Arts, Athletics & Campus Life Events

Looking back…

Self-Defense Education:  On Tuesday (Nov 30), Belhaven offered a personal safety workshop.  A large gathering of students attended the workshop led by Tim O’Leary and Ian O’Leary.  These instructors have 68 years combined experience in martial arts and law enforcement, and offered demonstrations to help people combat violence in everyday situations.  It is more than self-defense – it’s self-offense. 

Men’s Soccer: Belhaven was one of the final 12 teams in the 2010 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship Tournament in Orange Beach, AL, and finished the year ranked #10 in the nation.  This is a significant accomplishment for Coach Steve DeCou and our players, as it was our first appearance in the national tournament since 1994.  The Blazers defeated the University of St. Thomas (TX) 2-1 before falling to the University of Mobile 4-3.  Belhaven ends the season with a 16-2-3 record and Coach DeCou was selected as the SSAC Conference Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year.

Coming up…

The Singing Tree:  Did you know that Belhaven University is home to the original singing Christmas Tree?  Churches around the country have similar concerts in which a choir is arranged on a large tree-shaped platform.  The event has been named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.  This year’s performances are on Friday and Saturday, December 3 & 4, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Admission is free.

Time Out:  On Monday, December 6 from 7:30 to 10:00 pm, students have the opportunity to relax and take a time out from studying to enjoy games and snacks in the Student Center.  Sponsored by the Belhaven Activities Team and Intramurals, this event will feature a Halo or NCAA Football tournament, bingo, and much more.  Stay up-to-date on what students are doing on campus by subscribing to the Belhaven Leadership Council blog

Final Exams:  Tuesday, December 7 – Tuesday, December 14

We are pleased to announce that the new Belhaven fitness facility opens at noon today!  All of the cardio and strength equipment has been installed and is ready for use.  As part of the grand opening, BLC (Belhaven Leadership Council) will be on hand all afternoon as hosts and will also provide facility information.  We are also excited to have Mr. Joe Ellis, a nationally recognized fitness expert and consultant, to answer questions and instruct people on how to use the new equipment.  Belhaven students, faculty and staff may use the fitness facility and access it with their ID card beginning at Noon today, and hours of operation are as follows: M-F (6 am-11 pm), Saturday (8 am-11 pm), and Sunday (1-11 pm).  The facility is located behind the Rug Arena.

This new facility is part of a larger plan of the University’s commitment to fostering healthy life styles for its students, faculty, staff, and the Belhaven community-at-large.  Through Belhaven’s partnership with the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, the key components of the effort revolve around the development of two walking trails on the University’s 46 acre campus; informative and interactive health and wellness seminars, the completion of the campus fitness facility, and the addition of a wellness message into the many summer camps held on campus.  Construction was completed on the walking trails in October.  

Join us in thanking the Lord for the amazing things He has provided.

Belhaven’s 78th annual Singing Christmas Tree is on Friday and Saturday, December 3 & 4, at 7:30 pm. Come hear Belhaven students sing your favorite Christmas carols! Find out more about the Tree at http://bit.ly/bdn9hV. 

Advance Registration: Registration for spring semester classes is November 15-19.  This is the best opportunity for current students to get first pick of spring semester classes.  To register for classes, students must make an appointment with their academic advisor.  Encourage your son or daughter to take advantage of Advance Registration.

Tutoring:  Did you know that Belhaven has various academic labs on campus that are free for student use?  Encourage your son or daughter to utilize these valuable campus resources.  The hours of operation are below.

• Worldview Learning Center:  Mondays – Thursdays, 6:00 – 9:30 pm in the Library.
• Writing Center:  Mondays – Thursdays, 1:00 – 5:00 pm & 6:00 – 9:00 pm in Preston Hall, Room 305A.
• Math Lab:  Mondays, 1:30 – 9:00 pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:00 – 5:00 pm & 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Wednesdays 10:00 am – 4:00 pm & 6:00 – 9:00 pm.  The Math Lab is located in Fitzhugh 112. 

Chapel Recap:  The annual Marriage & Family Chapel series was held last Tuesday & Thursday.  This year Dr. Tom Elkin, Minister of Marriage and Family Life at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, spoke at both sessions.  With over 25 years of counseling experience, Dr. Elkins had many insightful truths and stories to share.  He spoke about the biblical definition of marriage, what it means to live that out in today’s world, and then challenged all to loving one another in Christ.   

Student Ministries:  Students have many opportunities to get involved in worship, service and study of God’s word at Belhaven.  Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and Student Missions Fellowship (SMF) have weekly gatherings, Bible studies, outreach programs and various other activities designed to enhance students’ spiritual journeys.  The Belhaven Leadership Council (BLC) Community Outreach Coordinator also serves the campus community by providing outreach opportunities on and off campus. These events include nursing home visits, working with special needs children, raising funds for mission organizations, Habitat for Humanity projects, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Campus-wide Service Day projects.  One new opportunity for students this semester is Judah – Prayer & Praise.  Judah is a student-led prayer service each Wednesday night at 9:00 pm in Barber Auditorium.  For more information about how your son or daughter can get plugged into ministries on campus, contact the Office of Student Leadership at stleadership@belhaven.edu.

Arts, Athletics & Campus Life Events

Looking back…

Community Dance Concert - Members of the Belhaven University Dance Department joined together with other local dance artists on October 16 to offer an inspiring, diverse, and exciting evening of dance.  “This annual event is a wonderful gathering of dancers from the Jackson area,” says Krista Bower, a member of the Belhaven Dance faculty. “The concert is very diverse, featuring ballet, modern, hip-hop, and liturgical dance.” Guest dance artists included members of the Ballet Magnificat Trainee Program, Duncan Dance, and Montage Dance Theatre.

Capture the Flag – Last Friday, students showed much excitement during this time of competition, fellowship and fun outdoors.  Capture the Flag is an outdoor sport where two teams each have a flag and the objective is to capture the other team’s flag, located at the team’s base, and bring it safely back to their own base.  The first team to do so wins!

Coming up…

Juliet and Her Romeo – The play, a stylized presentation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, will be performed in the Blackbox Theatre of the Center for the Arts this weekend, October 27-30.  Chair of the Theatre department and Play Director Joseph Frost says, “The show is an experiment, taking a play that is a familiar story and constantly shifting the way we view that story.”  Like all arts and athletic events at Belhaven, this show is free to students.  Performances for this weekend will be on October 27-30 at 7:30 pm, with Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm. 

Battle of the Bands – This annual event of campus band performances generates lots of excitement and pride toward our campus musicians.  Prizes will be given to band champions and to best overall performer at the competition.  The show starts at 9:00 pm on Friday, October 29 in the Student Center.

Upcoming Athletic Games – Saturday is our final home football game of the season. The Blazers will go up against the University of the Cumberlands (KY) on Saturday at 1:30 pm, with tailgating beginning at 11:00 am.  Following football, our women’s and men’s soccer teams host rival and SSAC foe William Carey at 5:00 and 7:00 pm.  The men’s match features two nationally ranked teams in Belhaven (#8) and William Carey (#13).

Planning Ahead:  When is fall break (mid-semester break)? When is Thanksgiving and Christmas Break?  When do the Residence Halls open for the spring semester?  When is graduation for 2011? For all of you who like to plan ahead, the 2010-2011 academic calendar is here! For any other dates of interest go to Belhaven University Academic Calendar

Parent’s Weekend:  You are invited to Parent’s Weekend during Homecoming ’10 which takes place Friday, October 1^st and Saturday, October 2^nd.  Check out the schedule and register online.  Two key events for parents are the President’s Parent Continental Breakfast & the Homecoming family cookout before the Homecoming football game on Saturday. 

Alumni Spotlight:  Grant Callen (’05) doesn’t leave his faith at the door when he goes to work as the Director of Development at the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. In his position, he has the opportunity to impact society every day. He says he appreciates, “that Belhaven is committed to equipping students with the knowledge, tools, and experience to impact the secular culture for Christ. My Christian worldview colors everything I do. I think my life calling is to work in the political realm in Mississippi to create a more just society. My biblical worldview not only impacts the way I conduct my career but why I chose this field in the first place.”

Flu Vaccines:  As we enter the cold and flu season, we would like to remind you that Belhaven has a well equipped Health Center on the 2^nd floor of the Student Center.  We are currently offering the seasonal flu vaccine to students for just $15.  This year’s vaccine includes the H1N1 vaccine.  You’ll want to encourage your son or daughter to take advantage of this service in order to stay in healthy and in prime condition for the classroom.  The Health Center is open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. 

Belhaven Blogs:  Gain access to student polls, school events, and all of Belhaven’s bloggers – from the President to the Belhaven Leadership Council and current students.  Subscribe to your favorite users and hear what they have to say about academics, campus life and what’s going on with the Blazers.

Arts, Athletics & Campus Life Events: 

Luau – Limbo, potato sack races, a pig roast, and Hula Hoop contests are just some of the fun things students enjoyed at the Luau on Friday, September 17.  Students gathered in the Gillespie Commons to enjoy food, drinks, games, and great music.  Guest artist, Shelley Akiona, parent of a current student, taught hula lessons and shared about Hawaiian culture.

Prayer – Students gathered to pray on Wednesday, September 22 for See You at the Pole. Starting off in a large group they focused on God’s character and work and eventually split into smaller groups to pray more specifically.  

Athletics Achievements – Men’s Soccer is ranked #8 in the latest NAIA national poll, coming off of a 10-0 season start.  Senior goalkeeper, Gautier Troch, has been named NAIA national defensive player of the week.  This past Saturday was a big game day for Belhaven Athletics Department.  Blazer Football dominated Lindsey Wilson College with a final score of 49-21, and quarterback Alex Williams was named MSC conference offensive player of the week for a 377 yard, 5 touchdown passing performance.  This is the second time Williams has earned this award this season.  Blazer Volleyball also earned win over Mississippi College.

Switchfoot – Belhaven is thrilled to welcome Switchfoot for a concert in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall on Wednesday, September 29. The band will be playing a 7:00 pm benefit concert for the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development.  Read more about the concert and purchase tickets online. 

Lifting the Veil – The theatre department presents Lifting the Veil by Paul D. Patton on September 21-25.  Based on the true story of the runaway marriage of evangelists Katherine Kuhlman and Burroughs Walters, this intense play tells the story of their wedding night, the bride’s serious doubts about having left her ministry, and the groom’s attempts to get her to stay. This play is directed by Jonathan Dixon, a senior theatre major.

Chamber Music – As part of the Preston Chamber Music Series, the Belhaven music department presents “An Evening of Diamonds” on September 30 at 7:30 pm.  Award winning Korean pianist extraordinaire Sylvia Hong, who recently debuted at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., will perform.

Opening Convocation:  This past Tuesday’s Chapel was a celebration of the start of a new academic year with our annual Opening Convocation.  Our guest speaker was Dr. John Perkins, founder of the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development.  Dr. Perkins spoke about becoming a disciple of Christ, which is the heart of Christianity.  Dr. Joseph Martin, Chair of the Department of Biblical Studies and Ministries, was also honored with his induction into the Legacy of Learning after giving more than twenty years of teaching service at Belhaven. 

Success Mentorship Program:  There are many opportunities for Belhaven students to build relationships with peers, faculty, and staff members. Incoming freshmen have an additional opportunity for a strategic connection through a personal mentoring relationship.  All incoming freshmen have been paired with a Belhaven staff member who is helping them think and talk through their dreams, gifts, goals, and academic journey.  These are people who care for your son or daughter, meet monthly in the fall with their mentor groups and are available for them throughout the year.

“I am so excited about the opportunity to assist students in the Success Mentorship Program.  I hope to make a difference in the lives of our new students.  I enjoy assisting students and helping them feel at home here at Belhaven.”  – Jennifer Griffin, Success Mentor 

Parent’s Weekend:  You are invited to a Parent’s Weekend during Homecoming ’10 which takes place Friday, October 1^st and Saturday, October 2^nd.  Check out the schedule and register online.  Two key events for parents are the President’s Parent Continental Breakfast & the Homecoming family cookout before the Homecoming football game on Saturday. 

Labor Day Weekend:  This weekend is packed with home-field advantage sporting events and campus life activities!  

Friday, Sept. 3

Volleyball vs. Martin Methodist College (3:00 pm) at Millsaps College*

Volleyball vs. Centenary College (7:00 pm) at Millsaps College*

*Millsaps College is just around the corner from Belhaven.

Saturday, Sept. 4

Volleyball vs. Schreiner University (12:00 pm) at Millsaps College*

W Soccer vs. Mid-America Christian University (1:00 pm) at H.T. Newell Field

Volleyball vs. Letourneau University (2:00 pm) at Millsaps College*

M Soccer vs. Louisiana State University (5:00 pm) at H.T. Newell Field

Football vs. Louisiana College (7:00 pm) at H.T. Newell Field

Sunday, Sept. 5

Belhaven Activities Team Movie Event:  Karate Kid (2:30 pm) in the Student Center Theatre

Gillespie Open Hall (7:00 pm)

Monday, Sept. 6

Intramural 4 on 4 Indoor Co-Rec Soccer Tournament (2:00pm) in the Gym

Belhaven Activities Team Movie Event:  Karate Kid (2:30 pm) in the Student Center Theatre

Helen White Hall’s Night Lights (8:00 pm)

Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting (9:00 pm) in the Student Center Theatre