As a part of the Belmont’s Black Student Association’s (BSA) celebration of “I Dig the Skin I’m In,” six panelists came together March 18 to talk to students about the importance of getting involved in the university, the community and politics.
As shown in the picture (left), panelists included Attorney Walter Searcy, Council Member Erica Gilmore, Rep. Brenda Gilmore, former political lobbyist, Belmont alumnus and Professor George Scoville, Juvenile Probation Officer Jamita Bobo and North Precinct Commander Terrence Graves.
The panelists took turns responding to the following questions with advice and their individual experiences:
1. Several college students feel the pressure of having to know exactly what they want to do as soon as they graduate. Was that the case for you? If not, what tools did you use to help determine what you’re passionate about?
2. What are some ways for college students to be more active in their rights whether it be politics, community efforts, etc.?
Panelists agreed that students should seek volunteer work, as it is one of the most beneficial ways to spend college years because of the benefits learned and opportunities that present themselves. The group also encouraged students to study abroad and get involved on campus, taking care to not over commit. Finally, the panelists stressed the importance of voting at any and all elections.
Council Member Gilmore said, “The things you are displeased with in your community are tied to voting. Politics is the allocation of resources.”
Rep. Gilmore followed by saying, “You just step out of your comfort zone a little. You don’t have to join a protest or march the streets, but if you see an injustice, you can participate in your own small way.”
The event concluded with student questions and the idea that every person, no matter how small, can make a difference in his or her community.
Austin Williams, a junior theatre performance major, competed in last week’s “Price is Right” Spring Break Edition and took home more than $32,000 in prizes including trips to Las Vegas, Cancun and Spain, an Apple Macbook, iPad and iPhone and a Quadcoptor.
Belmont seniors Margot Lied and Joelyn Young are passionate about spreading words of encouragement through hand lettered creations and together have built M + J Creative, an organization that creates and sells print products and coordinates and organizes special events.
Young said M + J were excited to attend Wednesday’s event to get their product in front of students and engage with fellow entrepreneurs, giving them the opportunity to practice their pitch. “This has given us the space and time to sit down and make our dream a reality,” she said.
President of Belmont’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Victoria Lewis was recently elected as the national vice president of advocacy, a position on the National Committee of PRSSA, at the National Assembly in Portland, Oregon.
Sociology Professor Dr. Andi Stepnick was recently awarded the 2015 Robert E. Simmons Distinguished Lectureship, which led to her lecture on Monday, March 16 as a part of Belmont’s celebration of Women’s History Month. 
Teaching Center Director and Professor of Mathematics Mike Pinter recently presented a lecture entitled “Forming Partnerships on Campus to Increase Teaching Center Effectiveness” at the annual Southern Regional Faculty Instructional Development Consortium Conference in Collegedale, Tennessee.
