Peck Hall

By: DeMarcus Catchings

Peck Hall is one of the most exciting dormitories on campus. Its apartment like structure gives you that apartment like feel. The four-story building accommodates more than 100 male and female students in its apartment-style rooms. Each room in Peck has a kitchenette, private bath and is furnished with beds, desks and chairs. Peck is open year-round and does not close for school breaks.  Residents who wish to live in Peck Hall must go to HRL Office to get on the waiting list. It usually takes about one year to get through the list. All vacancies in Peck are filled from the waiting list. If a student signs up to live with a current Peck resident, the current resident must live in the room for the entire semester. If the current resident cancels or moves out, the new roommate who signed up may not live in Peck and the room will be filled from the waiting list.

Pi Chis Work Hard to Guide Girls Through Recruitment

By Sloan Gibby

Recruitment is an opportunity for sororities on campus to put their best foot forward to attract PNMs (potential new members) to their chapters. But who gets those PNMs to sign up for recruitment in the first place? Recruitment Counselors known as Pi Chis.

Pi Chis are vital links between PNMs and the Greek community. A Pi Chi's job is to encourage girls to go through recruitment and objectively guide the potential new members through the selection process.

Newly selected Pi Chi Laven Abercrombie says she is excited to serve and cannot wait to get started. "I would love to help counsel the girls as they come in and show them how fun and wonderful greek life can be."

Each sorority is responsible for providing three representatives from its chapter that agree to "disaffiliate" from their sorority for the summer and  "disassociate" themselves during recruitment.

To disaffiliate means that the girls cannot wear their sorority's letters in public or show any outward appearance of belonging to a particular chapter. However, they can still communicate privately with their sisters. Disassociation means absolutely no communication with your chapter.


Each Pi Chi’s chapter affiliation is kept secret throughout the process to help the PNMs make an objective decision about the chapter of which they want to become a part. To keep this secret, the girls must deactivate all social media profiles, such as Facebook and create a new one under their “pi chi” name. They must also sign contracts, agreeing to do everything in their power to keep their affiliation a secret.

The role of a Pi Chi sounds very difficult, but Panhellenic President Audrey Barron says it is a rewarding experience. "The most challenging part of being a Pi Chi is just having to see your sisters on campus and you can’t talk to them..but its all worth it in the end because it just gets great girls for our chapter and I just love to serve and be a Pi Chi during recruitment."

.Pi Chis go through an interview process conducted by Montevallo's NPC (Panhellenic). After the team is selected, they attend many training sessions to prepare. This year’s recruitment team is already working hard for the fall.

If you are interested, you can find out more at Student Life's Membership Recruitment page and register for formal recruitment. To get updates on all the latest information, you can add UM Panhellenic on Facebook or Twitter for more information. To find information on each individual chapter, visit Montevallo's Panhellenic page which links to each chapter's website.

SGA Elections

KB Avery

The University of Montevallo prepares for this year's SGA elections. Students running for office post flyers and even give speeches at an SGA debate prior to the election. Students here at the University of Montevallo express their concerns about the upcoming year and changes they'd like to see happen on campus.

I spoke with this year's SGA treasurer John Gasson, about his responsibilities and what students who are in the running should expect, as well as what he hopes to see happen in the next year. Students can learn more about open positions on the school's website. SGA elections are next week and students will be able to vote on Blackboard.

John Gasson
SGA 2012-2013
Treasurer

SGA Elections

By: Ryeshia Albright

In a few days students at the University of Montevallo will be voting on a set of new student leaders for campus.  Students will go on Blackboard and vote for the candidate they think is best for the job. 

All SGA positions are open to any student taking classes at UM and the application process is pretty easy.  According to Rachael Swokowski, the Higher Ed Day Coordinator, if somebody is interested in becoming a member of the SGA they just go to the top of Student Life and fill out the application.  After they turn the application in the student will do a little campaigning, for about a week and a half, then students will vote for who they think is best for the position.

There are a few positions that are appointed.  The newly elected president of SGA assigns these positions according to who they think can do the job the best.  Sometimes there could be an interview depending on how many applications there are.

Voting for the SGA elections start next week.

Luau on the Quad

By Irene Cardenas

Montevallo's annual Luau on the Quad was a huge success this year. Many students took a break from their day to relax and enjoy the festivities.

Freshman Lonnie Fanning was one of many students happy about chowing down on some of the tropical food served at the event.

The event consisted of several games that were available for students. Laser Tag and badminton were amongst the most popular for the students. The weather gave way for a great day to be out doors and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

Junior Telysa Pride was thankful for the event giving her a reason to break out of her room and for giving her a chance to have fun with her peers.

UPC and residence life did an excellent job at providing an event that included a variety of things that allowed any student to find something enjoyable to do.

For more event info visit http://www.montevallo.edu/sga/UPC/Spring%20Events.shtm

2013 Birmingham Fashion Week Is A Wrap In The Magic City.

By: Lauren-Nicole Altaffer

After eight days of style brilliance in the Magic City, Birmingham Fashion Week 2013 is a wrap. The third annual Birmingham Fashion Week took recently and featured eight full days of fashion. This year BFW presented headlining designers such as Tibi, Anthony Ryan, Heidi Elnora, and Prophetik by Jeff Garner. The event was held in Pepper Place and hosted by former Miss Alabama USA and TV personality Tara Gray.

BFW was founded in 2011 by Heidi Elnora and Jeanna Lee Flemming, to inspire the next generation and to give Birmingham what they didn’t have growing up in the magic city. They also are trying to promote inspiration and harmony within the community.

Birmingham Fashion Week is about more than fashion and a runway show. It’s a stage for established designers, aspiring designers, hair stylists, makeup artists and models to show their talent across a large audience. BFW aims to bring out the talent in Alabama by giving fashion forward youth a chance at center stage. Birmingham Fashion Week hosted a Rising Star Design competition, where middle and high school students could express their vision. They where able to showcase their imagination by using non-traditional garment items for an opportunity they will grow from. 

Birmingham Fashion Week co-founder, Heidi Elnora surprised the audience during the final night of BFW with a shocker runway presentation of her “Heavenly Days” bridal couture. The collection was inspired by the film "Snow White and the Huntsman," featuring handcrafted bridal gowns with gorgeous lace, trim, and beading detail. Elnora merged elements of a very modern-day royalty look by featuring large ball gowns accompanied by glamorous fitted and whimsical looks. Heidi Elnora’s theatrical showcase of her designs was certainly a delight for Birmingham followers who have followed Elnora’s career. 

The grand finale and headliner of the week-long event was internationally renowned Tibi showing the Spring 2013 collection. The show ended with stunning tailored and effortlessly chic style. Tibi is sold in Crestline Village boutique, Laura Kathryn. Boutique owner and buyer Leslie Pittman reached out to designer, Amy Smilovic's, reps and helped take Birmingham Fashion Week to another level. With Tibi headlining the 2013 finale show, the future is looking fabulous for Birmingham Fashion week.

Birmingham Fashion Week - Official Page http://www.bhamfashionweek.com/

Montevallo Students in New York

by Samuel Phillips

Students writers for the Alabamian, Montevallo's students newspaper, recently got the opportunity to attend the 2013 College Media Association conference in New York City. Nine students, along with adviser Tiffany Bunt, took a train for 22 hours to get to New York.

Editor Heather Buckner and photographer Jennifer Corona pass the time on a long train ride.

Once there, they attended dozens of sessions, with topics ranging from copyright law to photography. Students were also free to explore the city in the evenings, an opportunity many said they had never had before.

Writer Sammy Schiffman and photographer Jennifer Corona explore New York City.

Bunt says the trip gave students an opportunity to network with other student journalists, seek out internships, and better their craft, which in turn will help to improve the Alabamian.

Sophomore Alyse Hartdegen says she found the trip both culturally enriching and educational. She, along with other students, picked up new tricks and information for her career, but was also able to see the sights in New York.

Writer Alyse Hartdegen selects her conference sessions during the train ride.

To write for the Alabamian, contact editor Heather Buckner, or attend their weekly meetings Thursdays at 5:30 pm in Will Lyman House.

U.M. searches for student friendly answer to Sodexo…

By Jordon D. Semien



  “If I had to give my opinion on the quality of the food, just based on the cafeteria, it’s very poor.” That’s the response of not just U.M. student Tavaris Dozier, but practically the whole of the student body.

   
  Twelve years have passed since the University signed Sodexo to the first of consecutive multi-year deals, and every year brings more and more complaints. Sodexo is yet to make many friends on campus, as they give students reason after reason to seek other food options.

  
  Majority of student grievances stem from the food selection offered in the University’s cafeteria. As Dozier stated, the campus’ dining options are a far cry from the expectations of students. “Me and my friends say every day we fell like we’re being cheated. Our tuition is steadily going up, but it’s not showing in the quality of food we’re receiving.”

      Dozier went on to say that though the Cafeteria offers a traditional Sunday brunch for students living on campus, he and his friends agree that it often feels as though Sodexo and their staff “throw food together and for the people here on the weekends, it’s kinda like we get the leftovers.”

       

  The University’s meal options consist of the campus Cafeteria, the World of Wings eatery in Farmer Hall, and Ollie’s in the Carmichael Library, with each one receiving their own individual set of complaints.

   Students rule the “Caf” as too busy and having a very slim selection in food, with what they do have to eat being deemed by the student body as innutritious, bland, or too processed to be identified. “WoW’s” selection is just as undesired and vastly overpriced, while Ollie’s is considered a last resort, often a far out of the way trip for most students.

     SGA Cafeteria Committee member Laura Beth Askelson shed light on the often debated subject of Sodexo’s possible replacement, now that their contract has run its course.

   

  “I think we have about three major bidders, including Sodexo.” Askelson said, “These contracts are renewed usually about every five years at other universities, but at Montevallo, they’ve been typically renewed about every Ten Years, if I remember correctly. Right Now Sodexo still has a chance to win the bidding war, so any rumors that Sodexo has been chosen are untrue, and there’s been no one chosen yet.”

    Askelson went on to conform the fears of many students, adding that odds are very strong that whether Sodexo is chosen for another stint or is replaced with either of the competing companies, the quality of food the campus receives may not improve.

    As for now, the student body and U.M. faculty will wait with all the patience of a child on Christmas morning for the final word to come from the board of directors of whether or not the era of Sodexo has finally passed. 



Observatory

By: Andrew Hardy

Ever wondered what all is hidden in the woods around campus? There is a lot more than you think out there.

Along with the kiln hidden behind the disc golf course, believe it or not, there is a state of the art observatory just a little ways down the road.

This a fully operational, top of the line observatory with a very impressive telescope.

Think that you need some special clearance to enjoy the James W. Shepard Observatory? Then you would be wrong, all you have to do is to keep an eye and ear out for notifications of the next Astronomy Club meeting.

You can find out more about the observatory at the university website, along with some pictures of the telescope and the construction process.

Dr. Patton VS. The World Trivia Contest

By: Stefan Vaziri

Sitting on a stage with sunglasses to hide his eyes Dr. Patton faced off with students and faculty in a winner takes all trivia contest in Comer Auditorium Thursday night. There was only one result of course, Patton crushed the opposition and never looked back.

The Montevallo Honors Organization and the Montevallo Organization of Gaming teamed up to produce the first Dr. Patton VS. The World trivia contest. The two groups are hoping to raise money with the event and bring awareness to their presence on campus.

Participants payed three dollars to form teams with up to three other people and faced off against the "all knowing" Dr. Patton, who has been teaching philosophy at The University of Montevallo since 1996. There were 10 rounds of questions with a 5 minute half-time for concessions.

Look out for the next Dr. Patton VS. The World trivia contest next year and see if you and your friends have what it takes to beat the "all knowing" Dr. Patton himself.

Montevallo Confesses

Story by: Savannah Kidd

With Montevallo being such a small town, word spreads quickly. This time though, it's being spread using a different outlet. An anonymous student created "Montevallo Confessions", a Facebook page that allows individuals to submit their secret confessions in confidence.

Though some individuals say this is something that's not great for campus, others see it as a positive. Montevallo student Lindsey Tillman says that if you're going to have compliments of the campus, you need to have confessions of the stuff nobody wants to say.

The page creator/administrator says that most things submitted are posted, but certain subjects are filtered. The administrator wishes to remain anonymous, but does say that they are a freshman who commutes to Montevallo.

If you would like to read the confessions, go to the Montevallo Confessions Facebook page. If you would like to make a confession, you can post it to their submissions page.

If you have a story idea you would like us to cover, email us at
UMFalconNewsNetwork@gmail.com

More Americans Setting Sail

by:  Trent Pickle

            Just seventy years ago, sailing on an ocean-liner was a mode of transportation for those seeking a new life on a continent.  In the 1950's and 1960's, during the dawn of the "jet age,"  ocean-liners transitioned from just a mode of transportation to offering leisurely vacations for the wealthy.

The 1980's brought the beginning of mass-market cruise travel to a new set of Americans - the middle class.  Carnival Cruise-lines offered short itineraries to the Bahamas and Caribbean on older, refurbished ships the line deemed as "fun ships."  Other cruise-lines such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America followed suit.   The industry enjoyed rapid growth throughout the 1990's.

By the mid-2000's the cruise industry had experienced rapid growth.  Cruise-lines were building the first "mega-ships" carrying well over 3,000 passengers and offering amenities such as ice-skating rinks, water parks, and miniature golf courses.

Then, in 2008, the recession hit.  The tourism industry saw a decline in the amount of hotel and resort bookings.  Airfares began to climb and gas prices soared.  Many American's were opting for  a "stay-cation" rather than a vacation.  One industry, however, saw a rise in bookings.  That industry is the cruise industry.

In 2006, an estimated 10 million people took a cruise vacation.  Tourism analysts predict upwards of 21 million people will sail the seven seas during 2013.  Since 2010, cruise-lines have been adding more ships to their fleets in order to keep up with the high demand.  In 2010, Royal Caribbean International added the two largest ships in the world, Oasis and Allure of the Seas, to their fleet.  Both ships carry over 6,000 passengers.  Norwegian added the Epic in 2010, also.  The line is also introducing two more ships in the next year.  Carnival, Princess, and Disney Cruise-lines are also adding more ships to their fleets.

Industry insiders say there are many reasons why the cruise industry has boomed during the years of recession.  For many, a cruise offers more value for money compared to a land vacation.  Meals, entertainment, and accommodations are all included in one price.  Once onboard, the ship is responsible for transporting guests to multiple destinations over a period from 3 days upwards to 150 days.  There's no driving, unpacking multiple times, no hassle at all.  Once onboard, you're within walking distance to restaurants, bars, pools, and a plethora of other entertainment venues.

Cruise fares vary depending on time of year, accommodation type, and cruise line.  A seven day Caribbean cruise during the month of March, for example, can start out at $600 per person for an inside cabin (no window).  The fare, again, includes meals, entertainment, and accommodations.

Another added convenience to cruising is that cruise-lines have positioned ships in more ports throughout the U.S., making a cruise vacation within driving distance for many.  These "home ports" as they're called, include:  New Orleans, Houston, Tampa, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Charleston, Baltimore, New York, Boston, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

For those looking to getaway for a great value, a cruise is the perfect option.  There are many resources available for those interested in a cruise vacation, whether it's Cruise Critic, a website dedicated to all things cruising and offering cruise reviews and message forums to cruise-line websites themselves:  Norwegian Cruise-lines, Royal Caribbean International, www.DisneyCruises.com.

Delta Gamma's Eggstravaganza 2013

Madison Jones

Tuesday, Greek organizations got a chance to get outdoors, enjoy the weather, and help raise money for a good cause. Delta Gamma hosted it’s 2^nd Annual Eggstravaganza.

Eggstravaganza is Delta Gamma’s Easter-themed philanthropy event. All of the proceeds went to DG’s philanthropy, Service for Sight, which raises money and awareness about visual impairments and eye safety. 

The event was created by Senior member of DG, Sarah Lifer. She was looking for a way to bring philanthropy into the Spring for her chapter.

Lifer’s event was a huge success. Hundreds of students have come out both years to help raise money to support Service for Sights and hundreds of dollars have been raised.  

Another reason Lifer created the event was to promote Greek unity among the chapters. Both goals have been accomplished.

Eggstravaganza consisted of an egg toss competition, a sign making contest, an egg-themed cook-off, an egg race, the bunny hop race, and the highly anticipated egg-drop competition.

Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Kappa Lambda were the ultimate winners of Eggstravaganza. While only one fraternity and one sorority could win, everyone who came out to the event had a great time.

Delta Gamma raised over $350 through their event.

Montevallo Community Chorale

by: Margetta Thomas

                                

For ten years, The University of Montevallo has had the "Montevallo Community Chorale." It's a different kind of choir at UM, meaning that it's not only open to students of the university, but also to members of the community.

Choir director, Alex Kovalsky, says the choir sings different genres of music that ranges from classical, to pop.

Choir member Zachary Banks enjoys being a part of something different, and "singing with people, friends, and the extended community of Montevallo. A lot more just fun, singing for the sake of fun."

The Community Chorale rehearses every Tuesday, from 7-9 p.m. Anyone who wants to sing is welcome attend! If you are interested in a music career, start it here at Montevallo!

The Montevallo Recycling Center

by:  Jolyn Hannah

    The average American produces about four and a half pounds of trash but the average Alabamian makes almost double than that amount at almost ten pounds. 
    The Montevallo Recycling Center is conveniently located at the corner of Overland and Spring Creek Roads.  Items accepted include all types of paper, aluminum cans, glass bottles, scrap metals, and plastics number 1 and 2.  For more information, visit the website http://montevallo.intuitwebsites.com/recycling.html

World Of Wings

By: DeMarcus Catchings

If your looking for somewhere on campus to hang out with friends, get away from studies, or just to get out of your room, World of Wings here on the campus of The University of Montevallo is a great place you can really hang.

It is not only a great place to chill but it also a great place to get something to eat when the cafe is closed or during the day when you just don't feel up to eating in the cafeteria.

Miss Love Bug Pageant 2013

By Sloan Gibby

The Miss Love Bug Pageant was created by UM student Kendal Overton in honor of Reilly Montgomery, who was diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor when she was nine years old. Reilly is now 11 and cancer-free.

Overton wanted to find a way to help raise money for Reilly's Love Bugs, a Relay For Life team created for Reilly. She has a love for pageants, and decided to host her own.

To advertise, Overton created a Facebook page for the event. She sent entry forms to anyone she knew that competed in pageants. As a result, 48 contestants signed up.

The pageants was open to girls ages 2-18 to compete in six different categories for each age division: beauty, casual wear, prettiest eyes, prettiest hair, prettiest gown, and prettiest smile. There was also a special category called most donations where girls competed to collect the most donations from their community.

In its first year, the pageant raised over five thousand dollars for Childhood Cancer Research. This year, Miss Love Bug raised over six thousand five hundred dollars. Overton says she feels very successful.

If you have questions about the Miss Love Bug pageant or want to get involved, e-mail Reilly's Love Bugs.

Mock Tails

By: Ryeshia Albright

In a few weeks many universities will be out for Spring break.  Here at the University of Montevallo the Student Government Association is making sure students make good decisions over the break. 

The S.G.A. hosted a Mock Tails party in W.O.W. as a part of Think Before You Drink Week.  About a hundred students came out to support the event.

 Courtney Meadows, the SGA Vice President, said he wanted students to be more aware of drinking reasonably.  “We really just want to show that you can have a good time without consuming too much alcohol,” said Meadows.

At the event members of the executive cabinet served non-alcoholic margaritas, strawberry daiquiris, and pina coladas.  Food was also severed.  

African American Spiritual

By: Irene Cardenas

St. Andrews Episcopal church in Montevallo hosted a discussion about the African American Spiritual.

UM student Quincy Hall put together and lead the discussion through a presentation that included pictures and videos of slave cruelty and the effectiveness of spirituals at the time.

Montevallo residents and students that attended the discussion learned about African Americans overcame much adversary by keeping their faith.

Revrand John Wesley who runs the church welcomed the lecture. He felt it was important for people to hear about African American history to serve as a reminder of where we came from and as a society to grow.




                             


For more information about St. Andrews and upcoming functions visit http://www.standrewsmontevallo.org/

Common Lecture

By: KB Avery

The Minority Student Union sponsored a trip to UAB's Bartow Arena last Monday, giving students the opportunity to hear grammy award winning rapper "Common" speak. Roughly thirty Students took the UM shuttle to attend the highly anticipated lecture.

The rapper spoke to the students about his experiences as a student, rapper, and actor. He encouraged students to "find their paths" while entertaining them with personal jokes and even dropping a few raps.  UAB's Student Government arranged the lecture and even threw in a special question and answer session with the rapper after the lecture followed by a private book signing. Hundreds were in attendance including UM students.

This is one of many activities that the university's Minority Student Union has planned for this year. To learn more about future events or information about UM Diversity or info about joining the Minority Student Union visit the school's website.

Daxko Nation

By Lauren-Nicole Altaffer

Only Daxko aligns a full suite of consulting services, impact services, and software under one partner.

That means Daxko can integrate and align all work and apply it across the board. Daxko’s mission is to provide technology and services that contribute significantly to the success of customers and to provide Daxko team members with rewarding careers.

All together, better. That’s Daxko’s philosophy. Daxko knows rock star talent is the key ingredient in providing better software and services to customers.

Looking for a J-O-B, then Daxko is not the place. At Daxko, it’s not about filling a seat for 8 hours a day and checking off a to-do list. It’s about finding passion, innovating, experimenting, creating, and impacting hundreds of nonprofit customers and communities nationwide. Daxko is more than a job.

At Daxko, they challenge their team members to develop innovative software and valuable services to propel the mission of their customers forward. It requires ingenuity, collaboration, determination and execution. Simply stated, it requires hard work.

Daxko trains a dedicated team of Engagement Specialists on the specifics of an association. Think of Daxko as an extension of staff, fully trained on the mission, programs and events; they provide services, and the facility of nonprofits.

These nonprofit organizations are places such as the YMCA.

The Engagement Team conducts planned calls, targeted emails, and personal outreach with an emphasis on quality and consistent execution. Each day they provide notes and action items generated from their conversations with members. Following through on these daily action items helps to continually improve the member experience and may be the greatest member retention move ever made.

Daxko has the economies of scale to hire, train, retain, and equip a team of trainers, callers, coaches, data analysts, graphic designers, and email marketing specialists. They have a singular focus that delivers real results.

Members love the one-to-one attention, program and event participants love the convenience, and executives love the results.

Getting great results doesn’t come easy. Daxko’s Impact Services team can help. Impact Services is a customized member engagement program that delivers results. Through planned calls, targeted emails, and personal outreach, Daxko’s experienced team executes a plan behind the scenes. Let Daxko’s team focus on the mechanics so the staff of nonprofits will gain valuable face time to build the personal relationships so vital to their mission. Impact Services team will leverage Daxko’s technology and expertise to connect and engage with members on the nonprofits behalf with high-caliber, cost-effective communication services.

Looking for more in a career (and not afraid of hard work), then read about Daxko’s current opportunities.

Baptist Campus Ministries

By: Jasmine Hawkins


Any students looking for an environment to meet new people? Well the Baptist Campus Ministries is an open forum just for that. While students are able to eat good food for two dollars or less. This program is a great place for students to go who are far away from home.

Those students still are in need of religious fellowship, and can easily find things in common with the other who attend. Attending these type of events makes the transition into adulthood a little more easier. The adviser Sean Thornton is always available to provide answer's for life's most difficult questions.

He is also available if a student has any ideas for upcoming events for the Baptist Campus Ministries. If any student is interested in joining this ministry, visiting  the building. It is located down the block from Carmichael Library.

Sigma Tau Delta Spring Chili Sale

Stefan Vaziri

Sigma Tau Delta is an international honor's society for English majors and minors. Here in Montevallo, Sigma Tau Delta raises money every fall and spring with a chili sale.

The money raised from their fundraiser goes to support those members of Sigma Tau Delta that wish to participate in various conferences and workshops around the country.

The Montevallo chapter of Sigma Tau Delta states their purpose on their website:

"Sigma Tau Delta is an international honor society for English major and minors. Its purpose is to confer distinction for high achievement in undergraduate and professional studies in English language and literature, to provide cultural stimulation on college campuses through its local chapters, to impose upon members high citizenship responsibilities, and to encourage creative and critical writing."

New member of the English faculty at Montevallo, Dr. Rickel, talks to us about her involvement with the organization and her role as faculty adviser.

President of Sigma Tau Delta, Jody Mckinley, also joins to talk specifics about what the honor's society plans to do with the money raised during this spring's sale.

Be sure to look out for the chili sale again next fall as Sigma Tau Delta looks to continue their successful fundraiser.

Montevallo's Secular Student Alliance

by Samuel Phillips

If you look around Montevallo, it won’t take you long to find a student organization for just about any religious belief you can think of. But one new organization is reaching out to students who may not be religiously inclined. The Montevallo Secular Student Alliance was founded last semester.

Member Chris Holder says the group has several different purposes, from support group to charity organization to political action group. He says he welcomes the opportunity to meet with other people who understand his religious beliefs and are open and tolerant toward differing opinions.

President Amy Hester explains that the SSA fills a need that hadn’t been met before in Montevallo, one that is both social and political. 

As to why she started the group, Hester says, "There weren’t any peer resources for students who were secular, atheist or agnostic, or people who were questioning their religious beliefs, as many people do in college."

The group’s meetings focus heavily on discussion, but they’ve also focused on diversifying their calendar. They recently had a birthday party for Charles Darwin, and Hester says they’re working on developing their philanthropy through Montevallo’s Boys and Girls Club.

SSA members played "pin the feet on the fish" at a recent party.

Hester says she thinks it’s important for her organization to reach out to people of all religious backgrounds, and students have attended including Catholics, Jews, and members of other Christian denominations. She encourages anyone to attend who is interested in an open discussion of issues in the secular community.

The group has developed a regular membership that Hester says fluctuates between as few as three and as many as fifteen people at any meeting, a number she hopes to increase over time.

The SSA meets Wednesdays at 8 p.m. in the commuter lounge between Comer and Morgan halls. For more information join their group on Facebook.