Giving Back One 'Piece' at a Time.

By: Kayla Hackett

                 Montevallo's art students create amazing pieces of work on a daily basis. One may wonder why they don't either sell their masterpieces, or display them around campus. Speaking with several art students, they expressed that it's harder to sell art than you think. But Montevallo's own Samantha Ellis informed us about Montevallo's Alumni Art Auction. She says, "It's a way that students, teachers, and alumni can give back." 

Alumni Art Auction, Block Hall

     

        The Alumni Art Auction is Montevallo's major fundraising event to benefit the Department. Organized by the Art Alumni Board since 1996, it takes place annually on Homecoming Saturday in mid-February and features over 100 donated works in all media by art alums, faculty and current students. Not only does it help raise money for the University, but it helps raise money for art supplies. The Alumni Art Auction is a fantastic way for students to not only display their work, but to also gain experience.

Painting by Samantha Elli

           The purpose and mission of the Alumni Affairs is to, “enhance the linkage between the alumni and the University, encourage members’ active participation in the Association and their commitment to the mission of the institution, build financial support for the Association and the University, and promote the University of Montevallo as a vital part of Alabama’s future.”

Home Sweet Home

Story By: Amos Hollinhead

Earlier this month, the University of Montevallo held its annual Alumni Day as graduates returned back to campus one more time. On the final day of Homecoming and College Night, the campus was as lively as ever, not only with current students but with cheerful alumni as well.

The Department of Communication held an Alumni Brunch to gather Communication Studies and Mass Communication graduates. Dr. Tiffany Wang, Dr. Bruce Finklea and the rest of the professors in the department greeted the familiar faces as they made their way back.

MC Graduate Drew Hardy with Dr. Hoerner

One surprise for everyone, including alumni, was seeing Dr. John Hoerner back inside the Mass Communication building. It was unusual not to see him working with some equipment, but everyone was glad to see him enjoying the bliss of retirement.

The brunch was hosted by current Mass Communication and Communication Studies students. Light refreshments were available for to everyone in attendance, as people enjoyed being back inside the department.

Students were happy to be reunited with their fellow graduate friends as they reminisced about old memories, as teachers took pictures of everyone to preserve new ones. Alumnus brought their children with them, as they viewed where they possibly may receive their future education.

Potential Communication students with Dr. Hardig 

Dr. Sally Hardig was overjoyed when she was able to see her former students and recruit for the years beyond. "I've been here now since 2002, and I love to see the returning alumni to see where they are. My favorite part [of Alumni Day] is meeting their children. So when they bring their little babies, we can recruit them early," said Dr. Hardig.

Alumni Day inside the Mass Communication building was filled with hugs and laughter as Montevallo celebrated a great Homecoming.

If you would like to see more pictures from the Alumni Brunch, visit the University of Montevallo Department of Communication's Facebook page here.

UPC Has Done It Again

By Haley Myers

UPC, University Program Council, has done it again, and have found yet another great entertainer to bring life to the UPC events, Josh Vietti.

A Hip-Hop violinist from California, Vietti leaves the crowd in awe with his outstanding performance, a performance that the University of Montevallo would not have been gifted if it wasn't for UPC.

Josh Vietti amazing the crowd

"We do research, get a lot of brochures, and do a lot of searching on the internet," says Tanya Hoang, UPC Director, "This past year a few of us, including myself, went to a conference, and that is how we found Josh Vietti.  A lot of it is trial and error... you try to get a feel of what the student body wants and what they prefer to go to."

Though there were a few technical difficulties in the beginning, and a spill in the middle of the show, UPC was there to get it right back on track because, naturally, the show must go on!

UPC loves to hear feedback from their events, whether that be good or bad, so they know exactly what our diverse campus likes to attend!  You can inbox the Student Life Facebook page, or check your forUM email for broadcast surveys, or even check in with UPC in person!

Hip-Hop Violinists Performs at Palmer Hall

By Mandy Steadman

Violinist, Josh Vietti, came to the University of Montevallo to perform for students in Palmer Auditorium. Vietti performed many different genres, including rap, r&b, hip-hop, jazz and many others. Vietti has performed in many locations, including on the Ellen Degeneres Show and the APCA Conference in Texas.

Throughout the show, he had students dancing and singing to his music. Some even got onstage to rap, beat-box and square dance. He entertained and got the whole audience involved in his music. 

Josh Vietti Rocks out to "Sweet Home Alabama"

University of Montevallo student, James Kinney, said, "It was just really an interesting combination of genres… It’s a very unique show coming to see someone who plays the violin and is going to be doing, you know, hip-hop and r&b songs on it."










Vietti said his favorite part of this performance was playing "Sweet Home Alabama" in Alabama. It took him three months to learn this song. 

This may not be the last time we will see Vietti at the University of Montevallo. Vietti said he would like to film a "Sweet Home Alabama" music video on campus in front of Reynolds Hall and to help promote the university.

Montevallo Contains Icy Roads, But Warm Hearts

by Max Greene

After this past month's snowy weather that plagued Alabama's roads with ice and immovable traffic, the American Red Cross came down to Montevallo for one of their quarterly scheduled donation visits. This time, however, it became a more urgent issue. Hospitals that depend on stores of blood and other supplies found the freeze especially frustrating.

"We have to move blood either by ground transportation or by air," said Vincent Allen, American Red Cross team supervisor. "If you close the airport, or the cars are shut down, that grossly affects the hospitals."

A Montevallo student donated blood.

With the need for blood more pressing than usual, the Red Cross' quarterly visits became more than just a scheduled donation. However they also understand the needs of students.

"Since you guys are so busy right now, we try to make it more accessible to come to you and make it easier for you guys to donate."

Iced in at the University of Montevallo

 

By: Kayla Guillot

Last month, the University of Montevallo was covered with a layer of snow and ice. Earlier in the day there was a severe threat of snow south of the campus in effect. A simple light dusting was to be expected and the university decided to still hold classes.

Snowy streets in Alabaster, Al 

It wasn't soon enough though because as soon as hundreds of cars were pouring out of campus the road conditions worsened instantly. The main road coming into the university was closed by police. Many students wondered if the decision to close was made too late.

Student Lucas Burns supported the campus and didn't expect the snow either. "They probably should have closed a little bit sooner. So I would have gotten the email and not come in today. But, I’m glad they’re doing the best they can," said Burns. 

 

Montevallo opened a warming station later in the day at the Student Activity Center (SAC) for the students and faculty who were stuck on campus for the night. Road conditions did not get better until late into the next day and the Cafeteria staff stayed through the storm to make sure those left behind had a hot meal. 

 

Montevallo Alumna and Baseball Legend Delores "Dolly" Brumfield Visits Montevallo

Story By: Jacob Bobst

Montevallo's very own baseball legend Delores "Dolly" Brumfield returned on College Night for a ceremony in her honor, in which she donated some of the memorabilia from her baseball playing and coaching career to the university archives. Her donations include trading cards, photos, news articles, and her old uniform. Dolly was an early player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and later earned herself a permanent display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Montevallo graduate has been a College Night regular, appearing almost every year since her graduation in 1954. The University honored her with a distinguished alumni award in 2004.