Name: Marguerite Baldes

Major: Corporate Communication, Elementary Education minor

Hometown: Rochester, New York

 

How did you end up at Belmont?

“I wanted a school where professors and peers encouraged me in my faith, but didn’t judge me for it either. I applied to twelve different schools. Everyone always said you’ll know the right place when you walk on campus – you’ll have a feeling.  I didn’t feel that way on any campus until I came to Belmont my Junior year of high school. I looked at my parents and said ‘You guys can just leave me here, this is the place for me.’ It was wonderful.”

 

What are you involved in on campus?

“I am the Vice President and Events Chair of SAPB, the Student Activities Programming Board. We do an event each month, and we also direct ‘Live on Fridays’ which consists of music in the Curb Café and then a movie in the Johnson theatre.”

 

 What drew you to communications?

“I thought it went hand in hand with education. With education, not only are you communicating with students, but you’re also communicating with parents, other teachers, the school board, and the school district. Eventually, my goal is to move up into school administration and school leadership, and I thought it was a great supplement to my education. I also felt that – if education turned out to not be the field for me – I would still have so many other opportunities with Corporate Communication.”

 

I know you’re attending an upcoming study abroad trip with Dr. Davis, tell me about it.

“I’m so excited! We’re heading to London in the middle of the summer – it’ll be perfect weather. We’re doing a four-day excursion to Scotland. We’ll be having high tea in a castle, which I’m super excited about. We’ll be exploring all the Harry Potter sites, too. I’ll be taking Dr. Davis’s Social Justice in Organizations class. There’s also a humanities course I couldn’t take, but I still want to tag along on their field trips… They’re essentially doing a literary walk through London. I’m also really excited to experience the culture. You wouldn’t think it would be that much of a culture change since they speak the same language, but it’s still very different than how we live here in America.”

 

What are you looking forward to the most?

“I’m really looking forward to the fashion. I’m a shopaholic, and I’m super excited to bring back clothes and souvenirs from London.”

 

Where do you see yourself after graduation?

“I’m participating in Belmont’s 4 + 1 program, so after I graduate in December I’ll have six months off. I’m looking at multiple things right now. I work in the Drug Information Center on campus, so there’s discussion of possibly staying there and continuing my work. I’m also considering substituting in Metro Public Schools for a while, or maybe getting at TA position in one of the elementary schools nearby. Then, in July, I start my master’s program with Belmont.”

 

What advice do you have for Freshman?

“Enjoy it. You’re not going to have as much time going forward, so experience all you can. Make friends with everyone, don’t just stick to a group.”