Softball player Allison Swinford and Dr. Jennifer Beech 

About Allison Swinford: 

• 5-4 junior pitcher
• Native of Dalton, Georgia

About Dr. Beech: 

• Professor in the English Department
• Owns a Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi
• Specializes in race and class-based rhetorics, cultural studies, and composition theory and pedagogy.
• Has been teaching at Chattanooga since 2002

Allison Swinford & Dr. Beech

         Q&A with Allison Swinford:

• What did you like most about Dr. Beech's class? Dr. Beech's class challenges me in every way. I thoroughly enjoy going into her class and learning something else I can add to my writing in the future. Also, Dr. Beech's class is never just about completing coursework and staying busy. There have been several assignments that have tested my skills in design, public speaking, and memory. I have never turned in an assignment that I thought did not make a better writer, in some capacity. 
•  What makes Dr. Beech a good teacher? Dr. Beech is an excellent teacher because she cares. Every student that walks into her class, leaves with a newfound sense of English and what it takes to be a successful writer. Dr. Beech encouraged me to pursue my writing dreams, even when it was going to be difficult. She chose to invest in me because she saw the future that I wanted. Dr. Beech bought into my dreams and never let me think I couldn't achieve them, and for that, she is one of the best professors I have ever had.
• What is something you’re involved in outside of class and sports that we may not know? I am an intern for the college ministry based out of a church in Chattanooga, Tenn. named Brainerd Baptist. I also lead worship on Sunday mornings for our North Georgia campus. 
• How do you manage academics, athletics and a social life? What is your key to good time management? My planner is my life, and colored pens make organization fun! I write everything down AND I have a google calendar that holds every minute of my schedule. Time management is easy when you make it fun, and colorful pens, a cute planner, and a couple of little doodles get me through the tough weeks. 
• What is your favorite spot on campus? The library has a specific booth with my name all over it! I would have to say that I spend 10-12 hours in the library a week, but it does help that the biggest Starbucks in downtown Chattanooga is attached to it. 
• What is the most important skill you've learned through participation in your sport? The most important skill I have learned through softball would most definitely be how to be a team player. As a high schooler, I pitched every single game and I got really selfish in the way I approached my team, my role, and my attitude. Playing in college completely changed my perspective. I very quickly learned that I was not going to be successful without the help of my teammates, and the self-centered attitude I had was not going to cut it at this level. Luckily, the Lord blessed me with amazing teammates who loved me through that stage and ultimately taught me how to be a better teammate. Now, I play for my teammates specifically. They have become my sisters, and I could not imagine doing life without them. I am truly so blessed with the girls on our team.
• Do you have any nicknames? Or if you could choose your own, what would it be and why? I actually had a nickname coming into college. However, the first time I ever met one of my teammates, Amanda Beltran, she quickly changed it. The conversation went something like this: we were running our conditioning test on the very first day of my freshman year, and she looked at me and asked, "So, what do they call you?" I immediately responded with, "well in high school everyone called me, Al Swin." In between trying to catch our breath she replied, "I hate that, so I am going to change it. Cool?" I laughed a little - more nervous than anything because I was a freshman! She proceeded to ask me what my last name was and from there she designated that I be called "Swinny." It stuck. And, I still love it to this day. My nickname reminds me of my really good friend, Amanda, and I would never want to change it. 
• What are your plans post grad? I would love to do vocational ministry after I graduate and pursue a career in writing books at the same time. I begin a more in-depth internship with our church this coming May, and hopefully after I graduate, it will turn into a full time staff position. My heart lies in writing though. So, for a big picture, life would look like working administration in a church and writing Christian non-fiction books. 
  
  
  Q&A with Dr. Beech:
• What was it like having Allison in your class? Nothing gives me greater joy as a professor than witnessing a spark ignite in students as they discover that they do have what it takes to become a good writer. That's why I was thrilled to hear from Alli that it was in my class that she decided to dedicate her studies to rhetoric and writing because of my encouragement. Alli is a treasure in the classroom, as she brings an enthusiasm to learning while remaining humble in what she doesn't yet know. I especially appreciate her willingness to participate, to ask questions, and to give quality feedback to her peers--qualities that I'm certain she's honed in her years playing team sports. 
• What is your favorite sport or hobby? What do you like to do in your free time? I like to play pool and sing karaoke! In college, I studied voice and sang opera. 
• How often are you able to watch your student-athletes compete? Unfortunately, due to family responsibilities, I am not able to watch our UTC athletes compete as often as I would like, but I do try to follow them in the news.
• What is your favorite spot on campus? My favorite spot on campus might be Chamberlain Pavilion on a nice sunny day because it affords a view of campus citizens walking to and from the library and classes, as well as enjoying our lovely campus greenery. 
• What would students be surprised to find out about you?  Something my students may be surprised to learn about me is that I play on and captain a women's pool team that has twice represented the city of Chattanooga in the national APA (American Pool Players Association) tournament in Las Vegas. While I'm not the best player on our team, Pool Hall Divas (PhD's), I take my leadership responsibilities seriously as I encourage our team to be competitive while still having fun.
• What is one class your school offers that you wish you could take? Theatre offers a playwriting course that I would like to take one day.

About Classroom Connections: In its second year, Classroom Connections is a weekly feature that showcases student-athletes away from the playing field and highlights the relationship between student-athlete and professor.