Multimedia Project 4: Documentary on Unsung Heroes
by Devin Clark
Anthony Towns is a student librarian assistant at the University of Memphis’ music library.
Towns helps patrons to have a serene experience when they come to the library. He assists them in finding any scores, books or albums that they need and scans the item in order for them to check it out. He also opens and closes the music library.
Town enjoys being able to aid people in finding the material they need.
“My favorite aspect of the job is really just coming in here and helping people find music that they want or want to learn about,” Towns said.
A music major in his senior year at the University of Memphis, Towns applied to be a student librarian assistant once he discovered its availability.
“I wanted a job that didn’t conflict with my classes,” Towns said. “I come here and work during the day, and I can make some money.”
Music librarian and coworker Joel Roberts says that through Towns’ role, Towns helps the University of Memphis music department as a whole by helping others and enabling the music library to stay open for extended hours.
“Anthony’s been really important because it’s let us actually expand our hours a little bit,” Roberts said. “Instead of having to close at 4:30 everyday now, we can stay open until 6:00.”
Roberts enjoys working alongside Towns. He knew Towns prior to Towns working in the library since Towns would go there for his classes.
“Anthony’s great. I did know him before, so that kind of makes it easier,” Roberts said. “He’s got a good personality, he’s easygoing, he’s enthusiastic, he’ll do anything I ask him to do, he’s enthusiastic, so it’s real positive having Anthony around.”
Nearly every student at the University of Memphis has to visit the university’s bookstore in order to purchase textbooks, clothing and school supplies
Multimedia Project 3: Photo and Audio Slideshow on Odd Jobs
by Devin Clark
Nearly every student at the University of Memphis has to visit the university’s bookstore in order to purchase textbooks, clothing and school supplies.
One of the workers within the University of Memphis Bookstore is team lead Markieth Taylor.
Taylor manages item returns and takes the role of supervisor when the bookstore managers are not at the store. He also trains new employees and restocks merchandise such as clothes, drinks and snacks. Taylor enjoys helping and leading his co-workers on the job.
“Being here is fun. You get to meet a lot of people and build friendships with them,” Taylor said.
While Taylor enjoys many aspects of his job, there are some that make the working environment difficult including his work schedule.
“I work Monday through Thursday and some Saturdays,” Taylor said. “It’s tiring, especially working long shifts.”
Another difficulty he faces is enforcing COVID-19 protocols among customers.
“We have to continue to tell people to wear a mask all the time,” Taylor said. “It’s still our policy to have people wear a mask, but some people ignore that.”
Overall, Taylor has seen the impact that the University Bookstore and his job as team lead has had on U of M students.
University of Memphis students acknowledge the efforts of the bookstore to aid them in finding supplies and saving money through their interactions with Taylor.
“It’s always nice seeing regular customers come in and seeing them smile, knowing that we are able to help them out,” said Taylor.
Multimedia Project 2: NPR Style Audio Story on Difference Makers
by Devin Clark
Spanish is one of the languages the University of Memphis offers in its Department of World Languages and Literatures. One of the instructors in this program is Lindsey Shelton. (:09)
Shelton teaches the foundation courses of Spanish to Spanish majors and minors as well as College of Arts and Sciences students who are required to take a language class. In addition, Shelton is a team leader and assistant director for the Basic Learning Program in which she facilitates communication with all of the instructors in the program.
Shelton, herself, attended the University of Memphis. Originally a biology major, she was encouraged by her Spanish professors to major in Spanish, who saw her skills in the language. Shelton followed their encouragement and went on to receive her master’s degree in Spanish.
“My professors in Spanish were like, ‘You should, you have a knack for this. You should really, you know, consider majoring, consider minoring, consider going into the master’s program here.’ And so really, the professors here kind of took me under their wing and I was like, ‘Okay, this is going to work out way better because I’m making A’s and really love this.’”
Getting to know her students more has enabled Shelton to further help her students and influence some to study abroad or convert to a major or minor in Spanish.
“I feel like building those connections like in a language class, where we learn so much more on a personal level with our students because we’re asking things like, ‘What’s your favorite color?’ and like, ‘Who’s your favorite relative?’ And, you know, we’re learning all about our students. So I feel like I’ve built these connections, and then later the students feel comfortable and feel like we do have that relationship and that I do know them. And I’ve been able to kind of help them succeed in their future careers.”
Many students and faculty have taken notice of Shelton’s impact in the World Languages and Literatures Department.
“I would not pick a better person to work alongside. She helps me, as the assistant director, she helps me, the director, a lot, anything that I need her help with. And she is my go to person. She is my right hand.”
That was Brianna Butera, assistant professor of Spanish and director of the Basic Language Program. Butera has seen how Shelton has helped students to learn and grow comfortable with speaking Spanish.
“Professor Shelton is very kind with her students. She’s very understanding, she’s very kind. And learning a language can be very overwhelming for students. Speaking Spanish, speaking up in front of classmates and speaking with classmates. And I’ve seen her in action, and she is very kind and encouraging to her students.”
Multimedia Project 1: Photo Slideshow on What’s Happening at the University of Memphis
by Devin Clark
Cory Ingram, a freshman engineering major at U of M, prepares for the next game of scrimmage at the University of Memphis’ Recreation Center. Ingram comes to the Recreation Center each week to play basketball.
Before the start of the game, Ingram likes to choose his team and position on the court.
“I’m familiar with nearly every guy I’m playing with,” Ingram said. Most of us come here to play a game of scrimmage every week to have fun.”
Ingram proves himself to be a very competitive player. He steals the opposing team’s ball and tries to save it from going out of bounds by passing it to his teammate.
Ingram started playing basketball at a young age and enjoys the competitive nature of the sport.
Another student, Tony Fili watches the scrimmage from the sidelines. Fili, a freshman music education major, watches the scrimmage on the sideline. He is very eager to play in the next scrimmage game.
Fili started going to the Recreation Center to play basketball on his very first day of classes at the University of Memphis. For him, one of the most important things to do before a scrimmage game is to warm up.
“You have to get warmed up before the game,” he said. “If not, you might get hurt or pull a muscle.”
Fili enjoys the competition and engagement that the other players at the Recreation Center bring to the scrimmage game.
“Everyone in the scrimmage games get along very well,” Fili said. We play her all day until the center closes.”
devin clark 