Getting to Know...McLean Collins
Name: McLean Collins
Position: Associate Director of Annual Giving, Office of Development
Hometown:Milan, TN
Why did you choose Belmont?
I sought Belmont because it represents the best of what American higher education should be: a close-knit community; outstanding and diverse students, faculty, and staff; and a unique, mission-driven purpose. I try to infect everyone I meet with a little of the Belmont spirit.
What have you read lately, and what are you reading now?
Since I was a philosophy major in college, I find myself constantly re-reading the classics, especially Aristotle and Plato. I enjoy what these works have to say about education and about the basic reasons why people choose to identify with and invest in an institution.
In what aspect of your position do you find the most joy?
Hands-down, I enjoy personal interaction with alumni, parents, students, and faculty and staff the most. To me, every person I meet has a unique perspective to offer and so has something to teach me. It’s also very rewarding to see the good in people, especially when someone learns why private support is important and then makes a selfless act of giving to a cause in which they believe.
What do you do for fun?
Cubs baseball keeps me occupied in the summer, SEC football take center stage in the fall, and I follow the Bruins in the winter and spring. I also want to learn how to fly-fish, so if there are any parents who know how, I would be grateful for a lesson.
What is the most exciting thing you are currently working on?
I’m currently working on a program to engage our donors in the day-to-day life of our University, so that they can see how their gifts make a difference and can become more closely tied to the Belmont community.
Name one thing you would like to do before you retire.
I’d like to work on Higher Education Policy in D.C. or work in International Higher Education Development. I think both of those would be extremely interesting and very rewarding.
What advice would you give to parents about their students?
Encourage your student to remain true to their personal beliefs but also encourage them to learn about and understand the beliefs of others. Also, while grades are very important, many powerful educational experiences are available outside of the classroom. Sometimes the most valuable life lessons may be learned at a play or in a conversation with a roommate in the hall or professor on the lawn.
