FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2007

MUW grad lands dream job in Nashville

By Jill D. O’Bryant

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Jade Bennett, who recently graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a bachelor of fine arts in interior design, will begin later
this month working at Randall Dover Architects in Nashville, Tenn., as the lead interior designer.
   
With the goal of being an interior designer at an architectural firm that specializes in commercial projects, this is a dream come true for Bennett, who is originally from Corinth. She and her husband Jim have been living in Starkville since they were married 9 months ago.
   
“As an interior designer who hoped of doing commercial design, I knew I would have to move to a metropolitan area,” said Bennett. “Nashville is a beautiful city with a lot to offer and is still fairly close to my family in Corinth. Jim and I are so thrilled to begin our lives together and really go for our dreams.”
   
She and her husband were thrilled when she received the job offer.
   
“I was very excited and felt so lucky to have been given such an amazing opportunity,” she said.  “I knew that my experiences at The W had made this possible for me, and I was so grateful for everyone that had helped me along the way. My family and husband have also been the rocks in my life that support and motivate me to go for everything I want in life.”
   
Bennett is thankful for the support and encouragement she said she received from the MUW family, especially her art professors.
   
“When first coming to The W I had no art background, and interior design was an art major,” she said. “My professors truly cared and wanted to me to succeed. Through their guidance and teachings I feel very prepared to enter into the real world application of my field.
   
“A special professor who comes to mind is Shawn Dickey, who made me believe in myself and pushed me to be my best.”
   
Dickey, who is an assistant professor of art, says this is an exciting opportunity for Bennett.
   
“I am so proud of her,” he said. “It is quite an accomplishment for one of our students to land a job in Nashville. She is talented and very outgoing. She will do well there.”
   
Bennett, who worked as a student worker in the President’s Office and was a supervisor for the MUW Telefund, also credits these experiences and believes they will help her as she supervises an intern.
   
“As a supervisor of the MUW Telefund, I was able to lead a team of my peers. This position gave me great leadership skills.”
   
Although she is excited to be moving to Nashville and starting her career, Bennett says she is sad to leave “the great place that is MUW.”
   
“The W will always have a special place in my heart,” she said. “Going to The W was the best decision I have ever made, and the time I spent there was such a special time full of wonderful memories and great opportunities. There are so many people that have influenced me and helped make me the person I am today.
   
“Although it is sad to know that I will never have the chance to relive a day as a student at MUW, I know that I will still be connected in the Long Blue Line as a dedicated alumna who loves The W.”
   
For more information about MUW’s art programs, please visit www.muw.edu/fine_arts/ or call 662-329-7341.