Beyond the Classroom: Senior Tony Belton

For many college students, the course work alone can be overwhelming. For senior sociology major Tony Belton, it is just one aspect of a broad experiential education. Tony strives to make the most of every opportunity both inside and outside of the classroom. 

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1336","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"480","style":"margin: 5px; width: 200px; height: 268px; float: left;","width":"358"}}]]Tony said majoring in sociology allows him to build an understanding of a wide variety of contemporary social issues, and also provides insight into how people think. One of his most rewarding experiences outside the classroom was serving as the security director of Student Entertainment and Events (SEE). SEE is a select group of students who work closely with advisors and student groups to develop engaging programming including concerts, artistic performances, films and lectures. There, he trained more than 100 members of the security team, worked with police officers, and served as part of the SEE Executive Board. 

[In the photo illustration at left, Tony appears wearing two of his "uniforms": a professional suit and security gear.]

“Working with other SEE directors taught me invaluable lessons about team work, communication and organization,” Tony said.

Tony is also the communications coordinator for Omicron Delta Kappa, a premier leadership honor society on campus. He enjoys working and getting to know other talented student leaders.

Tony also has become extensively involved in the University Student Judiciary, holding several positions including community advocate, board member, presiding officer and undergraduate coordinator. He was able to sit in on hearings and advocate on behalf of the University in cases in which students allegedly violated the Code of Student Conduct and Residence Hall Rules. This experience, along with various classes related to criminal justice, has helped him to consider possible career avenues.

“I am also interested in pursuing a career of law enforcement, so although I am not a Criminology and Criminal Justice major, I have had good exposure to learning about police work in an academic environment,” he said.

Tony chose to come to the University of Maryland “because of their outstanding Department of Sociology, top-ranked Army ROTC program, the many opportunities for students to get involved on campus, and the proximity to Washington, D.C.” While on campus, Tony has been a member of the BSOS Dean's Student Advisory Council (DSAC) and the BSOS Ambassadors program - two unique leadership programs that provide students in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences an opportunity to represent their classmates and their college, respectively.

No matter what path he takes after graduation, Tony is driven to make a difference both personally and professionally.

“My experiences have inspired me to follow BSOS's motto to ‘Be the Solution,’ and I look forward to carrying over the skills I have gained at Maryland into positions I may hold in the future,” Tony said.

Published on Tue, Oct 7, 2014 - 3:37PM