Christy O'donnell:  

of the 'Bible Belt'?! One of the many schizo things about Furman! I started as a Business major, then abandoned that after a dreadful Macroeconomics course. Decided to be different and applied to create my own major, successfully defending my proposal to create a 'Classical Humanities' major, which is basically like majoring in Latin or Greek, but with a focus on the art, history, architecture and literature of ancient culture as opposed to the language. I had to take the entire Fall term of my senior year off due to my six week stint competing on the U.S. Saddle Seat Equestrian team in South Africa, so I opted to apply my credits toward an English major instead so that I wouldn't have to spend extra time completing my planned degree. Me...a Classics/English major...wouldn't Mrs. Sarrett have been proud?! Workplace Work...I've been busy! Started off as a hot-shot Business Analyst with Dun & Bradstreet, but decided that corporate America was not for me. Ended up working part time for a florist in Greenville while I searched for another 'real job', but ended up as a Professional Bridal Consultant and developed their wedding and event department (including flowers, catering, cakes, etc.)! Started my own business offering additional event planning services. Came back to Florida and worked a brief stint as an office manager before being hired as a Regional Editor for a national horse magazine. Spent five years traipsing around the country covering the industry in which I grew up - had a blast! I put my communications skills to work in 2003, joining the staff of the Hillsborough Education Foundation. I worked as their Public Relations Manager, handling a variety of responsibilities including running their very 'robust' events calendar! Teacher of the Year - my own little dinner party for 1,627 of my closest friends at the Tampa Convention Center. Makes my head hurt thinking about it, but I was proud of it! Made the move this past August to Saint Leo University, where I am the Associate Director for Enrollment Communications. I manage all technology and publications for the Office of Undergraduate Admission. LOVE IT! Oh, and as previously mentioned, I co-founded the United States Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that serves as the US arm of the international World Cup event for our sport. We administrate the selection of the U.S. teams every two years and organize the international event when it is hosted in the U.S. I am the Executive Secretary for the organization and somehow manage to run it along with my 'day job'! Just finished my tenure as the President of the International Saddle Seat Equitation Association, which is the international governing body for our discipline, and am proud to say we are looking forward to participating as an exhibition sport in the 2010 World Equestrian Games! I'm remaining with ISSEA as the Secretary for the 2007-2008 term. Whew...no wonder I'm so tired all the time!!!!