Posted on Sep 25, 2006

MURRAY, Ky., Sept. 24 — Murray State University’s Program of Distinction in Telecommunications Systems Management (TSM) will host the first event in the region developed specifically for women in the telecom industry on Thursday, Sept. 28. The BellSouth Women in Telecom Golf Day will be held at Murray State’s Miller Memorial Golf Course from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The golfing activities are designed as a way for women to come together for a day of networking and fun, whether they do or do not know how to golf. BellSouth is sponsoring the event. All donations contributed by event participants will be used to fund the new Women in Telecom Scholarship that will be available to females entering Murray’s TSM program. Golf Day activities will include a morning of basic golf instruction with Velvet Milkman, MSU women’s golf coach and Will Snodgrass, director of Miller Memorial Golf Course. BellSouth will sponsor lunch. Other highlights include presentations by three telecom industry women, along with golf contests, prizes, and 9 holes of golf in the afternoon. Golfers will be placed in groups according to experience level and each group will play off best shot. Guest speakers are Joan Coleman, vice president for regulatory and external affairs of BellSouth; Lana Porter, former executive and vice president of Ameritech; and Allison Willoughby, president of the Kentucky Telephone Association and assistant general manager of Brandenburg Telephone. They will be sharing their experiences as women in the field and talking about the steps they feel have led them to success in life Dana Howard, who handles marketing and public relations for the Center for TSM says this type of event is very beneficial for their program. “This event will not only be a lot of fun and bring women together to network with others in the telecom industry, but it will show female TSM students what they can achieve after college,” Howard explained. “It's going to be an all-around productive, yet fun day. We are very lucky to have the support of BellSouth to help us turn our ideas, such as the Women in Telecom Golf Day, into reality.” To find out more information about the BellSouth Women in Telecom Golf Day, send an email to dana.howard@murraystate.edu or call Howard at (270) 809-3987. Registration for the BellSouth Women in Telecom Golf Day, along with the times for the day’s activities can be found at http://www.murraystate.edu/tsm/ctsm. All interested telecom industry women are encouraged to participate. Golf clubs will be provided if needed. The Center for TSM suggests that companies consider allowing their female employees to attend the BellSouth Women in Telecom Golf Day and sponsor them as a group by making a lump sum donation for the scholarship fund. Companies that would like to sponsor prizes for the golf contests or promotional items for the grab bags are asked to contact Howard for more information.