November 06, 2009
Trocino Featured in City Paper
Junior Jayme Trocino was recently featured in the City Paper for her performance on the Belmont women's soccer team and her accomplishments as a nursing major, balancing hours of practical experience in hospitals with the practices that helped the team win its first A-Sun regular season crown. Click here to read the article.
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
PT Students Pitch In for 'Miles and Music for Kids' Event
During the October celebration of national physical therapy month, approximately 100 Belmont University Physical Therapy students and faculty volunteered their time to assist with the organization and on-site operation for the 4th annual Dierks Bentley Miles & Music for Kids charity motorcycle ride and concert to benefit Vanderbilt’s Children Hospital. This year, over $215,000 was raised for the children of the hospital. Since the inception of this annual event, over $800,000 has been raised to benefit Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network.
A couple of days before the ride and concert, Bentley surprised the physical therapy students by coming to class to thank them personally for all their hard work in making this event a success. Bentley told the students "We could not have taken this event to the level it now is without the help of my friend Mike Voight and his students at Belmont University.” He explained that this year’s money would be going directly to families who had children being treated at the hospital so they could concentrate on their child’s needs rather than worrying about “all the other stuff” associated with their child’s illness.
The event took place on Oct. 11 with over a thousand leather-clad bikers joining Bentley for the ride into Nashville. Starting at the Cool Springs Harley Davidson in Franklin, Tenn., the long line of motorcycles wound its way through the Natchez Trace and then downtown to Riverfront Park. Once there, Bentley was joined by several celebrity friends to entertain thousands of fans with an open air concert. Physical Therapy Professor Mike Voight, who coordinated Belmont’s participation with the event, said, "This was a great learning experience and fun event for our students. Not only did they get to meet and work with the stars of country music, they also helped the community in a large way.”
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
McGrew Presents Poster at Neuroscience Meeting
Dr. Lori McGrew, associate professor in the Department of Biology, recently attended the Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting in Chicago held October 17-21 along with students Alyson Singh, Kelli Boone and Abby Murphy. This annual meeting provides the world's largest forum for neuroscientists to debut research and network with colleagues from around the world. The attendance at Neuroscience 2009, SfN's 39th annual meeting, topped more than 30,500. At the meeting McGrew presented a poster titled "Using Case Studies to Teach Neuroscience" while the students presented a poster on their Summer Scholar Community research titled "The Effects of Serotonin and Nicotine Treatment on Working Memory in Zebrafish."
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
Lind Gives Talk at Analysis and Probability Research Seminar
Dr. Joan Lind, assistant professor, Mathematics & Computer Science Department, gave an invited talk to a joint Analysis and Probability Research Seminar at the University of Tennessee on Oct. 21. The title of the talk was "Fractal Curves and Phases of the Loewner Equation." In the talk Dr. Lind showcased pictures created by the computer program BLEAT(Belmont Loewner Equation Analysis Tool). BLEAT was developed by Belmont students Andrew Hill, Matt Lefavor and Ben Stein to simulate solutions to Loewner's differential equation.
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
Magruder Publishes Paper
Dr. Robert Magruder, professor and chair of the Chemistry & Physics Department, recently had a paper accepted for publication. The paper is titled "Structure and Properties of Nanoparticles Formed by Ion Implantation" and was published in Topics in Applied Physics, Volume 116, October 2009. Click here to view the paper.
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
Buffington Presents Talk at ACM Conference
On Nov. 13, Belmont senior Ross Buffington will present a talk on "Game Implementation for Increasing Mental Engagement of Security Professionals" at the 2009 Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Mid-Southeast Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In addition, Dr. William Hooper (Math/Computer Science) will be giving a talk on assembly language programming with the Sony PlayStation 3.
Buffington, a computer science major, spent this past summer conducting research at the University of Houston, Texas that was funded by the National Science Foundation. He worked in the University of Houston's Computational Physiology Laboratory with a number of master's and post-doctorate students. This experience allowed Ross to further his understanding and competence in developing applications for the iPhone. Prior to the Houston research experience, Ross had spent the entire school year independently learning how to write software for the device.
Through his research he created "The Sky is Falling," a computer based, two-dimensional, game which overlays on top of the live video feed of a security camera. The purpose of the game is to increase the cognitive engagement of a security guard when charged with the task of monitoring video feeds for hours on end. A secondary purpose of the application was to promote physical activity of the security guard. This was accomplished by incorporating the iPhone as a game controller-device, allowing a user to wirelessly interact with their computer using the iPhone.
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
Hachtel Approved as Mediator
Dr. Yvette Hachtel, professor in Belmont's School of Occupational Therapy, has been approved as a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator and will begin work as a mediator in civil cases in conjunction with Tennessee's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings. After years of work in Sumner County's Victim and Offenders Reconciliation Program, Hachtel qualifies for Rule 31 status and will work on cases judges assign to Tennessee's ADR program. Through her position as a mediator, Hachtel will be an impartial aid in helping parties involved in civil cases to resolve their disputes outside of the courtroom.
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
Speech and Debate Team Continues Winning Streak
Belmont's Speech and Debate Team competed at the Berea/Cumberland swing tournament Oct. 23-30 in Berea, Kentucky. With 27 universities in attendance, Belmont won first place in the individual events division at both tournaments and placed second in the debate division (fourth overall).
Individual awards included the following:
Debate Awards
Andrew Bishop – 2nd place Overall Novice Speaker
Andrew Bishop / Mike White – 1st place Novice Debate Team
Wesley Rainer / Tyler Kimbro – Varsity Debate Quarter-Finalists
Team: 2nd place, Small School Division
University of the Cumberlands Events Tournament
Eric Schoen: Dramatic Interpretation, 4th place; Communication Analysis, 5th place; Duo Interpretation, 4th place; Pentathlon Competitor, 4th place
Kate Tully: Programmed Oral Interpretation, Top Novice; After Dinner Speaking, 5th place
Jaiden Phelps: Persuasive Speaking, Top Novice; Impromptu Speaking, Top Novice
Nicole Bright: Duo Interpretation, 4th place
Team: 1st place, Small School Division
Berea College Events Tournament
Nicole Bright: Programmed Oral Interpretation, 5th place; Duo Interpretation, 6th place
Jessica Plowman: Extemporaneous Speaking, Semi-finalist
Haley Wilson: Extemporaneous Speaking, Top Novice
Bethany Miller: Impromptu Speaking, Semi-finalist
Eric Schoen: Duo Interpretation, 6th place
Kate Tully: After Dinner Speaking, Top Novice
Team: 1st place, Small School Division
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
Hoogestraat Presents at TAHPERD
Dr. Fran Hoogestraat (Sport Science) recently made a presentation at the meeting of the Tennessee Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The presentation was titled "Worst Practices for Coaches and WHY!"
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
Pinter Serves as Editor of a National Problem Solving Competition
During 2009-10, Dr. Mike Pinter, professor, Mathematics & Computer Science Department, will be serving as Editor of a National Problem Solving Competition. Three times in the fall and three times in the spring, Dr. Pinter will send mathematical problems to the director of the competition who in turn e-mails the problems to participating high schools and colleges around the country. Each high school mailing includes two problems, and each college mailing includes two problems.
Dr. Pinter creates many of the problems that are used, while some of the problems come from others who contribute them for consideration. The problems cover a wide array of mathematical topics in order to have the problems be accessible to students with varying math interests and backgrounds. Nearly all of the problems can be solved without calculus (and often without very much algebra). In recent years, several of Dr. Pinter's problems have been used by the National Competition.
This work is an outgrowth of Dr. Pinter's efforts with Belmont’s Mathematics Problem Solving Competition which has taken place for the last 15 years. Two problems per month are posted on a public bulletin board in Hitch and on the Mathematics & Computer Science Department Web page and all interested students are encouraged to participate.
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
Tarr Selected A-Sun Freshman of the Year
Belmont freshman Brandon Tarr (Knoxville, Tenn.) was named the 2009 Atlantic Sun’s Freshman of the Year in men's soccer. He was honored by being selected onto the 2009 A-Sun’s Second-Team All-Conference and All-Freshman Team. Tarr is the first Bruin to have been awarded Freshman of the Year. Click here for more on this story.
Posted November 06, 2009. #.
November 04, 2009
PT Alum Featured in News Article
Belmont alumna Erin Cook was featured in her hometown newspaper, The Elizabethton Star, for her work in the Sports Residency Program at Physical Therapy Services in Elizabethton, Tenn. Cook, who received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Belmont in 2009, is preparing to take the Certified Sports Physical Therapy Specialty exam. Cook is currently working with with Dr. Danny Smith, a Belmont adjunct professor, and his son Dr. Justin Smith, a 2006 graduate of Belmont's School of Physical Therapy. To read the article, click here.
Posted November 04, 2009. #.
October 30, 2009
Student, Alumnus Recognized in Nashville Technology Awards
Senior Hank Carter (Russellville, Ala.) was recognized this week as the 2009 "IT Student of the Year" at the inaugural Nashville Technology Awards at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. He was introduced and honored before an audience of more than 400 leaders of the technology community in Middle Tennessee. The awards recognized individuals and companies whose success has helped grow Nashville and the surrounding areas into a hub for technology.
Carter is an honors student in Computer Science, working on a thesis in information security. On campus he has been active in the Mathematics and Computer Science student group and recently participated in the programming competition at Tennessee Tech. He is a member of Alpha Chi and received the 2009 Hale third-year student award. An Eagle Scout, Carter spent the summer at Sea Base in the Florida Keys leading 15-17-year-old scouts on week-long high adventure explorations. He is currently applying for graduate programs. In addition to his abilities and talents in Computer Science, Carter is an accomplished pianist (a music minor), a black belt in martial arts, a ballroom dancer and has taken up fencing.
In addition to Carter's award, alumnus Chip Hayner ('04, Digital Media Studies) was named Software Programmer / Engineer of the Year. Hayner currently serves as director of technology for Centre{source} Interactive Strategies. As one of the most senior C{S} employees, Hayner started as a developer and now heads the development and creative departments.
Posted October 30, 2009. #.
October 29, 2009
Lambda Pi Eta Hosts Event for National Freedom of Speech Week
Lambda Pi Eta, the honor society of the Communication Studies Department, recently hosted a week of events aimed at giving voice to the homeless as part of National Freedom of Speech Week. The week's theme this year was titled "Homeless not Voiceless.” The program included a panel from the Nashville Homeless Power Project. Residents from Tent City told their stories and answered student questions on how to address the problem of homelessness in Nashville.
Posted October 29, 2009. #.
Magruder Publishes Paper
Dr. Robert Magruder, professor and chair of the Chemistry & Physics Department, recently had a paper accepted for publication titled "Excitation and detection of surface acoustic phonon modes in Au/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] multilayers." Click here to read the abstract of this paper, which was published in the Physical Review B of the American Physical Society, October 15, 2009.
Posted October 29, 2009. #.
Vaughn Publishes Two Articles on Video Family Memoirs
Mary Vaughn (chair, Department of Communication Studies) had two publications this month. One was in Communication Teacher (Vol. 23, No. 4, October 2009) titled "Video Family Memoirs: Service-learning in a Family Communication Course," and the other is a related piece called "Capturing Family Stories on Video" in Communication Currents. Click here to read the latter article.
Posted October 29, 2009. #.
Women's Soccer Wins Atlantic Sun Regular Season Title for First Time in Program History
One goal in the 83rd minute was all it took to help the Belmont women's soccer team (9-5-4, 6-1-3 A-Sun) win its first Atlantic Sun regular season title in program history. The Bruins collected their ninth shutout of the season, knocking off UNF 2-0 on the road Sunday afternoon to earn a bye for the first round of the A-Sun Tournament. The Bruins first game in the A-Sun Tournament is set for Nov. 5 in Kennesaw, Ga. Click here for more on this story.
Posted October 29, 2009. #.
School of Pharmacy Students Featured in News Story
Students enrolled in the Pharmacy Communications and Counseling Course were featured on WTVF News Channel 5 as part a report on Tennessee's prescription drug usage. Second-year pharmacy students Diane Akin and Tyler Ammarell were highlighted in the story during a role-play exercise for the class, and Dr. Sal Giorgianni was interviewed on how Belmont's pharmacy students are trained to avoid duplication and error and rationalize costs of prescription and non-prescription medications. To see the story, click here.
Posted October 29, 2009. #.
Massey Student Crowned Miss Black Tennessee
LaDonna Yvette Boyd, student in the Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business, was crowned Miss Black Tennessee in a ceremony on Oct. 25 in Nashville. Boyd received the title, once held by television personality Oprah Winfrey, for her performance in the Miss Black Tennessee Scholarship Pageant. In addition to the title, Boyd received a $2,000 scholarship and will go on to compete in the Miss Black America competition in 2010.
Posted October 29, 2009. #.
October 23, 2009
Avila Receives Leadership in Diversity Award
Social work alumnus Claudia Avila ('03) was recently named the recipient of the 2009 Multicultural Council Award for Leadership in Diversity. It comes from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). She will go to Washington D.C. on Nov. 10 to accept the award.
Posted October 23, 2009. #.
Biles Presents at Math Conference
Dr. Daniel Biles, associate professor of mathematics, gave a presentation at the 29th Annual Southeastern-Atlantic Regional Conference on Differential Equations at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia on Oct. 17. The title of his talk was "Existence of Solutions for Singular Functional Differential Equations with Upper and Lower Solutions."
Posted October 23, 2009. #.
CEMB Holds First Entertainment Law Clinic
On Oct. 7 the College of Entertainment and Music Business successfully held its first Entertainment Law Clinic in partnership with the Tennessee Bar Association and Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts. The clinic was held to teach professionalism and the importance of receiving legal counsel in the arts, while providing cost-free legal help for Belmont students. Nearly 20students had the opportunity to meet with volunteer attorneys who answered arts/entertainment business related legal questions. Pictured from left to right: Casey Gill Summar, director of TN Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts; Chris Vlahos, chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Entertainment & Sports Law Section; Cheryl L. Slay, faculty advisor for the clinic; and Provost Marcia McDonald.
Posted October 23, 2009. #.
Public Relations Student Writes for National Blog
Junior public relations major Sarah Norton is the author of a blog featured on the home page of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSSA). The blog discusses support of the Belmont PRSSA Chapter by the Nashville professional chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). October is celebrated in the society as PRSA/PRSSA Relationship Month. Nashville PRSA and Belmont PRSSA are recipients of a national award for Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Relationship. Click here to read Norton’s blog.
Posted October 23, 2009. #.
Student-Created Web Site Successfully Supports Local Artists
IndieBandHub.com, 
a site created by students in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, recently completed its first project by supporting artist Rafeal Vasquez with everything from recording to manufacturing his new album.
Created as a class project in MBU 3630 (Record Company Operations), the site serves to encourage the local Nashville music scene and create opportunities for bands to communicate, share and assist each other’s efforts.
Rafeal Vasquez, an artist member of Indie Band Hub, performed Oct. 17 with the Mariachi Vargas at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Vasquez performed works from his upcoming CD produced by Indie Band Hub/Acklen Records. The album was recorded in Nashville’s historic RCA Studio B and ranges from flamenco guitar to classic Latin rock.
Posted October 23, 2009. #.
October 21, 2009
Belmont Speech/Debate Team Wins Tournament
The Belmont University Speech and Debate team won 1st place overall in a tournament held Oct. 18 at Walters State University. Team members competed individually and every member made it to the finals in at least one event. Individual awards at the tournament were as follows:
Bethany Miller: Impromptu Speaking (1st), Informative Speaking (2nd), Extemporaneous Speaking (3rd)
Tim Smith: Impromptu Speaking (4th), Extemporaneous Speaking (2nd)
Kate Tully: After Dinner Speaking (2nd), Programmed Oral Interpretation (2nd), Dramatic Interpretation (1st)
Jaiden Phelps: Persuasive Speaking (1st)
Nicole Bright: Prose Interpretation (2nd), Programmed Oral Interpretation (1st), Dramatic Duo Interpretation (with Eric Schoen, 1st)
Eric Schoen: Impromptu Speaking (2nd) Poetry Interpretation (2nd) Dramatic Duo Interpretation (with Nicole Bright, 1st) Communication Analysis (1st)
Posted October 21, 2009. #.
Students Compete in ‘Battle of the Brains’
Belmont students will be competing in the 34th annual IBM-sponsored Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest, also known as the “Battle of the Brains,” regional competition Oct. 24 at Tennessee Technological University. Tens of thousands of students in more than 90 countries will participate in the global competition, and the top 100 regional champions will go on to compete Feb. 1-6 in Harbin, China.
Six Belmont students will be participating in this year’s competition. Team one, also known as “Force Quit,” includes Ross Buffington, Heather Ellis and Will Proffitt. Team two, also known as “Bandits,” consists of Cory Hughes, Trevor Hinesley and Hank Carter. Jordan Williams is the alternate for both teams.
Students will be challenged to use their programming skills and rely on their mental endurance to solve complex, real world problems under a five-hour deadline. Teammates collaborate to rank the difficulty of the problems, deduce the requirements, design test beds and build software systems that solve the problems under the scrutiny of expert judges. The team that solves the most problems correctly in the least amount of time will win a coveted spot on the world finals roster. The best and brightest information technology students from around the globe will compete for awards, scholarships, prizes and bragging rights to the “world’s smartest trophy.”
“The Battle of the Brains is one of the most demanding intellectual challenges,” said Alan Ganek, chief technology officer and vice president of strategy for business and technology at IBM Software Group. “These students possess an amazing talent to solve pressing issues involving transportation, energy, water, climate and health.”
The regional schools participating are Tennessee Technological University, Belmont University, Austin Peay State University, East Tennessee State University, Maryville College, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Middle Tennessee State, University of North Alabama, Vanderbilt University and Tuskegee University.
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is a major force in advancing the skills of information technology professionals and students. ACM serves its global membership of 80,000 by delivering technical information and transferring ideas from theory to practice. IBM’s sponsorship commitment to the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest is part of a company-wide effort to advance the next generation of computer scientists.
Posted October 21, 2009. #.
October 19, 2009
PT Graduate Chosen as Outstanding Young Alumna from APSU
Dr. Bethany McKinney Froboese, a 2003 graduate of Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy, has been chosen as an Outstanding Young Alumna by her undergraduate alma mater, Austin Peay State University. The award recognizes her contribution to APSU as a volunteer. Froboese will be honored with other alumni award recipients during homecoming festivities at the end of October.
After receiving her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Belmont, Froboese took a job as a physical therapist with Inmotion Rehabilitation. Three year later, she joined Premier Medical Group and, in 2007, she found her current position as a physical therapist with Tennessee Orthopeadic Alliance.
Froboese is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association and is a Susan G. Komen lymphedema treatment provider. She is a certified Lymphedema therapist, a certified clinical instructor and a certified sole supports provider.
Her volunteer work also extends into her community, such as assisting in a one-day teaching experience for Clarksville-Montgomery County School System anatomy and physiology AP classes about physical therapy and physiological principles used for her profession.
Posted October 19, 2009. #.
October 15, 2009
Felter Named Emerging Leader by APTA
Cara Felter, a 2004 DPT graduate of the School of Physical Therapy, was recently named an Emerging Leader by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Felter was recognized in the October 2009 issue of PTinmotion Magazine with the following tribute: "Cara Felter, PT, DPT, is a senior physical therapist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute International Center for Spinal Cord Injury, in Baltimore, Maryland. Also a Brain Injury Specialist certified by the Brain Injury Association of America, she has a passion for working with individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries. Felter, who joined APTA in 2001, has been a member of the APTA Neurology Section since 2005. A former member of the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association, she is a current member of the APTA of Maryland, where she serves on the Continuing Education Committee and is being mentored to become the director of education. Felter expects to complete her Master of Public Health degree at The Johns Hopkins University in December 2009. In addition to her APTA activities, Felter raises dogs that are trained to help people with disabilities."
In relating her honor to the School of Physical Therapy, Felter commented: "When Belmont says, 'From here to anywhere,' they really mean it. My education in the Belmont DPT program prepared me academically and clinically. My professors challenged me to think analytically and use research to guide clinical decision making. They also encouraged me to get involved in the APTA as a means of protecting and promoting my profession. I could not have asked for better mentors on the path to becoming a physical therapist."
The purpose of the award is to identify and honor physical therapists or physical therapist assistants who have demonstrated extraordinary service early in his or her physical therapy career. The individual should have made exceptional overall accomplishments and contributions to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the physical therapy profession to advance APTA's vision.
Posted October 15, 2009. #.
Wells Edits Edition of New Kittredge Shakespeare
Dr. James Wells (English) recently edited an edition of Shakespeare’s "The Second Part of Henry the Fourth," in which he provided annotations, an introduction and other supporting educational materials. The book is part of the New Kittredge Shakespeare series, published by Focus Publishing. Available now here, the work with be sold on Amazon within the next few weeks.
Posted October 15, 2009. #.
Wells Leads Blackfriars Theatre Trip
Dr. James Wells, assistant professor of English, led a group of students, faculty and staff on a trip to Blackfriars Theatre in Staunton, Va., recently. Blackfriars is a replica of Shakespeare's smaller indoor theatre where his company performed plays later in his career. The group saw three plays: Shakespeare's Henry IV, Much Ado about Nothing and George Villiers' The Rehearsal.
Posted October 15, 2009. #.
