Achievers

York, Churchman Published in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Dr. Grady “Stan” York, assistant professor of management, and Dr. Richard Churchman, associate professor of management, recently had their article "Understanding the Association Between Employee Satisfaction and Family Perceptions of the Quality of Care in Hospice Service Delivery” published in the November 2009 edition of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management is an internationally respected, peer-reviewed journal and serves an interdisciplinary audience of professionals by providing a forum for the publication of the latest clinical research and best practices related to the relief of illness burden among patients afflicted with serious or life-threatening illness.

Bunch Library Faculty Publish and Present

Bunch Library's Courtney Fuson, electronic & educational resources librarian, and Jenny Rushing, coordinator of reference services, published a paper on their outreach efforts to middle Tennessee school librarians with the Conversations@Belmont program in College & Research Libraries News called “Climbing out of the ‘Ivory Tower’: Conversations between Academic and School Librarians and Teachers.” Click here to read the article.

In addition, Rushing along with Reference Librarians Rachel Scott and Judy Williams presented at the Tennessee Library Association annual conference on the development of an information literacy program, and the paper, “From 0 to 200!: Building an Information Literacy Program from the Ground Up!” was published this month in Tennessee Libraries. Click here to read the article.

Rushing and Collection Management Librarian Dawn Stephen presented this month at the 29th Annual Charleston Conference on Issues in Book and Serial Acquisition in the innovation session. Their presentation, titled “Tying Information Literacy to a Library Materials Budget,” described the recent revision of the library allocations formula to include an information literacy component.

First Year Writing Students Lead Poetry Reading with Carter-Lawrence Elementary

As the culminating event of a semester spent working with children at Carter-Lawrence Elementary Magnet School, Dr. Linda Holt (English) and the students from her First Year Writing classes hosted a poetry reading in the Vince Gill Room on Nov. 16. A group of more than 50 Belmont students, Carter-Lawrence students and their parents gathered to share poetry composed by the Carter-Lawrence children in collaboration with their Belmont Buddies. Belmont student Sam Sheryll entertained the arriving guests with his keyboard, and Ms. Jana Whittle, media specialist at Carter-Lawrence, welcomed the group, thanking those involved for their participation and continued support of the Belmont/Carter-Lawrence partnership.

Belmont University has partnered with Carter-Lawrence for more than 10 years in a series of service-learning classes, a relationship originally established by Provost Dr. Marcia McDonald. To date, well over 500 Belmont students have participated. The partnership is grounded in the desire to enhance literacy, but the true value of the experience for all parties involved is the relationships that develop. The Partners in Poetry event marks the first time members of the Carter-Lawrence community have come to Belmont’s campus.

Six Computer Science Students Attend Big LAMP Camp

On Nov. 7, Belmont computer science students Heather Ellis, Ross Buffington, Will Proffitt, Rachelle Holloman, John Leonardini and Andrew Turner attended the Big LAMP Camp at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. Together with hundreds of LAMP (Linux, Apache, My SQL and Perl, PHP or Python) developers, they gathered to learn about the inner workings of the LAMP software suite from bleeding edge technologists and business innovators. The Camp offered direct access to the coders who use, troubleshoot and evangelize the LAMP software suite, providing an excellent recruiting opportunity for firms that require exceptional talent. In addition, the credibility and authority of the Camp speakers provided a high-powered, training opportunity for development teams and our students.

Belmont PRSSA Receives National Awards

The Belmont Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) received two national chapter awards and two national student awards at the recent 2009 PRSSA National Conference in San Diego. Belmont’s chapter was one of six chapters nationally to receive a Star Chapter Award. The new award recognizes chapter performance in 10 categories including ethics advocacy.

The chapter also received a national Ethics Advocacy Award. The chapter tied for third place, bringing home its third award in four years in this category. Sarah Norton, president of the Belmont Chapter of PRSSA, received the Altschul Champions for PRSSA Outstanding Internship Award, which includes a $300 scholarship. The award recognizes extraordinary success in a public relations internship. MacKenzie Fischer, a May 2009 public relations graduate, received a PRSSA Presidential Citation for her leadership in Tower Creative Consultants, the Belmont student-run public relations firm.

The ethics advocacy award received by the chapter includes $500 to the chapter and $100 to the faculty advisor, Bonnie Riechert. Representing Belmont at the conference were chapter officers Norton and Bethany Nelson, as well as Riechert and Susan Barnes, faculty members. One of 284 chapters nationally, the Belmont Chapter of PRSSA was chartered in 2005 and has received previous national awards for Ethics Advocacy, Chapter Development and Outstanding Relationship with its sponsoring professional chapter.

Littlejohn in China, Speaks on the Wisdom of Daoism

On Nov. 5, the First International Summit on Laozi and Daoist Culture was held in Beijing, attracting 600 professionals, scholars, Daoists and followers of Daoism. One of the keynote speakers was Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn, chair of the department of philosophy and director of Asian studies, whose recently published book is titled Daoism: An Introduction. "My own belief is that Daoism's contribution to the world will lie in what it can offer to an understanding of religious experiences and the human encounter with the numinal," Littlejohn said in his paper, "How Daoism Can Be for the World."

The two-day summit, with the theme of "Daoism, Science, Harmony, Health," was sponsored by the China Research Association of Laozi Daoism Culture (CRALDC). Fulfilling the guideline of "creating a harmonious society together," participants explored the strategic meaning of what Daoism's innovation means to the world. They also reflected on the prospects of the Daoist culture in the 21st century.

Ward Attends Conference, Makes Presentation

Barbara Ward, assistant professor in the department of mathematics and computer science, recently attended the 21st Annual Conference of the Eastern Regional Competency-Based Education Consortium (ERCBEC) in Myrtle Beach. Ward received full funding from the American Statistical Association to participate in the workshop "Improving the Value of a First Course in Statistics." She also gave a presentation titled “Teaching a First Course in Statistics for Science Majors.”

Oglesby-Pitts Presents at the Greater Nashville Alliance of Black School Educators

Dr. Myron Oglesby-Pitts, assistant professor of education, recently presented at the Greater Nashville Alliance of Black School Educators (GNABSE) on "The 'I' Factor: Transferring Resilience to Organizational Leadership." The “I” factors were identified in successful leaders who knew and understood that resilience in families could be replicated in their schools. Steven B. McCrary, President-Elect of the GNABSE, wrote the following about the presentation in a thank you letter to Dr. Oglesby-Pitt: “I want to thank you for participating in GNABSE’s Educational Forum. Your participation was a display of your support of our organization, your commitment to the community and to the children of Middle Tennessee. Your workshop for administrators went far beyond our themes, 'Educating our Children to Become Tomorrow’s Leaders' and has challenged us to meet the challenges of our youth head on." Along with Dr. Oglesby-Pitts’ presentation, Dr. Jesse Register, director of Metropolitan Nashville Schools, also spoke.

Osborn Featured in a Local Art Show

Dr. Ginger Osborn, assistant professor of philosophy, has five works of art on display in a show in the “Art Gallery” meeting room of The University Club at 2402 Garland Avenue off 25th Avenue. The show runs from Nov. 12-Dec. 30; all of the works are in oil. The show also features the work of Osborn's sister, Rebecca Marshall, as well as Gayle Levee, Gary English, and other notables. The name of the show is “Eclectic, too” in honor of the diverse styles and subjects the artists chose to exhibit. There is no admission charge. The best time to see the works is daily between 2-5 p.m., but visitors are encouraged to call ahead to be sure the room is not in use: 615-322-8564.

Watkins Participates in VSA Arts of Tennessee Awards Ceremony

Dr. Cynthia Watkins, associate professor of education, recently took part in the VSA Arts of Tennessee awards ceremony at Dollywood. The VSA Arts is an international non-profit organization founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith to create opportunities for people with disabilities to learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. The Tennessee affiliate holds a statewide competition for any vocalist or musician under the age of 25 with any form of disability to compete. The top five contestants are invited to perform several pieces, live, on stage at Dollywood. Watkins is a member of the VSA Arts Tennessee board and assisted with the participants and the presentation of awards at Dollywood.

Acree Serves as National Science Foundation Mathematics Reviewer

Dr. Glenn Acree, professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, recently served as chair of a panel charged with reviewing grant proposals for the National Science Foundation. The NSF review panels met Nov. 4-6 in Arlington, Virginia. The grant applications were for the Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program which seeks to increase the quality and number of undergraduates with majors in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

This fall the Belmont University School of Sciences is benefiting from its own S-STEM grant through which five entering freshman are receiving $10,000 scholarships. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years. Five additional Pathways Scholars will be added each year for the next 3 years, so that a total of 20 students in the sciences will be supported by the grant. Belmont has committed to sustaining this grant beyond the NSF funding period.

Ethics Bowl Team to Compete in National Championship

Belmont's Ethics Bowl team finished in the top tier of the Mid-Central Regional Competition last weekend and will represent Belmont at the Ethics Bowl National Championship in Cincinnati next March. In addition to the Belmont team, teams from Indiana University, The University of Kentucky and Wright State University will represent the Mid-Central Region in the national competition. The Belmont team finished the competition ahead of eleven other teams, including those from The University of Michigan, DePauw University, Butler University, Marian University, Taylor University and Univ of Southern Indiana.

The College of Business Administration’s Ethics Bowl team is coached by Jennifer Wilgus, Harold Fogelberg and Harry Hollis. The student team members, pictured left to right, include Stas Ghiletchi, Sammi Parks, Lindsey Ricker, Susan Harbison, Kathleen Bond, Nick Calderwood, Eric Deems.

Prospective Students Gather for College of Law's First Information Session

Prospective students of Belmont's College of Law gathered at an information session Wednesday evening that included an opportunity to meet the College's founding dean, Jeff Kinsler. The session was met with outstanding enthusiasm, attracting nearly 120 attendees who expressed serious interest in the College of Law. The strength of this early response is promising for the College's success as the first new Middle Tennessee law school in nearly a century.

Dean Jeff Kinsler served as Dean of Appalachian School of Law during a period of significant growth and is currently a professor of law and senior scholar at Elon University in North Carolina. Kinsler graduated first in his class from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1989 and obtained a master of laws degree from Yale University in 1996. Kinsler will be joining the preparations for the fall 2011 opening of the College of Law next spring. The College will enroll 350 students when at peak capacity.

School of Nursing Hosts Simulation Conference

Nearly 150 educators and hospital administrators from Tennessee and various other states attended the second annual Tennessee Nursing Simulation Conference at Belmont University last weekend. The conference was presented by Belmont’s School of Nursing and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee through a grant from the Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future – a collaborative initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Northwest Health Foundation.

The conference theme was Education and Practice: Working Together to Improve Patient Outcomes and included over 40 sessions which covered all aspects of medical simulation. The conference was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of simulation technology and resources and to build communication networks for educators in Tennessee. Conference faculty included nationally renowned experts on simulation technology in healthcare education and training from such institutions as Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, Fort Sanders Regional Hospital, Austin Peay State University, Maury Regional Medical Center, Union University, University of Kentucky School of Nursing, Tennessee Center for Nursing and Belmont University.

Belmont’s Gordon E. Inman Center and Healthcare Simulation Center provided excellent facilities for the conference, with comfortable meeting rooms and state-of-the-art laboratories and simulation mannequins. The Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing is a Laerdal Center of Educational Excellence for simulation, one of only 12 such centers designated in the United States. Also featured were demonstrations by several companies, including Laerdal, METI, Elsevier, Pocket Nurse, and Kyoto Kagaku, all which specialize in the latest simulation equipment and accessories.

Sport Science Instructor Writes Article for Nashville Lifestyles

Dr. Tiffany Watson Breeding, adjunct professor of Sport Science, will be writing a monthly article for Nashville Lifestyles magazine. Dr. Watson Breeding is a performance enhancement consultant for Focus Fitness and has a private practice, The MindBody Doctor.

In the articles, Watson Breeding will discuss health, wellness, fitness and more. This month’s column offers advice and motivation for developing routines to stay healthy through the holiday season. Click here to view the article.