May 16, 2008
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Spring 2008 Commencement and Faculty Awards
Belmont University held its spring 2008 commencement last weekend with two separate ceremonies, honoring graduate students Friday evening and undergraduates on Saturday morning. It was Belmont's largest commencement to date with a total of 654 students receiving degrees. In total, 546 undergraduate, 96 master’s and 12 doctoral degrees were conferred.
In addition, assistant professor Pam Parry, public relations program director, was awarded the 2008 Presidential Faculty Achievement Award, and Marty Bell, professor in the School of Religion, was honored with the Virginia M. Chaney Distinguished Professor Award.
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BELMONT NEWS
Belmont SIFE Team Receives Recognition at National Competition
The Belmont University SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) team returned to Nashville as winners after participating in the SIFE USA National Exposition held in Chicago, Ill. The event drew more than 140 competing teams with more than 3,000 students presenting their work to more than 650 business executives serving as judges.
The Belmont team was third runner-up at the semi-final level and first runner-up in the market economics area in this year’s competition. Belmont SIFE advanced to the SIFE USA National Exposition by winning at the regional level in early spring. Belmont won the grand prize of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) anti-piracy public service announcement (PSA) competition at the 2007 SIFE National Expo and made it to the overall top 20 both years.
There are 33 Belmont students involved in SIFE for 2007-08. SIFE is an international, non-profit organization active on over 1,500 college and university campuses in 47 countries. SIFE students form teams that serve their communities by developing projects that take what they are learning in classrooms about business and use it to solve real world problems for real people. The SIFE program concentrates on five areas: entrepreneurship, market economics, success skills, financial literacy and business ethics. Each year, the teams present their projects at competition where they are judged on creativity, innovation and effectiveness.
Dr. John Gonas, assistant professor of Finance and the Sam Walton Fellow responsible for coordinating the projects and preparing the students for the competition, said, “We are very grateful to have developed and maintained such deep-rooted community partnerships. The corporate sponsors of SIFE have continuously awarded us – embracing and validating the meaningful and sustainable changes we strive to make in teaching entrepreneurship, financial literacy and life skills within the greater Nashville community.”
Alexander Receives Fulbright Award
Belmont University announces that Dr. Joe Alexander, associate dean of The Jack C. Massey Graduate School, will spend part of this summer in Japan through an award from the Fulbright Scholar Program, the U.S. government’s flagship academic exchange program. Administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), the Fulbright program includes a network of bi-national Fulbright Commissions in 50 countries and 90 U.S. diplomatic posts around the world, as well as international universities and higher education associations.
Alexander’s award is part of the U.S.-Japan International Education Administrators Program, an initiative designed to familiarize participants with higher education, society and culture in Japan. It consists of briefings, campus visits, appointments with selected government officials, cultural activities and meetings with Japanese international education professionals. Other 2008 award recipients joining Alexander include administrators from the University of Minnesota, Pace University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Rochester and Webster University.
"As one of the world’s largest national economies, Japan continues to play a significant role in shaping global business practice," Alexander said. "I hope to further strengthen Massey’s graduate business programs through this experience." Belmont maintains one of the few graduate business programs in the U.S. to require an international study-abroad experience for each of its graduate students.
Prior to his Belmont administrative appointment in July 2007, Alexander served as dean of the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado (2001 – 2007) where he led the program to receipt of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—the first college to ever earn that recognition from the President of the United States. He currently serves as chair-elect of the board of directors for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Foundation and also serves on the boards of directors for the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence and the Monfort Institute.
Alexander’s research has been published in a variety of journals, including the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management and Journal of Marketing Education. He has also received numerous teaching awards over the years, and in 2006, received the University of Northern Colorado’s overall Award for Academic Excellence Leadership. Alexander earned his doctorate and master’s degrees in business administration from what is now the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Harding University.
New Book by Fishers Offers Insights from Hospice Patients
Authors to Sign Books at Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Nashville, Thurs., May 22, 7 p.m.
Dr. Bob Fisher, president of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and his wife, Judy, are releasing, Life is a Gift: Inspiration from the Soon Departed (FaithWords, Hachette Book Group USA), on May 20, 2008, featuring a collection of interviews and lessons learned from 104 terminally ill patients of Alive Hospice in Nashville. FaithWords will hold a book signing for the Fishers at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville, Green Hills Mall, on Thurs., May 22 at 7 p.m.
During the course of their interviews, the Fishers spoke with a wide range of terminal patients of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Though each person had a unique story, each accepted death as an unavoidable fact. All of the 104 patients the Fishers interviewed have since died.
“We wanted to glean the wisdom of those who are ‘near-to-death,’” the Fishers wrote in Life is a Gift. “You’ve heard stories of people who have a near-death experience and change their way of thinking about the world… In our talking to the soon-departed, it was our goal to have an experience of being ‘near-to-death’ and to see where it led us.”
Alive Hospice President and CEO Janet Jones said, “When I read this book, I was so inspired by the messages the people we were privileged to serve left with us. What a gift this book is to all of us about how to live our lives to the fullest. Bob and Judy Fisher's ability to lovingly be present during these conversations and allow the individuals to express their core feelings and then grasp them in the story is nothing short of miraculous."
The conversations with patients like 5-year-old Maddie or the 98-year-old man who spent his last weeks learning Hungarian followed a standard question-and-answer formula: What are you most proud of? What has been your greatest joy? What has been your greatest disappointment? What’s the most important thing you’ve ever done? What do you regret? What comes next for you? If you could give one message to the world, what would it be?
Click here for more on this story.
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ACHIEVERS
Wollaber Receives Vision of Nursing Award
Dr. Debra Wollaber, professor in the School of Nursing, was recently awarded the Vision of Nursing Award at The Tennessean's Salute to Nurses luncheon. Wollaber served as Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Nursing for 10 years before deciding that she wanted to return to teaching. In addition, senior nursing student Diane Maynard was given the Top Student Award for her academic accomplishments. Salute to Nurses is a quarterly news magazine for nursing health professionals throughout Tennessee that is published by The Tennessean.
Belmont Pharmacy Claims Boulevard Victory
Belmont's School of Pharmacy (BUSOP) stepped past the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy at the Sun., May 4 Arthritis Walk. BUSOP fielded a faculty, staff and student team for the event and challenged Lipscomb's Pharmacy team to enter the walk and raise more money. The funds have now been tallied and Belmont School of Pharmacy’s team raised $2,745, taking a slim lead over Lipscomb’s team of walkers. Deans Phil Johnston (Belmont) and Roger Davis (Lipscomb) agree, however, that the most important aspect of this friendly competition is that together the schools raised nearly $5,000, well above their combined goal of $1,500. In addition, the Belmont physical therapy team raised nearly $600.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Beaman Center Offers New 'Buddy' Membership
Do you have a friend that you wish could work out with you in the Beaman Center? Well, the Beaman Center now offers a Summer 'Buddy' Membership for buddies of current BSLC members. Current members of the Beaman Center will be allowed to sponsor 2 Buddies for memberships. The $50 Buddy membership allows those individuals to the same privileges all the other BSLC members enjoy. All Buddy Memberships expire on Aug. 15. If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit the B Fit BU page (http://forum.belmont.edu/bfitbu) to download the membership application. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Zeller at 460-6262.
Student Health Services Announces Summer Hours of Operation
Beginning June 3, the clinic will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Appointments appreciated. Phone: 460-5506. If there is an emergency, please contact Campus Security at 6911. Please note that the clinic will be closed May 12–30.
Electronics Recycling Days
Belmont University along with Apple, Canon, MacAuthority and Vanderbilt University, is helping to sponsor Electronics Recycling Days May 14-17. The first three days of this drive are for institutions and businesses. Saturday, May 17 is open to all individual consumers. Students, faculty, staff and individuals are encouraged to drop off used electronic equipment for safe and earth friendly disposal. MacAuthority is located at 2018 Lindell Avenue off of 65 and Wedgewood at Exit 81. Call MacAuthorityfor details or directions at 615.383.1010 (Please note: MacAuthority at Cool Springs is not a recycling site for this drive.)
Dining Services Announces Summer Hours of Operation
The Belmont cafeteria will be closed May 8-18 and will reopen for lunch 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for May 19-July 25. Cafeteria will open for breakfast and dinner depending on needs of Summer Groups on campus. Corner Court will be open weekdays from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Curb Café will be open for lunch May 8-16 and closed May 19-30.
Beaman Center Announces Summer Group Fitness Schedule
Keep your body beach ready with our exciting Group Fitness classes this summer! We have all of your favorite classes to keep you motivated to exercise all summer long. Classes begin June 2. Click here to download your copy of the summer schedule today!
Nashville Children’s Choir to Hold Auditions
Auditions for the 2008-09 year of Nashville Children’s Choir occur next Thursday, May 20. We are seeking to identify children from families who desire to provide for their children a quality choral experience which places strong emphasis on focused, energetic, disciplined, delightful music-making! For more information or to request an audition time, visit the website, http://ncc.belmont.edu, email ncc@mail.belmont.edu or call 460-5400 ext.1862.
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COMING UP
May 29-31
Christian Community Health Fellowship National Conference: The Kingdom of God and Health Care Among the Poor
CCHF (www.cchf.org) is a national organization of clinics and health care professionals whose mission is to live out the gospel through health care for the poor. Belmont’s Inman College of Health Sciences is working with both the national CCHF and its local partner, Siloam Family Health Center. The keynote speaker will be Dr. John Perkins, who inspired the founding of CCHF.
Ongoing
Now-June
William Myers: Prints
Bill Myers is an artist and illustrator of numerous posters, books and magazines for adults and children as well as the creator of murals, and album covers. For the film Nashville, he created the artwork used in the opening credits, the soundtrack cover and poster.
Leu Art Gallery (Library)
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BIRTHDAYS
If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@mail.belmont.edu.
May 16
David LaPell, Maddox Residence Director
Don Purdy, Auxiliary Services
May 17
Douglas Bisson, History
David Herrera, Business
Amanda Wheeler, Strategic Marketing and Special Initiatives
May 18
Ann Baldwin, Art
May 19
Mark McEntire, Religion
May 21
Cynthia Watkins, Education
May 22
Barbara Carranza, Custodial Services
Toma Kimbro, Honors
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SPECIAL PROMOTIONS
Belmont Discount Available with Dell
Belmont students, faculty, staff and alumni can now get the best value with The Dell Student Computing Initiative (SCI) and Employee Purchase Program (EPP). Dell SCI/EPP is an exclusive discount program that gives you 1) extra savings and value; 2) discounts in addition to generally advertised Dell Home prices and promotions; and 3) exclusive offers and personal payment plans. Visit www.dell.com/belmont for more information or to start shopping. On the Web site you can customize a system that fits you best with exclusive savings on Dell home desktops or notebooks. You'll also find TVs, printers, digital cameras and thousands of other electronics and accessories at great prices
Tennessee Rep Discounts for Faculty and Staff
Tennessee Repertory Theatre will continue its discounted season subscription plans for faculty and staff at all Tennessee schools (grade school through college/university) during its 2008-2009 season. Educator Subscription Packages are available for the steeply discounted rate of $90 per subscription (available for both standard and flex options)—a savings of 55 percent over the single ticket rate! Tennessee Rep’s 24th season features Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, Moonlight and Magnolias by Ron Hutchinson, Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet, Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire and Darwin in Malibu by Crispin Whittell. Additional information on Educator Subscription Packages and subscription forms as well as descriptions of the plays featured in Tennessee Rep’s 2008-2009 season are available at www.tennesseerep.org.
Discounted Tickets to 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at TPAC
Jesus Christ Superstar, a groundbreaking theatrical masterpiece by legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is coming to TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall May 30-31 for three performances. Belmont alumna Tiffini Dodson ('04) will play Mary Magdalene in the production. Your special discounted performances are Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 31 at 2 p.m. Offer ends May 25 (or while tickets last). To purchase tickets, simply log on to www.tpac.org/corporatesaver and click on UNIVERSITY. Your special password is belmont.
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