February 3, 2012

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Posted in Photo of the Week   on February 3, 2012

Nashville Ballet’s pre-professional company performed Jan. 29 in MPAC to live music composed by School of Music Professor Emeritus Paul Godwin.

 

Bruiser's study group at work in the Beaman Student Life Center.

BELMONT NEWS

Posted in Belmont News   on February 3, 2012

Belmont Announces Schedule for Homecoming 2012 Feb. 13-18
Belmont University invites alumni, friends and family to make their “Destination Belmont” Feb. 13 – 18 for a week’s worth of special Homecoming 2012 events. The week-long celebration will feature an alumni art exhibit, a basketball doubleheader, a residence hall banner competition for students and a campus-wide pep rally and bonfire. For a complete list of all Belmont Homecoming 2012 events and an opportunity to register, visit http://alumni.belmont.edu/.

Julie Thomas, director of constituency programs in the Office of Alumni Relations, said, “Belmont alumni are such an important part of this institution.  Homecoming is the perfect time for us to honor and celebrate our alums and welcome them back to campus.” Read more.

Student Athletes Take Talent Show Stage in ‘Battle of the Bruins’
Student athletes will compete off court and away from fields in Battle of the Bruins, the first student-athlete talent show, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the Curb Event Center. All 11 of Belmont’s athletic teams will be represented on stage.

“This is something fun for the athletes to get us all together because we are traveling a lot so we don’t always get to interact across teams. And it also will allow other students to know who we are when we aren’t playing sports,” said Jennifer Newnan, a senior on the women’s golf team, who will dance during Battle of the Bruins.

The talent show is presented by Belmont’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Among the performances are skits, dance routines and musical acts. Tickets for the event are $5 and may be purchased at the Curb Event Center box office or online by clicking here. The talent show will benefit Nashville Special Olympics, which is in need of new equipment, uniforms and travel expenses. Student athletes have already raised $7,000 for Nashville Special Olympics through silent auctions as well as professors’ and parents’ donations. They hope to gather $25,000 in donations. Read more.

Rick Byrd Finalist for Nashville Sports Person of the Year
Belmont University men’s basketball head coach Rick Byrd is one of five finalists for Nashville Sports Person of the Year, the Nashville Sports Council announced Tuesday.

The Nashville Sports Person of the Year is one of several awards that will be presented at the 14th annual Pepsi Celebration of Champions presented by Kroger Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the historic Grand Ole Opry House.

Byrd, who was named 2011 Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year after directing the Bruins to a 30-5 campaign in 2010-11 and the program’s fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in six years, is joined by Vanderbilt baseball head coach Tim Corbin, IndyCar driver Dario Franchetti, Vanderbilt football head coach James Franklin, and Nashville Predator goaltender Pekka Rinne as award finalists. Read more.

CVPA, Nashville Ballet Bring ‘Aesop’s Fables’ to MPAC
The College of Visual and Performing Arts and Nashville Ballet hosted a free performance of Aesop’s Fables in the Massey Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Jan. 29. The event brought hundreds of children and their parents to campus for the interactive show.

“The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Fox and the Crow,” “The Wind and the Sun” and “The Ants and the Grasshopper” tales were woven together with an original narrative. These stories creatively depict Aesop winning his freedom from slavery through his cautionary storytelling.

The children’s ballet was performed by the Nashville Ballet’s pre-professional company to live music composed by Belmont University School of Music Professor Emeritus Paul Godwin. The music was performed by School of Music students and faculty.

“This is great for kids to learn about music, to learn about dance at an early age,” explained Nashville Ballet’s Jan Morrison to NewsChannel5. “These performances that we do for children are perfect because they’re narrated, so they can really learn what’s happening. They can really learn to associate movement, dance, body coordination and music.” Click here to view photos from Aesop’s Fables.

Belmont Welcomes Neighbors to Campus for Community Days
As a show of gratitude to the University’s friends, Belmont invited its neighbors and the general public to the women’s basketball game against North Florida on Jan. 26. The event was free and included hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, a balloon artist and face painting.

“This day was a continuation of an annual event for Belmont to welcome the community to campus. We make an effort year-round to improve the dynamics between neighbors and the University,” said Joyce Searcy, director of community relations. Click here to view photos from Community Day 2012.

Belmont opened its arms again Jan. 28 with the Community Health Fair in the Maddox Grand Atrium of the Curb Event Center in conjunction with the men’s and women’s basketball games against Jacksonville. Click here to view photos from the Community Health Fair. The free fair featured 30 booths with blood pressure, body composition and bone density screenings; CPR demonstrations; and information on tobacco cessation, breast cancer awareness, diabetes, healthy eating, self defense and recreation. Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Renfrew Center, Edgehill Community Garden, Edgehill Family Resource Center, YMCA and Real Food Farms had booths. Read more.

ACHIEVERS

Posted in Achievers   on February 3, 2012

Click here for stories on the recent accomplishments of Belmont students, faculty, staff and alumni. This week’s highlights are the College of Pharmacy, Kathryn Skinner, Andy Webster, Steven Stodghill, Cheryl L. Slay, Steven Guthrie, Belmont DECA, Will Proffitt, Joe Morott, Ronnie Littlejohn, Qingjun (Joan) Li, Robert Magruder, Mark Anderson, Andrew Davis, Melanie Walton and Joe Byrne.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Posted in Important Announcements   on February 3, 2012

Why I Give: Faculty Staff Campaign
“I give for one very simple reason: I love Belmont and want to see us succeed. When I first joined this community as an 18-year-old student, I had no idea the impact Belmont would have on my life. Now, as a staff member, I get to see other people’s lives impacted every day,” said Student Services Coordinator Ashley Harris. “I have received so much more from this University than a degree and now a career. I have made life long friends, gained confidence, a sense of purpose and a passion to see our students succeed. Being part of this community is such an honor, and I will always be so grateful for everything that Belmont does. Participating in the faculty-staff giving campaign is one small way that I can give back to the community that has done so much for me.”

Belmont is in the process of wrapping up the Faculty Staff Campaign for Fiscal Year 2012. We will have weekly updates for you in FYI. If you have not participated in the past, we encourage you to join us.  No gift is too small, and your gift can be directed to an area of interest to you. Participation is the key! For more information contact Harry Chapman at harry.chapman@belmont.edu  or call (615) 460-6690.

Every individual who participates in the 2012 Faculty Staff Campaign will be entered into a drawing to win a limo ride from the Belmont campus to the Palm Restaurant to enjoy dinner for two. For information on how to enter the contest without contributing, please contact Harry Chapman at (615) 460-6690. Also we will create competition groups. Any group that reaches 100-percent participation will have a pizza party courtesy of Sodexo. Group details coming.  It’s crunch time!  Be 100 percent Belmont!

Complete Dining Survey for Chance to Win an iPad 2
Belmont’s dining partner Sodexo is requesting your participation in an important online survey about your recent dining experiences on campus.  In return for your participation, your name will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad 2!

We will randomly draw a winner on Feb. 14, and they will be announced on the Belmont Dining Services Facebook page.  So, make sure you like our dining page to see if you are the winner:  Belmont Dining Services Facebook Page  (make sure you like the page to see if you are the winner). You will have until Feb, 10 to complete the survey.  Good Luck!

If you haven’t visited any of the campus dining locations as of yet, please take the opportunity to do so.  You can then come back afterwards to complete the survey. Ensure your entry to win by completing the survey as soon as possible! It should take about 7 to 9 minutes max to complete and will only be available for a limited time.

To log-in now and participate in this online survey, click here. Once you are directed to the website page, you will need to enter the following 5-digit log-in ID  94157 to begin the survey. Should you exit the survey unexpectedly or accidentally close your internet browser, clicking on the link above will allow you to re-enter the survey and continue where you left off. Thank you, in advance, for your participation and valuable feedback.

COMING UP

Posted in Coming Up   on February 3, 2012

Friday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.
Battle of the Boulevard: Men’s Basketball vs. Lipscomb
The game will be broadcast live on Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS) and ESPN3. The live play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Kevin Ingram can be heard on the Bruin Sports Network and 104.5 The Zone.
Allen Arena at Lipscomb

Saturday, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Battle of the Boulevard: Women’s basketball vs. Lipscomb
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
Allen Arena at Lipscomb

Saturday, Feb. 4
Academic Options Day

Monday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m.
Secret Sauce of Entrepreneurs
Donna Fenn is the author of two books: Upstarts! How GenY Entrepreneurs are Rocking the World of Business and 8 Ways You Can Profit From Their Success and Alpha Dogs: How Your Small Business Can Become a Leader of the Pack. A business journalist for more than 25 years, Fenn is a contributing editor at Inc. Magazine and the co-founder of The Mentors Council, an initiative of The Young Entrepreneur Council.
Massey Boardroom

Monday, Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m.
20th Annual Commercial Music Showcase
This year’s showcase features Nate Faulkner, Cody Fry, Sarah Margaret Huff and Rayvon Owen.
Massey Performing Arts Center

Monday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m.
Staff/Faculty Appreciation Dinner
Beaman A&B

Monday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.
Men’s Basketball Hosts APSU
Curb Event Center Arena

Tuesday. Feb. 7
Battle of the Bruins
Curb Event Center Arena
$5 admission to benefit the Nashville Special Olympics

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.
St. Valentine and The Funny Thing About Love
Neely Dining Room

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.
A Conversation with Progressive Women at Different Levels in Politics
Massey Business Center 103

Thursday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.
An Evening with Poet and Translator Chad Sweeney
Multimedia Hall

Friday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m.
An Introduction to the Common English Bible
Beaman Meeting Rooms A&B

Friday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Instrumental Collage
Massey Performing Arts Center

Check the University calendar for other upcoming community and convocation events.
Visit the Belmont Athletics website for information about upcoming athletic events.

BIRTHDAYS

Posted in Birthdays   on February 3, 2012

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@belmont.edu.

Feb. 3
Jill Robinson, Center for Executive Education

Feb. 5
Andrew Johnston, Student Affairs
Prentice Poole, Belmont Central

Feb. 6
Robert Lambert, Business
Kathy Jordan, Nursing

Feb. 7
Greg Bagwell, ACIT
Linda Quigley, Media Studies
Harold Smith, Religion

Feb. 8
Yvette Hachtel, Occupational Therapy

Feb. 9
Lucyellen Dahlgren, Nursing
Julie Hunt, Social Work

Feb. 10
Linda Allison, Pharmacy
Douglas Murray, English
Thom Storey, Media Studies

January 27, 2012

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Posted in Photo of the Week   on January 27, 2012
Construction workers, contractors and the Belmont community celebrated the Randall and Sadie Baskin Center topping out on Jan. 24. The Baskin Center will house a high-end furnished Trial Courtroom, a two-story Law Library, three auditorium-style classrooms, a dozen classrooms, an appellate courtroom, more than 20 faculty offices and a Grand Lobby Rotunda area. Read more in Belmont News.

BELMONT NEWS

Posted in Belmont News   on January 27, 2012

Annual ‘Sex and the Soul’ Week Continues Dialogue on Faith, Love
The biology of love and attraction distracts our minds from reality, marriage and family counselor John Van Epp told Belmont students at a convocation Tuesday as part of the third annual “Sex and the Soul” week.

“Love is blind partly because of biology but also because people don’t manage their hearts because they do not get to know the right stuff,” said Van Epp, author of How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk: Following Your Heart Without Losing Your Mind.

“When you sit up all night talking, you might know a lot about him, but do you really know him? In a healthy development of a relationship, let how well you know someone determine how much you trust them and do not bring too many needs so that you don’t rely on them,” told students during a Tuesday afternoon convocation. Read more.

Athletics, SGA Initiate ‘Guest Coach’ Honor
Belmont Athletics, along with corporate sponsor Cowan Benefit Services, has initiated a “guest coach” program at men’s home basketball games to honor a Belmont faculty or staff member.

The honorees are selected through a nomination process done by SGA where Congress members are invited to suggest a nominee and discuss what impact the individual has on the Belmont community and why he or she should be chosen. Congress then decides on that week’s Guest Coach recipient.

SGA President Rachel McNabb said, “It is such a rewarding moment to be able to reflect and share stories as to how so many professors have impacted the lives of Belmont students. I know that myself, Cabinet and Congress feel blessed to have the opportunity to give back to our professors in such a small but significant way.” Read more.

Belmont University ‘Tops Out’ Baskin Center
Belmont University’s College of Law celebrated the official “topping out” ceremony on Jan. 24 for the Randall and Sadie Baskin Center, a 71,000 square foot facility that will serve as the College’s permanent home upon the building’s completion this summer. In August 2011, Belmont’s College of Law welcomed its charter class of 132 students who hail from 14 different states.

College of Law founding Dean Jeff Kinsler said, “From breaking ground on this building to hiring our first faculty members to welcoming our charter class, Belmont’s College of Law has already achieved some incredible milestones. Today we celebrate another as we ‘top out’ this building which will soon house Middle Tennessee’s next generation of great legal minds and community leaders.” Read more.

Mick Hedgepeth Named Finalist for Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award
Belmont University men’s basketball senior Mick Hedgepeth has been named as one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

Hedgepeth, who ranks 11th on the Bruins’ NCAA era career scoring list with 1,063 points, was the 2011 Atlantic Sun Tournament Most Valuable Player as Belmont went 30-5 and earned a fourth NCAA Tournament appearance a year ago. The Crossville, Ala. native has 52 career double figure scoring games and is second among active Atlantic Sun Conference players in career rebounds and fifth in career points.  Read more.

Alumna Shares Stories from India Mission
Belmont alumna Megan Stephens (’09) returned to campus on Jan. 20 as part of the “Alumni on Mission” series in an event sponsored by the Belmont Ambassadors and the Office of Alumni Relations. Alumni on Mission is an ongoing speaker series featuring Belmont alumni who incorporate mission and ministry in their everyday lives.

Shortly after graduating from college, Stephens said she felt God called her to two things: missions and teaching.

“I felt like God wanted me to do missions, but I didn’t know when, where or how,” said Stephens, who studied middle school teaching.

Overcoming safety concerns from her family and the daunting task of raising $12,000, she moved to Siliguri, India in 2009 to home school the 17-year-old daughter of missionaries while looking for opportunities to do mission work herself. She has since become a Young Life representative, working with high school students in the small town, and an English teacher at a local seminary. Stephens continues homeschooling other children in exchange for her rent. Read more.

‘Music City Roots’ Takes on Distinctly Belmont Flavor

All the bands return to stage for the closing number at “Music City Roots” Jan. 25.

“Music City Roots at the Loveless Cafe” lured plenty of leather boots, flannel shirts and facial hair Wednesday night as the weekly, two-hour concert and live radio show often does. This week, however, the performance offered a uniquely Belmont-related theme. The Westbound Rangers, Leah Korbin, Shirock, Kopecky Family Band and the Apache Relay–all bands consisting of Belmont alumni or current students–pumped out bright and lively tones all night.

The audience reciprocated the school spirit with a large serving of Belmont students and faculty in attendance, including Curb College faculty members Dan Keen and Clyde Rolston, who helped organize the event. Click here to view the concert in its entirety. 

“Music City Roots” aims to revive the historic legacy of live musical radio production in Nashville. Broadcast on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. on WRLT-Lightning 100, “Music City Roots: Live From the Loveless Cafe” showcases Nashville’s astonishing music scene. Host Jim Lauderdale and the bands closed the show Wednesday night with the weekly Loveless Jam tradition, this time gathering all the artists on stage for a final group performance of classic Beatles song, “Don’t Let Me Down.”