June 27, 2008

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Apply Now for Debate08 Volunteer Opportunities
Belmont students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Nashville community are invited to apply now for Debate08 volunteer opportunities. For more information or to apply to volunteer, visit www.belmontdebate08.com/volunteer.
Reminder: Fall Print Material Deadline Set for July 31
As a reminder to last month’s email, the Office of Communications’ deadline for starting fall print material projects is set this year for July 31. Given the anticipated needs of the Town Hall Presidential Debate, we want to encourage an early start on all non-debate-related fall projects. Any print materials you anticipate needing for the first half of the fall semester should be put into production by the July 31 deadline. Please contact Greg Pillon or April Lyons if you have any questions.

BELMONT NEWS

Mayor’s Project for Student Success Releases Final Report
The Mayor’s Project for Student Success, a 40-member group co-chaired by Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher, concluded its term yesterday with a presentation to Mayor Karl Dean in the university’s Frist Lecture Hall. Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors (pictured at right with Dean, center, and Fisher, right) served as the project’s other co-chair.
The project was convened to develop action steps to reduce the dropout rate of students in area public schools, and it included parents, students, education professionals from all levels, government officials, and members of neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, non profits and the business community.
“A student doesn’t just wake up one day and decide not to go back to school,” Dean said. “It’s clear from the work of the task force and other research in this area that the path to dropping out can start as early as elementary and middle school.”
In response, Dean announced that his office is leading the charge to develop a coordinated system of afterschool programs for middle school students in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Dean said coordinating afterschool programs is one recommendation from Project for Student Success out of several that have led to or confirmed initiatives already underway.
Click here for more on this story.
Click here to view the task force’s presentation.
School of Pharmacy Celebrates ACPE Approval for First Class to Begin in August
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) informed the Belmont University School of Pharmacy (BUSOP) this morning that the new program has reached another significant benchmark toward full accreditation. The announcement confirms that BUSOP will officially be able to seat its first class of 75 newly admitted students in August 2008. ACPE is the official regulatory body that accredits all colleges of pharmacy in the United States. BUSOP continues on track for full accreditation, which is awarded to a new program once it has graduated its first class and met all ACPE standards for accreditation.
Belmont’s School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Phil Johnston said, “ACPE’s standards for accreditation are extremely high, as they should be given that pharmacists are charged with the responsibility of public safety. I’m obviously thrilled that we have gained the trust of the Council, and that we are now empowered to help our students fulfill the dream of entering the pharmacy profession. Our faculty and staff are contacting each student personally, helping them prepare to begin class in August. We feel our profession just grew by 75! This is a great day.”
Belmont Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander added, “The ACPE approval to seat our first pharmacy class is the culmination of the efforts of many individuals at Belmont and throughout the community. We believe that the School of Pharmacy, an integral part of Belmont’s strategic growth plan, will provide students with the skills to contribute to the growing health care needs of our community.”
By opening a School of Pharmacy, Belmont will help alleviate the significant shortfall of qualified pharmacists needed both in the state and country at large. The Belmont University School of Pharmacy seeks to become a nationally-recognized practice and leadership center with a four-pillared approach that will allow students to focus on management, informatics, pharmacotherapy or missions. BUSOP intends to be a prominent resource for training and supporting competent, compassionate practitioners with a passion for life-long professional improvement and service to the profession and patients. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu/pharmacy.

ACHIEVERS

Belmont Receives Community Health Charities’ Sunshine Award
Community Health Charities of Tennessee presented the 2007-2008 Sunshine Award to Belmont University in recognition of supporting health education, medical research and patient services in our communities through the Belmont Cares Charity Campaign. The ’07-’08 Belmont Cares Charity Campaign Committee members were Betsy Caffey, Colette Keyser, Patsy Peach, Claudia Myrick and Michael Sullivan. Claudia Myrick accepted this award on behalf of Belmont University.
Troutt Theater Honored by Historical Commission
The Bill and Carole Troutt Theater recently received honorable mention in the educational/institutional category of the 2008 Metro Historical Commission Preservation awards. Judges this year were James A. Hoobler, curator at the Tennessee State Museum and Metropolitan Historical Commission board member; Sheila Dial, associate architect with Everton Oglesby Associates; and Elizabeth Moore of the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University.
Cornwall’s Column Quoted by U.S. News and World Report
U.S. News and World Report recently published clips online from the weekly column of Dr. Jeff Cornwall, director for Belmont’s Center for Entrepreneurship. To read the article about choosing a business partner, click here.

COMING UP

Wednesday, July 2, 2-4 p.m.
Reception for Mark Bryant
Dr. Mark Bryant, Associate Dean of Students, will be leaving Belmont in July. You are invited to a reception in his honor to celebrate his 10 years of exceptional contribution and send him off into his next adventure in Kosova.
Vince Gill Room
Friday, July 4, 7 p.m.
Bob and Judy Fisher’s Seventh Annual Independence Day Cookout and Celebration
Remember to RSVP by Fri,, June 27 to belmontevent@mail.belmont.edu or 460-6656.
Inman Center Patton Courtyard

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@mail.belmont.edu.
June 28
Tabby Bewley, Sport Science
June 29
Ray Seely, Sciences
July 2
Andi Stepnick, Sociology
July 3
James Elliott, Music Business
July 5
Paula Gati, Custodial Services
July 6
Timothy Stewart, International Education
July 7
Patricia Chaffin Smith, Registrar’s Office
John Le, Custodial Services
Terry White, Campus Security

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Discounts to TPAC Performances
Nickelodeon’s backyard friends, The Backyardigans, come to life for preschoolers in their brand-new live show, The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights! The entire family will be singing, dancing and laughing along to songs of courage, friendship and the power of imagination. Your special discounted performances of The Backyardigans Live! are Sat., Aug. 23 at 5 p.m. and Sun., Aug. 24 at 11 a.m.
Also, Bill Cosby’s comedy has delighted audiences for more than 40 years. Over the decades, Cosby has garnered three Emmy Awards for “I Spy,” two Golden Globe Awards for “The Cosby Show” and nine Grammy Awards for his stand-up comedy. Your special discounted performance for Bill Cosby is Sat., Sept. 27 at 4 p.m.
To purchase tickets for these shows, log on to www.tpac.org/corporatesaver and click on University next to the desired show. Your company password is belmont.

June 20, 2008

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

The Turtles and The SteelDrivers Give Private Belmont Concert
A private concert was held in Massey Wednesday showcasing the rock group The Turtles–featuring Flo (a.k.a. Mark Volman, assistant professor of Entertainment Industry Studies) and Eddie (Howard Kaylan)–and a new band in Nashville, The SteelDrivers, featuring a myriad of talented musicians including alumna and adjunct instructor of music, Tammy Rogers King (’87).