August 28, 2009

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Welcome Week 2009
Welcome Week activities kicked-off the Belmont experience for more than 1,300 incoming students. Click on the links to see images from Move In Day, Serve (above), Playfair and Towering Tradition (below). These images are now available on the new online Belmont University photo gallery.

BELMONT NEWS

Belmont Breaks Enrollment Record… Again
5,393 students registered for university’s fall 2009 semester
Belmont University is welcoming a record-breaking number of students to its first day of classes today with a fall 2009 enrollment of 5,393. The growth marks an increase of 7.9 percent from last year and a rise of 81 percent since 2000 when the school enrolled 2,976 students. The Belmont student body currently consists of 1,005 graduate students and 4,388 undergraduates, representing record enrollment in both categories.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Belmont’s continued growth is a reflection of the impressive academic reputation this university is garnering across the nation, a fact that was evident in the recent U.S. News & World Report rankings. Students see Belmont as a source for an academically challenging education that will empower them to engage and transform the world. That mission—and Belmont’s ability to meet it—are drawing the best and the brightest to this campus.” Click here for more on this story.
Belmont Initiates ‘Mentoring for Mission’ Program
All 2008-09 first-year full-time faculty members at Belmont were invited to apply to the 2009-10 Mentoring for Mission (MfM) program. As a result, nine second-year faculty members are paired with mentors selected from current experienced faculty on campus. The Mentoring for Mission program was launched thanks to a grant proposal last summer prepared by Dr. Kim Daus, professor of chemistry and physics and director of the teaching center at that time. This inaugural year for the MfM program will be supported by a Mentoring Program grant from the Lilly Foundation.
Dr. Mike Pinter, professor of math and computer science, is serving as the director of the MfM program at Belmont, with additional support provided by Merrie King and Nanci Alsup from the Teaching Center. More information about the Lilly grant program is available at http://www.lillyfellows.org/mentor_programs.htm.
The MfM program at Belmont is being developed with the belief that an extended mentoring program can help both newer and experienced faculty achieve an integral sense of identity and mission through one-to-one mentoring of second-year faculty by experienced faculty, and through gatherings, readings and discussions for all participants. Group meetings in the fall semester will focus on understanding and living the Belmont mission and in the spring semester will center on teaching and learning. Common readings on the topics will frame the sessions. Click here for more on this story.
Curb College Initiates Inaugural Professional-in-Residence Program
The Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business recently unveiled its inaugural Professional-in-Residence program. Designed to enrich the University learning environment by exposing students to industry professionals who will help ensure that the Belmont learning experience remains dynamic, the Professional-in-Residence program will provide a small group of senior level students the opportunity to engage with an industry professional in an intimate conversation setting. This year’s Professional-in-Residence topic will be “Journey of the Creative Business Mind.” Wynonna, her long-time producer and friend Don Potter, and her manager Kerry Hansen will explore topics related to the singer’s personal journey in the entertainment industry as both an artist and a business woman.

ACHIEVERS

Click here for stories on the recent accomplishments of Belmont’s students, faculty, staff and alumni.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Team Belmont Needs You!
Join the Beaman Center and Health Services now in support of breast cancer research in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk. This noncompetitive walk begins at 9 a.m. on Oct. 24 at LP Field and unites people of all ages to help find a cure for breast cancer. We know that a strong group of Belmont faculty, staff, students and alumni can make an impact. Follow this link to the Team Belmont main page to join our team. There is no cost to sign up for this event, and students can get convo credit. For more information on how Team Belmont is working to support this event, please contact Kelly Tuttle at x8058 or Melissa Thomas at x8059.
Belmont Offers Commuter Benefits to Students, Faculty and Staff
Free Commutes to/from Campus on the Bus or Train
Since 2005, Belmont has offered free transportation to campus for students, faculty and staff thanks to a partnership with Nashville’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).
BUS: Any student or employee with a Belmont-issued ID card can ride to and from the campus without charge simply by swiping a Belmont ID through the magnetic strip reader on the top right corner of the bus’s fare box when boarding. The university is then billed for the bus trips.
TRAIN: Belmont offers free train transportation on the Music City Star rail system, operating from Lebanon to downtown Nashville’s Riverfront Park. Train tickets can be acquired at Belmont Central.
Both of these services are intended to improve the environment and relieve traffic congestion on campus, but please use these free privileges for commuting to and from campus only. Click here for more information.
Zipcars Available for Students, Faculty and Staff
Belmont will again offer two Zipcars this year for reservation to students, faculty and staff. Zipcars are a safe, convenient and environmentally friendly option for students living on campus without cars or for commuters looking for alternative transportation. Two cars are parked near the Curb Event Center Box Office and will be available for reservation online or from a cell phone. Students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar for only $35 a year, or university departments can join for $100. Low hourly reservation rates include gas, insurance, access to 24/7 roadside assistance and travel up to 180 miles. New members receive a $35 driving credit in their first month of use. When you become a member, you are sent a Zipcard, an electronic key that allows you to access and drive the vehicle. Members 18-20 can reserve Belmont’s Zipcars and members 21 and older also have access to Zipcars in Washington D.C., Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. For more information, please visit www.zipcar.com. Sign up and reserve your Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/belmont.
Weight Watchers Kicks Off New Series of Meetings
A campus group of Weight Watchers will be kicking off a new series of meetings soon. Meetings are Mondays from August 31-November 23 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Inman 142. Cost is $120 for new/rejoining members, $110 for continuing members and $100 for lifetime members. Deadline to sign up and to turn in your payment is Fri, Aug. 28. Contact Patsy Peach for more information at 460-6401 or patsy.peach@belmont.edu.

COMING UP

Friday, August 28, 4-11 p.m.
On the Blvd. 2009
On the Blvd is a campus-wide festival event that features 20 Belmont bands and performers on four stages (outdoor stage in front of Maddox Grand Atrium, Curb Cafe, BLVD studios and Bongo Java).
Belmont Blvd.
Saturday, August 29, 3 p.m.
“Making an Impact Now: Creating a Sustainable Legacy for Children”
You’re invited to attend a child development seminar with Dr. William Sears and other child development experts organized by Attachment Parenting International. This never-before assembled group of experts in the fields of education, medicine, psychology, anthropology, academia and parenting will discuss how we can reach out to caregivers and communities to encourage secure attachments with children as well as to build resilience and improve individual and social health and welfare. Free to Belmont students, faculty and staff.
Troutt Theater
Sunday, August 30, 7-10 p.m.
Service Corps Skyline Party
CEC Parking Garage, Top Floor
Monday, August 31, 10 a.m.
Blood:Water Mission: Sharing the Gift of Clean Water
Blood:Water Mission is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis. Guests will learn about the clean water crisis, how this organization developed and its current operations. This year, the Belmont community is encouraged to support the clean water cause by giving money that might have been spent on bottled water to help bring clean water to an African community.
Neely Dining Room
Monday, August 31, 3:30 p.m.
Reception for Lisa Wilson
Frist Lecture Hall
Monday, August 31, 7:30 p.m.
Faculty Jazz Group: Those Who Teach, Play!
Massey Concert Hall
Wednesday, September 2, 10 a.m.
CeCe Winans: Living a Pure Life
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Wednesday, September 2, 4-6 p.m.
“Snake Handling and Redemption”
“Snake Handling and Redemption” is an exhibition of large drawings by Gary Monroe from Knoxville. His large charcoal, graphite and calk drawings are based on Southern narratives, of which, the Appalachian Serpent Handlers of the Holiness churches becomes the focus.
Leu Art Gallery (Library)
Friday, September 4, 10 a.m.
Chapel
We will gather together as a campus community to worship, pray, meditate and reflect on God’s word. Chapel hopes to be one of those community unifying experiences that unites us all under the Lordship of Christ as we come together in song and attentive spirit. We hope you will join us for this significant time.
Neely Dining Room
Friday, September 4, 10 a.m.
Living with the Bible: Aleppo and Its Codex
A native of Aleppo, Syria, Dr. Jack Sasson will be joined by Mary Jane Werthan, professor of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Bible at Vanderbilt University, to talk about his life in Aleppo and the significance of the Tanak manuscript, also known as the Aleppo Codex, for our understanding of the Bible.
Beaman A&B
Wednesday, September 9, 10 a.m.
Opening Convocation
Opening Convocation is a university wide event for all faculty, staff and students as a start to the academic year. University offices will be closed to allow all faculty and staff to attend.
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Belmont is a Christian community of learning and service that strives to support its members through prayer. The following concerns have come to our attention recently. Thank you for including them in your prayers:
James Kimmons, father of Joy Kimmons (Education), passed away on Monday. The service was held on Wed., Aug. 26. Please keep the Kimmons family in your thoughts and prayers.

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@belmont.edu.
August 28
Pete Giordano, Psychology
August 29
Joyce Crowell, Math/Computer Science
Sally Mann, Bookstore
Rich Tiner, Media Studies
August 31
Steve Murphree, Biology
Beth Youngblood, Nursing
September 1
Jean Blank, Nursing
Randy Capps, Network Services
Bill Fessler, Maintenance Services
September 2
Gail Bursch, Physical Therapy
September 4
Amy McGinnis, Athletics
September 6
Mandy Hodge, Human Resources

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Grant Writing Workshop in Nashville
The Department of Economic and Community Development, Research and Planning Division and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Nashville, Oct. 22-23. Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit http://grantwritingusa.com/events/write/natn1009.html.