Belmont University | FYI


February 6, 2009

BELMONT NEWS


Wright Edelman Speaks on Children and Poverty
MarianWrightEdelman.jpgMarian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, spoke in MPAC Wednesday, explaining the impact of poverty on America's children and asking the crowd to become advocates for change in transforming the lives of a generation. Wright Edelman, pictured with Belmont Vice President for Spiritual Development Dr. Todd Lake (l) and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Bryce Sullivan, represents the first in an ongoing series of lectures on Christian Faith and the Liberal Arts and Sciences that will be co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of Spiritual Development.

Speaking from the text of an editorial column she wrote called "America's Sixth Child," Wright Edelman said, "Imagine this rich family giving five of its children nourishing meals three times a day, snacks to fuel boundless energy, but sending the sixth child from the table to school hungry, with only one or two meals and never the dessert the other children enjoy... This is our American family today, where one in six of our children live in poverty in the richest nation on earth, more than 40 percent in extreme poverty."

Referring to what she calls the "cradle to prison pipeline," Wright Edelman argued, "The most dangerous place for a child to grow up today is that intersection of race and poverty." She went on to note that U.S. states currently spend on average three times as much money per prisoner as per public school child. Click here for more on this story.

Wicke Named as Finalist for Lowe's Senior Class Award
wicke0809hs.jpgBelmont University men's basketball senior Andy Wicke (Hendersonville, Tenn.) has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior Class Award for men's basketball.

One of only seven players in all of college basketball this season with the opportunity to earn a fourth consecutive automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, Wicke has been a leader on and off the court for the Bruin program. The 6-2 guard is on pace to finish his career as the fourth leading scorer in the Bruins’ NCAA era. Moreover, with 269 career three-point field goals, Wicke is threatening to become the Atlantic Sun Conference’s career leader in makes from behind the arc.

Wicke's passion, intensity and consistency on both ends of the floor is a major reason why Belmont continues to be a force at the mid major level.

“At Belmont, we have been fortunate to have some quality student athletes over the past several years, and Andy Wicke is as good a representative of our basketball program as any in my coaching tenure,” Belmont head coach Rick Byrd said. “Andy excels on the floor, in the classroom and in the community, and being a top 10 finalist for the Lowe’s Senior Class award is a fitting tribute to his career.” Click here for more on this story.

Less than 24 hours after earning this honor, Wicke (Hendersonville, Tenn.) garnered more recognition, being named to the ESPN The Magazine College Sports Information Director of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team. Click here for more on this story.

Inaugural Community Day Set for Feb. 14
Community-DayWordmark.jpgInitiating the first official Community Day, Belmont University recently invited businesses, churches and families in the neighborhoods surrounding campus to attend the Sat., Feb. 14 men's basketball game for free. In addition to reserving seats at the game, Community Day will include special half-time refreshments for the attendees. Belmont officials plan for Community Day to become an annual event.

Belmont's Vice President for Presidential Affairs Susan West said, "It's appropriate that our first Community Day falls on Valentine's Day because we see this as an opportunity to show appreciation to our neighbors. We want to be an involved member of this community, and at the same time we hope to have the community involved in the life and culture of Belmont University."

The 7 p.m. game in the Curb Event Center will feature the Belmont Bruins taking on Atlantic Sun Conference rival ETSU. For additional information or to reserve seats at the game, contact athleticmarketing@mail.belmont.edu or 460-8027.


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