Belmont University | FYI


February 13, 2009

ACHIEVERS


Alums Organize Nashville's 'Twestival'
Belmont alumnae Christy Frink ('08, Social Work) and Morgan Levy ('06, Music Business) organized the Nashville "Twestival," which was held yesterday. Twestivals are face-to-face gatherings that allow online social network Twitter users to meet offline and in person. More than 175 cities globally hosted Twestivals yesterday to raise money for charity : water, a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Frink and Levy also operate a blog about Nashville life and culture at www.nashvillest.com.

Click here for more on this story from The Tennessean.

Spring Presents Paper on First Year Experience
ken6.jpgDr. Ken Spring, associate professor of sociology, recently presented a paper at the Annual First Year Experience Conference in Orlando, Florida. The paper was titled “A Civic Approach: Community, Education, and Responsibility” and highlighted the work of Belmont faculty, staff and administration on creating a more seamless approach to education and civic engagement.

Spring specifically addressed the ways in which FYS has been used as a way of framing the Belmont experience and welcoming students into the culture of our campus. On a 5.0 scale, Spring's session received a 4.9 for the overall quality of the presentation from the attendees.

Paine Named Editor of Japan Studies Association Journal
Dr. John Paine (English, Foreign Languages, Asian Studies) recently became the editor of the Japan Studies Association Journal. He is also the editor of the Journal of the Short Story in English with Dr. Corinne Dale (English). One of his colleagues recently remarked that under Paine's editorship Japan Studies Association Journal shows the "marks of the thorough scholarship and careful precision" for which he is known.

Braddy Named to 'American Idol' Top 36
ricky-top-36-photo-shoot1.jpgRicky Braddy, a 2007 Commercial Music graduate from Belmont, was named Wednesday night to the Top 36 of "American Idol." During his time at Belmont, the North Carolina native was selected to participate in the 2006 Commercial Music Showcase where he performed "Dying to Live" and the Ray Charles’ classic "Song for You."

Braddy2.JPGThe 36 "American Idol" hopefuls will be split into three groups of 12, and for three consecutive weeks, one group will perform live each Tuesday. At the end of each performance show, viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestants for at least two hours in their region. Braddy was selected to compete in Group 1, and his live performance will air this Tues., Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. on FOX.

On Wednesdays, the live results show will announce the three semi-finalists (the top male, the top female and the next top vote-recipient) that America has chosen to move on in the competition. On Thurs., March 5, a special "Wild Card" episode will feature the judges' favorite remaining contestants battling it out live for a coveted spot in the next phase of the competition.

For more on Ricky Braddy, visit his fan club Web site at www.thebraddybunch.com.

Littlejohn Awarded Asian Studies Grant
Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn, chairman of the philosophy department and director of Belmont's Asian Studies program, has been awarded a Freeman Foundation/East-West Center grant of $4,000 for a faculty development workshop in East Asia and the Ecologies of Development to be held in September. The program will be held in concert with next year's Humanities Symposium.

Giorgianni Accepted as Grant Reviewer
The Federal Health Research Services Administration recently contacted Dr. Sal Giorgianni, assistant professor and director of experiential education and development in the School of Pharmacy, to inform him that he was accepted as a grant reviewer for the 2009-2010 cycle. HRSA is responsible for reviewing, administering and disseminating information on research across the US on important health services issues and policies.

In addition, Howard (Rex) Smith, Giorgianni's son-in-law, won a Grammy at this year’s awards. The award was for his role as music director and drummer on the Best Reggae Album 2008, Burning Spear’s Jah is Real, released by Burning Music Production. Smith is currently on tour and recording as the drummer for Wyclef Jean.

Hogan Wins First Player of the Week Honor
Belmont freshman Abbey Hogan notched the clinching point in each of the Bruins’ two wins last week, upping her singles record to 6-2 for the season. On Wednesday, the conference office awarded Hogan her first career Player of the Week honor. Click here for more on this story.

Coach Byrd Quoted in USA Today
Men's basketball coach Rick Byrd was quoted this week in USA Today regarding Belmont's dramatic comeback win against Campbell. The Bruins rallied from a 75-57 deficit with 3:27 to play and beat Campbell 87-84 on Feb. 6. Click here to read the story.

Songwriting Faculty Land New Cuts
Songwriting adjunct (and Grammy Award winner) Drew Ramsey has two songs on the new album from India.Arie on Universal Republic Records titled Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. The songs Ramsey co-wrote and co-produced, "Ghetto" and "Yellow," can be heard here. Ramsey also had four cuts on India.Arie's last album. James I. Elliott, assistant professor and songwriting program coordinator, co-wrote the current single by Gold City (New Haven/Provident/Sony) titled “What Children Believe.”

In addition, songwriting adjunct Thom Schuyler is currently doing national promotion for his new album, Prayer of a Desperate Man, and recently appeared on the nationally syndicated radio program “The Bob & Tom Show.” Also, adjunct Tom Douglas recently celebrated the hit single “Let It Go” by Tim McGraw and co-wrote the current singles “I Run to You” by Lady Antebellum and “Prayer of a Common Man” by Phil Vassar.

The Strangers Win Rock Showcase
strangers.jpgOn Sat., Jan. 31, Belmont University welcomed to the Curb Event Center stage a talented group of students. This year’s Rock Showcase—produced by students in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business—featured performances by Sons of People We Know, Kristen Jaudon, The Strangers and The Delta Saints. Of the four participating groups/artists, The Strangers were declared winners by a panel of industry pros.

Showcase Producer David Venus said, “Overall, I feel that this show had a really strong band line-up. This was obvious by watching the reaction of the audience throughout the entire show. While the decision was difficult, there was no doubt that The Strangers lyrical content and intense vocal arrangements pushed them over the top."

As winners of the Rock Showcase, The Strangers have been invited to perform at Belmont’s Best of the Best Showcase on April 25 in the Curb Event Center. Click here to learn more about The Strangers.


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