Belmont University | FYI


May 15, 2009

BELMONT NEWS

Belmont to Hold Spring 2009 Commencement
Belmont University will hold its Spring 2009 commencement for graduate students on Fri., May 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Massey Performing Arts Center and for undergraduate students on Sat., May 16 at 10 a.m. in the Curb Event Center.

Belmont will celebrate the graduation of a total of 707 students, marking the largest graduation in the university’s history to date. During the graduation ceremonies, 609 undergraduate, 79 master’s and 19 doctoral degrees will be conferred. Tickets, which have been distributed to the graduating students, will be required for guests wishing to attend either event.

Dr. Robert C. Fisher, president of the university, will preside over the events and present the graduates with their degrees. Dr. Dan McAlexander, provost, will provide the commencement address at both ceremonies.


SIFE Team Finishes in Top Eight at National Competition
Dean Raines named ‘Most Supportive Dean of the Year’ nationally

SIFE7.jpgFollowing a fourth consecutive year as regional champions, the Belmont University Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team competed this week at the SIFE USA National Exposition in Philadelphia, finishing as the first runner up in their semi-final league. This placement translates to the Belmont SIFE team being among the Top Eight teams among the 370 total SIFE teams in the country. SIFE is an international organization that mobilizes students around the world to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders.

In addition, Dr. J. Patrick Raines, dean of the College of Business Administration at Belmont University, received SIFE’s “Most Supportive Dean of the Year” award. Katie Ragsdale, a member of the Belmont SIFE team and entrepreneurship major, was called to the stage to make the presentation to Dean Raines. The Belmont team was also selected as a finalist for the 2009 SIFE USA Topic Competition for six of their projects and landed a trophy as first runner up in the Program Sustainability area.

Dr. John Gonas, assistant professor of finance and the 2008 Tennessee Professor of the Year, serves as a Sam Walton Fellow responsible for advising Belmont's SIFE students. Adjunct instructor Cate Loes and Assistant Professor Jason Stahl also serve the team as Sam Walton Fellows. Stahl noted, “SIFE is such a great way to combine service with knowledge. Our students exemplify what a good education mixed with an earnest desire to help others can achieve. The projects at the national SIFE competition are top notch. It's truly an honor to be ranked so highly amongst the best SIFE programs in the nation.”

RainesDeanofYear9.jpgDean Raines added, “The depth and impact of the projects this SIFE team has undertaken are truly remarkable. Our Sam Walton Fellows did a fantastic job coordinating all of the projects and working with the students. Every student did a fantastic job completing the projects and presenting their results. They received excellent comments from the business executives judging the competition.”

Dr. Gonas remarked, “We certainly appreciate the awards we have received, yet are humbled to have been blessed with so many opportunities to take what we're teaching and learning in the classroom and make sustainable, life changing impacts in our community. In our four years of existence Dean Raines has been there every step of the way. He has yet to miss a final rehearsal or any of the eight SIFE Regional and National Expositions. Our students truly enjoy his friendship and advice, and his award reflects their appreciation for all of his support and encouragement.” Click here for more on this story.

Belmont Announces 2009 Summer Camp Schedule
Every summer Belmont University hosts many options for school-aged children to attend summer camps. This summer, camps are being offered for a wide variety of ages, interests, skill and talents. For a complete listing of Belmont Summer Camps including costs and contact information, visit www.belmont.edu/promo/summercamps.


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