As part of the program for elementary schoolers, 5th graders learned material relating to the project's theme and then presented it, as teachers, to younger students in 2nd grade classrooms. The 5th graders used an experiment-style lesson to teach the 2nd graders, allowing them to be actively involved in the instruction. The program is designed to encourage this cooperation between peers in an effort to promote leadership and enhance understanding. Click here for more on this story.

Prospective Students Gather for College of Law's First Information Session
Prospective students of Belmont's College of Law gathered at an information session Wednesday evening that included an opportunity to meet the College's founding dean, Jeff Kinsler. The session was met with outstanding enthusiasm, attracting nearly 120 attendees who expressed serious interest in the College of Law. The strength of this early response is promising for the College's success as the first new Middle Tennessee law school in nearly a century.

Dean Jeff Kinsler served as Dean of Appalachian School of Law during a period of significant growth and is currently a professor of law and senior scholar at Elon University in North Carolina. Kinsler graduated first in his class from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1989 and obtained a master of laws degree from Yale University in 1996. Kinsler will be joining the preparations for the fall 2011 opening of the College of Law next spring. The College will enroll 350 students when at peak capacity.

Leading Expert Discusses History of Black Gospel Music
Dr. Cedric Carl Dent, Professor of Music Theory at Middle Tennessee State University, discussed the evolution of black gospel music Monday in a convocation sponsored the School of Religion. Dr. Dent is a leading expert in black gospel music and a member of TAKE 6, a Grammy award-winning gospel group. He is a baritone vocalist, music arranger and producer.

Dr. Dent discussed the history of black gospel music by tracing its roots back to the 1870s, when quartets formed across the country at historically black colleges and universities. Groups like the Fisk Jubilee Singers gained widespread popularity and set the tone for gospel music. The quartets often put contemporary spins on older hymns, such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and “David and Goliath,” and Dr. Dent played older recordings as examples. “The period of the 1870s to 1920s established the tradition of the jubilee chorus,” said Dent. “This style of singing incorporated Negro arrangements and was characterized by the barbershop style.” Click here for more on this story.

Belmont Student-Athletes Rank High on NCAA Report
Bruins Once Again Set the Pace in Graduation Success Rate Report
Belmont University student-athletes received high marks in the 2009 Graduation Success Rate (GSR) Report released Wednesday by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). By any means of comparison – to other Atlantic Sun member institutions, the NCAA national average or to the general Belmont student population – Bruin student-athletes stand tall.

The two-pronged report contained both Federal graduation rates, which are based solely on freshman scholarship student-athletes enrolling between 1999 and 2002, and a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) that takes into account transfers in and out of the institution for the same time period. Both surveys are based on the student-athletes having six years to graduate from the time of their initial enrollment. Click here for more on this story.

Belmont Ambassadors Angel Tree
The Belmont Ambassadors are currently sponsoring the Salvation Army Angel Tree on Belmont’s campus (November 9-December 2). Angels are located on trees in the Massey Business School Lobby and the Beaman Student Life Center Lobby. You may pick up an angel at either location. Unwrapped angel gifts are to be returned to Fidelity 103 by Wed., Dec. 2. We hope you will remember those less fortunate during the holiday season and support the Salvation Army Angel Tree through the Belmont Ambassadors!

Christmas Toy Drive

Friday, November 20, 7:30 p.m.
Musical Theatre Presents Urinetown
Urinetown: The Musical is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Urinetown is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Additional performances will be held Sat., Nov. 21 and Sun., Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)

Friday, November 20, 8 p.m.
bobrauschenbergamerica
Bringing the paintings of one of America's greatest artists, Robert Rauschenberg, to the stage results in a collage of people, places, music, dancing, love stories and the sheer exhilaration of living in a country where people make up their lives as they go. Tickets are $4 for Faculty, Staff, Alumni and non-Belmont students, and free for Belmont Students. Additional performances will be held Sat., Nov. 21, and Sun., Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
Troutt Black Box Theater

Saturday, November 21, 5-9:15 p.m.
Basketball Doubleheader
Come support Belmont's basketball teams for the first home doubleheader of the season. Women's basketball will host Alabama, and men's basketball will take on Alabama State.
Curb Event Center Arena

Sunday, November 22, 6 p.m.
Benefit Show Featuring Ginny Owens Aids Local Families Fighting Cancer
As a part of a concert promotion course within the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, Belmont University students have organized "Care 4 Kids," a concert that will benefit five Mt. Juliet children battling cancer. Doors open at 5 p.m. The concert will feature alumna Ginny Owens. Tickets for the concert are $10 per person. For more information, please contact Dr. David Herrera at 460-6908.
The Rutledge (410 4th Ave. S.)

Monday, November 23, 10:30 a.m.
Water for the World Press Conference
U.S. Senator Bob Corker will hold a press conference to highlight efforts to give millions around the world access to clean water. Corker and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois, are sponsors of the Water for the World Act, S. 624, which sets a goal of reaching 100 million people with first-time, sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015. Corker will be joined by Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher, Jars of Clay, Dave Barnes and EMI CMG President/CEO Bill Hearn.
Inman First Floor Lobby

Monday, November 23, 7:30 p.m.
Percussion Ensemble
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)

Monday, November 30, 5 p.m.
CFO Ethics Panel
Four area CFOs from Tractor Supply, Thomas Nelson, Sony Publishing and Genesco will offer a panel presentation on how they ethically present their companies' financial results to the public marketplace. Moderated by Belmont SIFE students, this panel will explore how a public company and its investors can suffer when financial results are intentionally and unintentionally misrepresented.
Massey Boardroom

Monday, November 30, 7 p.m.
Men's Basketball vs. TSU
Curb Event Center Arena

Tuesday, December 1
Healthy Holidays Fair
Join Senior Exercise Science majors along with the Cafeteria for a day full of healthy holiday treats. Test your food knowledge with a "Taste Test" challenge and an "Eat this Not that" holiday display. Tasty treats, nutrition and exercise information, as well as personal growth convocation will be available.
Cafeteria

Wednesday, December 2, 10 a.m.
Exonerated Death-Row Inmate Ray Krone & Rev. Stacey Rector
Ray Krone was the 100th death row inmate exonerated thanks to DNA evidence, which is only available in about 15% of cases. He says, “I would not trust the state to execute a person, because if it happened to me, it can happen to anyone.” Rev. Stacey Rector is a leader in The Moratorium Campaign and directs anti-death penalty efforts in Tennessee.
Neely Dining Room

Thursday, December 3, 4-9 p.m.
Science Undergraduate Research Symposium
The sixth annual Science Undergraduate Research Symposium (SURS) will begin with the keynote address given by Dr. John Wikswo, a Professor of Physics at Vanderbilt University. The title of his talk is "The Challenges of Controlling Living Cells." Following the talk, there will be a student poster session from 5-6 p.m., and presentations of student papers will begin at 6:15.
Beaman Meeting Rooms A&B

Thursday, December 3, 5:30 p.m.
Lisa Klein Professional Author Talk/Q&A
Lisa Klein, author of the Shakespeare-based young adult novels Ophelia and Lady Macbeth’s Daughter, will give a professional talk and answer questions about her work and the world of publishing.
LCVA 117

Friday, December 4, 10 a.m.
Chapel
Neely Dining Room

Friday, December 4, 7 p.m.
Annual Nashville Children's Choir Christmas Concert
Belmont Heights Baptist Church Sanctuary

Now through Dec. 30
"Eclectic, too" Art Show Featuring Works by Dr. Ginger Osborn
Dr. Ginger Osborn of the Belmont Philosophy department has five works of art on display in the art gallery meeting room of The University Club. There is no admission charge. The best time to see the works is daily between 2 and 5 p.m. For more information or to confirm gallery hours, call 615-322-8564.
The University Club, 2402 Garland Avenue

November 20
Jimmy Davis, University College

November 21
Kenisha Rhone, Athletics

November 22
Gregory Faulk, Business
Richard Hoffman, Music
Benita Walker, Spiritual Development

November 23
Renee Schultz, Athletics

November 25
Mike Awalt, Philosophy

November 27
Vernona Elliott, Philosophy
Pamela Johnson, University Marketing and Special Initiatives
Debbie Simpler, Social Work

November 28
Kevin Robinson, Physical Therapy

November 30
Kris Elsberry, Music

December 1
April Hefner, Office of Communications
John Paine, Literature and Languages
Natalia Pelaz, Foreign Language

December 3
Ronnie Littlejohn, Philosophy

December 4
Jennifer Baker, Pharmacy

December 5
Karen Bennett, Social Sciences
Pam Parry, Media Studies

December 6
Josh Wilkerson, Office of Communications

Belmont University’s School of Nursing made the dreams of an 83-year-old woman come true. Ruth Ramsey, a resident at Morningside of Belmont Assisted Living, always dreamed of attending nursing school, but her parents refused to let her go once the U.S. became involved in World War II. More than 50 years later, Ruth joined Belmont nursing students in an “Introduction to Nursing” lab and participated in their practice procedures for the day taught by Dr. Lynne Shores and Martha Ezell.

This opportunity was made possible to Ramsey through Second Wind Dreams, a national non-profit organization that focuses on senior citizens in assisted living or nursing homes and helps them achieve what they never had the opportunity to do in their lives. Ramsey, who spent her career as a school teacher, often talked with Morningside Program Services Director Jana Pistole about how her lifelong desire to become a nurse never diminished.

“When Morningside connected with Second Wind, I immediately thought of Mrs. Ruth’s unfulfilled dream of becoming a nurse,” said Pistole.

Morningside staff surprised Ramsey with the news that she would be attending nursing class just minutes before her departure for Belmont. Belmont provided Ramsey with a lab coat monogrammed with her name, white surgical scrubs and an official badge to wear for her “nurse for a day” experience. The labs were set up much like a hospital room, and she and the other students were taught how to dress wounds with glue, steri strips, sutures and staples. She was able to practice the techniques she learned in class on mannequins in the lab.

“Ruth smiled the whole way through her class,” said Pistole. “She will tell the story [of coming to class at Belmont] over and over.”

“The student satisfaction rankings and teaching quality metrics indicate that our Massey professors are doing an outstanding job in the classroom,” said Dr. J. Patrick Raines, dean of Belmont’s College of Business Administration. “And to be in the company of this group of national peers is simply tremendous.” Click here for more on this story.

Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Presents Healthcare Reform Briefing
Tommy Thompson, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will present a healthcare reform briefing on Mon., Nov. 16, 2009 at 4 p.m. in the Gordon E. Inman Center at Belmont University.

Thompson, who served in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001 until early 2005 after four terms as Governor of Wisconsin, will focus his remarks on how reform will impact providers, payers and individuals.

“As a country, we are closer than we have ever been to a major overhaul of the healthcare system, but there are still many questions surrounding the final legislation and its implementation,” remarked Thompson.

Stuart McWhorter, co-founder of Medical Reimbursements of America, the primary organizer of the briefing, said, “Tommy Thompson brings a unique insider perspective to the healthcare debate. He played an instrumental role in the passage and implementation of Medicare Part D, one of the most recent major expansions of healthcare coverage.”

Other sponsors of the briefing, in addition to Medical Reimbursements of America, include the Nashville Health Care Council, Clayton Associates and the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing at Belmont University. The event is part of the University’s Diagnosing Our Future Speaker Series.

The event is open to the public, but seating is limited and an RSVP is required. To RSVP, go to www.belmont.edu and follow the link to the Diagnosing Our Future Speaker Series.

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m.
Belmont Opera Theatre Presents Mozart’s Così fan tutte
A comedic look at relationships and the sanctity of love. This production is presented in English.
Tickets are $5 for Senior Citizens (65 and over), Faculty, Staff and non-Belmont students. Free for Belmont students. Additional performances will be held Sat., Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. and Sun. Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.
Troutt Theater

Friday, November 13, 8 p.m.
bobrauschenbergamerica
Bringing the paintings of one of America's greatest artists, Robert Rauschenberg, to the stage results in a collage of people, places, music, dancing, love stories and the sheer exhilaration of living in a country where people make up their lives as they go. Tickets are $4 for Faculty, Staff, Alumni and non-Belmont students, and free for Belmont Students. Additional performances will be held Sat., Nov. 14, Wed., Nov. 18 and Fri., Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 15, Sat., Nov. 21, and Sun., Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
Troutt Black Box Theater

Sun., Nov. 15, 2:30 p.m.
Between the Folds
Dr. Andy Miller, associate professor of mathematics and computer science, will be moderating the panel discussion following the film screening of Between the Folds on Sun., Nov. 15 at the . Click here for more information.
Nashville Public Library

Sunday, November 15, 6 p.m.
Benefit Show Featuring The Carter Twins Aids Local Families Fighting Cancer
As a part of a concert promotion course within the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, Belmont University students have organized "Care 4 Kids," a concert that will benefit five Mt. Juliet children battling cancer. Doors open at 5 p.m. The concert will feature The Carter Twins, an up-and-coming country music duo. Tickets for the concert are $10 per person. For more information, please contact Dr. David Herrera at 460-6908.
The Rutledge (410 4th Ave. S.)

Mon., Nov. 16, 10-10:50 a.m.
Cedric Dent – “Funding the Christian Imagination: Black Gospel Music”
The Religion and Arts Series presents Cedric Dent on Funding the Christian Imagination: Exploring the arts and their gifts to the church.
Neely Dining Room

Wednesday, November 18, 10 a.m.
Go Green, Save Green: Simple Ways to Save Time, Money, and God's Green Earth
Nancy Sleeth, author of Go Green, Save Green: Simple Ways to Save Time, Money, and God's Green Earth, and her family reduced their electricity usage by 9/10ths and their fossil fuel use by 2/3rds, and now speak across the country on how we can better care for God’s creation.
Neely Dining Room

Thursday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.
Musical Theatre Presents Urinetown
Additional performances will be held Fri., Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sat., Nov. 21 and Sun., Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)

Friday, November 20, 10 a.m.
Chapel
Neely Dining Room

Friday, November 20, 4 p.m.
Strengths Exhibition in Gallery 121 Opening
The Strengths exhibition includes more than 300 photographs of students faculty and staff from across campus holding something that makes them feel strong. The images range in side from 8x10 inches to 4x6 feet. This project is the result of the Department of Art Senior Capstone class in conjunction with the Strong Program sponsored by Residence Life.
LCVA Art Gallery

Saturday, November 21, 5-9:15 p.m.
Basketball Doubleheader
Come support Belmont's basketball teams for the first home doubleheader of the season. Women's basketball will host Alabama, and men's basketball will take on Alabama State.
Curb Event Center Arena

Now through Dec. 30
"Eclectic, too" Art Show Featuring Works by Dr. Ginger Osborn
Dr. Ginger Osborn of the Belmont Philosophy department has five works of art on display in the art gallery meeting room of The University Club. There is no admission charge. The best time to see the works is daily between 2 and 5 p.m. For more information or to confirm gallery hours, call 615-322-8564.
The University Club, 2402 Garland Avenue

Richard Roland Dempsey, father of Debbie Simpler (Social Work), passed away Tuesday. Visitation will be Fri., Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Mount Olivet Funeral Home (1101 Lebanon Road). There will be a graveside service Friday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Please keep Debbie and the Simpler / Dempsey family in your thoughts and prayers.

November 13
Don Cusic, Music Business
Laura Wheeler, Career Services

November 14
Tina Hunt-Frost, Health Sciences

November 15
Millicent Jolly, User Services
Julie Hudgens, Pharmacy

November 16
Matt Barnett, Athletics
Bonnie Wagonfield, Social Sciences

November 17
Mike Bannon, Finance and Operations
Julie Beazley, Athletics
Jaime Portal, Custodial Services

November 18
Steve Barrick, Athletics
Anthony Baxter, Custodial Services
Kristy Collins, Alumni Office
Freida Sage, Admissions

November 19
Wesley Bulla, CEMB

November 20
Jimmy Davis, University College

November 21
Kenisha Rhone, Athletics

November 22
Gregory Faulk, Business
Richard Hoffman, Music
Benita Walker, Spiritual Development

Belmont University announced this week that Professor Jeffrey Kinsler will serve as the founding dean for the new College of Law. Currently a professor of law and senior scholar with Elon University School of Law in North Carolina, Kinsler previously served as dean of Appalachian School of Law, which he led to full American Bar Association (ABA) approval during his tenure. Kinsler already knows Belmont well, serving as a consultant in the plans for opening the new college. He will begin his tenure at Belmont in early 2010.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Jeff Kinsler is a perfect fit for Belmont. He is highly respected in the legal community and has previously provided leadership as dean in the creation of another law school. Most importantly, he understands our dreams and aspirations for creating a College of Law that is driven by the mission and core values of Belmont University."

Kinsler graduated first in his class from Valparaiso University School of Law (’89) and obtained a master of laws degree (LL.M., ‘96) from Yale Law School, where he served as senior editor of the Yale Journal of International Law. The winner of nine teaching awards, Kinsler has taught at several law schools in the United States and Australia. He also has served as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Queensland in Australia. Kinsler was a partner with Katten, Muchin & Zavis in Chicago, “of counsel” at Mayer, Brown & Platt in Chicago and, more recently, “of counsel” at the Kingsport, Tennessee law firm of Hunter, Smith & Davis. A member of the Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois and Wisconsin bars, he has co-authored ten books and has published numerous law review articles in journals at law schools such as the University of North Carolina, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University. In 2006, he was named a “Virginia Leader in the Law” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. In September, Kinsler was elected to the American Law Institute (ALI), the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and otherwise improve the law. Election to the ALI is limited to one third of one percent of lawyers in the country and is considered by many to be the most prestigious legal organization in America.

Kinsler said, “I’m honored to have been chosen as the founding dean and look forward to helping Belmont University build an excellent law school. I joined Belmont because it is determined to create a new kind of law school, one that produces professional, practice-ready attorneys for today’s global legal market. I’m convinced that Belmont University College of Law will be able to attract first-rate faculty and students.” Click here for more on this story.

Lakota Author Challenges Audience to Broaden Perspective
Lakota author Richard Twiss visited Belmont Wednesday morning, bringing with him a personal mantra that he asked the full Neely Dining Hall audience to repeat: “I am ethnocentric, narrow-minded and have limited vision.” (Click here to view the photo gallery from this event.)

Twiss is the co-founder of Wiconi International, a nonprofit Christian organization that seeks to provide assistance to Native Americans, as well as the author of One Church, Many Tribes, a book that examines how studying First Nations Christ followers can teach new ways of living with nature and one another. His “mantra” seeks to challenge individuals to recognize their own cultural biases and to open their minds to seeing God from Native perspectives. Click here for more on this story.

University College Celebrates National Adult Student Appreciation Week
On Nov. 1-7, Belmont University’s University College celebrated its second annual Adult Student Appreciation Week. Designed to recognize non-traditional students on campus, as well as highlight efforts that have improved the adult student environment at Belmont, Belmont’s Adult Student Appreciation Week coincided with National Adult Student Appreciation Week, which is coordinated by the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education.

Highlights of the week included Adult Student Art Show at Belmont@Cool Springs, Late Night Academic Advising, Walk-in tea and treats at several locations on campus prior to evening classes, Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee Food Drive and making thank you cards for those who support Belmont’s adult students. In addition, several convocation events were held including Making an Effective Career Transition as an Adult led by Gary Boling in the Office of Career Services and a Stress Management Workshop Session led by Director of Counseling Services Peg Leonard-Martin. Click here for more on this story.