Commencement Week Honors 955 Graduates

Belmont University held its spring 2013 commencement ceremonies on May 4 in the Curb Event Center, but the 955 graduates first enjoyed a week’s worth of activities to mark the end of their college careers.

First, on the Wednesday before graduation, an event was held at the Bell Tower amphitheatre called “Life Beyond the Tower,” which gave students a chance to reflect on their history at the University while looking ahead to adventures to come.The event provides an appropriate four-year bookend to “Life Under the Tower,” held each fall for incoming freshmen the night before their first classes begin. Click here to view a spoken word performance by graduating senior and former Mid South Grand Slam college champion Levi Gordon from this year’s “Life Beyond the Tower.” Photos from the event can be seen here.

On Friday, graduating students and their families were invited to participate in an annual worship service. Held in the Curb Event Center, “Baccalaureate: A Service of Ordination to Daily Work” featured students from across the disciplines telling how God is calling them to use what they have learned at Belmont in service to others. Follow the links to listen to the speeches given by graduating seniors Meghan McKechnie (nursing), Kayla Becker (mass communication), Jim Darter (Accounting) and Hilary Hambrick (international business).

Saturday brought the culmination to the week as Belmont celebrated the graduation of a total of 955 students during two ceremonies on May 4. During the graduation ceremonies, 765 undergraduate, 105 master’s and 85 doctoral degrees were conferred. The morning ceremony saw candidates from the College of Business Administration, the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and the College of Visual and Performing Arts receive their degrees while the afternoon honored candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, University College and Interdisciplinary Programs and the School of Religion. Online video streams of both events are available for viewing here.

Hillside Mattress Donation Gives Tornado Victims ‘Sweet Sleep’

Belmont University donated 228 full-size mattresses, box springs and bed springs to Oklahoma tornado victims and foster families in the Nashville area on Thursday.

More than 50 volunteers with Sweet Sleep gathered the bed sets from Hillside Apartment buildings and loaded them into two trucks. Belmont previously coordinated the mattress donation with Sweet Sleep, a faith-based nonprofit organization that exists to share God’s love by providing beds to the world’s orphaned and abandoned children.

“Belmont has a desire to treat the environment with care, so simply throwing away the mattress was not an option. We were looking for other ways to re-purpose them, and donating them to an organization that could put them to good use, like giving them to children in the foster care system and to disaster victim, fits with Belmont’s mission of influencing the community in a positive way,” said Hillside Residence Director Hannah Aschliman.

Sweet Sleep President and Founder Jennifer Gash said the organization arranged to put many of the mattresses in storage before the tornadoes hit Oklahoma’s suburbs on Monday, causing more than $2 billion in damage, damaging or destroying more than 1,200 homes and killing at least 24 people. She called the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, which had an “overwhelming need for mattresses. We lifted such a large burden off them,” Gash said. (more…)

Cameron Newbauer Named Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Belmont University Director of Athletics Mike Strickland announced Monday the hiring of Cameron Newbauer as the fourth head women’s basketball coach in program history.

“We could not be more pleased that Cameron has accepted our offer to lead our women’s basketball program,” Strickland said. “Throughout this process, Cameron has exceeded our expectations in every regard. His impressive background in both the women’s and men’s game speaks for itself. Yet Cameron’s character, sincerity and enthusiasm are unmistakable and ideally suited for Belmont University.”

With experience at every level, Newbauer spent this past season as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville, where he helped the Cardinals to a 29-9 record. Earning an NCAA Tournament No. 5 seed, Louisville won five consecutive games – including four over nationally-ranked opponents in Purdue, California, Tennessee and consensus No. 1 Baylor – to reach the National Championship game. It was the Cardinals’ second National Championship game appearance in five years.

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TECW Hosts Hearing at Belmont on Violence Against Women

Belmont Hosts First Regional STEM Expo

More than 100 Middle Tennessee high school students will convene Saturday in at the Belmont University Curb Event Center on for the first regional STEM Expo, sponsored by the Middle Tennessee STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Innovation Hub, housed at Metro Nashville Public Schools. The Expo is free and open to the public at noon with a recognition ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m.  Viewing of projects is from 3 to 4 p.m.

“It is an honor for Belmont to be a major sponsor and to host the Middle Tennessee STEM Expo. Belmont has a strong commitment to STEM education as evidenced by our STEM Education Initiative, our STEM Pathways project in the School of Sciences, and our accredited Audio Engineering Technology program in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. The students participating in the Middle Tennessee STEM Expo and their exceptional projects demonstrate the value of supporting STEM education at all education levels,” said Belmont College of Arts and Sciences Dean Bryce F. Sullivan.

High schools from the 20 Middle Tennessee school districts that are part of the STEM Innovation Hub will participate. Expo projects represent one of five categories, including:

• STEM Research: Science, mathematics, engineering, biotechnology or medicine/veterinary medicine
• Engineering I: Mechanical, industrial, civil, aerospace or automotive
• Engineering II: Environmental, biomedical, chemical or electrical
• Technology: Computer programming, computer games programming, designing computer applications, or designing websites
• Agricultural STEM: Farming and animal husbandry.

The STEM Expo is not a competition.  It is a showcase for the most outstanding projects created by individual students and student teams from participating schools and districts. Each entry will be scored and eligible for an award, with recognition levels of Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

“The quality of projects students have prepared is inspiring,” said Vicki Metzgar, Director of the Middle Tennessee STEM Innovation Network.  “The STEM Innovation Hub has encouraged students to develop projects in response to complex questions, problems or challenges, as a way to learn academic content and develop communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills.  One of the primary benefits of Saturday’s Expo will be students coming together to learn and share with each other.”

Schools from all over the middle Tennessee region are turning to STEM education to engage students in rigorous and relevant learning and to prepare them to make informed decisions about their careers and college aspirations.

Click here to learn more about the Middle Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and the STEM Expo.

In addition to Metro Nashville Public Schools, the STEM Expo is sponsored by Aegis Sciences Corporation, Belmont University, Tennessee State University, Deloitte Services, Texas Instruments, the Vanderbilt School of Engineering, the American Society of Civil Engineers, MTSU’s Tennessee STEM Education Center, and Volunteer State Community College.

About TSIN
The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) is a unique, public-private collaboration between the Tennessee Department of Education and Battelle Memorial Institute designed to promote and expand the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in K-12 public schools across Tennessee. The TSIN comprises six Regional STEM Innovation Hubs and six STEM Platform Schools. The schools are designed to encourage local educational innovation by investigating and creating new STEM teaching and learning best practices to be shared throughout the state, all while providing their students with the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century workplace. In addition to supporting the platform schools, the hubs are the nucleus of regional STEM activity, representing a formal partnership among school districts, post-secondary institutions, STEM businesses, and community organizations.

About MNPS
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is the nation’s 42^nd largest district, preparing more than 81,000 students to excel in higher education, work and life with the goal of being the first choice for Nashville’s families. The governing body for Metro Schools is the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education, a nine-member elected body. For more information, visit www.mnps.org. The 2013-14 school year begins August 1, 2013.

Executive Education Students Host Disability Baseball Camp

Middle Tennessee children with special needs will swing for the fences on Saturday at Greer Stadium when Dave Clark, the only professional baseball player to have pitched and played from crutches, hosts Disability Dream Day Baseball Camp in partnership with the Nashville Sounds. Belmont University Center for Executive Education students worked closely with the Dave Clark Foundation and the Sounds to launch the camp in Nashville.

“We are thrilled to work with Belmont University to bring the Disability Dream Day to Nashville for the first time,” said Clark, who contracted polio at 10-months-old yet went one to become a Major League Baseball pitcher and first baseman.  “The Nashville Sounds have stepped up to the plate to welcome Middle Tennessee’s disability community to Greer Stadium. Without a doubt, this will be an inspiring day for everyone involved.”

As part of the Belmont Executive Leadership program, executives enrolled in CEE are organizing, managing and facilitating the disability camp in partnership with the Dave Clark Foundation and the Sounds.  Among them are Belmont’s Director of University Marketing and Special Initiatives Annie Mitchell, Assistant Provost of Assessment & Institutional Research Tracy Rokas and Director of Undergradate Studies in Nursing Martha Buckner.

“The leaders who participate in our program are already making a difference in Middle Tennessee, but we saw this as an opportunity where they can further develop their leadership skills while impacting an important segment of our community,” said CEE Executive Director Gene Mage.  “We’re honored to play a role in bringing the disability camp and Dave Clark’s inspiring story to Nashville.”

In conjunction with the baseball camp, middle school students Jared Stevens and Justin Kievit will receive the Dave Clark: Pulling Each Other Along Award. The award honors the notable contributions of people who have helped individuals achieve their dreams under exceptional circumstances. Stevens, who has cerebral palsy, wrested Justin Kievit last fall and a video of their wrestling match received national recognition.

Click here to read about the event on the Sounds’ blog. Click here to view more photos.

McWhorter Giving Society Established to Support Health Sciences

Belmont University’s Office of Advancement recently established the Clayton McWhorter Society, a giving society intended to further the work of Belmont’s health science programs. The new group, which held its inaugural membership lunch on May 2, is named in honor of long-time Belmont supporter Clayton McWhorter and will directly benefit the College of Health Sciences & Nursing, the College of Pharmacy and the new MBA for Healthcare Professionals.

Clayton McWhorter (left) and Dr. Richard Treadway (right) presented the first McWhorter Society Distinguished Service Award to Barbara Massey Rogers (center) at the close of the May 2 luncheon.

Clayton McWhorter’s leadership and role in the development of healthcare industry giants HealthTrust, Inc. and HCA have made a strong impression in the field of healthcare. In 1996, Clayton, his son Stuart, and a close business friend created the venture capital firm Clayton Associates, which quickly evolved into a hub of strategic business development activities related to new firms in healthcare, technology and diversified services.

His relationship with the University began in the late ’80s through an invitation from Jack Massey “to get involved with Belmont,” and 25 years later, Clayton McWhorter continues his generous response to Massey’s challenge through his support of a variety of programs and initiatives.

Belmont Vice President for University Advancement Dr. Bo Thomas said, “While Clayton’s many achievements are based on sound business principles and bone-deep ethical standards, in the end it is his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others and giving back to the community that has sealed his enduring success and legacy. Belmont University counts itself fortunate to be among the many who have benefited from Clayton’s generous spirit and friendship. Through the McWhorter Society, Clayton is now challenging others to ‘to get involved with Belmont’ just as Jack Massey encouraged him to do years ago.”

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‘Bridges to Belmont’ Scholars Welcomed to Campus for Signing Ceremony

Twenty-six local high school seniors came to Belmont’s campus Monday to sign a proclamation welcoming them to the University and to begin their college careers with an initial family orientation. Following the signing ceremony, students and their parents attended their first Belmont orientation sessions, took tours of campus and enjoyed a meal together.

As a participant in the “Bridges to Belmont” program, all of the students’ expenses—tuition, room, board, required fees and books—that are not covered by state or federal grant resources will be provided via scholarships from Belmont for four consecutive academic years beginning with 2013-14.

Enrollment eligibility will then follow the standard satisfactory academic progress expectations of all students. The Bridges to Belmont program is designed to enroll high potential students from Metro Nashville Public Schools who may not have previously been able to consider Belmont as an option.

Belmont University President Bob Fisher applauded the Bridge Scholars for their hard work so far and their acceptance to college and thanked them in advance for what they will contribute to the University throughout the next four years. “Our biggest focus is to help you figure out your purpose in life. I can’t tell you what it is, but I can tell you we’re going to figure that out in this journey together.” (Click here to view the Signing Ceremony on Belmont’s YouTube channel.)

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Wiseman Urges Executives to Multiply Company Talent

Author and leadership development professional Liz Wiseman challenged Nashville-area business executives to maximize the existing resources at their firms by being leaders who multiply the capabilities of their employees.

“Imagine what is possible with all the intelligence that sits in your organization. The role of the leader is shifting from knowing, telling and directing to one where the leader observes, harnesses and unleashes the capabilities of others,” Wiseman said.

The Center for Executive Education at Belmont University hosted Liz Wiseman as the keynote speaker during its Spring Leadership Breakfast on May 1 in the Curb Event Center arena. Presented in partnership with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, the event explored how executives can become leaders who inspire employees to stretch themselves to deliver results that surpass expectations.

Her talk over breakfast focused on her leadership books Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter and The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools, which promote “the multiplier effect” or the influence leaders have on the intelligence of people around them.

“Some leaders tend to grow intelligence and others tend to suck it right out of organizations like wet blankets,” Wiseman said. “As a multiplier, you use your intelligence to amplify and grow the people around you. The people get smarter and more capable when they work with you.” (more…)

Belmont University Holds Spring Commencement Ceremonies May 4

Degrees conferred during two ceremonies Saturday

Belmont University will hold its spring 2013 commencement ceremonies for graduate and undergraduate students on Saturday, May 4 in the Curb Event Center.

For the third consecutive year, the University will have two ceremonies on the same day. At 9:30 a.m. candidates from the College of Business Administration, Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and College of Visual and Performing Arts will have their degrees conferred. At 2:30 p.m. candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences, Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing, College of Pharmacy, University College and Interdisciplinary Programs and School of Religion will have their degrees conferred.

Belmont celebrates the graduation of a total of 955 students. During the graduation ceremonies, 765 undergraduate, 105 master’s and 85 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 commencement address at both ceremonies. In addition, the Office of Alumni Relations will sponsor receptions–one at 7:30 a.m. prior to the morning commencement and another immediately following the 2:30 p.m. ceremony–for all graduates and their families in the Beaman Student Life Center.

Baccalaureate will take place at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 3 in the Curb Event Center.

 **Updated May 6, 2013: Online video streams of the May4 graduation ceremonies are now available for viewing here.

McAfee Concert Hall, Baskin Center Earn National Recognition

The architect behind the renovation of Belmont’s McAfee Concert Hall, Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. (ESa), recently received a Citation of Excellence Award for outstanding educational facility design in the Spring 2013 edition of Learning By Design, the premier biannual guide that showcases innovative school and university design projects. Recognized for the renovation and adaptive reuse of McAfee Concert Hall, ESa is one of only seven firms in the country to receive a Citation of Excellence Award in the Spring 2013 design competition.

ESa repurposed the aging church sanctuary into a contemporary music hall that serves both the campus and the surrounding community. Unique details were preserved, while nearly doubling the volume by utilizing previously unused attic and floor space. “I imagine this is a great place to see a concert,” commented a Learning By Design judge.

In addition, Belmont’s Randall and Sadie Baskin Center, which was also designed by ESa, received an Honorable Mention Award. ESa is one of only three firms in the country to receive this award.

Learning By Design is published twice annually by Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc., with support from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), APPA—Leadership in Educational Facilities, Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), National School Boards Association (NCBA), and others.

ESa is a 52-year-old architectural firm based in Nashville providing services in architecture, interior architecture, master planning and space planning to clients across the country and globally.

Thistle Farms Founder Speaks to Students

The Rev. Becca Stevens spoke to students about the fear of failure during the Belmont and Beyond finale event, The Journey to Success, on April 15 in Neely Dining Hall.

Stevens is the Chaplain at St. Augustine at Vanderbilt University and founder of Magdalene/Thistle Farms. She shared her fears and hopes for a sanctuary to help women recovering from trafficking, prostitution, addiction and life on the streets.  Thistle Farms employs over 40 residents who manufacture, market and sell all natural bath and beauty products.

“If you’re on a journey led by your heart, the fears will come again to sit vigil with you at night. But, remember, you are not alone,” she said. “You have to keep going and lay the fears aside.”

Stevens asked students about their vision and encouraged them to walk with their hearts and continue the journey.

She said, “you have a really clear sense of what has happened, assess the present and be wide open when love is coming around the bend.”

She ended her inspirational talk by introducing her son Levi Hummon, Belmont student, who performed a song he wrote, “Leaving the Best Things.

Belmont University to Host Free Document Shredding Event May 8

Students Learn About Front-Line Army Medicine, Operating Room

On April 18, the Belmont School of Nursing hosted the U.S. Army 2^nd Medical Recruiting Battalion. The battalion travels across the southeast to educational institutions and venues to introduce students to careers in Army medicine. The focal point was the setup of a Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter (DRASH), a collapsible front-line operating room that was set up in the Inman Center lobby.

Students were given a full tour of the DRASH by active Army medics.

Inside the DRASH, active army medics gave tours and discussed their own deployment experience. “It was interesting to hear how they can set it up so quickly,” said Ryan Shelquist, a junior pharmacy major. “The surgeries and the amount of equipment and the ability to stabilize and prep a patient are really impressive.”

Over the course of the day, more than 100 interested students stopped by to learn more about the tent and potential careers in army medicine. Informational material was made available, along with the option to sign up online for additional information.

Nurses and nursing students also had the opportunity to attend a one-hour continuing education (CE) course titled “Ulcer Prevention and Staging.” The course was taught by CPT Melanie Bowman, who graduated from Belmont’s nursing program in 2005. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Margaret Wilmoth, who served as the assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, also helped lead the CE course. Students also had the chance to talk with Bowman and Wilmoth one-on-one. “This is a great opportunity for [students],” said Martha Buckner, director of Belmont’s undergraduate nursing program. (more…)

Memorial Foundation Awards Belmont $300,000 for Simulation Fellowship, Upgrades

The high-fidelity simulation equipment is housed in the Inman Health Sciences Building.

The Memorial Foundation has awarded Belmont University $300,000 to upgrade high-fidelity simulation equipment, support interprofessional training in the College of Health Sciences & Nursing  and fund a post-graduate Healthcare Simulation Fellowship. Belmont has appointed Dr. Gwenn Randall as the college’s first fellow.

“We are grateful to the Memorial Foundation for this generous gift that will enable us to markedly increase the impact of our clinical simulation program. In addition to creating exciting new clinical experiences for both students and community providers, with this funding we will create new ways of educating future leaders in this emerging field,” said College of Health Sciences & Nursing Dean Cathy R. Taylor.

The University’s advanced patient simulators allow students to experience the health care profession’s daily challenges in a controlled environment. Computerized mannequins exhibit real patient symptoms and respond accordingly to treatment provided by caregivers, based on programmed scenarios. The use of simulation allows individuals preparing for health care professions to practice treatments and learn technique through simulation before treating actual patients. The University used a portion of the Memorial Foundation grant to purchase a highly specialized obstetrical mannequin that will be used to train nursing students and community partners to respond to high risk obstetric emergencies.

“A program in health care professional training in simulation meets a need in the industry, appeals to professionals who want a unique and growing career and is attractive to teaching institutions who want to become involved or expand simulation,” said Dr. Beth Hallmark, director of simulation. (more…)