CVPA, Nashville Ballet Bring ‘Aesop’s Fables’ to MPAC

The College of Visual and Performing Arts and Nashville Ballet hosted a free performance of Aesop’s Fables in the Massey Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Jan. 29. The event brought hundreds of children and their parents to campus for the interactive show. 

“The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Fox and the Crow,” “The Wind and the Sun” and “The Ants and the Grasshopper” tales were woven together with an original narrative. These stories creatively depict Aesop winning his freedom from slavery through his cautionary storytelling.

The children’s ballet was performed by the Nashville Ballet’s pre-professional company to live music composed by Belmont University School of Music Professor Emeritus Paul Godwin. The music was performed by School of Music students and faculty.

“This is great for kids to learn about music, to learn about dance at an early age,” explained Nashville Ballet’s Jan Morrison to NewsChannel5. “These performances that we do for children are perfect because they’re narrated, so they can really learn what’s happening. They can really learn to associate movement, dance, body coordination and music.”

Click here to view photos from Aesop’s Fables.

Belmont Welcomes Neighbors to Campus for Community Days

As a show of gratitude to the University’s friends, Belmont invited its neighbors and the general public to the women’s basketball game against North Florida on Jan. 26. The event was free and included hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, a balloon artist and face painting.

“This day was a continuation of an annual event for Belmont to welcome the community to campus. We make an effort year-round to improve the dynamics between neighbors and the University,” said Joyce Searcy, director of community relations. Click here to view photos from Community Day 2012.

Belmont opened its arms again Jan. 28 with the Community Health Fair in the Maddox Grand Atrium of the Curb Event Center in conjunction with the men’s and women’s basketball games against Jacksonville. The free fair featured 30 booths with blood pressure, body composition and bone density screenings; CPR demonstrations; and information on tobacco cessation, breast cancer awareness, diabetes, healthy eating, self defense and recreation. Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Renfrew Center, Edgehill Community Garden, Edgehill Family Resource Center, YMCA and Real Food Farms had booths.

“Belmont has always been supportive of the community and has done a lot of partnering and programming in the area surrounding campus. This (was) a continuation of those services to share information,” said Director of Health Services Katy Wilson. “Students from all of the health sciences programs, athletics department and fitness and recreation center (were) heavily involved in the fair.” Click here to view photos from the Community Health Fair.

The fair was intended to put wellness and preventive health resources within reach of Belmont’s neighbors and fans with screenings, pamphlets and prizes. Although the event marked the first Community Health Fair at Belmont, it was an extension of the annual Pink Zone through an initiative with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and Susan G. Komen for the Cure to promote breast cancer awareness. The women’s basketball team wore pink uniforms. Fans received free pink T-shirts and pom poms.

“We have been fortunate to have a long-standing relationship with Susan G. Komen’s Nashville office. They set up a table in the hope of interacting with fans on game day,” Director of Athletics Marketing Jimmy Frush said. “We chose this doubleheader to reach a wide variety of people, ages and genders and to feature the College of Health Sciences’ many different programs and departments. Hopefully, it (delivered) a valuable service to the fans coming to the game.”

Student Athletes Take Talent Show Stage in ‘Battle of the Bruins’

Athletics event to benefit Nashville Special Olympics

Student athletes will compete off court and away from fields in Battle of the Bruins, the first student-athlete talent show, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the Curb Event Center. All 11 of Belmont’s athletic teams will be represented on stage.

“This is also something fun for the athletes to get us all together because we are traveling a lot so we don’t always get to interact across teams. And it also will allow other students to know who we are when we aren’t playing sports,” said Jennifer Newnan, a senior on the women’s golf team, who will dance during Battle of the Bruins.

The talent show is presented by Belmont’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Among the performances are skits, dance routines and musical acts. Judges are three members from Diamond Rio, Golden Tate of the Seattle Seahawks, alumna Melinda Doolittle, Allison Demarcus and Special Olympic Star Josh Putnam. The athletes are competing for Bruins Supporting Bruins points, an initiative to get athletes to attend each other’s sporting events. At the end of the year, the most supportive team is rewarded with a dinner.

“Belmont is such a unique place with so many people that are musically talented. This talent show will give athletes a chance to show their natural talent, like singing or dancing or playing an instrument, that they usually cannot show off because they are busy with practice and games. Athletes are naturally talented and competitive, so this is a good fit,” said Morgan Gilman, a graduate student studying sport administration, who has been instrumental in the planning of Battle of the Bruins. While a swimmer at the University of Illinois, she and teammates hosted a similar talent show as a philanthropy event. She translated that event into Battle of the Bruins.

(more…)

Belmont Announces Schedule for Homecoming 2012 Feb. 13-18

Belmont University invites alumni, friends and family to make their “Destination Belmont” Feb. 13 – 18 for a week’s worth of special Homecoming 2012 events. The week-long celebration will feature an alumni art exhibit, a basketball doubleheader, a residence hall banner competition for students and a campus-wide pep rally and bonfire. For a complete list of all Belmont Homecoming 2012 events and an opportunity to register, visit http://alumni.belmont.edu/.

Julie Thomas, director of constituency programs in the Office of Alumni Relations, said, “Belmont alumni are such an important part of this institution.  Homecoming is the perfect time for us to honor and celebrate our alums and welcome them back to campus.”

(more…)

‘Music City Roots’ Takes on Distinctly Belmont Flavor

“Music City Roots at the Loveless Cafe” lured plenty of leather boots, flannel shirts and facial hair Wednesday night as the weekly, two-hour concert and live radio show often does. This week, however, the performance offered a uniquely Belmont-related theme. The Westbound Rangers, Leah Korbin, Shirock, Kopecky Family Band and the Apache Relay–all bands consisting of Belmont alumni or current students–pumped out bright and lively tones all night.

All the bands return to stage for the closing number at "Music City Roots" Jan. 25.

The audience reciprocated the school spirit with a large serving of Belmont students and faculty in attendance, including Curb College faculty members Dan Keen and Clyde Rolston, who helped organize the event. Click here to view the concert in its entirety. 

“Music City Roots” aims to revive the historic legacy of live musical radio production in Nashville. Broadcast on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. on WRLT-Lightning 100, “Music City Roots: Live From the Loveless Cafe” showcases Nashville’s astonishing music scene. Host Jim Lauderdale and the bands closed the show Wednesday night with the weekly Loveless Jam tradition, this time gathering all the artists on stage for a final group performance of classic Beatles song, “Don’t Let Me Down.”

Annual ‘Sex and the Soul’ Week Continues Dialogue on Faith, Love

The biology of love and attraction distracts our minds from reality, marriage and family counselor John Van Epp told Belmont students at a convocation Tuesday as part of the third annual “Sex and the Soul” week.

“Love is blind partly because of biology but also because people don’t manage their hearts because they do not get to know the right stuff,” said Van Epp, author of How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk: Following Your Heart Without Losing Your Mind.

“When you sit up all night talking, you might know a lot about him, but do you really know him? In a healthy development of a relationship, let how well you know someone determine how much you trust them and do not bring too many needs so that you don’t rely on them,” told students during a Tuesday afternoon convocation.

People should connect first by getting to know each other, followed by trust, relying on the person, commitment and, finally, love. Working backwards is what makes love blind, he said. Couples should discuss conscience and moral compass. Little issues that go unaddressed will add up to become major flaws, which is  why people characterize others as jerks. Above all else, people should institute a 90-day probationary period to understand their compatibilities, personalities, values and humor.

(more…)

Alumna Shares Stories from India Mission

Belmont alumna Megan Stephens (’09) returned to campus on Jan. 20 as part of the “Alumni on Mission” series in an event sponsored by the Belmont Ambassadors and the Office of Alumni Relations. Alumni on Mission is an ongoing speaker series featuring Belmont alumni who incorporate mission and ministry in their everyday lives.

Shortly after graduating from college, Stephens said she felt God called her to two things: missions and teaching.

“I felt like God wanted me to do missions, but I didn’t know when, where or how,” said Stephens, who studied middle school teaching.

Overcoming safety concerns from her family and the daunting task of raising $12,000, she moved to Siliguri, India in 2009 to home school the 17-year-old daughter of missionaries while looking for opportunities to do mission work herself. She has since become a Young Life representative, working with high school students in the small town, and an English teacher at a local seminary. Stephens continues homeschooling other children in exchange for her rent.

(more…)

Athletics, SGA Initiate ‘Guest Coach’ Honor

Belmont Athletics, along with corporate sponsor Cowan Benefit Services, has initiated a “guest coach” program at men’s home basketball games to honor a Belmont faculty or staff member.

Dr. David Julseth receives his Guest Coach honor from SGA Cabinet member Marleen Abdelnour.

The honorees are selected through a nomination process done by SGA where Congress members are invited to suggest a nominee and discuss what impact the individual has on the Belmont community and why he or she should be chosen. Congress then decides on that week’s Guest Coach recipient.

SGA President Rachel McNabb said, “It is such a rewarding moment to be able to reflect and share stories as to how so many professors have impacted the lives of Belmont students. I know that myself, Cabinet and Congress feel blessed to have the opportunity to give back to our professors in such a small but significant way. “

Director of Athletic Marketing Jimmy Frush said that the main objective of this program is to do something that publicly recognizes what faculty and staff do on a daily basis for their students. The recipient is joined on the court by an SGA member to be recognized before the starting line up and receives a block of tickets to the game, a T-shirt and a basketball signed by both coaches Rick Byrd and Brittney Ezell.

Dr. David Julseth, chair of Belmont’s department of foreign langugage, was honored at the 2011 game against Trevecca, and Dr. Julseth said being presented was one of his favorite parts of the 2011 semester, especially because the nomination came from students.

When asked about his advice for Coach Byrd, Dr. Julseth said, “I attribute our overwhelming win against Trevecca (86-61) to the fact that, as guest coach, I cheered from a safe distance and let Coach Byrd do his job.”

Upcoming honorees include Amy Hodges Hamilton (Jan. 28), Mary Rau-Foster (Jan. 30) and Thom Storey (Feb. 6).

Past honorees for both the 2011-2012 and 2010-2011 seasons have included David Julseth, Bob Byrd, Sue Trout, Jeff Cornwall, Don Purdy, Nathan Griffith, Robert Lambert, Sarah Ann Fleming, Regine Schwarzmeier, Beth Woodard, John Gonas, Vaughn May, Harold Fogelberg, Colonel James Cook, Mike Pinter, Joseph Byrne and Shelly North.

Belmont University ‘Tops Out’ Baskin Center

$32 million building will house College of Law upon completion this summer

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher speaks at the Baskin Center 'Topping Out' celebration.

Belmont University’s College of Law today celebrated the official “topping out” ceremony for the Randall and Sadie Baskin Center, a 71,000 square foot facility that will serve as the College’s permanent home upon the building’s completion this summer. In August 2011, Belmont’s College of Law welcomed its charter class of 132 students who hail from 14 different states.

College of Law founding Dean Jeff Kinsler said, “From breaking ground on this building to hiring our first faculty members to welcoming our charter class, Belmont’s College of Law has already achieved some incredible milestones. Today we celebrate another as we ‘top out’ this building which will soon house Middle Tennessee’s next generation of great legal minds and community leaders.”

The Baskin Center, which will cost approximately $32 million when completely outfitted, will be located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Acklen and 15th Avenues and will include a five-level underground parking garage accommodating 520 cars. Slated to open in July 2012, the Baskin Center is being designed and built by locally-owned companies Earl Swensson Associates and R.C. Mathews. The Baskin Center will house a high-end furnished Trial Courtroom outfitted with state-of-the-art AV equipment for mock trials.

The building will also include a large two-story Law Library and will provide three large, auditorium-style classrooms with tiered seating. In addition, the Baskin Center will contain more than a dozen classrooms, an appellate courtroom, more than 20 faculty offices and a Grand Lobby Rotunda area. Designed with the needs of law students in mind, the building will feature numerous amenities including a student commons, wireless Internet access, offices for student organizations, a locker room and food service.

The Baskin Center will also seek to attain silver LEED certification. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. The new building will feature a Geothermal Heating and Cooling system and energy efficient light fixtures as well as utilize energy conservation methods within the building’s utilities (electricity, plumbing and HVAC).

Former Belmont Athletic Director Larry Striplin Passes Away

Former Belmont University Athletic Director Larry Striplin, Jr., 82, died yesterday in a Birmingham, Ala. hospital. Striplin established Belmont’s first men’s basketball team in 1952 and served in that capacity for four years, along with coaching baseball and serving as Belmont’s first Athletic Director.

Betty Wiseman, Belmont’s current assistant athletic director and senior women’s administrator, said, “We are all deeply saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. Belmont University has lost a dear friend. Our history in Belmont Athletics will always be traced back to the hiring of Larry as our first athletic director and basketball coach in 1952. We will forever be grateful for his life and legacy in our history and heritage. Larry Striplin will always be remembered as the ‘patriarch’ of Belmont Athletics. I have been deeply moved through the years by his players who continued to show deep love, respect and gratitude for their Coach and the impact he had on their lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Rhonda, and the family.”

Visitation will be held on Fri., Jan. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (2150 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, AL).  Funeral services will be held on Sat., Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church (518 19th Street North, Birmingham, AL).  Burial will be at 4 p.m. that day at Live Oak Cemetery, 300 Dallas Avenue, in Selma, AL, following a brief graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Striplin’s name to Birmingham-Southern College through the Office of Institutional Advancement, 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, AL 35254; to the Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program, P.O. Box 10163, Birmingham, AL 35202; or to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, 2150 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, AL.

As Belmont’s head basketball coach, Striplin posted a 58-42 record and recorded three winning seasons in his four-year tenure. He produced Belmont Athletics’ first All-American in any sport, Robert Barnes, who continues to be regarded as one of Belmont’s all-time great student-athletes. Larry would later honor this unique athlete by establishing the Robert E. Barnes Graduate Scholarship Award, presented annually to a student-athlete who is entering graduate school upon graduation from Belmont.

Coach Striplin remained a friend and benefactor to the university throughout his life. Belmont’s Striplin Gymnasium was named in his honor, along with the Striplin-Wiseman Athletic Office Complex in the Curb Event Center. In 1980, he was one of the first three charter members of the Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame.

Born November 11, 1929 in Selma, Ala., Larry Striplin, Jr. was a businessman and philanthropist. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile for two years and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a B.S. Degree in Education. He continued his education at George Peabody College (now Vanderbilt) in Nashville, Tenn., where he earned his M.A. Degree in Education. He was the CEO of Nelson-Brantley Glass Company and Circle “S” Industries and was instrumental in establishing the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, serving for 13 years as Chairman and a total of 23 years on the hall’s board. Striplin also founded the Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete scholarship program in 1986. Almost $10 million has been distributed to more than 2,200 senior student-athletes since the program’s inception.

Belmont’s Chinese Program Expands with Study Abroad Trip, Book Donation Award

Belmont University’s Chinese program is growing this year with a Chinese Language Summer Institute and a book donation award to immerse students in Chinese language and culture.

“More Chinese language speakers will be required to facilitate and support future commercial and political relationships, both in China and in the U.S.  The professional opportunities for Americans who speak Chinese are on a skyrocketing scale,” said Qingjun Li, assistant professor of Asian Studies and Chinese Language.

Twenty students have registered for the Chinese Language Summer Institute, a six-week program to begin in May, Li said. Students will take elementary Chinese for two weeks at Belmont, followed by a month-long study abroad trip to mainland China and Hong Kong. The institute offers students up to 12 credit hours, with two Chinese courses and a choice from four electives: Third Tear Writing, Asian Humanities, Junior Cornerstone and International Business. The classes will be taught by Belmont and Zhengzhou University professors.

Li said Mandarin, the first language of more than 20 percent of the world’s population, is becoming an increasingly important language because of China’s growing economy. The country has the world’s second largest economy and is predicted to take the No. 1 spot from the United States in the next two decades. Business Week has said that learning Chinese is a “resume-builder,” calling it “the most advantageous foreign language for business persons to acquire.”

“Over 35 million people worldwide are learning Chinese, and over 2,500 universities in 100 countries are teaching Chinese.  Just about everyone knows that China is one of the largest trading partners of the United States, but few people may realize that over 16,000 U.S. companies do business in China and have long-term investments there. It might be a surprise to learn that China is also the second largest export destination for Tennessee merchandise,” Li said. (more…)

U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper Joins Belmont, TSU, Lipscomb Students for Joint Service Project

More than 200 university students carried on the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and other Civil Rights Movement workers when they spent five hours volunteering at Red Cross and Feed the Children, U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper told the group.

“(King) visited Nashville not to give inspiration but to gain inspiration. That is the single greatest compliment that any community ever could be paid,” U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper said before they began their service projects. His brief speech highlighted the works of King, U.S. Rep. John Lewis and other Nashville students who marched throughout town and held sit-ins during the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. “Thank you for carrying on Dr. King’s dream, even though we have not reached it today.”

The students from Belmont, Tennessee State and Lipscomb Universities gathered Jan. 14 at the American Red Cross of Middle Tennessee to celebrate and honor King through a day of community service. The MLK Day of Service is a nationally recognized event intended to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems and move individuals closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.

“Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent most of his time serving others. Belmont, TSU and Lipscomb University are collaborating together once again to bring together people in the community as well as students who might not ordinarily meet or work together to honor his legacy,” said Summer Elliott, community partnership resource coordinator for Belmont’s Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Service-Learning. (more…)

Alumnus Tad Wilson Honored with Curtain Call Award

School of Music alumnus Tad Wilson receives the Curtain Call Award Jan. 17.

School of Music alumnus Tad Wilson (’92) received the Curtain Call Award Tuesday night at a concert in his honor. The award is presented annually to a School of Music alumnus in honor of achievement in the field of commercial and popular music.

Sandra Dudley, assistant professor of commercial voice and coordinator of the Curtain Call Award Concert, said, “Tad Wilson is most deserving of this award. His accomplishments since graduation are plentiful and exceptional. He represents the kind of excellence in singing and musicianship that we are promoting here at Belmont.”

A native of Augusta, Ga., Wilson’s Broadway credits include Bonnie and Clyde, Rock of Ages and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He graduated from Belmont’s School of Music with a degree in Commercial Music Vocal Performance and secured his first professional job as a performer at Opryland USA. Since his professional debut, Wilson has appeared on stages around the country. He has been featured on ABC, TNN, and has performed twice for U.S. Presidents. As an original cast member of the Broadway and Off-Broadway productions of Rock of Ages, he was a part of the 2009 Tony Awards, and has appeared on “The View” and “The Today Show” concert series. He has worked with personalities such as Frank Wildhorn, and Richard Maltby, Jr., sharing the stage with Constantine Maroulis, Trisha Yearwood, Clay Aiken, Larry Gatlin, Hal Holbrook and Maya Angelou, among others.

Previous Curtain Call Award winners include Tim Lauer, Josh Turner, Ginny Owens, Chester Thompson, Jill Phillips, Will Denton, Fleming McWilliams, Melodie Crittenden, Jozef Nuyens, Gordon Mote, Tammy Rogers King, Bernie Herms and Chris Rodriguez.

Acuff Details ’5 Lies’ Entrepreneurs Should Ignore for Success

Jon Acuff speaks in Massey Boardroom Jan. 18.

Jon Acuff, best-selling author of Stuff Christians Like, spoke Wednesday in the Massey Board Room about the five lies every entrepreneur must ignore in order to succeed. An experienced speaker and the creator of StuffChristiansLike.net, a blog read by more than two million people in 97 percent of the countries in the world, Acuff has worked with companies like Home Depot, Chick-fil-A, Bose and Staples on their brand positioning and marketing.

In a talk sponsored by Belmont’s Center for Entrepreneurship, Acuff spoke on “5 Lies Every Entrepreneur Must Ignore to Succeed,” captivating a completely packed room of hopeful Belmont students and faculty by delivering his powerful message with a lighthearted and slightly comical spin.

He began by emphasizing the fact that technology and social media have completely redefined our generation’s standards and opportunities among the business realm. Acuff claimed that “consumer behavior has changed” because “our generation is the most over-marketed” generation in comparison to ever before.

The exorbitant amount of information that technology offers allows consumers to research and become aware of nearly anything, and they desire truth in marketing. Acuff brought up an example of change in comparing Nike’s marketing slogan years ago versus now to illustrate this point of truth in marketing. At one point, Nike’s marketing campaign was “Be Like Mike” which inferred to the consumer that by wearing Air Jordan shoes one could be like Michael Jordan. Now Nike’s marketing campaign is “Our shoes work if you do.”  This pointed example prefaced Acuff’s message of entrepreneurs being mindful of the lies that can often detour one’s success.

Acuff defined the first lie that many in the entrepreneurial world face to be stressing over “finding the next big thing.” He claimed that many look for the “Eureka moments” when often times the most successful ideas can develop from the “hinge moments,” the small changes or ideas that can have a meaningful impact on business ventures. He went on to show the “hinge moment” of Chick-Fil-A as being the addition of the spicy chicken sandwich. This was not a brand new or innovative idea, but this decision profoundly impacted the profits of the Chick-Fil-A franchise.

(more…)

Fair to Share Wellness, Health Information with Community

Belmont University will host a Community Health Fair from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 28 in the Maddox Grand Atrium of the Curb Event Center in conjunction with the men’s and women’s basketball games against Jacksonville.

The fair, which is free and open to the public, will feature 30 booths with information and health screenings available.

“Belmont has always been supportive of the community and has done a lot of partnering and programming in the area surrounding campus. This is a continuation of those services to share information,” said Director of Health Services Katy Wilson. “Students from all of the health sciences programs, athletics department and fitness and recreation center will be heavily involved in the fair.”

The Community Health Fair is intended to put wellness and preventive health resources within reach of Belmont’s neighbors and fans with screenings, pamphlets and prizes. Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Renfrew Center, Edgehill Community Garden, Edgehill Family Resource Center, YMCA and Real Food Farms also will have booths. Opportunities throughout the day include blood pressure, body composition and bone density screenings; CPR demonstrations; and information on tobacco cessation, breast cancer awareness, diabetes, healthy eating, self defense and recreation. (more…)