A popular tour during this year's Parent & Family Weekend was the Myth's & Legends of Belmont. This view from Blanton Hall, built in 1914, was a part of the tour that exposed and explored the mysteries of Belmont lore.
April 13, 2006
From the Dean of Students Office...
Greetings Parents,
Easter is a time of reflection and appreciation for the blessings in our lives. In this season of reflection, Belmont is celebrating both our personal and institutional blessings. We have reached the completion of the $170 million “Keeping the Promise” campaign (and extended it to $250 million). These funds in part have made possible the construction of the Beaman Student Life Center, the Curb Event Center, the Maddox Grand Atrium, Kennedy Residence Hall, and the Inman Health Sciences Building. In addition, renovation will begin immediately after graduation on a new theatre complex on the site of a portion of Belmont Heights Baptist Church.
Recently, Belmont served as the host site for a number of significant events; the annual CMT Music Awards, Parent & Family Weekend, the annual President's Spring Cookout & baseball game, and the Spring Musical "Cats".
Of the personal blessings we are celebrating are two significant milestones. Betty Wiseman, Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Womans' Administrator marks her 40th year in the Athletic Department, and Dr. Herbert Gabhart, University Chancellor, (92 years old), continues to grace the university community through 47 years of faithful service. In all capacities, Senior Administration, Faculty and Staff seek to serve students by engaging them and each other through service, learning, and tradition. It is our calling and blessing to work here and serve. I would encourage you as the semester comes to an end to reflect how you have been blessed. We certainly hope that Belmont is a part of that celebration.
Blessings,
Dane Anthony
Associate Dean of Students
Matt Burchett
Coordinator of New Student Programs
Coming Up
April 13-16 Easter Break
April 17-26 Belmont Connections
April 22 President's Concert
April 21-23 Baseball vs. Florida Atlantic
April 29 Best of the Best Showcase
May 2 Last Day of Classes
May 3 Dead Day Carnival
May 4-9 Final Examinations
May 13 Spring Commencement
Belmont News
CMT Music Awards at Curb Event Center 
Belmont University hosted the 2006 CMT Music Awards on April 10, 2006, in the Curb Event Center. CMT's annual award show honors the fans' choices for best videos of the year. The CMT Music Awards are country music's only fan-voted awards. Performers taking center stage at the show included Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn and Sugarland. Jeff Foxworthy hosted the 2006 CMT Music Awards airing live April 10 on CMT. During his first year as host, Foxworthy arrived onstage at the 2005 awards show by swinging in on a crystal chandelier similar to the one used by Shania Twain in her "Party for Two" video.
Students in Free Entreprise Team Win Regionals, Head to Nationals,
Belmont University's Students in Free Enterprise Team has won first place in the southeast regional SIFE competition, and will next compete in the national competition in Kansas City, Mo., May 21-23. This is an incredible achievement for a team created only one year ago. The Belmont team is coached by assistant finance professor John Gonas. About 800 universities around the country take part in similar events. SIFE also sponsors a World Cup that involves universities from other countries. Last year’s international winner was University of Zimbabwe.
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Belmont Raises Fundraising Campaign Goal to $250 Million
Belmont University will raise its Keeping the Promise capital campaign goal to $250 million, now that the university has reached its initial $170 million goal, President Dr. Robert Fisher announced yesterday. The campaign's goal is being raised in order to help the university fulfill its vision for 2010, said Dr. Bo Thomas, vice president for university advancement. "The momentum is great for Belmont right now, and we are eager to continue to work with our many friends who want to partner with us in this exciting journey."
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Fiesta mixes fun, education - The Tennessean
Hispanic students receive scholarships during celebration at Belmont. For some, yesterday's Fiesta Belmont in the heart of the university's campus here was a chance to dance, shop and savor homemade enchiladas. For Heider Vargas, the celebration of Hispanic culture brought him $1,000 closer to his dream of becoming a physical therapist. ... The scholarships announced yesterday during the festivities benefited participants of Hispanic Achievers, a YMCA mentoring program for Hispanic children, teens and adults. Hundreds of people, especially families with small children, took advantage of summer-like weather and roamed Belmont's campus to listen to live Latin music, munch on tacos and nachos and hit pinatas... Read the whole story at Tennessean.com
Belmont Parent Programs Recognized
The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) recognized Belmont University Parent Programming in their annual Promising Practices Publication. The publication recognizes parent programs at universities in order to promote more diverse and creative programs for parents and families.
Getting to Know...McLean Collins
Name: McLean Collins
Position: Associate Director of Annual Giving, Office of Development
Hometown:Milan, TN
Why did you choose Belmont?
I sought Belmont because it represents the best of what American higher education should be: a close-knit community; outstanding and diverse students, faculty, and staff; and a unique, mission-driven purpose. I try to infect everyone I meet with a little of the Belmont spirit.
What have you read lately, and what are you reading now?
Since I was a philosophy major in college, I find myself constantly re-reading the classics, especially Aristotle and Plato. I enjoy what these works have to say about education and about the basic reasons why people choose to identify with and invest in an institution.
In what aspect of your position do you find the most joy?
Hands-down, I enjoy personal interaction with alumni, parents, students, and faculty and staff the most. To me, every person I meet has a unique perspective to offer and so has something to teach me. It’s also very rewarding to see the good in people, especially when someone learns why private support is important and then makes a selfless act of giving to a cause in which they believe.
What do you do for fun?
Cubs baseball keeps me occupied in the summer, SEC football take center stage in the fall, and I follow the Bruins in the winter and spring. I also want to learn how to fly-fish, so if there are any parents who know how, I would be grateful for a lesson.
What is the most exciting thing you are currently working on?
I’m currently working on a program to engage our donors in the day-to-day life of our University, so that they can see how their gifts make a difference and can become more closely tied to the Belmont community.
Name one thing you would like to do before you retire.
I’d like to work on Higher Education Policy in D.C. or work in International Higher Education Development. I think both of those would be extremely interesting and very rewarding.
What advice would you give to parents about their students?
Encourage your student to remain true to their personal beliefs but also encourage them to learn about and understand the beliefs of others. Also, while grades are very important, many powerful educational experiences are available outside of the classroom. Sometimes the most valuable life lessons may be learned at a play or in a conversation with a roommate in the hall or professor on the lawn.
Tips for Parents of New Students
May
Transitional Issues
1. Final exams
2. Missing college friends over the summer
3. Packing up to move out
Tips for Successful Parenting of New Students
Hang in there! Finishing your first year in college is a big deal! It’s a great opportunity to celebrate your student’s accomplishment. Students with a year of college under their belt are not the same ones you moved to campus a short 10 months ago. Though they may still seem like a “kid”, they’re well on their way to adulthood.