Just a month and a half ago, students were departing campus for Spring Break, some choosing to spend their days serving on Alternative Spring Break and Missions teams, and others enjoying some time away with family and friends. Since then, students' schedules have been full of most of what can be expected in the last weeks of the semester: plans for where and with whom to live next year, advising and registration for next semester, and for those finishing up their time here at Belmont - preparations for the next road ahead. There have been final showcases, year-end recitals, and thesis presentations. April has also ushered in a time of recognition for those who have achieved great things and reflection on what a successful year it has been for Belmont and its students.

Campus has been abuzz with the activity of last classes, presentations, and papers due before next week's arrival of final exams. I am sure, as you speak to your sons and daughters, you are sensing both the relief and anxiety of finishing the semester well - or finishing well altogether.

One cause for concern and curiosity among many, both here at Belmont and across the nation, has been the rise of the Swine Flu situation. We realize it is important to connect you to what we're doing to take precautions for this nationwide concern. Please read this flu-related campus-wide memo and be assured that University health officials and administration are monitoring this situation carefully.

We appreciate your continued support of your students' success here at Belmont, and look forward to seeing many of you on campus in the coming weeks for May Commencement.

Yours,

Kristine Neeley
Director of New Student & Parent Programs

I realize it has been some time since you have heard from us in this capacity, and that is a result of a major transition in leadership our office has gone through over the last couple of months. In late August, our outgoing Director of New Student & Parent Programs, whom I am sure many of you know, left Belmont to fulfill a dream of his by going on staff at his Alma Mater. With his departure and the overwhelming amount of activities taking place on campus in the fall, our Dean of Students took ample time to bring someone on staff who would be both capable and committed to the goals of the institution and to this facet of campus life.

And now I am here, excited and energized about my role of providing connections and resources for both students and parents alike. I care very deeply about this place and its mission, for I myself was once an undergraduate at Belmont University. It is an honor to be fulfilling a dream of my own by being back here, giving my attention and my passion to something that means so very much to me. It is a coming home, of sorts.

It is only fitting, then, that we find ourselves currently in the midst of Belmont Homecoming 2009, "From Anywhere to Belmont!" This week we are celebrating everything that Belmont is and has been for those individuals who have been fortunate enough to call it theirs. During Homecoming, all members of the Belmont community are invited to take part in a variety of activities including an art exhibit, a worship service, reunions, a Young Alumni social, an orchestra performance, songwriters showcases, and basketball games. If you are interested in finding out more about this event, please click here.

Speaking of activities, I thought it might be useful to include some highlights of some exciting events that have taken place on campus since you last heard from us.

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Belmont Recognized on President's Higher Ed Community Service Honor Roll
The Corporation for National and Community Service honored Belmont University with a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities.

Wicke Named as Finalist for Lowe's Senior Class Award
Belmont University men's basketball senior Andy Wicke (Hendersonville, Tenn.) has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior Class Award for men's basketball.

Belmont Hosts Inauguration Viewing Party
Belmont students, faculty and staff gathered Jan. 20, 2009, to watch as the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, was inaugurated into office. The viewing party was held in the Beaman Student Life Center just steps away from the site which hosted both Obama and republican candidate John McCain for the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate.

Belmont President Bob Fisher Named Tennessean of the Year
Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher today was named as the 2008 Tennessean of the Year by Nashville’s daily newspaper The Tennessean.

Gonas Named 2008 Tennessee Professor of the Year
Belmont University’s Dr. John Gonas, an assistant professor of Finance in the Undergraduate and Massey School of Business, was named today as the 2008 Tennessee Professor of the Year, an award selection determined by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Belmont Breaks Ground on New Pharmacy/Health Sciences Building
Belmont University broke ground in October on an estimated $30 million building that will become the permanent home for the Belmont School of Pharmacy. The building, which has an anticipated completion date of June 2010, will also house the university’s School of Physical Therapy and will include expansion space for the Schools of Nursing and Occupational Therapy as well as the Social Work and Psychology programs.

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There's always something happening on campus and we'll do our best to keep you informed and connected to the heartbeat of the institution. I look forward to meeting many of you over time, and hope that you will see me as a partner in ensuring the best Belmont experience for your student!

Kristine Neeley
Director of New Student & Parent Programs

Bell Tower Undergoes Extreme Makeover with New Banner to Celebrate Debate
In observance of Flag Day, Belmont University lifted its own celebration of the ‘stars and stripes’ by draping the campus’s historic Bell Tower this week in a red, white and blue flag banner. The banner heralds the upcoming Oct. 7, 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate to be held at the university’s Curb Event Center.

Belmont Earns Atlantic Sun All-Academic Trophy: Student-athletes reach new heights in claiming record sixth conference honor
MACON, GA. - - For the sixth time in its seven year history as an Atlantic Sun Conference member institution Belmont University has earned the conference’s All-Academic Trophy, the league office announced Friday. Further cementing its reputation for achieving athletic and academic success, Belmont saw an astounding 161 of its 229 student-athletes receive All-Academic honors. Consequently, Belmont established a new conference standard for percentage of its student-athletes reaching All-Academic status at 70.31 percent.

The season of Christmas is one of hope and brings to the forefront Belmont’s heritage. Since 1890, the institutions that formed Belmont University have been grounded in the identity that God gifts our students to accomplish significant work through the education they receive here. It is our understanding of Jesus that guides our sense of belonging and service to a world in need of givers.

Brennan Manning wrote in the Ragamuffin Gospel, "Jesus spent a disproportionate amount of time with people described in the gospels as: the poor, the blind, the lame, the lepers, the hungry, sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors, the persecuted, the downtrodden, the captives, those possessed by evil spirits, all who labor and are heavy burdened, the rabble who know nothing of the law, the crowds, the little ones, the least, the last, and the lost sheep of the house of Israel. In short, Jesus hung with Ragamuffins. Obviously, His love for failures and nobodies was not an exclusive love-that would merely substitute one class prejudice for another…it extends to all who rely entirely upon the mercy of God and accept the gospel of grace – the poor in spirit.”

Let’s remember, particularly in this season, to use our talents and blessings for those in need; to bring to, and live out of our hope. Thank you for the opportunity you have given us to do that with your student.

Many, many blessings to you and your family during the holiday season.

Grace and Peace,

Dane Anthony
Associate Dean of Students

Matt Burchett
Coordinator of New Student Programs

Belmont University to Host Elvis Tribute at the Ryman in August '07
Belmont University today announced it will host “Belmont University Presents ‘Nashville Celebrates Elvis’,” a benefit show at the historic Ryman Auditorium on August 18, 2007—two days after the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ death, August 16, 1977—in honor of Cecil Scaife, music industry pioneer and one of the early visionaries of Belmont’s first music business program. Proceeds will go to the “Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship Fund” to help music business students who are attending Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. In celebration of Elvis’ association with the early days of Nashville’s music industry, the show will feature Elvis songs performed by select celebrity artists who have recorded, performed or been influenced by his music.

Christmas At Belmont Hosted by Country Music Star Josh Turner
Country music star and Belmont University graduate, Josh Turner, will host the annual Christmas at Belmont concert, which will be made available to viewers through a nationwide broadcast on PBS. It will air nationally on PBS Thur., December 21 at 9 p.m. EST., with rebroadcast in Nashville, Sun., December 24 at 8 p.m. CST. Belmont University's highly acclaimed Bluegrass Ensemble, a group of student performers that has played everywhere from Nashville's famed Ryman Auditorium to a private show for Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, is one of the many Belmont University performance groups that will be featured on the broadcast. Music City's signature holiday event was produced by NPT with funding from the Beaman Family Foundation.

Mike Curb and Don Cusic Discuss History of Music Row
Mike Curb, president of Curb Records, and Dr. Don Cusic, the "Music City" Professor of Music Industry History at the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, participated in an "Insider's View" seminar in the the Curb Cafe at Belmont University. The conversation, led by Harry Chapman, director of development for special initiatives at Belmont, focused on the upcoming 50-year anniversary of the famed Music Row and the rich history of music business in Nashville.

Transition Issues
1. Readjust to leaving again
2. Getting back in the swing of campus life
3. Rethink level of campus involvement and commitments

Tips for Successful Parenting
Ask questions. Most students still want their parent(s) to express interest in what they’re doing; they still seek your blessing for what they want to do. Ask open-ended questions that allow them to tell you details while maintaining a healthy independence. Honest, open questions will do a lot to foster a relationship based in trust and support.

Similarly, your student is finishing this semester with great anticipation. In the final days of course work they will be negotiating research papers, class projects, altered sleep schedules, unpredictable weather, and the excitement that comes as the semester sprints to a close.

For many students it marks the completion of their first college semester, one that, I’m fairly confident looks dramatically different than what they may have expected on Opening Day in August. For others it represents one of, if not the last, fall semester in an academic career leading to that much sought after degree.

All said, this is in myriad ways, a time full of anticipation. There is much around us to be thankful for this holiday season. In the spirit of the holidays, author Henri Nouwen writes "The real question is not "What can we offer each other? but, Who can we be for each other?”

Blessings,

Dane Anthony
Associate Dean of Students

Matt Burchett
Coordinator of New Student Programs