October 10, 2008
Debate08 Garners Extensive Media Coverage
The 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate at Belmont garnered the university massive media exposure with thousands of hits on radio and television along with print publicity worth millions of dollars. Though it would be impossible to list all of Belmont's media hits from the past two weeks, here are a few samples of interesting coverage brought about by the debate and debate-related programming:
• Belmont Vision Editor Melanie Bengtson did a number of interviews about the debate and the Vision's coverage, including her participation in a nationally broadcast NPR roundtable the day after the debate. Other panelists sharing opinions about the debate were Maria Teresa Peterson, executive director of Voto Latino (a voter education and outreach group), Dwight Lewis, editorial page editor for The Tennessean, and NPR Political Editor Ken Rudin. Click here to listen to the discussion.
• In addition, make sure to check out coverage from The Vision, Belmont's student media Web site, which includes hundreds of photos as well as blogs and video segments about the debate and all the activities surrounding it.
• Last night's special election edition of "Saturday Night Live" included an opening segment with several mentions of Belmont University and an image of the Curb Event Center. Click here to watch the eight-minute segment.
• Dr. Andi Stepnick's "Introduction to Sociology" class was featured in a NewsChannel 5 report. Stepnick and her students were interviewed about the agents of socialization, the development of political identity, and the factors that shape political views.
• The Tennessean covered numerous local angles on the debate, including embedding reporter Colby Sledge on campus for most of the past month. Click here to see the paper's complete coverage.
• Archived video of additional local coverage can be found on NewsChannel 5, WSMV 4, WKRN 2 and FOX-17.
Posted October 10, 2008. LINK.
October 08, 2008
Debate08: A Day in Pictures
Bob Schieffer and Harry Smith do an outdoor segment of CBS "The Early Show" in front of the Belmont Mansion.
Moderator Tom Brokaw arrives at the Curb Event Center to conduct final preparations for the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate.
Though the rains made for a wet day, nothing could dampen Debate08 spirit.
Hundreds of visitors came to Belmont's campus to express their support of the candidates.
Senator John McCain was the first to arrive at the Curb Event Center Tuesday for his walk-thru of the facility and a brief greeting of President Fisher.
Senator Barack Obama arrived on campus in early afternoon for his own Debate08 briefing and moment with the university president.
Chris Matthews kept the crowds entertained with live broadcasts throughout the day of his MSNBC show "Hardball."
By early evening all was in place for the debate to begin.
Joined by executives from the Commission on Presidential Debates, Dr. Fisher welcomes the Town Hall participants to Belmont.
Media from all over the world watched the debate closely from the Media Filing Center on the soccer field.
The candidates tackle the issues.
Posted October 08, 2008. LINK.
October 07, 2008
Bredesen, Baker Co-Host Forum on Civility in Politics
CNN's Shaw Moderates Discussion as Prelude to Belmont Presidential Debate
Gov. Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte, former Sen. Howard Baker and the University of Tennessee's Baker Center for Public Policy, Belmont University, the Tennessee Business Roundtable and the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center hosted a forum Monday on civil discourse in American politics as a prelude to the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate.
Former CNN anchor Bernard Shaw moderated the one-hour forum assessing this year's presidential race, posing the key question: “Is Uncivil Discourse Sabotaging American Politics and Governance?” The event featured a panel discussion with nationally known media and political experts at Belmont's Troutt Theater. Participants included Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee; Politico managing editor Bill Nichols, a veteran journalist who has covered six presidential elections; former Democratic Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, now president and CEO of the Association of American Publishers; and Mark Whitaker, senior vice president and Washington bureau chief for NBC News.
“We’re in the homestretch of one of the fiercest and hardest-fought presidential elections in American history,” Bredesen said. “On the eve of Belmont’s Town Hall Presidential Debate, it’s appropriate to hit the pause button to examine the tone and tenor of these campaigns, and hopefully set the tone for a civil conclusion.”
Baker added: “Without civility, without a decent respect for different points of view, our style of government simply will not function. I am proud that the Baker Center is a partner in this important effort to discuss and promote civility.”
Posted October 07, 2008. LINK.
October 04, 2008
Governor, First Lady, Dr. Fisher Welcome Declaration of Independence to Tennessee
Cricket Communications Sponsors Visit of Historic Document on Display at Downtown Library Oct. 4-6
Governor Phil Bredesen, First Lady Andrea Conte and Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher welcomed a rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence to Tennessee during a press conference today in the Grand Reading Room of the Nashville Public Library’s downtown branch.
The document – on public display through October 6 in the library, 615 Church Street – was brought to Nashville by Cricket Communications Inc, a leading provider of unlimited wireless services, in association with Declare Yourself, a nonpartisan youth voter initiative. The arrival in Nashville of America’s founding document has been timed to coincide with the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate at Belmont University on Tues., Oct. 7.
“I am honored to welcome the Declaration of Independence to Nashville for public display,” said Bredesen. “With the 2008 Presidential Election drawing closer and the Presidential Debate at Belmont University just days away, I hope the presence of this historic document will help stir our patriotic spirit and inspire all Tennessee voters to let their voices be heard in November.”
“These are the kinds of things we were dreaming about when we first heard that the debate was coming to Belmont, a celebration of democracy. It's an honor for Belmont University to be included in such a historic event,” said Dr. Bob Fisher, Belmont University president. “The Declaration of Independence reminds us of the noble principles our country was founded upon and puts in perspective the many reasons why the Presidential Debate at Belmont University on Oct. 7 is so meaningful.”
Nashville is the final stop of the Cricket Wireless Declaration Road Trip 2008 on a nationwide tour stressing the importance of exercising the right to vote. It will be on display in the art gallery of the Nashville Public Library’s downtown branch the following dates and times. Admission is free.
• Sat., Oct. 4: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT
• Sun., Oct. 5: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. CDT
• Mon., Oct. 6: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT
Posted October 04, 2008. LINK.
October 02, 2008
Belmont Hosts Vesper Service in Preparation for 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate
Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., is hosting a Vesper Service at Christ Church Cathedral on Sun., Oct. 5 at 4 p.m., two days prior to the Town Hall Presidential Debate in the Curb Event Center on the Belmont campus. President Robert Fisher of Belmont will be presiding. Reverend David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, will deliver the homily on Poverty & Debate08. Bread for the World is a citizens’ anti-hunger movement that focuses on education about hunger and influencing public policies on hunger and poverty.
Also officiating at the service are:
• Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first female bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Very Reverend David R. Perkin, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Nashville
• Reverend Dr. Todd Lake, Vice President for Spiritual Development at Belmont University
Reverend Anne Stevenson of Christ Church Cathedral is serving as host. Music will be provided by Belmont’s College of Visual and Performing Arts under the direction of Dr. Jane Warren.
[MORE]Posted October 02, 2008. LINK.
September 30, 2008
Belmont to Feature Noted Commentators in Interview
Matalin, Carville on www.belmontdebate08.com
Well-known political commentators Mary Matalin and James Carville are set to be Belmont University’s final guests in its “Behind the Scenes at the Presidential Debates” interview series on the official 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate Web site, www.belmontdebate08.com.
The interviews are part of Belmont University’s series of educational programs and events in conjunction with the debate on Oct. 7, 2008, in the Curb Event Center on the Belmont University campus.
Matalin and Carville, who are husband and wife, are best known for their work as political analysts and consultants for some of the most powerful political figures of the last 25 years. In the interviews to be featured exclusively on Belmont University’s Debate08 Web site, Carville and Matalin reveal little-known details and gaffes that happen during preparations for and during debates.
Matalin and Carville worked on opposing political sides during the 1992 campaign in which Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton defeated incumbent President George H.W. Bush and Independent candidate H. Ross Perot. Carville was Clinton’s campaign manager while Matalin served as deputy campaign manager for political operations on Bush’s staff. Matalin has recently served as an assistant to President George W. Bush and as counsel to Vice President Dick Cheney. She was the first White House official to serve in the roles simultaneously. Matalin is a contributing writer for media outlets like Newsweek and the Los Angeles Times. Carville currently works as a consultant on foreign political campaigns. Both Matalin and Carville currently serve as political commentators for various media outlets.
[MORE]Posted September 30, 2008. LINK.
September 26, 2008
Seigenthalers Share Thoughts on Media Ethics in Election08
The Center for Business Ethics and the New Century Journalism Program hosted a full house today in the Frist Lecture Hall as a dialogue between respected journalists John L. Seigenthaler and his son John M. Seigenthaler attracted a standing room only crowd of students, faculty, staff and community members. Pictured (l-r) at right is New Century Journalism Director Dr. Sybril Bennett, John M. Seigenthaler, Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher and John L. Seigenthaler.
Dr. Fisher welcomed attendees and guests, noting that the younger Seigenthaler had long been his favorite broadcaster during his stints as an anchor for NBC and MSNBC. Fisher added, "Nashville's a great community of people, but there's nobody I respect more than John [L.] Seigenthaler. There are going to be more than 3,000 distinguished journalists on this campus soon but none are more distinguished than the two sitting here right now."
Seigenthaler Sr., pictured at left with Director of the Center for Business Ethics Dr. Harry Hollis, opened the discussion with an analysis of the current election coverage. "Through primary debates and media coverage of those debates, we've come to know more about the two presidential candidates than ever before. The media has helped us know these candidates and what they're about. On the other hand, there's been an aggressiveness in this campaign [among the networks] that I think has not been helpful."
Regarding the intense competition between FOX News, MSNBC and CNN, John M. Seigenthaler added, "For cable channels, opinion is king and not the news. There's become a merging now of news content and commentary."
Dr. Bennett has posted clips of the Seigenthalers' conversation on her blog, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Posted September 26, 2008. LINK.
September 25, 2008
Debate08 Emphasizes Green Efforts in Support of Broader Belmont Environmental Initiatives
New recycling bins, alumni office projects add to campus-wide efforts
Celebrations surrounding Belmont University’s hosting of the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate this fall won’t merely be colored in red, white and blue as the university dedicates its efforts to make the event a healthy shade of green as well. Staff members involved in welcoming more than 3,000 campaign workers and media to campus in October are working on a number of ideas to ensure Debate08 promotes environmental sustainability as a vital aspect of good citizenship and an important part of any event planning.
Pamela Johnson, Belmont’s Director of Strategic Marketing and Special Initiatives, said, “Protecting the environment and resource conservation aren’t just huge topics for the candidates to tackle this election season. At Belmont University, these are important issues we’re addressing daily in classrooms and across campus. My hope is that the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate serves as another step forward in our ongoing ‘Belmont Goes Green’ campaign while also inspiring our campus and community with creative examples of how we can all do our part to protect and conserve the environment.”
Several debate-related programs are planned for students and the community to provide insight into the politics of the environment, including Dr. Kelly Tiller’s address on “Economics and the Environment: The Biofuel Controversy” and Peter Kareiva’s talk on “Conservation Strategies that Work.” In addition, to curb paper output, the university is creating an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) for visiting media to use, placing materials like press releases, contact lists and background information on a one gigabyte flash drive rather than using printed pieces.
The EPK will be inserted into a polypropylene bag that is made of recycled materials and is fully recyclable. Plus, the bag itself can be re-used, eliminating the need for plastic bags at grocery stores and other outlets. Identifying tags placed on the bags will use hand-made seed paper, which can literally be planted like normal seeds when removed from the bag. Some paper is being used for Debate08 letterhead, but it is being manufactured by Domtar Cougar, which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as well as being made chlorine free, lignin free and acid-free. In addition, all of the generators being used to power the Media Filing Center will be using an environmentally friendly biodiesel blend.
[MORE]Posted September 25, 2008. LINK.
September 19, 2008
School of Music Visits Steinway & Sons Factory
In early September, a group from the School of Music went to Steinway & Sons in New York City to tour the factory and select a Concert Grand (Model D) for Massey Concert Hall and two Music Room Grands (Model B) for Harton Recital Hall. Piano faculty members Dan Landes, Kris Elsberry, Anthony Belfiglio and Bruce Dudley selected the pianos.
In the selection room, the faculty gave an impromptu performance for the other members of the Belmont group; Dean Cynthia Curtis, Sarah Davis, Friends of the Arts at Belmont Secretary/Treasurer Anne Knestrick and Steinway Piano Gallery of Nashville’s Bill Metcalfe and Brandon Herrenbruck.
The purchase of the pianos is part of the process for the School of Music to become an All-Steinway School.
Posted September 19, 2008. LINK.
SGA President to Address Collegiate Healthcare Conference
Klay Kelley, Belmont University's student body president, will address approximately 100 student government leaders, representing more than one million students from 50 universities nationwide, when they meet in Nashville Oct. 5-7 to discuss healthcare issues.
The student leaders are meeting under the banner of SHOUTAmerica, a new non-profit group created to engage young Americans in the debate over healthcare. The group will convene at the Scarritt-Bennett Center, just blocks from the Oct. 7 presidential debate in Belmont's Curb Event Center.
“This year it will cost $2.4 trillion to fund our healthcare system, which is the world’s most expensive, yet this same system ranks 37th in terms of quality,” said Landon Gibbs, 26, executive director and co-founder of SHOUTAmerica. “It’s clear we need changes that address the rising cost of healthcare – and we believe young people have to lead that discussion, because it is our future that is at risk.”
Conference participants come from 50 different universities, including Harvard, NYU, Columbia, Vanderbilt, Texas and Missouri. At the event, they will meet with U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., and Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, chair of Clinical Bioethics at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health, former member of President Clinton’s Health Care Task Force and author of Healthcare, Guaranteed: A Simple, Secure Solution for America.
[MORE]Posted September 19, 2008. LINK.
September 16, 2008
Former Tennis Standout Recovering From Brain Injury
Matt Harvie, a 1988 Belmont business graduate and former tennis standout, suffered a traumatic brain injury in early June when he fell backwards off a golf cart. Following several surgeries and a month in a coma, Matt was moved to a rehabilitation center in Atlanta to re-learn many basic skills that were impacted by his injuries (talking, walking, eating, etc.). Pictured at right with his parents, Matt was recently released to go home from the rehab facility but still faces another surgery and significant daily outpatient therapy.
A native of Ohio, Matt has lived in Atlanta for several years with his wife Kelly and their five children. Kelly Harvie is using a Web site, www.caringbridge.org/visit/mattharvie, to update family and friends on Matt’s progress. Her entry on Sept. 11, Matt’s first day at home with his family since the June 6 accident, noted, “My devotional verse today was Hebrews 6:15, ‘And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’ I know we aren't finished in this journey, but this is such a wonderful stop along the way! And I feel like the Lord has given us a precious gift!”
Matt is employed in regional sales for Gates Mectrol, a leading manufacturer of synchronous timing belts, timing pulleys and other polymer-based automation components. With the continued expense and logistics of outpatient therapy, a fund has been established to assist the family. Contributions can be sent to Grace Fellowship Church, 1400 Dogwood Road, Snellville, GA 30078 (770.979.7000). On the check memo, please write The Matt Harvie Fund.
Posted September 16, 2008. LINK.
Dickens Provides Seniors Advice for Success
Marty Dickens, chairman of Belmont's Board of Trust and retired President of AT&T, kicked off the "Belmont and Beyond" program series on Monday morning in the Massey Boardroom. Focusing on the topic "Journey to Success," Dickens shared a few guiding life principles with a group of senior students. He opened the convocation by examining the many changes in the world today, especially in the digital realm, noting that the AT&T network last year was processing 10 petabytes of traffic daily or the equivalent of 400 times the digitized contents of the Library of Congress.
Still, despite such technological advances, Dickens emphasized the importance of giving precedence to character over competence. Using both biblical examples and themes from The Wizard of Oz, he said, "To be truly successful, I believe you must balance your smarts with your heart."
Posted September 16, 2008. LINK.
Belmont to Host Seigenthalers for Debate Dialogue
Journalism Veterans to Discuss 'Ethical Responsibility in an Election Year'
![JR_seigenthaler[1].jpg](http://forum.belmont.edu/umac/archives/JR_seigenthaler%5B1%5D.jpg)
The Center for Business Ethics and the new Century Journalism Program will host a lively dialogue between John L. Seigenthaler, award-winning journalist and founder of the First Amendment Center, and his son John M. Seigenthaler, partner and CEO of Seigenthaler Public Relations New York and former NBC news anchor. The dialogue, titled “Ethical Responsibility in an Election Year: Is the Media Helping or Hurting?,” is scheduled for Fri., Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. in the Frist Lecture Hall located on the fourth floor of Belmont's Gordon E. Inman Center.
The Seigenthalers will share an ethical perspective on the media’s coverage of the presidential election and will engage in a dialogue on positive and negative examples of ethics and media coverage. They will also answer questions from the audience consisting of Belmont University students and the larger Middle Tennessee community. This event is free, but seating is limited. Registration is available by clicking here.
John L. Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values. A former president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, Seigenthaler served for 43 years as an award-winning journalist for The Tennessean, Nashville’s daily newspaper. At his retirement he was editor, publisher and CEO and retains the title chairman emeritus. In 1982, he became founding editorial director of USA Today and served in that position for a decade, retiring from both the Nashville and national newspapers in 1991.
[MORE]Posted September 16, 2008. LINK.
September 12, 2008
Callahan Visit Sparks Ethics Discussion on 'Cheating Culture'
Earlier this week David Callahan, author of bestseller The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead and of the new book The Moral Center: How Progressives Can Unite America around Our Shared Values, spoke to a packed house in the Maddox Grand Atrium on "The Cheating Culture: Ethics and Democracy."
The Tennessean interviewed Callahan prior to his lecture. Click here to view an excerpt from that interview.
Callahan has had numerous articles published in The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. He has also been a frequent commentator on CNN, CBS, PBS, MSNBC and FOX News and has been a regular guest on radio talk shows across the United States. He lectures frequently about issues of ethics and integrity to universities, associations and businesses.
Callahan's visit was sponsored by Belmont’s Center for Business Ethics, which seeks to bring people together in the discussion of business ethics, to help empower business leaders to face the current crisis in business ethics and to educate ethical business leaders for a better society. Upcoming events in the Center's Ethics Leadership Speakers Series surrounding the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate include a Sept. 26 conversation with award-winning journalists John Seigenthaler and John Seigenthaler, Jr. on the topic "Ethics and the Presidential Election: Is the Media Helping or Hurting?," an Oct. 21 presentation by author Cynthia Cooper on "Ethical Dilemmas: Power and Money" and a Nov. 6 lecture by economist Jonathan Wight on "The New Administration and the Economy: What Can We Expect?"
Posted September 12, 2008. LINK.
September 11, 2008
Rock the Vote 'Road Trip' Arrives at Belmont Saturday
Melinda Doolittle to Perform in Afternoon Concert
Rock the Vote, the leading organization for youth and politics, will come to Belmont's campus this Saturday afternoon for the kick-off concert of a three-week "Road Trip" designed to fully maximize voter registration, education and engagement efforts in key youth markets. The concert, which will occur from 2-4 p.m. on the South Lawn, will feature performances by Belmont alumna and "American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle along with two Nashville-based bands.
Already, it’s a historic year for Rock the Vote. More than 1.4 million people have registered to vote through www.rockthevote.com, making this the largest youth voter registration drive in history. The Road Trip '08 is a state-of-the-art mobile road show designed to reach out to the nation’s youth via high profile events on college campuses. The Road Trip '08 tour bus has been outfitted with computer kiosks that will assist in voter registration and educate users about the election process. These kiosks will also field requests for absentee ballots, teach users about key issues, inform users about voting poll locations and much more.
“The Road Trip ’08 will take our work to the streets, reaching out to young people in America’s small cities and towns bringing together musicians, politicians and celebrities with the goal of educating and registering new voters and fueling record turn out in November," said Heather Smith, Rock the Vote's executive director.
Posted September 11, 2008. LINK.
Entrepreneurship Program Gains National Top 25 Ranking
From more than 2,300 schools surveyed by Entrepreneur magazine and The Princeton Review, Belmont University was distinguished as having one of the top 25 entrepreneurship programs. Belmont ranked 23rd in the undergraduate category of the survey.
The sixth annual ranking reveals the nation’s Top 25 undergraduate and Top 25 graduate programs for entrepreneurship. Belmont’s ranking can be seen at www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges, along with information on overall trends found with social and environmental entrepreneurship, experiential learning and entrepreneurship as a means of reaching out both internationally and locally.
"Belmont made the commitment to create a quality program in entrepreneurship, and I am proud that we have been able to make so much progress in only five years," said Dr. Jeff Cornwall, director of Belmont's Center for Entrepreneurship and holder of the Jack C. Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship. "To be singled out from the hundreds of universities across the country is a testimony to the support we have gotten from the students, alumni, faculty, staff and administration of Belmont and the Nashville business community."
[MORE]Posted September 11, 2008. LINK.
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