June 25, 2009
Student Documentary Featured at Nashville Historical Symposium
Defending Nashville: The Story of Fort Negley, a video documentary produced entirely by Belmont journalism and music students, was the featured presentation at a June 18-20 Civil War symposium at the Fort Negley Visitors Center. Along with the general public, an audience of 135 historians from around the state viewed the 20-minute documentary, giving it high marks for its accuracy and creativity.
“It’s as good as many films that I’ve seen at visitors’ centers in other parks,” said Fort Negley archeologist and doctorial candidate Zada Law. “It’s clear that [the students] did their research.”
The Belmont student team, led by executive producer Melody Drushal and chief writer Erin Carson, also included journalism majors Dena Adams, Amber Garner, Cassidy Hodges and Savannah Packard. The students did all of the research, photography, interviewing, writing and editing in producing the documentary. Music major Tony Steiner, with the assistance of fellow music major Alejandro Medina, performed, composed and/or arranged all music used in the piece.
“I was so impressed in how these students went about doing their respective tasks,” said Fort Negley museum specialist Krista Castillo. “They were always prepared and always professional, and I was amazed at how quickly they grasped the subject and the concept.”
Defending Nashville: The Story of Fort Negley was the 2009 spring semester project for Media Studies instructor Stephan Foust’s Journalism Practicum II class. The Belmont student team partnered with Nashville Metro Parks and the Fort Negley Visitors Center for the project, in cooperation with Franklin’s Charge, the Williamson County historic preservation group that organized the June multi-site symposium.
The documentary can now be seen daily at Fort Negley Park. To see an excerpt of the documentary, visit the BelmontVision.com YouTube Web site.
Posted June 25, 2009. LINK.
Journalism Camp Convenes on Belmont's Campus
The fourth annual New Century Journalism High School Journalism Camp was held on campus this week with several dozen high school students representing seven states. The students were given opportunities to do real world reporting for print and broadcast in conjunction with workshops on such topics as reporting and writing, video shooting and editing, and media ethics.
In addition, the young journalists reported on a simulated crime on campus and took part in a mock press conference with Belmont officials and Metro Nashville police. Partial funding for this year's camp was provided by a grant from the Tennessee Press Association Foundation.
Posted June 25, 2009. LINK.
June 17, 2009
Belmont Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall
Structure to put freshman students in heart of campus
Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher led a team of senior leaders and university partners in breaking ground today on a new 103,000 square foot residence hall in the center of campus. The as-yet-unnamed six-story building will provide housing for approximately 400 freshmen when it is completed next summer, prior to the start of the fall 2010 semester. In addition to offering more housing space, the new facility will provide a unique living-learning community lifestyle by putting all first-year students in the heart of campus.
“Belmont University continues to grow at a remarkable rate, with early enrollment numbers for the coming semester looking strong once again,” Fisher said. “It’s important that Belmont remains student-centered, placing our students’ needs first even as we experience significant enrollment increases. This new residence facility guarantees that Belmont will provide a unique and innovative space to welcome incoming classes into the heart of campus.”
With great demand for on campus housing, the new residence hall will help meet the university’s need for additional housing options for entering freshmen. Belmont's enrollment has increased by nearly 70 percent since 2000, with the fall 2008 enrollment topping 5,000 students. Full-time undergraduate enrollment has increased by more than 2,000 students in the past eight years, and Belmont expects its largest freshman class ever to enter in fall 2009. In addition, higher retention rates and a valued Residence Life program are leading to more upperclassmen wishing to remain in on campus housing.
Anticipated to cost $20 million, the new residence hall will be connected via an underground tunnel to Maple Hall, another freshman residence which opened last year. The building will continue Belmont’s initiatives toward environmental sustainability with water source heat pumps and air conditioning as well as green flooring and paint. Positioned behind Heron and Pembroke Halls and facing the university’s soccer field, the hall will also sport a tower stair case near the center of the building, providing an architectural nod to Belmont’s signature Bell Tower.
The structure will complete the university’s vision to house all first-time students in the center of Belmont’s 75-acre campus. The close proximity to one another and to all academic buildings will provide an ideal learning community for incoming freshman classes. In fact, the new structure will include classroom space on the bottom level to accommodate First Year Seminar courses.
Interim Provost Dr. Marcia McDonald added, “Creating a community for our freshmen at the core of campus will enable us to enhance our living-learning experiences. We anticipate opportunities for extended student-faculty dialogues and exchanges around our innovative First Year Seminars, most of which will be taught in classrooms in these residence halls.”
Nashville-based architect Earl Swensson Associates—the same company that designed Belmont’s Curb Event Center and the Gordon E. Inman Center—will oversee building plans. R.C. Mathews will be the contractor on the year-long project.
Posted June 17, 2009. LINK.
June 09, 2009
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Awards Belmont $100,000 Nursing Scholarship Grant
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program recently awarded Belmont University’s School of Nursing a $100,000 grant in an effort to help alleviate the nursing shortage and increase the diversity of nursing professionals. The scholarships will be awarded to new students who already have a non-nursing college degree and plan to enroll in Belmont’s School of Nursing accelerated program. The intent of the grant is to attract more men, minorities and those who are economically disadvantaged into the field of nursing. All scholarship recipients will participate in an individualized mentoring and leadership program. Since financial aid is limited for students enrolled in accelerated baccalaureate programs, these scholarships will enable students to complete the program who would otherwise be unable to do so.
Associate Professor Dr. Carrie Harvey said, “Prior experience and knowledge enable our accelerated students to successfully complete the rigorous program in four semesters. This track allows students to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 16 months, enabling graduates to enter the nursing workforce quicker. In addition to alleviating the nursing shortage, our graduates possess the skills that allow them to be successful and productive leaders in the field of nursing.”
According to Dr. Chris Algren, associate dean of nursing at Belmont, “Nurse employers value the maturity and experience that graduates of accelerated programs bring to the workplace. The typical accelerated nursing student is motivated, mature and an excellent learner. We are committed to the academic success of students at Belmont and are appreciative to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for assisting us to meet the needs of these students.”
Minimum requirements for scholarship applicants include a prior bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 in core math and science courses, completion of all prerequisites, a commitment to the intensive program, as well as completed applications for Belmont and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Student participants will receive one scholarship during the first year of enrollment in the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Option.
Posted June 09, 2009. LINK.
June 08, 2009
Student-Athletes Earn Seventh Atlantic Sun All-Academic Trophy
For the seventh time in its eight year history as an Atlantic Sun Conference member institution, Belmont University earned the conference’s All-Academic Trophy, the league office announced Monday. Among Belmont's 221 student-athletes, 147 achieved All-Academic honors, giving the university the greatest percentage of All-Academic honorees at 66.5 percent, further solidifying its national reputation for athletic and academic success.
Belmont has enjoyed a departmental GPA of 3.0 or higher for a remarkable 23 consecutive semesters. In fact, in 2007-08, Belmont established a new conference standard for percentage of its student-athletes reaching All-Academic status at 70.31 percent. In 2008-09, nine different Belmont student-athletes received ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors – a new program record. All told, Belmont has garnered Academic All-District recognition a staggering 45 times since joining the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2001-02.
Men’s Tennis carried the department’s highest overall team GPA, with an impressive 3.588. Nearly half of Belmont’s athletic teams sported team GPA’s of over 3.3 for the past academic year. Women’s Golf and Women’s Cross Country had 100 percent of team members earn All-Academic status during their semester of competition.
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country were again recognized by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) in its annual All-Academic Team release; each program perennially ranked among the nation’s Top 10 in team GPA.
In addition, Men’s Basketball saw senior Andy Wicke earn postgraduate scholarships from the NCAA and Atlantic Sun Conference after being named Academic All-American and a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Finalist. In fact, Belmont and reigning National Champion North Carolina are the only two institutions in Division-I men's basketball to win 20 or more games, earn postseason play and make the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Recognition List each of the last four years. Men’s Soccer, Baseball and Women’s Golf also made the 2008-09 APR List.
“We continue to marvel at the vast achievement of our student-athletes,” Belmont University Director of Athletics Mike Strickland said. “Embodying lofty standards in the classroom while also competing for and winning championships on the field of play is something that merits high praise.”
Mercer University finished second with 64.08 percent.
To be named an A-Sun All-Academic, a student-athlete must achieve a 3.0 or higher in the classroom during their semester of competition. The student-athlete must participate in a conference sponsored sport and be on the team's final squad list. The sports sponsored by conference members are cross-country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, softball, baseball, indoor and outdoor track & field.
Posted June 08, 2009. LINK.
June 04, 2009
Vol State-Belmont Nursing Program Graduates First Students
Holly Andrews, pictured at right, walked across the stage at Belmont University not just as a happy graduate, but also the first of her kind. She is in the first group of students to complete the nursing program in a partnership between Belmont University and Volunteer State Community College. The mother of four made the career choice because of the important role nurses played while she was delivering her children in the hospital.
“I thought: I could do that for the rest of my life. It was just getting up the nerve to do it,” Andrews said.
Andrews is joined by Jordan Banks and Jessica Brazil as the first Vol State group to graduate from the program. They took a set of classes at Vol State that matched up to Belmont nursing requirements. After graduation from Vol State and acceptance into the Belmont program, all of their courses transferred to the bachelor’s of science in nursing degree. Vol State administrators say the program is continuing to grow in popularity.
“Belmont, of course, is a premier institution,” said Dean Nancy Morris. “The students in all of their medical programs get high scores. They have state of the art facilities and a low student to professor ratio.”
Posted June 04, 2009. LINK.
Belmont University Office of Human Resources Receives Excellence Award
Belmont University and First Tennessee Bank won top honors in the eighth annual HR Excellence Program hosted by the Middle Tennessee Society of Human Resource Management (MT|SHRM) and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Winners will be recognized at a luncheon on Thurs., June 18, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cool Springs Embassy Suites.
The 2009 HR Excellence Award went to Belmont University, a Nashville educational institution known for its innovative graduate programs. First Tennessee Bank, one of the leading financial institutions in the region, won a Facet Award for Human Resource management practices.
Launched in 2002, the HR Excellence Program recognizes organizations in Middle Tennessee with outstanding human resources programs. Businesses are invited to self-nominate for the honor each year and are evaluated on proficiency in five areas: strategy; management practices; employee education, training and development; performance measurement; and employee well-being and engagement. The Facet of HR Excellence Award recognizes excellence in one of the above five criteria. Sponsors of the 2009 HR Excellence Award program include Lee Hecht Harrison, Humana, Nashville Business Journal and Ogletree Deakins.
“Any business leader or HR professional who is serious about improving business results will want to get involved in the HR Excellence Program,” said Denis Blackwelder, Corporate Development Director, Vice President at Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon. “Attending the luncheon is a great way to learn more.”
For more information about the HR Excellence Awards luncheon or to register to attend, visit www.mtshrm.org. Cost for Nashville Area Chamber or MT|SHRM members is $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Cost for non-members is $35 in advance; $40 at the door. Corporate tables are also available.
The Middle Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management (MT|SHRM) is a not for profit association with more than 750 Human Resource (HR) professionals practicing in business, education and government. MT|SHRM has been recognized consistently by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as a Superior Merit Award Chapter for excellence in operations and service to members. For more information visit the MT|SHRM website at www.mtshrm.org.
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing 2,500 member companies. Together with its affiliates, the Nashville Chamber works to strengthen the region’s business climate and to enhance Nashville’s position as a desirable place to live, work and visit. For more information, visit www.NashvilleChamber.com.
Posted June 04, 2009. LINK.
June 02, 2009
Class Takes Cross-Country Summer Road Trip to Re-Discover America
Students to travel 40 days, 9,300+ miles to define what it means to be an American
Planning to tour “The United States in 40 Days,” 10 Belmont University students and two faculty members will board a chartered sleeper bus June 6 to begin a 9,300+ mile, cross-country journey in an attempt to answer the question, “What Does It Mean to Be an American?” The class will travel through 40 states on this first-of-its-kind, study-at-home journey, chronicling their experiences on a daily blog as they visit sites of national and historical significance and encounter “local culture” everywhere from the Deep South to the West Coast to the Northeast and all points in between.
Sociology Department Chair Dr. Ken Spring first conceived of the class more than two years ago and has been working ever since on brainstorming the class’s structure and planning the logistical details of the trip. “Each place we’re going to visit provides a snapshot into our history, and together, they provide a glimpse into our future,” Spring said. “By understanding our own land, our own ideas and how they came about, we better understand what it means when someone proudly proclaims themselves an American.”
Constructed to include cultural and economic epicenters, iconic landmarks and places of special interest, “The United States in 40 Days” will involve at least one full day of exploration and discovery at each stop as well as an evening discussion of the uniqueness of each place along with the larger themes at play: politics, religion, education, identity, media, the economy, family, race, gender, etc. Upon signing up for the class, each student was assigned three stops on the trip and made responsible for documenting the location’s history and biography along with determining potential site visits for their assigned locations. The students will also facilitate evening discussions in the stops for which they are responsible.
The summer experience will be offered as two classes for a total of six credit hours: three in Cultural Sociology (Sociology 3990 or Junior Cornerstone 3015) and three in Third-Year Writing (English 3010). In the longstanding tradition of Belmont service learning, at least three stops on the trip will also include community service projects with students working at a soup kitchen in New Orleans and a homeless shelter in San Francisco, among other volunteer efforts.
Assistant Professor of English and Director of the Belmont Writing Center Dr. Bonnie Smith will be teaching her Third Year Writing students about Travel Stories online, facilitating blog discussions and encouraging students in their attempts to understand and convey a sense of “place.” Smith said, “Americans as diverse as Walt Whitman, Jack Kerouac, Paul Simon and Sarah Vowell have used writing and research to tell stories about their times on the road. The course I’m teaching is an advanced writing course required of all Belmont students, and this section will focus on the stories we Americans have told and continue to tell ourselves about what a road trip across our vast and varied land means to us.”
[MORE]Posted June 02, 2009. LINK.
