May 14, 2008
Alexander Receives Fulbright Award
Belmont University announces that Dr. Joe Alexander, associate dean of The Jack C. Massey Graduate School, will spend part of this summer in Japan through an award from the Fulbright Scholar Program, the U.S. government’s flagship academic exchange program. Administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), the Fulbright program includes a network of bi-national Fulbright Commissions in 50 countries and 90 U.S. diplomatic posts around the world, as well as international universities and higher education associations.
Alexander’s award is part of the U.S.-Japan International Education Administrators Program, an initiative designed to familiarize participants with higher education, society and culture in Japan. It consists of briefings, campus visits, appointments with selected government officials, cultural activities and meetings with Japanese international education professionals. Other 2008 award recipients joining Alexander include administrators from the University of Minnesota, Pace University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Rochester and Webster University.
"As one of the world’s largest national economies, Japan continues to play a significant role in shaping global business practice," Alexander said. "I hope to further strengthen Massey’s graduate business programs through this experience." Belmont maintains one of the few graduate business programs in the U.S. to require an international study-abroad experience for each of its graduate students.
Prior to his Belmont administrative appointment in July 2007, Alexander served as dean of the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado (2001 – 2007) where he led the program to receipt of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—the first college to ever earn that recognition from the President of the United States. He currently serves as chair-elect of the board of directors for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Foundation and also serves on the boards of directors for the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence and the Monfort Institute.
Alexander’s research has been published in a variety of journals, including the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management and Journal of Marketing Education. He has also received numerous teaching awards over the years, and in 2006, received the University of Northern Colorado’s overall Award for Academic Excellence Leadership. Alexander earned his doctorate and master’s degrees in business administration from what is now the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Harding University.
Posted May 14, 2008. LINK.
May 13, 2008
New Book by Fishers Offers Insights from Hospice Patients
Authors to Sign Books at Davis-Kidd Thurs., May 22, 7 p.m.; Percentage of authors’ royalties to go to Alive Hospice
Dr. Bob Fisher, president of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and his wife, Judy, are releasing, Life is a Gift: Inspiration from the Soon Departed (FaithWords, Hachette Book Group USA), on May 20, 2008, featuring a collection of interviews and lessons learned from 104 terminally ill patients of Alive Hospice in Nashville. FaithWords will hold a book signing for the Fishers at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville, Green Hills Mall, on Thurs., May 22 at 7 p.m.
During the course of their interviews, the Fishers spoke with a wide range of terminal patients of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Though each person had a unique story, each accepted death as an unavoidable fact. All of the 104 patients the Fishers interviewed have since died.
“We wanted to glean the wisdom of those who are ‘near-to-death,’” the Fishers wrote in Life is a Gift. “You’ve heard stories of people who have a near-death experience and change their way of thinking about the world… In our talking to the soon-departed, it was our goal to have an experience of being ‘near-to-death’ and to see where it led us.”
Alive Hospice President and CEO Janet Jones said, “When I read this book, I was so inspired by the messages the people we were privileged to serve left with us. What a gift this book is to all of us about how to live our lives to the fullest. Bob and Judy Fisher's ability to lovingly be present during these conversations and allow the individuals to express their core feelings and then grasp them in the story is nothing short of miraculous."
Twenty-five percent of the authors’ royalties will go to Alive Hospice, www.alivehospice.org.
The conversations with patients like 5-year-old Maddie or the 98-year-old man who spent his last weeks learning Hungarian followed a standard question-and-answer formula: What are you most proud of? What has been your greatest joy? What has been your greatest disappointment? What’s the most important thing you’ve ever done? What do you regret? What comes next for you? If you could give one message to the world, what would it be?
[MORE]Posted May 13, 2008. LINK.
May 09, 2008
Belmont Signs 'Turning the Tide of Technology' Initiative
The Nashville Technology Council, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Belmont University, 13 other local academic organizations and more than 50 area businesses recently launched their “Turning the Tide of Technology” initiative. The launch of the initiative was made official yesterday with each participant signing a charter agreement. Assistant Provost Glenn Acree, pictured signing the initiative, serves on the Tech Council's Board of Directors.
The charter solidified a working partnership to continually raise awareness in the student community, enhance education programs and provide career opportunities to meet the workforce needs of Middle Tennessee. By signing the charter, organizations agreed to support and contribute to the overall success of the initiative.
“The signing of the charter agreement is an important step needed to aid in the continued growth of the Middle Tennessee technology community,” said Jeff Costantine, president, Nashville Technology Council. “The objectives of the initiative include, creating student interest in technology, raising student enrollment in technology related fields of study, addressing the rising demand of technology resources and working to align graduate skills to meet business demand to help fill area technology jobs.”
[MORE]Posted May 09, 2008. LINK.
May 05, 2008
Belmont to Hold Spring 2008 Commencement
Belmont University will hold its spring 2008 commencement with two separate ceremonies. Belmont graduate students will be honored Fri., May 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Massey Concert Hall, while undergraduates will receive their degrees on Sat., May 10 at 10 a.m. in the Curb Event Center.
Belmont will celebrate the graduation of a total of 661 students, marking the largest graduation in the university’s history to date. During the graduation ceremonies, 551 undergraduate, 98 master’s and 12 doctoral degrees will be conferred. Tickets, which have been distributed to the graduating students, will be required for guests wishing to attend either event.
Dr. Robert C. Fisher, president of the University, will preside over both events and present the graduates with their degrees as well as provide commencement remarks.
Posted May 05, 2008. LINK.
May 02, 2008
Belmont Launches Town Hall Presidential Debate Web Site
Belmont University officially launched the online home for the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate at at www.belmontdebate08.com. The debate will be held in the Curb Event Center on the Belmont campus on Tues., Oct. 7.
The site features news, programming information and campus updates for the Belmont community, neighbors and up-to-3,000 members of media who are expected on campus for the debate. The site will be updated regularly leading up to the debate and throughout the 2008-09 academic year as Belmont has planned special academic programming centered around the university’s role as the debate host site.
The site was created by local Nashville company, centre{source}, a full-service Interactive Strategy firm, delivering results in strategy, planning and execution of Internet-related initiatives. With clients worldwide and centrally located in Nashville, centre{source} provides a wealth of expertise and web design solutions to strategically harness the power of today's online opportunities. The company's point person for creating the site for Belmont is Director of Technology Chip Hayner, a 2004 Belmont graduate. More about the firm can be found on its Web site: www.centresource.com
Posted May 02, 2008. LINK.
April 30, 2008
Belmont Honors Scholar-Athletes at Reception
Aptly dubbed by Belmont University Faculty Athletics Representative Rich Tiner "one of the most enjoyable gatherings of the academic year," the Bruin Athletic Department recently acknowledged its most distinguished student-athletes in its annual Scholar-Athlete Reception.
Organized by Academic Compliance Officer Colette Keyser, Academic Coordinator Renee Rice, and emceed by Tiner, the reception honored BU student-athletes for outstanding academic achievement and recognized members of the campus community for their support and positive example.
Among the highlights of the morning was faculty member Dr. John Gonas and Curb Event Center General Manager Ron Jackson each receiving the SAAC Academic Inspiration Award.
Men's basketball's Justin Hare, men's cross country and track's Ben McGlothlin and Will Peters, women's cross country and track's Elizabeth Smothers and women's tennis' Kenny Pence were multiple award winners.
Hare (pictured with Dr. Fisher above right) and women's cross country and track standout Lauren Weaver (above left) also received the President's Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award from Dr. Robert C. Fisher. Click here for a complete list of honorees.
Posted April 30, 2008. LINK.
Biology Department to Offer ‘Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies’ 2008 Summer Camp
This summer Dr. Steve Murphree, professor of biology at Belmont University, will again offer school-age children the opportunity to explore the insect world by attending one of the 2008 “Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies” summer camp sessions on Belmont’s campus.
An introduction to the biology of insects and other arthropods, camp courses will explore how they live, where they can be found and the potential benefit or harm they represent. Short field trips on the Belmont campus will be taken daily. Children are encouraged to bring in insects for discussion, and materials such as field guides and collecting equipment will be provided. The cost for students will be $75 per child for grades 1-3 and $100 for grades 4-6 (Children and grandchildren of Belmont faculty, staff and students can attend for $25 per student).
CAMP DATES:
June 9-13 & June 16-20: Children entering grades 1-3 in Fall 2008
Monday thru Friday from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
July 14-18 & July 21-25: Children entering grades 4-6 in Fall 2008
Monday thru Friday from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Class sizes will range from 10-20 students. All classes will meet on the Belmont University campus in the Hitch Science Building, room 309, and refreshments will be provided. Parents may register their child/children by obtaining a registration form from the web site at: www.belmont.edu/biology/bbb/ or by requesting one from the Biology department, 615/460-6431. Places in classes will be reserved in the order in which the forms are received.
Posted April 30, 2008. LINK.
April 28, 2008
Steinway & Sons Receive Applause Award at President’s Concert
On Sat., April 26, Belmont University President Bob Fisher presented the 2008 Applause Award to Steinway & Sons, an occasion which also served as the official announcement of Belmont’s intent to become an “All-Steinway School” with the purchase of approximately 70 additional pianos from Steinway. The new pianos will be used in Belmont performance venues, practice rooms and faculty studios. The funds to replace older instruments and to purchase the new Steinway additions represent a gift of more than $2 million from the Merrydale Woods estate, a bequest which will also provide new endowed scholarships for future piano students.
Belmont is one of only 88 colleges, universities, conservatories or schools world-wide to have the distinction of being an All-Steinway School. Other All-Steinway representatives include Julliard and the Yale School of Music. All-Steinway Schools must demonstrate a commitment to excellence by providing their students and faculties with the best equipment possible for the study of music. With the purchase of new pianos, Belmont’s highly acclaimed School of Music will boast only Steinway-designed pianos throughout campus.
Dr. Cynthia Curtis, Dean of Belmont’s School of Music, said, “The School of Music is proud to join the distinguished list of institutions that are All-Steinway. With this decision we provide our students with the finest pianos for both practice and performance. The generous and greatly appreciated gift of Merrydale Woods will live on in the education of Belmont music students.”
Click here to read more on this story. Click here for additional information on the Steinway site as well as a photo of the Applause Award presentation.
Posted April 28, 2008. LINK.
Nashville Educators Invited to East Asia Seminar
Belmont University, in cooperation with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, will host a statewide East Asia history and culture seminar for librarians, administrators, elementary, high school and middle school teachers of World History, World Geography, World Literature or Art to be held June 9-20. The purpose of the seminar is to increase educators’ knowledge of the histories and cultures of these countries. Stipends for qualified educators are available, as well as hundreds of dollars worth of free curriculum materials.
Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn, Chair of the Philosophy Department and Director of Asian Studies at Belmont University, will be the seminar leader. Littlejohn has published several books and articles on comparative and Chinese philosophy and won numerous teaching awards and professional honors. Lucien Ellington, Co-Director of the Asia Program at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), will serve as guest lecturer.
Nashville has been selected as one of two Tennessee sites for this seminar on China, Japan and Korea. A concurrent seminar is being held in Chattanooga on alternate days. This is the 10th consecutive year that funding for these seminars has been provided by the Freeman Foundation, the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) and the East Asian Curriculum Project of Columbia University.
[MORE]Posted April 28, 2008. LINK.
April 24, 2008
Student-Athletes Recognized Nationally for Academic Achievement
Three Belmont University athletic teams were honored by the NCAA Thursday in its annual Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Recognition Awards.
Belmont men’s basketball, men’s soccer and men’s tennis each ranked in the top 10 percent within their respective sports nationwide among NCAA Division-I programs for their academic progress rate as determined by the NCAA. The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
Testament to its commitment to success on the court and in the classroom, Belmont is one of only four institutions in Division-I men’s basketball to make the APR top 10 percent list and earn a berth to the NCAA Championship Tournament each of the last three years: Belmont, Davidson, North Carolina and Villanova. For the 2007-08 season, 33 institutions boasted APRs in the top 10 percent, of which just 10 made NCAA tournament appearances. There are 341 institutions playing NCAA Division-I men’s basketball.
Moreover, each of Belmont’s top three career scorers for its NCAA-era – Wes Burtner, Justin Hare and Adam Mark – have been named to multiple ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America teams.
“Belmont student-athletes are continuing with their remarkable levels of achievement,” Belmont University President Bob Fisher said. “We are pleased that the extraordinary efforts put forth by our student-athletes, coaches, and athletics’ staff to excel both in the classroom and on the playing field have been recognized by the NCAA.”
[MORE]Posted April 24, 2008. LINK.
April 22, 2008
Belmont Plans Innovative, Debate-Related Programming for 2008-09
Distinguished Guests Ken Burns and David McCullough to Speak; Other Major Programming Planned to Explore Historical and Current Democratic Issues
With less than six months before the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate on Oct. 7, Belmont University is busy planning special debate-related programming for the 2008-09 academic year for Belmont students and the Nashville community. Most notably, award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns (right) and historian, New York Times bestselling author and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough (below left) will appear on campus as special guests during this momentous year at Belmont. Burns will speak on Sept. 30, 2008, and McCullough will follow up in the spring semester on March 19, 2009.
Belmont is also launching a new Web site specifically for the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, located at www.belmontdebate08.com. The site, which will launch the week of May 1, will feature news, programming information and campus updates for the Belmont community, neighbors and up-to-3,000 media expected on campus for the debate.
“The opportunity to host the Town Hall Presidential Debate provides an invaluable educational experience to our students, allowing them to observe firsthand our nation’s political process and to be participants in American history,” said Belmont Provost Dan McAlexander. “Bringing such distinguished guests as Ken Burns and David McCullough on campus is just one component of the debate experience we plan to offer our students.”
A task force of faculty and staff from Belmont, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University, Volunteer State Community College, Trevecca University and Nashville State Technical Community College has formed to create several opportunities for city-wide learning centered on Belmont’s role as Town Hall Presidential Debate host site. While Belmont is in the unique role of host site for the debate, this consortium with other schools celebrates the opportunity this debate offers Nashville and Tennessee – an occasion never before experienced in the city or state that has produced three American presidents (Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson).
A variety of speaker series, visual and performing arts programs, and activities and events designed specifically for students at Belmont and city-wide are slated for the 2008-09 school year. The Key Issues Speaker Series will bring an array of experts to campus to discuss issues of importance to voters in this election year: energy, the environment, entrepreneurship, health care, media and religion. Speakers will include Belmont faculty and special guests distinguished in their respective fields.
[MORE]Posted April 22, 2008. LINK.
April 21, 2008
James Loewen to Provide BURS Keynote Address
The 2008 Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium (BURS) will be held this Thurs., April 24, with keynote speaker author James Loewen providing his address at 5:30 p.m. in Troutt Theater. Student presentations will be held throughout the afternoon and evening at locations across campus. Click here to view the complete BURS schedule.
BURS provides undergraduates an opportunity to conduct independent research and present it to a community of peers. Each spring students at Belmont gather to present their findings, listen to eminent speakers and enjoy the company of fellow researchers.
Loewen's gripping retelling of American history as it should, and could, be taught, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your High School History Textbook Got Wrong, has sold more than 800,000 copies and continues to inspire K-16 teachers to get students to challenge, rather than memorize, their textbooks. The book has been chosen as the common book for the 2008-09 First Year Seminar at Belmont. Loewen taught race relations for 20 years at the University of Vermont. He now lives in Washington, D.C., continuing his research on how Americans remember their past.
Posted April 21, 2008. LINK.
Belmont University to Become ‘All Steinway School’ Thanks to $2 Million Merrydale Woods Bequest
Steinway & Sons to receive Applause Award at President’s Concert
On Sat., April 26, Belmont University President Bob Fisher will present the 2008 Applause Award to Steinway & Sons, an occasion which will also officially announce Belmont’s intent to become an “All-Steinway School” with the purchase of approximately 70 additional pianos from Steinway. The new pianos will be used in Belmont 
performance venues, practice rooms and faculty studios. The funds to replace older instruments and to purchase the new Steinway additions represent a gift of more than $2 million from the Merrydale Woods estate, a bequest which will also provide new endowed scholarships for future piano students.
Belmont is one of only 88 colleges, universities, conservatories or schools world-wide to have the distinction of being an All-Steinway School. Other All-Steinway representatives include Julliard and the Yale School of Music. All-Steinway Schools must demonstrate a commitment to excellence by providing their students and faculties with the best equipment possible for the study of music. With the purchase of new pianos, Belmont’s highly acclaimed School of Music will boast only Steinway-designed pianos throughout campus.
Dr. Cynthia Curtis, Dean of Belmont’s School of Music, said, “The School of Music is proud to join the distinguished list of institutions that are All-Steinway. With this decision we provide our students with the finest pianos for both practice and performance. The generous and greatly appreciated gift of Merrydale Woods will live on in the education of Belmont music students.”
[MORE]Posted April 21, 2008. LINK.
University Honors Students, Faculty at Annual Scholarship and Awards Day
Belmont University recognized students and faculty at Monday's annual Scholarship and Awards Day ceremony. Students honored in the ceremony included:
Ben Sanfilippo,Calvin Webster - Recipients, The Williams-Murray First Year Writing Awards
Nora McCook,William Peters - The Alfred Leland Crabb Awards
Cody Badaracca, Nora McCook, James McLendon - The Stacy Awalt Writing Awards
Liz Komoromi - The Annette Sisson First Year Seminar Writing Award
Kayla Lyftogt (pictured right) - The John Williams Heart of Belmont Award
Raychel McKelvy - The First Year Award, Leadership
Timothy Harms - The Second Year Award, Leadership
Amy L. Valentine - The Third Year Award, Leadership
Jennifer L. Stepaniuk - The Fourth Year Award, Leadership
Retiring faculty member Dr. Stephen Campbell (Mathematics) was also recognized for 37 years of service to Belmont.
Posted April 21, 2008. LINK.
April 17, 2008
Nashville’s Largest Latin Street Fair Returns to Campus May 3
Belmont University presents the fourth annual “Fiesta Belmont: Nashville's Latin Music Street Fair” on Sat., May 3 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., celebrating the traditions of Latin culture. Made possible through the generous contribution of Sam’s Club, the street fair features a day-long schedule of Latin music performances, Latin food vendors, activities for children and Latin dance groups. Admission to the event on the Belmont University campus is free.
The event features family and local business vendors who will be supplying Columbian, South American, Caribbean and Hispanic food. Entertainment includes traditional folkloric dancers, along with a wide variety of Latin music such as mariachi, conjunto/cumbias and salsa from Nashville’s top professional Latin local bands. Kids can enjoy activities like piñatas, face painting and inflatable slides.
"This event celebrates the diversity that is becoming Nashville. It mirrors the authentic Latin Street Fairs of my childhood in New Mexico, showcasing local music and incredible food. This event has become a major annual activity for Belmont University, providing a positive showcase for culture, food and interaction within the community," said Dr. David Herrera, Fiesta Belmont event director and instructor in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.
[MORE]Posted April 17, 2008. LINK.
April 15, 2008
International Country Music Conference Celebrates 25th Year
Conference to Be Held at Belmont May 22-24
The 25th Annual International Country Music Conference (ICMC), co-chaired by James Akenson and Belmont Professor of Music Business Don Cusic, will be held on campus May 22-24. The annual conference is a premier event for country music scholars and enthusiasts alike, celebrating the diverse history of country music through educational and entertaining presentations and panels.
"The International Country Music Conference is the premier academic event for those studying and writing about country music," said Cusic. "It is appropriate that ICMC is held at Nashville's Belmont University. Chet Atkins, one of the 'fathers' of Music Row and the Nashville Sound, once said about country music, 'they should study this in college.' Well, now we do, and the ICMC is the center of that universe."
Conference presenters span all facets of the country music community, including representatives from academic institutions, the media, historians, public libraries and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Registration for ICMC is $100 and includes breakfast and lunch. Registration materials must be received by Fri., May 16. Checks should be sent to James Akenson, Box 5042, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tennessee 38505. For more information on the conference, including a complete schedule, visit www.internationalcountrymusic.org.
Posted April 15, 2008. LINK.
CMT Fans Vote Adkins, Pickler, Swift as Big Winners at ‘2008 CMT Music Awards’
In a night filled with surprises, Trace Adkins (“I’ve Got My Game On”), Taylor Swift ("Our Song") and Kellie Pickler (“I Wonder”) emerged as the evening’s biggest winners at the “2008 CMT Music Awards,” which was broadcast live for the third straight year from the Curb Event Center at Belmont University.
More than 9.1 million viewers tuned in for the premiere and repeat telecasts of the show, and traffic on CMT.com hit record highs the day following the telecast, breaking all previous records for page views, uniques and streams. According to Nielsen Media Research, the two-and-a-half hour "2008 CMT Music Awards" scored a 1.27 rating among people age 18-49 up more than 35 percent from last year. In addition, more than 11.1 million viewers cumulative tuned in Monday for related programming, including the live CMT Music Awards Red Carpet show, which was filmed on the Belmont University sidewalk on Belmont Boulevard.
Adkins took home top honors for Male Video of the Year (“I’ve Got My Game On”); Taylor Swift won Female Video of the Year (“Our Song”); Rascal Flatts won Group Video of the Year (“Take Me There”); Sugarland won Duo Video of the Year (“Stay”); and Taylor Swift won Video of the Year (“Our Song”). Pickler won the first awards of her professional career with three CMT buckles for USA Weekend Breakthrough, Performance and Tearjerker Video of the Year for the video “I Wonder.” She accepted the accolades via satellite from Scottsdale, Ariz., where she had a concert.
Hosted by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, the “2008 CMT Music Awards” kicked off with a special “red-carpet” broadcast of the various artists arriving at the venue on Belmont Boulevard. Fans lined the streets and the steps leading to the Maddox Grand Atrium to get a first-hand glimpse of their favorite performers.
Keith Urban, joined by Brooks & Dunn, ignited the live show with Urban’s “Raise the Barn,” followed by a fantastic musical number by LeAnn Rimes in which she re-created the video for her nominated song “Nothin’ Better to Do.” Rascal Flatts performed latest single, “Bob That Head,” which featured user-generated clips from fans who “sang along” during the chorus.
In addition, a number of powerful performances marked the evening, as Sugarland was joined by tour mates Little Big Town and Jake Owen for their cover of “Life in a Northern Town”; Tim McGraw with wife Faith Hill sang their duet “I Need You”; Alan Jackson performed his newest single “Good Time”; hosts Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus performed the duet “Ready, Set, Don’t Go”; special guest Hank Williams Jr. joined Brad Paisley on Paisley’s song “I’m Still a Guy”; Taylor Swift rocked her single “Picture to Burn”; Toby Keith performed his newest hit, “She’s a Hottie”; Kenny Chesney sang “Never Wanted Nothing More”; and Carrie Underwood closed the show with her hit, “All-American Girl.”
For the first time, the show also featured a side stage that included such up-and-coming artists as Bucky Covington, James Otto, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Ashton Shepherd and Chuck Wicks. Visit CMT.com for a complete list of winners as well as exclusive content from the evening and a listing of encore airings of the show and the red carpet special.
Click the more button below to see additional photos from the event.
[MORE]Posted April 15, 2008. LINK.
Author Jim Wallis to Speak on Faith and Politics April 24
New York Times-bestselling author Jim Wallis will bring his message on politics, religion and justice to the Belmont University campus on April 24 at 7:30 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Belmont Heights Baptist Church sanctuary and will include a short in-the-round style concert by acclaimed and Grammy-winning Nashville singer songwriters Ashley Cleveland and Marcus Hummon, as well as a book signing by Wallis at the conclusion of the event.
Wallis follows up his New York Times bestseller God’s Politics with a call to action for people who want to address urgent problems that politics has failed to solve. His new book, The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America, released in January and heralds a new era for faith and politics.
Wallis said, “God’s Politics called on people to take back their faith after it had been ‘hijacked’ by the Religious Right. Millions of Christians have done just that, and now the question is what are we going to do with our faith, now that we have it back? My new book, The Great Awakening, addresses that new question.”
Dr. Todd Lake, the vice president of spiritual development at Belmont, explained that Wallis’ ideas and remarks couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. “We are in the midst of an election year in which all of these issues are 
dominating news coverage,” Lake said. “Jim’s book, and his talk at Belmont, will give us another forum to wrestle with how conversations of social issues and political quandaries directly relate to faith. This will be an evening to fully engage the mind and the spirit.”
In his new book, Wallis revisits spiritual revivals and movements throughout history that led to great social change, ultimately concluding the world is on the verge of the next Great Awakening. He then addresses seven moral issues that are and will be critical to such conversations: global and domestic poverty, the environment and climate change, pandemic diseases, human rights, health care, war and peace. Wallis explains that only a revival of faith can spark the necessary changes in public opinion and political will on those key agendas, and that spiritual transformation is necessary for social change.
Posted April 15, 2008. LINK.
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