Achievers

Belmont Alum Appointed AP Bureau Chief for Arizona and New Mexico
Belmont alumna and member of the New Century Journalism Advisory Board, Michelle Williams (’89), has been named chief of bureau for the Associated Press (AP) in Arizona and New Mexico. Williams will oversee the AP’s news and business operations and will be based in Phoenix. Williams began her AP career in 1989 as an editorial assistant in the Nashville, Tenn., bureau. She advanced to a reporting position and in 1991 moved to Milwaukee, where she covered the arrest and trial of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. She later served as a correspondent in Chattanooga, Tenn., supervisory correspondent in San Diego and news editor for Tennessee before moving to Texas as news editor in 2003. She was promoted to assistant chief of bureau for Texas in 2006.
Belmont Students and Faculty Prepare for Three-Week Travel-Study Tour of Japan
Belmont University will initiate a new relationship in May with the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, about 50 minutes away from Kyoto. A group of 10 Belmont students with Dr. Jonathan Thorndike, Honors professor, and Dr. John Paine), professor of foreign languages and English, will spend three weeks in Japan. After one week at the JCMU, they will visit Otsu, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Tokyo. The Belmont group will be joined with a group from Michigan State University. The Asian Studies Program at Belmont hopes to offer regular opportunities to study in Japan in the future, either for the May term or for the entire semester at the JCMU. To read more, click here.
Dale Thomas Speaks at Belmont and Beyond
Dale Smith Thomas, motivational speaker and author, spoke in the Massey Boardroom on Wednesday, April 11, as part of the Belmont and Beyond series. She encouraged students to follow their dreams and to live their dream life. Thomas said, “God will not give you a dream that you can’t fulfill,” and she outlined her tips to success: have a good attitude, know who you are, write down your goals and have courage. The program was arranged by the Belmont and Beyond Advisory Group.
Dr. Deborah Baruzzini Presents at the PeopleAdmin National Client Services Conference
Dr. Deborah Nunn Baruzzini, director of organizational development, presented at the PeopleAdmin National Client Services Conference in Austin, Texas, on April 3, 2007. Her session, entitled “Faculty Searches Made Easy”, focused on Belmont’s faculty hiring process, including the online position description, recruiting and applicant tracking functions. PeopleAdmin partners with Belmont University in the development and implementation of the online employment Web site, Belmont Jobs Online.
ATO Raises $1,000 for Blood: Water Mission
The Belmont chapter of ATO recently raised more than $1,000 for Blood: Water Mission during their annual Jail Break. Jail Break is a fundraiser hosted by ATO’s spring pledge class. Two days prior to Jail Break students were able to purchase “warrants” for their friends arrest for $1; $2 was charged for a “get out of jail free card.” Once an individual is put in jail they have to raise 10 dollars to be set free. ATO would like to thank everyone who helped with the event and made donations to Blood: Water Mission.
Pam Parry to Present Academic Paper at Texas Tech’s Definition of Convergence and Integration Conference
Pam Parry, associate professor of journalism, will be presenting an academic paper, “Defining Convergence in an Educational Context” at Texas Tech University’s Definition of Convergence and Integration conference on April 20, in Lubbock, Texas.