May 30, 2007

Birthdays

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@mail.belmont.edu.
Our belated wishes to Nikki Schrimsher, Belmont Central, who celebrated a birthday on June 2.
June 3
Ann Edgin, Library
Mary R. Goodloe, Math/Computer Science
June 4
Jason Rogers, VP of Administration, University Counsel
Michael Strickland, Athletics
Jasmine Taylor, Business
June 8
Casey Alexander, Athletics
Frank Baird, Music
June 9
Bill Pursell, Music
June 11
Susan Williams, Business

May 25, 2007

Photo of the Week

Belmont Celebrates Commencement With Two Ceremonies
Belmont University celebrated its spring 2007 commencement with two separate ceremonies for the first time in Belmont history to accommodate the largest graduating class in Belmont history. Belmont graduate students were honored Friday night in Massey Concert Hall and Belmont undergraduate students received their degrees Saturday morning in the Curb Event Center.
Dr. Richard Hoffman in the School of Music was awarded the Chaney Distinguished Professor Award during Saturday’s ceremony while Dr. John Gonas of the College of Business received the Presidential Achievement Award.

Belmont News

Bruins Baseball Wins a Wild One Against Mercer To Remain Perfect In Tournament
Wilson Tucker hit an enormous three-run homerun to give Belmont its first lead of the game, and Derek Wiley drove in the winning run in the 10th, as Belmont (33-24) defeated Mercer 4-3 in 10 innings to become the only undefeated team remaining in the Atlantic Sun Championship Tournament. Click here to read more.
Belmont Alumna Rachel Smith Competes In Miss Universe
On Monday, May 28, at 8 p.m. CT on NBC, Belmont alumna, Rachel Smith (’06), will compete in the Miss Universe pageant. She was crowned Miss USA in March 2007. For more information on the pageant and on her latest visit to Belmont as Miss USA, click here.
Belmont Students On Missions Blog Their Experiences
Pictured at right: The Belmont nursing team in the Nashville International Airport before departing for Cambodia
Three groups of Belmont University students traveling abroad are using blogs (online journals) to keep daily accounts of their experiences:
The Rio Journal 2007
Belmont’s volleyball team is competing internationally in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will be working with local missionaries and congregations in ministry. Betty Wiseman, senior women’s administrator in the athletics department, is leading the group along with head volleyball coach Dean Webb and assistant volleyball coach Tony Howell.
Mission to Cambodia
Six students from the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing are serving in Cambodia working with local clinics, hospitals and other health professionals. Dr. Sharon Dowdy, assistant professor of nursing, is leading the nursing team.
South Africa Studies Abroad
Twenty students are studying and serving in South Africa and Botswana. Students will be taking classes on social entrepreneurship, writing and religion as they serve others. Students will work with local organizations involved in AIDS prevention and education in Cape Town, South Africa, and Gaborone, Botswana. Dr. Darrell Gwaltney, dean of the School of Religion, leads this team.

Achievers

Belmont, Doolittle Featured on MTV
MTV recently interviewed Dr. Jeff Kirk and Dr. Bob Fisher for a story on 1999 School of Music graduate, Melinda Doolittle. Click here to see the story which aired on MTV News.
University Marketing and Communications Recognized at State Conference
Belmont’s office of University Marketing and Communications received seven awards at the Tennessee College Public Relations Association (TCPRA) annual awards competition. Nearly 200 entries were received from colleges and universities from across the state. UMAC’s awards included:
– Belmont FYI received Gold in the Newsletter Category
– The Housing Guide, designed for Residence Life, received Gold in the Brochure Category.
– The “What’s your Story” piece, designed for Towering Traditions, received Bronze in the Brochure Category.
– The 2006 Presidential Report, “Impact,” received Gold in the Annual Report Category.
– A photograph from Mixed Bill received Gold in the Photography Category.
– A photograph of the Inman Health Sciences Building received Bronze in the Photography Category.
– The 2006 Christmas at Belmont DVD received Silver in the Specialty Item Category.
Belmont Bigs Participate in Fundraiser
The Belmont Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee recently cheered on the Team Rio 2007 half marathon. Team Rio presented by Arby’s is a fund-raising group that recently raised $120,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.
Eight Students Graduate from Engaged Scholars Program
The Engaged Scholars Program graduated eight students during the May commencement ceremony. Those students were Will Daniel Cromer, Kelly Marie Deweese, Brittani Carol Kendrick, Chegameh Korvandi-Geledar, Erin Louise Mullen, Molly Kathleen Smith, Jared Michael Weatherholtz and Brianne Nichole Wells.
Belmont Alumna Leads Mission in El Salvador
Deanna Gardenhire, 2006 Belmont graduate in biochemistry and molecular biology, recently traveled to El Salvador to establish free clinics in two towns. She is in her first year of medical school at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, and is serving on the leadership team of the Christian Medical and Dental Association(CMDA).
Thorndike Receives National Alpha Chi Award
Dr. Jonathan Thorndike was one of ten individuals honored recently at the national convention of Alpha Chi, the national college honor society, as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Thorndike is currently the secretary-treasurer of Region II, is sponsor of the Tennessee Eta chapter at Belmont University and is a professor in the Honors program.

Coming Up

Monday, May 28
Memorial Day Holiday – Belmont University offices will be closed
Monday, June 4
Summer classes begin

Birthdays

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@mail.belmont.edu.
Our belated wishes to David LaPell, Residence Life, who celebrated a birthday on May 16.
May 26
Bo Thomas, University Advancement
May 27
Linda Boyte, Health Sciences
Angela Breedon, Center for Professional Development
Mark Grones, Plant Ops
Kelly Kane, Accounting
May 28
Gary Boling, Career Services
James Cook, Math/Computer Science
May 29
Patricia Jacobs, Career Services
Keith Moore, Music
May 31
Anthony Donovan, Student Affairs
June 3
Ann Edgin, Library
Mary R. Goodloe, Math/Computer Science
June 4
Jason Rogers, VP of Administration, University Counsel
Michael Strickland, Athletics
Jasmine Taylor, Business

May 11, 2007

Belmont FYI will resume in its regular format on Friday, May 25.

Belmont Welcomes Melinda Doolittle Home

Belmont University welcomed alumna and American Idol top-three finalist Melinda Doolittle (’99) home today during her hometown visit to Nashville Friday before performing in the American Idol semifinals next Tuesday.
Belmont proclaimed today “Melinda Doolittle Day” and unveiled a street sign marking “Melinda Doolittle Way” on the Belmont campus. Doolittle sang two songs, talked with the press and signed autographs for fans before leaving Belmont to make other stops in Nashville.

Click “MORE” to see photos of today’s event.

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