September 28, 2007

Photo of the Week

New Theater Opens with Gala Celebration
Belmont University opened its new theater complex this past weekend with an invitation-only, black-tie Gala Celebration. The inaugural production in the 350-seat Troutt Theater featured William Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing, a collaboration between the Belmont Theater Department and the Nashville-based Actors Bridge Ensemble. Actors Bridge has a long history with Belmont as the ensemble was founded in 1995 as a training program in the university’s Little Theatre. For more on this story, click here.

Belmont News

Billionaire Dennis Bakke Speaks on ‘Joy at Work’
Billionaire Dennis Bakke, co-founder and former president/CEO of the AES Corporation, spoke at Belmont this week, detailing the ideas behind his New York Times best-selling book, Joy at Work: A Revolutionary Approach to Fun on the Job. Bakke founded AES in 1981, helping to build the international energy corporation into a multi-billion dollar company with 40,000 employees in 31 countries. Co-sponsored by the Belmont Center for Business Ethics and the Office of Spiritual Development, Bakke led a networking reception and lecture Tuesday night for local business leaders and spoke again at a convocation in Neely on Wednesday.
“Making money is absolutely essential to running a business,” Bakke said. “But it’s not the purpose for the business. It’s not the reason the business exists. Our purpose should be to do something useful for society, to serve.”
Bakke concluded his talk on Wednesday by discussing the qualities necessary to be a great leader: humility and love. “Be the best in the world as a manager but don’t confuse it with leadership. Management is about control while leadership is about freedom, freeing people to make decisions.”
Curb College Announces 2007 Christian Showcase Winner
Freshman commercial voice major Jordan Kyle won Sunday night’s 2007 Christian Showcase, “Resonate.” The show, which was produced by music business majors Luke McElroy and Brittany Parks, featured four talented acts in an evening of praise and worship.
Kyle, a St. Louis native, began playing violin in the third grade and was concertmaster of the symphonic orchestra in high school. After fracturing his wrist while playing football in high school, Kyle began teaching himself to play guitar. His set for the showcase included “Solid Rock,” “Just Till Noon” and “Astounded.” Other Belmont talent featured at Resonate included artist/performers Katie Redding, Joshua Eric Wright and Hana Wishy.
The Christian Showcase was the first in a series of six concerts presented during the academic year by students within the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Produced and managed by university students, the series has become a living laboratory for concert production and promotion, artist management and sound reinforcement skill development.
The Urban/Pop Showcase, the next production in the series, will take place on Sat., Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Curb Event Center.

Achievers

Smith Designated Certified Mail Manager
Veronica Smith, Belmont’s mail services supervisor, was recently awarded the highest honor of professional achievement available for in-house mail managers from the In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association, according to IPMA Administrative Director Carma Goin. Smith has been designated as a Certified Mail Manager (CMM) for completing a minimum of five years mail management experience (at least one year of which was in-house), being of high moral character and professional attitude, and successfully completing a five-and-a-half hour written exam.
Elmore Kicks Off Belmont and Beyond Series
Dr. Tim Elmore, founder and president of growingleaders.com, was the guest speaker for the Belmont and Beyond Kickoff Event on Wed., Sept.12, in the Neely Dining Room. Elmore is passionate about helping students uncover their mission in life and has taught leadership seminars in 36 countries. He has also authored 21 books, including the best selling Habitudes, Images that form Leadership, Habits and Attitudes and Mentoring: How to Invest Your Life In Others.
Dr. Elmore also presented “Habits and Attitudes of Today’s Students” at the Teaching Center Luncheon. The Career Services team sponsored the program and partnered with the Office of Spiritual Development, the Teaching Center and Student Activities.
Alumna Certified as Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Within a month of achieving her B.S. from Belmont in August, alumna Beth Baggett (’07) also received a certification as a nuclear medicine technologist from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Upon graduation from the year-long program, she was presented with the M.D. Ingram Award for Technical Excellence for outstanding performance during clinicals at Vanderbilt Medical Center, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Baggett graduated from Belmont with a B.S. in medical imaging and is currently employed by the Hendersonville Medical Center.
Former Bruin Selected in CBA Draft
Former men’s basketball player Andrew Preston (Winchester, Ky.) was selected by the expansion East Kentucky Miners of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in its college draft Tuesday night. Preston, a three-year starter and integral cog on Bruin NCAA Tournament teams in 2006 and 2007, developed into one of the most dependable post players of Belmont’s NCAA era. Named to the 2007 Atlantic Sun All-Tournament team behind his 18 point-10 rebound performance in the championship game victory at ETSU, Preston is the program’s NCAA era career leader in blocked shots (123) and ranks fourth in career field goal percentage (.534). Preston earned Academic All-Conference honors in 2006 and graduated this past May with a degree in accounting. “All of us are excited for Andrew’s opportunity in the CBA draft,” Belmont head coach Rick Byrd said. “Andrew’s dedication, work ethic and unselfish nature should make him a favorite of his coaching staff and teammates. I would expect Andrew to have an impact this rookie season and his Belmont family will be pulling for him.”
Henry Named Interim Head Coach for Men’s Golf
Billy Henry has been appointed interim head coach for men’s golf, announced Belmont Director of Athletics Mike Strickland. “Billy’s credentials speak for themselves, and we are honored to have him join our athletic department staff,” Strickland said. “His experience, integrity and good nature will enhance our golf program.”
Henry has more than four decades of distinguished service in intercollegiate athletics, both as a coach and administrator, including his recent 20-year post as assistant athletic director at the University of Tennessee before retiring in 2005. Belmont men’s golf returns to action Oct. 15-16 when it hosts the Belmont Fall Shootout at Nashville Golf & Athletic Club. For more on this story, click here.
Faculty/Staff Quoted in Tennessee Newspapers
This past weekend found several Belmont staff and faculty featured in regional news outlets:
• Dr. Joe Alexander, associate dean & senior professor of performance excellence of the Massey School of Business, was the feature business interview in Sunday’s Tennessean. The link was not yet available at press time.
• Dr. Pat Raines, dean of the Massey Graduate School of Business, was quoted in the Memphis Business Journal in an article on the rise of delinquent home loans.
• Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander was quoted in a Tennessean article on Hispanic student recruitment.
West Graduates Leadership Middle Tennessee Program
Dr. Susah H. West, vice president for presidential affairs, recently graduated from the year-long Leadership Middle Tennessee program along with 27 other community and business leaders from the region, according to Jack Turner, chair of the group’s board of directors. Leadership Middle Tennessee is a regional leadership institute encompassing the 10-county area in Middle Tennessee which includes Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties.
Moore Speaks at Conference; Featured in Publication
Dr. Alison Moore, assistant professor in the Chemistry and Physics Department, was an invited speaker at the National Meeting of the ACS (American Chemical Society) that was held recently in Boston, Mass. Her presentation was about incorporating liberal arts into chemistry through the linked cohort course. Dr. Moore was also featured in an article in this week’s Chemical & Engineering News. The article summarizes the session in which Dr. Moore gave her presentation. The two photos that appear in the article are of Belmont students. To read the article, click here.

It’s All Belmont To Me – Belmont FYI Feature Profile of the Week

Make It Seamless
This week’s Belmont FYI feature profile of the week, Maggie Monteverde, wears many hats and has been a part of the Belmont community for nearly twenty years. She was nominated for the fourth guiding principle – Make it Seamless – for her work as Associate Dean of the School of Humanities, Coordinator for Study Abroad Programs, Belmont representative to the Board of the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad and professor of English.
Maggie says she cannot envision living without teaching, but it’s her work with study abroad that is most rewarding because her own study abroad experience in college was the most important educational experience of her life. “I love being able to help other people have overseas opportunities,” Maggie said. “There’s also a lot of problem solving involved in getting students from the desire to the reality, and I enjoy being able to use my own experience to help students through the complexities of doing study abroad.”
Maggie hopes she makes the study abroad process seamless by developing clear directions for students, taking them through the process and trying to anticipate places where confusion might arise. “I don’t think it is really possible to make some types of processes seamless,” Maggie said. “Seams happen at intersections of separate pieces of fabric, where planes shift, levels change, different materials must come together: they give a garment shape, for example. However, I do think you can make these transition points hold together rather than pull apart by anticipating the stress points and, at the very least, warning people about them so they can adjust their behavior and, at best, transferring some of the stress from them to you. I guess that’s what I try to do.”

Do you know a Belmont employee who embodies one of the five Guiding Principles? Nominate them for a Belmont FYI Feature Profile of the Week! Please send their name and a brief description of how they meet the criteria to the It’s All Belmont to Me Committee for consideration.
To read more about Belmont’s new service initiative, click here to view the “It’s All Belmont to Me” Web site. This Web site will explain the history, training and other elements of this program.

Coming Up

Friday, September 28 – Sunday, September, 30
Belmont Theater Complex Opens with Much Ado About Nothing
Only three performances are left of Much Ado About Nothing in the new Troutt Theater. One of Shakespeare’s most enduring comedies about the battle of the sexes and love, this production of Much Ado is a collaboration between the Belmont Theatre Company and Actors Bridge Ensemble. Tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for faculty, staff, alumni and non-Belmont students. Call (615) 460-8500 or visit the Curb Box Office for advanced tickets. Ticket availability at the door will vary per performance. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday evenings, with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. The final Friday evening performance will include a brief panel discussion as well as a question and answer session after the play featuring Shakespeare experts from the departments of English and of Theatre and Dance.
Troutt Theater
Friday, September 28-Saturday, September 29
Parent and Family Weekend
Friday, September 28, 5:30 p.m.
Mob Cookout/Volleyball Match
This cookout kicks off the MOB’s Trophy CASE Event series. Join the MOB for free food prior to the Volleyball match. For attending, you can receive points which will earn you entry into a $100 cash drawing as well as Belmont clothing.
Grassy Knoll – lawn in front of Wright/Maddox
Friday, September 28, 6;30 p.m.
Volleyball Hosts USC-Upstate
Curb Event Center
Saturday, September 29, 2 p.m.
Volleyball Hosts ETSU
Curb Event Center
Saturday, September 29, 6:30 p.m.
Nashville Music & More
WSMV Channel 4 will air an episode of “Nashville Music & More” that features Belmont as a backdrop for several segment wraps. In addition, the episode includes an interview with alumnus Kelly Lovelace, a former Music Row publisher and current full-time songwriter who has had songs cut by Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Montgomery Gentry, to name a few.
Channel 4
Monday, October 1, 10 a.m.
Dr. C. Melissa Snarr, associate professor of Ethics and Society at the Vanderbilt University School of Divinity
Professor Snarr’s work centers on the intersection of religion, social change and social/ political ethics. Her most recent book, Social Selves and Political Reforms, focuses on Christian vies of moral formation and their effect on political engagement.
The Lila D. Bunch 2nd Floor Media Hall at Belmont University
Tuesday, October 2, 6 p.m.
ASCAP Writers’ Night Series
An intimate gathering of fresh student talent featuring Belmont students Andrew Mallanik, Hailey Steele and Bobby Hamrick.
Curb Cafe
Wednesday, October 3, 7:30 -10 a.m.
Campaign Kickoff for Belmont Cares 2007
Come enjoy breakfast for a dollar and take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to the charity of your choice. Representatives from Community Health Charities of Tennessee, Community Shares of Tennessee, Nashville Alliance for Public Education and United Way will be on hand with additional information about their organizations.
University Cafeteria
Wednesday, October 3, Noon
Wind Ensemble
Massey Performing Arts Center Atrium
Thursday, October 4, 6:30 p.m.
Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet
Join this annual event as Al Allen, Jaymie Moore Rankhorn and Daree Pilkinton Merritt are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Patrick Russo will receive the Chaney Memorial Award. Tickets are $25 per person. Contact Betty Wiseman or Debbie Chenoweth for reservations.
Grand Atrium
Thursday, October 4, 7 p.m.
Born After Vinyl Benefit for Eric Volz
Michael W. Smith’s Rocketown Records and Nettwerk Management will partner together to present “Born After Vinyl,” an evening of music, conversation and social awareness. This partnership comes together through the efforts of John Andrade and Josh Schlessman, both Belmont alumni, to develop a monthly series that cultivates new artistry and ignites social awareness within local communities. Belmont alumnus Dave Condos will be one of the evening’s featured performers. All proceeds from the $5 admission will be donated to the defense fund of Eric Volz, who is falsely imprisoned in Nicaragua. Eric is the stepson of former Belmont dean Dane Anthony.
The SYNC @ Nettwerk, 1201 Villa Place Suite 206
Friday, October 5, 10 a.m.
Passion to Pursue Tour
Half the American work force is not satisfied with their job, and only a fifth apply a passion towards their career. As this trend trickles to students entering the working world, people continue to pursue a path that leads them further from their true dreams. Pursue the Passion, presented as part of the Moench Entrepreneurship Lecture Series, addresses this issue by interviewing people who are propelled by a love for their work.
Massey Boardroom
Monday, October 8, 7:30 p.m.
Faculty Concert Series
Dr. Robert Marler will perform a classical piano concert as part of Belmont University’s Faculty Concert Series. Free Admission. For more information call (615) 460-6408.
Belmont Mansion
Tuesday, October 9, 7:30 p.m.
Belmont University Orchestra
Featuring Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Free Admission. For more information call (615) 460-6408
Massey Concert Hall
Ongoing
September 12 – October 23
Transfer of Light: Photographic Visions of Gina Binkley, Bob Delevante and David McClister
This diverse group of photographers documents contemporary life in black and white and in unexpected original ways.
Leu Art Gallery at the Lila D. Bunch Library
October 4 – 27
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Nashville Children’s Theater in collaboration with Belmont’s theater department presents The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Visit www.nashvillechildrenstheater.org or call 254-9103 for tickets.
Troutt Theater

September 27, 2007

Birthdays

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@mail.belmont.edu.
September 28
Paula Gill, Student Financial Services
Ann Rich, Sport Science
September 29
Pam Hazelwood, President’s Office
September 30
Eric Burford, Office of Communications
John Coker, Business
October 1
Renee Brown, Physical Therapy
October 3
Julie Bunt, Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business
Jennifer Kiev, University College
October 4
Sue Heflin, President’s Office
October 5
Stephen Campbell, Math/Computer Science
Cynthia Cox, Lit & Lang
October 6
Hien Thi Huynh, Custodial Services
Andrea Welch, Custodial Services
October 7
Lonnie Yandell, Psychology
October 8
Joan Eakin, Music

Special Promotions for Belmont Faculty and Staff

Tennessee Repertory Theatre Discounted Season Subscriptions for Belmont Faculty and Staff
Belmont University faculty and staff are eligible for a substantial discount on season tickets to Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Tennessee’s largest professional theatre. A regular subscription to Tennessee Repertory Theatre is $165. Educator discount price is $90. Educators receive the same benefits as regular-price subscribers.
To purchase subscriptions:
By phone: (615) 782-6560 or (800) 410-4216. You will be asked to send or fax a copy of your faculty or staff ID card.
Online: http://www.tennesseerep.org You will be contacted and asked to fax a copy of your faculty or staff ID card. Wait to be contacted.
Via mail: Complete the attached form and send the form (and check, if applicable) to: Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Attn: Tennessee Repertory Theatre, P.O. Box 190660, Nashville, TN 37219 Send a copy of your faculty or staff ID card.
Via fax: Fax the completed order form with credit card information to (615) 782-6566. Fax a copy of your faculty or staff ID card.
In person: Bring the completed form, your faculty or staff ID card, and your payment to the TPAC Box Office (Downtown or Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills).
Contact (615) 782-6560 or (800) 410-4216 for more information.
Predators Discounted Tickets for Faculty and Staff
Belmont faculty and staff are eligible for discounted tickets to the Nashville Predators games in October. Contact Jenny Moss at 615.770.2328 or jmoss@nashvillepredators.com for details.

September 21, 2007

Photo of the Week

Curb College Partners with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Mike Curb Family Foundation to ‘Celebrate the Songwriter’
Three major Nashville organizations—Belmont University, the Mike Curb Family Foundation and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame—announced Thursday an exciting new partnership focused on the foundation of the music industry: songwriting. Intended to create visibility and understanding of the songwriting craft, the partnership includes the establishment of a new songwriting major in Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and a permanent location for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, both of which will be housed in historic 34 Music Square East on Music Row.
With a mantra to “Celebrate the Songwriter,” the event opened with Hall of Fame member Dolly Parton offering her thoughts. “When I first came to Nashville, all of us would just get in a huddle to try to write together, folks like me and Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson,” Parton said. “Most of us barely got through high school, much less college. Belmont has done a wonderful thing as a university and with the music program, and I think it’s great how they are embracing songwriting.”
To read the full story, click here.