October 26, 2007

Photo of the Week

PRSSA Chapter Wins Three National Awards at Convention
At the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) conference held this past weekend in Philadelphia, Belmont’s chapter won three national awards, taking home top honors in two categories and third place in another. Of the 285 chapters at colleges and universities nationwide, Belmont was selected for the Chapter Development Award and the Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Chapter Relationship Award. For more on this story, click here.

Belmont News

Internationally Acclaimed Psychologist to Speak on Montessori Method
Dr. Angeline Stoll Lillard—an award-winning researcher in cognitive development, best-selling author and professor of psychology at the University of Virginia—will be speaking in the Maddox Grand Atrium on Tues., Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. With her 2005 book, Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, Lillard made a major contribution to the scientific exploration of how the Montessori education model best prepares children to succeed in school and later life.
Prior to Dr. Lillard’s lecture, State Representative Janis Sontany will present “House Joint Resolution No 292: a Resolution to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Montessori Method of Education.” A book signing will follow the lecture, which is open to the public for a ticket price of $25 per person and $40 per couple. Tickets will be available at the door. Belmont opened Nashville’s first Montessori teacher preparation program in 2005. The program, which is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and American Montessori Society-affiliated (AMS), offers both graduate and undergraduate tracks. For more on this story, click here.

You’re Invited

Charter Bus Trip
The Bruin Club is offering you the chance to take a ride and see the Bruins. The first Men’s Basketball game of the year is Fri., Nov. 9 against Cincinnati at 7 p.m. EST. A Grayline Bus will leave Belmont’s campus at noon that Friday to travel to Cincinnati for the game. Group tickets will be purchased for all those who travel, and a meal will be provided. The bus will return to Nashville following the game.Cost will be $50 per person. Call Debbie Chenoweth at x6854 by Wed., Oct. 31 to reserve a spot.

Achievers

Oglesby-Pitts Honored by Local Church
Dr. Myron Oglesby-Pitts, assistant professor from Belmont’s Department of Education, was honored at the Patterson Memorial United Methodist Church ‘An Evening with the Stars.’ She was vetted for her outstanding contributions in education. Dr. Oglesby-Pitts joined the faculty at Belmont in 2005 and teaches classes in Diverse Learners, Educational Psychology and Foundations of Education. Prior to joining Belmont, Dr. Oglesby-Pitts served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University in the Department of Leadership, Organization and Policy, and for more than 25 years, she served as an educator with the Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County Public Schools System.
Alexander Speaks at TriStar Health Summit
Dr. Joe Alexander, associate dean of The Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business, was a featured speaker at the TriStar Health Systems Summit for Chief Executive Officers and Chief Nursing Officers, held Oct. 24-26 in Adairsville, Georgia. Alexander’s presentation was focused on lessons learned by an organization that has successfully pursued the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Other featured speakers at the Summit were Massey MBA Alumnus Charles Hagood, president and CEO of Healthcare Performance Partners, LLC (Nashville); Dr. David Munch, Chief Clinical and Quality Officer for Exempla Healthcare (Denver); and Bradford S. Koles, Jr., Executive Director for the Advisory Board Company (Washington, D.C.).
Williams Speaks at Economic Summit
Dr. Susan Williams, professor of management in The Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business, was a featured speaker at the Tennessee Economic Summit for Women, held Oct. 22-23 in Nashville. She addressed the group on gender issues and negotiation around salary, presenting research on the effects of poor negotiation on women’s economic futures. The conference was attended by more than 500 Tennessee women from government, education and business sectors. Pat Schroeder, former US Senator, and Marie Wilson, Director of the White House Project, were keynote speakers.
Dr. Bonnie Riechert Inducted into PRSA College of Fellows
At the 2007 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) International conference held this past weekend in Philadelphia, Dr. Bonnie Riechert, assistant professor in the Communications Studies Department, was one of only nine individuals inducted into the prestigious College of Fellows, a lifetime achievement award given to only two percent of PRSA members. Riechert is pictured at right with Emily Telford, president of Belmont’s PRSSA chapter (l), and Gary McCormick, president of the PRSA Foundation (r), at the Fellows induction event. For more on this story, click here.
OT Association Executive Director Visits Belmont
The Occupational Therapy (OT) faculty and third year OT doctorate students welcomed Fred Somers, executive director of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in Bethesda, My., to Belmont on Mon., Oct. 22. Somers, who toured the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing (which houses the Occupational Therapy program), was impressed with the facility and technology in the OT labs, and he discussed with the students and faculty the role of the professional organization, its activities and the current priorities. He also answered questions from the students. “This event helped the students put a ‘face’ on our professional organization, and, hopefully, will facilitate their commitment to and involvement in AOTA,” said Dr. Susan Young, associate professor of occupational therapy and a member of the AOTA Board of Directors.
Freshman Chosen Miss Houston
Belmont freshman Rachel Garrett was chosen Miss Houston in a competition this past weekend that serves as a preliminary pageant for Miss Texas and Miss America. Garrett will compete for Miss Texas in July.
Alumnus Passes Tennessee Bar Exam
Alumnus Christopher D. Van Atta (’02) received news last week that he passed the Tennessee Bar Exam, which he took in July. Chris, currently employed at Nashville’s Agee Law Group, is married to 2001 Belmont graduate Kacy Van Atta, the daughter of Belmont Web Developer Paul Chenoweth in Information Technology Services and Coordinator of Promotions & Special Events Debbie Chenoweth in Athletics.

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

Take Responsibility and Follow Through
This week’s Belmont FYI feature profile of the week has been a part of the Belmont community for 21 years. Veronica Smith was nominated for the first guiding principle – Take Responsibility and Follow Through – for her work as Coordinator/Supervisor in Mail Services.
Prior to coming to Belmont, Veronica worked for eight years in mail services at Baptist Hospital, and she was recently was recently awarded the highest honor of professional achievement available for in-house mail managers from the In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association, being named a Certified Mail Manager (CMM). “It is the only job that I’ve ever had where we do basically the same thing every day, but every day is different,” she said. “We know that we get the mail in the morning, and we sort the mail. But we never know how much we’re going to have or what vendor’s going to come or if we’re going to have an emergency mailing on campus. You can get a phone call, and your plans for the whole day can change. You have to able to prioritize pretty quickly.”
Veronica thinks she was likely nominated by Health Services for meeting Katy Wilson at the Mail Center after hours last week to make sure a shipment of flu vaccinations were able to be properly refrigerated. “To me, taking responsibility and following through means you have certain responsibilities, and you better make sure they get done. We have a lot of stuff that comes through, and I just try to make sure that we all take responsibility to do our daily processes to make sure everything goes the way it’s supposed to.”

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Inc. (MLF) is a social outreach ministry to the homeless and indigent working poor that provides “food, clothing and dignity to our brothers and sisters in need.” Started in Austin, Texas in 1998, MLF came to Nashville in June of 2007. Belmont Sociology classes, with help from faculty and staff drivers, provided 18 additional days of service to MLF this fall and hope to expand our service over the holiday break and throughout the spring semester.
MLF has volunteer opportunities for everyone: Individuals, Families, and Organizations (e.g., fraternities and sororities, bible study groups, dorms, clubs). If you are willing to work, we can use you! In addition to making and delivering food, MLF needs other kinds of assistance such as “make ready” teams. If you’re interested in volunteering or would like additional information, contact Sara Hylton, MLF Program Director, at shylton@mlfnashville.org or 460-0172.
Christian Women’s Job Corps
Christian Women’s Job Corps of Middle Tennessee provides a place of transformation of heart, mind, body and spirit for women and children living in poverty. CWJC has been blessed to serve lots of women in this manner but could not be successful without the support of volunteers. In order for a woman to be enrolled in the program, there must be a mentor ready to walk the journey with her. CWJC is looking to enroll at least 10 women in our program next semester but needs mentors. As a result, CWJC of Middle TN is having Mentor Training on Nov. 10 from 12:30–5 p.m. at Brentwood Baptist Church. For registration or more information, please call 244-3669 or e-mail receptionist@cwjcmiddletn.org.

Coming Up

Friday, October 26, 5-8:30 p.m.
Greek Alumni and Friends Tailgate
All Greek alumni, friends of Belmont Greek Life, faculty, staff, students and parents are invited to the First Greek Alumni & Friends Tailgate. Come see your favorite fraternity and sorority members, meet or reintroduce yourself to active and alumni members in a tailgate setting, and watch the men’s soccer team take on conference rival North Florida. For more information contact Jonathan Rowe at 460-6341 or rowej@mail.belmont.edu.
Grassy Knoll (between Curb Event Center and Wright-Maddox)
Friday, October 26, 6:30 p.m.
Men’s Soccer Hosts UNF
Whitten Soccer Field
Friday, October 26, 7 p.m.
DMHO on ‘Next Great American Band’
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, a local band consisting of numerous Belmont alumni, appears tonight as the first performers on FOX’s “Next Great American Band” reality show. To vote for the band, call 866-856-8301 during the four hours after the live show concludes at 9 p.m.
Saturday, October 27, 7 p.m.
Urban/Pop Showcase
Curb Event Center
Sunday, October 28, 2 p.m.
Classical Singers Recital
Massey Concert Hall
Monday, October 29, 7:30 p.m.
Percussion Ensemble
Massey Concert Hall
Tuesday, October 30, 7 p.m.
Dr. Angeline Stoll Lillard
Dr. Lillard (Dept of Psychology, University of VA) will examine the scientific studies that show how children (and adults) learn best. She will also explain why traditional teaching approaches flounder and offer an alternative method that works. Book signing and reception to follow.
Massey Board Room
Tuesday, October 30, 7:30 p.m.
Graduate Chamber Ensemble
Harton Recital Hall
Wednesday, October 31, 11:30 a.m.
Annual Staff Chili Cook Off
Neely Black and White Dining Room
Friday, November 2, 7:30 p.m.
Fall Choral Institute Concert
Oratorio Chorus, the University Symphony Orchestra and regional high school choirs present An Evening of Ralph Vaughan Williams including Dona nobis pacem with guest conductor Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe (Director of Choral Activities at the University of Miami).
Massey Concert Hall
Ongoing
Today – October 27
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Nashville Children’s Theater in collaboration with Belmont’s theater department presents The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Show times are 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Present your Belmont ID at the Troutt Theater on the day of the show. For tickets to other performances, visit www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org or call 254-9103.
Troutt Theater

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

The visitation for Lucile Wardin, former Dean of Women and Dean of International Services (1968-90), will be tonight from 6-8 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home on Thompson Lane, and the service will be at First Baptist Church Nashville at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Sat. Oct. 27. A visitation will also precede the service from 12-1 p.m. at the church. Please keep the Wardin family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.