October 31, 2008

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Debate08 Celebration!

BELMONT NEWS

Belmont Breaks Ground on New Pharmacy/Health Sciences Building
$30 million structure to include professional pharmacy, research labs
Belmont University broke ground today on an estimated $30 million building that will become the permanent home for the Belmont School of Pharmacy. The building, which has an anticipated completion date of June 2010, will also house the university’s School of Physical Therapy and will include expansion space for the Schools of Nursing and Occupational Therapy as well as the Social Work and Psychology programs. Together with the Inman Center, this new structure will provide a consolidation of all the university’s health science studies—pharmacy, nursing, social work, occupational therapy and physical therapy—on the campus’s northeast corner.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Establishing a permanent, state-of-the-art facility for our School of Pharmacy represents another significant step for Belmont University in addressing a serious health care provider shortage in this country, especially as it relates to pharmacists and nurses. This building will be a model, 21st century academic facility, providing a venue where our students and faculty resources can intersect in service to help meet the medical needs of our community and our world.”
Designed by Earl Swensson Associates with construction to be done by R.C. Mathews, the 90,000-square-foot building will continue the innovation for which Belmont University has become known, containing top-notch laboratories for both student and faculty research. In addition, the facility will emphasize integrated, “hands on” experiential learning components through medical simulation spaces and a licensed, state-of-the-art pharmacy. The building will also include a four-level underground parking garage to provide additional spaces for Belmont’s growing student body.
Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Nursing Dr. Jack Williams said, “I’m convinced this new building will become known as a major birthplace of this country’s next generation of top pharmacists. By completing and enhancing our health sciences complex, Belmont is providing inter-professional education opportunities for all of our health science students and preparing them to be both competent and compassionate practitioners.” Click here to read more on this story.
Buckingham to Speak on Campus Monday
Cambridge-educated former Gallup researcher Marcus Buckingham will be speaking to campus and the local community on Monday on the topic of his latest career resource kit, The Truth About You,” which is aimed at young professionals (17-25 years old) but valuable for anyone who wants to take control of their career and performance.
Author of New York Times’ bestsellers First, Break All the Rules and Go Put Your Strengths to Work, among other titles, Buckingham is considered by many to be the world’s leading expert on career success. His organization, the Marcus Buckingham Company, seeks to help individuals express the best of themselves and make their greatest contribution possible at work, at home and in life.
Buckingham’s address will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Curb Event Center. This is a ticketed event, but most ticket options include both the book and lecture. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and the Curb Event Center box office.
Williams-Skinner Addresses ‘How Would Jesus Vote?’
Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus and current president of the Skinner Leadership Institute, addressed the topic: “How Would Jesus Vote?” Wednesday in a convocation for students.
Williams-Skinner discussed the importance of Christians not simply voting for a candidate because of gender, skin color, party affiliation or based on one or two issues. Instead, she advocated that Christians must examine all of the issues and vote according to what they believe the Bible says. Christians must ask themselves, “Which candidate best reflects God’s Kingdom principles to me?”
Dr. Williams-Skinner challenged the audience to decide on a candidate by first looking at what Jesus did in the Bible and realizing that God is concerned with the whole planet and everything in it. She said that voters should approach the voting booth with their whole mind, heart and God’s word with them.

ACHIEVERS

Nursing Students Receive High Honors in ROTC
Two Belmont nursing students participating in Vanderbilt’s ROTC program recently received two of the highest cadet rankings in the nation. The rankings are based on their total experience as cadets, including academics, physical fitness, performance at strategic camp experiences, leadership and more.
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Shannon Ellrich (right) is the fifth-ranked nurse in the nation and is the cadet battalion commander. She is the senior ranking cadet in the program. Cadet Major Hannah Bienhoff (below) is the first-ranked nurse in the nation and holds the position of senior TAC officer. She is charged with the evaluation of all junior cadets.
Out of 4,417 cadets nationally, Ellrich is ranked 249 and Bienhoff is ranked 53 in the national order of merit rank.
Dr. Martha Buckner, associate professor of nursing, said, “These two Belmont nursing students, who came here as freshmen and have progressed in our traditional program, have achieved the highest ranking as ROTC cadets from any major in recent memory at Vanderbilt. This impresses me because they are being compared with students from all majors across the nation.”
PT Students Hold Kids’ Sports Festival
Belmont Physical Therapy students developed and implemented a Sports Festival for children with disabilities recently. Students worked with Michelle Hill of Empower Me Day Camp to put on an afternoon of fun games and sporting activities for school-age children. Empower Me Day Camp provides summer day camps for children with disabilities, as well as, social and recreational activities throughout the school year. The Physical Therapy students planned several fun activities that each had a specific therapeutic purpose. Activities included obstacle courses, parachute games, face painting and crafts, sensory-based activities and other childhood games adapted for children with disabilities.
School of Pharmacy Hosts University Exploration Team
Belmont’s School of Pharmacy hosted a program exploration team from Fairleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey. Over two days, the pharmacy faculty and other members of the Belmont community consulted with these guests on the full range of issues that must be addressed in order to decide whether or not to launch a school of pharmacy. Dr. Geoff Weinman, dean of Arts and Sciences at Fairleigh Dickenson University, said that they chose Belmont’s program as a starting point for their investigation based on the positive word on the street about Belmont’s innovative Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Pharmacy Faculty Attend ACCP Annual Meeting
Drs. Cathy Turner and Julie Rafferty, assistant professors of Pharmacy, attended the annual meeting of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) in Louisville. They both were inducted into the ACCP Academy’s Teaching and Learning Certificate Program, a structured, two-year curriculum that helps clinical pharmacy faculty extend their teaching strategies to reflect evidence-based best practices in higher education. Drs. Rafferty and Turner completed the eight-hour “Basic Training for New Clinical Faculty and Preceptors” as well as two hours of elective courses. Also, Dr. Eric Hobson, professor of Pharmacy, was a featured speaker at ACCP this year. A founding faculty member of the ACCP Academy’s Teaching and Learning Certificate Program, Hobson presented two workshops: “Implementing Teaching and Learning Strategies” and “Making Student Peer Assessment Work.” In addition, Hobson’s article, “CATs for Classroom and Clinical Teaching,” was published in the ACCP Academy Teaching and Learning Newsletter, Vol.1.3.
Wicke Chosen to Contribute to NCAA.com Blog
Men’s basketball senior Andy Wicke (Hendersonville, Tenn.) has been selected to contribute to the NCAA.com student-athlete blog program. A member of three consecutive Atlantic Sun Conference championship teams and one of several returning standouts from the Bruins’ 2008 NCAA Tournament squad that nearly defeated three-time National Champion Duke, Wicke will provide fans with first-hand accounts of his daily life–both on and off the court. Though the complete list of men’s basketball contributors is yet to be finalized, Wicke will be one of a select few across all three NCAA division levels nationwide to participate. Click here for more on this story.
Audio Engineering Students Assist on Elvis Christmas Duets CD
Belmont audio engineering students recently had the opportunity to assist, observe and interact with top recording engineer and producer Chuck Ainlay, who chose to track RCA’s newly released Elvis Christmas Duets in RCA Studio B. The album features modern artists singing along with Elvis on his Christmas songs, including many originally recorded in 1956 at RCA-B. The process included re-recording the instruments for the songs that were originally recorded in mono, then blending the two recordings together. Belmont students were exposed to top recording talent including legends such as Pig Robbins and The Jordanaires as well as current country artists Wynonna Judd, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. Several Belmont students also had the opportunity to assist on a track for Bobby Bare Jr.’s upcoming Shel Silverstein tribute, which was recorded at RCA Studio B with the group My Morning Jacket and producer Gary Pazcosa. Proceeds from both of these projects will be donated to the Bob Mulloy scholarship fund in appreciation of using RCA-B.
Song Selected, Pitched by Students Climbs the Charts
Alumni of the 2007-08 edition of the Belmont/BMI Catalog Cast program are enjoying concrete evidence of their hard work, as compilation CD song “You Can Let Go” currently climbs radio airplay charts. Recorded by RCA artist Crystal Shawanda and co-written by Cory Batten and Kent Blazy, “You Can Let Go” snagged the attention of veteran producer Scott Hendricks, who added the track to Shawanda’s debut album.
Mentored by BMI staffers, Belmont students in Catalog Cast cull through hundreds of compositions penned by Music Row writers and dive into Nashville’s contemporary creative process by selecting a limited number of pitch-worthy, potential hit songs for a compilation CD. Participants then act as a liaison for the songwriters and publishers, distributing the compilation CDs to Music Row decision-makers including producers, managers and A&R executives. The Catalog Cast program was originally conceived by former Shelby Kennedy, now senior vice president and COO of Cherry Heart Music and adjunct instructor in Belmont’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.
“Through the Catalog Cast, Belmont students grasp the true foundation of our industry,” says BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams. “The process of listening to, identifying and pitching songs is the lifeblood of Music Row.” Catalog Cast will continue its run when the program begins again in January.
CNN Visits Campus to Interview ‘Green Bag Lady’
CNN came to campus last week to interview Associate Professor of Art Teresa Van Hatten-Granath about her work as the Green Bag Lady. Earlier this year Van Hatten-Granath began sewing fabric bags from donated and recycled material and then giving the bags away for free to anyone who committed to using them instead of paper or plastic bags. To date, nearly 2,500 free bags have been handed out thanks to the “Green Bag Lady.” CNN Science and Technology reporter Azadeh Ansari interviewed Van Hatten-Granath last Wednesday in the Leu Center for the Visual Arts, along with a number of students, faculty and staff who have used her bags. Click here to view the story which ran on Wednesday.
Education Students Learn First-Hand About Policy, ‘Inclusive Practices’
Dr. Danielle Mezera (director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Youth) and Wendy Tucker (co-chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Council, Attorney, Adjunct Professor of Law-Vanderbilt) spoke on campus Monday night about “The Road to Inclusive Practices” from the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Special Education. The event came about when Belmont’s Dr. Sally Barton-Arwood and Dr. Annette Little from the School of Education were brainstorming how to integrate Debate08, specifically the candidates’ educational platforms, into their Diverse Learners class. Diverse Learners addresses how to meet the needs of students with diverse issues in the classroom, in particular, students with disabilities. Barton-Arwood and Little quickly discovered in their research that Nashville Mayor Karl Dean had appointed an advisory council to investigate how to best support students who are receiving special education services in Metro Public Schools. On Aug. 13, the Mayor’s advisory committee submitted its report “The Road to Inclusive Practices.” Because the content of the Diverse Learners class and the recommendations made in this report are closely aligned, Belmont’s Diverse Learners’ students studied the report and then proposed and researched follow-up questions. On Monday, Mezera and Tucker spoke about the work of the Advisory Council and how it impacts the local community and future teachers. After their presentation, the students from Diverse Learners presented the results of their research projects during a poster session.
Students Participate in Breast Cancer Walk
More than 175 students volunteered along with staff from Belmont Health Services to walk or raise funds for the recent Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. The team collected nearly $2,500.
The 5-mile walk, which started at LP Field and wound through downtown Nashville, is designed to raise awareness of breast cancer and money for research. More than 15,000 people put on their walking shoes to help in the fight against breast cancer, raising a total of nearly $600,000.
Speech/Debate Team Brings Home More Awards
The speech/debate team traveled to Berea College last weekend for one of its largest tournament this year with 24 colleges and universities in attendance in areas spreading from Pennsylvania to Florida. Despite the size and difficulty of the tournament, Belmont’s debate team represented well with several great awards, including:
Debate
Sara Page & Tyler Kimbro: Debate Champions, novice division
Sara Page: first place novice division speaker
Tyler Kimbro: fourth place novice division speaker
Melanie Bengtson & Wesley Rainer: semi-finalists, open division
Melanie Bengtson: third place open division speaker
Individual Events
Impromptu Speaking: Eric Schoen, semi-finalist
Extemporaneous Speaking: Melanie Bengtson, sixth place
After Dinner Speaking: Meredith Day, fifth place
Team Awards
Debate: Second place small school division and third place overall team
Individual Events: Third place small school division
Cornwall Selected as USASBE 2009 President-Elect
The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), the leading non-profit national organization dedicated to training the next generation of entrepreneurs and supporting the vital entrepreneur sector of our nation’s economy, announced that Dr. Jeffrey Cornwall from Belmont University has been elected as USASBE’s President-Elect for 2009.
Dr. Cornwall is the first recipient of the Jack C. Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship at Belmont where he also serves as Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. He holds a DBA and MBA from the University of Kentucky. He has published six books and numerous articles in leading business journals. His professional blog, “The Entrepreneurial Mind,” is part of the Forbes blog network and has been named by the magazine as a “Best of the Web.”
“It is a great privilege to work with USASBE,” said Cornwall. “Working with our members, public policy makers and the entrepreneurship community, we can continue to advance and shape the future of entrepreneurship in America.” Dr. Cornwall has been active in USASBE for many years. Previously, he served as an executive officer, a member of the Board of Directors and was Chair of the International Council of Small Business 2005 International Conference. In 2006, Dr. Cornwall was inducted as a Fellow of USASBE in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of entrepreneurship.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

No Belmont FYI Next Week
The Office of Communications will be off campus the afternoon of Wed., Nov. 5 through Fri., Nov. 7 participating in the Tennessee College Public Relations Association (TCPRA) Conference. The outage will include staff members in the creative services and communications areas. The Copy Center will remain open. Please contact Misty Biggers (x6630) for any immediate needs related to the Office of Communications or the Copy Center. Due to this outage, there will be no Belmont FYI next week.

IT’S ALL BELMONT TO ME – Belmont FYI Feature Profile of the Month

It’s All Belmont to Me–that’s exactly what Debate08 was about! As we planned, volunteered and viewed the debate with pride, we exhibited the best of being Belmont. We truly showed the world that “It’s All Belmont to Us,” no matter what our role in serving others with cooperation and a spirit of joy. This week we resume the “It’s All Belmont to Me” profiles in FYI. Going forward, one faculty or staff member will be profiled per month as a person who exemplifies the guiding principles of “It’s All Belmont to Me.” Click here for more information on this program and to download the nomination form.
Walk the Talk
Kim Powell, who works as the enrollment services specialist in University College and has been a part of the Belmont community since 1991, is the first monthly profile for “It’s All Belmont to Me” for the 2008-2009 school year. Kim was nominated for the fifth guiding principle, Walk the Talk.
She most enjoys working with adult students who are returning to finish a degree or completing a degree they never started. “The students have such an excitement about returning to college to fulfill their dreams, and that makes my job very rewarding,” said Kim.
Kim believes that in order to walk the talk, you must portray and live out everything you say you believe, and it’s important to go out of your way at times and take the extra steps so that the overall experience for students and their families is positive.
“I believe I share a passion for students with other educators and staff members at Belmont,” said Kim. “The students are why we are here. Each student is unique and comes to campus with a unique set of goals and experiences. I believe that it is our role to take each of these, understand the differences, and then work as a team to help the student reach his or her goals.”

Do you know a Belmont employee who embodies one of the five Guiding Principles? Nominate them for a Belmont FYI Feature Profile of the Month! Click here for more information on this program and to download the nomination form.
To read more about Belmont’s 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, October 31, 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball vs. Campbell
Curb Event Center Arena
Friday, October 31, 6:30 p.m.
Women’s Soccer Hosts Austin Peay
Regular season finale and Senior Day.
Vanderbilt
Friday, October 31, 7:30 p.m.
Biloxi Blues
Additional performances Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 2:30 p.m. Call x8500 or visit the Curb Box Office for advanced tickets or more information. Ticket availability at the door will vary by performance.
Troutt Theater
Saturday, November 1, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Fall Follies
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Sunday, November 2, 2 p.m.
Classical String Quartet
Harton Recital Hall
Sunday, November 2, 4 p.m.
Fall Chorale Concert
Belmont Heights Baptist Church
Sunday, November 2, 7 p.m.
Piano Ensemble
Harton Recital Hall
Monday, November 3, 5:30 p.m.
Marcus Buckingham: The Truth About You
Tickets available at Belmont Box Office and Ticketmaster.com.
Curb Event Center Arena
Monday, November 3, 7:30 p.m.
Faculty Brass Ensemble
Belmont Heights Baptist Church
Tuesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m.
Brass Ensemble and Flute Choir
Belmont Mansion
Wednesday, November 5, 10 a.m.
The New President and the Politics of Faith
Melissa Rogers is the founder/director of Wake Forest University’s Center for Religion and Public Affairs and former executive director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life in Washington, D.C. She has appeared on numerous radio and television broadcasts, including NBC Nightly News, CNN, Court TV and NPR.
Massey Boardroom
Thursday, November 6, 5 p.m.
The New Administration and the Economy: What Can We Expect?
Economist Jonathan Wight is a professor of economics at the University of Richmond and is author of several books. He will give an ethical analysis of what should happen in the economic policies of the new administration.
Massey Boardroom
Friday, November 7, 7:30 p.m.
The 2008 Fall Choral Institute Concert
Oratorio Chorus, the University Symphony Orchestra and regional high school choirs present a program of American composers including Howard Hanson’s Song of Democracy with guest conductor Dr. Eph Ehly.
Massey Concert Hall
Saturday, November 8, 1 p.m.
Men’s Soccer vs. SIU-Edwardsville
Regular season finale and Senior Day.
Brentwood High School
Saturday, November 8, 7 p.m.
Urban/Pop Showcase
Curb Event Center
Monday, November 10, 7 p.m.
Barry Drake: ’70s Rock ‘n’ Roll History
Beaman A/B
Monday, November 10, 7 p.m.
Poetry Reading by Award-winning Poet and Belmont Alumna Lisa Williams
Williams’ book of poems, The Hammered Dulcimer (1998), won the May Swenson Poetry Award. Her second book, Woman Reading to the Sea, was selected by Joyce Carol Oates for the 2007 Barnard Women Poets Prize and was published by W.W. Norton in April.
Vince Gill Room
Monday, November 10, 7:30 p.m.
Commercial Voice Faculty
American popular music.
Massey Concert Hall
Friday, November 14, 7 p.m.
Men’s Basketball Home Opener
Curb Event Center
Sunday, November 16, 4 p.m.
Women’s Basketball Home Opener
Curb Event Center
Ongoing
October 31
Sheryl Oring: What I Wish to Say to the Future President Exhibit
Gallery 121 in the Leu Center for the Visual Arts
Now thru November 20
Beauvais Lyons: The Hokes Archives
Leu Gallery in the Lila D. Bunch Library

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@mail.belmont.edu.
November 1
Lori LeBleu, Business
Andrea Stover, English
November 2
Al Baugh, Conference Services
Linda Holt, English
Judy Johnson, Custodial Services
Lorraina Scholten, Social Work
November 4
Gerald Phillips, Custodial Services
November 5
Dewayne Lee, Campus Security
Jeff Moore, Math and Computer Science
November 7
Sharon Gregg, Music
Joyce Ann Watson, Athletics
November 8
Nancy Darr, Physical Therapy
November 10
Deane Webb, Athletics
Keeley White, Math and Computer Science
November 12
Sandra Haynes, Custodial Services
November 13
Don Cusic, Music Business
Laura Wheeler, Career Services
November 14
Tina Hunt-Frost, Health Sciences
November 15
Millicent Jolly, User Services
Melinda Mitchell, Pharmacy
Julie Rafferty, Pharmacy
November 16
Matt Barnett, Athletics
Bonnie Wagonfield, Social Sciences

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Exclusive TPAC Discounts for Belmont Faculty and Staff
Exclusive TPAC discounts, just for you! Tuna Does Vegas takes Arles, Bertha, Petey and all your favorites from Tuna, Texas to sin city. What happens in Vegas won’t stay in Vegas this time! Your special discounted performances are Thurs., Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Sat., Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Also, The Santaland Diaries, a hilarious one-man show has been one of Tennessee Rep’s most oft-asked-for holiday productions. Your special discounted performances are Fri., Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m., Sat., Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Thurs., Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
To purchase tickets for these shows, simply log on to www.tpac.org/corporatesaver and click on University. Your special password is belmont.