September 25, 2009

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Belmont Opens Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Service-Learning
Yesterday marked the official opening of Belmont’s Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Service-Learning, an event that included a town hall meeting on the state of social enterprises in the current economic climate. Kris Prendergast, president & CEO of Social Enterprise Alliance, was joined by CEOs from Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Goodwill Industries and Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity to discuss the future of the nonprofit sector. For more on this story, see the Belmont News headline below. For more photos from this event, click here for the online Belmont photo gallery.

BELMONT NEWS

Belmont Opens Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Service-Learning
Belmont University opened yesterday the Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Service-Learning as the home base for its new undergraduate major in social entrepreneurship, the first of its kind nationwide.
Led by Dr. Bernard Turner, an educator with extensive experience with nonprofit organizations, Belmont’s new major centers on the emerging business field that tackles social problems and unmet community needs via entrepreneurial principles. “We will prepare students to be change makers and to go out and transform the world by addressing or helping to alleviate social problems through sound business efforts,” Turner said. “Students will also gain experiential learning through a 225-hour internship during their junior year with a nonprofit or social entrepreneur, further preparing them to pursue their passions regarding a social venture.”
Kris Prendergast, president & CEO of Social Enterprise Alliance, provided the keynote talk at a Town Hall Meeting held on campus to celebrate the launch of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship and Service-Learning. She was joined by CEOs from Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Goodwill Industries and Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity to discuss social enterprise and the future of the nonprofit sector. The Social Enterprise Alliance is the chief national advocate for the field of social entrepreneurship, serving as a hub of information and education and builder of a vibrant and growing community of social enterprises. Click here for more on this story.
Wright Kicks Off 2009-10 Belmont and Beyond Series
Rev. Cliff Wright, senior pastor of Brentwood United Methodist Church, kicked off Belmont and Beyond this week, a convocation series meant to inspire and prepare Belmont students for the transition from college. More than 250 students were in attendance.
The presentation, titled “Journey to a Meaningful Life,” focused on the topic of finding a life of purpose and meaning. Wright discussed his own personal journey to find his purpose and gave the audience five questions that students should ask themselves as they are making life-planning decisions: 1) What are you passionate about? 2) What do you avoid like the plague? 3) Is money sidetracking you? 4) What do you want to be remembered for? 5) Who is your audience (i.e. if it is not God, you are playing to the wrong crowd).
Additional Belmont and Beyond convocations this year will address topics such as resume and interview prep, grad school prep, money management and life planning. Click here for more information.
Alumni Showcase Supports Worthy Cause
On Sat., Sept. 19, Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business held its first showcase of the year. The Alumni Showcase featured performances by Ricky Braddy (pictured right), Brittini Black and Shirock and raised awareness for Everything Burns, a charity founded by the band and main act of the night, Shirock. The non-profit organization works to encourage people around the world to get involved in making a difference.
Black told the crowd, “I knew I was coming to Belmont when I was in sixth grade. I’ve never met so many talented people in one clump like I did at Belmont.”
Kazakhstan Ambassador Speaks at Belmont
Erlan A. Idrissov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, presented information about the history and goals of his country Friday morning in a convocation titled “Kazakhstan-The Heart of Eurasia.” His talk spanned the earliest days of Kazakhstan’s history to its present-day ambitions and situation.
Idrissov was joined by the Kazakhstani embassy’s First Secretary, Zhanbolat Ussenov, as well as two representatives of the Tennessee World Affairs Council. Idrissov has worked for the Kazakhstani government since 1981 and has served as Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and Ireland.

ACHIEVERS

Click here for stories on the recent accomplishments of Belmont’s students, faculty, staff and alumni.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bruins Basketball Season Ticket Information
Season Tickets are on sale now for 2009-10 Bruins Basketball, which includes men’s and women’s regular season home games (26 total). Cost is $125 per ticket, and each season ticket purchase includes:
1. A Bruin Edge Coupon Booklet–Worth over $200 with coupons for Nashville area restaurants, hotels, family attractions, services and more!
2. Concession Stand Vouchers
3. Extra Game Ticket Vouchers to Invite a Friend for free!
To order season tickets, call 460-BALL, stop by the ticket office in the Curb Events Center, or click here.
(Faculty and staff receive two free tickets to each home game but may want to share this offer with friends or take advantage of the coupon booklet and the opportunity to support Belmont Athletics!)
Advisor Needed for Women’s Club Soccer
Women’s Club Soccer is in need of an advisor. Women’s Club Soccer is a team that is being put together to give Belmont students who do not play at the NCAA level the opportunity to compete against other schools in the region. This team will build discipline, promote good sportsmanship and encourage teamwork and unity through a common interest of soccer. There has been a considerable amount of interest in Women’s Club Soccer, and the only thing left is to find an advisor. If you are willing to be the Women’s Club Soccer advisor, please Email Lindsay Schwartz at lindsay.schwartz@pop.belmont.edu.

COMING UP

Friday, September 25, 7:30 p.m.
Galileo
Galileo explores the question of a scientist’s social and ethical responsibility. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for Faculty, Staff, Alumni and non-Belmont students, and free for Belmont Students. Additional performances at 7:30 p.m. are on Sat., Sept. 26, Thurs., Oct. 1, Fri., Oct. 2 and Sat., Oct. 3 as well as at 2 p.m. Sun., Sept. 27 and Sun., Oct. 4.
Troutt Theater
Monday, September 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Community Connections Fair
Approximately 50 organizations from Middle Tennessee will be on campus to share about volunteer opportunities in the community.
Neely Dining Room
Monday, September 28, 10 a.m.
Frederica Mathewes-Green: “The Jesus Prayer”
Frederica Mathewes-Green will visit Belmont to discuss “The Jesus Prayer” as a part of Belmont University’s School of Religion 2009-2010 theology speaker series: Fresh Water, Deep Wells – Re-Discovering the Vitality of the Christian Tradition. Mathewes-Green is an author who has published nine books, including Facing East: A Pilgrim’s Journey into the Mysteries of Orthodoxy and The Illuminated Heart: The Ancient Christian Path of Transformation.
Leu Center for the Visual Arts
Monday, September 28, 7 p.m.
Barry Drake: The Roots of Rock and Roll 1953-63
Beaman Meeting Rooms A&B
Monday, September 28, 7:30 p.m.
Mendelssohn: Celebrating 200 Years
A program exploring the Bach/Mendelssohn legacy.
Belmont Mansion
Tuesday, September 29, 7:30 p.m.
Encore Award Presentation Honoring School of Music Alumnus Dr. Daniel Weeks, Tenor
Belmont Mansion
Wednesday, September 30, 10 a.m.
Joshua Dubois – White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Joshua DuBois is a Pentecostal minister with a B.A. in political science from Boston University and an M.A. in public affairs from Princeton. He works with organizations to galvanize their communities by providing social services, encouraging responsible fatherhood, and reducing the need for abortion.
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Friday, October 2, 10 a.m.
Chapel
Neely Dining Room
Friday, October 2, Noon
Belmont Concert Band
Join Belmont Concert Band as they perform outside in the Atrium between Wilson and Massey Performing Arts Center.
MPAC/Wilson Atrium
Saturday, October 3, 7 p.m.
CEMB Christian Showcase
Curb Event Center Arena
Monday, October 5, 7:30 p.m.
Faculty Woodwind Quintet
Belmont Mansion

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@belmont.edu.
September 26
Maggie Monteverde, English/CCSA
Bill Thompson, Sport Science
September 27
Glenda Dahlhauser, Office of Communications
Kay Geving, Mathematics/Computer Science
Lynne Shores, Nursing
September 28
Paula Gill, Student Financial Services
Ann Rich, Sport Science
September 29
Pam Hazelwood, President’s Office
September 30
Eric Burford, University Copy Center
John Coker, Business
October 1
Renee Brown, Physical Therapy
October 3
Julie Bunt, Alumni Relations
Jennifer Kiev, University College
Andy Miller, Mathematics/Computer Science
October 4
Sue Heflin, President’s Office
October 5
Cynthia Cox, English

September 18, 2009

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Alumna Leads Dance Class as Part of Humanities Symposium
Nashville-based singer-songwriter and Belmont alumna Adrienne Young practices NIA (Neuromuscular Integrative Action), a cardiovascular blend of dance arts, martial arts and the healing arts. As part of the 2009 Humanities Symposium on “Nature and the Human Spirit,” Young led a class on NIA on Wednesday after performing a folk concert Tuesday night. An ardent supporter of sustainable agriculture, Young bundled seed packets into the liner notes of her Grammy-nominated first album Plow to the End of the Row (2003). The Art of Virtue (2005) continued her success, and the reception for her newest release, Room to Grow (2007), has been highly enthusiastic.

BELMONT NEWS

Poet Mary Oliver Reads to a Packed House for Humanities Symposium Keynote
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver delighted a packed house at Belmont Heights Baptist Church Thursday night, sharing more than 15 of her poems and essays, including several about her beloved dog Percy. Oliver’s appearance represented the keynote for the Eighth Annual Humanities Symposium, which this year centered on the theme “Nature and the Human Spirit.” Introduced by English Professor Dr. Annette Sisson and Provost Dr. Marcia McDonald, Oliver shared works from a number of her books over the course of the hour before participating in question-and-answer and book signing sessions.
Opening the night, Oliver remarked, “I’m astonished you people are spending an entire week on my favorite subject: trees!”
Oliver is the celebrated author of more than a dozen books of poetry and prose. With her lyrical connection to the natural world, Oliver’s poetry has firmly established her in the highest realm of American poets. In addition to her 1984 Pulitzer, she has been honored with the National Book Award for Poetry and a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, among others. She is renowned for her evocative and precise imagery, which brings nature into clear focus, transforming the everyday world into a place of magic and discovery. Click here to read one of her most popular poems, “Wild Geese,” which she shared with the audience Thursday evening.
Alumna Trisha Yearwood to Host ‘Christmas at Belmont’
Schermerhorn performance will be nationally broadcast on PBS December 23
Belmont University announced this week that three-time Grammy Award winner and Belmont alumna Trisha Yearwood will serve as host for the 2009 “Christmas at Belmont” performance at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The program will air nationally on PBS on December 23 (check local listings).
“Christmas at Belmont,” a production of Nashville Public Television (NPT) with funding from the Beaman Family Foundation, features a collage of familiar carols, classical masterworks, world music and light-hearted seasonal favorites. More than 400 student voices will join Yearwood, the Belmont School of Music faculty and the Nashville Children’s Choir to present the annual holiday production. Previous hosts of “Christmas at Belmont” include alumni Melinda Doolittle and Josh Turner as well as recording legend Brenda Lee.
Belmont President Bob Fisher said, “It was a great joy to welcome Trisha back ‘home’ for our special edition of the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ in honor of the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate. Her vocal talents leave every audience wanting more, and we are thrilled to partner with this amazing artist and friend for our annual ‘Christmas at Belmont’ production.”
Click here for more on this story.
Tony Campolo Kicks Off EMERGE
Acclaimed author/speaker Dr. Tony Campolo kicked off EMERGE this week, an annual week-long experience meant to inspire and encourage the Belmont community in corporate and individual faith journeys. This fall EMERGE is focusing on the topic of “Jesus, The Original Radical.”
Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern University, is the founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, an organization that develops schools and social programs in various third world countries and in cities across North America. He is the author of 35 books, his latest three being Letters to a Young Evangelical, The God of Intimacy and Action and Red Letter Christians, A Citizen’s Guide to Faith and Politics.
On Monday, Campolo discussed three areas of faith that he believes are greatly impacting the current college generation’s approach to religion: ritual, mysticism and the concept of salvation. “Ritual enhances loyalty and creates solidarity… As ritual has declined, so has commitment faded. When you lose the ritual, you forget what should never be forgotten.” Click here for more information.
Coach Byrd Honored in Preseason Publication
Longtime Belmont Head Coach Listed Among Nation’s Best
Belmont men’s basketball head coach Rick Byrd has been named one of the Top 10 ‘Under the Radar Coaches’ in America by Athlon Sports in their 2009-10 College Basketball Preview Edition.
Byrd, who ranks 11th among all active NCAA Division-I head coaches in career victories with 561, is set to embark upon his 24th season roaming the Belmont sidelines. The Knoxville, Tenn. native was named 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award after directing the Bruins to an unprecedented third consecutive conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance.
Byrd has also garnered national acclaim for leading a program characterized by high academic achievement and sportsmanship. Since 2001, Belmont’s eight ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans represent the most for any program in the country. Further, six of the last eight Atlantic Sun Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award recipients have been Belmont Basketball players. Click here for more on this story.
Public Relations Program to Hold Ethics Week
Public relations ethics will be the focus of several special events on campus as part of Public Relations Ethics Week, Sept. 21-25. The incoming national president of the 34,000-member Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Gary McCormick, will speak on campus Tues., Sept. 22, at 11:30 a.m. in the Massey Board Room. McCormick is director of partnership development for HGTV, Scripps Networks. He will discuss “Are You Ready for Your Closeup? The Changing Face and Challenges of Public Relations.” Attendance is free, and lunch is available ($30 for members and students, $35 for nonmembers) with advance reservation at www.prsanashville.com.
“Gary will discuss changes facing businesses and organizations as we move into an era of trust, confidence, transparency, consumer engagement and social media,” said Bonnie Riechert, director of Belmont’s public relations program. Click here for more information.