May 28, 2010

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Scaffolding has been installed on Belmont’s historic Bell Tower to pave the way for 30 conservationists to begin restoration.

BELMONT NEWS

Belmont Joins Forces with WSMV-TV To Present Statewide Gubernatorial Debates
Live, town hall format will promote voter interaction
Belmont University is partnering with WSMV-TV and affiliates across the state to present two debates preceding the election of Tennessee’s next governor, one debate prior to this summer’s statewide primary and another before the fall general election. The University’s Curb Event Center, location of the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, will again be the site of a significant political event for the state of Tennessee.
The primary debate will occur on Mon., July 12 from 7-8 p.m., four days prior to early voting. The general election debate will take place Mon., Oct. 11 from 7-8 p.m., two days prior to early voting. Jackson businessman Mike McWherter, U.S. Representative Zach Wamp and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey have all agreed to participate in both the primary and general election debates, with the latter being dependent on which candidates earn their respective parties’ nominations. Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam has agreed to the primary debate but has not committed to a general election debate.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Hosting these debates presents a perfect opportunity for Belmont to serve the local and regional community while also promoting active citizenship among our student body. Furthermore, these debates will foster the kind of open and passionate dialogue that is vital to both the political and educational processes.”
WSMV-TV Vice President and General Manager Elden Hale said, “WSMV has demonstrated the highest commitment of any television station in the state to covering politics, with a full time Capitol reporter and a track record of compelling and high-rated candidate debates, including two debates during the 2007 Nashville Mayoral Race.”
Each debate will be one hour in length and follow a town hall format with citizens both within the venue and from across the state asking the candidates questions. Each debate will also feature significant social networking components to allow for even more voter interaction in terms of questions, comments and candidate feedback.
Over the past several years Belmont University has become the venue for local, statewide and national political ideas to be exchanged and heard. In addition to hosting then-presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain in 2008, the Curb Event Center also hosted the 2010 SCORE Educational Gubernatorial forum in January. Belmont University previously hosted forums in the 2007 Nashville mayoral race as well.
Belmont to Host Christian Community Health Fellowship
Belmont University’s Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing will again host the Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) May 27-29, 2010. CCHF is an annual national conference for leaders of faith-based clinics from across the United States who converge to discuss ways to impact the future of healthcare in our nation.
Founded in the late 1970s, CCHF is a nationwide network of health providers, administrators, teachers and students who are involved in providing health care to underserved communities, both rural and urban. CCHF produces a quarterly journal called Health and Development and holds numerous events including the annual CCHF Conference each May which is designed to educate, assist and inspire members to provide healthcare to the poor in a way that reflects the character and message of Christ.
Registration for the conference at Belmont is ongoing and can be completed here.
Belmont University Bookstore Provides Digital Textbooks, A Lower-Cost Textbook Option
Beginning this summer, the Belmont University Bookstore will provide students with downloadable eBooks, a cost-saving electronic alternative to printed textbooks, for selected digitally available titles. The bookstore’s decision to participate in the Universal Digital Textbooks Program reflects a deep commitment to delivering a proactive response to the high-cost-of-textbooks discussion. The store believes that introducing a lower-priced electronic textbook option, in addition to the new and used print versions of certain titles, offers students an important choice when it comes to both price and learning environment.
eBook versions of the text offer students the opportunity to save up to 50% off of the new book price. Unlike printed textbooks, which may or may not have buyback value at the end of the term, eBooks offer upfront savings at the time of purchase and are not subject to buyback. Purchasing an eBook at the bookstore also allows students to use their Student Financial Aid.
In addition to presenting significant upfront savings, downloadable eBooks offer students the convenience of bringing the text wherever they bring their laptops. As well, eBooks transform the learning environment into an interactive experience where students use free reader software to search the text, highlight, take notes and make comments, and print selections as desired. Many eBooks also offer read-out-loud capability. Most eBooks never expire and have no printing limitations, however, a few titles expire 6 or 12 months after download and restrict printing to 100 pages per week. In these cases, limitations will be noted on the eBooks cards that students will use to purchase their digital textbooks.
eBooks are available to students as cards, similar to electronic gift cards and phone service cards, and can be obtained in the textbook department as an alternative to the new and used versions of the printed text. A student who chooses to purchase an eBook will present the card to the cashier, who activates the card by swiping it at the register. The student can then download the book by visiting www.udtebook.com/download. There are currently more than 12,000 titles in the Universal Digital Textbooks program, with more being added all of the time.
The information contained within eBooks is copyright protected in accordance with Digital Rights Management rules. These rules protect intellectual property by allowing a single download to a single computer, setting the length of time that the book can be accessed on the computer (ranging from 6 to 12 months to unlimited availability, depending on the publisher), and using an encoding technique that prevents file sharing. While students cannot share eBooks, they can log into any computer, download the free reader software, and access their digital textbook.
To purchase an eBook, or for more information about this money-saving option, visit the Belmont University Bookstore. For activation or questions about your Universal Digital Textbook log on to www.DigitalTextbooks.com/download.

ACHIEVERS

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Electrical Shutdown on Sat., May 29
A final electrical shutdown is required to complete removal of all overhead power lines from the new residence hall complex back to 15th Avenue. This work will also make it possible to remove the temporary transformer on the soccer field. The electrical shutdown is scheduled for 7 a.m. this Sat., May 29 and is not expected to exceed three hours. Buildings impacted will be Pembroke, Hail, Maple, Power House, Plant Operations, Wheeler and Hitch.
Belmont Responds
Belmont continues its efforts to help dozens of those affected by the flood who are a part of our campus community. We have been in touch in person and by phone on a regular basis with all who are continuing to rebuild their lives. Belmont has provided both hands-on and other assistance to those in need, and will continue to work with them to be supportive. Each person affected by the flooding can take up to 10 days off, with pay, as they strive to recover. In addition, each staff member has been given information on how they can take three paid days of leave to do flood relief work. If all staff do this, Belmont will give 11,000 hours to the community in this way, over and above the efforts of our faculty and students. For those who need a team to come to their home to help, or have other needs or questions, please contact respond@belmont.edu.
Follow Belmont Missions and Service Learning Trip Blogs This Summer
Several Belmont University Summer Missions and Service Learning groups are preparing to depart in the next few days, including the annual sports evangelism team, which is going to Malta this year, along with Belmont’s inaugural trip to the Holy Land. Other destinations include Cambodia and South Africa. Click here to read more about each of the trips and to sign up to receive blog alerts this summer.
Kidz Klimb Will Run Through the Summer
Outdoor Pursuits has an exciting announcement for the Belmont community. Kidz Klimb will be extended through our summer hours! That’s right, you can bring your kids (ages 6 and up) by the Beaman Center to climb between the hours of 1-5 p.m. every Saturday at no cost to you. This is a great way to introduce your kids to climbing as a way to stay active when it gets too hot outside. To enhance the experience, every parent is encouraged to come by the Climbing Wall and get belay certified in order for you to belay your own child and encourage them to make it to the top. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Zeller at 6262 or you can email him at james.zeller@belmont.edu.

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Belmont is a Christian community of learning and service that strives to support its members through prayer. The following concerns have come to our attention recently. Thank you for including them in your prayers:
Please keep Patricia Jacobs, Career Services, and her family in your prayers at the loss of her grandmother, Mable Love Douthit Carpenter. Her obituary can be read here.

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@belmont.edu.
May 28
Gary Boling, Career Services
James Cook, Math/Computer Science
Bonnie Riechert, Communication Studies
May 29
Patricia Jacobs, Career Services
Keith Moore, Music
May 31
Anthony Donovan, Residence Life
June 3
Ann Edgin, Library
Mary R. Goodloe, Math/Com.Sci.
Rodney Smith, Development
June 4
Jason Rogers, University Counsel
Mike Strickland, Athletics
Jasmine Taylor, Business
June 7
Margaret Schlereth, Development

May 21, 2010

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Belmont University held its Spring 2010 commencement ceremoney for graduate students on Fri., May 14 and for undergraduate students on Sat., May 15. Belmont celebrated the graduation of a total of 744 students, marking the largest graduation in the university’s history to date. During the graduation ceremonies, 630 undergraduate, 92 master’s and 22 doctoral degrees will be conferred. Dr. Robert C. Fisher, president of the university, presided over the events and presented the commencement address at both ceremonies.

The Chaney Distinguished Professor Award was presented to Lucyellen Dahlgren, Instructor in the School of Nursing, and the Presidential Faculty Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Jeff Cornwall, Jack C. Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Professor of Management.

BELMONT NEWS

Belmont Nursing Graduates Achieve Perfect Pass Rate on National Exam
2009 Family Nurse Practitioner class passes certification exam on first attempt
For the sixth consecutive year, Belmont University graduates from the master’s program for Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) achieved a 100 percent first time pass rate on the advanced practice nursing examination for family nurse practitioners, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
ANCC, the world’s largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization, recently announced that the overall first time pass rate for the FNP exam was 93 percent in 2009. Belmont School of Nursing graduates did particularly well in the exam sections that measured assessment of acute and chronic illness, research and health promotion and disease prevention, exceeding the mean scores of all test-takers in these areas.
More than a quarter million nurses have been certified by ANCC since 1990, and over 80,000 advanced practice nurses are currently certified by ANCC. ANCC certification is accepted by governing boards throughout the United States, as well as insurers and the military. The program validates nurses’ skills, knowledge and abilities and empowers nurses within their professional sphere while contributing to better patient outcomes.
The School of Nursing is part of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing at Belmont University. Other schools and programs within the College include the Schools of Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy and Physical Therapy as well as the Social Work Department. The College educates future health professionals with a rigorous clinical-based curriculum and state-of-the-art technology and laboratories housed in a new health science complex that includes the Gordon E. Inman Building, the Health Care Simulation Center of Belmont University, and a soon-to-be-completed structure that doubles classroom and lab space and features a working pharmacy and center for health services.