October 29, 2010

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Humanities Symposium 2010 ‘Giving Shape to Airy Nothings: Inventing Communities, Creating Identities’
Ron Cooper, Margaret Atwood and Fred Gardaphe (seated left to right) answered a variety of questions during the 2010 Humanities Symposium panel discussion Thursday morning, following a packed house at Ms. Atwood’s Wednesday night presentation at Belmont Heights Baptist Church. Symposium events continue through the weekend with a final wrap-up Monday morning. Click here to see the complete schedule, and click here to see additional photos from Symposium events this week.

BELMONT NEWS

First ‘Alumni on Mission’ Guests Share Story of ‘Standing with Hope’
School of Music alumni Gracie and Peter Rosenberger Speak on Accident, Mission
On Wednesday, Belmont welcomed back School of Music alumni Gracie and Peter Rosenberger for the inaugural “Alumni on Mission” event, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations. Alumni on Mission is a new series featuring Belmont alumni who incorporate mission and ministry in their everyday lives.
Emerging from a catastrophic car wreck resulting in more than 70 operations, including the amputation of both legs, Gracie and her husband Peter founded non-profit organization Standing With Hope in order to provide artificial limbs to amputees in developing countries… all as an evangelical Christian outreach. The couple also recently released a new book chronicling their story, Gracie, Standing with Hope. Read more….
Belmont Residents, Students Partner to Raise Awareness of Complete Streets, Bike Lane Safety
Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors, Inc., Belmont University promote safe use of Belmont Boulevard by pedestrians, bike travelers, and automobiles
Belmont students and residents of the Belmont-Hillsboro neighborhood lined Belmont Boulevard to bring awareness – and hopefully a stop – to illegal passing in bike lanes on Mon. Oct. 25. During morning and afternoon drive times when traffic is heaviest along this busy street, dozens of students and community members stood with t-shirts and signs which spread the message “no passing” in bike lanes.
Organizers from Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors, Inc. decorated every block of Belmont Blvd. from Woodmont Blvd. to Portland Ave. with balloons, and signs were placed in nearly every yard along the street. Belmont cheerleaders, members of the university’s ONE (Our Natural Environment) Club, and many others helped neighbors occupy each intersection to educate passersby on the importance of keeping the streets safe for all travelers – pedestrians, cyclists and automobiles. Additionally, members of Belmont’s recreation department held spin classes on the sidewalk in front of the Curb Event Center to symbolize “bikes are here to stay.” Read more….
Kiplinger Names Belmont to ‘100 Best Values’ List
Kiplinger Personal Finance has named Belmont one of the 100 best values among private universities for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price. Kiplinger’s rankings are based on a combination of academic and financial factors including student-faculty ratios, admission and retention rates, on-time graduation rate, sticker price and financial aid; however, much more weight is given to the academic quality of an institution than its cost. Belmont and Vanderbilt were the only private Tennessee institutions to make the Top 100.
Curb College Launches Student-Run Publishing Company
Representatives from ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, several publishing companies and A&R groups joined Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business (CEMB) faculty, staff and students on Oct. 21 at Ocean Way Studio A for an intimate reception celebrating the launch of Bruin Publishing, Belmont’s newly established publishing company. In addition to student creator Kevin Grosch’s poignant description of the inception, purpose and goals of the company, attendees got a taste of the talent Bruin Publishing will work with through performances from student songwriters Matt Wright, Keith Johnson, Jena Rickards and Claire Dunn. Read more….
Belmont Student-Athletes Rank High on NCAA Report
Belmont University student-athletes received high marks once again as the 2010 Graduation Success Rate (GSR) Report was released Wednesday by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The two-pronged report contained both Federal Graduation rates, which are based solely on freshman scholarship student-athletes enrolling between 2000 and 2003, and a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) that takes into account transfers in and out of the institution for the same time period. Both surveys are based on the student-athletes having six years to graduate from the time of their initial enrollment.
Cornwall’s Blog Named to ‘Top 10 Awesome and Inspiring’ List
The Entrpreneurial Mind, a blog by Dr. Jeff Cornwall, director of Belmont’s Center for Entrepreneurship and the Jack C. Massey Chair of Entrepreneurship, was included in Makeuseof.com’s list of “10 Awesome and Inspiring Blogs for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners.” The blogs were chosen for their insights, advice, presentation and overall appeal to business people. According to Makeuseof.com, “His academic insight into the world of the entrepreneur is a great balance to the news and trends offered by other blogs.” Other entries on the list include the Harvard Business Review and YoungEntrepreneur.com.
The Entrepreneurial Mind has also been honored by Forbes.com, U.S. News and World Report, Business Tennessee and cheaphostingdirectory.com. “Belmont asked me to start blogging seven years ago. At that time I had never even read a blog. In fact, I had no idea what a blog was,” said Cornwall. “I appreciate the encouragement, support, and commitment that the University has given me over the years on this project.”

ACHIEVERS

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Belmont to Go Tobacco Free in 2011
Belmont University is dedicated to the health and well being of all of its students, faculty and staff. In an endeavor to provide the healthiest possible environment, a tobacco free campus policy will be introduced August 15, 2011. All Belmont students, faculty and staff received an email this week announcing the new policy. A dedicated Web site, www.belmont.edu/tobaccofree, addresses the rationale for the proposal, the tobacco-free policy and frequently asked questions. In addition, the Web site offers information on treatment options for those wishing to stop their tobacco use.

Scarlett Leadership to Hold Fall Leadership Breakfast
The Scarlett Leadership Institute will hold its Fall Leadership Breakfast Nov. 18 with guest speaker Michael Beschloss, Presidential historian and best-selling author of Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America. The $45 admission includes breakfast, program, a copy of the book and a talk back session with Mary Fink, director of Scarlett’s Leadership Program Development. Click here to register or contact Amy Irwin at 615-460-5554 for more information.
Weight Watchers Meetings Starting Soon
Weight Watchers can help you lose that extra weight with a healthy plan, peer support, and motivational meetings. Deadline to sign up and to turn in payment is Thurs., Nov. 9. Contact Patsy Peach for more information at 460-6401 or patsy.peach@belmont.edu.
Meetings: Thursdays, November 11 – February 17, 2011
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Acklen Conference Room
Cost: New/rejoining/continuing = $120

COMING UP

Friday, October 29, 7 p.m.
Beyond the Immigrant Paradigm: The Future of Italian American Identities
Fred Gardaphe, Distinguished Professor of English and Italian American Studies at Queens College/CUNY and the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, will discuss how the idea of an ethnic identity, once important enough to be placed on the U.S. Census, has changed dramatically in the new century. Click here to see a complete listing of all Humanities Symposium events.
Beaman A&B
Saturday, October 30, 3 and 8 p.m.
Fall Follies
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Monday, November 1, 10 a.m.
Humanities Symposium Wrap-Up Session
Beaman A&B
Monday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.
Fall Choral Institute Concert
Belmont’s Oratorio Chorus, Belmont Chorale and select regional high school choirs will perform Schubert’s Mass in G and “Make our Garden Grow” by Leonard Bernstein.
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Tuesday, November 2, 7:30 p.m.
Commercial Strings and Jazz Small Group Concert
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Wednesday, November 3, 10 a.m.
Kathy Mattea: God and Coal
Kathy is multiple Grammy-winning singer/songwriter who comes from a West Virginia mining family. Her latest album, Coal, is a critically acclaimed expression of her social activism, which has also led her to become the celebrity spokesperson for LEAF, a Christian fellowship whose faith leads them to take action for Tennessee’s environment.
Neely Dining Room
Wednesday, November 3, 6:15 p.m.
Insider’s View: Michael Jackson the Epic Years
An Insider’s View conversation with Frank DiLeo, Steve Popovich, Larry Stessel, and Dan Beck with Harry Chapman facilitating.
MPAC
Wednesday, November 3, 7:30 p.m.
Brass & Flute Ensemble Concert
Belmont Heights Baptist Church Sanctuary
Thursday, November 4, 7:30 p.m.
Session Concert
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Friday, November 5, 10 a.m.
Chapel
Every Friday at 10 a.m. we will gather together as a campus community to worship, pray, meditate and reflect on God’s word.
Neely Dining Room
Saturday, November 6, 7 p.m.
Urban/Pop Showcase
Curb Event Center Arena

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@belmont.edu.
October 29
Maren Bishop, Nursing
Merrie King, Education
Kelly Rockey, Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy
October 31
Kelly Moreland Jones, ACIT
November 1
Lori LeBleu, Business
Andrea Stover, English
November 2
Al Baugh, Conference Services
Linda Holt, English
Judy Johnson, Custodial Services
Lorraina Scholten
November 5
Dewayne Lee, Campus Security
November 7
Sharon Gregg, Music
Joyce Ann Watson, Athletics

October 22, 2010

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Belmont Receives IRIS Award
On Sunday evening, Belmont University received the 2010 Iris Award from the Japan-America Society of Tennessee. The award, presented by Gov. Phil Bredesen and Christine Karbowiak of The Japan-America Society of Tennessee and Bridgestone Americas, recognizes unique contributions of a company, organization or individual to the enhancement of Japan-Tennessee relations. Accepting on behalf of Belmont was Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn, director of Asian Studies. Click here for more on this story.

BELMONT NEWS

Belmont Celebrates Ninth Annual Humanities Symposium
Belmont University is hosting its ninth annual Humanities Symposium, which will feature a reading and keynote lecture from Booker Prize-winning author Margaret Atwood. Centered on the theme “Giving Shape to Airy Nothings: Inventing Communities, Creating Identities,” the 2010 Humanities Symposium will occur from Oct. 24 – Nov. 1 and parallels the 2010-2011 university theme of “Invention and Creativity.”
The Humanities Symposium seeks to fulfill the classical definition of what a symposium should be: a gathering of friends for the purpose of intellectually stimulating conversation on a matter important to humanity, time and place. More than 30 academic lectures and special events will be held during the eight-day symposium, including Atwood’s appearances, student readings and panels, and presentations on everything from urban legends to the Italian-American identity to “Arrested Development.”
“We are so honored to have a writer of Mrs. Atwood’s caliber,” said Sue Trout, professor of English at Belmont and an organizer of the 2010 symposium. “The symposium is a way to shine a light on the School of Humanities, what we value, and what we have to offer. We believe that the humanities are at the heart of Belmont’s mission and its desire to make students more sensitive, more responsible and more open-minded and well-rounded human beings.” Read more….
School of Nursing Provides Flu Clinic For Edgehill
On Oct. 11, nursing student Ashley Scoby administered flu shots to Edgehill residents in the I.W. Gernert Homes along with School of Nursing faculty Dr. Anita Chesney and Dr. Ruby Dunlap. The shots were donated by Student Health Services. “The three of us really enjoyed interacting with the residents of the IWG high rise,” Dunlap said. “This is the kind of nursing I enjoy most— offering health services right where people live.”
In addition to the flu clinic, 87 nursing students have made home visits to refugee family clients of Catholic Charities and World Relief Refugee Resettlement. The students provided health assessments, nutrition and medication instruction and instruction on the U.S. healthcare system. The families hailed from various countries, including Nepal, Burma, Iraq and Ethiopia.
Belmont Hosts Free Speech Week
Belmont’s communication studies department and Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society, hosted several events this week to celebrate National Freedom of Speech Week. On Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m., the department hosted a pizza and movie night. Professor Pam Parry screened the film The Pentagon Papers and led a discussion following the movie, which chronicles a case of censorship by the U.S. government. On Friday, Oct. 22, first amendment expert Oliver “Buzz” Thomas spoke on “Fighting for Freedom in an Age of Fear.” Thomas is Executive Director of the Knoxville Public Education Foundation.
“Buzz Thomas is one of the foremost First Amendment scholars in the nation, and he has an uncanny ability to translate complex legalese into everyday conversation,” Parry said. “A dynamic speaker, Thomas has worked on First Amendment issues in the nation’s capital, where he was a member of the Supreme Court bar. A quintessential renaissance man, Buzz is an author, columnist, religious liberty expert, ordained minister, songwriter, musician and educator. Belmont is truly fortunate to have an opportunity to hear a scholar of his expertise and reputation.”
Belmont PRSSA Recognized At National Conference
The Belmont Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America received a national chapter award and two national student awards Monday night at the 2010 PRSSA National Conference in Washington, D.C. Belmont’s chapter was one of seven chapters nationally to receive a Star Chapter Award, which recognizes chapter performance in 10 categories including ethics advocacy and community service. This is only the second time this award has been given, and the second time Belmont has received it.
“I was extremely proud of our chapter to be recognized for these prestigious awards during the national conference,” said Katie Siklosi, a sophomore and the vice president of the chapter. “We are continually looking for ways to better our chapter and being here to learn and being commended for our achievements was a great experience.” Read more….