April 29, 2011

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Mixed Bill VII
Mixed Bill VII is Belmont’s dance program’s annual recital for dance minors. Tickets are $4 for faculty and staff, and additional performances are scheduled for tonight, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in Troutt Theater.

BELMONT NEWS

Belmont Honors Students, Faculty at Annual Scholarship and Awards Day
Belmont University recognized students and faculty at the annual Scholarship and Awards Day ceremony April 20 in the Massey Performing Arts Center. Click here for a photo gallery of the event. Students honored in the ceremony included:
Jacqueline Rachel Wilson, Amanda Knox and Eric Glenn – The Williams-Murray First Year Writing Awards
Jesse Johnson and Dylan March – The Alfred Leland Crabb Awards
Matthew Lefavor, Brian York, Bethany Somma and Nathan Stabenfeldt – The Stacy Awalt Writing Awards
Emily Hastings – The Annette Sisson First Year Writing Award
Felicia Black – The Lumos Travel Award
Hannah DeLap – The John Williams Heart of Belmont Award
Sarah McClellan Currey – The First Year Award, Leadership
Susan Caroline Bay – The Second Year Award, Leadership
Hope Allison Cooper – The Third Year Award, Leadership
Amy Kathleen Dunning – The Fourth Year Award, Leadership
In addition to student award winners, Dr. Jennifer Thomas, associate professor of biology, was named the 2011 Chaney Distinguished Professor. The Chaney Distinguished Professor Award, determined on the basis of superior teaching, is presented each year to a faculty member who best represents the vision of the university to be a “premier teaching institution.”
“It is amazing to be recognized by my students and colleagues in this way,” said Dr. Thomas. “There is nothing better than having the people you care about, work with and work for affirm and rejoice in what you have chosen to do with your life. I am grateful, humbled and downright giddy.”
Dr. Vaughn May, chair of the political science department, was awarded the 2011 Presidential Faculty Achievement Award. The Presidential Faculty Achievement Award is presented each year to a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to student life outside the classroom. The award honors and recognizes excellence in faculty-student relationships, special abilities in meeting student needs – academic, personal and professional – and symbolizes Belmont University’s commitment to being a student-centered institution.
“I am extraordinarily flattered that my students nominated me for this honor. I am blessed to work at a remarkable university, and I hope that I can continue to contribute in positive ways to the lives of my students,” Dr. May said.
Belmont, Watkins Announce Academic Partnership
Officials at Belmont University and Watkins College of Art, Design & Film recently signed an agreement that benefits students at both institutions as well as the arts community in Nashville and beyond.
Through this agreement, which became effective this semester, Belmont will broaden opportunities for its students by allowing them to pursue a minor in film through the Film School at Watkins. Additionally, students in the Belmont Honors Program may take supplemental courses at Watkins. Watkins will broaden opportunities for its students by offering them the chance to take courses in Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Per this agreement, Watkins students may also pursue more diverse course offerings though Belmont’s Department of General Education. Watkins students may use these courses as free electives or courses for specific substitution. Read more….
Casey Alexander Named Stetson Head Coach
Belmont University men’s basketball associate head coach Casey Alexander has been named head men’s basketball coach at Stetson University, the school announced April 20. Alexander, 38, has been a central figure within the Belmont program for the past two decades. He takes over at Stetson following 16 seasons as a member of the Belmont coaching staff. Alexander has served as associate head coach for the past nine seasons.
“All of us in the Belmont Basketball family are happy and excited for Casey, Sunni and the entire Alexander family for this opportunity,” Belmont head coach Rick Byrd said. “Only the players he played with, the players he coached and the staff he worked with can really appreciate just how much he has contributed to the success of Belmont Basketball. Stetson is gaining a person who has a great work ethic, a keen understanding of the game, and a caring attitude about his players. Casey is a great leader, who inspires others with his integrity. All of us will miss his passion, competitiveness and daily friendship. We will be Hatter fans, except for two games a year!” Read more….
Belmont Students Compose, Record Film Scores
On April 17, Pat McMakin, director of studio operations at Belmont’s Ocean Way Studios, opened the facility’s doors to a wide variety of musicians, engineers, composers and film directors, all with the task of recording the scores of four independent short films produced and crafted from local film departments at Watkins and Vanderbilt University. The event, the Student Scoring Initiative, brought together students, engineers, directors, musicians and composers at Ocean Way.
Scott Hallgren, a local multiple award-winning composer and producer as well as a professor at Tennessee State University and the Nashville Film Institute, was the organizer of the initiative. With the support of the Nashville Composer Association, Hallgren assembled a predominantly Belmont student orchestra to play the scores that Belmont students composed. Read more….

ACHIEVERS

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Due to the limited parking available on site, buses will be running continuously between the Belmont quad circle and Rose Park beginning at 3:45 until 10 p.m./ game end.
Vote Now for Belmont Students in Red Bull Drumming Contest
Belmont juniors Andrew Bellisle and Vinay Schroff, both percussionists and students in Belmont’s School of Music, are competing in the regional round of Red Bull’s Tum Tum Pa freestyle drumming competition after winning the first round on March 24. Their video was recently added to Red Bull’s website, and voting is now open through May 2 to decide the winner of the Southeastern USA region (Click the link above, then choose Southeastern Conference and then click on the video by “Coffee and Cream” to cast your vote). Click here for more on this story.
Becoming a Champion for Diversity and Inclusion
As part of Belmont’s Welcome Home Team–an initiative created by Senior Leadership to support the collection, sharing and implementation of winning strategies to increase campus-wide racial and ethnic diversity–we would like to urge all faculty and staff to attend a training session titled “Becoming a Champion for Diversity and Inclusion.” This session, facilitated by Young Motivation Group, will focus on ways to better understand diversity and will allow you to create a personal action plan that will help Belmont become more effective in reaching our diversity and inclusion goals. (Several people on campus have attended this class in the fall and do not need to take it again.)
All sessions will be held in the Frist Lecture Hall on the 4th floor of Inman. Please review the dates below and email the date of your preferred session to Misty Biggers in the Office of Communications, misty.biggers@belmont.edu. You will receive a confirmation from Misty once you have been registered. We appreciate your participation in this important initiative.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING DATES
Thursday, May 5, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10, 1 – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17, 1 – 4 p.m.
Monday, May 23, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thursday, June 9, 1 – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wednesday, June 29, 1 – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, July 6, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wednesday, August 3, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Nashville’s Country Music Marathon to Impact Belmont Campus, Neighboring Streets THIS SATURDAY
The Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon returns for its 12th year this Saturday, April 30, welcoming more than 30,000 participants to a running tour of Music City. The event committee has informed the university that changes in the race’s route this year will impact campus. We want to alert you that on race morning, Belmont’s campus will be circled by closed streets.
Numerous streets—including Magnolia, 17th/18th, Portland, Clifton, 12 South, Belmont Blvd. and Wedgewood Ave.—will close at 6 a.m. Saturday morning; no parking will be allowed after 1 a.m. In addition, during the peak of the race, when runners are elbow to elbow, pedestrian access to crossing these streets will be limited. The streets will reopen on a rolling basis as the last runner/walker passes between 9:30-11:15 a.m., depending on the street.
Please be aware of the road closures in our area and plan ahead for an alternate route or added travel time. Residential students and employees who need to leave campus Saturday morning will need to plan ahead and park their vehicles outside the race perimeter Friday evening. Students, faculty and staff coming to Belmont Saturday morning will also need to park outside the perimeter and walk to campus.
For additional information, see the links below:
Course Map
Road Closure List
No Street Parking List
Belmont Faculty, Staff, Families Invited to ‘Gathering on the Green’ Sunday
Several Belmont organizations–including Alpha Gamma Delta, Phi Delta Theta, the Belmont Mansion and the Curb College–are teaming up to host the “Gathering on the Green” this Sunday from 5-10 p.m. on the North Lawn. In addition to free live music provided by Belmont students and alumni, a buffet-style dinner will be served for $5 and a silent auction will be held inside the Mansion with all proceeds being donated to Alpha Gamma Delta and Phi Delta Theta’s philanthropies, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Many local restaurants are participating including SATCO, Qdoba, McDougal’s, Far East, City Cafe, Jack’s BBQ, Godfather’s Pizza / Wings, Barbara’s Meat and Three, The Picnic Cafe and Roly Poly. In addition, there will also be three of Nashville’s dessert trucks who are all donating at least 20 percent of the profits back to the philanthropies: Bang Candy Company, Foxy Pies and Tin Can Treats.
Purchase Discounted Thistle Farms Products in Campus Store Tuesday, Wednesday
Join the Campus Store on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3-4, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. as the ladies from Thistle Farms will be on hand to demonstrate their products. Enjoy 20 percent off all Thistle Farms products purchases during the event.
Updated Environmental Management System Now Available
The updated 2011 version of Belmont University’s Environmental Management System is now available for viewing by all students, faculty and staff. Click here to read or print this document.

COMING UP

Friday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.
Mixed Bill VII
Mixed Bill VII is Belmont’s dance program’s annual recital for dance minors. Tickets are $4 for faculty and staff. Additional performances Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Troutt Theater
Saturday, April 30, 8 p.m.
Jazz Band I and Jazz Band II
These ensembles perform diverse literature that ranges from big band swing to modern jazz-fusion.
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Sunday, May 1, 5-10 p.m.
Gathering on the Green
Concert and Dinner – Dinner cost is $5 per person. Come out and join us as we eat a delicious meal, listen to talented acts and raise money for surrounding charities as well as the Belmont Mansion.
North Lawn – Front of Heron, Pembroke & Hail
Monday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
Classical Performers Concert
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Tuesday, May 3, 4-7 p.m.
Rose Park Grand Opening
Come out to Rose Park off of Edgehill and support our men’s baseball double header and enjoy live music, games, food and a ceremonial ribbon cutting to officially open up the newly renovated Rose Park. Bring your families and your friends!
E.S. Rose Park, Edgehill Ave.
Tuesday, May 3, 7:30 p.m.
Brass & Flute Ensemble
Belmont Heights Baptist Church Sanctuary
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Academic Preparation Day
Wednesday, May 4, noon-5 p.m.
Moovers and Shakers Grand Opening!
Nashville’s first mobile soda parlor, Moovers and Shakers, is having its grand opening on the South Lawn from noon to 5 p.m. Come out and support Belmont’s entrepreneurs with Nashville’s first mobile soda parlor!
South Lawn
Wednesday, May 4, 9-11 p.m.
Pancake Night
Come celebrate the end of the semester with University Ministries! This is an event hosted every dead day (the day in between classes ending and finals starting) to give students a little relief and an energy boost before finals begin. If faculty or staff would like to volunteer to help serve, call University Ministries x6419 or e-mail Rebecca Giles.
Cafeteria
Friday, May 6, 7 p.m.
Nashville Children’s Choir
Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)
Saturday, May 7, 4 p.m.
Chorale’s 40th Anniversary Concert
Directed by Dr. Jeffrey Ames, Chorale is one of the earliest performing ensembles in Belmont’s musical history. It is a select mixed ensemble of about 60 voices that performs diverse literature from all genres. Chorale has toured the U.S. as well as abroad, and has produced several recordings. This year, Chorale is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Belmont Heights Baptist Church Sanctuary
Sunday, May 8, 2 p.m.
The Belmont Rep Presents Shel Silverstein’s ‘An Invitation to Play’ and ‘Antigone’
The Belmont Rep will present two plays, one for a K-4 audience and one for high school. All of Belmont is invited to see their performance. The group will perform Shel Silverstein’s “An invitation to Play” as well as the Greek classic “Antigone.”
Black Box

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 Greg Faulk (Business) and his family in your thoughts and prayers following the loss of his mother on Good Friday.

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@belmont.edu.
April 29
Devon Boan, Honors
April 30
Rick Byrd, Athletics
Matt Reno, Bookstore
Michael Simpson, Security
May 1
Jennie Carter Thomas, Business
May 2
Noel Boyle, Philosophy
Mark Volker, Music
May 3
Stacy Maciuk, Development
Jane Shelby, Nursing
May 6
Robert Dillingham, Business
Nancy Le, Custodial Services
May 8
Lloyd Elder, Moench Center

April 15, 2011

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Greek Week Raises $10,000+ for Rose Park Scholarship Recipients
Belmont Greek Life recently held another successful Greek Week, resulting in more than $10,000 raised for the Rose Park scholarship recipients. Using the theme of “The Greek Network” to help bring chapters together for the week, the Greek organizations came together to raise money to provide the Rose Park scholarship recipients with laptops, as well as computers for the Easley Community Center and underprivileged high school seniors attending college in the fall. Click here to view video highlights from Greek Sing, and click here to view the Greek Olympics photo gallery. Read more on this story….