June 24, 2011

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

BELMONT NEWS

Young Belmont Alumni Manage Two Successful Start Ups
Two blocks from Belmont University’s campus, alumni Kurt Nelson and Tyler Seymour have created a magical place where music festivals are shrunk into interactive features that glide beneath the fingertips of smart phone users.

Smart phone application building company Aloompa grew from Nelson and Seymour’s video production company start up, Just Kidding. Aloompa’s free apps provide festival goers with information on schedules and bands with separate applications for Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Outside Lands Music Festival and Treasure Island Music Festival, among others.
“The transformation is taking that giant chocolate bar throwing it through the air and bringing it back into your television set as a smaller, real life component. That is really what we were envisioning with what we were doing,” Nelson said. “(Smart phone applications) are the closest experience a fan could have with a celebrity.” Read more.
District 18 Council Candidates to Meet in July 12 Forum
Voters will have the opportunity to meet candidates running for the Metro Council District 18 seat and hear their ideas on wide-ranging community issues during a July 12 forum.
Two candidates have qualified to run for the District 18 seat: Burkley Allen, a mechanical engineer for IC Thomason, and David Glasgow, communications director for the state office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development. Both candidates have confirmed their participation in the forum.
Tom Cash, president of the Hillsboro West End Neighborhood Association, said, “In District 18, we have one of the most exciting races in the city this year. This forum provides a chance for voters to hear from these great candidates — not only their past accomplishments but specifics about their vision for the future of our neighborhoods and city.” Read more.

ACHIEVERS

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Construction Projects
The University expects its construction contractor to begin blasting for the new parking garage that is part of the residence hall construction in the Bruin Hills apartment area at 1 p.m. June 24. Once it starts, blasting is scheduled to occur each weekday for the next three months at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., though some days fewer blasts may occur.
In addition, work has begun to widen Wedgewood Avenue near 15th Avenue to provide turn lanes as part of the installation of a traffic signal at 15th and Wedgewood. The signal and accompanying turn lanes are required by Metro Government as part of the construction of the new College of Law building at 15th and Acklen Avenues and are being paid for by Belmont. Although the signal will not be installed until the summer of 2012, the widening will be completed this summer to take advantage of the decreased traffic patterns during the summer months.
Though these projects offer significant long-term benefits to our area in regards to both traffic and parking, we recognize that this current construction can be disruptive. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated. Read more.

Belmont University Becomes Tobacco-Free Campus
Beginning Aug. 15, tobacco use of any kind will no longer be permitted on university property. Belmont has previously provided a limited number of designated outdoor smoking areas. Belmont University is dedicated to the health and well being of all of its students, faculty and staff. Knowing the detrimental effects of tobacco use, we believe that we can no longer support its use on campus. We have created a website on Belmont’s tobacco-free initiative if you would like additional details or resources.

COMING UP

Monday and Tuesday, June 27-28
Towering Traditions Foundations First Year Session
Belmont Campus
Wednesday and Thursday, June 29-30
Towering Traditions Foundations First Year Session
Belmont Campus

Wednesday, June 29, 10 a.m.
Groundbreaking for New Parking Garage and Residence Hall
Bruins Hills

Monday, July 4, 7:30 p.m.
Bob & Judy Fisher’s 10th Annual Belmont University Cookout and Celebration
Neely Black & White Dining Room & Swensson Courtyard

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@belmont.edu.
Happy belated birthday to Joann Rosenbaum (Alumni Relations) and Rhonda McKay (Education) who celebrated on June 22 and 23, respectively.
June 25
Taryn Forrester, Office of the Associate Provost
James Laster, Maintenance Service
June 26
Vicki Allen, Center for Executive Education
June 28
Tabby Bewley, Sport Science
June 29
Edward Allen, Student Financial Services
Ray Seely, Sciences
July 1
Barry Kraus, Music

June 17, 2011

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Towering Traditions: Foundations
The Office of New Student and Parent Programs began hosting Towering Traditions for freshmen and transfer students this week. Approximately 1,200 first year students, 300 transfer students and more than 2,300 parents will attend Foundations this month. We hope you join us in welcoming these new members to the Belmont family.

BELMONT NEWS

Athletics Earns Unprecedented Eighth A-Sun All-Academic Trophy
Bruins set new standard for athletic, academic excellence
For the eighth time in its 10-year conference history, Belmont University has claimed the Atlantic Sun All-Academic Trophy, the league office announced Thursday. All told, 174 out of 228 in-season Belmont student-athletes earned academic honors, giving the university the greatest percentage of All-Academic honorees at 76.3 percent. That figure represents a new single-year program standard for Belmont University Athletics.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “I’m always proud of the strong performance of our student-athletes both in the classroom and in their chosen sports. But it’s particularly meaningful to win this award eight out of the past 10 years in a conference as academically competitive as the Atlantic Sun. To be awarded this trophy on the heels of conference championships in men’s basketball and baseball makes it all the more special.” Read more.

Dr. Michael Voight Receives APTA’s Most Prestigious Recognition
Dr. Michael Voight, professor of physical therapy, was selected as a 2011 Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the most prestigious recognition granted by the organization. Voight was officially bestowed the honor at a ceremony in National Harbor, Maryland on June 9 as part of the association’s annual conference.
“Dr. Voight’s election as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow speaks volumes about the recognized contributions that he has made as an expert clinician, and nationally and internationally recognized educator,” said Associate Dean of the School of Physical Therapy, Dr. John Halle. “Belmont University is fortunate to have faculty with the talent and energy demonstrated by Dr. Voight. This is a high honor and it is well deserved.” Read more.
Belmont Covers Tuition for Eligible Veterans Through Yellow Ribbon Program
Agreement with Department of Veterans Affairs significantly reduces tuition for service members
Belmont University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have signed a voluntary agreement to significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for qualified veterans, their spouses and dependents to earn college degrees.
Through Belmont’s enhanced Yellow Ribbon Program, which takes effect Aug. 1, the University and the federal government each will pay 50 percent of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible recipients as deemed by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The program allows qualified students to attend school at little-to-no tuition and fee costs.
“Our Yellow Ribbon Program is the most comprehensive tuition assistance program a private university can offer service members who have fought in wars, been stationed overseas and labored in other forms of active duty,” said Associate Registrar La Kiesha Armstrong, who is heading Belmont’s Yellow Ribbon Program. “This new agreement will offer increased resources to members of the military and their family members to make higher education affordable and obtainable.” Read more.