July 29, 2011

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Physics Professor Has March Madness Down to a Science
Dr. Steve Robinson, a physics professor at Belmont University, uses his background in mathematics and computer science to predict the NCAA college basketball champions. He published “A Simple and Effective Method to Predict Seeded Tournament Outcomes,” in the “International Journal of Sports Science and Engineering” last November. Read more on Robinson and his theories in Explore, the College of Arts and Science magazine that will print at the end of August.

BELMONT NEWS

College of Business Administration Hosts Tenth Annual TSCPA Accounting Academy
Forty-one high school students and rising college freshmen from across the state of Tennessee recently gathered at Belmont for the tenth annual Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) Accounting Academy. Co-directed by Dr. Del DeVries, associate professor of accounting and information systems, and Dr. Beverly Alleyne, assistant professor of accounting, this free, four-day camp helps students explore careers in accounting and learn more about the dynamic world of business. This is the fifth consecutive year the program has been hosted at Belmont University.
During the program, students participated in multiple interactive team projects and visited several area businesses, including Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, and the Tennessee Titans Practice Facility.
Regarding the experience, one camper said, “Visiting the firms was so informative. I learned so many different things about accounting and also their personal stories. I am so very thankful that I was given that opportunity.” Read more.
Fire-Breathing Rabbit Highlights Entrepreneurial Spirit

What do a fire-breathing rabbit, 3-D advertising and a downtown, modern office have in common? Belmont bred entrepreneurs Jake Jorgovan (’11) and Kevin Fulda (former Belmont student) would argue it’s a recipe for success. Rabbit Hole Creative, their brain child, backs up that theory.
Born in Jorgovan’s basement recording studio at the age of 15, Rabbit Hole, a name derived from Jorgovan’s interpretation of diving into the unknown, has undergone many changes in the few years it has been operating. From a pre-teen’s recording dream to a young adult’s multimedia design company, Rabbit Hole is making a name for itself.
A company unique to the music industry, Rabbit Hole takes creative multimedia design to a new level. It is not only an industry video company, but Rabbit Hole also specializes in tour design, logo development and specialized advertising. Read more.
Journalism Student Covers Presidental Twitter-Based Event
Belmont senior journalism major Kevin Heim covered the July 6 Twitter Town Hall as a reporter through his internship with the Scripps Howard Foundation Wire.
Heim’s organization was offered a spot at the event for interns to gain experience. Moderated by Twitter co-founder and executive chairman Jack Dorsey, the Twitter Town Hall event was held at the White House and allowed President Barack Obama to answer questions posted on Twitter by people across the country.
Heim said, “I jumped at the opportunity to cover a groundbreaking event, and ended up right in the middle of the press area surrounded by reporters from CNN, ABC, FOX News and the Associated Press. While at the debate Heim took more than 700 photos for the newswire as well as a recording for the story he was writing. Read more.
Health Sciences Group Takes Mission Trip to Ghana
A group of Belmont faculty, students and alumni from the College of Health Sciences & Nursing are in Ghana this summer for a pilot medical service trip they hope will blossom into an annual mission for the University.
“This is really more of a relationship-building and fact-finding trip,” said Physical Therapy Professor Renee Brown. “Our goal is for it to become an interdisciplinary and an annual trip.”
Physical Therapy Associate Professor Kathy Galloway, Assistant Provost for International Education and Study Away Maggie Monteverde and third-year physical therapy students Sarahann Callaway, Mollie Carver and Hannah Peck also are on the 10-day trip. Read more.

ACHIEVERS

Click here for stories on the recent accomplishments of Belmont’s students, faculty, staff and alumni. This week’s highlights include alumni Evan and Jenny Owens and Adjunct English Instructor Jason Lovvorn.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summer Blood Drive Aug. 3
The American Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donors of all types due to a critical blood shortage across our nation. The Red Cross needs blood donations now more than ever. All blood types are needed – especially type O negative, which can be used to treat any patient. Belmont University Staff Advisory Council will host a
summer blood drive 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Aug. 3 in Beaman Student Life Center Conference Rooms A & B. Please visit the Red Cross website to make a donation appointment. Click blue box that says “Enter Sponsor Code >.” Enter Belmont19 and follow the instructions. If you need assistance with scheduling email Brandon Mitchell or call 615.460.5402. For questions about eligibility, check the “For First-Time Donors” link on the website or call 1-866-236-3276.
Tobacco-Free Policy Takes Effect Aug. 15
We want to remind everyone of an upcoming campus policy that was originally communicated to the Belmont community last fall.
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 take effect Aug.15.
A dedicated website addresses the rationale for the proposal and the specifics of the tobacco-free policy. We ask that you review this content thoroughly. In addition, the website offers information on treatment options for those wishing to stop their tobacco use. A separate webpage answers questions we have received since this policy change was announced last year.
It is our goal that this policy will further enhance the Belmont experience for everyone and improve the health of all our students, faculty and staff.

COMING UP

Monday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m.
Concert Hall Construction Kickoff
Belmont Heights Baptist Church at 2100 Belmont Blvd.
Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 1 and 2
New Faculty Orientation

BIRTHDAYS

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, please e-mail the update to communication@belmont.edu.
Happy belated birthday to Joyce Searcy (Community Relations) and Dan Keen (Curb College) who celebrated their birthdays July 4 and July 20, respectively.
July 30
Chris Agans, Residence Life
Jeff Kirk, Music
Debbie Jacobs, Religion
July 31
Helen Bond, Student Financial Services
Laurianne Cates, Development
David Graham, Curb Event Center
Aug. 2
John Halle, Physical Therapy
Aug. 3
Todd London, Music
Aug. 4
Veronica Smith, Mail Center

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS

Sales Tax Holiday
The State of Tennessee’s Annual Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m Aug. 5 and ends 11:59 p.m. Aug. 7.
• The Belmont Campus Store will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5. All of its clothing, school and office supplies qualify to be exempt from tax. This year the store has a limited number of qualifying Apple laptops in stock to sell. Textbooks are always tax-exempt in the state of Tennessee. For details and restrictions call the Campus Store at 615-460-6418 with questions or visit the state’s tax holiday website.
• MacAuthority is offering big deals this tax-free weekend for Belmont faculty, staff and students. Buy a computer (under $1500) and get a $100 to spend on the Mac App Store, tax-free iPad and the MacBook for only $899. Pre-orders are now being accepted and supplies are limited. Check out all the big deals available at MacAuthority locations: downtown at 2018 Lindell Avenue or MacAuthority inside CoolSprings Galleria.

July 22, 2011

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Law school construction
Construction continues on the Randall and Sadie Baskin Center. 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. The traffic light will be installed in summer 2012. Read more on campus construction.