Professional Chemistry major/mathematics minor Rebecca Newton (’13) was recently awarded a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at the University of Syracuse in Syracuse, New York for Summer 2011. The REU includes a $4,500 stipend, campus housing for the summer and other benefits. While in New York, Rebecca will have the opportunity to carry out Organometallic Chemistry research, attend research seminars and present her results at a culminating poster session. REU programs are very competitive and support active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. Rebecca is a sophomore Pathways Scholar, Engaged Scholar and received the 2010 Freshman Chemistry Award. For more information on this REU, please visit http://www-che.syr.edu/reu/.
Chemistry Student Awarded National Science Foundation REU
Barnes Judges PRSSA Competition
Susan Barnes was invited to judge the 2011 Public Relations Student Society of America’s annual Bateman Case Study Competition April 9 in New York. She joined a team of judges to review 49 case study entries from universities across the country. Three finalists were chosen to present their cases in May in New York. Among the honorable mention winners in the competition was a team from Lee University coached by Kevin Trowbridge, who will join the Belmont public relations faculty in the fall. The Bateman competition is the most prestigious competition sponsored by PRSSA.
Bishops Speaks at Nashville Sertoma Club Meeting
Andrew Bishop, a sophomore social entrepreneurship major in Susan Barnes’s Mass Media and Society class, was the featured speaker at the Nashville Sertoma Club’s weekly meeting on April 5. Andrew is founder of Philanthroteach, a non-profit that matches community need with the talents and skills of university faculty throughout the Nashville area. He was invited to speak to Sertoma through Tower Creative Consultants, the student-run public relations firm that Susan Barnes advises. She also serves on the board of Philanthroteach
Lamothe to Present at American Musicological Society
Virginia Lamothe, Adjunct Professor in the School of Music, had a paper accepted for presentation at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Musicological Society, which will be held in San Francisco from November 10-13. Her paper, “The Cardinal-Patron as Saint: Opera and the Oratory in Seventeenth-Century Rome,” was one of 196 papers chosen from a field of more than 700 entries.
School of Pharmacy Class of 2013 Hosts Easter Egg Hunt for Renewal House
On Saturday, April 16, members of the School of Pharmacy Class of 2013 hosted an Easter Egg Hunt and additional activities for children living at Renewal House.
This is one of several Class of 2013 service activities held for Renewal House this year. Earlier in the spring, the class collected household and cleaning items to assist families at the facility. In addition, members of the Class of 2013 have spent time painting apartments for families at Renewal House.
Renewal House is a community where women undergo comprehensive treatment for addiction. Not only does the professional staff at Renewal House serve women battling this disease, but they foster healing, resiliency and educational enhancement for all members of the patient’s family.
Physical Therapy Students Present Research in New Orleans
Current third year physical therapy students Sarah Jo Lyons Bouton, Betsy Codington, Larry Pemberton and Daniel Rogers presented a poster of their research at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans recently. Their research project, “An Assessment of Satisfaction and Functional Outcomes of Wheelchair/Seating Systems,” was completed in conjunction with Penny Powers, PT, M.S., ATP, at the Vanderbilt Seating and Mobility Clinic. Renee Brown, PT, Ph.D., was the faculty adviser and Barbara Ward in Mathematics and Computer Science also assisted with the project.
In addition, four physical therapy graduates- Matt Cabbage, PT, Ann Howard, PT, Renee Ohendalski Blalock, PT, and Rachel Rooks, PT- had their student research project presented as a platform presentation at the meeting. Their project, titled “Evidence-based Development and Evaluation of Educational Information for Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Families,” was in conjunction with Dr. Ann Marie Flores of the Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Oncology Department and examined the educational needs of breast cancer survivors. Their research ultimately resulted in the publication of a patient education booklet for breast cancer survivors and their families. The students’ research adviser on this project was Renee Brown, PT, Ph.D.
Belmont and Beyond Finale Invites Students to Explore Courage and Character
Integrity fanatic Nancy Reece spoke to students on April 18 at the Belmont and Beyond Finale event, “Live the Life You Imagine.” Reece is passionate about helping people know the right thing to do and then doing the right thing. At the event, she talked about the three C’s – Competence, Character and Courage. Reece told students to put themselves second and help others first. She provided a thought-provoking and interactive session and helped students explore insights on courage and character. Reece challenged students to lay a foundation for success in their personal and professional lives.
Belmont and Beyond produces co-curricular programming designed specifically to assist students in transitioning to life after Belmont.
Business Students Win Big at International Competition
Belmont had its best year ever at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference. Twenty-eight Belmont business students competed in the international competition hosted by DECA, April 13-16 in Orlando. Of the 28 Belmont participants, 20 reached the finals in their respective events.
With nearly 1,500 students in attendance, Belmont students won numerous awards in the following categories:
Entrepreneurial Business Plan: Tim Smith won 1st place, and Jake Jorgovan won 3rd place.
Entrepreneurial Challenge: Jerell Harris, Areej Rabie and Josh Gilreth won 2nd place. Kathleen Bond, Matt Madden and Lindsay Ricker won 3rd place, and Mandy Thompson, Hillary Unis and Jenna Owen also finished in the top 10.
Sales Management: Jerrell Harris won 2nd place.
Restaurant Management: Clark Buckner won 2nd place for the second year in a row. Max Magura finished in the top 10, and Julia Cecere was a national finalist.
Business Ethics: Lindsay Ricker and Kathleen Bond finished in the top 10, and Aubree Phillips and Charles Williams were national finalists.
Retail Management: Hillary Unis was a national finalist.
This is the third consecutive year Belmont placed first in the Entrepreneurship Business Plan category and won second place in the Entrepreneurial Challenge.
Collegiate DECA is the college division of DECA, Inc. More than 1,400 students from 230 college campuses participate in the organization. Collegiate DECA enhances the student’s college experience by providing recognition and leadership activities directly related to academic study.
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.
According to Ellen Meyer, president of Watkins College of Art, Design & Film, “With the role that both institutions play in Nashville’s creative culture, this is a natural partnership that further integrates Watkins’ leadership and resources in art, design and film into Nashville’s broader creative community. Given Belmont’s leadership in music and entertainment, as well as its broad general education program, this is a great opportunity to build upon the strengths and resources of both institutions to benefit students, expanding upon the natural connection between the visual and performing arts.”
Belmont Provost Dr. Thomas Burns added, ““Belmont is pleased to be able to formally collaborate with Watkins College of Art, Design, & Film through this agreement. With this partnership we not only create unique opportunities for students at both of our institutions, but we also hope to foster novel academic, cultural and creative collaborations through our shared commitment to students and to Nashville.”
Cooper Receives AT&T Advertising Solutions Scholarship in Public Relations
Belmont University junior Hope Cooper was named at the College of Arts and Sciences Award Ceremony on Monday as the fifth recipient of the AT&T Advertising Solutions Scholarship in Public Relations (formerly known as the AT&T Real Yellow Pages Scholarship in Public Relations). AT&T Advertising Solutions is supporting Belmont University’s public relations program with a five-year scholarship commitment, with the inaugural award given in 2007. The $2,500 prize is presented annually each spring to the public relations major who demonstrates academic excellence, campus service and professionalism. Applicants must also write an essay that effectively responds to the question, “What role should public relations play in corporate social responsibility?”
Susan Barnes, instructor of media studies, said, “If you were to paint a picture of the perfect Belmont student, it would be Hope Cooper. She lives her faith every day through her hard work, her dedication to her studies and her many friendships. She’s a delight, and has such a great future ahead of her. She so deserves this honor.”
A public relations major and early childhood education minor, Cooper is an active leader on Belmont’s campus. She is currently the philanthropy coordinator for Alpha Gamma Delta and is planning their first Gathering on the Green event. Cooper also serves as chapter president for the Student Tennessee Education Association, a Tower Team leader, a member of Belmont Buddies, a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, a member of Order of Omega, a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society and a Bruin Recruiter.
“I am honored to be selected for this scholarship and couldn’t be more excited to be the recipient, Cooper said. “Belmont has been more than generous throughout my college experience, and this is just another example of how helpful the university and individual departments are in the lives of their students. My professors’ involvement and interest in my life never ceases to amaze me, and I couldn’t be more thankful to be a part of such a welcoming, loving, engaging community.”
