Dan Keen (Music Business) was recently re-appointed to the Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Association. He holds the Board seat reserved for the Chairman of the GMA Academy Council, which is responsible for the educational efforts of the GMA.
Acree Interviewed in Tennessean
Glenn Acree (Mathematics) was interviewed and quoted in an article in the January 23, 2011 issue of the The Tennessean. The article, “Tech Jobs in Demand in Nashville,” discusses the status of the technology sector in Middle Tennessee including the role of higher education.
Yandell, Bailey Publish Book Chapter
Lonnie Yandell and William Bailey (Psychological Science) have recently published a chapter in the book Best Practices for Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning, Connecting to Psychology and the Social Sciences, which is published by Oxford University Press. Their chapter is titled “Online Quizzes: Improving Reading Compliance and Student Learning.” Click here to see the book.
Pinter Included in New Book
Mike Pinter (Mathematics) has a brief selection included in a new book titled It Works for Me: Becoming a Publishing Scholar/Researcher: Shared Tips for the Classroom Professional (authors: Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet; New Forums Press, 2010). Pinter’s contribution is titled “Publishing Ideas from Courses that Extend Beyond Your Primary Discipline.”
Miller, Pinter Present Papers at Math Conference
Andy Miller and Mike Pinter (Mathematics) presented papers as part of the Contributed Paper Session on Humanistic Mathematics at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in New Orleans, January 6-9. Nearly 6,000 mathematicians and mathematics educators were present for the annual conference. The presentation titles, respectively, were “ ‘Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty’: The aesthetics of mathematical arguments” and “Exploring mathematical characters, in fact and in fiction.”
Board of Trust Affirms Non-Discrimination Policy
Today Belmont University’s Board of Trustees voted to amend the University’s official non-discrimination policy, adding a preamble inspired by the school’s mission statement and employment handbooks that clearly identifies the university’s Christian mission. In addition, they added sexual orientation to the written anti-discrimination policy to reflect the school’s long-standing practice of non-discrimination as it relates to sexual orientation. These additions affirm Belmont’s long-held practices in employment and student life. This vote makes that ongoing practice part of the University’s new written policy, which can be seen below:
Belmont University Non-Discrimination Policy
Belmont University is a Christian community. The university faculty, administration, and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. As a community seeking to uphold Christian standards of morality, ethics and conduct, Belmont University holds high expectations of each person who chooses to join the community. In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of1972, Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Belmont University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or sexual orientation in its administration of education policies, programs or activities; its admissions policies; or employment. Under federal law, the university may discriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill its purposes. The university has appointed the director of the Office of Human Resources to serve as coordinator of compliance with Title IX. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Office of the Provost or the Office of Human Resources.
Video of Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher’s Statement to Media
Belmont Is Open Today, Wednesday, January 26
Belmont University is open today–Wednesday, January 26, 2011–and classes will proceed as scheduled. Because weather and road conditions can vary greatly within our region, students, faculty and staff are urged to use individual discretion when making the decision to travel to campus in snow or icy weather.
Belmont Students Learn about Economic Development in Guatemala
Led by Belmont College of Business faculty Dr. Marietta Velikova and Jose Gonzalez, a group of 15 students recently spent 11 days on a study abroad trip to Guatemala. This is the second year a group from Belmont has visited the area to learn about Fair Trade Coffee, entrepreneurship and economic development. Their experience included work with Limitless Horizons, a local NGO that supports youth education in the region of Chajul, and Asociacion Chajulense, one of Guatemala’s largest Fair Trade and organic coffee producer coop. The group also visited Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City, where they were able to explore the campus and listen to a lecture by Professor Monterroso on poverty in Latin America.
About the trip, Instructor of Entrepreneurship and Management Jose Gonzalez said, “This is a great opportunity for students to apply learning and get some international experience doing what so many at Belmont are passionate about, helping others. I’m thankful to be a part of what has proven to be such a rewarding learning experience for all.”
Belmont University and iPractice Group Partner in Employer in Residence Program
iPractice Group, a Nashville-based healthcare IT company, has announced a partnership with Belmont University for their Employer in Residence program. The company hopes that this relationship will help foster local young talent in the fields of IT, finance and marketing.
Lori LeBleu, director of career development for Belmont University’s College of Business Administration, said, “ The Employer in Residence program provides a win-win opportunity for both organizations: our students will gain real world experience and knowledge from a growing company in a key industry while the company will develop a pipeline of fresh talent.”
Dr. Yvonne Catino, vice president of human capital and organizational development for iPractice Group, said, “We are proud to be part of this new partnership with Belmont University. We have several objectives for the program, the main focus being to share our industry expertise with the faculty, staff and students. Our hope is to take a leadership role in raising awareness of the ‘up and coming’ healthcare careers that will be needed in the next 5-10 years. We are pleased to be the first company to partner with Belmont in this Employer in Residence initiative.”
Anderson Shares Lessons from ‘Empowerment Experiment’
As part of Belmont’s celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. week, Maggie Anderson, co-founder of the Empowerment Experiment, spoke to students at a convo on Wednesday. The Empowerment Experiment was Anderson’s attempt to “buy black” for one year, only supporting African American-owned businesses. On the Empowerment Experiment Web site, Anderson wrote, “Our goal is to trigger a smart movement where Americans of all backgrounds will unite to support quality minority businesses and ensure that the American Dream truly applies to all. In EE, we focus on uplifting Black businesses and empowering the Black community, as this community suffers disproportionately economically because it does not engage in self-help economics – like everyone else.”
At her lecture, Anderson described the obstacles facing the black community. African Americans have one-tenth the wealth of their white counterparts, a statistic that has not changed since Reconstruction. She said black communities are in shambles, partly because black-owned businesses are disappearing. African Americans represent 37 percent of the minority population, but only 30 percent of minority-owned businesses. Worst of all, black businesses only earn 13 percent of the money spent in minority-owned businesses.
“God gave me a moment, and it was in that moment that I learned that I don’t have the luxury of giving up on my people,” Anderson said. “Good intentions and spirited conversations weren’t going to cut it—we had to act.”
Anderson described the Empowerment Experiment as an “everyday movement.” The EE aimed to defy stereotypes about black businesses, counter unemployment and underdevelopment in black communities, set an example for future generations and showcase the power of a good idea. Anderson said, “We started EE to show this generation… that we have a duty to make things right—to end the neglect and the exploitation.”
As a result of the Empowerment Experiment, Anderson said African Americans who had previously given up hope and those who were “too good to buy black” have joined the movement. Anderson and her husband spent more than $90,000 with black businesses in 2009, and more than 90 percent of that money went directly into underserved black communities.
Anderson concluded her lecture by reading Belmont University’s mission statement, challenging students to change the world. “Just care about justice. Just believe in something and give a better legacy to future generations. It doesn’t take much to be a revolutionary,” she said. “Unless we all become everyday revolutionaries, these people—the people of North Nashville—will become a permanent underclass, and it will be our fault.”
Anderson has set up the EE Foundation to keep the movement alive with ongoing research, education, events and programs to promote self-help economics in minority communities.
