IMPORTANT NOTE: These are the archived stories for Belmont News & Achievements prior to June 26, 2023. To see current stories, click here.

Home Blog Page 115

Finch Awarded Editor’s Prize in Prose for National Literary Journal

Haley Charlton
-
0
Finch Awarded Editor’s Prize in Prose for National Literary Journal

Dr. Susan Finch, associate professor of English, was awarded the Editor’s Prize in Prose for the New Ohio Review, a national literary journal housed at Ohio University, https://www.ohio.edu/nor/. Her short story “We Are the Bachelorettes and We Insist” was selected by novelist, Mandy Berman. The story will be published in the fall of 2020.

Finch teaches creative writing and specializes in fiction. Her work has appeared in numerous literary magazines, and currently, she is at work on a novel and a collection of short stories. 

Belmont Announces Annual Scholarship and Awards Day Winners via Instagram

Haley Charlton
-
0
Belmont Announces Annual Scholarship and Awards Day Winners via Instagram

Belmont’s top students and faculty were celebrated in a different way than normal this year as the annual Scholarship and Awards Day was held via the Belmont University Instagram account. Finalists were honored for their commitment to the University’s mission and dedication to scholarship, service and leadership.

Provost Dr. Thomas Burns introduced the awards ceremony on the Belmont Instagram stories by saying, “Although we cannot celebrate together, I wanted to make sure we keep the tradition alive of celebrating scholarship and awards of faculty and students, recognizing the incredible achievements they have made, even if we do it virtually. By continuing the tradition of Scholarship and Awards Day, we are reaffirming our commitment to learning and discovery by honoring those who have exhibited extraordinary dedication to scholarly achievement.”

Each year, the presentation of the John Williams Heat of Belmont Award is greatly anticipated. The award honors one third year or fourth year student who embodies Belmont’s values, including innovation, persistence, advocacy for change, community development and service.

This year’s recipient, Hailey Brooks, is a nursing major who will graduate this May. In 2018, she received the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Light of Hope Award, which honors those who have been lights of hope to children and youth in the community through their advocacy and through making a difference. She also serves as a member of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth and has been involved in other foster care advocacy positions for many years. She served as a Youth Village Peer Advocate as part of the Department of Children’s Services Advisory Council and is also a Jim Casey Fellow.

In reference to her accomplishments, Brooks stated, “I am very proud of these titles and these groups I’ve worked with. However, most importantly for my story, I’m a foster care child. I say that with pride; I’m among the one percent of foster children who graduate college and help break the stereotypes around foster youth. Today, that’s my biggest accomplishment.”

As part of this award, a donation will be made in Brooks’s name to CASA.

Other students honored in Thursday’s ceremony included:

The Williams-Murray First Year Writing Award

  • Chasity Donald for the essay “Who you think you talkin’ to? An In-depth Look at Code Switching and its Effects in African American Society”
  • Grace Usleman for the essay “Adventures in Birding: Lessons of Mindfulness, Coping and the Natural World”

The Alfred Leland Crabb Awards

  • First Prize:  Sarah Anne Pfitzer for her work “’Different From All’: Disability and Resistance in Lee Smith’s Fair and Tender Ladies”
  • Second Prize: Amanda Tigar for her work “The Goodness of Girls”

The Stacy Awalt Writing Award: James Chadwell for his research essay, “The Unity of Wittgenstein’s Early and Late Works”

The Annette Sisson First Year Seminar Award: Elijah Sheets for his essay: “White Noise: Tangible Death”

Lumos Travel Award: Kelsey Beyeler, Ben Rogers, Anas Saba and Elise Sanford

The Dr. Fannie Hewlett Award

  • Undergraduate Recipient: Senior Christine Allen
  • Graduate Recipient: Third Year Pharmacy Student Ashontae Johnson

The Inaugural Belmont Graduate-Student Scholarship Award: Livia Linden

The Inaugural Belmont Graduate-Student Leadership Award: Lauren Addison

Hale First Year Leadership Award: Vance Mazure

Hale Second Year Leadership Award: Daniel DeForest

Hale Third Year Leadership Award: Kevin Botros

Hale Fourth Year Leadership Award: Sarah Anne Pfitzer

John A. Williams Heart of Belmont Award: Hailey Brooks and Community Partnership: Tennessee CASA

In addition to student award winners, a number of awards were given to faculty members. The Christian Scholarship Award honors faculty scholarship that engages the Christian intellectual tradition and advances the scholarly conversation between Christian faith and learning. This year’s recipients were Dr. Douglas Murray and Dr. Jonathan Thorndike from the English Department.

The Leadership in Christian Service Award honors a faculty member who provides leadership to a new initiative or an established Christian organization that serves those in need. This year’s recipient was Dr. Jeremy Fyke, Communication Studies Department.

The Faculty Award for Scholarship recognizes a faculty member for outstanding intellectual and creative contributions of discovery, integration, application or teaching. This year’s finalists included Physics Associate Professor Dr. Scott Hawley, School of Music Assistant Professor Dr. Virginia Lamothe and Occupational Therapy Associate Professor Dr. Teresa Plummer, and the recipient was Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Colin Cannonier.

Dr. D. Lee Warren, professor of accounting, was named the 2019-20 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.” Award finalists also included Dr. Michelle Corvette, Art Department, Dr. Ken Spring, Sociology Department, and Dr. Chris Barton, Biology Department.

Dr. Jennifer Crowell, assistant professor in the Social Work Department, received the Presidential Faculty Achievement Award. This award is presented each year to a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to student life outside the classroom. Other finalists included Dr. Ryan Fox, Mathematics and Computer Science Department, Dr. Francesca Muccini, Foreign Language Department, and Dr. Eric Holt, College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Belmont Virtually Celebrates Spring 2020 Graduates

Haley Charlton
-
0
Belmont Virtually Celebrates Spring 2020 Graduates

Belmont University honored its spring 2020 graduate and undergraduate students on Saturday, May 2 via a special online celebration at 11 a.m. Central at http://www.belmont.edu/graduation/. The event recognized the graduation of 1,412 students with 1,079 bachelor’s, 100 master’s and 233 doctoral degrees conferred.

Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher officially conferred the degrees of candidates from every college at Belmont. The final semester at Belmont for these graduates concluded in a way no one could have predicted. However, these unfortunate circumstances in no way diminish what the graduates have accomplished. The students earned the right to be recognized and honored.

Still, nothing replaces the feeling of walking across the stage and hearing one’s name called out. Belmont is excited to provide that opportunity to graduates and their families at an August 7 commencement ceremony. Graduates are asked to complete the August RSVP form by July 1 to indicate whether or not they will be able to attend one of the August ceremonies. May graduates will participate in the August graduation ceremony with their respective college as assigned at either 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. as indicated by the RSVP form.

Belmont began mailing diplomas and honor cords directly to the graduates beginning on May 4. Caps, gowns and tassels will also be mailed in mid-May. The University encourages graduates to send in photos wearing their caps and gowns to socialmedia@belmont.edu or to use the hashtag #BelmontGrad20 on Instagram or Twitter in order for Belmont to celebrate their achievements on social media platforms.

Belmont’s New Music Business Class Takes Students Through Real-World International Label Release Project

Katie McAdams
-
0
Belmont’s New Music Business Class Takes Students Through Real-World International Label Release Project

Belmont pop artist DASHA’s first major label single called “Don’t Mean a Thing” was released on Friday, April 24. The song is a product of a new class offered in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business called “Behind the Scenes: International Major Label Release.” The course gives students real-world access to every aspect of an international major label release from songwriting, production and contracting all the way through label deals, marketing plans, touring and pitching.

“With a promising artist, a major label, and absolute faith in the students, the class started this semester,” explained senior songwriting major Rachel Martin. “I am one of the students fortunate enough to be a guinea pig for this adventure. I am so glad and so proud that I did. None of us knew what we were in for.”

The plan for the course was to choose a talented Belmont artist and give them the chance of a lifetime, a release with FAMOUZ Records, which is a joint venture between SONY and Stefan Dabruck Management. After a songwriting contest put on by Stefan Babruck Management and more than 100 applications, DASHA was selected as the artist for the course. She received a single-song deal with SONY Germany and FAMOUZ Records, which would be worked on in this new course.

DASHA is a current sophomore songwriting major at Belmont University from the central coast of California. “I’ve seen an infinite growth in myself as an artist through this experience,” she shared. “It really does take a village to create something incredible, and I’m so thankful to be part of this opportunity. Through this release, I’ve learned that this is exactly what I want to do with my life, and I could not be more excited to go after it!”

On April 22, students conducted their final exam, a pitch to FAMOUZ Records and Stefan Dabruck Management. In the pitch, students showcased their release strategies and individual roles in the project including public relations, marketing, social media and product management. SONY Germany will be pitching DASHA’s “Don’t Mean a Thing” to radio and other outlets in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Students in the course and DASHA are pitching to influencers, magazines and playlists in the United States.

Stefan Dabruck, CEO of FAMOUZ Records and Stefan Dabruck Management, and alumna Chelsea Kent, who has worked for many companies over the years in publishing and producer and writer management, were integral parts of the foundation of the class. During the time of the songwriting contest in fall 2019, Belmont alumna Katie Braile was also contracted by Stefan Dabruck Management to run the office in Nashville.

Belmont Jazzmin, Jazz Band 1 Awarded Graduate College Winner for ‘Little Sunflower’ in Downbeat Magazine Competition

Katie McAdams
-
0
Belmont Jazzmin, Jazz Band 1 Awarded Graduate College Winner for ‘Little Sunflower’ in Downbeat Magazine Competition

Belmont University’s Jazz Band 1 and vocal jazz ensemble group, Jazzmin, recently recorded “Little Sunflower” by Freddie Hubbard in Ocean Way recording studio. The piece was recognized in the Downbeat Magazine Competition as the Graduate College Winner for Studio Orchestra.

David Weinsten, the arranger of the piece, is a graduate students in Belmont’s commercial music program. Chris Baldani, a graduate student in the audio engineering program, served as the sound engineer for the recording. The piece was recorded for an annual contest put on by Downbeat Magazine, one of the top Jazz magazines in the country. Other competing schools include Berklee College of Music, University of Miami, University of North Texas and University of Northern Colorado, among others.

Dr. Jeff Kirk, Jazz Band 1 director, said Belmont has entered the contest before but has never done a recording with the jazz band and vocal ensemble. “That was new and exciting. This was an educational experience that utilized every aspect of our program,” he said.

Students recording in Ocean Way Studios

“I wanted to give the School of Music students an opportunity to record in a world-class facility. The experience was a unique combination of Belmont ensembles, recording a song that was arranged and produced by a Belmont student and recorded in Belmont’s world-class recording studio: Ocean Way. Not many schools are able to do that.”

Listen to “Little Sunflower” here.

Public Relations Bateman Team Receives Honorable Mention for U.S. Census Bureau Campaign

Katie McAdams
-
0
Public Relations Bateman Team Receives Honorable Mention for U.S. Census Bureau Campaign

As part of this year’s Bateman Team, senior public relations majors Morgan James, Sarah Beth Crowe, Allie Mena and junior Shelby Cage were charged by the Public Relations Student Society of America to create a campaign for the the U.S. Census Bureau. The campaign was titled, “Shape Belmont and Nashville’s Future,” and received honorable mention by PRSSA Headquarters. Out of 57 entries, Belmont’s Bateman Team was one of just 14 teams to receive this national recognition.

The goal of the campaign was to help Nashville achieve a complete and accurate count in the 2020 Census by providing the team’s target audiences with education on how to complete the census and how census data impacts their communities.

Establishing these initiatives within Belmont University and Nashville/Davidson County furthered people’s understanding of the importance of the census. The campaign directly engaged college students and caretakers of children aged 0-4 specifically on how the census affects them and encouraging them to respond. Responses to the 2020 Census affects Nashville/Davidson County for the next 10 years and beyond.

“Working as a member of the Bateman Team definitely has made me appreciate a collaborative space and team,” explained James. “Being able to bounce idea off of each other, have someone there to proofread materials and help with things has been so great. Knowing when you can’t take on any more and being able to admit that and have someone help you is so valuable.”

During the fall semester, the Bateman Team worked on gathering secondary research and conducting primary research to inform their efforts and develop a campaign summary. The second semester was dedicated to implementing the campaign. The team performed various tasks including designing Canva graphics for social media, deciphering survey data, writing up proclamations and press releases, among other things.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the tornado disaster in March, the Bateman Team faced unanticipated challenges in implementing the campaign.

Mena said, “Due to the tornado devastation and COVID-19, more than two weeks of our implementation period was stripped from us. It would have been easier to quit there and turn in an incomplete campaign. Instead, we worked long days and nights to reorganize our campaign tactics and were able to produce a complete campaign that we are beyond proud of.”

Following the implementation of the campaign, the team is currently working on final revisions before submitting the campaign report in its entirety.

“Both of these events had a significant impact on our plans. However, we were still determined to finish this campaign and make it meaningful despite these obstacles,” shared Crowe. “I’m incredibly proud of the adaptability and tenacity this team displayed.”

The Bateman Team is offered through an intensive course called Advanced Public Relations Campaigns. Students apply for the course and are selected by Dr. Christie Kleinmann, associate professor of public relations, to join the team. The course places emphasis on the ethical and social responsibility of communication actions and the opportunity to create positive charge for a client-organization and its stakeholders. The Bateman team engages in a real-world learning environment performing research, planning implementation and evaluation of public relations through a year-long client-based project.

Dr. Kleinmann is proud of this team and her students. “They’ve faced unprecedented challenges and found creative and effective solutions. They didn’t do this just once, but twice. Each time, the team redesigned their campaign to effectively meet the needs of the client,” she said.

Her favorite part of Bateman every year is watching each team grow in their professional confidence. She said, “I love to watch them attain something that at first seemed unattainable. It’s so special to watch them take dreams and make them reality.”

Greenwalt Creates Course on Geriatric Considerations for COVID-19

Katie McAdams
-
0
Greenwalt Creates Course on Geriatric Considerations for COVID-19

Dr. Suzanne Greenwalt, assistant professor of physical therapy, recently released a continuing education course through the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section (CVP) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) which is part of a larger project called the PACER project, Post-Acute COVID-19 Exercise & Rehabilitation.  

There are approximately 15 courses that have been or are being created as a part of this project. The courses are all free and continuing education units (CEU) will be awarded accordingly. The courses are available on the APTA Learning Center website, the CVP section Facebook page, and on YouTube.  

Dr. Greenwalt created a one-hour course, titled “Geriatric Considerations for COVID-19.” It was released on YouTube and Facebook last week, as well as on the APTA Learning Center site. Since it’s release, the video has been viewed more than 6,000 times on Facebook and more than 1,800 times on YouTube.

“I am blown away by the immediate response,” shared Dr. Greenwalt. “This project was the idea of our section president who is a true leader. What an amazing way to reach so many people!”

Recently, Dr. Greenwalt was contacted by the director of rehabilitation at JFK Hospital in New Jersey, where they will use her course to train therapists at all levels of care offered – acute and beyond.  

Assistant Professor of Social Work Supports Metro Students in tnAchieves Webinar

Katie McAdams
-
0
Assistant Professor of Social Work Supports Metro Students in tnAchieves Webinar

Dr. Douglas Crews, assistant professors of social work, eagerly worked with tnAchieves in a webinar held at the beginning of April to support local metro schools during this time of virtual learning. tnAchieves is the partnering organization to the Tennessee Promise Scholarship, aiming to increase higher education opportunities for Tennessee high school students by providing last-dollar scholarships with mentor guidance. 

Dr. Crews has served as a mentor for tnAchieves since 2017. “I have loved every minute of it,” he shared. “Being a mentor with tnAchieves allows me to combine my passion for being a university professor and a social worker together with high school seniors as they plan for the next step in their life’s journey. I feel privileged to be able to connect with students and help them process the questions they have about what the future may hold. Being a mentor during their time of transition from high school to life beyond is a very rewarding experience. I believe all of us would benefit from being a mentor with tnAchieves.” 

Belmont Vision Wins Nine Awards From Tennessee Associated Press Journalism Competition

Katie McAdams
-
0
Belmont Vision Wins Nine Awards From Tennessee Associated Press Journalism Competition

The Tennessee Associated Press recognized The Belmont Vision with nine awards this year, including first place for best college news website. The staff of The Belmont Vision won three first place awards, three second place awards and three third place awards across a variety of categories recognizing many student reporters.

“We have an incredibly talented group of students,” said instructor of media studies and The Belmont Vision faculty adviser Dorren Robinson. “They create professional-level work every day. I am so pleased that their work is recognized by the Associated Press.” 

Under the director of former editors Joe Bendekovic and Bronte Lebo, The Belmont Vision won first place for its website. Steven Boero and Abigail Bowen won first place for TV Sports Coverage/Program. Caitlin Alexander and Ben Sherrill won first place in the Television Reporter category. 

In TV Specialized/Topic Reporting, Marissa Avnaim won second place. Abigail Bowen, Madison Bowen and Justin Wagner won second place for TV Feature Story. In the Videographer category, Abigail Bowel won second place. 

Steven Boero won third place for Online Sports Reporting. In the TV Sports Reporting category, Caitlin Alexander and Ben Sherrill won third place. Abigail Bowen won third place for TV Newscast. 

Ochsner Recognized as 2020 New Artist of the Year at Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards

Haley Charlton
-
0
Ochsner Recognized as 2020 New Artist of the Year at Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards

Northern Colorado native and soon-to-be graduate of Belmont University’s School of Music Caitlyn Ochsner was recognized as the 2020 New Artist of the Year at the Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards. The award was presented during a virtual award show on Facebook hosted by Northern Colorado radio personality Shawn Patrick from Big Country 97.9. 

Founded in 2016, the Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards (RMCMA’s) were originally designed to showcase the best country music talent in Colorado and Wyoming. 

The New Artist of the Year Award is given to the country artist, band or duo who has for the first time demonstrated the most significant creative growth and development within the following categories: music released, live performance, professionalism and/or media recognition related to the launch of their career.

Over the past four years, RMCMA has grown to include the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Utah and New Mexico. In order to be nominated for an award, an artist or band has to have spent a significant amount of time performing in one or more of the nine states within the region.  

This is the second nomination Ochsner has received from the RMCMA’s but her first award. “I’ve won a few buckles over the years showing cattle, but absolutely none as beautiful as this,” she said. “It took me moving away from home four years ago to fully appreciate everything I love about the west.” 

Like other artists, Ochsner was disappointed that the awards show, originally scheduled for March 13 at the Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley, had to be cancelled but said, “The coronavirus may have cancelled this awards show, but I promise you it can’t silence country music!”  

2019 was a big year for Ochsner, a ranch-raised girl from Kersey, Colorado. In addition to live performances at the National Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA trade show in New Orleans, the Greeley Stampede and the Nebraska State Fair, Ochsner released her first EP last June. The EP’s title track “Home” pays tribute to her deep roots in Northern Colorado and her genuine love and appreciation for the people, places and experiences that have molded her and her music. With more than 85,000 streams on Spotify, this EP has caught the attention of both her Nashville peers and her Rocky Mountain fan-base. Ochsner has plans to release her next single this fall entitled “Look Out Lubbock.” 

For more information on the Rocky Mountain Music Association contact Shawn Patrick at Shawnpatrick@iHeartMedia.com. For more information on Caitlyn Ochsner, visit Caitlyn Ochsner Music on social media, or visit her website at CaitlynOchsnerMusic.com.

1...114115116...888Page 115 of 888
Belmont University Logo | News & Media

CONTACT US

University Marketing and Communications
615-460-6650
communication@belmont.edu

FOLLOW US