On November 5, 2019, Nursing Clinical Placement Coordinator Amanda Waterman, MSN, RN was awarded the Heart of Hospice Award from Alive Hospice.
Waterman connected Belmont’s graduate nursing program with Alive for end-of-life care training. Her advocacy also led to Alive’s first academic clinical research project in 2018 on stress and coping in hospice care teams.
Alive’s Heart of Hospice Awards honor community leaders in end-of-life care. These individuals are incredible educators, partners, connectors, donors and volunteers whose support for Alive’s mission has brought comfort and dignity to dying patients and their families. Alive serves nearly 4,000 hospice patients and family members each year and provides nearly two million dollars in financial support for those who need help covering the costs of their care. Thousands more benefit from Alive’s free end-of-life education and affordable grief counseling.
Psychological Science Professor Dr. Timothy Schoenfeld published an article with Belmont alumni Eason Taylor (’19) and Bailee Ficzere (’19) and current neuroscience major Jonathan St. Louis in the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research.
The article, entitled “Examining the effects of exercise on frustration-induced, anxiety-like behavior in rats” modeled frustration in lab rats and found that consistent wheel running prevented frustrating events from increasing anxiety. The article is part of the Winter 2019 collection and can be accessed at the following link: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.psichi.org/resource/resmgr/journal_2019/24_4_taylor.pdf
Several Belmont students had the chance to work in production of the inaugural season of “The Song – Recorded Live @ TGL Farms,” which premieres Saturday, January 4 at 4 p.m. central on Nashville’s MyTV 30 (Comcast/Xfinity HD channel 1030) and again that evening at midnight on FOX 17 (Comcast/Xfinity HD channel 1017.) More than 130 additional markets will begin airing the show throughout the weekend.
Conceived, produced, shot and edited in Nashville, the show includes intimate performances by superstars such as CeeLo Green singing “Crazy,” Rick Springfield singing “Jessie’s Girl,” Don McLean and his iconic hit “American Pie” and more. In-depth interviews with the artists and songwriters reveal never-before-heard details behind those songs, the inspiration and how they became woven into the fabric of popular culture.
“The Song” created a video (password: belmont) featuring music business students Janet Bergquist and Jayne Hamblin and creative entertainment industries studies major Coleen Solitro working behind the scenes.
Industry veteran Craig Campbell of Campbell Entertainment Group helped coordinate the Belmont students’ participation. “The Belmont students have been an integral part of each of our nine tape days,” he said.
“The Song – Recorded Live @ TGL Farms” will air in national syndication on predominantly CBS, ABC, FOX and NBC affiliates across the country including New York, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Dallas, San Francisco, Miami and Seattle. Gray Television will distribute the series, which is presented by Ally and powered by Nashville Music City.
The show will continue its partnership with Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business to provide both scholarship and internship opportunities to help develop new talent in the music, media and television arts disciplines. This partnership will be supported by a $25,000 donation from Ally.
Executive produced by Marc Oswald, Cary Glotzer and award-winning director Trey Fanjoy, the series was filmed at TGL Farms in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Season one will include nine 30-minute fast-paced episodes hosted by Krista Marie and Damien Horne and a one-hour “Best of The Song” finale co-hosted by CeeLo Green.
“The Song – Recorded Live @ TGL Farms” Season One Lineup by Episode and Featured Song:
Jan. 4: CeeLo Green – “Crazy”
Jan. 11: Big & Rich featuring Cowboy Troy – “Save A Horse”
Jan. 18: Rick Springfield with special guests The Sisterhood Band – “Jessie’s Girl”
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley K. Clark (ret.) and Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee will share a conversation on Belmont’s campus about civility and important issues facing America on Monday, January 13, 2020. Clark, a retired four-star U.S. Army general and 2004 Presidential candidate, is appearing on campus as part of his “Renew America Together” initiative. Huckabee, who will join Clark in the discussion, was a candidate in the United States Republican presidential primaries in both 2008 and 2016. Longtime journalist Demetria Kalodimos will moderate.
The event, which will begin at 6 p.m. in the R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center Large Theater (no. 10 on the campus map), is free and open to the public. To reserve a seat, please email belmontevent@belmont.edu.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said he wants the University to be a hub for people to come together to debate issues on civil and neutral ground. “We are excited for another banner year of educational opportunities on campus for students and the broader Middle Tennessee community, starting with this conversation on civility,” he said. “It’s rare to have such an opportunity to be on the front lines of all of the critical issues facing our nation and the world, and we intend to take full advantage of this opportunity for beneficial and engaging experiences.”
In the spirit of the United States Constitution’s language to “promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty,” this event invites the community to listen as a Democratic and a Republican leader host a constructive dialogue in the midst of today’s era of hyper partisanship.
Clark said, “I believe the American people are far less divided than the media suggest, but we have to drive our politics toward common aims rather than divisive issues.”
Huckabee said, “We are indeed a deeply divided and polarized nation at the highest levels of government, but it’s not as uncommon as many would think. Our nation’s founders were deeply divided, as well. I believe the key will be found in the states, not the federal government.”
Renew America Together was created to promote and achieve greater common ground in America by reducing partisan division and gridlock. The non-profit is hosting events at venues across the country, including New England College, Lyon College, the Universities of Pennsylvania and Virginia, Grand Valley State University and the World Affairs Councils of New Hampshire and Hilton Head in 2019.
The mission of Renew America Together is “to revitalize public and political discourse by teaching and promoting civics, citizenship and civility.” To learn more, visit www.renewamericatogether.org.
Amanda Tossberg, enrollment specialist in the Massey Graduate School of Business, and Mary Claire Dismukes, director of career and professional development, are fellows of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural 2019 cohort of Leadership Public Education, a 6-month public education leadership development program empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to serve in community leadership roles at all levels of Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS).
Fellows learn and discuss the structures, challenges and opportunities that impact MNPS with experts in public education. Sessions include:
Public School Funding
MNPS Budget Process
Education Policy, Law, and Equity
Roles and Responsibilities of Board of Education and Director of Schools
Teacher and Principal Talent Attraction and Retention
Conflict Resolution and Effective Communication
Amanda Tossberg
Fellows also explore how they will apply their course work to carry out educational leadership in the region. Fellows pursue community leadership roles including: School Support Organization, school-based decision-making committee, nonprofit board of directors, Academies of Nashville Partnership Council, Education Report Card Committee at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, MNPS Board of Education, Metro-Nashville Davidson County boards and commissions, and more.
Public education is a social, economic and moral imperative for the sustainability and development of a prosperous Nashville region. Community leaders make decisions impacting the conditions for student achievement and workforce readiness, and the Nashville region needs well-prepared individuals willing and able to serve.
Belmont’s Department of Chemistry and Physics increased outreach efforts as the fall 2019 semester drew to a close.
Throughout November and December, students hosted “Back Titrations: Neutralizing Agents – How Basic is It?” – a half-day guided inquiry workshop for chemistry high school students.
This semester, event organizer and leader Dr. Danielle Garrett, assistant professor of chemistry education, hosted three workshops for more than forty students from three different schools – Christ Presbyterian Academy (AP Chemistry class), Davidson Academy (AP Biology class) and Stewarts Creek High School (AP Chemistry class).
Garrett led an interactive discussion covering topics including acid-base chemistry, neutralization reactions, limiting reactants and back titrations. Each student was tasked with completing a series of back titrations to determine the effectiveness of commercial products used to reduce stomach acid, such as baking soda, antacid-reducing tablets and milk of magnesia. Students then worked in small groups to create persuasive presentation slides to market the most effective neutralizing agent.
Garrett also visited Ellen Deathridge’s 4th grade class at Donelson Christian Academy as part of her continuing work with the American Chemical Society (ACS) Science Coaches program, where students engaged in a hands-on activity to determine the acidity of household acids and bases using a natural anthocyanin indicator – red cabbage. Garrett has worked with Deathridge through the ACS Science Coaches program for the past six years. Their work was recently highlighted in the Main Street Nashville weekly community newspaper and in the Science Coaches Spotlight on the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT) website.
Alumnus Jack Benz (1955, B.S. in Business Administration) recently co-authored a book with Garrett Williams about his great-great grandfather, Captain William Driver. “From Salem to Nashville OLD GLORY: The Life and Times of Patriot Captain William Driver” tells the story of a young Driver who goes to sea at age 14, becomes captain at 21 and experiences many exciting adventures in the South Pacific.
The week following final exams, a group of 25 College of Pharmacy students from both Belmont and Lipscomb Universities travelled to El Zamorano, Honduras on a medical trip with Belmont on Mission. The team split its time between spending time at Jovenes en Camino, a home for 50+ boys from the area, and setting up mobile clinics. In these clinics, the students spent time ministering to and serving the surrounding areas in the Zamorano valley by providing medical care and medication to those without access to adequate health care.
Trisha McHugh, P3, described a typical day. “We prepared a triage center and three different clinic rooms outside the mobile pharmacy. From there, we started seeing patients from the community. There were men and women off all ages from the area and we treated all that came through our doors,” she explained. “Every single smile, hug, and ‘gracias’ only reaffirmed that what we were doing mattered. We provided fluids for someone in severe dehydration. Medication was given to families who were struggling with infections. Prayer was spoken over parents dealing with loss of loved ones. Every single moment worthy of our full time and devotion.”
This team was the result of the combined effort from the deans of the Colleges of Pharmacy from Belmont and Lipscomb, Dr. David Gregory and Dr. Roger Davis, respectively. As long-time supporters of Jovenes en Camino, both universities were eager to formalize their partnership, understanding the importance of service-focused education for students.
MacKenzie Firek, P2, said, “This trip has given me time to reflect on how God intertwined my story with all the people I meet and those who came with me. Everything I had done from choosing a profession in pharmacy to choosing to go to Belmont brought me to this one moment were my story intertwined with others. This trip has taught me to cherish every moment and know there is a reason my paths cross with certain people in life.”
This time last year, Walker Burroughs was about to begin his American Idol Journey: a journey in which he successfully finished in the Top 8. A year later, Walker is back at Belmont, thriving halfway through his junior year and continuing to boast his vocal chops, well on his way to a successful career in music.
American Idol’s next season is set to premiere on
February 16, 2020 with the potential for more Belmont students to be featured,
as the show hosted an exclusive audition on campus earlier this fall. We sat
down with Walker to discuss his experience on “Idol,” his advice to others
embarking on the journey and to find out what he has been up to since his time
on the show ended.
When Walker released a single in the summer of 2018, he
was encouraged to audition for “Idol.” As a music education major not planning
to pursue a career in performing, Walker decided he didn’t have much to lose
and wanted to see what would happen. He quickly found himself in the executive
producer round in Nashville and then the celebrity audition in October 2018.
“This easily felt like the biggest audition that I’ve
ever done. I had no experience with TV, cameras or producers or interviews or
any of that stuff. I went in for the celebrity audition, and it was just so
overwhelming,” said Walker.
But, he wowed the judges and scored a golden ticket. Walker
described the first couple of rounds as “intense on so many levels” because he
didn’t know how his skill level compared to other contestants, and not to
mention the timing landed him right around Belmont’s finals week.
“Belmont gave me a huge amount of support through all
of that. Belmont is the REASON I was as successful as I was on the show, I
think. Hollywood week is very stressful and leaves you constantly tired, but being
in the music school here helped me know how to take care of my body and my
voice – that helped me get through,” he said.
To everyone who asks Walker if they should audition,
he promptly says “yes, they should.” But, he is also quick to explain that their
journey may not be solely based on talent; it’s a lot more than that.
Walker performs on “American Idol”
“Looking back now, it’s like I was really lucky that I
fit their puzzle piece. It is a singing competition, but first and foremost,
it’s a TV show, and they have to have these different characters,” he
explained. “I just fit into this box really well of the perky little next-door-neighbor
boy, you know? There are plenty of other people that I think, in my opinion,
were much better than I was that got cut a lot sooner than I did. And it’s just
because I fit the box.”
Walker had multiple friends with him at Hollywood Week from Belmont and was thankful to move on to the next round with Belmont alumna Emma Kleinberg. He said the moral support he received from the small group of friends he kept in the loop through the process is what reminded him he was worthy and capable.
“It was a ridiculous amount of help and support that I
got, so much more than I could’ve expected,” explained Walker. “I’m back at
Belmont now because this is where I need to be; this is where my people are. I
think education is super important; I’m studying to be a teacher. But also, my
community of friends and the community here make me remember I still have SO much
to learn and so far to go as a musician and as a person. ‘Idol’ was really
great, but it’s just a very, very different community than what I have here. I
needed that community when I was gone so I’m happy to be back.”
Looking ahead, Walker says he is still figuring out
his plans and taking opportunities as they come. Since the show, he has been
writing music and performed for several months as the piano player on tour with
Bobby Bones, a national radio host and mentor on “American Idol.”
“I’m the musician, Bobby’s the comedian, and then
there’s this other guy that’s kind of in between named Eddy. We have a great
time,” said Walker. “Bobby lets me sing some of my music during the show, and
guess who’s opening for that show? Emma Klein, who’s one of my best friends in
the world. It’s just a dream. The best thing that could’ve happened. And it’s
all because of ‘Idol.’ That’s another reason I say, ‘audition.’ You just don’t
know what you’re gonna get.”
In addition to touring the country with Bobby Bones,
Walker managed to balance school work, sing in Belmont’s a Capella group, The
Beltones, and perform with Belmont’s Jazz Choir.
He is constantly learning how to balance the many pros
and cons of his new normal. “Being recognized in public is very exciting except
for when I’m eating. That’s the annoying time. I took a bite out of my sandwich
once and this guy was immediately like, ‘Will you take a picture with my daughter?’
Let me just finish this bite!” he laughed. “Seriously though, it’s so
flattering and so cool that people would want to come say hi to me. I think
about if there was somebody that I admired enough to want to go say hi to them.
It’s a scary thing to go say hi to people in that way. So, I think it’s really
cool that people would have the courage and kindness to want to compliment me
in that way.”
Walker released his latest single “Made to Be” this fall and has had the chance to perform many of his own shows. He is featured on the recent album “Searching” by The Beltones on the track “Searching for a Feeling.” He will also be spotlighted during his solo with the Jazz Choir when “Christmas at Belmont” airs on PBS nationwide December 23 at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET). Local stations may air the show a second time: check local listings for times.
Walker’s advice to any Belmont students that may make it on the show or might consider auditioning in the future:
Hi
Belmont friends, I’m proud of you for doing something out of your comfort zone.
If
I could offer any advice it would be to pick the right song for your voice and
for the artist and person that you are. Show your range, show your runs if you
have them, but also do not go over the top. Be tasteful, but also show off what
your voice can do.
Also
know that this is not entirely your talent or anything like that, which was so
helpful to me to understand. Go in with the mindset that “this is a really
awesome opportunity” and “I’m gonna see what happens.” You’re going to learn
something from this no matter what happens, so hopefully it’s a positive
experience.
As
long as you stick to the person you are and remember that as you grow in the
experience, “American Idol” is absolutely worth doing because of the
connections and the experience. It is unlike anything you’ve ever done. It’s
crazy. And, good luck!
Biology department faculty Drs. Steve Murphree, Jennifer Thomas, Darlene Panvini, Chris Barton, Nikki Glenn, Emily Rotich and 13 undergraduate research students representing biology, environmental science and biochemistry & molecular biology majors, attended the 129th Tennessee Academy of Science (TAS) Annual Meeting in November in Columbia, Tennessee.
Six Belmont students were recognized for the quality of their research in their respective poster sections:
David Feng, second place, zoology
Taylor Gerson, third place, cell and molecular biology
Faith Martin, first place, ecology and environmental science
Nicole Pope, first place, zoology
Holly Pyles, second place, cell and molecular biology
Kailey Shannon, first place, health and medical sciences
In addition, Biology Professor Dr. Jennifer Thomas gave a presentation, “Take time to celebrate: an impactful strategy for end-of-course reflection,” in the Science and Math Teaching section.
The Tennessee Academy of Science, founded in 1912, organizes symposia, manages on-going programs in many fields and communicates with the national scientific culture. Biology Professor Dr. Steve Murphree serves as TAS’s treasurer and Biology Professor Dr. Darlene Panvini serves as president-elect.
Titles of all student poster presentations are as follows:
Occurrence of soil arthropods along a pH gradient at an urban protected site in Nashville, Tennessee. Mernaa Fayik* and Darlene Panvini.
Impact of noise pollution on the diversity and abundance of bird species at feeders in two urban neighborhoods. David Feng* and Darlene Panvini.
Lichen DNA barcoding: an aid in lichen identification and air quality assessment. Taylor Gerson*, Chris Barton, and Darlene Panvini.
An Exploration of Endophytes Within Known Medicinal Plants in Pursuit of Novel Antibiotic Synthesis. Zaid Hatem*, Ethan Lilly*, Emily Rotich, Matthew Heard.
Anti-proliferative effects of amodiaquine on multiple cancer cell types. Spenser Johnson* and Chris Barton.
Intensity of development and impervious substrate cover as indicators of urban plant diversity and community composition. Faith Martin* and Darlene Panvini.
Comparison of bird diversity reported at an eBird hotspot and a banding station in an urban natural area park in Nashville, Tennessee. Mia Melendez* and Darlene Panvini.
Drug Repurposing: Anti-malarial compounds decrease the viability of multiple cervical cancer cell lines. Hannah Moore and Chris Barton.
Occurrence of invertebrates along a dry streambed gradient in an urban park in Nashville, Tennessee. Gabe Newton* and Darlene Panvini.
Prevalence of Ophryocystis elecktroscirrha in Danaus plexippus during fall migration through Nashville, Tennessee. Nicole Pope* and Darlene Panvini.
Effect of amodiaquine on gene expression and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Holly Pyles* and Chris Barton.
Analyzing the ability of amodiaquine to function in combination with starvation and additional chemotherapeutic compounds. Kailey Shannon and Chris Barton.
Apoptotic Effect of Amodiaquine on HCT116 Colon Cancer Cells. Sandra Tomas* and Chris Barton.
This team was the result of the combined effort from the deans of the Colleges of Pharmacy from Belmont and Lipscomb, Dr. David Gregory and Dr. Roger Davis, respectively. As long-time supporters of Jovenes en Camino, both universities were eager to formalize their partnership, understanding the importance of service-focused education for students.
