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 134

Dr. Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. Named Inaugural Dean of Belmont University’s School of Education

Haley Charlton
-
0
Dr. Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. Named Inaugural Dean of Belmont University’s School of Education

Dr. Wayne D. Lewis Jr. has been appointed to serve as the inaugural dean of Belmont University’s School of Education, effective January 1, 2020. Belmont’s School of Education, housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, includes undergraduate and graduate programs of study, apart from the School of Humanities and the School of Social Sciences.

Lewis holds a master’s degree in urban studies and public administration from the University of Akron in Ohio, with post-baccalaureate studies in special education – mild/moderate disabilities from the University of New Orleans. He holds his Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from North Carolina State University.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “I am often in the position of announcing exciting new construction projects at Belmont, but it’s even more rewarding to announce the addition of such a remarkable leader. Dr. Lewis will help build academic programs in our School of Education, and I could not be more pleased to welcome him to Belmont.”

Lewis most recently served as the commissioner of education for the Kentucky Department of Education and previously served as the executive director for education policy and programs. He taught as an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies and as an affiliated faculty member with the African American and Africana Studies Program at the University of Kentucky, where he also chaired the Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs. He is a former middle and high school special education teacher, having taught in public school districts in Louisiana (New Orleans Public Schools and St. Charles Parish Public Schools) and North Carolina (Wake County Public Schools).

“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve as Belmont University’s inaugural dean of the School of Education. There is not another institution in the country with a history, mission and story like Belmont’s,” said Lewis. “I look forward to joining the students, faculty, staff and leadership in January as we work together to aggressively build on Belmont’s rich tradition of preparing the most important resource in education: teachers.”

In his new position, Lewis will work closely with Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Dr. Bryce Sullivan during the transition period of growing the School of Education to be an independent college, apart from CLASS, over the next several years. He will chair the Teacher Education Council at Belmont and oversee undergraduate and graduate programs for teacher licensure, the M.Ed. leadership programs and new programs that are developed in education.

Sullivan said he could tell Lewis had the kind of experiences and qualifications that would make him an excellent candidate when he applied for the position. “After getting to know Wayne, I realize he will bring so much more to the position. He will be a transformational leader for our School of Education. He combines policy expertise, real-world knowledge about the best-practices in teacher education and a great vision for the future of education,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with Wayne as he leads our faculty and staff as they deliver world-class programs designed to educate teachers for students in our community and our world.”

Lewis will bring with him nearly 20 years of experience in education and excellence in teaching. His book, “The Politics of Parent Choice in Public Education: The Choice Movement in North Carolina and the United States,” was published in 2013, and he has authored dozens of peer and editor-reviewed book chapters, periodicals and numerous invited presentations, as well.

Belmont Provost Dr. Thomas Burns explained that creating the position for the first dean of education will allow Belmont to lay the ground work to increase programs and enrollment. He said, “We wanted to find a different kind of leader to build our ‘dream’ of a College of Education, who will lead the faculty and staff in the School of Education to develop and deliver world-class programs designed to educate teachers for students in our community and our world as the next generation of compassionate, confident and committed leaders in the classroom and beyond.”

ABA President Appoints Dervan Chair of the ABA Commission on the American Jury

Haley Charlton
-
0
ABA President Appoints Dervan Chair of the ABA Commission on the American Jury

Lucian E. Dervan, associate professor of law and director of criminal justice studies at Belmont University College of Law, has accepted two new appointments with the American Bar Association.

Earlier this year, ABA President Judy Perry Martinez appointed Professor Dervan as chair of the ABA Commission on the American Jury. The Commission was created in 2003 with a vision to bring four ABA groups together to focus on the importance of the jury in the American democratic tradition and to address the key aspects of jury composition, comprehension and culture. The four ABA groups represented on the Commission include the Criminal Justice Section, the Section of Litigation, the Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section and the Judicial Division.

Of his appointment, Professor Dervan said, “I am honored to have been selected for this important role within the American Bar Association.  Though the jury has been a core element of the American legal system since the founding period, we have witnessed its gradual disappearance over many decades. In federal criminal cases today, for example, almost 98% of convictions come not from a trial, but from a plea of guilty. I am excited to be working to examine the role of the jury in both modern civil and criminal cases and to consider why the number of jury trials are diminishing, the resulting impact and how to address this phenomenon.” 

Early next year, the Commission will issue a report examining the disappearing trial and the results of a multi-year data collection effort by the Commission to help identify the reasons for this trend.

Professor Dervan’s work as chair of the Commission on the American Jury will pair well with his research on plea bargaining, a leading factor in the diminishing trial in the criminal setting, and his continued work with the ABA Criminal Justice Section. Last year, Professor Dervan served as chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section and, in that capacity, created several new task forces to examine pressing issues. Among those task forces was a Plea Bargaining Task Force, which Professor Dervan now co-chairs.

The ABA CJS Plea Bargaining Task Force will closely examine the role of plea bargaining in our system of criminal justice over the next year. The first goal of the Task Force will be to consider how plea bargaining has developed over time and what advantages and challenges have resulted.  The second goal of the Task Force will be to consider the best path forward and potential solutions to the challenges identified by the group. It is hoped that these recommendations will include both broad policy-oriented goals for the criminal justice system and, where necessary, specific recommendations for changes in the way plea bargaining operates within the larger criminal justice environment. 

Importantly, the task force will examine these issues from the perspective of all those involved in the criminal justice system, including prosecutors, defenders, defendants, judges, victims and others. As a result, the task force includes representatives from numerous groups actively involved in the criminal justice community with diverse perspectives to ensure that the recommendations reflect a broad consensus regarding the best path forward.

Plea bargaining is a dominant force in today’s criminal justice systems. In the federal system, for example, pleas of guilt account for over 97% of all convictions. In the state systems, the number is approximately 94% to 95%. Of this number, the U.S. government recently estimated that 75% are the result of plea agreements between the defendant and the government that include offers of leniency or threats of additional punishment.

Professor Dervan said of his role with the Task Force, “Plea bargaining, for the most part, rose in the shadows of the American criminal justice system, and I am eager for this opportunity to more closely examine that rise and consider how we might best proceed in a world that is, as the U.S. Supreme Court has remarked, ‘a system of pleas….’” 

You can learn more about Professor Dervan’s research on plea bargaining here and you can follow him on Twitter at @LucianDervan.

Belmont Mock Trial Places Third in Invitational Competition

Haley Charlton
-
0
Belmont Mock Trial Places Third in Invitational Competition

Belmont University’s Undergraduate Mock Trial Team A recently took third place out of 18 teams in the Blues City Scrimmage held in Memphis at Rhodes College. The A team, made up of nine students, won six of eight ballots defeating teams from across the southern region. Sarah Lancaster and Madeleine Westrup were named team MVP’s, and Aubrey Keller and Sarah Lancaster were named Best Witnesses.

Following the victory in Memphis, Belmont’s teams traveled to Murfreesboro for the MTSU Annual Mid-South Invitational Mock Trial Tournament. There, Elizabeth Sutphin was recognized as best attorney.

“As we begin another season of Mock Trial competitions, it is so inspiring to see the incredible potential these teams have,” said Elizabeth Sutphin, sophomore global leadership studies and corporate communications major, honors student and member of Team A. “From returning members to new students entering the courtroom for the first time, we have already seen so much growth and achievement this semester as a group, which would not be possible without the dedication of our wonderful coach, Summer Melton. Looking forward to the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) competitions in the spring, I am beyond excited to see how this little family continues to grow and accomplish great things.”

Kevin Botros, junior political science and philosophy major and honors student, said the teams have worked well together, and he hopes to advance from the successes of last year. “This year’s team is a mixture of first-year Mock Trial competitors and returning competitors from last year. We are looking forward to picking up where we left off last season by advancing past regionals and opening round championships, and finally reaching nationals for the first time in our school history.”

The Undergraduate Mock Trial teams are coached by Adjunct Professor and Attorney Summer Melton, a Belmont College of Law graduate. She is teaching team members in a pilot course, Undergraduate Pre-Trial Procedure, and coaching them as they prepare for the Regional AMTA competition in February 2020.

“As a coach, there’s only so much I can do to prepare my students,” said Melton. “It’s on them to listen, practice and work together. Time and time again, they shine. They continue to show that they love what they’re doing and they want to be the best. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Mock Trial at Belmont is part of the student-led, Pre-Law Society. Its interdisciplinary team includes members from five colleges on campus. Team A, whose members returned from last year, includes Kevin Botros, political science and philosophy double major and honors program; Gordon Carroll, politics and public law major; Kaleb Gille, motion pictures major; Aubrey Keller, english major and honors program; Sarah Lancaster, motion pictures major; Hunter Lindsey, politics and public law major; Carmen Mendez, legal studies major; Sarah Anne Pfitzer, english major and honors program; and Elizabeth Sutphin, global leadership studies and corporate communications double major and honors program.

Team B includes Brian Demmons, legal studies major; Sophie Fajardo, music business and entrepreneurship double major; Amando Jimenez, economics major; Isabella Kaufman, political science and history major; Alyssa Powell, political science major; Cheyenne Robertson, legal studies major; Raelyn Stuart, commercial voice major; and Madeleine Westrup, music business major.

AMTA serves as the governing body for intercollegiate mock trial competition. Through engaging in trial simulations in competition with teams from other institutions, students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as a knowledge of legal practices and procedures. AMTA sponsors regional and national-level competitions, as well as providing interesting and complex case materials for academic use.

Belmont’s team relies on SGA grant funding, private contributions and is partially sponsored by Interdisciplinary Studies and Global Education.

Belmont DPT Students Explore Aquatic Exercise Benefits for Down Syndrome Population

Haley Charlton
-
0
Belmont DPT Students Explore Aquatic Exercise Benefits for Down Syndrome Population

Belmont University Doctor of Physical Therapy students performed aquatic exercises to music with children and adolescents diagnosed with Down Syndrome this semester, with Occupational Therapy Professor Dr. Natalie Michaels and Physical Therapy Professor Dr. Nancy Darr. The water exercises were held at the Gordon Jewish Community Center under the direction of Aquatics Director Daniel Christmas.

These exercises were performed as part of a research project to see if aquatic exercises can help improve balance in this population. Balance was measured before and after the 6-week series of exercise sessions using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). The PBS is a 14-item, criterion-referenced measure of balance that was developed by Mary Rose Franjoine and Nancy Darr to screen children for potential balance-related challenges. 

Members of the student research team included Madeleine Youngblood, Taylor Jacobs, Anna Rungee, Carly Callahan and Courtney Alama. The research is currently in the data analysis phase. Regardless of the outcome, the participants appeared to greatly enjoy the sessions, and the team felt invigorated and rewarded by the experience.

Belmont Occupational Therapy Students Educate at High School Career Fair

Haley Charlton
-
0
Belmont Occupational Therapy Students Educate at High School Career Fair

Belmont University Occupational Therapy students, with Professor Dr. Natalie Michaels, educated high school students about physical therapy and occupational therapy at the 2019 Health Sciences Career Fair last month at Hillwood High School.  

Many of the high school students were uncertain of the difference between the two therapies, but OTD students Chantè Bowens and Brittany Clark were on hand to help teach students about the benefits of each.

Lara Casey at booth

Lara Casey, undergraduate admissions coordinator for the College of Health Sciences at Belmont, was also present to answer questions and to inform students about the various health care majors available at Belmont.

This Career Fair, organized by Academy Coach for Hillwood High School Mary York, is held annually to inform students about the various career options available in the field of Health Sciences.

Hobson Article Published as Pearl Harbor Day Memory

Haley Charlton
-
0
Hobson Article Published as Pearl Harbor Day Memory

English Professor Dr. Eric Hobson’s article, “War Claims a Clipper” was published by the Pan Am Historical Foundation as its 2019 Pearl Harbor Day memory. The article remembers the destruction of the Hong Kong Clipper II by Japanese aircraft three hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Read the article here: https://www.panam.org/war-years/742-war-claims-a-clipper 

Student Receives National YoungArts Award

Haley Charlton
-
0
Student Receives National YoungArts Award

Songwriting student Calista Garcia has been named a 2020 National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) Finalist in Voice/Singer-songwriter, the organization’s highest honor. This is the third consecutive year that Garcia has been recognized as a YoungArts winner, and this year, she joins 686 of the nation’s most accomplished artists in the visual, literary and performing arts.

Garcia was selected by an esteemed discipline-specific panel of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process. This year’s award winners represent the top 9.5% of applications across ten artistic disciplines. YoungArts award winners gain access to one of the most prestigious programs for emerging artists in the United States in which they will have opportunities for creative and professional development throughout their entire careers. A complete list of the 2020 winners, all 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12, is available online at youngarts.org/winners.  

Garcia will receive a cash prize of up to $10,000 and will participate in National YoungArts Week (January 5—12, 2020), the organization’s signature program providing artists with an intensive, weeklong and all-inclusive program featuring master classes, workshops and mentorship from leading artists in their fields.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected as a YoungArts finalist. Last year I had the opportunity to attend a YoungArts regional program, and it was an intensely inspiring experience,” said Garcia. “I am so grateful to have this opportunity to learn from these amazingly talented artists.” 

At National YoungArts Week, Garcia will have the opportunity to learn from 2020 master teachers, including MacArthur “Genius” Claire Chase (1996 YoungArts Winner in Classical Music & U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts); Grammy nominated Jazz vocalist René Marie; The New York Times Best Selling author Joan Morgan; Tony nominated actress Michele Shay; photographer, curator and educator Endia Beal; and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Doug Blush (1984 YoungArts Winner in Film). On Monday January 6, Garcia will share her work with the public at the New World Center as part of the of 2020 National YoungArts Week. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit youngarts.org/yaw

“Every year I am reminded that extraordinary artistry is ageless and the 2020 YoungArts award winners—all teenage artists—have done it again. This group of emerging talent represents the inspiring potential of the next generation of artists. We look forward to welcoming them to the YoungArts community of leading artists and are thrilled to support their work from this early stage and throughout their careers,” stated Board Chair Sarah Arison.

ABOUT NATIONAL YOUNGARTS FOUNDATION

National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison. YoungArts identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.

Entrance into this prestigious organization starts with a highly competitive application process for talented artists ages 15–18, or grades 10-12, in the United States, that is judged by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process. In their first year, YoungArts award winners, who represent approximately the top 10% of applicants, receive valuable financial awards of up to $10,000; presentation opportunities at renowned institutions; and the chance to learn from notable artists and mentors such as Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Gehry, Wynton Marsalis, Salman Rushdie and Mickalene Thomas in intimate settings.

YoungArts award winners are further eligible for exclusive opportunities including: nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students; a wide range of fellowships, residencies and awards; presentation opportunities at major venues nationwide; additional financial support; and access to YoungArts Post, a free private digital network for YoungArts artists to connect, collaborate and learn about additional opportunities. YoungArts award winners include accomplished leaders in their fields such as Daniel Arsham, Terence Blanchard, Camille A. Brown, Viola Davis, Allegra Goodman, Josh Groban, Judith Hill, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Andrew Rannells, Desmond Richardson and Hunter Schafer.

For more information, visit youngarts.org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Belmont Celebrates Winter Commencement December 13

Haley Charlton
-
0
Belmont Celebrates Winter Commencement December 13

Belmont University held its December 2019 commencement ceremony for graduate and undergraduate students at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13 in the Curb Event Center. The University celebrated the graduation of a total of 515 students, awarding 437 bachelor’s degrees, 74 master’s degrees and 4 doctoral degrees.

Dr. Robert C. Fisher, president of the University, presided over the event. Dr. Jimmy Davis, professor of communications studies, presented the commencement address. Davis is the 2018-2019 Chaney Distinguished Professor Award recipient, a title awarded for each year to the faculty member who best represents the University’s vision to be “a premier teaching institution.”

Graduates walking to seat after receiving diploma

A live stream of commencement was available on www.belmont.edu during the graduation ceremony Friday evening.

All graduates, family, guests, faculty and staff were invited to attend the commencement reception immediately following the ceremony in the student life center, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations. The commencement reception provides an opportunity for graduates and their families to meet and mingle with faculty, administrators and fellow graduates.

Belmont University Hosts Free Musical Events for Christmas Celebrations

Haley Charlton
-
0
Belmont University Hosts Free Musical Events for Christmas Celebrations

Belmont University is celebrating this year’s Christmas season with a number of free concerts that are open to the Nashville community, as well as the annual televised airing of the holiday spectacular, “Christmas at Belmont.”

The Belmont Camerata will offer its annual presentation of “A Camerata Christmas,” featuring Corelli’s Christmas Concerto and bluegrass-style carols, on Monday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Belmont Mansion.

Longtime campus carillionneur and Music Professor Richard Shadinger will play the traditional Christmas Eve Carillon Concert, held every year since 1986, at 2 p.m. on December 24. Located just off the corner of Belmont Blvd. and Portland Ave, this tradition began at the campus bell tower’s 43-bell carillon, one of five carillons in Tennessee, during the Ward-Belmont days and features traditional Christmas songs.

Select Performance from Christmas at Belmont

Lastly, the holiday wouldn’t be complete without the annual “Christmas at Belmont” special. A presentation of this year’s performance, which featured guest artists Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans and more than 700 students, faculty and staff musicians from the School of Music, will be shown nation-wide on PBS on Monday, December 23 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Nashville Public Television will also air the holiday spectacular on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. CT. along with other stations around the country. Check local listings for times.

This is the 17th consecutive year “Christmas at Belmont” will be seen by a national audience on PBS.

Angie Bryant Named 2019 Gabhart Award Recipient

Haley Charlton
-
0
Angie Bryant Named 2019 Gabhart Award Recipient

Assistant Dean of Student Support Services and long-time Belmont employee Angie Bryant was named the 2019 Gabhart Award Recipient at Belmont’s annual Staff Christmas Breakfast, held on Thursday, December 5 in the Maddox Grand Atrium. Named in honor of the late Dr. Herbert C. Gabhart, who served Belmont selflessly for 50 years as president and chancellor, the Gabhart Award is the highest honor presented to a staff person and honors a member of the Belmont community who demonstrates significant achievements, commitment and service to the University.

Bryant came to Belmont in June of 1993. Over the past 26 years, she has been instrumental in creating and contributing to the student experience at Belmont. The fit-rec program was largely created by her vision and leadership. Literally thousands of students have had their physical health improved by the creative and innovative programming she created by making wellness a central part of, not only the student experience, but also the university conversation. Bryant also provides exceptional care to the students she encounters through her work in the Student Concerns area.

One colleague who nominated Bryant for the award stated, “Despite new and challenging responsibilities, Angie remains a woman of profound faith that she readily incorporates into the work and life she leads. She is a great example of a person trying to live a life modeled after Christ as an example… very similar to the life exemplified by Dr. Gabhart.”

This year’s Gabhart Award finalist was Nanci Alsup who works with the Belmont Teaching Center. Past Gabhart Award winners include Don Purdy, Betty Wiseman, Sarah Cates, Gary Hunter, Joan Eakin, Bonnie Wagonfield, Anthony Donovan and Greg Pillon.

1...133134135...888Page 134 of 888
Belmont University Logo | News & Media

CONTACT US

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

FOLLOW US