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

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Belmont Students Perform Alongside Legends in CMT Special Honoring Vince Gill

Emma Johansson
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Belmont Students Perform Alongside Legends in CMT Special Honoring Vince Gill

This semester, The Fisher Center for Performing Arts at Belmont University hosted its first-ever televised performance. Some of the biggest names in music gathered on September 12 for the taping of “CMT GIANTS: Vince Gill”, a 90-minute music special honoring the country music legend. Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and Sting were among the star-studded lineup of special guests who reflected on their friendships and time working with Gill.

This grand event on Belmont’s campus required participation from all corners of our music community – from faculty and staff to musical directors and students. College of Music and Performing Arts faculty Dr. Jeffery Ames and Dr. Henry Smiley brought together a dream team of students across multiple music ensembles, including Vince’s daughter, Corrina Gill.

Take a look at what some of the students involved had to say about their experience:

Ashley Barber (Commercial Voice Class of 2024, Orlando, FL)

“To be around so many talented musicians was special and inspiring, especially getting to share it with my wonderful classmates. Vince Gill has had such an impact on country music, so it was very heartwarming to see all the artists uplifting that.”

Tucker Bruinsma (Commercial Voice Class of 2024, Terre Haute, IN)

“Before we got on stage, Chris Stapleton came through the curtains where we stood and shared an embrace with Sting as they chatted. I was awestruck. But being part of music ensembles at Belmont really helped prepare me for performing in a venue of that magnitude; the Fisher Center is always incredible.”

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Jenny Gill Van Valkenburg, honoree Vince Gill and Corrina Grant Gill attend CMT Giants: Vince Gill at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on September 12, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for CMT)

Corrina Gill (Commercial Voice Class of 2023, Nashville, TN)

“It felt like my worlds collided when my university was the host of an event honoring my dad. Performing his songs with some of my favorite artists was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was amazing seeing artists that I look up to, look up to him in the same way. I caught a glimpse of his legacy: the vastness of it and the impact that he’s made.”

Haley Grimm (Commercial Voice Class of 2024, Westmont, IL)

“At Belmont especially, when an opportunity comes up where students can be creative and work towards their dream, there’s so much love and support! Being right in the middle of music city also provides an unparalleled connection to the industry. I’ll remember this special night for the rest of my life!”

Hannah Howell (Commercial Music Class of 2023, Dallas, TX)

“We had several ensemble-only rehearsals leading up to the performance and two dress rehearsals with Carrie and the band. It was put together extremely quickly, which is only possible when you work with such professional musicians like the people involved with this event.”

Bella Melius (Commercial Voice Class of 2023, Franklin, TN) 

“It seems like I was just a freshman hearing about the beautiful hall being built, so now as a senior being able to share that stage alongside my talented peers and iconic artists was such a fun and surreal experience.”

Sean Murphy (Commercial Voice, Class of 2023, Buffalo, NY)

“Being around those country legends and being trusted to be a part of this opportunity really gave me a sense of what a highly professional performance atmosphere was like, and to have my whole family see me up there was just a cool bonus on top of an already incredible experience.”

Lucas Pettee (Commercial Voice Class of 2024, Santa Clarita, CA)

“My schooling at Belmont gave me the confidence to come into the rehearsals and crush the parts I was given, so I would like to thank all my professors for believing in us and giving us the opportunity to be a part of something so special.”

Anna Scott (Commercial Voice Class of 2023, North Olmsted, OH)

“One of the coolest parts about the whole experience was that we were treated like talent. We were placed in the same area as the other artists and were even able to watch the red carpet. Artists backstage wished us good luck and we weren’t treated like students or fans- you can’t replicate that in a concert ticket or VIP pass.”

Annie Sullivan (Commercial Voice Class of 2024, Brewster, NY)

“It was such an honor to be able to represent the School of Music through this once-in-a-lifetime event. The opportunities that are offered to students at Belmont are unlike any other university, so I feel very lucky to be in this program.”

Click here to apply today and learn more about our College of Music and Performing Arts.

Belmont Law Professor Lucian Dervan Launches Plea Bargain Institute  

Jasmine Simmons
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Belmont Law Professor Lucian Dervan Launches Plea Bargain Institute  

Belmont College of Law Professor Lucian Dervan in partnership with Fair Trials, launched the Plea Bargaining Institute (PBI) this week. The institute will create an environment for sharing knowledge and research and for collaboration related to reforming global plea-bargaining practices. 

“We now know more about how plea bargaining operates, how defendants make decisions and how coercive incentives can lead even the innocent to plead guilty,” Dervan said.  “At the same time, we’ve seen more reform efforts, more litigation and more advocacy in the plea-bargaining space. What was needed, however, was an entity to help bring the academic, practitioner and advocate worlds together. PBI will fill this need and create a global intellectual home for this important work. As a result, advocates will have better access to important research findings related to their work and academics will have access to those in the field to help identify where future research should be focused.”  

Research indicates that plea bargain incentives often persuade innocent defendants to plead guilty. Defendants often agree for lesser sentences to avoid lengthy court trials and the imposition of much higher sentences for those who exercise their right to proceed to trial. 

This semester, research assistants in Belmont’s College of Law Katie Ray Murray, Andrew Daffron and Alex Redmond worked on creating search methodologies and began the process of gathering and analyzing research and case law for annual reports the Institue will publish yearly, with the first reports scheduled for released in late 2023.  

“Working on this project has contributed to my education at the College of Law by allowing me to refine my legal research skills,” Redmond said. “This research has also provided me with a more meaningful understanding of the topics we cover in class, which drives me to work even harder so that the Institute may reach as many people as possible.” 

The Institute’s first report will include the following information and statistics:

  • In the US, 95% or more of criminal cases are resolved through a plea of guilty.  
  • Globally, the phenomenon of plea bargaining is growing more prevalent. 
  • 21% of the cases entered in the National Registry of Exonerations in 2021 involved false pleas of guilty. 

Another of PBI’s initiatives will be hosting an annual symposium at Belmont.  

“The first symposium will occur in 2023 and bring together leaders in the academic, practitioner, and advocacy fields,” Dervan said. “At the symposium, we plan to both share important research and case law developments from the year and create opportunities for dialogue as we look forward to future research projects and collaborations.” 

Read more details regarding PBI from the official press release published by Fair Trials.  

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Hosts ABLE Youth for Independence Camp

Julia Couch
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Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Hosts ABLE Youth for Independence Camp

This semester, Belmont Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) welcomed Able Youth for its annual Independence Camp, held on Belmont’s Campus this fall.  

ABLE Youth is the only organization of its kind in Nashville and works to provide opportunities for youth who use wheelchairs to learn independence, skills and sports. Teaching kids the importance of complete independence in all activities of daily living leads to higher self-esteem, motivation and desire to excel.  

Able Youth participants started their day in Belmont’s Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Lab with setting goals and choosing a specific task to practice and improve on including laundry, making a bed, sweeping the floor, cooking and cleaning dishes.   

Belmont’s ADL lab has multiple kitchen and bathroom layouts with varying modifications, allowing students to practice and discover which features they prefer. In addition, students ate lunch in the dining hall where they learned how to navigate getting and carrying food in their wheelchairs. Youth also practiced wheelchair navigation skills—including wheelies—at the climbing wall, taking advantage of softer floors.  

“Having Independence Camp at Belmont this year provided a much different experience for ABLE Youth participants than in years past,” said OT assistant professor Missy Bryan. “This experience touched multiple pathways from whole-person formation to integrative health and well-being for all. Kids who have a mobility impairment who are seeking skills for independence were able to see potential future paths, whether that is college or something else. They could see what it was like to be on a college campus and learn about future mobility skills that would be required of them.”  

Twelve OT and PT students volunteered including an undergraduate student enrolled in the 3+3 exercise science/occupational therapy program. All OT students are required to volunteer four hours per semester.  

“Service is an integral aspect of both University life at Belmont and being an occupational therapist. We have students target their volunteer time towards populations they’re interested in, or in populations they do not have experience with,” said Bryan. “This provides well-rounded preparation for interacting with a variety of people.” 

Occupational and physical therapists work collaboratively, but each have distinct functions on a patient’s care team. OT is primarily focused on participation in occupations, or things people want and need to do in life. Occupational therapists take into consideration a patient’s environment and context and can make modifications to an activity to help a patient find success. PT is also focused on participation but through a muscular and skeletal lens. Physical therapists work to optimize the body to enable greater participation.  

Interested in studying to become an occupational or physical therapist? Learn more about Belmont’s graduate health sciences programs.

Alumnus Troy Senik: Immortalizes President Grover Cleveland in Biography

Jasmine Simmons
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Alumnus Troy Senik: Immortalizes President Grover Cleveland in Biography

This fall, Belmont political science alumnus Troy Senik (‘05) released his first book, “A Man of Iron: The Turbulent Life and Improbable Presidency of Grover Cleveland.” Senik’s extensive resume chronicles a career that has toggled back and forth between journalism, government, non-profit and the educational world. 

Coming to Belmont, he was lured by the rigor and intellectual stimulation of political science after taking the course as his general education requirement. He specifically remembers the bonds created with faculty like political science professor Vaughn May and the department’s previous dean, Dr. Larry Hall, who advised Senik as a student.  

“In the political science department, we had such great faculty,” he reminisced. “They both had an incredible gift for leading classroom discussions where you would come out of class feeling like you had run an intellectual marathon. You felt like you were operating at your highest intellectual potential in those classes.”   

At the early age of twenty-four, the California native stumbled upon a mountain top opportunity to be a speechwriter through the George W. Bush administration. 

“The biggest thing I came away with is that people put a little too much stock in politics and government,” he said. “If you notice, pretty much everything I’ve done since then has been some variation on education.”  

Since the White House, Senik has led the Los Angeles World Affairs Council in a vice-presidential capacity, served as Vice President for the Manhattan Institute and today lives in New York City working as the co-founder of Kite & Key Media, a nonprofit that creates engaging, educational content about public policy. In September, “A Man of Iron” was released, earning Senik the new title of author.   

Among its many historical and insightful lessons, Senik believes that the biography serves as a constructive rebuke to pervasive modern political cynicism. It fosters hope by reminding readers that the American system has the potential to yield up integrous individuals who are uniquely responsive to the issues of the day. 

“One of the reasons I wanted to write the book is I thought that he was a fascinating figure and an odd figure for Americans to have forgotten,” Senik said. “The defining characteristic of his presidency and indeed his life was character. He is thought of as a guy who will take on corruption in his own democratic party and in the republican party. This reputation for integrity is a constant throughout his life.” 

“A Man of Iron” is available in hardback, e-book and audio book with an author-narrated introduction.  

Belmont Faculty and Alumnus Among Finalists for the Nashville Technology Council Awards  

Jasmine Simmons
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Belmont Faculty and Alumnus Among Finalists for the Nashville Technology Council Awards  

Three members of the Belmont community were announced as finalists for the 2023 Greater Nashville Technology Council (NTC) annual awards.  

Executive Director of the Belmont Data Collaborative Dr. Charlie Apigian was named a finalist in the Community Leader of the Year category. Dr. Marquinta Harvey, Assistant Director of the Belmont Data Collaborative, was named a finalist in the Diversity and Inclusion Advocate of the Year category.  

“The tech industry has traditionally been considered a non-inclusive place with a lack of representation from people of color and women,” Harvey said. “The tech industry should desire a more diverse workforce to not only support equity but to elevate business creativity, productivity and profitability. Belmont has recognized the importance of the tech and data field and is actively promoting an understanding of data throughout every academic discipline through the work of the Belmont Data Collaborative.” 

Trevor Hinesley (‘12) graduated from Belmont with a degree in Computer Science and Audio Engineering Technology. Hinesley is the founder of the music library Soundstripe and was named a finalist in the Chief Technology Operator category. 

The winners will be announced at the NTC’s 14th annual celebration on Feb. 16, where Middle Tennessee’s community of developers and technology entrepreneurs, enthusiasts and institutions will gather in-person at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown. 

To read descriptions of the award categories visit the NTC Awards webpage.  

Belmont Entrepreneur Program Hosts Fourth Annual Awards 

Jasmine Simmons
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Belmont Entrepreneur Program Hosts Fourth Annual Awards 

One hundred alumni entrepreneurs and their families along with Massey College of Business faculty and staff gathered on Monday, Dec. 12 for the 2022 Belmont Entrepreneur Awards. This is the fourth year the Thomas F. Cone Center for Entrepreneurship hosted the Awards to celebrate 100 alumni who were nominated by colleagues, friends and Belmont alumni, faculty and staff to be included on the Belmont Entrepreneur Top 100 List.  

Rev. Susan Pendleton Jones led an opening prayer and gave a short address at the start of the program. “Isn’t this the work of the entrepreneur,” she said. “To see the need, the struggle, the thorns, the lack and to work toward the solution offering hope, opportunity and creative thinking? You are the bell ringers and the hope bringers. Like those angels who are the featured characters in almost every Christmas carol, you are the messengers of good news.”   

There were 35 new faces on the Top 100 List for 2022. The list included alumni from 37 different majors who have founded businesses in 36 cities. Belmont alumni traveled across the city and from as far as New Mexico, Texas and Florida to be recognized. 

Impact Awards in the categories community, peers and industry were presented to founders who embody the impact that entrepreneurship brings.  

Founder of Studio Bank and double alumnus Harry Allen, Management ‘04, MBA ‘10 received the Peers Impact Award. Studio Bank is a boutique bank located in Nashville that provides organizations, families and individuals with sophisticated financial services.  

Music business graduate Logan Crowell ‘16 received the Industry Impact Award for HOME- Helping Our Music Evolve. HOME is a nonprofit artist development and music production community based in Nashville.  

“HOME is everything you need under one roof to grow your music career,” Crowell said. “It’s a way musicians can find community, connect and get a measurable amount of education about the business side of music. There’s so many people coming to this town all the time to do the same thing and they’re all incredibly talented. We strive to be that centralized hub for them.” 

Evan and Jenny Owens ‘05 received the Community Impact Award for REBOOT Recovery, a faith-based trauma healing program founded in 2011. REBOOT Recovery helps people in all walks of life overcome trauma by providing courses and developing support communities. The programs currently serve in 40 states and 10 countries.  

“I think about how far God has brought us,” Evan said. “This work we do is hard: nonprofit work and for-profit work. Being an entrepreneur is super hard and probably nobody tells you that you guys are awesome. We feel so blessed by this award and Belmont has been a huge part of our story.” 

Collectively, the businesses on the Top 100 List employ over 5,000 people around the world. Five video spotlights gave attendees an inside look at Kristin Sweeting founder of Dangerous Creatives, Texas natives and sibling alumni Uriah and Zylah Solis who founded the restaurant Tempo, Ashley Crawford who is the founder of the Nashville African American Wind Symphony, Trevor Hinsley who founded the music library Soundstripe and restaurant founder of Biscuit Love Sarah Worley.  

The Cone Center also celebrated the expansion of new initiatives.  

Four Entrepreneurs-in-Residence were announced at the beginning of the 22-23 academic year and have provided invaluable insight and mentorship to entrepreneurial-minded students.    

The Jeffrey Buntin, Sr. Program for Creative Ventures has provided the opportunity for cross-departmental exchange and collaboration as The Cone Center, Watkins College of Art, O’More College of Architecture & Design, the Jack C. Massey College of Business and the Mike Curb College Entertainment & Music Business offer a tailored approach to support students at the intersection of creative arts and entrepreneurship. 

The Jeffery Cornwall Legacy Launch fund offers support seed funding to graduating seniors. 

Director of the Cone Center for Entrepreneurship Elizabeth Gortmaker gave final remarks to culminate the night.  

“Entrepreneurship is bringing an idea to life and making it tangible,” Gortmaker said. “It is solving problems and creating solutions. It is economic development and job creation. It takes courage. It takes humility. And it takes a team. Tonight’s celebration is a small token to say that we see you and we are so proud that you are a part of the Belmont family.” 

Alumni businesses sponsored and supported the event by providing services.  

Tastify sponsored food for the evening with two charcuterie tables. Baked on 8th provided pies for dessert and LMA Designs arranged floral centerpieces. Attendees took home pictures captured at the photo booth from the Nashville Smile Bar. Drinks were provided by BarBees Bartending. OrangeThread Live Events constructed the stage and draping. Pack Films recorded and produced the alumni spotlight films and provided videography for the evening. 

Introduction to Fashion Project Presents Hats Inspired by Minnie Pearl

Jasmine Simmons
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Introduction to Fashion Project Presents Hats Inspired by Minnie Pearl

The Beloved Queen of Country Comedy 

This semester, first-year students in Belmont’s Fashion Design & Merchandising program of the O’More College of Architecture and Design were assigned an Introduction to Fashion project paying tribute to Ward-Belmont graduate Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, who would later be known globally as Minnie Pearl.   

Students designed and created hats inspired by “Hee Haw’s Queen of Country Comedy,” who was known for donning extravagant headwear during her comedic performances. Each student presented their creation and explained how their piece was emblematic of Minnie Pearl, sharing takeaways from the class that contributed to their design.  

Freshman Shelby Riley presented “The Fragility Hat” which was inspired by a quote from Minnie Pearl. 

“The price tag on my hat seems to be symbolic of all human frailty” Pearl once commented. “There’s old Minnie Pearl standing on stage in her best dress, telling everyone how proud she is to be there, and she’s forgotten to take the $1.98 price tag off her hat.”  

Riley embroidered the words “don’t forget who you are” on her hat and used the scavenged materials of jewelry wire and embroidery floss to create a hat representative of Pearl’s quote. “I wanted to make something that makes the wearer frail or fragile,” Riley said “It’s a hat that doesn’t serve a purpose. The ball cap is useless because of the material, and the hat itself is also very fragile.” 

Students took inspiration from Pearl’s wide-brimmed hats and floral accents as well as aspects of her life like her song “Love Bug Itch” and the lily pads found on the river that flow through Centerville, TN where Pearl grew up.  

The projects will be on display at the documentary screening of Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl on Jan. 19 in the Fisher Center for Performing Art. Each hat will showcase the student designers, the name of the creation and the Minnie Pearl inspiration and class takeaway.  

About Minnie Pearl 

Known as “Ophie” by her classmates, she attended Ward-Belmont—the all-girls junior college that previously stood on the grounds of Belmont University from 1913-1951. Hailing from Hickman County, just west of Nashville, Minnie Pearl attended Ward-Belmont to study theater and graduated in 1932. While on campus, she wrote for the student newspaper, The Hyphen, and was involved with the YWCA. She was voted “most humorous” two years running by her classmates. 

After graduation, Pearl began touring with an Atlanta-based theater company where she began developing the infamous Minnie Pearl character. In 1940, she performed at the Grand Ole Opry, leading to a 50-year tenure with the show and eventually a starting role as “Hee Haw’s Queen of County Comedy.” 

Belmont’s College of Theology and Christian Ministry Awarded Lilly Endowment Grant 

Jasmine Simmons
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Belmont’s College of Theology and Christian Ministry Awarded Lilly Endowment Grant 

Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded Belmont’s College of Theology and Christian Ministry (CTCM) a planning grant of $49,683 through its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. Funds from the grant will go toward sponsoring six months of planning for the CTCM to develop programs and activities aimed at nurturing children through contemporary worship and intergenerational formation. 

“Belmont is uniquely situated,” CTCM professor Steve Guthrie said. “We are a Christian university in a heavily churched city that is also home to a number of Christian publishers and Christian music labels. We would like to have educators sit down around a table with church leaders and publishers and music industry people and creatives and talk about the ways we can work across these constituencies to nurture children in worship and to develop worship that is intergenerational.” 

Four consultants have been contracted to aid in the planning process and roughly 40 individuals from five key constituencies outlined in the grant proposal met to determine the felt needs of the community around the issue on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Lay leaders and clergy; songwriters, creatives and liturgists; leaders from the Christian publishing and recording industries; scholars and educators; and parents and caregivers are the determined constituencies the CTCM plans to employ for this project.  

The CTCM will have the opportunity to receive a five-year implementation grant in the amount of $1.25 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. in June, contingent on the planning grant’s progress and acceptance. If awarded, funds from the implementation grant will be used to support initiatives developed during the planning season. 

“The College of Theology and Christian Ministry more broadly wants to serve the church and the mission of the church in the world,” Guthrie said. “This is a great opportunity for us to be in dialogue with churches who are our neighbors. Not just to be doing theological education in a bubble removed from the actual business of ministry.” 

Belmont College of Law 1L Class Registers High Credentials on LSAT

Staff Writer
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Belmont College of Law 1L Class Registers High Credentials on LSAT

The Belmont College of Law Class of 2025 achieved the highest credentials for the LSAT. The first-year class matriculated this semester with a median LSAT of 160 and median undergraduate GPA of 3.7.  

“This entering class continues our practice of attracting bright, dedicated and curious individuals to study law and serve others in the best tradition of the legal profession,” said Alberto Gonzales, Belmont College of Law Dean.  “It is my hope that each will be successful in achieving their dreams, and that all will assume their place as responsible members of society.”   

Nearly 19% of the entering class are from underrepresented populations and 61% identify as female. The 1L class is comprised of students from 71 different universities and colleges, with 52% of students coming from out-of-state.  

“We’re so proud of our student body. They bring a wonderful array of experiences to us, and we know they will graduate and do great things within the legal community,” Andrea Harris, Director of Belmont College of Law Recruiting and Admissions said. 

The highly selective program accepts 39% of all applicants. Early Decision applications closed Dec. 1 but regular decision applications are open until May 1. Learn more about the application process on the College of Law website.  

Don Cusic Inducted into Western Music Hall of Fame

Julia Couch
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Don Cusic Inducted into Western Music Hall of Fame
Don Cusic

Don Cusic, professor in Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business was recently inducted into the Western Music Hall of Fame by the Western Music Association (WMA) in the “historian” category. The WMA Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to honor groups and individuals who have made significant contributions to western music composition, performance and history. 

Notable WMA Hall of Fame inductees include classics such as Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Sons of Pioneers to more recent inductees. 

“I grew up watching Roy Rogers on TV—he was a hero of mine—and now, to be in the same Hall of Fame with Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gene Autry and others is beyond words,” said Cusic. “I carried a Roy Rogers lunch box to school during my early days and my favorite entertainment was watching cowboy shows on TV. It’s hard for me to believe that the Western Music Association chose to honor me with their ultimate award.” 

Cusic is an author of 28 books and more than 500 articles, and has taught music business courses since 1982. He is currently the co-host of the International Country Music Conference and editor of the International Country Music Journal. 

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