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 Hosts O’More School of Design Alumni Open House

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Hosts O’More School of Design Alumni Open House

The Beaman Student Life Center was full of alumni and friends of the O’More School of Design at Belmont University* on Wednesday night as the Office of Alumni Relations hosted the School’s Alumni Reception. Graduates and current students mingled amongst the group as passed appetizers were shared and a jazz ensemble played live music.

After a short ceremony of shared remarks from Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher and O’More Director Shari Fox, attendees were invited to take part in tours of the newly renovated and opened O’More School at Belmont, located in the Hitch Building on campus.

*Belmont’s O’More School of Design has received preliminary approval from the University’s regional accreditor (SACSCOC).*

Public Relations Students, Faculty Receive National Awards

Hope Buckner
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Public Relations Students, Faculty Receive National Awards

Belmont University students and faculty were honored at the 2018 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) International Conference and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) National Conference held Oct. 5-9 in Austin, Texas.

Belmont PRSSA received its 10th consecutive Star Chapter Award, recognizing 10 criteria of excellence. Belmont PRSSA is one of only two chapters, out of more than 360 across the country, to have received the Star Chapter Award each year since it was established in 2009. Lydia Bailey, president of Belmont PRSSA, and Johnathan Pushkar, a May 2018 graduate and an officer in Belmont PRSSA in 2017-18, received PRSSA National Gold Key Awards in recognition of their chapter leadership and contributions. Dr. Bonnie Riechert, faculty adviser to Belmont PRSSA, was honored for more than 10 years of service as a chapter faculty adviser. She has served as faculty adviser to Belmont PRSSA since 2006.

Riechert and six Belmont chapter officers were joined at the PRSSA awards banquet by Keith Miles of MP&F Strategic Communications, who serves as the chapter’s professional adviser. The conference included a Diversity and Inclusion Celebration event, at which Riechert accepted the honorable mention award on behalf of PRSA Nashville in recognition of the professional chapter’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

The concurrent professional and student conferences had a record-breaking attendance, with 1,600 professionals and 900 students attending. The theme of the PRSA International Conference was “Communications Convergence,” and the theme of the PRSSA National Conference was “The Art of PR.” Next year’s annual conferences will be held in San Diego, and in 2020 the conferences will come to Nashville.

Founded in 1947-48, PRSA is the nation’s largest professional organization serving the communications community with a mission to “make communications professionals smarter, better prepared and more connected through all stages of their career.” Its membership collectively represents more than 30,000 members comprised of communications professionals spanning every industry sector nationwide and college and university students who encompass the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). PRSSA was established in 1967-68. Belmont PRSSA was chartered in 2005.

Alumnus Giacomo Fiore Receives 2018 Encore Award

Hope Buckner
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Alumnus Giacomo Fiore Receives 2018 Encore Award
Italian guitarist, award-winning musician, University Lecturer at SF Conservatory, University of California Santa Cruz and the University of San Francisco and Belmont alumnus Dr. Giacomo Fiore was recently honored with Belmont’s College of Visual and Performing Arts 2018 Encore Award. Created in 2008 to honor a School of Music alumnus, the Award recognizes those musical greats who have made significant achievement throughout the classical music field.
Fiore’s extensive repertoire includes eclectic programs presented to audiences across the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland and Italy. A new music specialist, he has given world and U.S. premieres of more than two dozen solo and chamber works for classical, just intonation and electric guitars including pieces by Larry Polansky, Kenji Oh, Ron Nagorcka, Agustin Castilla–Ávila, Brian Baumbusch, Carolyn Chen, Lanier Sammons, Fernanda Navarro, Edward Schocker, and many more. To date, he has released seven recordings for Cold Blue, Pinna and Paper Garden Records, as well as his own impressum.
After graduating from Belmont in 2006, Fiore attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music for his master’s program. “I saw it both as a challenge, a test for the technical and interpretive work I had done at Belmont, but also as an opportunity to grow further,” he said. While in school, he realized his academic and research habits were solid, thanks to his time at Belmont, and began looking towards continuing his education as a musician, resulting in his Ph.D. in Music from the University of U.C. Santa Cruz.
There, he developed a kind of synergistic musical practice where research, performance and teaching overlapped. Looking back on his time on an undergraduate, Fiore believes his passion, inquisitiveness and talents were developed at Belmont, allowing him the confidence and ability he needed to complete his advanced degrees.
“I discovered the thrill of perusing a long-forgotten score or book in Bunch Library; I recorded and released my first album working with Curb College students; I carefully curated the program of my Senior recital to present not just a compendium of what I had studied, but something I felt was a coherent and engaging musical picture. My own aesthetics have changed much since then, but the foundation on which I’ve built was laid solidly,” he said. “Different tunings, different sounds, different worlds: I chase this music not to be different, but because its suggestion of possibilities enthralls me and rewards me to no end.”
To students who hope to embark on a similar path one day, Fiore has a few words of wisdom. “Acknowledge the sounds that linger in your head as you go to sleep and echo still while you wake up in the morning,” he said. “Then chase them down. You’ll never quite catch them—that’s beside the point—but you’ll discover wonders along the way.”
But as much as he can offer advice on the value of practice, the importance of expanding genres and the significance of education, it’s a person’s character that he points to as most important. “Support your peers. Love your friends. Take care of yourself. You’re only as good a musician as you are a human being.”

Alumnus TJ Wilt Named Chief Executive Officer, Partner for E|SPACES

April Hefner
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Alumnus TJ Wilt Named Chief Executive Officer, Partner for E|SPACES

E|SPACES, a professional office and meeting space provider with multiple locations in Middle Tennessee and a pending launch in Orlando, announced that Belmont alumnus TJ Wilt has been named chief executive officer and partner responsible for strategic planning and growth.

Recognized among the top investment professionals and business strategists in Middle Tennessee, Wilt is joining E|SPACES as the company continues its rapid expansion throughout the Southeast. Wilt will assume responsibility for strategic planning and operational oversight of the company while President Jon Pirtle will focus on sales and business development. The pair has set a long-range objective to launch 25 more locations in the next five years in multiple states.

A Nashville native, Wilt has been intimately involved in the growth of multiple industries in the region. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in administration and finance and his MBA from Belmont , Wilt began his career at Gaylord Entertainment Company where he advised on strategic acquisition for the corporation. Wilt then moved to Diversified Trust company, an employee-owned comprehensive wealth management firm, where he served for six years as vice president, acting as primary wealth manager for family and individual clients. Most recently, Wilt led TSW Investment company, where he served as the primary manager on multiple partnerships with more than 25 private investments and a diversified public equity portfolio. As part of his role at TSW, Wilt served as the CEO and CFO of Cumberland Transit, Nashville’s oldest and largest locally-owned outdoor adventure retailer, which he acquired in 2012.

“There is no end to the growth potential of E|SPACES in today’s evolving market,” said Wilt. “Modern workers are no longer tied to traditional concepts of office space. They are seeking a partner that provides adaptable meeting and work spaces, covers all their office needs at no additional cost, and still maintains a quality, professional environment. E|SPACES is the only company I have experienced that checks all those boxes. I jumped at the chance to join the team and help it continue to grow.”

“This is an important day for E|SPACES as we welcome TJ Wilt to our team,” said Crom Carmichael, vice-chairman of E|SPACES board of directors. “TJ brings to E|SPACES a wealth of experience in strategy, management and finance, as well as extensive reach across the broader business community in Middle Tennessee and the Southeast. His expertise, coupled with Jon Pirtle’s skills in sales and business development, will yield immediate, positive outcomes for the customers, partners and cities we serve.”

Founded in 2010, E|SPACES combines a range of executive suites, coworking spaces and shared offices to meet the diverse needs of the serious business professional. The company offers work spaces for individuals and small businesses not ready to make the leap to an office lease, medium-sized companies looking for space for employees to train or collaborate, and large companies seeking a convenient location to meet off-site. All services – including phone, Wi-Fi, office machines, 24/7 access, and parking – are included in the cost of membership.

Belmont University Hosts 4th Annual Diversity Week Across Campus

Hope Buckner
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Belmont University Hosts 4th Annual Diversity Week Across Campus

Provides meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and staff to engage in dialogue surrounding diversity and inclusion

Belmont University hosted its fourth annual Diversity Week last week and provided more than 20 opportunities for members of the community to engage in meaningful conversations surrounding diversity, inclusion, privilege, cultural humility and more. Launched by the Welcome Home Diversity Council and Racial & Ethnic Diversity Team years ago, Diversity Week is part of the Belmont State of Mind, the University’s overarching diversity and inclusion initiative.

Highlights from this year’s event include Real Talks for students, faculty and staff where important topics are discussed in a safe format, a Privilege Walk where participants are able to engage with their privilege in a physical way, a screening of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” in the University’s state-of-the-art theater, convocation presentations by nationally-known speakers and authors including Austin Channing Brown and Andrew Maraniss and more.

 

Massey College of Business Hosts Discover Accounting Day

April Hefner
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Massey College of Business Hosts Discover Accounting Day

The accounting and management information systems (MIS) programs in the Jack C. Massey College of Business hosted a Discover Accounting Day for 70 Nashville area high school students last month. Associate Professor of Accounting Dr. Beverley Alleyne motivated the students with words of wisdom on how to prepare for college and for the real world of an accounting career. Alexis Wade, senior accounting major, spoke to the students about why accounting is a great major and ideas for funding their college education.

Students had the opportunity to learn about careers in accounting, why accounting is considered the language of business and to discover which path of accounting best fits their interests and personality. Students interacted with local Nashville CPAs, including Chief Financial Officer of of the Tennessee Titans Jenneen Kaufman, Belmont Masters of Accounting alumni Allie (Shropshire) Zavattaro (senior accountant at Compass East), Lauren Moses (tax senior at Cherry Bekaert) and Accounting Advisory Board member Kristi Fireline (director at BKD).

In addition to the day of accounting information, the high school students “discovered” the Belmont campus with lunch in the Harrington Place Dining Hall. The one-day event was planned and coordinated by Laura Hunt, communications associate for the Tennessee Society of CPAs, and Dr. Del DeVries, associate  professor of accounting and information systems. Dr. Pat Raines, dean of the Jack C. Massey College of Business; Kelvin Ault, professor of practice and program director of accounting and MIS; and Taylor Dillon, admissions coordinator, also assisted in welcoming the high school students to campus.

USAC Sponsors School Supplies Drive for Metro Students

Staff Writer
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USAC Sponsors School Supplies Drive for Metro Students

USAC donating supplies at Metro Nashville schoolsIn conjunction with the 2018 Battle of the Belmont Bands and Family Fun Festival, Belmont’s University Staff Advisory Council (USAC) hosted a drive collecting school supplies for several Metro Nashville schools and community centers. USAC President Benita Walker led the drive and focused on engaging community members with one another.

The drive asked for donations of supplies that teachers had specifically requested as needed for their classrooms. Donated supplies included items such as tissues, cleaning wipes, pencils, crayons, folders and more. The supplies was donated to schools and organizations in the area including Waverly Belmont and Carter-Lawrence Elementary Schools, Rose Park Magnet Math and Science Middle School and Salama Urban Ministries.

USAC leadership team member Kim Carr said the drive “was sponsored by USAC as a way to encourage support of our local schools as we kick off our academic year.”

Belmont Physical Therapy Student Completes Clinical Experience in Peru

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Physical Therapy Student Completes Clinical Experience in Peru

Recent 2018 Belmont Doctorate of Physical Therapy graduate Alicia Bowden completed a unique experience while in school when she traveled to Arequipa, Peru for one of her clinicals. While there, she worked with “Work the World,” an organization that coordinates international clinical internships tailored to a variety of healthcare backgrounds. With the help of Gail Bursch, associate professor of physical therapy & director of clinical education, Bowden was placed in the physiotherapy department at Hospital Goyeneche, one of the oldest and most respected medical institutions in southern Peru, where she spent six weeks working in acute and outpatient care.

This true Spanish immersion clinical experience was fast-paced, challenging and very rewarding.  “Working in the hospital was a bit of a culture shock at first,” she said, “but by the end of my placement, I truly felt that I had become part of the team.”

Bowden worked with a wide variety of patients and medical conditions including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, amputations, post-mastectomies, TMJ issues, Bell’s palsy, and other orthopedic conditions. Throughout her clinical, she learned about physical therapy treatment, and was immersed in the Spanish language while gaining an understanding of the Peruvian healthcare system.

She learned how physical therapists can make a huge impact with their patients while having access to fewer resources than that what is common in the United States. “While there are differences between PT in Peru versus in the United States, the heart of PT remains the same,” Bowden said.  “I appreciate the new perspective and treatment ideas the Peruvian clinicians and local PT students shared with me, and I truly feel that my experiences in Peru (in direct patient care, dialog with other students/ healthcare providers, cultural exchange, and improved Spanish proficiency) have helped make me a better clinician. My time in Peru proved to be an incredibly challenging and enriching experience that I will never forget.”

Lumos Award Traveler Shares Experience in South Africa

Staff Writer
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Lumos Award Traveler Shares Experience in South Africa

For a select number of students every year, the Lumos Travel Award provides the opportunity to travel on a self-guided and designed international work experience. Students have traveled all over the world to countries such as Haiti, Thailand, Nepal and many more. For recent Belmont graduate Madison Barefield, South Africa was the place she wanted to spend her time helping others.

At a recent convocation event on campus, Barefield shared her experiences with S-CAPE in South Africa with students and faculty. After taking the Belmont in Africa Maymester trip, Barefield was compelled to return and make a bigger difference. For her, the best way to do that was the Lumos Award. Every year, Belmont students have the opportunity to design their intended work project and apply for the Lumos Award. If awarded the scholarship, students embark on their eight week or longer intensive and immersive experience.

S-CAPE is an organization that provides safe houses for survivors of human trafficking in South Africa. They are the only safe house is the Western Cape and provide different levels of assistance to the women who are under their care. The organization and its team of house mothers, social workers and volunteers focus on rehabilitating women through their programs. Barefield, as a volunteer, wore many different hats and got involved in several aspects of daily function in the organization.

From her experiences at Belmont, specifically in her courses in social entrepreneurship, Barefield was able to bring new things to the table at S-CAPE. Outside of her various duties of grocery shopping and administrative work, Barefield was able to write grants and teach different social entrepreneurship development classes to the other workers at S-CAPE.

Barefield was also able to take part in outings with the women at S-CAPE and remembers their trip to an equine therapy facility as one of the best. “It was amazing to watch the women transform… and to see them overcome their fear,” she said. Through wearing many different hats in her work in the organization, Barefield got to spend a lot of time with the women and truly see them develop.

One of the most impactful parts of Barefield’s experience was learning about the South African philosophy of ubuntu. Ubuntu means “I am because we are” and is the idea that all of humanity is interconnected. This philosophy deeply touched Barefield and she said “ubuntu has made me a more compassionate and empathetic person.”

Barefield’s advice to students thinking of potentially applying for the Lumos Award would be to go for longer than you initially would want to and to really know the mission and the work of the organization you are designing your trip around. Barefield plans to return to S-CAPE in January to continue her work with the organization. In reference to her Lumos Award experience, Barefield placed emphasis on how “getting outside your comfort zone is very important.”

Students Inspired by ‘Storyteller’ Nikki Giovanni

Staff Writer
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Students Inspired by ‘Storyteller’ Nikki Giovanni

“I am a storyteller more than a poet,” award-winning poet Nikki Giovanni said to students during her recent visit to Belmont. Throughout her time on campus, Giovanni shared not only poems with students, but also stories and wisdom from her life. Originally from Knoxville, Giovanni attended Fisk University in Nashville where she became involved in the Black Arts Movement and got interested in writing, specifically poetry. Giovanni was invited to Belmont’s campus in conjunction with the 2018 Humanities Symposium and as the featured speaker for First Year Seminar .

Giovanni was lively and joking with students as she shared a variety of stories from her life that related to her works of poetry. In her speech to the First Year Seminar students, Giovanni told students about her encounters with important people and how unique her experiences with them were. She shared about the time she met Rosa Parks in an airport and about when she met Queen Elizabeth II, complete with her impression of the Queen. Other tales included those about families, friends and ex-boyfriends, but all related, somehow, to each other and to the poems she shared.

When reading a poem about Fisk University, Giovanni spoke about the importance of an education. She told First Year Seminar students, “You don’t come to college to get a job; you come to college to get an education.”

Poet Nikki Giovanni speaks to crowd of students at Belmont University

At another speaking engagement, Giovanni was candid about how her past shaped her. She was also honest about topics such as race, love and how, in her opinion, grandmothers are the best people on earth. Giovanni emphasized that students need to learn “when do I have enough” and noted that they are on the right path simply by being at Belmont and furthering their education.

Through her speeches and talks at Belmont, it was clear that Giovanni had a vast knowledge of history and other facts, speaking on topics from the history of the underground railroad to worms in the Arctic Circle. But it was also clear that she didn’t take herself too seriously and shared the importance of that with students. “Life is about some of the foolishness,” said Giovanni. “You have to recognize you are going to make a mistake. That’s why pencils have erasers.”

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