Erica Waters Orzechowski, a 2013 alumna of Belmont’s Masters of Arts in English program, is finding tremendous success as a writer. Her debut young adult contemporary fantasy, Ghost Wood Song, was recently acquired at auction, in a six-figure deal, by HarperTeen. In the story, a girl must use her family’s ghost-raising fiddle to conjure the one spirit who can prove her brother is innocent of murder, while choosing between the banjo-playing girl of her dreams and the rodeo boy trying to swagger his way into her heart. Publication is scheduled for summer 2020.
Alumna’s Debut Novel Acquired by HarperTeen
Master of Science in Audio Engineering Conducts First Hooding Ceremony
The newly instituted Master of Science in Audio Engineering degree conducted the program’s inaugural hooding ceremony on Thursday, August 9. Owen Bolig, Morgan Matyjevich and Paul Mayo were presented with their Master’s hoods by Drs. Wesley Bulla and Eric Tarr.
Bolig’s thesis, “The Effects of Multiple Parameters in Equalizer Processors on Decision-Making,” studied how equipment design influences audio engineer decision making. Bolig designed and coded his own software equalizers for use in the study. Matyjevich’s thesis, “Listener Detection and Categorization of Microtiming Deviation Around the Central Musical Pulse,” studied how time shifts in musical instruments affect listeners sense of “groove.” Based on the famous Muscle Shoals back-beat rhythm, she altered the instruments in a segment of Wilson Picket’s “Mustang Sally” to see how listeners would react.
Mayo’s thesis, “A Perceptual Comparison Of ‘Black Box’ Modeling Algorithms for Non-Linear Audio Systems,” investigated software modeling of audio hardware. Bolig and Matyjevich are pursuing careers in R&D and production respectively while Mayo was awarded a Ph.D. research assistantship at University of Maryland’s Hearing Science program for Fall 2018.
The first graduate program housed in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, the Master of Science in Audio Engineering is designed to prepare individuals for advanced professional work in sound recording, music production, acoustics and signal processing and for continued academic study in a doctoral degree program. After two years of development, the degree’s first cohort enrolled in the Fall 2016 semester, and expects to double the number of students in Fall 2018.
Featured Photo: (Back Row L to R) Mr. Michael Janas, Dr. Eric Tarr, Dr. Wesley Bulla, Dr. Doyuen Ko and Dean Doug Howard; (Front Row L to R) Paul Mayo, Owen Bolig and Morgan Matyjevich
Dismukes Serves on Panel, Selected for Inaugural ‘Mastermind’ Class
Director of Career and Professional Development Mary Claire Dismukes recently served as a panelist for the Southern Association of Colleges & Employers program, “Assessment from the Director’s Chair: A Panel Discussion on Using Data to Advocate for Resources & Tell the Story of Career Services.” Dismukes was also selected to participate in the inaugural class of Mastermind, which is a national advanced leadership training and community for career services leaders.
Simmons’ Nonprofit Work Featured in Tennessean
Dr. Lakisha Simmons, associate professor of management information systems, was featured in the Tennessean for her work as founder of the Period Project, which helps provide female hygiene products for girls in Middle Tennessee who might not otherwise be able to afford them.
Volker Presents Composition and Research Paper
Belmont Composition Professor Mark Volker recently presented two of his compositions and a research paper at the 44th International Computer Music Conference held in Daegu, South Korea. The conference is the world’s most prestigious meeting for performance and research in electronic music.
One of Volker’s compositions, “Beyond the Event Horizon,” was featured electronic sound alone, while the other, “Echoes of Yesterday,” is scored for a live clarinet performer interacting with a custom-designed computer program. These were selected from a worldwide submission pool of several thousand musical works, with an acceptance rate of less than 10%.
The research paper assessed the effectiveness and influence of two electronic music works (from 1956 and 1979) on modern practices.
Students Travel to Australia to Study Poisons and Social Justice
A seemingly unexpected combination, a group of Belmont students and two faculty from the College of Sciences and Mathematics traveled to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef this summer to study the poisons of marine animals native to the area and the quantitative reasoning and numeracy applied to the issues of injustice and inequality. While spending time in Australia, students had the opportunity to learn about where and how these native, deadly creatures live, how people co-exist among them and the various threats present to Australian ecosystems–all conversations led by Associate Professor of Chemistry and trip co-leader Dr. Alison Parker through her course, “Chemistry of Poisons.”
Throughout the same conversations, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and fellow trip leader Dr. Brad Schleben engaged students in his “Math of Social Justice” course, an opportunity for students to navigate their ability to question data while confronting the elements of power, privilege and interdependence seen in cross-cultural dynamics. Students had the opportunity to participate in active learning experiences including service projects, discussions with members of both the Quandamooka and Nyawaygi aboriginal communities and exposure to organizations pushing for social awareness and change – all from both a mathematical and human viewpoint.
For Parker, the opportunity to lead students on a short-term study abroad experience creates a chance to impact their lives far beyond their three week trip. “Students learn more about their own worldview and how to recognize cultural difference and interact with people whose worldview is not the same. Lifelong learning isn’t just about your major and what you see and hear in a classroom, it’s about the confluence of experiences that influence every aspect of life.”
The group started their three weeks abroad in Brisbane and spent a few nights on North Stradbroke Island at a University of Queensland marine research facility where they learned about the ecology of local waterways and collected data on living systems. After travelling to Townsville to learn about the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and its management processes, the group embarked on their first Reef EcoLogic Day on Magnetic Island where they discussed their responsibility on threats to the reef. Students had the opportunity for hands-on involvement as they pulled algae off rock and coral, quantifying both the plant mass and roots collected.
Continuing north, the group went to Cairns via Mungulla Station, an experience dedicated to protecting wetlands from environmental threats, and planted trees as part of the group’s restoration project. Parker took a group of students to the area last summer for the same project and the team was able to see the progress a year of work has created.
From there, the team spent a day on the reef experiencing the health and beauty of the open ocean. They also explored Daintree Rainforest and River before visiting Green Collar, an environmental data science firm that specializes in collecting, analyzing and modeling data to help agricultural enterprises and land owners maximize sustainable practices.
Belmont student and trip participant Katelyn Bosse said she had been interested in studying abroad since first hearing about the opportunity her freshman year. Though the trip’s countless experiences will forever be some of her favorite memories, Bosse said it was her fellow students and the ways in which they bonded that she’s most grateful for. “I was able to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and hold koalas with people I just met — only two weeks ago,” she said. “We are all from different backgrounds and majors, but we became close so fast, and it will be fun to run into each other on campus and share our stories.”
Beyond her new friendships, Bosse said she also walked away with a new found appreciation for cultures different than her own. “As tourists in other countries, we often visit the building and sites, but we don’t completely engage in the new culture. This trip was so unique in that we dug in and made connections. We were engaged and open-minded. I will talk about these three weeks-snorkeling, surfing, gorge walking with whales and dolphins and learning about coral reefs, marine life and aboriginal culture-forever.”
Steil Honored with Doc E Award for Long Time Service to Diabetes Camp
Professor in the College of Pharmacy Dr. Condit Steil was recently honored with the Doc E Award, a recognition given for long-term service and a strong interest in the welfare of campers that come through Camp Seale Harris, a diabetes camp for children held in Alabama each summer. Steil has been volunteering with the camp for the last 20 years.
As a staff member at camp each summer, Steil is responsible for assisting in the growth and development of young people with diabetes as they acquire the skills and understanding to achieve stronger control of their lives.
Thinking back over his years at camp, it’s the opportunity to watch campers further develop the ability to care for themselves that sticks out the most to Steil. “Young people come to camp with very few skills as their parents provide the care at home. But by the end of the week, many of our campers are carrying out several self-care steps independently,” he said. “Beyond that, several campers have never spent time in nature because their parents did not think it would be safe. It’s so powerful to provide that experience for these children.”
But Steil’s experience at camp doesn’t stop with his own time on staff. He also provides an opportunity for fourth-year Belmont College of Pharmacy students to participate as an advanced pharmacy practice experience. Seeing his students interacting with the campers he’s spent years serving provides a meaningful experience that Steil says he’s grateful for. “This provides an opportunity for my students’ confidence to grow as they provide support an care in a different surrounding that what they’re used to,” he said.
Moving forward, Steil plans to serve as a staff member at Camp Seale Harris for as long as he can.
Cates Named Winner in ‘Women in Music City’ Awards
Sarah Cates, director of development and industry relations for the Curb College and a Belmont alumna, was recently recognized by the Nashville Business Journal as one of the top women who is helping shape Nashville’s music industry. Now in its fifth year, the Women in Music City Awards honors women from all walks of the music industry — from agents to songwriters, and from entertainment lawyers to music venue executives.
Alumna Falvey Signs Publishing Deal
Nashville-based music publishing company, SMACKSongs, has signed songwriter Emily Falvey to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. Falvey joins a roster of writers, producers, and artists, all led by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.
Falvey is a recent graduate of Belmont University, who earned a BA in Songwriting and a BBA in Music Business. During her time at Belmont, Falvey interned at SMACKSongs, as well as at other companies in the music industry.
“I can think of no greater honor than signing my first publishing deal with SMACKSongs, and to be able to join this extraordinary family of writers and industry leaders,” shares Falvey. “I am especially grateful to Robin Palmer and Lee Krabel at SMACK for believing in me, Mark Abramowitz and the entire Kobalt team, Leslie Roberts and MaryAnn Keen at BMI, Matt Cottingham at Ritholz Levy Fields, the Songwriting department at Belmont University, Emily Weisband, Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally for their mentorship and vision. I am excited to be a part of the changing landscape of Nashville and to be able to make music every day!”
“Over the last year we have absolutely loved getting to know Emily as our intern and resident cheerleader for SMACK,” said McAnally. “Her positive energy and budding talent caught our attention early, and we’re so excited to have her as our newest writer at SMACK. We look forward to her bright future ahead.”
During her time at Belmont, Falvey also participated in a Make Music Nashville event that allowed her to write a song with a local senior citizen.
Dapp Presents at Nashville 48 Hour Film Project Panel
Motke Dapp, who teaches directing 
in Belmont’s motion pictures program, presented last night as part of a panel for the Nashville 48 Hour Film Project. Dapp has previously won the Nashville version of this competition as well as won the best film in the United States for the 48 Hour Film Festival.
