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 President Bob Fisher Selected for Martha Rivers Ingram Arts Visionary Award

April Hefner
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Belmont President Bob Fisher Selected for Martha Rivers Ingram Arts Visionary Award

Each year, the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville celebrates a Nashville resident for their inspiring leadership and patronage of the arts with its Martha Rivers Ingram Arts Visionary Award. This year, the deserving honoree is Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher, a long-time Nashville business leader and arts supporter.

Bob FisherFisher’s friends, family, and colleagues from his many business endeavors as well as his community and arts leadership activities will gather at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wed., May 2, at 5:30 p.m. to honor his significant volunteer and community support work.

“Given that Nashville has one of the most vibrant creative arts communities in the world, this recognition is especially sweet and humbling,” said Fisher.  “My wife Judy and my colleagues at Belmont University have inspired my activities over the past two decades, and they are really the ones who have earned this award. We are sincerely grateful.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased to honor Dr. Fisher with this prestigious award,” said Jill McMillan, executive director of the Arts & Business Council. “He has had a transformative impact on cultural landscape of Greater Nashville, and is the perfect choice for this year’s Ingram Arts Visionary Award.”

Previous Ingram Arts Visionary Award winners include: Earl Swensson, Denny Bottorf, Walter Knestrick, Steve & Jay Turner, and Shirley Zeitlin.

Attendees and supporters are invited to make a donation in honor of Bob Fisher to the Arts & Business Council, which works to cultivate Nashville’s creative community. For more information about the event, call (615) 460-8274. Corporate sponsors of this event include Earl Swensson Associates and Cumberland Trust.

Alumnus Brad Paisley Invites Curb College Students to Sound Check, Q&A Session

April Hefner
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Alumnus Brad Paisley Invites Curb College Students to Sound Check, Q&A Session

Brad Paisley Social PostOn Fri., April 6, Belmont alumnus and Grammy Award-winner Brad Paisley prepped for the hometown show of his current Weekend Warrior World Tour with a special pre-show sound check with approximately 200 students from the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. The students were invited to Bridgestone Arena where Paisley hosted them for a few songs during sound check and then offered career advice and conducted a Q&A session. The students were also able to attend the evening’s performance.

Freshman music business major Jacklyn Figueiredo noted what an amazing opportunity it was for her and her peers to get such a behind-the-scenes tour as well as remarked how much she enjoyed hearing about Paisley’s own time on Belmont’s campus. “His experience was very relatable to everyone’s current Belmont experience. It was awesome to see how he utilized all the tools he learned at Belmont. He said he invited Belmont students to Bridgestone because he wanted to see the new faces of the music industry, and I think that really motivated a lot of students.”

Junior music business and accounting double major Becca Cress added, “Immediately likable, he sat down on the steps of the stage and started telling us stories of his time at Belmont and how it shaped his life. He was very engaging with his audience and continuously asked the students questions about their impressions of Belmont and how it operates today compared to when he attended it. Before starting his actual soundcheck he declared he wanted to construct ‘Paisley Hall’ – where there were no practice hours and everyone could play music whenever they wanted. The soundcheck itself was awesome!! He is such an incredible guitarist and the band worked really well together. You could tell he’s an experienced artist and has performed in front of large crowds many times.”

The GIG Celebrates First Anniversary During International Guitar Month

April Hefner
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The GIG Celebrates First Anniversary During International Guitar Month

It’s quite a month for guitar aficionados as April marks the celebration of International Guitar Month as well as the one-year anniversary of the opening of The Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont, also known as The GIG. International Guitar Month, which began in 1987, is an annual celebration of guitars and guitar products promoted by the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA) and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) to attract awareness and develop loyalty.

It’s the perfect timing for The GIG, which opened its doors on April 25, 2017 and attracts tourists and musicians alike who seek a sneak peek at historically significant stringed instruments. The GIG is the result of a gift to Belmont University of nearly 500 vintage guitars and supporting endowment—amounting to a total value of approximately $10.5 million—from the estate of the late Steven Kern Shaw. Shaw was a collector, philanthropist and the grandson of Jerome Kern who was one of America’s foremost composers of musical theater and popular music (responsible for such classic songs as “Ol’ Man River,” “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”).

Steven Kern Shaw family friend George Gruhn (founder of Gruhn Guitars and vintage instrument expert) serves as co-executor of the estate and noted that Mr. Shaw’s will specified his desire that the instruments be donated to an institution capable of properly exhibiting and caring for them, preferably in the Nashville area.

Gruhn noted, “An instrument is not a servant to a musician, but rather a partner. The really great instruments are alive, and they make suggestions. Sometimes you lead them and sometimes they lead you… Belmont University was the natural choice for a permanent home for this collection since it draws students and scholars from around the world and is noted for the excellence of its music programs.”

The collection has a total of nearly 500 unique and irreplaceable instruments with approximately 100 guitars currently on display, from an 1887 Martin 0-28 to a 1989 Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 “10 Top.”

The Gallery of Iconic Guitars is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Admission is $5, and free for children under 12 as well as Belmont students, faculty and staff. Visit thegigatbelmont.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

629 Dance Team Spreads Message of Inclusion

Staff Writer
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629 Dance Team Spreads Message of Inclusion

When senior Amiyah Davis first came to Belmont, she began looking for a way to acclimate on campus and connect with other students. In 2015, her passion for dance culminated in the formation of Belmont’s 629 Dance Team. She began this team with the vision of creating a diverse community where dancers could learn new styles of dance from a variety of backgrounds. As a result, the dancers all have different dance backgrounds. Some are classically trained ballerinas, and some have never danced at all. the 629 dance teamAccording to Jessica Christian, current president of 629 Dance, “The 629 Dance Team is a team of diverse students who use their talent to stand against racism and sexism. We have a team that has both male and female, and our goal is to give those who have no voice a voice through dance.”

The team takes their performances very seriously, practicing at least four hours each week, and their hard work is paying off. In January, the team performed alongside Brett Nichols, a young Michael Jackson impersonator, during a Belmont basketball half-time show. This semester, they performed at World Culture Fest, and their ballet signature showcase will occur Fri., April 13.  The “Mad World” showcase, set for 7:30 p.m. in Gabhart A&B, will depict the everyday struggles with societal beauty norms and related mental health issues.

Massey Graduate School of Business Welcomes 2018 Alumni Class for Nonprofit Training

Staff Writer
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Massey Graduate School of Business Welcomes 2018 Alumni Class for Nonprofit Training

The Massey Graduate School of Business is partnering with Young Leaders Council (YLC)for the second year in a row to welcome the 2018 Massey Graduate Alumni/YLC Class. The program provides the opportunity for MBA alumni to participate in a training program for work in nonprofit organizations.

YLC is a Nashville-based nonprofit organization created by the Council of Community Services and the HCA Foundation to address the need to broaen and strengthen Nashville’s volunteer leadership base.  They aim to train young professionals to effectively participate on the boards of nonprofit organizations. Since their conception in 1985, more than 2,500 graduates of the training program have serves on the boards of 225 nonprofit agencies in Middle Tennessee.

The YLC program consists of 11 classes covering the fundamentals of nonprofit board training. Upon completion of the program, participants are placed on nonprofit boards to serve one-year internships as a nonvoting member of that board. They will also be members of the YLC alumni program that offers ongoing programming.

“Alums tell me all the time how valuable YLC has been to them, not only in their community service life, but in their professional life also,” said Diane Hayes, executive director of YLC. “Employers encourage their employees to become involved in a leadership position in their community, and YLC offers them that entryway. In addition, it is a great opportunity for them to network with young professionals from companies all over Middle Tennessee and make connections that last for years.”

This year’s class consists of nine alumni from the Jack C. Massey Graduate Schools of Business. The program began earlier this month and will continue until May 24.

TVA Investment Club Honored by Tennessee Valley Authority for Strong Investment Return

April Hefner
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TVA Investment Club Honored by Tennessee Valley Authority for Strong Investment Return

This past week the Belmont TVA Investment Club was honored by the Tennessee Valley Authority for achieving a 2017 return of 24.55 percent (versus 21.83 percent for the S&P 500 Index). Lead by Chau Mai and Joshua Dahlberg, the team managed over $500,000 for TVA and generated over $3,300 in prize money for the university by achieving a return in excess of the market index.

Belmont Enactus Wins Regional Competition for 13th Consecutive Year

April Hefner
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Belmont Enactus Wins Regional Competition for 13th Consecutive Year
Enactus Presenters
Enactus Presenters

For the 13th year in a row the Belmont Enactus Team won its league at a regional competition, this year held in Chicago on April 9. With the win comes an automatic invitation for the team to compete in the U.S. National Exhibition, which will be held this year in Kansas City May 20-22. Belmont Enactus is led by Rachel Masterson, Emily West, Olivia Hosey, Lucas Wilson, and Mohansingh Udhwani. This year’s presenters are Chloe Bidne, Abby Menear, Mohansingh Udhwani, Nick Chakinis, Nick Bucher and Tito Ebiwonjubi. Enactus featured community partnerships include projects with Knowledge Academies, Sports Officials International and Senior Ride Nashville.

Belmont Students Volunteer Throughout Nashville for MLK Joint Day of Service

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Students Volunteer Throughout Nashville for MLK Joint Day of Service

More than 200 students from across the city came together this weekend to serve Nashville for this year’s MLK Joint Day of Service. Volunteers from Belmont, Fisk, Lipscomb, Meharry, Nashville State, Tennessee State, Trevecca and Vanderbilt honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by helping to alleviate hunger in Middle TN, around the nation and throughout the world through projects around the city.

After gathering at Fisk for fellowship, orientation and a kick-off rally in the campus’s historic campus where Dr. King spoke when he visited Fisk, students divided into groups and hit the road to take part in one of the day’s 14 service projects. Opportunities across the city included:

  • Working at Habitat ReStore where volunteers cleaned, organized and unloaded donations to assist with selling product
  • Volunteering at Preston Taylor Ministries to clean the organization’s building and grounds, prepping for an upcoming event
  • Cleaning, sorting, organizing and working throughout the neighborhood at Room in the Inn 
  • Helping with landscaping at PENCIL Foundation’s new location, led by horticulturalists from Gaylord Opryland. A second group working with PENCIL packed a van and truck with school supplies and unloaded them at the organization’s warehouse
  • Preparing donated books to be distributed to local kids throughout Davidson County with Book’em. This social volunteer activity allowed participants to share the gift of reading with area families
  • Mulching, laying soil, pulling weeds and moving compost bins for Trap Garden at Johnson Middle School
  • Assisting The Knowles Home Butterfly and Courtyard Garden with repairs, grooming and planting. These teams worked in each courtyard to trim, plant and mulch before heading inside to assist with activities for residents including playing billiards, puzzles and card games
  • Breaking down boxes, cleaning office space and assisting with computer data entry and filing at World Baptist Office
  • Packing food, toiletries and cleaning supplies at Feed the Children
  • Working in the garden and greenhouse at Treveeca Urban Farm
  • Sorting potatoes at St. Andrew’s Society Potato Sort
  • Packing meals at Rise Against Hunger
  • Writing notes for active duty service personnel at Cards for Veterans

Director of Service Learning at Belmont Tim Stewart said, “Special thanks to the Belmont students who spent a cold spring day volunteering with 200+ other students from around the city at more than a dozen different projects! I’m glad that so many young people from Belmont and nearly a dozen other colleges and universities could set an example of what can be accomplished when we come together.  It was a very powerful demonstration of Dr. King’s statement that ‘Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve!'”

Searcy, Stewart Attend Gulf-South Summit on Civic Engagement

Staff Writer
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Searcy, Stewart Attend Gulf-South Summit on Civic Engagement

Joyce Searcy with Tim Stewart in front of informational poster boardsJoyce Searcy, director of community relations, Tim Stewart, director of service-learning, and Dr. Hyangsook Lee, assistant professor of media studies,  recently attended the Gulf-South Summit on Civic Engagement Through Higher Education. The conference promotes networking among practitioners, research, ethical practices, reciprocal campus-community partnerships, sustainable programs and a culture of engagement and public awareness through service-learning & other forms of civic engagement. Lee presented “Service Learning: Providing an Opportunity for Professional Development and Personal Growth in Journalism Courses.”

The Office of Community Relations seeks to identify and cultivate alliances with neighborhoods, community groups, nonprofits and governmental authorities in Nashville to increase the effectiveness of Belmont’s outreach and service initiatives. Similarly, the Office of Service-Learning works to ensure that Belmont students learn the needs, challenges and opportunities of working in settings with people from diverse backgrounds. Students participate in service projects throughout the community to explore ways of improving community life.

Belmont University’s Institute for Innovative Faith-Based Leadership to be Named in Honor of Reverend Charlie Curb

Hope Buckner
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Belmont University’s Institute for Innovative Faith-Based Leadership to be Named in Honor of Reverend Charlie Curb

Name bestowed through generous gift given by Mike & Linda Curb in honor of Mike Curb’s grandfather

Long-time Belmont supporter and music business leader Mike Curb and his wife Linda recently made possible a $2 million endowment to rename Belmont’s Institute for Innovative Faith-Based Leadership as the Reverend Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership in honor of Mike Curb’s grandfather, Charlie McCloud Curb. Begun in June 2016, the Center was established to provide continuing education opportunities for pastors and leaders of faith-based organizations. The Center is focused on creating stronger leadership for local congregations and ministries.

Mike Curb said, “My grandfather, Rev. Charlie M. Curb, would be very proud of the Center for Faith Leadership at Belmont. He devoted his entire life and love for all people by ministering in a positive and inspirational way throughout his 50-year career. I have known Dr. Jon Roebuck, the Center’s executive director, as a member of his congregation for over 20 years and admire his amazing ability to communicate with everyone. I’m also excited to continue working with President Dr. Bob Fisher on this Center in addition to the successes we’ve achieved with our Curb Event Center and our Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.”

Born on October 29, 1876 in Bell County, Texas, Rev. Charlie Curb went on to become one of the leading evangelists of his generation. For a number of years, Rev. Curb served as the State Evangelist for the Oklahoma Baptist Convention and was later named to the Oklahoma Baptist Hall of Fame. His leadership in evangelism resulted in a large number of converts to the Christian faith. Those who once worked alongside Rev. Curb described him as, “the greatest personal soul winner they had ever known.”

Roebuck said, “I have been grateful for Mike and Linda Curb’s generous support of our Center since its inception.  Mike has told me, on many occasions, about the respect and admiration he holds for his grandfather and the work to which he gave his life’s energy. It seems most appropriate to honor his extraordinary life of ministry by naming our program in his honor as it seeks to strengthen the work of faith leaders in Middle Tennessee.”

As announced with the university’s We Believe Campaign unveiling, Belmont is partnering with its supporters to leverage their investments in the institution’s future. The University will match endowment contributions to institutional priorities between $25,000 and $1.5 million ‘dollar for dollar,’ doubling the impact of each donor’s commitment.

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