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Bishop Writes Book Chapter in “Professional Education at Historically Black College and Universities”

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Bishop Writes Book Chapter in “Professional Education at Historically Black College and Universities”

Nadi Bishop HeashotNadielka Bishop, Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction for Bridges to Belmont, along with Comfort Okpala, a professor at North Carolina A&T and C. Dean Campbell, assistant dean for academic services at North Carolina A&T, wrote the chapter “Staying in Focus: Research Self-efficacy and Mentoring Among HBCU Professional Doctorates” in the book “Professional Education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Past Trends and Outcomes” edited by Tiffany Fountain Boykin, Adriel A. Hilton and Robert T. Palmer.

The book was released winter of 2017.

Belmont College of Pharmacy Hosts Middle Tennessee Antimicrobal Stewardship Symposium

Hope Buckner
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Belmont College of Pharmacy Hosts Middle Tennessee Antimicrobal Stewardship Symposium

Dr. Montgomery Williams, associate professor of pharmacy practice, Dr. Shaefer Spires, assistant professor with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Heather Spilburg, M.Ed., continuing education coordinator in the College of Pharmacy, developed and planned the Second Annual Middle Tennessee Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium held in Belmont’s Janet Ayers Conference Room on Friday, January 26.

The symposium was attended by more than 100 healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines including pharmacists, physicians, nurses and those involved with infection prevention and patient safety and quality. Several alumni, preceptors and Belmont faculty were in attendance, as well. Williams said, “It is enlivening to be able to host an event where healthcare professionals can come together to discuss an issue that they are passionate about and leave feeling invigorated to make changes to improve patient care. Our vision of creating a forum for stewardship personnel to share challenges and ideas has grown into a regional event that attracts like-minded professionals to learn from each other as well as our panel speakers. As a Belmont faculty, it is a privilege to host this event at our College and further connect the school to the practice of pharmacy in our area.”

2nd Annual Middle Tennessee Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, January 26, 2018.Morning sessions featured a lineup of experts in antimicrobial stewardship. These included Christopher Evans, PharmD, BCPS, HAI Pharmacist, Tennessee Department of Health Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program, George Nelson, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Libby Dodds Ashley, PharmD, MHS, FCCP, BCPS(AQ-ID), instructor, Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Duke University, Duke Antimicrobial Stewardship Outreach Network (DASON). The morning’s keynote speaker was CAPT Arjun Srinivasan, MD, associate director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who gave an update on national activities regarding antimicrobial stewardship.

During the afternoon, participants attended workshop sessions led by pharmacists, physicians and nurses, allowing them the opportunity to discuss topics in a small group format. Some of these topics included joint commission requirements, molecular susceptibility, procalcitonin, and nursing involvement in antimicrobial stewardship. Healthcare facilities across the nation are recognizing the benefit of developing and maintaining evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship programs because of their ability to improve patient safety and lower adverse outcomes such as Clostridium difficile and infections from antimicrobial resistant bacteria.  This symposium brought together key stakeholders and practitioners to learn about this topic and discuss ways to work together as a medical community to improve appropriate antimicrobial use and mitigate these risks.

Spires said of the event, “The 2nd Annual Middle Tennessee Antimicrobial Stewardship (AS) symposium was an astounding success. Our vision was to bring respective leaders in AS from hospitals across the state (and beyond) who are on the front lines practicing AS together, for networking, collaboration and to hear nationally and internationally recognized experts.  Our registration almost doubled from last year and included leaders from three other states including Tennessee. We were honored with informative talks and captivated by the CDC’s CAPT. Arjun Srinivasan as our keynote speaker.”

The College of Pharmacy plans to continue the Symposium as an annual event.

Belmont Students Participate in Hack-MT

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Belmont Students Participate in Hack-MT

A group of Belmont students, accompanied by a few recent alumni, Professor of Physics Dr. Scott Hawley and Professor of Mathematics Dr. Glenn Acree, participated in the third annual Hack-MT event last weekend. Hosted at MTSU, the event gathered over 250 students and 40 professional mentors from the developer community of Middle Tennessee to invent new web platforms, mobile apps and electronic gadgets. Students worked the entire weekend, some through the night, to prepare their presentations for Sunday’s exposition.

Many tech organizations were represented by their best and brightest developers on the lookout for talented students. The Belmont students in attendance included Ben Miner, Nick Chouard, Callie Deas, Tito Ebiwonjumi, Hannah Wright, John Ottenlips, Braden Carei, Daniel Gray, Sebastian Alegre and Aaron Itzkovitch. This weekend was an excellent opportunity for them to learn new things, practice their coding and programming skills and interact with students, faculty and industry professionals from across Middle Tennessee.

Carr Selected for Board of Directors for Creatives’ Day

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Carr Selected for Board of Directors for Creatives’ Day

Cheryl Carr HeadshotCheryl Carr, associate dean of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, has been selected for the Board of Directors for Creatives’ Day, a nonprofit support organization for creatives in Tennessee that provides community and economic support to artists, poets, storytellers, makers and musicians living and working in Nashville and surrounding counties. The organization’s partners include the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Mayor’s Office of Housing. Prior to her selection to the Board of Directors, Carr served on the Creatives’ Day Board of Advisors.

Grant Supports Faculty Lunch Series Focused on Diversity Conversations

April Hefner
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Grant Supports Faculty Lunch Series Focused on Diversity Conversations

Dr. Gideon Park, a Faculty Fellow in the Belmont Fellows Program, recently received a grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and located at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

The grant, “Faculty Initiatives Promoting Racial/ Ethnic Diversity at Belmont University,” seeks to more fully express Belmont’s identity as a Christian university by creating an inclusive culture for minority faculty, staff and students of color. To accomplish this goal, a Diversity Lunch Series was launched with support from Tola Pokrywka in the College of Theology and Christian Ministry. This series will enable faculty from different colleges and departments to share a meal, build community and brainstorm faculty diversity initiatives for 2018-19.

The Diversity Lunch Series is also supported with generous funding from the Provost’s Office and is hosted by the Faculty Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee.

Photo from First LuncheonThe first lunch took place on January 29 with Sarah Shin and was a success with 50 people in attendance. Shin is associate national director of evangelism for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of Beyond Colorblind: Redeeming our Ethnic Journey. Dr. Todd Lake, VP of spiritual development, writes: “Belmont’s commitment to being a multi-racial, multi-ethnic Christian community of learning and service is enriched by hearing from author/ practitioners like Sarah Shin, who model how the best of Christian thinking and practice can help us become what God is calling us to be.”

Shin’s visit to campus included a chapel talk and ethnicity-awareness workshop for students. After attending the Saturday workshop, first year student Baylee Johnson commented: “I am glad I was able to attend. Ideas were brought to our attention about trying to become aware of ourselves and differences between others. Sarah talked about how there is beauty in every culture and how we should ‘commit to justice and commit to Jesus throughout our personal journey.’”

The faculty discussion was moderated by Dr. Mona Ivey-Soto, committee co-chair and assistant professor of education. Dr. Bryce Sullivan, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, attended the event and applauded the work of the committee: “The luncheon conversation with Sarah Shin hosted by the Faculty Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee was superb. Not only were Sarah’s ideas about ethnic identities and transformation enlightening, but the discussions with faculty colleagues created an opportunity to learn from others who are passionate about improving our community.”

Dr. Lakisha Simmons, committee chair and associate professor of management information systems, invites all Belmont faculty to participate. “The Faculty Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee aims to be, and empowers others to be, agents of change for inclusivity, diversity and equity at Belmont University. After a successful luncheon with Sarah Shin, we hope to continue the momentum with three more faculty conversations.”

Additional events include conversations February 9 with Dr. Larycia Hawkins, March 14 with Dr. David I. Smith co-sponsored by the Teaching Center, and a final event on April 3 with Dean Emilie Townes co-sponsored by the College of Theology and Christian Ministry. Space is limited so please RSVP to gideon.park@belmont.edu.

Belmont University to Host Fifth Annual Symposium on Faith and Culture, Feb. 5-9

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Belmont University to Host Fifth Annual Symposium on Faith and Culture, Feb. 5-9

Authors Brian McLaren, Carol Howard Merritt lead week focused on ‘Prophetic Consciousness’

The Fifth Annual Faith and Culture Symposium, sponsored by the College of Theology and Christian Ministry, will be held at Belmont University, Feb. 5-9, 2018. This year’s theme, Prophetic Consciousness, will work to sustain an ongoing conversation relating to faith and culture. It also raises questions about what a contemplative presence in the world looks like and how individuals can make a difference with compassion in places of need.

This year’s events will discuss topics such as Jesus and ethics, music’s role in religion, faith and race, religion’s place in the world and overcoming faith obstacles. Speakers will include Brian McLaren, author and activist advocating for a “new kind of Christianity;” Reverend Carol Howard Merritt, Presbyterian minister and award-winning author; Dr. James Carse, professor emeritus of religious studies at New York University’ and Dr. Larycia Hawkins from the University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture.

The week will also feature a songwriter’s round Monday , Feb. 5, with McLaren leading an evening of conversation and song exploring the power of song in human experience. Guests include Sarah Masen, Liza Anne, Sam Ashworth and Belmont alumni Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn.

Additionally, the program will include a panel titled “One God, Different Paths.” The panelists represent a variety of faiths, including:

  • Rev. Carol Cavin-Dillon, Senior Pastor at the West End United Methodist Church
  • Zulfat Suara, Tennessee women’s advocate and past chair of the American Muslim Advisory Council
  • Daniella Pressner, Principal of the Akiva School and past president of Jewish Family Service of Nashville
  • Moderator Dr. Marty Bell, professor in the College of Theology and Christian Ministry

“Our Committee chose ‘Prophetic Consciousness’ as our theme because we believe people in our country who identify with Jesus – or claim to follow him – are experience something of a Bonhoeffer Moment, a time of decision concerning the marginalized in our midst,” said Dr. David Dark, professor of religion and chair of the symposium’s faculty committee. “In an era of high anxiety and weaponized despair, we’re each going to do something brave (in word and deed) or we’re not. Each of our events is undertaken in the hope that it will aid in the work of contemplative activism, the possibility of the prophetic awareness.

A full list of events including speakers, dates, times, locations and topics can be found here.

Biles Research Article Published

Hope Buckner
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Biles Research Article Published

Dr. Danny Biles Head ShotProfessor of Mathematics and Computer Sciences Dr. Daniel Biles had a research article, “Lower bounds for the first zero for nonlinear second order differential equations,” accepted for publication by the Journal of Differential Equations and Applications on January 25. The Journal of Difference Equations and Applications is a world-leading Journal publishing state-of-the-art papers which significantly contribute to the theory and applications of difference equations or discrete dynamical systems.

 

Alumnus Devin Dawson Visits Campus on Heels of Debut Album Release

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Alumnus Devin Dawson Visits Campus on Heels of Debut Album Release

Belmont alumnus and Warner Music Nashville artist Devin Dawson (’15) is making waves in the music industry with his first album, “Dark Horse,” releasing Jan. 19 and his single “All On Me” breaking the top 15 on Billboard Country charts. Dawson returned to campus Friday to discuss his career with current students.

Dawson, who hesitated to join the music industry right away, said that Belmont was “the most amazing experience… I learned so much about myself through the people that I met” there.

Devin Dawson Seminar speaks and performs at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, January 26, 2018.

Cris Lacy, the senior vice president A&R at Warner Music Nashville, prompted Dawson to discuss his networking skills, complimenting him on his unique ability to connect with people. Dawson said that the most important thing to remember when networking is to “look people in the eyes and listen.” “Ask questions” and remember that “the little things go a long way.”

As for his success thus far? He attributes it to his “obsession” with songwriting. According to Dawson, songwriters and artists were like his baseball cards. He compared his knowledge of songwriters and music producers to children who have stats and figures of their favorite baseball players memorized. He said he attended as many convocation events and writers’ rounds as he could to expose himself to songwriters and their music.

In fact, songwriting was Dawson’s area of study at Belmont. In honor of Dawson’s accomplishments and the success of Belmont’s songwriting major, a $50,000 endowed scholarship was created in his name by Warner Music Nashville. Lacy told students that what attracted Warner Music Nashville to Dawson was that his “craft of songwriting was stellar… far and beyond what most songs sound like.” She said that Dawson has “an old school craft that is really, really hard to master, but sounds effortless.”

Dawson said that Belmont was the perfect place to launch his career. “Nashville is where I wanted to be rooted,” and Belmont is “at the delta of Music Row.” He told students to make the most of their time at Belmont because, while here, “you have the excuse to dive 100 percent into what you want to do.” But most of all, about the students Dawson said “We all grow together… We build each other up and we learn together, and that’s the beauty of Belmont.”

Thanks to his time here, Dawson said, “I’m literally living my childhood dreams… I’m not tired, I’m ready to keep going.”

Belmont Occupational Therapy Students Create Ride-Along Cars for Local Children

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Occupational Therapy Students Create Ride-Along Cars for Local Children

Maseline Harcrow poses with some of the ride-along carsA group of 34 Occupational Therapy Doctoral students from Belmont University met at Permobil, leader in the rehabilitation power wheelchair industry, to collaborate with representatives and students and faculty members from Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to adapt ride–on cars for children with mobility impairment and their families. The event, hosted by Associate Professor of OT Dr. Teresa Plummer through the organization Go Baby Go, showcased the importance of self-initiated mobility in early development and the need for greater mobility options for children living for disabilities.

Volunteers were divided into teams, each team serving the unique needs of one pediatric client. Ride–on cars were rewired to eliminate the use of the foot pedal and were outfitted with a big red “GO” button in the center of the steering wheel. The plastic seats were redesigned and furnished with necessary head and lateral supports using foam, PVC pipe and other materials. Each client left with a one-of-a-kind car and a big smile.

Students work on the ride-along cars.Participant and Belmont OT student Madeline Harcrow said, “This experience proved beneficial to my education and future as a clinician. All are deserving of play, joy, self-expression, companionship and new learning, and I love that this truth drives the work of our profession. The energy in the room was undeniable and unwavering – evidence of a job well done by all.”

For a video from the event, click here.

 

Belmont Celebrates GRAMMY Night with Social Media Splash

April Hefner
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Belmont Celebrates GRAMMY Night with Social Media Splash

Alums Dwan Hill, Alvin Love III take home Grammy Awards

Ashley Phillips Photo
Alumni Dwan Hill and Alvin Love III at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, holding their awards. (Photo by Ashley Rose Phillips)

It was a great night of celebrating music at the 60th annual Grammy Awards, held on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. As part of the celebration, Belmont’s Twitter and Instagram accounts featured significant content throughout the day, and during the show’s live broadcast, that recognized the numerous ways Belmont students, alumni and faculty were contributing to the show and the music business at large.

For example, 20 Belmont students who are members of Service Corps assisted with red carpet artist/arrival escort duties at the MusiCares Gala on Friday night, Pre-GRAMMY Gala on Saturday night and GRAMMY Awards on Sunday. Service Corps is designed to offer Belmont students opportunities for experiential learning in the entertainment industry, thereby preparing them for their future careers.

In addition, the social media accounts offered shout outs to alumni and faculty who wrote, produced, played and mixed on many of the songs and albums that were nominated for Grammy Awards this year as well as to those who walked home with trophies. Moreover, a number of alumni were recognized throughout the evening for the major roles they play at the record label, PR and management companies behind some of this year’s nominees biggest names.

Winners from Grammy night 2018 included Belmont alumni Dwan Hill and Alvin Love III, who co-wrote “Never Have to Be Alone” for former Belmont trustee CeCe Winans. The track took home the award for Best Gospel Performance/Song. In addition, Winans’ “Let Them Fall in Love” was awarded the Best Gospel Album trophy – the album was also produced by Alvin Love III.

Belmont’s other highlights from the nominations include the following:

  • Best Pop Solo Performance: “Million Reasons,” by nominee Lady Gaga, was co-written by Belmont alumna Hillary Lindsey, who also contributed guitars and vocals for the Lady Gaga album “Joanne.” Another nominee in this category was the song “Love So Soft” from Kelly Clarkson. Alum Jason Halbert serves as Clarkson’s musical director and offered keys/piano/production on her current album, “Meaning of Life.”
  • Best Pop Vocal Album: Nominee “Rainbow,” by Kesha, was mixed by Belmont alumnus Chuck Ainlay.
  • Best Country Album:
    • Belmont alums Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Jon Nite, Nicolle Galyon, Emily Weisband, Ryan Hurd, Jordan Reynolds, Hailey Whitters, Connie Harrington, Matt Dragstrem and Natalie Hemby wrote or co-wrote songs on four of the albums nominated in this category.
    • Belmont alum Clint Higham is the manager for Kenny Chesney, and Belmont students won a contest in which they created the music video for the song “All the Pretty Girls” from Chesney’s nominated album, “Cosmic Hallelujah.”
    • Belmont alums Jesse Frasure and Dann Huff co-produced and AET faculty member Joe Baldridge was the recording engineer for Thomas Rhett’s nominated album, “Life Changes.” Alumna Laurel Kittleson is Director of A&R for Big Machine, Rhett’s label. 
  • Best Rock Performance: Belmont alumni bands Wilder and Judah and the Lion both toured with nominee Kaleo in 2017.
  • Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: 
    • Nominee “Oh My Soul,” by Casting Crowns, was co-written by Belmont alum Bernie Herms.  And, Casting Crowns is managed by Proper Management, which is owned by Belmont alum Mike Jay.
    • “Even If,” MercyMe : The band’s PR handled by The Media Collective, an agency founded and run by alum Velvet Kelm
    • “Hills And Valleys,” Tauren Wells : This nominated song was co-written by alum Jonathan Smith.
  • Record of the Year/Song of the Year: Justin Bieber was a featured performer on the nominated record/song “Despacito,” and Bieber is managed by Scooter Braun, who spoke on campus in November.
  • New Artist of the Year: Nominee Julie Michaels spoke on campus Oct. 19 last fall and is managed by music business alumna Beka Tischker, who appeared with Michaels.
    • “Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert – Lambert has funded the Women Creators Scholarship at Belmont for the past two years
    • “I Could Use A Love Song,” Maren Morris – Morris is engaged to alum Ryan Hurd, who is an artist/songwriter in his own right. Faculty member Jeff Balding, who also serves on the Curb College Advisory Board, was an engineer on Morris’ album.
  •  Best Country Duo/Group Performance
    • “It Ain’t My Fault,” Brothers Osborne – John Osborne is a Belmont alum, and the band is managed by John Peets of QPrime South. Peets is a frequent speaker at Belmont. Also alum Brad Hill was a producer/engineer on the album Pawn Shop. John Osborne is scheduled to speak on campus this semester.
    • “Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland– Alum Dann Huff was a producer on Midland’s album, “On the Rocks.”
  • Best New Age Album / Best Contemporary Blues Album: Songwriting faculty member Drew Ramsey co-wrote songs on nominated albums in these categories by India.Arie and Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
  • Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Bob Dylan’s Triplicate was nominated. Several of Dylan’s most famous recordings (“Nashville Skyline” and “Blonde on Blonde”) were recorded at Belmont-owned Columbia Studio A. Faculty member Mark Maxwell frequently teaches an entire class on Bob Dylan.
  • Best Engineered Album, Classical / Best Contemporary Classical Composition: Works from the Nashville Symphone were nominated in both of these categories, and four Belmont faculty members perform with the Symphony: Dan Lochrie – Bass Clarinet, Radu Rusu – Assistant 1st Horn, Robert Maler – Principal Keyboard and Alison Gooding Hoffman, First Violin.
  • Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:
    • “Rise,” Danny Goke : Alum Bernie Herms produced part of the album, and alums Herms, Emily Weisband, Benji Cowart and Bobby Hamrick as well as faculty member Drew Ramsey wrote on the album> Gokey is managed by Maxximum Artist Group, where adjunct faculty member Dennis Disney serves as VP.
    • “Hills And Valleys,” Tauren Wells: Alums Bernie Herms, Emily Weisband, Casey Brown, Jonathan Smith and Jeff Pardo wrote on the album, and alum Becca Bradley played cello on it.
    • “Chain Breaker,” Zach Williams: The title song was co-written with alumnus Jonathan Smith.
  • Best Roots Gospel Album
    • “Sing It Now: Songs Of Faith & Hope,” Reba McEntire : Belmont alum Justin McIntosh serves as VP of Creative and Marketing for her management company, Reba’s Business, and alum Sean Neff was the Mix and Tracking Engineer for the album.
    • “Hope For All Nations,” Karen Peck & New River : Belmont alum and former American Idol contestant Ricky Braddy sang as a member of KPNR until recently, when he stepped down to become a worship leader at a Nashville church.
  • Best Folk Album: “You Don’t Own Me Anymore,” The Secret Sisters. Secret Sisters are managed by Olivia Management, whose founder Erin O. Anderson is an alumna as well as an adjunct professor in the music business and entrepreneurship programs. Day to Day Manager/Olivia assistant is Maggie Adams, a EIS graduate.
  • Best Reggae Album: “Avrakedabra,” Morgan Heritage. This album was co-produced by Shannon Sanders, a guest speaker at Belmont and a production partner of faculty member Drew Ramsey.

Other interesting notes:

  • Nominees Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum and Brothers Osborne are all signed to Universal Music Group Nashville – Belmont alumna Cindy Mabe serves as UMG Nashville President
  • 2009 alumna Janelle Hawkes led the project that clears the licensing for the entire voting site for the awards. That means finding and clearing all publishing rights for 4,000 songs in under two weeks!
  • Irish rock bank U2 performed during the broadcast. U2’s newest album, “Songs of Experience,” was released December 1 and portions of the album were recorded in a home studio in Brentwood, Tennessee with the help of many familiar Belmont names. Paul Nelson, a 2002 Belmont alumni, served as contractor/leader on the program, Avery Bright, a 2014 alumni, played the violin and Craig Nelson, a Belmont adjunct faculty member, played string bass.
  • Alumna Tyne Parrish is a partner with The GreenRoomPR, whose publicity clients include nominees Lady Antebellum and Thomas Rhett
  • AET/Computer Science alumnus Josh Reynolds mixed the Little Big Town live performance during the Grammy broadcast, and 2001 graduate and 2017 Curtain Call award winner Akil Thompson played keys on the performance.
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