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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Faculty and Students Attend Tennessee Academy of Sciences Meeting, Present Research

Hope Buckner
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Faculty and Students Attend Tennessee Academy of Sciences Meeting, Present Research

Belmont Biology department faculty members Drs. Chris Barton, Roger Jackson and Nick Ragsdale and 26 Belmont students attended the 127th Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Sciences held at the University of Tennessee Martin at the end of the fall semester. Senior students majoring in biology, biochemistry & molecular biology, neuroscience and environmental science presented their undergraduate research projects in various poster sessions ranging from ecology & environmental science to cell & molecular biology.

Ten Belmont students received recognition for their excellent work:

  • Caroline Glover received first place in the Botany section
  • Christien Jackson received first place in the Ecology and Environmental Science section
  • Bailey Bergmann and Sargoel Rezanejad tied for first place in the Health and Medical Science section
  • Brandi Duke received first place and Priyanka Kumar and AC Dowd tied for second place in the Cell and Molecular Biology section
  • McKenzie Roberts received second place in the Health and Medical Science section
  • Cody Rasner received second place and Haley Hatfield received third place in the Microbiology section

Additionally, Barton and Ragsdale served as section chairs in Microbiology and Health and Medical Science sections, respectively. Jackson served as a judge in the Cell & Molecular Biology section.

The following research projects were presented at the conference:

  • “Variations in Arthropod Diversity Across Green Roofs Differing in Age and Types of Plant Coverage,” Taryn G. Anderson, Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D.
  • “The Effect of Urban Green Roof Size on the Diversity and Abundance of Arthropods and Mollusks,” Courtney L. Ankrapp, Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D.
  • “Amodiaquine, an anti-malarial compound, inhibits the growth of epithelial cancer cells in culture,” Bailey Bergmann, Faculty Advisor: Chris Barton, Ph.D.
  • “The role of alpha-1- adrenergic receptor antagonists in the treatment of colorectal cancer,” Colin Cardwell, Faculty Advisor: Chris Barton, Ph.D.
  • “Kinetics of Progression of Pathogenicity of Caenorhabditis elegans in Response to Bacillus thuringiensi,” Dana L. Cornwell, Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robert Grammer, Ph.D.
  • “Effect of Inorganic vs. Organic Selenium Compounds as a Pre-treatment to Oxidative Stress Caused by 6-Hydroxydopamine Treatment in elegans,” AC Dowd, Faculty Advisor: Nick Ragsdale, Ph.D.
  • “Insight on aversive learning in Caenorhabditis elegans when introduced to Bacillus thuringiensis during reproduction and growth,” Brandi Duke, Faculty Advisor: Robert Grammer, Ph.D.
  • “Examining the presence of Escherichia coli and fecal coliforms at Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, Tennessee,” Hannah Forgani, Faculty Advisor: Chris Barton, Ph.D. and Matt Heard, Ph.D.
  • “Isolation of Lysosomes in Caenorhabditis elegans,” Ryan T. Fox, Faculty Advisor: Robert T. Grammer, Ph.D.
  • “A Quantitative Analysis of a Kale Hybrid, Tronchuda Beira, Grown on an Extensive Green Roof, Garden and Earthboxâ,” Caroline Glover, Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D.
  • “Synchronization of the life cycle of Caenorhabditis elegans and the correlation of worm age and worm death from the pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis,” Haley Hatfield, Faculty Advisor: Robert Grammar, Ph.D.
  • “In Search of a Simple Microfluidic Method for the Chemotaxis Assay,” Sherif S. Helmey, Faculty Advisors: Robert Grammer, Ph.D. and Krista McBride, Ph.D.
  • “Investigating the Potential Role of nsy-1 in Response to an Oxidative Stressor,” Taylor Hodges, Faculty Advisor: Nick Ragsdale, Ph.D.
  • “The Effects of Exotic Plant Species on Insect Biodiversity within an Urban Temperate Deciduous Forest,” Christien Jackson, Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D.
  • “Decomposition of Leaf Litter on Urban Green Roofs of Different Ages Compared To Decomposition in a Community Garden,” La’Tiara Jarvis, Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D.
  • “Stable inheritance of olfactory imprinting in Caenorhabditis elegans,” Hope Kramer, Faculty Advisor: Robert Grammer, Ph.D.
  • “Novel etoposide drugs inhibit the growth of cancer cells in culture,” Priyanka Kumar, Amber Bradley and Joe Deweese, Ph.D., Faculty Advisor: Chris Barton, Ph.D.
  • “The Effects of Exotic Invasive Plant Species on Pollinator Diversity in a Deciduous Temperate Forest,” Kylie Lawrence, Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D.
  • “Investigating the use of quorum sensing molecules in the pathogenic pathway of Bacillus thuringiensis in Caenorhabditis elegans,” Brooke Pugsley, Faculty Advisor: Robert Grammer, Ph.D.
  • “Abiotic Factors Affecting the Migration Rate of Cyanobacterial Cells Through Sediment Columns,” Cody Rasner, Faculty Advisors: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D., J.S. Metcalf, Rasner (Institute for Ethnomedicine, Jackson, Wyoming (JSM)), and R. Richer (University of Wisconsin Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin (KR, RR))
  • “The effects of an antidepressant, Bupropion, on the chemotaxis of nicotine-treated Caenorhabditis elegans towards an attractant,” Sargoel Rezanejad, Faculty Advisor: Robert Grammer, D.
  • “Lycorine hydrochlorine induces a proliferative arrest in colorectal cancer cells,” McKenzie Roberts, Faculty Advisor: Chris Barton, Ph.D.
  • “The Diversity of Microbial Communities on Urban Campus Green Roofs and Community Garden,” Lex Roberts, Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D.
  • “Fertilization of Green Sea Urchin, Lytechinus Variegatus, Negatively Impacted by Increasing Temperature and Acidity,” Cady L. Sliger, Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D., Virginia Fleer, and James Wetzel (Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, Mississippi (VF, JW))
  • “Investigating the Effect of the NMDA-type Neurotransmitter Glutamate on Habituation in Caenorhabditis elegans,” Yasmine Telwar, Faculty Advisor: Nick Ragsdale, Ph.D.
  • “The Effects of Bromocriptine on the Mobility of Caenorhabditis elegans Induced With Parkinson’s-like Disease,” Midya Yarwis, Faculty Advisor: Nick Ragsdale, Ph.D.

 

Treybig and Risinger Featured on American Public Media’s Pipedreams

Hope Buckner
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Treybig and Risinger Featured on American Public Media’s Pipedreams

Treybig and RisingerBelmont School of Music faculty members Joel Treybig, trumpet, and Andrew Risinger, organ, were recently featured on American Public Media’s nationally syndicated broadcast of “Pipedreams.” Treybig and Risinger were featured on a broadcast titled “Holiday Seasonings” which is focused on Christmas music.

The show’s host, Michael Barone, selected Treybig’s and Risinger’s recording of Charles Ives unique 1897 setting of Adeste Fideles to be broadcast as a part of the program, which can be heard online here.

Belmont Talent Featured in First Night’s 2018 Top Ten List

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Talent Featured in First Night’s 2018 Top Ten List

First Night’s Top Ten for 2018 was recently announced in Nashville and Belmont was included in many of critic Jeffrey Ellis’s annual rankings of the best in Tennessee theater. This year’s finalists were announced via a Facebook live stream with the hosts of Midwinter’s First Night. Winners will be announced at an event held on Sunday, January 28 at Music Valley Event Center in Nashville.

Mentions from Belmont’s College of Visual and Performing Arts are as follows:

  • Top Ten Outstanding Plays for 2017: The Amish Project, Actors’ Bridge Ensemble and Belmont University Theatre
  • Top Ten Outstanding Musicals for 2017: Fiddler on the Roof, Belmont University Musical Theatre
  • Top Ten Outstanding Directors of a Play for 2017: Jaclynn Jutting, The Amish Project, Actors Bridge Ensemble and Belmont University Theatre & Jaclynn Jutting, The Whale, Verge Theater Company (Jutting is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Theatre & Dance and head of Belmont’s B.F.A. Directing program)
  • Top Ten (plus one) Outstanding Directors of a Musical for 2017: David Shamburger, Fiddler on the Roof, Belmont University Musical Theatre
  • Top Ten Outstanding Musical Directors for 2017: Jo Lynn Burks, Fiddler on the Roof, Belmont University Musical Theatre
  • First Night’s Top Ten Outstanding Choreographers for 2017: Anna Perry, Fiddler on the Roof, Belmont University Musical Theatre; Emily Tello Speck, 9 to 5: The Musical, Belmont University Musical Theatre & Emily Tello Speck, Spamalot, Studio Tenn (Tello Speck is a 2003 musical theatre alumna, a 2013 vocal pedagogy master’s alumna and was a member of the musical theatre faculty before moving to Houston over the summer.
  • Top Ten Outstanding Actors in a Play for 2017: Brent Maddox, The Elephant Man, Studio Tenn (Maddox is an Assistant Professor of Theatre in the Department of Theatre and Dance) and Shawn Knight, The Whale, Verge Theater Company (Knight is a long time Lecturer in the Theatre & Dance Department)
  • Top Ten Outstanding Actresses in a Play for 2017: Amanda Bell, The Amish Project, Actors Bridge Ensemble and Belmont University Theatre (Bell graduated from Belmont in May 2017 and was a senior in while in this production last April)
  • Top Ten Outstanding Actors in a Musical for 2017: Gabe Hoyer, Fiddler on the Roof, Belmont University Musical Theatre (Hoyer is a current Belmont student)
  • Top Ten Outstanding Ensemble for a Play in 2017: The Amish Project, Actors Bridge Ensemble and Belmont University Theatre

 

Nagy Ibrahim Receives Inaugural ‘It’s All Belmont to Me’ Award

Hope Buckner
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Nagy Ibrahim Receives Inaugural ‘It’s All Belmont to Me’ Award

The newly created It’s All Belmont to Me Award, a designation created to honor a member of the Belmont community who exhibits the University’s longstanding “It’s All Belmont to Me” mantra, was recently presented to Housekeeping Staff Member Nagy Ibrahim. The phrase, created as part of Belmont’s Vision 2010 initiative, represents a customer-focused mindset. The award was created to recognize staff members who work to connect their gifts with the needs of others, consistently demonstrating the initiative’s five guiding principles of showing care, taking responsibility and following through, doing it right, making it seamless and walking the talk.

Ibrahim has been a dedicated member of the Belmont community for nearly 12 years. When he’s not working in his assigned residence halls, he can be found tending to Belmont’s many plants and flowers. His nominator said, “He shows enthusiasm and a commitment to Belmont for all the principles this University stands for. Though he is so busy, he takes time to speak and ask how we are doing. His work ethic, as well as his demeanor while doing his work, exemplifies each of the behaviors of caring, respect, responsibility and commitment. He truly respects this University.”

Understanding the significance of this newly created award, Ibrahim said he was honored to be recognized, but quickly noted that he doesn’t believe he deserves the designation. He’s just happy to be part of the Belmont community. With two daughters currently attending Belmont, Ibrahim said he’s so grateful to the university for all it does for its employees–including his wife, a fellow member of the Housekeeping staff.

“I want to say thank you to Belmont, to everyone, for helping me,” he said. “Belmont has been so good to my daughters. I also want to thank my wife because she’s the reason I’ve continued at Belmont. We come to work together everyday, and it’s wonderful.”

The inaugural award was presented at this year’s Staff Christmas Breakfast.

Belmont Ranked as a Top Prestigious Southern Christian University

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Ranked as a Top Prestigious Southern Christian University

Belmont was recently named as one of the Top 25 Most Prestigious Southern Christian Universities, according to an annual list released by Faith on View. Additionally, the university was ranked No. 5 nationally among large Christian universities. The complete list includes 200 institutions.

Faith on View’s ranking of Christian institutions is the original and most complete rankings of its kind. The listing primarily looks at those schools designated as what the Council of Christian College and Universities calls “Christ-centered higher education.”

 

Belmont Named a 2018 Best Value University by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Named a 2018 Best Value University by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Belmont University was recently named to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s 300 Best College Values for 2018 annual ranking. Introduced in 1998, the rankings now combine public schools, private universities and private liberal arts colleges into a single, comprehensive list. The analysis is based on objective measurements of academic quality and affordability.

“Our rankings, which weigh affordability alongside academic quality, are a great resource for students and their parents when sorting through college choices,” said Mark Solheim, editor of Kiplinger’s magazine. “We start with a universe of nearly 1,200 schools and trim the list using measures of academic quality. We then rank the schools based on cost and financial aid data. All 300 schools on our list are worth a look.”

The full rankings are available online at kiplinger.com/links/colleges and will appear in print in the February 2018 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, on newsstands January 9.

 

Hendrickson Receives 2017 ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Songwriters Scholarship

Staff Writer
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Hendrickson Receives 2017 ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Songwriters Scholarship

Chloe Hendrickson has been named the 2017 recipient of The ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Songwriters Scholarship at Belmont University. Hendrickson’s award-winning song “Lightening” was selected as the best entry based on its compositional elements, artistry and professionalism.

Hendrickson was awarded a $2,000 scholarship from the ASCAP Foundation, made possible by The ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Fund. Bart Howard (1915-2004) was a prolific composer who wrote over 200 songs, most notably, “Fly Me to The Moon,” which has been performed by hundreds of singers including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerals, Peggy Lee and Diana Krall.

Hendrickson is a junior songwriting major who is a current member of the band Richlove which just released its first single, “Something in the Water.”

Foreign Language Students, Faculty Offer Holiday Cheer with Caroling

April Hefner
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Foreign Language Students, Faculty Offer Holiday Cheer with Caroling

For the third year in a row, students and faculty from the Department of Foreign Languages gathered recently to bring holiday cheer in the Janet Ayers Academic Center with a morning of caroling in the atrium. Different groups gathered around the central atrium on the third floor and sang carols in English and a variety of other languages including Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Italian.

Dr. David Julseth, chair of Foreign Languages, said, “We do this sort of flash-mob style so some of students [in the building] are going to be surprised when they hear Christmas carols sung in different languages.”

The event is held during the convo hour, and more than 100 students participated. Students and faculty from the department also helped lead the annual “Christmas Around the World” Chapel service that was held on Dec. 4.

 

2018 CLASS Seminar Cohort Completes Program

April Hefner
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2018 CLASS Seminar Cohort Completes Program

A new class of local high school students graduated recently from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) Seminars program, an opportunity that allows the students to attend lectures and participate in collaborative experiences in education, humanities and social sciences.

Comprised of 24 sessions, the series begins in the spring of participants’ sophomore year and continues through the fall of their senior year. The CLASS Scholars who will graduate from high school in Spring 2018 finished the Belmont program this month and celebrated with a graduation ceremony on campus. Students in the program attend cultural events such as the Nashville Shakespeare Festival winter performances and the Belmont Humanities Symposium. The remaining sessions are seminars presented by Belmont professors and other experts in the community.

This year’s class was selected based on their applications and nominations from their schools. Twenty students from eight area schools participated in this year’s graduating class. The program is designed to educate students on what the humanities and social sciences have to offer and introduce them to subject matter that might not be covered in their daily high school curriculum. After completing the seminar series, participants have a better understanding of where their interests lie and possible collegiate majors that could be a natural fit.  In addition to participating in educational lectures and experiences, students complete community service projects, a required aspect of the CLASS Seminars.

Chair of the English Department and CLASS Seminar leader Dr. David Curtis said, “This program has been a great way for these students to connect with our faculty, with our University, and with so many areas of study in the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences that they might not otherwise have been exposed to. The students also like it because it has given them a taste of what a college classroom is really like.”

Thirty-five students who will graduate in 2020 were recently admitted to the CLASS Seminars program and attended an orientation last week.

Tony Award-Winning Kreis Earns Belmont Diploma

Hope Buckner
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Tony Award-Winning Kreis Earns Belmont Diploma

Tony Award-winning singer, songwriter and actor Levi Kreis earned his bachelor’s of music in commercial music last week from Belmont University — a journey he began years ago and completed this semester. In September, Kreis completed the final piece to the degree, his senior recital.

After leaving Belmont years ago to begin his career before graduating, Kreis won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical when his experience as a recording artist, actor and pianist combined to originate the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway’s Million Dollar Quartet. Soon after, to further his success, Kreis became more and more interested in completing his degree. Since then, Belmont’s School of Music has worked around his show, tours and travel schedule to ensure he was able to complete his outstanding degree requirements. Understanding the importance of finishing what he started, Kreis set his sights on graduation.

“There’s a pride in being a Belmont alumni,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave any unfinished business. It’s important to me to be associated with Belmont, especially in this industry. The university attracts the cream of the crop and has proven, time and time again, that it can groom that talent to have a remarkable impact on the entertainment industry and beyond. I’m proud to be a Belmont alum.”

Kreis said it’s always been important that he finish the degree, it was just a matter of timing. Reflecting back on his “fantastic experience,” Kreis has a message for current students. “There are so many ways to be successful,” he said. “Had I not been given the tools through my Belmont experience to create a unique vision for myself, I’m not sure where’d I’d be. We all have the opportunity to use the tools we’ve been given and decide what success looks like for our own careers. At any time in life, you can always turn to your education.”

Before taking the stage last week to complete his senior recital (the final requirement for his degree), Kreis said he heard a final word of encouragement from Dr. Jeff Kirk, associate director of the School of Music and the faculty member who shepherded the completion of his degree. “I know this has been a long journey,” he said, “but we are so very proud of you.”

In addition to his recognition for Million Dollar Quartet, Kreis’s career has included other notable acting credits like  Broadway’s Tony nominated revival Violet, the national tour of Rent, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Pump Boys & Dinettes and the films Frailty, Don’t Let Go, Slip Tumble and Slide, A Very Sordid Wedding and The Divide.

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