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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Thousands Enjoy Eclipse Totality on Belmont’s Campus

April Hefner
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Thousands Enjoy Eclipse Totality on Belmont’s Campus

The Eclipse Experience at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. August 21, 2017.

More than 6,000 free solar eclipse glasses were handed out at Belmont this morning as droves of students, faculty, staff and family members descended upon the campus to experience the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse with the University community. Below are links to a timelapse video of the event (from three difference perspectives) along with a link to a photo gallery from the event.

Timelapse Video of Total Eclipse at Belmont University

Photo Gallery of Total Eclipse Event at Belmont University

Transfer student Crystal Rose just started her first year at Belmont, and the eclipse was her first event on campus. She said, “It was a humbling, breathtaking experience, and it was beautiful to see so many people celebrating together.”

Faculty Experts Speak to Media

Scott Hawley on CNNDr. Scott Hawley, associate professor of physics, spoke live on CNN and CNBC about the eclipse, providing expert input on the science behind the event. Meanwhile, Dr. Davon Ferrara, assistant professor of physics, lent his expertise to an early morning interview on the Fox Business Network.

In addition, prior to Aug. 21, Belmont Professor of Biblical Studies Dr. Mark McEntire, Assistant Professor of Art Christine Rogers and College of Science and Mathematics Dean Dr. Thom Spence were featured in local media to discuss the upcoming eclipse. McEntire explained to WSMV that eclipses were historically viewed as “omens or signs,” signifying the coming of a tragedy or doomsday. Watch the full story here. Rogers, a professor of photography, asserted that filtering the lens of your camera is just as important as protecting your eyes form the sun’s light. Find her advice on taking the perfect eclipse photo here. In the Tennessean, Dr. Spence published an editorial about the history of solar eclipses and what witnesses can expect next Monday. Read his piece here.

High Schoolers Experience Eclipse on Belmont’s Campus

Photo from Eclipse Talks
The Eclipse Experience at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. August 21, 2017.

A number of high school students from the region also came to Belmont’s campus this morning to hear lectures from College of Science and Mathematics faculty and to experience the totality event.

USAC, Community Relations Host ‘Back 2 School Drive’ Aug. 26 to Benefit Local Children

April Hefner
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USAC, Community Relations Host ‘Back 2 School Drive’ Aug. 26 to Benefit Local Children

Belmont’s University Staff Advisory Council (USAC) is kicking off the new year with a service project in partnership with the Office of Community Relations, all to serve Nashville children.

As part of the Aug. 26 Battle of the Belmont Bands and Family Fun Festival, USAC is hosting a Back 2 School Drive  from 5-7 p.m. on the patio in front of McWhorter Hall. While the entire event is free for the individuals and families, attendees are encouraged to tangibly “love our neighbor” by bringing school supplies for under-resourced children in the area. Supplies needed include simple necessities such as crayons, markers, pencils and paper for local elementary and middle schools, including Salama Urban Ministries, Murrell School, Rose Park Middle Magnet School, Waverly Belmont Elementary and Carter Lawrence Elementary Magnet School. Check the Back 2 School Drive Wish List for additional needed items.

USAC 2017-18 Chair John Malone, who serves the University as assistant controller, said, “USAC has always wanted to do something charitable with this event, but never could make it work. This year we decided since it was Back 2 School season, that we would do a drive for school supplies. USAC is happy that we can take a fun family event and add a charitable component that will ultimately benefit the greater Belmont/Edgehill community.”

 

Alumnus Jeremy Kees Named Endowed Chair in Business at Villanova

April Hefner
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Alumnus Jeremy Kees Named Endowed Chair in Business at Villanova

The Villanova School of Business (VSB) at Villanova University announced this week that Jeremy Kees, Ph.D., a professor of Marketing at Villanova, has been named the Richard J. and Barbara Naclerio Endowed Chair in Business, effective August 11, 2017. Kees, a 2000 Belmont University graduate and former men’s basketball player, did an interview last year with Belmont Athletics noting the impact of Belmont on his life and career.

Dr. Kees is an award-winning teacher at VSB where he teaches Strategic Marketing Management, Research Driven Decision Making and Competitive Effectiveness. He has authored more than 30 publications in some of the most prestigious business academic journals including the Journal for Marketing Research, Journal of Advertising and the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. He has been recognized as one of “The 40 Most Outstanding Business School Profs Under 40 In The World” for his excellence in teaching and research.

In addition to his role as professor, Kees is the faculty director for the Center for Marketing and Consumer Insights. He also serves as the Faculty Athletics Representative at Villanova, where he assists with academic support and compliance for Villanova’s 500 student-athletes across 24 varsity sports programs.

 

“Dr. Kees is an outstanding example of the world-class teacher-scholars we have at VSB,” said VSB Dean Joyce Russell. “It is an honor to recognize his many accomplishments and contributions to the Villanova and academic communities.”

In addition to his academic appointments, Dr. Kees serves as a member of the FDA Risk Communication Advisory Committee, where he advises various government agencies about risk communication strategy and policy, and is as an ongoing Special Government Employee, a role in which he provides direction on various government initiatives. He is also Associate Editor for the Journal of Advertising and serves on the Editorial Review Board for a number of other business journals. Dr. Kees is a highly sought after consultant for his expertise in marketing research, advertising and public policy.

Reynolds Earns CompTIA Security+ Certification

April Hefner
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Reynolds Earns CompTIA Security+ Certification

Belmont Director of Information Security Randall Reynolds recently earned the CompTIA Security+ certification, which is an internationally recognized validation of foundation-level security skills and knowledge. The exam, which Mr. Reynolds completed on Aug. 11, certifies that he can identify risk, participate in risk mitigation activities and provide infrastructure, application information and operational security.  CompTIA Security+ covers network security; compliance and operation security; threats and vulnerabilities; application, data and host security; access control; identity management; and cryptography.

Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy Students Lead Aquifit for the Nashville Dolphins

April Hefner
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Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy Students Lead Aquifit for the Nashville Dolphins

Eight years ago Dr. Natalie Michaels, associate professor of occupational therapy (OT), started the Aquifit program to provide aquatic exercises for wellness, socialization and enjoyment to members of the community. Originally designed to target older adults, Aquifit exercises are performed to music pool-side by physical therapists, occupational therapists, aquatic specialists, OT students and physical therapy (PT) students while community members exercise in the water.

The program has proven successful in aiding members of the older adult community with weight loss and pain reduction,

OT and PT students train with the DolphinsRecently, Aquifit expanded its impact when on Aug. 9, the program was provided to the Nashville Dolphins, a local aquatics program for children and adults with special needs. The Aquifit team was joined by Belmont OT and PT students who helped lead the exercises and assisted participants in the pool. Michaels said that once again the community was “thoroughly impressed by the professionalism and intellect of the Belmont students.”

Michaels was joined by Dr. Timothy Jones (Tennessee State University), Dr. Derek Charles (also from TSU) and Dr Joshua Maloney (Amedisys Home Health). Belmont students who participated in the event included Autumn Powell, Haley Hingtgen and Rachel Morgan from the occupational therapy program as well as Jonathan Lee, Sarah Williams, Kandiss Anderson, Lacie Nugent and Beau Kovach from the physical therapy program.

Approximately 15 members of the Dolphins participated. They reported that they had a “wonderful” and “fun” time, and they really seemed to enjoy their interactions with the Belmont students.

Senior Barchent Interns with Student Veterans’ Organization

Staff Writer
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Senior Barchent Interns with Student Veterans’ Organization

Senior corporate communications/business double major Lindsey Barchent recently returned home from a summer-long internship in Washington, D.C. working with Student Veterans of America (SVA). Barchent served as a communications and marketing specialist to aid in the recent passage of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, more commonly referred to as the Forever GI Bill. Barchent worked to create and publish social media posts about the bill as well as attended, photographed and live-tweeted hearings on the Hill, and, in her words, “provided any other support I could” to pass the bill through Congress.

The “Forever GI Bill” was designed to provide more opportunities for members of the military to pursue a post-secondary degree.  Specifically, the bill calls for extended benefits for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) majors on a five-year track as well as expanded benefits to all Purple Heart Recipients, survivors of fallen veterans and National Guard and Reserve members not included in the current bill.  The bill will also be protected from Congressional budget cuts, among many other provisions. The bill recently passed through the House 405-0 and unanimously in the Senate, and was signed by the president on Aug. 16.  “Everyone at SVA worked extremely hard to get the Forever GI Bill passed – they led a coalition of over 40 veteran organizations to pass this bill, and I am very grateful to have played even a small part in it,” said Barchent.

Barchent shown photographing an SVA event

According to Barchent, Student Veterans of America is a nonprofit organization that “provides military veterans with the resources, support and advocacy needed to succeed to, through and beyond higher education,” through research, advocacy, policy proposals and regulations and programming for over 1,300 chapters at schools across the country.  Belmont’s chapter is called Bruin Vets and offers various resources, programming and support for student veterans.

Barchent completed her internship through Belmont USA with the Washington Internship Institute. Belmont USA allows students to continue coursework away from Belmont’s campus with programs in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Oregon and Hollywood.  The program is coordinated by the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies and Global Education.  For Barchent, SVA was an eye-opening experience as she embarks on her senior year at Belmont. “I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at SVA and learn from such outstanding individuals. Everyone who works there exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader, and it was an incredible honor to learn from them.”

Follow this link to learn more about Student Veterans of America or the Forever GI Bill.

For more information about Belmont USA, click here.

Songwriting Student Signed to Black River Publishing

Staff Writer
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Songwriting Student Signed to Black River Publishing

For Belmont student Anna Vaus, pursuing a career in songwriting is happening before she even graduates. The rising senior was recently signed to the Black River Publishing roster. According to Dave Pacula, Black River Entertainment’s vice president of publishing, Vaus showed off her skills at a songwriting workshop where he was instantly impressed. He recalled, “I knew immediately I had to invite her over to Black River and hear more songs… and we now we are thrilled to officially welcome Anna to the Black River family!”

This is not Vaus’ first success in the music business. In 2016, she was awarded the first scholarship from the Miranda Lambert Women Creators Fund, which grants a scholarship to female singers/songwriters attending Belmont University. Vaus has also performed opening acts for artists such as Hunter Hayes, and she regularly performs at venues around Nashville.

Vaus was raised on country music in her hometown and admits to writing songs inspired by her roots. She said, “All of my songs tend to be a little bit true, and a little bit twisted.”

Black River Publishing is a part of Black River Entertainment and is based in Nashville. It is home to many writers including songwriters/artists Ben Caver, Nikita Karmen, John King, Scott Stepakoff, Kelsea Ballerini, hit songwriter/producer Doug Johnson and Grammy-winning songwriter Josh Osborne.

Vaus says that she will continue her education at Belmont in addition to advancing her career with Black River.  “I’m already so grateful that I get to write songs every day, but to get to do that surrounded by the team of people at Black River, is just so dang exciting!” she said.

Faculty Members Speak to Media About Upcoming Eclipse

Staff Writer
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0
Faculty Members Speak to Media About Upcoming Eclipse

Belmont Professor of Biblical Studies Dr. Mark McEntire, Assistant Professor of Art Christine Rogers and College of Science and Mathematics Dean Dr. Thom Spence were recently featured in local media to discuss the upcoming solar eclipse. McEntire explained to WSMV that eclipses were historically viewed as “omens or signs,” signifying the coming of a tragedy or doomsday. Watch the full story here. Rogers, a professor of photography, asserted that filtering the lens of your camera is just as important as protecting your eyes form the sun’s light. Find her advice on taking the perfect eclipse photo here. In the Tennessean, Dr. Spence published an editorial about the history of solar eclipses and what witnesses can expect next Monday. Read his piece here.

A total solar eclipse will occur in Nashville on Aug. 21, beginning at 1:27 p.m., and it will be the first total solar eclipse visible in the area since 1442.

Dr. Christian Williams Named Director of Belmont University’s New Public Health Program

Hope Buckner
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Dr. Christian Williams Named Director of Belmont University’s New Public Health Program

Christian Williams Head ShotBelmont University recently named Christian L. Williams, DrPH, MPH as Assistant Professor and Director of its new Bachelors of Science in Public Health, a program recently created that seeks to address the critical topic of community well-being. Prior to coming to Belmont, Dr. Williams served as the Public Health Competency Coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Health where she was responsible for workforce development and training, served as the program director for the Commissioner’s Fellowship in Public Health and coordinated all student internships.

In her new role, Dr. Williams will oversee Belmont’s new public health program, educating the University’s first cohort of public health majors. A dynamic field of study and practice credited with saving millions of lives, public health focuses on improving the health of communities and populations by working to develop the conditions and behaviors that contribute to better health for all.

Williams said she has always been interested in the partnership between academia and public health practice, so the opportunity to lead Belmont’s new program was an exciting one. “This role allows me to prepare the future public health workforce and still engage public health practice through research, collaborative projects and opportunities for students.”

Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Nursing Dr. Cathy Taylor said, “We’re fortunate to have Dr. Williams join us in this leadership role with such an exciting new program. The BSPH is a perfect choice for students with a broad interest in population health, health policy or other health-related fields. Graduates will be able to enter the workforce directly or choose to pursue graduate study in a variety of disciplines, and we’re delighted to welcome our first cohort of students this fall.”

Dr. Williams received her DrPH in community and behavioral health from the College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. Her research interests include workforce development, quality improvement, linkages between academia and practice and public health systems and services.

Belmont University’s Summer Commencement Held on August 11

Hope Buckner
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Belmont University’s Summer Commencement Held on August 11

Belmont University held its summer commencement ceremony for graduate and undergraduate students at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 11 at the campus’s Curb Event Center. This year’s ceremony celebrated the graduation of 258 students with 109 undergraduate, 104 master’s and 45 doctoral degrees scheduled to be conferred.

University President Dr. Bob Fisher presided over the event and Associate Professor of English Dr. Caresse John presented the commencement address. John is the 2016-17 Presidential Faculty Achievement Award recipient, a title awarded for the outstanding contributions she has made to student success.

Click here to watch the recorded live stream of the event

Click here to view photos from the event

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