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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College of Law Alumna Presents at Lawyers Association for Women Luncheon

Hope Buckner
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Michele Johnson, Tennessee Justice Center’s executive director and co-founder and Shelby Dodson, Belmont College of Law class of 2016 and the firm’s newest attorney, presented at the Lawyers Association for Women’s January Membership Luncheon. During the presentation, they introduced the audience to TJC’s past and present. 

TJC was made necessary after the 1996 congressional restrictions on Legal Services Corporation funding would have forced Middle Tennessee’s Legal Aid office to abandon clients who still needed help. Johnson and co-founder Gordon Bonnyman refused to quit advocacy for these clients and set out on their own. 

The LAW presentation tracked the 21-year history of TJC, continuing through today’s efforts. In 2017, TJC retains its client-centered character, serving nearly 1000 individual clients last year while sustaining systemic advocacy through federal class action and grassroots organizing.

Dodson’s role at TJC is as an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Elder Justice Fellow. She provides general civil representation to seniors who have experienced or are at risk for abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

To learn more about the Tennessee Justice Center, visit their website at tnjustice.org or stop by their new downtown office for an open house February 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP to dwhaley@tnjustice.org.

‘We Believe’ Campaign Surpasses $100 Million Mark

April Hefner
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‘We Believe’ Campaign Surpasses $100 Million Mark

Comprehensive fundraising aims for $300 million goal by 2020 to boost endowment, scholarships, missions and more

Ten months into the “We Believe” comprehensive fundraising campaign, Belmont University announced today that donations recently surpassed $100 million, marking a major milestone toward a total $300 million goal by 2020.  The campaign focuses attention on five areas that are key to the University’s Vision 2020 strategic priorities, including scholarships, faculty support and missions. Total money raised to date for the campaign currently stands at $100,162,799.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “This fundraising campaign will strengthen Belmont’s ability to offer a world class education by attracting top faculty, enhancing student experiences, creating mission opportunities, supporting athletics and expanding student research. Most importantly, this campaign will better position us to aid qualified students in achieving a Belmont education, regardless of their financial circumstances.”

To date, more than 10,000 donors have contributed to the campaign, and nearly 70 new endowed scholarships have been created. Highlights since last April’s public campaign launch include the largest single gift in University history ($15 million from the Ayers Foundation) along with gifts to create a $2 million endowment to support Belmont missions and a $4 million endowment for ‘Bridges to Belmont’ (the first made possible by Trustee Jim Wright and his wife Susan while the latter results from a gift from Trustees Joe and Anne Russell, respectively).

HCA Chairman and CEO and Belmont alumnus Milton Johnson is chairing the campaign in its inaugural year. He said, “I give to Belmont because I can personally attest to the transformative power of a Belmont education, and I believe such a world-class education can help individuals reach their greatest potential. I am encouraged to see how many new and long-time donors are stepping up to help make that happen for generations of students to come.”

The $300 million campaign will include total money raised through Dec. 31, 2020. Thanks to a long history of strong financial management and diligent cost control, Belmont is able to partner with its supporters to leverage their investments in the institution’s future. The University is matching contributions to campaign priority endowments between $25,000 and $1.5 million ‘dollar for dollar,’ doubling the impact of each donor’s commitment.

Specific campaign priorities include:

  • Endowed scholarships to ensure more qualified students can receive a Belmont education regardless of financial means
  • Faculty support through endowed chairs/professorships to attract and retain preeminent experts in their fields
  • Missions support to expand endowed funds to enhance Belmont’s undeniably Christian environment and further students’ ability to serve in the U.S. and abroad
  • Athletics funding for endowed scholarships to support high-caliber student athletes who embody Belmont values and represent the University around the world
  • Annual Giving to create a culture of philanthropy among Belmont constituent groups that encourages consistent, long-term giving

Belmont’s Vice President for Development and External Relations Dr. Perry Moulds added, “We are so grateful for the countless individuals who have already given to this campaign. I believe their generosity will take an already successful institution to the next level, catapulting us even further onto the national stage and empowering what I imagine to be an extraordinary future for this campus.”

Click here to view the “We Believe” campaign launch video.

For more information on the campaign, giving priorities and ways to give, visit Belmont’s We Believe website.

Belmont University to Host Asian Studies Symposium February 13 – 17

Hope Buckner
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The seventh annual Asian Studies Symposium, sponsored by Belmont University’s Asian Studies program, will be held on campus February 13-17 in the Janet Ayers Academic Center. This year’s theme, Representations of Buddhism, will highlight divergent facets of Buddhism’s representation through art, literature, popular culture, social activism and personal journey.

The symposium is intentionally constructed to support the exhibition Secrets of Buddhist Art: Tibet, Japan, and Korea opening in the Ingram Gallery of the Frist Center for Visual Arts on February 10. The exhibition is on loan from the Newark Museum Arts of Asia collection, and the curator of those materials, Dr. Katherine Paul, will open the Belmont Asian Studies Symposium on Monday, February 13 at 10 a.m. on the topic “Living Hells and Heavens: the Art of Buddhist Rebirths.”

This year’s events also include an emphasis on the myriad forms Buddhism has taken in Asia and the world, bringing experts on Asia in fields of business, art, religion, philosophy and society to campus.  A special panel composed of regional practitioners will also share their personal journeys in the Buddhist way.

Speakers will include Dr. Paul Lavy, Southeast and South Asian Art History, University of Hawai’i at Manoa; Dr. Cathy Benton, Chair, Department of Religion, Lake Forest College; Dr. William Gorvine, Chair, Religious Studies, Hendrix College; Dr. Todd Munson, Director of Asian Studies, Randolph-Macon College; Dr. Qingjun Li, Asian Studies, Belmont University; Dr. Kimiyo Murata-Soraci, Asian Studies, Belmont University; Dr. Marty Bell, Religion, Belmont University; Dr. Andrew Davis, Philosophy, Belmont University; Dr. Cynthia Bisson, East Asian History, Belmont University.

The full schedule for the symposium and its convocation credit events on campus can be found here.

The full schedule for the exhibition Secrets of Buddhist Art: Tibet, Japan, and Korea opening in the Ingram Gallery of the Frist Center for Visual Arts, including construction of a sand mandala by monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery, can be found here.

Belmont Welcomes Dr. Clayton-Pedersen as Scholar-In-Residence

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Welcomes Dr. Clayton-Pedersen as Scholar-In-Residence

Dr. Alma Clayton-Pedersen, chief executive officer of Emeritus Consulting Group, spent the week at Belmont as part of the University’s Scholar-In-Residence Program, a program created to celebrate diversity within higher education and encourage students to explore the field as a career option. An initiative of Belmont’s Welcome Home Team, the University’s cross-functional diversity and inclusion committee, the Scholar-in-Residence Program invites each of Belmont’s nine colleges to host a diverse scholar in a field related to their disciplines. Clayton-Pedersen was invited to Belmont by Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Dr. Bryce Sullivan.

While on campus, Clayton-Pedersen spent time with faculty, staff and students as she hosted convocation events, participated in luncheons and co-facilitated “My Mentor and Me,” a session held with Dr. Sybril Brown, professor of media studies and Clayton-Pedersen’s mentee. Additionally, Clayton-Pedersen spent time with the Welcome Home Team, led by Vice President and Chief of Staff Dr. Susan West.

(L to R) Drs. Clayton-Pederson, Lauren Lunsford, CLASS associate dean, Bryce Sullivan, CLASS dean and Sybril Brown, professor of media studies.

West said, “The Welcome Home Team is honored to host Dr. Clayton-Pedersen through our Scholar-in-Residence Program. Highlighting the importance of diversity across our campus, this program allows students, faculty and staff to learn from experts in a variety of fields, while emphasizing careers in higher education. We are excited to see how the programs impacts our campus as each College hosts scholars from their disciplines.”

Sullivan said the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences was honored to host Clayton-Pedersen, knowing the impact she would have on students, faculty and staff across campus. “We are very excited to have had Dr. Clayton-Pedersen as a Scholar-in-Residence. We hope that one outcome of the residency is that underrepresented students deeply consider pursuing higher education as a career. We really hit a home-run with the selection of Dr. Clayton-Pedersen. Her work with the American Association of Colleges and Universities, among others, demonstrates her role as a leader in higher education. I am confident she will be an inspiration to both our students and our faculty.”

For more information on Clayton-Pedersen, click here.

Students and Faculty Participate in Joint Mathematical Meetings in Atlanta

Hope Buckner
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A student presents at MAA, a mathematics conference. Several Belmont mathematics faculty members and one student recently attended and participated in the Joint Mathematical Meetings  (JMM) in Atlanta, Georgia. JMM, the largest mathematics meeting in the world, combines the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and the American Mathematical Society (AMS). This year’s event was the 100th annual winter meeting of MAA and the 123rd annual meeting of AMS.

Brad Schleben, assistant professor of mathematics, gave a talk at a MAA special session titled, “Strengthening the Narrative of an Abstract Algebra course.” Michelle Guinn, assistant professor of mathematics, worked with the National Association of Mathematicians at the conference and also judged the Undergraduate Student Poster Session. Sarah Ann Fleming, associate professor of mathematics, worked with MAA’s Early Mentoring Program at the conference and also organized a session for the Career Mentoring Network for Women in the Mathematical Sciences, of which she serves as assistant director.

Andy Miller, professor of mathematics, co-organized and moderated an invited paper session on “New Directions in Quantitative Literacy.” The session was given in honor of quantitative literacy pioneer Lynn Arthur Steen who died in 2015. Mike Pinter, professor of mathematics, presented “Mathematics Intersecting with Other Modern World Ideas: 1850-1950” as part of the Contributed Papers Session on Humanistic Mathematics during the JMM. In the presentation, Pinter described ideas, people and topics from mathematics in the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century that he incorporates into his Analytics: Math Models course, and to a lesser extent, his Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning course.  Topics addressed from that 100-year time period include symbolic logic, basics of set theory and social choice theory, with particular emphasis on logic. Danny Biles and Mary Goodloe, mathematics, also attended the conference.

Tucker Dowell, a senior mathematics and philosophy double major, presented two research projects at the conference including “Stochastic Social Network Model for the Dissemination of Ideas,” (Tucker L. Dowell, Daniel Biles and Glenn Acree) and “Counting Elements of Particular Orders in the Symmetric Group” (Tucker L. Dowell and Brad Schleben).

Nursing Students Featured in ‘Day in the Life of an Intern’ Story

Staff Writer
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Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) wanted to send a message to college students about how their internship program works, so they summoned three of their recent Belmont University interns to help tell the story. Chelsea Carter, Samantha Perkowski and Rachel Sutherland all served as Dialysis Clinic Interns in 2016 as a part of their studies in nursing.

The internship provided hands-on experience in the care of dialysis patients, an area where students don’t often have an opportunity for clinical practice. The FMCNA interviewed the students about some of the rewarding aspects of their internship experiences and had them describe a typical day of work, broken down into morning, mid-day and end-of-day routines. The students touched on the relationships they built with full-time employees and how their experiences at FMCNA contributed to their learning.

Check out the full feature here.

Craig Dubitsky, Founder of Hello Products LLC, Visits Campus

Staff Writer
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Craig Dubitsky, Founder of Hello Products LLC, Visits Campus

Successful entrepreneur and businessman Craig Dubitsky visited Nashville and Belmont’s campus for the first time on February 8. During his time at Belmont, he spoke to students across all disciplines at a convocation event, shared advice with students in a “Foundations in Entrepreneurship” class, toured several of Belmont’s student-run businesses and had lunch with a select group of entrepreneurial students.

Dubitsky’s morning lecture was centered around his most recent start-up Hello Products LLC, a line of oral care products currently distributed by 25,000 top retailers in the U.S. The company is rated as the #2 natural oral care brand in the nation and has received inbound interest from retailers and distributors from over 70 countries. Dubitsky discussed the history behind the brand, including how he brought it from concept to commercialization in just six months with only four employees and offered free sample products. He also spoke about how being an entrepreneur requires a certain way of thinking that helps one see the flaws in the products that he or she uses every day. He offered advice on how to build and maintain a successful brand and stressed the importance of having the desire to create quality products that people will enjoy over the desire to just make money.

“You don’t make them to sell them,” Dubitsky said of products. “You make them to make cool stuff that people will fall in love with. If you do that right, the rest will take care of itself.”

Dubitsky’s history with transformational brands dates back to his role as senior vice president of venture development for the nation’s largest public retail REIT Simon Property Group. He also co-founded The Kind Group, a marketing consultant company under which he developed a brand of women’s personal care products called EOS.

Belmont Unveils Schedule of Events for Homecoming 2017, Feb. 20-25

Staff Writer
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Belmont Unveils Schedule of Events for Homecoming 2017, Feb. 20-25

Each year, Belmont University calls Bruins from all over the world back home to celebrate more than 125 incredible years of students, faith, education and community. Campus reaches out to alumni, friends and family to invite them to celebrate what it means to be a Bruin by offering a series of events designed to bring all members of the Belmont community together. This year’s Homecoming Week, celebrating the theme “Together We Are Belmont,” will take place February 20-25.

Associate Director of Alumni Relations Julie Thomas said, “We’ve brought together some of the best of Belmont to partner for what looks like one of the most exciting Homecomings in recent history.  Our team has built a schedule of week-long activities geared toward engaging the Belmont Community with the mission of cultivating a festival of university life. We hope the entire community will join together as we celebrate, serve and honor the rich heritage of this place we call Belmont.”

The newest addition this year is the inclusion of theme days — Mission Monday, T-Shirt Tuesday, WOW Wednesday, Thank You Thursday and FANtastic Friday –  designed to not only create awareness about Homecoming but also to focus on who we are as an institution. Highlights of the week can be found below, and for a complete list of all Belmont Homecoming 2017 events and an opportunity to register, click here.

Homecoming 2017 Highlights

All Week

  • The Homecoming Connection: Can’t make it back to campus for Homecoming 2017? Join us for a virtual celebration and plan now to post your favorite Belmont memories during the week of Feb. 20-25. Be sure and tag yourself: #BUHome17. Sign up here to be a Homecoming Social Media Ambassador.
  • Homecoming Cornhole Classic: The 1st Annual Homecoming Corn Hole Classic is being sponsored by ATO. All faculty, staff and alumni are encourage to sign up as teams or individuals to participate.
  • Homecoming Royalty & Faculty/Staff HC Spirit Court: The Homecoming Committee is proud to announce the first ever Faculty & Staff Homecoming Spirit Court. Get your favorite faculty or staff nominations ready and be looking for information regarding criteria and voting.

Monday, February 20

  • Homecoming Banner Competition- Sponsored by the Office of Residence Life, each residence hall will compete in the design of a Homecoming 2017 banner

Tuesday, February 21

  • 5 p.m.- Young alumni pre-game meet-up at Chago’s
  • 7 p.m.- Belmont Men’s Basketball plays against Trevecca in the Curb Event Center

Wednesday, February 22

  • 10 a.m.- Join us in the Belmont Mansion for a special Q&A session with a group of our Ward-Belmont alumnae. You won’t want to miss their stories of fine dining and white gloves!

Thursday, February 23

  • 7:30 p.m.- Belmont’s Rock Ensemble will be playing a concert in the Massey Concert Hall (MPAC)

Friday, February 24

  • 10 a.m.- Homecoming chapel featuring a variety of recent alumni who embody our motto “From Here to Anywhere”
  • 3 p.m.- Career Conversations: An informative and informal networking event for students with an opportunity to interact with alumni and parents in a variety of careers and industries. Reservations Required.
  • 5:30 p.m.- Homecoming pep rally in the Curb Event Center
  • 7 p.m.- Homecoming concert in Massey Concert Hall (MPAC) hosted by Gordon Kennedy. The evening will feature a variety of Belmont talent across several genres and will include several special guests. The event is FREE, but tickets are required. Get tickets: 615.460.2255 or HERE
  • 9:30 p.m.- Homecoming social at DeSano Pizza Bakery on 16th S.

Saturday, February 25

  • 9 a.m.- Fireside chat for parents with University Provost Thomas Burns in the Foutch Alumni House. Coffee and hot chocolate will be served, and a Q&A session about campus updates will take place.
  • 12 p.m.- Tailgate at the Tower at the Belltower plaza: It’s just one BIG party! Everyone is invited to this campus-wide celebration. Come and enjoy a FREE lunch from Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. Faculty, staff, alumni, students and parents are welcome to partake in lunchtime fare and festivities as we prepare for the big game. Reservations Required.
  • 1:45 p.m.- Homecoming prayer and worship led by University Ministries in the newly renovated Gabhart Student Center
  • 2 p.m.- All alumni homecoming celebration in the Beaman Student Center: All alumni are invited to join this pre-game celebration. Stop by for food, photos and a fun time with fellow classmates and friends.
  • 3-7 p.m.- Homecoming Double-Header: Women’s game vs. TSU with Men’s game to follow at approximately 5 p.m. Half-time of the second game: Homecoming Court. Join us for the final games of the season! Belmont Alumni can order tickets in advance at discounted prices. For tickets, visit belmontbruins.com/tickets or call the Curb Event Center Box Office at 615.460.BALL [2255]. Request the Feb. 25 Homecoming Games with promo code “BUAlum16.”

College of Health Sciences and Nursing Receives ACE Grant, Hosts Stakeholder Summit

Hope Buckner
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College of Health Sciences and Nursing Receives ACE Grant, Hosts Stakeholder Summit

Belmont’s College of Health Sciences and Nursing recently hosted a Stakeholder Summit on campus to support the College’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) grant. Received from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, the grant provides funding for the development of three undergraduate educational modules for nursing, public health and social work students.

The Summit was held to survey area stakeholders on current gaps and recommendations for developing these modules. Speakers included the Deputy Commissioner Dr. Michael Warren from the State Health Department, Chief Medical Officer for HRSA/MCHB Dr. Aaron Lopata and Director of Community Development and Planning at Metro Health Department Tracy Buck.

Attendees discuss material at the ACE Stakeholder SummitIn addition to speakers, the event included opportunities for attendees to identify ACE topics to be included in Belmont’s new Educating Trauma Information Professionals Project. This project addresses the need to improve professional practices and promotes cross-fertilization among professions that touch children and families during sensitive periods of development and beyond. With no standard trauma-information care education model for undergraduates available, Belmont’s program seeks to create programming for health science students and identify and address knowledge and training needs among recent graduates and practicing professionals.

Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Nursing Dr. Cathy Taylor said, “We’re thrilled to receive this funding dedicated to enhancing multidisciplinary professional education and improving the health and well being of Tennessee’s children. Working with such esteemed partners toward achieving this common goal is sure to have long
lasting impact.”

Alumna Named to Nashville Business Journal’s ’40 Under 40’ List

Staff Writer
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Alex Hughes, a 2010 public relations graduate who now serves as the vice president for talent and retention at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, was recently named to the Nashville Business Journal’s list of “40 Under 40.” The list aims to honor 40 of the city’s most outstanding professionals who are under the age of 40. Hughes was chosen as a winner for 2017 from over 600 nominations received.

The independent panel of judges who reviewed the nominations based their decisions off each candidate’s demonstration of talent in business, commitment to the community and willingness to go above and beyond in all they do. Hughes’s profile highlights her integral part in “more than 75 company relocations or expansions to Nashville” and her assistance in increasing brand recognition and talent connections for over 200 local companies.

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