Nashville Lifestyles Magazine recently designated two pages of its November edition to highlight the work Belmont students are doing in the entirely student-run business “House Of,” located on Belmont Blvd. The retail boutique full of products from over 20 Nashville-based brands currently employs 13 students who manage different aspects of the business, from handling expenses to marketing to merchandising. The shop opened its doors last April.
The article, located on pages 54-55, discusses the learning opportunities the store lends to students who are interested in business and entrepreneurship as well as the ways the shop is unique from other retail competitors. Director of Belmont’s Center for Entrepreneurship Elizabeth Gortmaker is quoted saying, “For me, it’s important to connect our students with the Nashville community before they graduate. So, building relationships, whether it’s with the NFA (Nashville Fashion Alliance) or area designers, creates a broader learning experience. It also stands with Belmont’s mission to be a resource for the city.”
For more information on House Of, check out its website.
Fall appears to have finally arrived in Nashville, bringing with it a season of bright colors—and, according to Best College Reviews, Belmont University is one of the top 50 college campuses in the U.S. for enjoying the season’s beauty. Ranking at #30, Belmont was recognized mostly for its designation as an arboretum and its historic architecture dating back to 1890. Belmont was also recently named as a Tree Campus USA® by the Arbor Day Foundation, one of the factors considered in the ranking system. The ranking criteria additionally looked at landscaping, including the presence of statues and gardens.
The article describes Belmont’s 75 acres stating, “The campus trees are luscious red and orange in the autumn and, should one visit, the gazebos and paths around aid in the overall experience.” The list also highlights the Belmont Mansion for continuing to “awe visitors with Greek Revival and Italianate elements.”
To view the official list by Best College Reviews, click here.
Want to know more about the programs and application process for Belmont University? Visit the Admissions website.
Dr. Joel Harrington, chair of the Department of History at Vanderbilt University, recently visited the Belmont Honors “Age of Exploration” classes to discuss his book, “The Faithful Executioner: Life, Death, Honor, and Shame in the Turbulent Sixteenth Century.” The classes are studying the Renaissance and Reformation periods of early modern Europe with a special focus on the 500-year anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses, which were nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral in 1517.
Harrington’s book follows the thoughts of the official executioner for the city of Nuremburg, Germany in the late 1500s, based on a journal he kept that detailed the people he executed and interrogated. Harrington stumbled upon the journal while he was on sabbatical in Germany and used the text to create an analysis of the concepts of honor and shame surrounding executioners, who were usually cast out by society due to their “unclean” profession. “The Faithful Executioner” has been translated into ten languages and was named one of the “Best Books of 2013” by The Telegraph and History Today.
Captain Vandergriff, LCSW, recently presented to seniors in Belmont’s Social Work Crisis Intervention class, a required course for all students in the department focused on the prevention and intervention of crisis. One of Fort Campbell’s Brigade Embedded Behavioral Health Officers, Captain Vandergriff presented about a variety of policies and programs for active duty military directed toward decreasing incidence of PTSD, assisting soldiers in managing trauma symptoms and working with soldiers to process potentially traumatic events.
During his time on campus, Captain Vandergriff shared stories from his work and students asked questions about the interventions utilized by military social workers. Course Instructor Alison Peak, LCSW, highlighted the importance of these guests speakers saying “These presentations are essential in assisting our students in recognize the variety of populations that social workers interact with. These presentations also educate our students on available programs and systemic interventions so that they are better equipped to assist a multitude of populations in locating and connecting with necessary support services.”
Steven Kern Shaw estate donates $10.5 million collection to University that includes iconic vintage guitars, mandolins and other fretted instruments
George Gruhn and Doug Howard hold a 1923 Gibson F-5 Lloyd Loar mandolin, 1960 Les Paul Standard “Burst” electric guitar and 1939 Martin D-45 acoustic guitar that have been donated to Belmont University at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, Tenn. November 8, 2016.
Hot on the heels of last week’s CMAs and Belmont’s announcement that it’s a major sponsor of Ken Burns’s “Country Music” documentary, the University again shows the depths of its Music City connections with news this week of plans to open a new and extensive vintage instrument-focused museum. The gift of nearly 500 historically significant instruments and supporting endowment—amounting to a total value of approximately $10.5 million—comes from the estate of the late Steven Kern Shaw. Shaw was a collector, philanthropist and the grandson of Broadway composer 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”).
The Shaw collection consists primarily of iconic 20th century American-made guitars and mandolins, including:
Six Gibson F-5 mandolins signed by Gibson’s acoustic engineer Lloyd Loar made in 1922-24. Loar-signed F-5s are considered by many to be the finest mandolins ever made.
Two sunburst finish Gibson Les Paul Standard guitars made between mid-1958-60. Considered by many collectors to be the finest solid body electric guitars ever made.
Seven extremely rare F-5 mandolins with fern pattern peghead inlay made from 1925 through the mid-1930s.
Numerous vintage Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars including a very fine 1955 Stratocaster and 1952 Telecaster.
Eight pre-WWII Martin 000-45 guitars, the finest and most ornate Martin guitars made in the 15 inch wide 000 size.
Four pre-WWII Martin D-45 guitars made mid 1930s through 1942. Considered by many collectors to be the finest steel string flat top acoustic guitars ever made.
43 mid-1930s through mid-1940s Martin style D-28 guitars with herringbone top trim. Considered by many collectors and musicians to be the finest bluegrass guitars ever made.
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 these instruments be donated to an institution capable of properly exhibiting and caring for them, preferably in the Nashville area. Beyond conveying the important history and design of these instruments, the new Belmont museum will be interactive, bringing new life and music to these unique, irreplaceable guitars and mandolins rather than merely displaying them behind glass.
Gruhn said, “These instruments are to be played and heard in concerts and recordings as well as to be available for students, musical instrument builders and scholars to study, play and learn from association with them. Belmont University was the natural choice for a permanent home for this collection. Belmont draws students and scholars from around the world and is noted for the excellence of its College of Entertainment and Music Business and the College of Visual and Performing Arts which can incorporate aspects of this collection into their curriculum.”
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher added, “What better place to celebrate the history and design of such vintage instruments than Belmont University, the educational home of so many talented artists and musicians. I am grateful to the Shaw estate for allowing us to display pieces in the way they deserve while also keeping their music alive through the hands of the students, faculty and artists who visit the museum or are loaned these iconic pieces of music history.”
This will be the first instrument-driven museum of its kind to open in Music City, and Gruhn noted his belief that it “has the potential to be one of the finest fretted instrument collections in the world.” The museum will seek to highlight the artistic and scientific design of the pieces while also promoting usage of the instruments. In fact, plans for the museum even include a performance space where many of the instruments will be played by both well-known and student musicians, and several of the instruments will be available for students, faculty and musicians to borrow for recordings and concerts.
Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., said, “I can’t think of a more fitting addition to our city’s world famous brand. Belmont has long preserved, advocated and educated in the world of music, and now they can add ‘museum quality exhibit’ to their music offerings. We could not be more proud of our partner, member and neighbor.”
Gruhn and New York-based attorney Andy Boose are co-executors of the estate, and they will serve as part of a seven-member advisory board that also includes recording artist Vince Gill and Belmont administrators. The board will oversee the management of the collection. The museum is slated to open in Spring 2017 in Belmont’s Bunch Library with an original display of instruments from the Steven Kern Shaw collection. Future plans for the museum may include audio/video recordings to supplement displays, the establishment of an annual concert series and the development of archived recordings featuring the instruments.
The Shaw estate donation marks another significant addition to Belmont University’s ongoing “We Believe” fundraising campaign, which seeks to raise $300 million for the institution by 2020.
Belmont’s Pre-Health Honor Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), volunteers for both the Vanderbilt Heart Walk and the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge every year.
Club members recently served a pasta bar for the residents at Hope Lodge, an arm of the American Cancer Society that provides free housing and services to cancer patients during their treatment. While there, students served and spent time with Lodge residents. Throughout the year, AED provides multiple meals for the Lodge.
Club Community Service Officer Cody Rasner said “Volunteering at Hope Lodge is always my favorite event. You get to make dinner for people who are going through a tough time in life, eat with them, speak with them and you learn so much doing so.”
Since 2004, The American Cancer Society’s Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge in Nashville has offered a solution to cancer patients undergoing treatment far from home. By providing free housing, the Lodge reduces the financial burden of treatment and provides a much needed supportive environment.
Additionally, AED participated in Vanderbilt’s Heart Walk, a 5k fundraiser for the American Heart Association. AED members participate in this event annually. Of this event Rasner said, “As with any of our service events, serving with your peers always helps build friendships, and that is also so great to see and be part of.”
Dr. Lauren Lunsford, associate professor of education and Dr. Darlene Panvini, professor of biology, were recently awarded a $75,000 grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for their project, “Untold Stories: Using Informational Texts to Expand Content Knowledge in ELA, Math, and Science while Facilitating a Respectful Culture in the Classroom.”
The duo will work with other Belmont faculty members including Dr. Sally Barton-Arwood of Education, Dr. Kimberlee Entsminger of Chemistry, Dr. Bonnie Smith-Whitehouse of English, Ms. Kate McGowan of Education and Dr. Ryan Fox of Mathematics. Drs. Jesse Register and Alan Coverstone, Education, will serve as consultants to the project. This is the third time Lunsford and Panvini have received funding from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to hold this workshop.
The project will take place in summer 2017 and will serve approximately 30 secondary teachers across three school districts. The utilization of storytelling and incorporation of nonfiction narratives (e.g., biographies, historical and current events) will strengthen teacher content knowledge and skill within their licensed content areas as well as develop their ability to utilize informational texts in their disciplines.
English, social studies, math and science teachers will work to develop personal learning communities to create interdisciplinary units of study that will incorporate stories to help students master their assigned content and improve their reading skills through the use of informational texts. The incorporation of stories will also allow teachers to bring different voices into the classroom, thus promoting a culture of respect. Teachers will receive 24 hours of workshop instruction on campus at Belmont, with an additional four hours of pre- and four hours of post-workshop instruction, as well as four hours of follow up support.
Three teams of Belmont students, nine students in all, participated in the International Collegiate Programming Contest on November 6, traveling to Tennessee Tech to compete simultaneously with 154 other teams at the eight sites in the Mid-Central Region. That matches the largest turnout ever by Belmont students and was the culmination of 10 weeks of practice outside of class for the contestants. Dr. Bill Hooper, Computer Science, is the team’s faculty advisor.
During the contest, students were given five hours to solve ten programming challenges. Tucker Dowell, Kailee Gerzema and Emily Cottingham’s team solved two problems, placing 83rd in the contest. James Dickenson, Heather Flanigin and Oluwatito Ebiwonjumi took slightly longer to complete one problem and placed 99th. Chandler Capps, Katie Kruzan and Aaron Hintz, like 50 other teams, took home an Honorable Mention.
The ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) provides college students with opportunities to interact with students from other universities and to sharpen and demonstrate their problem-solving, programming and teamwork skills. The contest provides a platform for ACM, industry and academia to encourage and focus public attention on the next generation of computing professionals as they pursue excellence.
On Friday, November 4, Belmont Audio Engineering Technology (AET) Lecturer Scott Munsell hosted Pearl-Cohn High School audio production students during showcase preparations. Upon arrival, students were greeted by Munsell and Coordinator of Sound Reinforcement and Live Events Lucas Boto.
Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business Associate Dean Dr. Slay-Carr greeted the students and welcomed them to Belmont before Munsell gave a brief lecture on live sound and sound science. From there, AET students Parker Anderson and Munsell took the group on a station by station tour of audio production facets for the showcase. After a question and answer session, Munsell and his team played tracks that the students had been working on in their audio class over the sound system.
“The looks on their faces to hear their work played on such a massive system were priceless,” Munsell said. “Reaching out to these young men and women from our community is something I have a passion for, and I’m so glad we were able to facilitate such a wonderful opportunity for them.”
Munsell assisted Pearl-Cohn Teacher Ric Johnson with developing curriculum for this audio class that would mirror Belmont’s curriculum. The duo hope to continue their partnership and continue arranging visits for the students to come to Belmont.
Four alumni and two current students from Belmont’s Theatre Department are involved in Studio Tenn Theatre Company’s newest production, “The Battle of Franklin: A Tale of a House Divided.” Running Nov. 3-13 in The Factory at Franklin’s Jamison Theater, the show depicts one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War between Union and Confederate soldiers on Nov. 30, 1864 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Among the alumni who are involved in the production are 2016 graduates Arik Vega (ensemble), Eliza Garrity (sound design) and Rebekah Lecocq (assistant stage manager), along with 2014 musical theatre graduate Matt Rosenbaum, cast as Mint Julep, one of the main characters. In a review of the production, The Tennessean refers to Rosenbaum as the “anchor” of the piece and describes his portrayal of a weary soldier as “effortless.” The current theatre students involved are Sam Lowry (projection designer) and Robert Helvey (assistant technical director).
Belmont’s involvement in this production is part of an ongoing cooperative partnership between the university and Studio Tenn Theatre Company. This agreement aims to connect theatre students with performance and networking opportunities while providing Studio Tenn with talent from one of the leading collegiate musical theatre programs in the southeast.
For information and ticket availability for upcoming show times for this production, visit Studio Tenn’s website.
Captain Vandergriff, LCSW, recently presented to seniors in Belmont’s Social Work Crisis Intervention class, a required course for all students in the department focused on the prevention and intervention of crisis. One of Fort Campbell’s Brigade Embedded Behavioral Health Officers, Captain Vandergriff presented about a variety of policies and programs for active duty military directed toward decreasing incidence of PTSD, assisting soldiers in managing trauma symptoms and working with soldiers to process potentially traumatic events.
Club members recently served a pasta bar for the residents at Hope Lodge, an arm of the American Cancer Society that provides free housing and services to cancer patients during their treatment. While there, students served and spent time with Lodge residents. Throughout the year, AED provides multiple meals for the Lodge.
Additionally, AED participated in Vanderbilt’s Heart Walk, a 5k fundraiser for the American Heart Association. AED members participate in this event annually. Of this event Rasner said, “As with any of our service events, serving with your peers always helps build friendships, and that is also so great to see and be part of.”
