In celebration of Belmont University’s Homecoming Week 2022, the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business took the opportunity to highlight successful alumni in the business in a big way. The “Curb College Alumni Classroom Takeover” included 12 alumni from various sectors of the industry to speak to students in 14 different classes.
Not only were the students inspired by the alumni stories, but the industry enjoyed the opportunity to give back and experience collegiate nostalgia.
“It felt surreal and full circle to come back to Belmont and speak to the Artist Management classes. My career, my business and my music industry story all started here. It was definitely a Homecoming,” said Maddy Sundquist, 2017 Music Business graduate and owner of MADKAT MGMT.
Alumna Emma Pettyjohn visits with Marketing of Recorded Music Class
A full list of the returning alumni include:
Mark McBryde, Sound Design for Film, Postmark Audio, spoke to the Sound for Picture classes.
Aaron Eshuis, Producer & Songwriter for Smacksongs, spoke to a Demo Production class.
Tyler Norris, Producer & Songwriter, spoke to the students in the Demo Production class.
Kate Myers, Artist Brand Partnerships with Warner Music Nashville, spoke to the Marketing of Recorded Music class.
Maddy Sundquist, Artist Manager/Owner of MADKAT MGMT and A&R Consultant for Elektra, spoke to the Artist Management classes.
Jeanette Porcello, A&R Manager at Atlantic Records, spoke to the Survey of Music Business class.
Lee Krabel, Music Publisher with SmackSongs, spoke to the Intro to Commercial Songwriting class.
Josh Tomlinson, Director of Creative at BMI, spoke to the Songwriting Senior Capstone class.
Allen Howard, Production Coordinator for Taillight, spoke to the Senior Film Project Class for Editors.
Charlene Bryant, Artist Manager/Owner of Riveter Management, spoke to the Building Your Authentic Career in the Entertainment Industry class.
Emma Pettyjohn, Associate Director of Digital & Marketing Strategy with Sony Music Entertainment, spoke to the Marketing of Recorded Music class.
MaryAnn Keen, Associate Director of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, spoke to the Business of Songs class.
Alumnus Allen Howard visits with Senior Film Project Class for Editors
In hopes of inspiring students’ career journeys, the classroom takeover was organized by the Curb College’s Career Development Specialist Caroline Melby Rupard and supported by Senior Career Development Specialist Nina Woodard and Student Enrichment Coordinator Alex Quattlebaum.
Piece submitted by SNPhA President and Student Pharmacist Shyrick V. Cox Jr.
February is annually observed as Black History Month, recognizing the contributions, accomplishments and struggles of African Americans today and in American History. Faculty and students from Belmont University’s College of Pharmacy enthusiastically commemorated Black History Month with a group photograph representing Black Excellence.
What is Black excellence? I describe it as a high level of achievement, moments to be proud of and positive examples that motivate other African Americans to pursue their dreams. Through this representation, we as black health care professionals are pillars of our community, committed to improving the quality of healthcare, eager to lead by example, protect, serve and educate others.
“In fact, the confidence of the people is worth more than money.” – Carter G. Woodson
This year’s Homecoming service initiative to collect new or gently used children’s books was an outstanding success! The Belmont community received more than 1,000 books that will be donated to Book’em. Bridges to Belmont students brought in more books than any other group on campus!
Book’em empowers Nashville’s underprivileged children by fostering a love of books and reading. Book’em will give books to children who visit six reading circles at this year’s Family Literacy Day on April 2 from 1 – 4 p.m. at E.S. Rose Park.
For more information about getting involved with the 20th Annual Family Literacy Day, visit the Office of Service Learning’s website.
These days Tiffany Blalock has an office in the Inman building where she can see students streaming past between classes. She helps build schedules for about 650 of those studying nursing at Belmont as a program assistant. But in March 2016, her surroundings looked much different. She was pulled over with four other folks in the car. There were drugs and guns present—and Tiffany’s son too. It landed her in jail with a felony and later in rehab.
It’s a story that surely wouldn’t be easy to tell. But Tiffany, as an agent of hope, shares her journey of transformation as living proof that people and situations can change.
“I think it’s important to give people hope, because someone is struggling with the same human emotion and human feeling that we all go through that they’re not talking about,” she said. “It takes a diverse community. If just one type of person was leading or guiding us, we would have one type of mindset…I need different perspectives than my own.”
In her younger years, Tiffany says she was exposed to many environments, varied points of view weren’t readily available at home. Her mother struggled with addiction and the family moved around a lot. “I probably went to 30 different schools,” she said. “I always did really well in school because home life was so rocky.”
She ended up, however, on a similar path as her mother until she took the opportunity to change direction.
Tiffany came to Nashville about three years ago to a recovery community. Though she had worked in home health out of high school, the felony conviction kept her from those jobs. “I can’t work in a nursing home,” she said, “probably can’t even drive an ice cream truck.” And while she could find jobs in food service or construction, for example, her record often kept her from growth in those areas. Even if supervisors complimented her work, a promotion would stop short at corporate. “The ceiling was so low for me,” she said. She wanted to find a way to move beyond it – to find something more meaningful to her. A friend knew of a program she thought could help.
Tiffany entered a six-week training at UpRise Nashville, a nonprofit career development center. “I was open and willing,” Tiffany said. “They just saw something in me I didn’t necessarily see in myself.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Olivia Bahemuka, assistant professor of nursing at Belmont, learned about UpRise through her church. Inspired by the organization’s vision, she spoke with UpRise Executive Director Carole Peterson about how she might help through her work at Belmont. Peterson, however, was more focused in the moment on finding a good job for a bright student who needed an opportunity—Tiffany.
“I believe in second chances,” Dr. Bahemuka said. “Because I believe that’s what God has done for every one of us. It’s basically the grace of God that has taken me through. I thought, ‘Wow, we gotta do something.’”
Tiffany Blalock and Dr. Olivia Bahemuka have a chat in the courtyard outside the Inman building.
Soon after meeting Carole, Dr. Bahemuka heard of an open position in the nursing department. She knew it required a bachelor’s degree, which Tiffany does not have. And yet, Dr. Bahemuka—who was not involved in the hiring—thought going through an interview experience, at the very least, could be helpful.
Tiffany completed the process and was initially offered a temporary position. When it came time to do so, she explained the circumstances of her felony conviction before a background check. “The next day or maybe two days later,” Tiffany recalled, “(the hiring manager) called me and said I want to rescind the offer – and offer you a salaried, full-time position.”
Shortly afterward, Dr. Bahemuka was notified by Dr. Martha Buckner who let her know that the job offer was made to Tiffany because she was the best candidate of all those they interviewed.
“We all have a responsibility to respond to our surroundings,” Dr. Bahemuka said. “It wasn’t in my power to do anything but to be available and to talk with Carole about the position.”
For Tiffany’s part, she kept her eyes and heart open to opportunities and found strength through her vulnerability.
“I would say, ‘Hey I’m not feeling like I can do this. I’m not sure if I’m gonna be accepted. I’m not sure if I fit into the office type of workplace,’” she recalled. “Through that honesty, I was able to get feedback.” Rather than just tell her she was worthy, the folks at Uprise showed her it was true. They said, “here’s what we see.” It held more weight, Tiffany says, to hear examples of what they witnessed every day in her work and accomplishments—from showing up and working hard to passing the certification test. “They started pointing out the evidence to me.”
Tiffany said she appreciates UpRise for many reasons. “They meet you where you are and never made me feel like a charity case,” she said. “They encouraged me to do something that would make sense in this world, but also be something I could see myself doing. And I needed that encouragement, because honestly, I never saw myself doing anything but what I’d always done.”
These days Tiffany tries to pay it forward by helping other women in a recovery program, though it’s not easy as she had a sponsee die of an overdose recently. And yet she continues to find community as a powerful vehicle for hope.
“I’ve got a light at my feet and try to just see where I’m going in that one step,” she said. “It’s the community, hope, faith and trust that gets me to the next steps I can’t see.”
As for her family, she has a son who has been adopted. “The consequences of my lifestyle and my choices made that happen. I made it happen. I have communication with his adopted mom,” she said. And as for her own mother, she died about six years ago. “She didn’t take the opportunity to get clean and find a new way to live, and she never got to see me do that either.”
And yet, she has reconnected with a sister who she had lost touch with during her active addiction. Her sister gave her an angel that sits on her desk. It’s printed with these words: “May you give yourself permission to trust your voice, step into your power and know that what you’re doing matters.”
As part of the University’s 2022 Homecoming celebration, Belmont University’s Beasley Center for Free Enterprise hosted its 3rd Annual Impact Investing Summit on Friday, February 25 in partnership with AllianceBerstein (AB) on campus.
With so much emphasis on corporate responsibility and the green evolution, investors are hyper-focused on this topic. But how can meaningful impact truly be measured? Can ESG investing do good and do well without sacrificing returns? The Summit welcomed professionals from across the industry to engage in robust discussions with experts from for-profit companies, Wall Street and more about the road ahead.
The event included three panel sessions featuring industry experts with a variety of perspectives:
How For-Profit Firms Accommodate, Resource and Measure Sustainability Through the Lens of ESG Metrics, Moderated by Dean of the Jack C Massey College of Business Dr. Sarah Gardial
Roian Atwood: Senior Director for Sustainability at Tractor Supply Company
Aaron Howald: First Vice President, Investor Relations & Business Development at Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
Matt Beasley: Chief Commercial Officer at Silicon Ranch Corporation
How Does S&P Global Gather Pertinent Data, Conduct Due Diligence and Weight Particular Metrics in Deriving ESG Ratings?Moderated by Professor of Finance in the Massey College of Business Dr. John Gonas
Margaret Dorn: Senior Director, Head of ESG Indices Americas at S&P Down Jones Indices
Evolving SGP–Where Do We Go From Here?Moderated by Winston F. Justice, Vice President Financial Advisor at Bernstein
Travis Allen: National Director, Purpose Driven Strategies at Bernstein
Professor of Finance Dr. John Gonas said, “These conversations are essential to the future corporate stewardship of resources–in Nashville and beyond. We are grateful for our work with AllianceBernstein to engage this thriving industry in important conversations related to impact investing, corporate social responsibility, sustainability and ESG. We look forward to more and more opportunities to work together.”
Junior Songwriting major Maura Streppa was recently selected as one of six finalists in the 2022 Tennessee Songwriters Week Showcase. As one of the finalists, Streppa will play at the historic Bluebird Cafe on March 20. In order to be one of the finalists, Streppa competed against 100 other performers in front of local music industry professionals.
Belmont alumna Elizabeth Lombardi has joined the law firm Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC as an associate attorney in the firm’s Entertainment and Intellectual Property Law practice.
“We are delighted that Elizabeth has agreed to join our team,” said MHCKBS Partner Mike Milom. “She excelled at Belmont and has a compelling record of achievement since then, having gained substantial experience in entertainment law and engaged in the complexities of the music industry. She shares our culture of excellence and client-focused service. We’re confident that our clients will love working with her and quickly come to rely on her counsel.”
Prior to joining MHCKBS, Lombardi served as payment compliance counsel at Parallon – HCA Healthcare and as an associate in business and legal affairs at BMG/BBR Music Group. Her professional experience also includes internships with SESAC, the Nashville Predators, CMT, Warner Music Nashville, Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts, Big Machine Label Group, Black River Entertainment, Vector Management and Country Thunder Music Festivals. Lombardi was recently selected to be a member of the Troubadour Advisory Council for the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Chicago native is a double Belmont University alumna, earning her J.D. from Belmont’s College of Law and graduating magna cum laude with her B.B.A. from the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.
Dr. Sarita Stewart, associate professor of creative and entertainment industries, will assume the role of Facilitator for the Leadership Music Class of 2023 in October. Leadership Music is the nation’s premier education, networking and leadership program designed for established leaders in the music industry based in Nashville.
Stewart, a member of the Leadership Music Class of 2017, began her career as a receptionist at Curb Records in Los Angeles and transferred to Curb’s Nashville headquarters in 1994 as director of marketing. She began teaching at Belmont as an adjunct professor in 2005 and in 2009 went on sabbatical leave to undertake a Ph.D. in Communication at the University of Alabama. As an entertainment researcher, Stewart focuses on music consumption, video games, artist fandom and music festivals.
Announcing the changes, Leadership Music Executive Director Deb Linn commented, “We know Sarita is up to the challenge to help class members consider issues from every angle. We look forward to working with her when we welcome the Class of 2023.”
Leadership Music is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization founded in 1989 providing programs designed to further communications and understanding among facets of the entertainment business and to assist established leaders in their roles as decision makers. Leadership Music promotes teamwork, camaraderie and dialogue among industry leaders, as well as expanding the talent pool of leadership in the community and exposing class participants to varying points of view and philosophies. The mission of Leadership Music is to cultivate a forward-thinking community of leaders who impact the creative industry.
Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business Administrative Assistant Kellie Meeks received the honor of the 2021 Gabhart Award. The award, named in honor of the late Dr. Herbert C. Gabhart who served at Belmont as president and chancellor for five decades, is the highest honor for a staff person to receive. In order to be selected for the award the nominee must exemplify significant achievements and commitment to the University.
Nominated by fellow colleagues and announced winner at the 2021 staff Christmas brunch, it came as a shock to no one that Meeks earned the title. With more than 20 years of service to Belmont, working in several roles and dedicating countless hours to helping students and faculty alike, Meeks’s dedication to the University is unparalleled. “When I first walked into Belmont so many years ago I knew that this was home,” she said.
As an administrative assistant to the dean of the Curb College, Meeks has the opportunity to interact with faculty, students and prospective students daily. “My favorite part of my job is getting to know the students that come in,” Meeks said. “Just having a conversation with them, getting to know who they are and what they like. I enjoy helping people and being there when someone needs something.”
From her twenty plus years of working at Belmont, one of her fondest memories was with Dr. Gabhart himself. “There was a tornado warning and a whole bunch of us had to go into a stairwell to seek shelter,” said Meeks. “We were all a little scared and nervous, I remember Dr. Gabhart telling a story. The story itself was silly, but I looked around and all eyes were glued onto him. I just thought ‘This is a moment I need to remember.’”
Having been able to work with Dr. Gabhart reminds Meeks of just how special this award is. “It’s a very humbling experience. It’s such an honor to think that the people that I work with think that I have any of what Dr. Gabhart had,” said Meeks, tearfully. “He was just an incredible man and I could never equal up to him, but the thought that anyone thinks I have a little bit of that, I’m just very very honored.”
Bloomsbury Publishing, London, has announced the publication of Professor of Philosophy and Director of Asian Studies Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn’s new introduction to philosophy through Chinese thinkers, Chinese Philosophy and Philosophers.
“Ronnie L. Littlejohn’s ability to constructively organize and discuss Chinese philosophy with categories and terms recognizable to undergraduate students while remaining faithful to original discourses is remarkable,” said Paul J. D’Ambrosio, associate professor of Chinese philosophy at East China Normal University in Shanghai, China. “This is perhaps the most nuanced introduction Western students can have to classical Chinese thought in a familiar philosophical framework. Any teacher dealing with these texts and ideas should seriously consider this work.”
Professor of Philosophy at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Eric S. Nelson said, “This volume offers a lucid and comprehensive overview of the key historical periods and conceptual areas of Chinese philosophy from antiquity to modernity. It is an essential resource for engaging the history and contemporaneity of Chinese thought.”
