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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Butera’s INSTRUMENT 1 Kickstarter Makes $80K in Six Hours

Paul Chenoweth
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Mike ButeraDr. Mike Butera, a Belmont alumnus and adjunct instructor of sociology, invented INSTRUMENT 1, an iPhone musical technology that can become any instrument the user desires. Butera is founder and CEO of the Nashville-based company Artiphon, which launched a Kickstarter campaign earlier this year that far surpassed its goal of $75,000 in a matter of six hours, and the support for the campaign is continually growing. To see the current progress and learn about the campaign, click here.

The device, to be released January 2016, comes in white, black or a special Nashville hardwood edition. Depending on the instument of choice, INSTRUMENT 1 can be strummed, picked or tapped and is compatible its iPhone application, as well as hundreds of programs, such as GarageBand and ProTools. INSTRUMENT 1 is designed for the well-seasoned musician and first-time player, alike.

Click here to read a write up on Music.Mic.

Belmont Serves as Site for Metro Minority Caucus

Paul Chenoweth
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(L to R) Back Row: Council Members Frank Harrison, Lonnell Matthews, Sandra Moore, Scott Davis, Walter Hunt, Fabian Bedne Front Row: Karen Johnson, Erica Gilmore, Jacobia Dowell (Photo courtesy of Fabian Bedne)
(L to R) Back Row: Council Members Frank Harrison, Lonnell Matthews, Sandra Moore, Scott Davis, Walter Hunt, Fabian Bedne Front Row: Karen Johnson, Erica Gilmore, Jacobia Dowell (Photo courtesy of Fabian Bedne)

The Metro Minority Caucus, an organization formed to seek the fulfillment of the goals and aspirations of disadvantaged Americans, hosted its “Bridging the Gap” workshop and lunch at Belmont on Saturday, Feb. 28.

With approximately 90 people in attendance, the event included speakers from the Nashville Career Advancement Center, Goodwill Industries, Urban League and Council Members Karen Johnson, Fabian Bedne, Frank Harrison, Lonnell Matthews, Sandra Moore, Erica Gilmore and Walter Hunt. CEO of Nashville General Hospital at Meharry Dr. Joseph Webb was the luncheon’s speaker and presented a workshop for attendees.

Historically, the Caucus has been held as a reception, but with a focus on engaging community members and furthering the conversation on how government impacts the community, the Caucus’s workshop/lunch format was adopted for this year’s meeting.

Council Member Frank Harrison said the day’s activities focused on ensuring community members were familiar with services offered by Metro, as well as the role Council Members play in local government. Featured sessions highlighted a variety of government aspects to educate attendees on Metro’s place in Nashville and how it affects minorities.

“Everything revolves around the health of a community,” Harrison said. “We wanted people in the community to know how accessible we were…and how we could affect change.”

Harrison went on to comment on how pleased he was with hosting the event at Belmont because of the University’s hospitality. Belmont’s Director of the Office of Community Relations Joyce Searcy said the University was honored to host the Caucus for the third time. “We are so happy to have the event on campus again this year, because as an institution, we are committed to partnering with the Metropolitan Council Minority Caucus to improve our community for all residents,” she said.

Arbor Day Foundation Honors Belmont University with 2014 Tree Campus USA® Recognition

Paul Chenoweth
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Arbor-Day-102Belmont University was recently honored with the 2014 Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

Tree Campus USA, a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and sponsored by Toyota, honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and staff and student engagement in conservation goals. Belmont University achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards including maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning projects.

“Students are eager to volunteer in their communities and become better stewards of the environment,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Participating in Tree Campus USA sets a fine example for other colleges and universities, while helping to create a healthier planet for us all.”

“Toyota is so proud to support a program that we believe has a great impact on both reducing the environmental footprint of a college campus and inspiring college students to become conservation leaders,” said Latrondra Newton, chief corporate social responsibility officer for Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

Belmont is committed to its sustainability efforts and has a number of green initiates that contribute to campus conservation including LEED certified buildings, educational and sustainable green roofs, geothermal heating and cooling systems and campus’s recent designation as a Tennessee arboretum. Additionally, in the past three years, the University’s physical footprint has grown by 27 percent, while its energy consumption has been reduced at the same rate.

Arbor-Day-108In honor of Arbor Day and Belmont’s recent designation as a 2014 Tree Campus, the University hosted a tree planting celebration on Friday, March 6. Belmont’s Tree Advisory Committee and the student led Environment and Conservation Organization (ECO) Club was present to celebrate with the University and planted a Colorado Blue Spruce. In addition to the Blue Spruce, five other trees were planted on-campus. ECO provides interaction with students across campus who are interested in environmental issues and sponsors students activities including river clean-ups, exotic plant removals, Earth Day awareness events, nature hikes and environmental guest speaker series.

Vice President of the ECO Club Lindsay Millward said, “I think it is important that Belmont is recognizing these trees so students walking by can appreciate them, and an award like this definitely furthers the sustainability efforts on campus.”

The Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota have helped campuses throughout the country plant thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities invested more than $29 million in campus forest management last year. More information about the program is available here.

Students, Faculty, Alumni Participate in Weed Wrangle 2015

Paul Chenoweth
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WeedWrangleTwo dozen students, faculty and alumni participated last week in Weed Wrangle 2015, a new event of Invasive Species Awareness Week. Inspired by national and international efforts now underway, Weed Wrangle Nashville represents a new push to stem the tide of biological pollution in local communities. The goal is two-fold: restoration and preservation. Organizers seek to raise awareness of the “green scourge” before more native plants lose the fight for the light and nutrients they require to survive. The Feb. 28 Weed Wrangle event was a one-day, citywide, volunteer effort to help rescue public parks and green spaces from invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines and flowering plants.

Dr. Darlene Panvini, professor of biology/environmental science, said, “Getting students outside and engaged in exotic plant removal makes the problem more real and less abstract. Students also had a chance to meet the staff at the park while visiting one of Nashville’s treasures – Shelby Bottoms Park and Greenway.  Since many of the students who participated in the plant removal were not science majors, this experience was a way to educate more people about the impact of non-native invasive species on native ecosystems.”

Student Katelyn Keast said, “It was rewarding to see the difference we made in such a short amount of time. The participants now know how to stop the problem of invasive species, and I hope they all enjoyed being outdoors and helping the environment.”

Weed Wrangle was the conclusion of a week-long series that included a convo on campus that served as the kick-off event to Invasive Species Awareness Week. The presentation by Steve Manning of Invasive Plant Control Inc. focused on the topic, “Introduction to Invasive Species in Tennessee: Forming a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area to Combat Invasive in Tennessee.”

Students Define ‘Feminist’ to Open Women’s History Month Celebration

Paul Chenoweth
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womens-histories-115Among a packed classroom in the Wedgewood Academic Center, a panel of seven Belmont students offered unique and profound interpretations on “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like,” the opening convocation in the University’s celebration of Women’s History Month.

Associate Professor of English Dr. Amy Hodges-Hamilton, who is co-chairing the 2015 celebration with Sociology Professor Dr. Andi Stepnick, noted that the national theme for this year’s Women’s History Month is “Weaving Women’s Stories.” As part of her introduction for Monday’s panel, she shared how 2011 Humanities Symposium keynote speaker Maya Angelou inspired her own story and helped her reclaim her voice during her daughter Grace’s cancer battle. Hodges-Hamilton explained to Angelou her stress over caring for Grace while also juggling her career and remaining strong for herself and her family. “[Angelou] stopped me and with her God-like voice spoke these words: ‘All you have to pray every morning is this: God give me Grace.’ And that he has.”

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Third Annual World Culture Fest Reflects Diverse Heritages

Paul Chenoweth
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culture-fest-124On Feb. 27, Belmont students held the third annual World Culture Fest in the Beaman Student Life Center to celebrate diversity on campus through dance, music, fashion and more. Individual students and student organizations focused on cultural identities had booths representing different world cultures for students to sample food, learn interesting facts, ask questions and participate in cultural activities such as henna tattoo art and calligraphy. The Rumi Club, Chinese Cultural Club and Black Student Association co-sponsored the festival in partnership with the Student Government Association.

Among the performances were Bollywood, Haitian and K-pop dance performances as well as musical performances of Scottish fiddling, hip hop and karaoke in nine languages. The booths represented cultures from South Korea, Laos, Egypt, India, Japan, Africa, China and Haiti.

The purpose of Culture Fest is to bring together students from all backgrounds to celebrate cultural art expressions from around the world. Some students and faculty were representing their own culture, while others were engaging in and representing a culture they were not familiar with prior to the event. Faculty sponsor for the event, Assistant Professor Dr. Amy Crook, said, “The support that students show to each other at the event during performances and at the booths is really amazing. People are asking for the recipes for exotic foods they’re having for the first time, falling in love with new musical genres and sharing experiences from their study abroad trips. It’s so encouraging to see the students put on such a quality event that really brings the community together.”

Belmont’s Campus Open on Friday, March 6

Paul Chenoweth
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Thanks to the good work by our Facilities Management Services team, campus roads and walkways have been cleared of Thursday morning’s snow and sleet. Given that, we will move forward with a normal schedule Friday, March 6, with classes and activities proceeding as planned. Everyone on campus is strongly encouraged to stay on the walkways that have been scraped of ice and snow. You may need to alter your “normal” pedestrian route and take only paths that have been cleared. Also, surface parking lots and open-air top floors of garages (Curb and Thrailkill) will remain closed.

As always, we know that weather and road conditions can vary greatly within our region, and we encourage students, faculty and staff to use individual discretion when making the decision to travel to campus in snow or icy weather.

STEM Education Luncheon Held on Campus

Paul Chenoweth
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CSM Dean Dr. Thom Spence leads a tour of a Wedgewood Academic Center lab.

CSM Dean Dr. Thom Spence leads a tour of a Wedgewood Academic Center lab.

On Tuesday, Belmont’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Sciences and Mathematics and the Middle Tennessee STEM Innovation Hub hosted a luncheon and discussion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in Middle Tennessee. Thirteen school superintendents, principals, headmasters and curriculum coordinators attended the luncheon from Middle Tennessee schools and school districts.

Belmont Provost Dr. Thomas Burns and nearly a dozen Belmont faculty members also attended. Belmont University is moving aggressively forward in the area of STEM education, and this luncheon was an opportunity to network with Tennessee leaders in education. Time was spent brainstorming ways in which Belmont and the STEM Innovation Hub could better serve area districts, schools and students. After small group discussions, Dr. Mark Hogan, Belmont education department chair, facilitated a conversation with the whole group that produced several innovative and exciting ideas about how Belmont and the STEM Innovation Hub can be involved in STEM education in the region.

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Pipeline Project Cited by U.S. Copyright Office in Report

Paul Chenoweth
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Belmont students, Curb College representatives and music industry executives gathered at Nashville venue Citizen on March 3 to celebrate the recent success of Pipeline Project 4.0.
Belmont students, Curb College representatives and music industry executives gathered at Nashville venue Citizen on March 3 to celebrate the recent success of Pipeline Project 4.0.

The Pipeline Project 4.0, a music industry think-tank created by the Belmont University Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, was recently cited by the U.S. Copyright Office in a final report on copyright and music licensing policy, published Feb. 5.

The Pipeline team consisted of nine undergraduate Belmont students selected to consult with industry investors. Students Anthony Manker, Devin Dawson and Alex Marsh conducted a research study into copyright and music licensing reform. The study was sponsored by the Association of Independent Music Publishers and Fifth Third Music with Marc Driskill, executive director of AIMP Nashville, serving as industry advisor.

The Pipeline team interviewed executives from across the industry such as Vincent Candilora from ASCAP, Jody Williams from BMI, Troy Tomlinson from Sony/ATV, Steve Marks from the RIAA, Jay Rosenthal from the NMPA, Scott Sellwood from Google/YouTube, Colin Rushing from SoundExchange and others. Stakeholder groups included record labels, publishers, artists, songwriters, attorneys, economists, performing rights organizations, rights administrators, managers, broadcasters and digital music services.

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Kennedy Named Curb College Distinguished Lecturer

Paul Chenoweth
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Gordon KennedyBelmont alumnus and nationally acclaimed musician Gordon Kennedy was recently recognized as a Morris Family Mentor & Lecture Series and Curb College Distinguished Lecturer.

Son of the acclaimed Jerry Kennedy, Gordon Kennedy was raised in Nashville and attended Brentwood Academy. During his time at Belmont, Kennedy played guitar for several Reba McEntire projects including “Today All Over Again” and her first No. 1, “Can’t Even Get the Blues.” Kennedy was first nationally recognized when he won the Grammy for Song of the Year for Eric Clapton’s 1997 No. 1 hit, “Change the World,” co-written with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims. Kennedy’s songs have been cut by Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and George Strait, among others. Kennedy served on the Board of Governors for the Nashville’s National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and currently serves on the Belmont University Advisory Board.

Kennedy has continually given to Belmont and its students for years. He has spoken at seminars, hosted events (including Belmont’s Homecoming concert, Homecoming in the Round), is an adjunct professor, a student mentor and recently received the Curb College’s Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence. Now, Gordon is the fifth and final recipient of the Distinguished Lecturer, an honor given to industry professionals who inspire others through their work in the entertainment and music industry.

During his presentation, Gordon focused on his upbringing and faith as a base of his musical career. He said his father surrounded their home with music, influencing him from the beginning. When asked how he has sustained a music career, he encouraged students to not be afraid of rejection, and insisted he never saw another option for a career–music was what he wanted. He also reminded students to be present in the moment, particularly at Belmont among fellow students. Kennedy has many relationships with people he met at Belmont, and if he had not been attentive, he would have never met those people. When asked how to get involved with the Belmont songwriting community, Kennedy urged all students to collaborate with each other. He discussed the influence of his faith on his music, personal life and long-term career.

Kennedy said, “I think about my life as a set of dominos behind me.” He stressed that each moment and person he has met along the way is a piece in the dominos line. If one wereremoved, the next would have never been reached – completely altering his path.

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