A group of Belmont students and faculty presented their essays and attended the Christian Scholars’ Conference at Lipscomb University June 5-6. With this year’s theme of “Leadership in the Academy, Religion and Civic Life,” the mission of the Christian Scholars’ Conference is to create and nurture an intellectual and Christian community that joins individuals and institutions to stimulate networks of scholarly dialogue and collaboration. The conference was created under the direction of Dr. Thomas H. Olbricht, distinguished professor emeritus at Pepperdine University, and has since been hosted by several faith-based universities. The conference calls together scholars from a wide variety of disciplines in the liberal arts, sciences, business, law, education and medicine to develop their own academic research and to reflect on the integration of scholarship and faith.
Belmont Honors Students Caroline Cartwright (Music Business) and Andrew Hunt (Music Business) presented their essays in a session titled, “What is the Purpose of Christian Higher Education in the 21st Century?—Ten Honors College Students Reflect on the Status of Faith-Based Learning.” Dr. Jonathan Thorndike, Honors Program director, moderated the session, which included students from Abilene Christian, Belmont, Harding and Lipscomb universities as well as Messiah College.
The following Belmont faculty members also presented their essays at the Christian Scholars’ Conference:
* Dr. David Dark (assistant professor of religion), respondent, “John’s Version: Updike and Christian Faith.”
* Dr. Sally Holt (associate professor of religion), “Ethical and Moral Issues Surrounding Sustainable Living & Energy”
* Dr. Susan Finch (assistant professor of English), “Creative Writing”
* Judge Alberto Gonzales (dean, College of Law), Vantage of the Courts respondent in session titled “Justice to the Alien: Four Trajectories for Consideration in the Debate on Immigration”
A small group of faculty and students from Belmont University College of Pharmacy (BUCOP) recently traveled to Honduras as part of the Baptist Medical Dental Mission to that country. Dr. Adam Pace, Dr. Alisa Spinelli and two fourth year pharmacy students, Erin Oakley and Erin Mullen, joined a team of about 30 medical professionals who made the trip.
Dr. Nathan Webb, assistant professor of communication studies, recently was published in the Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. His article examined how college-level instructors build rapport with students in the classroom. In addition, Webb recently traveled to Anchorage, Alaska to present at the International Higher Education Teaching and Learning conference. His presentation focused on his research on instructor self-disclosure on social networking sites.
Belmont junior Megan Swanson recently was named Miss Nebraska 2014. She performed “You Raise Me Up” during the scholarship pageant. Swanson, who is studying music and plans to become a motivational speaker and singer/songwriter, previously held the title of Miss Douglas County. She will represent Nebraska at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey in September.
Imagine Me summer film series to education, entertain Nashville youth