Belmont’s Speech & Debate Team placed fourth in Division Two at the National Forensics Association tournament. Junior Matthew Roberts advanced to the quarter-final round of Extemporaneous Speaking, ranking in the top 24 in the nation. Graduating senior Nicole Bright advanced to the semi-final rounds of both After Dinner Speaking and Prose Interpretation ranking in the top 12 in her events. Sophomore Megan Jack missed advancing to the quarter-final round of informative speaking by just one speaker point.
Biology Faculty, Students Participate in BioBlitz
Dr. Steve Murphree, professor of biology, participated in a BioBlitz at Beaman Park on April 20. The BioBlitz invitation came from Beaman Park director and Belmont Biology alumna LinnAnn Welch. Belmont zoology students Erin Pitts and Sylvia Alsup also participated in the event. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) biologist Pandy English, Director of LEAPS environmental consulting service Bob English and Belmont University biologists lead this research program in special habitats focusing on the animals and plants of its Barrens areas. Beaman Park Nature Center, located in Beaman Park in northwest Davidson County, offers public programs on environmental education.
Enactus Team Presents at NACDS
Belmont’s Enactus team was asked to present this week to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), which was attended by executives Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens, Walmart, Procter & Gamble and many more. The students presented at reception hosted by Enactus Monday night and then on the main stage for the business session Tuesday morning. They were introduced by Walgreens CEO Greg Wasson, and former Defense Secretary Robert Gates spoke just after the team left the stage. The students, along with faculty representative and Enactus Sam Walton Fellow Cate Loes, were able to meet both of these leaders and many other top CEOs.
Students Learn About Front-Line Army Medicine, Operating Room
On April 18, the Belmont School of Nursing hosted the U.S. Army 2nd Medical Recruiting Battalion. The battalion travels across the southeast to educational institutions and venues to introduce students to careers in Army medicine. The focal point was the setup of a Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter (DRASH), a collapsible front-line operating room that was set up in the Inman Center lobby.
Inside the DRASH, active army medics gave tours and discussed their own deployment experience. “It was interesting to hear how they can set it up so quickly,” said student Ryan Shelquist. “The surgeries and the amount of equipment and the ability to stabilize and prep a patient are really impressive.”
Over the course of the day, more than 100 interested students stopped by to learn more about the tent and potential careers in army medicine. Informational material was made available, along with the option to sign up online for additional information.
Nurses and nursing students also had the opportunity to attend a one-hour continuing education (CE) course titled “Ulcer Prevention and Staging.” The course was taught by CPT Melanie Bowman, who graduated from Belmont’s nursing program in 2005. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Margaret Wilmoth, who served as the assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, also helped lead the CE course. Students also had the chance to talk with Bowman and Wilmoth one-on-one. “This is a great opportunity for [students],” said Martha Buckner, director of Belmont’s undergraduate nursing program.
Memorial Foundation Awards Belmont $300,000 for Simulation Fellowship, Upgrades
The Memorial Foundation has awarded Belmont University $300,000 to upgrade high-fidelity simulation equipment, support interprofessional training in the College of Health Sciences & Nursing and fund a post-graduate Healthcare Simulation Fellowship. Belmont has appointed Dr. Gwenn Randall as the college’s first fellow.
“We are grateful to the Memorial Foundation for this generous gift that will enable us to markedly increase the impact of our clinical simulation program. In addition to creating exciting new clinical experiences for both students and community providers, with this funding we will create new ways of educating future leaders in this emerging field,” said College of Health Sciences & Nursing Dean Cathy R. Taylor.
The University’s advanced patient simulators allow students to experience the health care profession’s daily challenges in a controlled environment. Computerized mannequins exhibit real patient symptoms and respond accordingly to treatment provided by caregivers, based on programmed scenarios. The use of simulation allows individuals preparing for health care professions to practice treatments and learn technique through simulation before treating actual patients. The University used a portion of the Memorial Foundation grant to purchase a highly specialized obstetrical mannequin that will be used to train nursing students and community partners to respond to high risk obstetric emergencies.
“A program in health care professional training in simulation meets a need in the industry, appeals to professionals who want a unique and growing career and is attractive to teaching institutions who want to become involved or expand simulation,” said Dr. Beth Hallmark, director of simulation.
Student Affairs Presents Leadership Awards
The Division of Student Affairs held its Twelfth Annual Student Leadership Reception and Awards Ceremony last week, honoring students and faculty who enhanced campus life throughout the year through their service and leadership.
The Bruin Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Division of Student Affairs to student leaders, is given to students who exemplified the University’s Community Commitments of personal integrity, individual worth, critical thinking, self control and community responsibility on and off campus. Recipients also displayed consistent involvement in campus life, outstanding service to the Belmont community and significant participation in campus leadership. Bruin Awards were presented to nine students: senior Levi Gordon, junior Charlie Dankert, senior Anna Matlock, senior Daniel Warner, senior Sami Hodge, junior Sarah Currey, senior Megan Lamb, senior Robert Wallace and junior JJ Mann.
In addition to the Bruin Award, Student Affairs also presents an annual Tower Award to a faculty or staff member who has enhanced the campus life experience by being “exceptional at engaging and educating students.” The 2013 Tower Award was presented to Associate Professor of Management/Healthcare Administration Dr. Charles Wainright.
Finally, the Emerging Leader Award recognizes freshman and sophomore students who have begun to make significant contributions within their organizations and/or communities and have demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing service. It was announced at the April 16 ceremony that this award is being named after Associate Provost and Dean of Students Dr. Andrew Johnston, “an individual that has spent his entire professional career investing in the lives of college students.” The first recipients of the Dr. Andrew Johnston Emerging Student Leader Awards were freshman Danny Zydel and sophomore MacKenzie Wilson.
Scholarship and Awards Day Honors Achievements, Highlights Belmont Mission
While the annual Scholarship and Awards Day convocation always represents a highlight of the year, Wednesday morning’s celebration offered something special. This year-end celebration of academic achievement also demonstrated a son’s love and respect for his father, leaving few dry eyes in the Massey Performing Arts Center.
After receiving the John Williams Heart of Belmont Award, graduating senior Rami Nofal pulled Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher aside and asked to do a presentation of his own. Nofal then asked his father to join him on stage as he publicly thanked him for the support and sacrifices that were making his graduation possible.
Another highlight of the morning’s celebration came when Dr. Rich Tiner, recipient of the 2012-13 Chaney Distinguished Professor Award, gave the Honors Address on the theme “Defining Moments.” Recalling the Apostle Paul’s charge in Philippians 3:14 to “press on to reach the end of the race ,” Tiner added, “This morning we recognize excellence and we should… But I encourage you to be defined not by the moment of recognition, but by your ongoing pursuit of excellence.”
Throughout the morning, all in attendance were also reminded of the ways in which the university is living out its Christian mission. For example, several award recipients were involved in projects at Belmont that have significant connections to local and international ministries, from work with Spring Back Recycling to Blood:Water Mission to Salama Urban Ministries.
Men’s Basketball Sweeps TSWA Awards
Belmont University men’s basketball senior Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) and head coach Rick Byrd recently were honored by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA).
Clark was named TSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and Byrd was named TSWA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year. This marks the first time a Belmont player has been named TSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Read more.
Pharmacy Professionals, Students Gather at Roundtable
Twelve local, clinical pharmacists and pharmacy residents spoke to Belmont students during a roundtable discussion April 15 in the Massey Boardroom.
Students enrolled in the College of Pharmacy’s Ambulatory Care Pharmacy elective listened to professionals from health institutions, including Vanderbilt, Saint Thomas and the Veteran’s Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System shared their experiences in pharmacy practice.
Twenty pharmacy students rotated through the tables and were given the opportunity to ask questions to gain a better understanding of the role of ambulatory care pharmacists and the value of pharmacy residency training.
“I asked one participant ‘what is the best part about your job working in a pain clinic?’ She said she liked working with a diverse patient population and having a real impact on patients’ lives. She never would have imagined working in a pain clinic, but she really loves it,” said Meghan Duquette, a second-year pharmacy student.
Millennial Author Highlights Generation’s Societal Contributions
Millennial writer, filmmaker and advocate David Burstein spoke to Belmont students, faculty and administrators about how current students in higher education are shaping society as well as how universities are lagging behind in catering to their needs during a Monday convocation lecture.
The term “millennial” is used to describe the more than 80 million people between ages 18 and 33, who grew up sheltered, pressured to achieve and technology savvy.
Millennials have been called entitled, narcissistic, “the worst employees in history,” “trophy kids” and even “the dumbest generation.” Burstein argues the Millennial Generation’s unique blend of civic idealism and savvy pragmatism, combined with their seamless ability to navigate the 21st century world, enables them to address the world’s long-term challenges.
His solution to the negative press surrounding the Millennial Generation is to promote positive generalizations. Some 49 percent of millennials consider themselves entrepreneurs or plan to start a business. Eighty-nine percent of millennials will switch brands based on how company values align with their morals, Burnstein said, which explains the increasing number of Fortune 500 companies with socially responsible business choices.
“It struck me that there is an importance of someone within this generation sharing the perspectives of this generation” Burnstein said. He traveled the country and conducted interviews with millennials for his newly released book, Fast Future: How the Millennial Generation is Shaping Our World, which examines how the Millennial Generation is impacting politics, business, technology and culture. “We’re not monolithic. We don’t all think the same things and act the same way, but we break things down into generations to see how things are changing in the way people behave.”
He also emphasized the Millennial Generation is the first to have lower salaries than its parents. Car and home ownership, marriage and birth rates are all down within this age group, Burnstein said, because millennials are focused on establishing love, partnerships and relationships within their communities.
“They are focused on living lives of purpose and meaning rather than living a life to exploit as much money as humanly possible,” he said.
Still universities are having a difficult time reaching their Millennial Generation students. For instance, many professors order students to power down laptops and cell phones and assume students are not listening if they are clicking away during class. Instead, Burnstein said professors should use the electronics to engage students through Twitter feeds projected on the wall during class and chat rooms to further the course discussion and draw questions from lectures. He also encouraged faculty to assign “unstructured projects that force (students) to interface with the real world.”
