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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CEMB Students Take SXSW Class for Credit

Paul Chenoweth
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15 upperclassmen set to travel to Austin March 13-18 for innovative experiential learning opportunity

Next week 15 Belmont University students will make their way to Austin, Texas for SXSW (also known as “South by Southwest”), the world’s leading music industry event. But this isn’t merely a unique Spring Break excursion. Rather, the students will be part of an experiential learning course offered by Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

“As an innovative college in the field of music business, Belmont University views SXSW as an opportunity for our students to use this preeminent industry conference as a giant classroom,” said Dan Keen, faculty advisor and instructor for the course. “Our goal is to equip our students attending the event with the tools, strategy and mindset to come away from the experience with ideas, concepts and inspiration that they can immediately apply to the realization of their career goals and dreams. Oh, and we hope they immerse themselves in some amazing new music as well!”

The one-credit hour course occurs during the SXSW music conference March 13-18. Students are required to complete a number of course objectives including identifying and networking with leading executives, acquiring knowledge of industry trends and new markets and discovering emerging artists. These objectives will be assessed via a presentation to faculty and reflection paper at the conclusion of the conference in addition to attendance and demonstrated knowledge of panels and showcases during the week-long experience.

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Belmont Senior Interns in Washington, D.C.

Paul Chenoweth
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Belmont senior Kelsey Lalman is working in public policy as she interns in Washington, D.C. for The Pilgrimage, a service learning hostel where she lives, and Bread for the World, a “Christian voice” working to change policies, programs and conditions to end hunger here and abroad.

Serving as the liaison between the organizations, Lalman works to enhance student service experiences with education and opportunities for advocacy. Many groups who serve with The Pilgrimage have the opportunity to get involved with Bread for the World as well as participate in discussions on education advocacy and how to serve those they’ve encountered in Washington, D.C.

Lalman, who is studying social work, was first introduced to Bread while leading an Immersion spring break trip in 2011 through Belmont’s University Ministries. After meeting the organization and understanding more about what she calls her “own personal political will and my personal and professional obligations to civic duties,” Lalman reached out for possible internship opportunities.

The partnership with Pilgrimage came from need; as she looked for cost-effective living opportunities, a colleague suggested the organization and an opportunity for partnership was born.

“I have learned that political will can and does create change. We have opinions about how our country, our states and our cities should be governed. Yet, we forget or ignore that we have the power, especially in numbers, to make those opinions reality,” Lalman said.

Former Belmont Students Contestants on NBC’s “The Voice”

Paul Chenoweth
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Belmont musicianship is well represented on NBC’s “The Voice” this season with four contestants having attended the University.

Nicolle Galyon (’06) and Katrina Parker (’00) are members of Adam Levine’s team. Former Belmont music business student Tony Vincent joined Cee Lo’s Green’s team. Belmont alumna Hailey Steele and her partner, Leland Grant, form “The Line,” and are one of two duos selected to advance to the second round this season.

In a blog post written by “The Line” on the show’s website, Steele says she and Parker call themselves “soul sisters.” Although they both lived in Nashville and graduated from Belmont, they did not meet until auditioning for the television show. They soon learned they shared their alma mater and lived in the same freshmen dorm. Click here to read more.

“The Voice” continues at 7 p.m. Central on Mondays with battle rounds. The episodes will feature team members of the same coach singing a duo in the battle ring. From the battle, the coach eliminates one.

To find out more about “The Voice” and read bios about the contestants click here.

Belmont Hosts 2012 Middle Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee

Paul Chenoweth
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The Middle Tennessee 2012 Regional Spelling Bee was held on the campus of Belmont University in the Trout Theatre on March 2. Middle school students from across Middle Tennessee competed in the single-elimination competition sponsored by Belmont’s New Centry Journalism Program and the law offices of Baker Donelson.

The competition featured 36 students, each either the winners or runners-up from county spelling bees, representing 27 Middle Tennessee schools.

Grace Park of Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School won the spelling bee after spelling “jimberjawed,” a projecting lower jaw. Park advances to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in late May. She also earned a $50 savings bond, a Webster’s dictionary and trophies for her school and herself.

Journalism faculty Dorren Robinson and Sybril Bennett as well as English instructor Sue Trout were judges. Public relations assistant professor Kevin Trowbridge served as pronouncer.

Speech and Debate Team Clinch State Championship, Receive Honors

Paul Chenoweth
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The Belmont University Speech and Debate team was crowned the state champion team at the Tennessee Intercollegiate Forensics Association (TIFA) state tournament, held Feb. 18-19 at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tenn. Overall, the team won first place in individual events, second place in debate, as well as being the top combined team in the state.

In other debate news, Eric Schoen was named as the District Six (southeast area of the United States) American Forensics Association (AFA) All-American representative. This is a tremendous honor for Schoen and a first of this kind of recognition for Belmont. The award is for seniors and requires accomplishments in three areas: forensic competition, academic achievement and community service. Eric will be recognized at the AFA national tournament in April. Teammate, Nicole Bright was named as the District Six AFA student representative and will serve as a liaison between students and coaches in the organization. These positions recognize the high caliber of students from the Speech and Debate team and also exemplifies that Belmont is truly making a name for itself amongst other national speech and debate programs.

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Best Buddies Spread the Word to End the ‘R-Word’

Paul Chenoweth
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The Belmont University Best Buddies chapter led by Education Associate Professor Sally Barton-Arwood hosted a convocation and banner signing event on Feb. 29 centered on the theme “Spread the Word to End the Word,” a national initiative to end the use of the “R-word.”

“Members of Belmont’s Best Buddies organization wish to encourage the Belmont campus community to take a stand and raise awareness of the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the words ‘retard’ or ‘retarded.’ These students want to encourage others to think before they speak and learn more about those with intellectual disabilities,” said Barton-Arwood.

During the convocation, Alecia Talbott, a parent of a 3-year-old child with down syndrome reminded students that people are more alike than different from those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Talbott was awarded the Best Buddies Champion of the Year by Best Buddies of Tennessee and spoke from a family perspective on the subject.

Mike Maguire, a Buddy in the Best Buddies Citizens Program and intern at the Best Buddies of Tennessee Office, also spoke about his life and how it makes him feel when he hears the “R-word.” Matt also encouraged the audience to take a pledge to remove the “R-word” from their vocabulary and show their support by signing a pledge banner.

The convo ended with a special beneficiary award, given to Education Professor James Stamper on behalf of the Belmont Best Buddies Chapter.

“Best Buddies recognizes that all people have worth, value, and ability.  That aligns with the way I’ve always tried to live my life, and I’ve enjoyed encouraging this worthwhile group whose mission I wholeheartedly support,” Stamper said.

Barton-Arwood said through the financial support of Stamper, the Belmont Best Buddies chapter was able to form two years ago to give Belmont students the opportunity to volunteer their time to develop one-to-one friendships with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Men’s Basketball Seniors Named Academic All-Conference

Paul Chenoweth
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Belmont men’s basketball seniors Drew Hanlen (St. Louis, Mo.), Mick Hedgepeth (Crossville, Ala.) and Scott Saunders (New Orleans, La.) have been named to the 2012 Atlantic Sun Academic All-Conference team.

Hanlen, who was named First Team All-Atlantic Sun Monday, has received Academic All-Conference honors four straight years. The St. Louis, Mo. native is the Atlantic Sun Conference active career leader in assists. He holds a 3.45 GPA in his chosen major of entrepreneurship.

Hedgepeth, also honored by the league for academic achievement four straight years, was named Second Team All-Atlantic Sun Monday. Among Belmont’s career leaders in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and field goal percentage, Hedgepeth is a two-time Capital One Academic All-District selection. He is also one of 10 finalists for the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for men’s basketball. Hedgepeth holds a 3.70 GPA in his chosen major of accounting.

Saunders, also a four-time A-Sun All-Academic honoree, has received numerous awards during his career. Twice named Capital One Academic All-American and Capital One Academic All-District, the New Orleans, La. native ranks among the Atlantic Sun Conference active career leaders in scoring and rebounding. Saunders holds a 3.84 GPA in his chosen majors of finance and marketing.

Justin Glenn of Lipscomb, Chalmers Rogers of USC Upstate and Adam Sollazzo of ETSU were also named to the Academic All-Conference team for men’s basketball.

The A-Sun introduced the new sport-by-sport Academic All-Conference teams this fall to recognize student-athletes who embody the conference’s mission of Building Winners for Life. All members of the team boast a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or better and participated in at least half of their team’s games.

Thomas Speaks on HPV Virus at Murray State

Paul Chenoweth
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Dr. Jennifer Thomas, associate professor of biology, recently gave an invited talk at Murray State University in Murray, Ky. as part of the school’s Department of Biological Sciences seminar series. Thomas’ talk was titled “From Warts to Cancer: Understanding the Biology of Human Papillomaviruses.” Thomas gave background information on HPV and described her most recent undergraduate research projects with her students at Belmont.

Former Archbishop Encourages Christian Growth

Paul Chenoweth
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George Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, challenged Belmont students to become more missionary-minded during a Wednesday morning chapel in the Neely Dining Hall.

Carey shared stories of his evangelical work in Susan, Nigeria and other countries. Christians in Western countries rarely have their faith challenged, are persecuted for attending church or have their home burned down as with believers in developing countries, he said. Missionary work would facilitate growth in Jesus Christ.

“The work of the church is to establish the kingdom of God in the hearts and minds of men and women, boys and girls. The challenge is to put backbone into our Christian lives and to have it pulsate in every aspect of our lives,” Carey said. “Children are our church of today and leaders of tomorrow.”

Following his lecture on World Christianity, Carey signed copies of his book, The Church in the Modest Place.

Queen Elizabeth II appointed Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1991. He promoted a “decade of evangelism” that coincided with the explosive growth of the Anglican Church in Africa and throughout the developing world. Upon his retirement in 2002, he was made a life peer and member of the House of Lords. He is the recipient of 12 honorary doctorates, author of 14 books, chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire and president of the London School of Theology.

Belmont and ASCAP Honor Alumnus Rusty Gaston with Music City Milestone Award

Paul Chenoweth
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Pictured (l-r) are ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel, Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan; honoree Rusty Gaston; and Belmont's Sarah Cates and Dan Keen.

Tuesday night Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and industry partner ASCAP honored alumnus Rusty Gaston (’98) as the first recipient of the Music City Milestone Award (MCMA), which celebrates Belmont’s connection to Music Row. The award recognizes a young Belmont graduate who has achieved truly superlative success in the entertainment & music industry.

Partner and general manager of This Music, Gaston was raised in Texas and moved to Nashville 16 years ago to pursue a career in the music industry and attend Belmont University. Gaston partnered with hit writers Tim Nichols (“Live Like You Were Dying”) and Connie Harrington (“Girls Lie Too”) to form This Music, a joint venture with Warner Chappell. In only a few years of operation he has built the company into a powerhouse. Today, Gaston is a passionate and committed music publisher who fills his time promoting the songs that his nine seasoned songwriters produce, including 14 award-winning songs and number one hits with artists such as Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Chris Young and Luke Bryan.

Belmont Instructor of Music Business and creative force behind the MCMA award, Dan Keen, said, “One of the most rewarding facets of nurturing young people is celebrating their growth and successes. Rusty Gaston was a stand out student in my music publishing class at Belmont and is already one of the most successful independent publishers on Music Row. He has a huge servant’s heart as well. He is the type of person that Belmont and ASCAP want to encourage students and young executives to emulate.”

“ASCAP is honored to be partnering with Belmont in inspiring students to achieve greatness in their careers. It is fitting that Rusty Gaston receives the very first Music City Milestone Award as he has been a trendsetter throughout his career. Everybody loves and respects Rusty and writers love writing for him.  They know him as a champion. Rusty is passionate about his songs—very passionate about his songwriters and music in general,” explains LeAnn Phelan, ASCAP senior creative director.

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