Virginia Lamothe, Adjunct Professor in the School of Music, had a paper accepted for presentation at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Musicological Society, which will be held in San Francisco from November 10-13. Her paper, “The Cardinal-Patron as Saint: Opera and the Oratory in Seventeenth-Century Rome,” was one of 196 papers chosen from a field of more than 700 entries.
School of Pharmacy Class of 2013 Hosts Easter Egg Hunt for Renewal House
On Saturday, April 16, members of the School of Pharmacy Class of 2013 hosted an Easter Egg Hunt and additional activities for children living at Renewal House.
This is one of several Class of 2013 service activities held for Renewal House this year. Earlier in the spring, the class collected household and cleaning items to assist families at the facility. In addition, members of the Class of 2013 have spent time painting apartments for families at Renewal House.
Renewal House is a community where women undergo comprehensive treatment for addiction. Not only does the professional staff at Renewal House serve women battling this disease, but they foster healing, resiliency and educational enhancement for all members of the patient’s family.
Physical Therapy Students Present Research in New Orleans
Current third year physical therapy students Sarah Jo Lyons Bouton, Betsy Codington, Larry Pemberton and Daniel Rogers presented a poster of their research at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting in New Orleans recently. Their research project, “An Assessment of Satisfaction and Functional Outcomes of Wheelchair/Seating Systems,” was completed in conjunction with Penny Powers, PT, M.S., ATP, at the Vanderbilt Seating and Mobility Clinic. Renee Brown, PT, Ph.D., was the faculty adviser and Barbara Ward in Mathematics and Computer Science also assisted with the project.
In addition, four physical therapy graduates- Matt Cabbage, PT, Ann Howard, PT, Renee Ohendalski Blalock, PT, and Rachel Rooks, PT- had their student research project presented as a platform presentation at the meeting. Their project, titled “Evidence-based Development and Evaluation of Educational Information for Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Families,” was in conjunction with Dr. Ann Marie Flores of the Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Oncology Department and examined the educational needs of breast cancer survivors. Their research ultimately resulted in the publication of a patient education booklet for breast cancer survivors and their families. The students’ research adviser on this project was Renee Brown, PT, Ph.D.
Belmont and Beyond Finale Invites Students to Explore Courage and Character
Integrity fanatic Nancy Reece spoke to students on April 18 at the Belmont and Beyond Finale event, “Live the Life You Imagine.” Reece is passionate about helping people know the right thing to do and then doing the right thing. At the event, she talked about the three C’s – Competence, Character and Courage. Reece told students to put themselves second and help others first. She provided a thought-provoking and interactive session and helped students explore insights on courage and character. Reece challenged students to lay a foundation for success in their personal and professional lives.
Belmont and Beyond produces co-curricular programming designed specifically to assist students in transitioning to life after Belmont.
Business Students Win Big at International Competition
Belmont had its best year ever at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference. Twenty-eight Belmont business students competed in the international competition hosted by DECA, April 13-16 in Orlando. Of the 28 Belmont participants, 20 reached the finals in their respective events.
With nearly 1,500 students in attendance, Belmont students won numerous awards in the following categories:
Entrepreneurial Business Plan: Tim Smith won 1st place, and Jake Jorgovan won 3rd place.
Entrepreneurial Challenge: Jerell Harris, Areej Rabie and Josh Gilreth won 2nd place. Kathleen Bond, Matt Madden and Lindsay Ricker won 3rd place, and Mandy Thompson, Hillary Unis and Jenna Owen also finished in the top 10.
Sales Management: Jerrell Harris won 2nd place.
Restaurant Management: Clark Buckner won 2nd place for the second year in a row. Max Magura finished in the top 10, and Julia Cecere was a national finalist.
Business Ethics: Lindsay Ricker and Kathleen Bond finished in the top 10, and Aubree Phillips and Charles Williams were national finalists.
Retail Management: Hillary Unis was a national finalist.
This is the third consecutive year Belmont placed first in the Entrepreneurship Business Plan category and won second place in the Entrepreneurial Challenge.
Collegiate DECA is the college division of DECA, Inc. More than 1,400 students from 230 college campuses participate in the organization. Collegiate DECA enhances the student’s college experience by providing recognition and leadership activities directly related to academic study.
Belmont, Watkins Announce Academic Partnership
Officials at Belmont University and Watkins College of Art, Design & Film recently signed an agreement that benefits students at both institutions as well as the arts community in Nashville and beyond.
Through this agreement, which became effective this semester, Belmont will broaden opportunities for its students by allowing them to pursue a minor in film through the Film School at Watkins. Additionally, students in the Belmont Honors Program may take supplemental courses at Watkins. Watkins will broaden opportunities for its students by offering them the chance to take courses in Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Per this agreement, Watkins students may also pursue more diverse course offerings though Belmont’s Department of General Education. Watkins students may use these courses as free electives or courses for specific substitution.
According to Ellen Meyer, president of Watkins College of Art, Design & Film, “With the role that both institutions play in Nashville’s creative culture, this is a natural partnership that further integrates Watkins’ leadership and resources in art, design and film into Nashville’s broader creative community. Given Belmont’s leadership in music and entertainment, as well as its broad general education program, this is a great opportunity to build upon the strengths and resources of both institutions to benefit students, expanding upon the natural connection between the visual and performing arts.”
Belmont Provost Dr. Thomas Burns added, ““Belmont is pleased to be able to formally collaborate with Watkins College of Art, Design, & Film through this agreement. With this partnership we not only create unique opportunities for students at both of our institutions, but we also hope to foster novel academic, cultural and creative collaborations through our shared commitment to students and to Nashville.”
Cooper Receives AT&T Advertising Solutions Scholarship in Public Relations
Belmont University junior Hope Cooper was named at the College of Arts and Sciences Award Ceremony on Monday as the fifth recipient of the AT&T Advertising Solutions Scholarship in Public Relations (formerly known as the AT&T Real Yellow Pages Scholarship in Public Relations). AT&T Advertising Solutions is supporting Belmont University’s public relations program with a five-year scholarship commitment, with the inaugural award given in 2007. The $2,500 prize is presented annually each spring to the public relations major who demonstrates academic excellence, campus service and professionalism. Applicants must also write an essay that effectively responds to the question, “What role should public relations play in corporate social responsibility?”
Susan Barnes, instructor of media studies, said, “If you were to paint a picture of the perfect Belmont student, it would be Hope Cooper. She lives her faith every day through her hard work, her dedication to her studies and her many friendships. She’s a delight, and has such a great future ahead of her. She so deserves this honor.”
A public relations major and early childhood education minor, Cooper is an active leader on Belmont’s campus. She is currently the philanthropy coordinator for Alpha Gamma Delta and is planning their first Gathering on the Green event. Cooper also serves as chapter president for the Student Tennessee Education Association, a Tower Team leader, a member of Belmont Buddies, a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, a member of Order of Omega, a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society and a Bruin Recruiter.
“I am honored to be selected for this scholarship and couldn’t be more excited to be the recipient, Cooper said. “Belmont has been more than generous throughout my college experience, and this is just another example of how helpful the university and individual departments are in the lives of their students. My professors’ involvement and interest in my life never ceases to amaze me, and I couldn’t be more thankful to be a part of such a welcoming, loving, engaging community.”
Belmont Honors Students, Faculty at Annual Scholarship and Awards Day
Belmont University recognized students and faculty at Wednesday’s annual Scholarship and Awards Day ceremony in the Massey Performing Arts Center. Click here for a photo gallery of the event. Students honored in the ceremony included:
Jacqueline Rachel Wilson, Amanda Knox and Eric Glenn – The Williams-Murray First Year Writing Awards
Jesse Johnson and Dylan March – The Alfred Leland Crabb Awards
Matthew Lefavor, Brian York, Bethany Somma and Nathan Stabenfeldt – The Stacy Awalt Writing Awards
Emily Hastings – The Annette Sisson First Year Writing Award
Felicia Black – The Lumos Travel Award
Hannah DeLap – The John Williams Heart of Belmont Award
Sarah McClellan Currey – The First Year Award, Leadership
Susan Caroline Bay – The Second Year Award, Leadership
Hope Allison Cooper – The Third Year Award, Leadership
Amy Kathleen Dunning – The Fourth Year Award, Leadership
In addition to student award winners, Dr. Jennifer Thomas, associate professor of biology, was named the 2011 Chaney Distinguished Professor. The Chaney Distinguished Professor Award, determined on the basis of superior teaching, is presented each year to a faculty member who best represents the vision of the university to be a “premier teaching institution.”
“It is amazing to be recognized by my students and colleagues in this way,” said Dr. Thomas. “There is nothing better than having the people you care about, work with and work for affirm and rejoice in what you have chosen to do with your life. I am grateful, humbled and downright giddy.”
Dr. Vaughn May, chair of the political science department, was awarded the 2011 Presidential Faculty Achievement Award. The Presidential Faculty Achievement Award is presented each year to a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to student life outside the classroom. The award honors and recognizes excellence in faculty-student relationships, special abilities in meeting student needs – academic, personal and professional – and symbolizes Belmont University’s commitment to being a student-centered institution.
“I am extraordinarily flattered that my students nominated me for this honor. I am blessed to work at a remarkable university, and I hope that I can continue to contribute in positive ways to the lives of my students,” Dr. May said.
Belmont Students Win Inaugural 2011 Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition
The student team from Belmont University won the Grand Prize for the first ever “Values & Ventures Business Plan Competition” held April 15 at the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Entrepreneurship students Emily Hollingsworth and Emilie Lico and Finance and Accounting student Ayesha Ghaffar presented their business plan for Mattress Works – a mattress recycling venture created to provide employment opportunities for local homeless men while also diverting waste from landfills – to a panel of experienced new venture investors and consultants. The Belmont team impressed the five judges with their concept, presentation and business plan and was awarded $10,000 for the Grand Prize. They also were honored for Best Oral Presentation and Best Values-Based Concept.
Upon completing the intensive two day experience, Hollingsworth, a senior and the team’s leader, said, “The Values and Ventures competition was an amazing opportunity to share our entrepreneurial vision with other talented students. It was a blessing to see our business concept received so positively, and I came away with valuable feedback from the competitors and judges. This experience solidified my belief that values-centered business can be a force for positive change in my community.”
Dr. Mark Schenkel, assistant professor of entrepreneurship Belmont University, added, “It was an honor for our team to be invited to compete against an elite group of their undergraduate peers from some of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country at this inaugural event. The opportunity was a testament to the caliber of students, academic and extracurricular programming, and student entrepreneurial activity that exists on our campus. We are thrilled with the performance and very proud of what they accomplished with the development of this values-driven concept. ”
The Values and Ventures competition was designed to help student entrepreneurs recognize and live their own values when creating their enterprises, to champion their desire to do good while doing well. Over two days, teams presented their business plans to a world-class panel of entrepreneurs, investors and business consultants. These experts provided feedback on various venture aspects, including the assessment of feasibility, long-term sustainability and identification of potential funding and growth opportunities. In addition, participants garnered a rare opportunity to network among a robust group of experts that shared the goal of assuring sustainable prosperity while supporting the needs of company owners/shareholders, employees and their families, suppliers, customers, communities and the environment.
Belmont Students in Running for Red Bull’s Global Drumming Competition
Belmont University juniors Andrew Bellisle and Vinay Schroff, both percussionists and students in Belmont’s School of Music, are competing in the regional round of Red Bull’s Tum Tum Pa freestyle drumming competition after winning the first round on March 24.
At Nashville’s Café Coco, Bellisle and Schroff performed a cover of Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” and an original composition, using only office supplies and Red Bull cans as their instruments (click here to view video of their first round performance). Judges graded the competitors based on rhythm, creativity and audience response. After their spot-on cover, complete with Schroff blowing into a half-full can to create the song’s “Snoooooop” noise, the duo earned the highest score and made it to the second round.
With permission and support from many at Belmont, as well as the Nashville-area representative for Red Bull marketing, the two students filmed their official competition video in Belmont’s Hitch Science Building chemistry lab. Belmont’s Red Bull Student Representatives Kirk Slawek and Matt Shaw helped film the video, while Belmont student Kenny House recorded audio. Red Bull’s local marketing head, Lisa Gracey, is helping to promote the duo.
This video was recently added to Red Bull’s website, and voting is now open from April 25-May 2 to decide the winner of the Southeastern USA region (Click the link above, then choose Southeastern Conference and then click on the video by “Coffee and Cream” to cast your vote). The winner of this region, the other four USA regional champions and other participating countries’ winners will be flown to Rio de Janeiro , Brazil for the final round. Click here to view photos from the filming session.
