Alumnus Ryan Snellen (’07) won the Predators Fangtastic 5K run on Feb. 12. He won in 2009, 2010 and again in 2011. On Saturday, he set the course record, 15:19, beating last year’s time of 16:07, and ’09 time of 15:51.
Belmont Chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau Celebrates Susan G. Komen
The Delta Eta chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau hosted its first annual week dedicated to the sorority and its local philanthropy Susan G. Komen. The sorority hosted a variety of events that were open for the entire campus, and the women raised more than $500 to donate to Susan G. Komen.
The week began with a convocation event with Stacey Parker-Nelson, the director of education at the Susan G. Komen greater Nashville affiliate, who spoke on behalf of the national philanthropy dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. Colleen Coffey, chapter advisor and advocate for mental health rights, spoke on Wednesday at another convocation event on behalf of the movement Love is Louder and Active Minds. Love is Louder is a movement dedicated to eradicating bullying in schools. Anyone can participate by writing Love is Louder on the palm of their hand and sending a picture to the website. The women also hosted a bake sale with multiple locations across campus and raised $282.69 to donate to Susan G. Komen.
The final events included a sponsored philanthropy night with McDougal’s restaurant, a “pink zone” at a Belmont women’s basketball game, where homage was paid to survivors and presentations were made to increase awareness. The week concluded with the sorority-sponsored pink tie ball.
Alpha Sigma Tau is a national panhellenic sorority whose purpose is to promote the ethical, cultural and social development of its members. The Belmont chapter currently has more than 80 active members and an active alumna chapter.
Linked Cohort Classes Running Marathon
Dr. Charmion Gustke of the English Department and students from her “Representations of Disease and Wellness,” a linked cohort course taught with Dr. Nick Bacon of the Sports Science Department, will be running in the Music City Marathon. Inspired by works such The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne and Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, they will each be running to raise money for an organization of their choice. Collectively, their goal is to raise $8,500.
STEA Students Bring Valentine’s Cheer to Ronald McDonald House
Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA) faculty advisor Rachael Flynn-Hopper, along with Rhonda McKay and Joy Kimmons (Education), student members of STEA, and department of education students and interns created handmade Valentine’s cards for the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House. Each card was unique and represents the focus on service to the community which the Department of Education strives to instill in their candidates.
English Club Writes Messages of Love for Valentine’s Fundraiser
On Feb. 14, the English Club held a fundraiser in the Beaman Student Life Center to begin promoting Family Literacy Day. For the second year English majors and minors, led by Callie Compton, spent the day writing custom-tailored Valentines and selling treats to the Belmont community.
Alumni Nominated for Dove Awards
Several Belmont alumni were nominated this week for Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. MIKESCHAIR, which consists of several Belmont graduates, was nominated in four categories: Group of the Year, Song of the Year for “Let the Waters Rise,” Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Straight to the Heart” and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Keep Changing the World.”
In addition, alumnus Sam Allen and his gospel group No Other Name were nominated for a Dove award as New Artist of the Year.
York and Dryden Named YMCA Volunteers of the Year
Assistant Professor of Management Stan York and Belmont SIFE partner Alec Dryden were named the YMCA of Middle Tennessee 2010 Volunteers of the Year. York and Dryden worked with Massey graduate students Justin Entzminger, Keith Smith and Shawn Sweeny to develop a comprehensive five-year strategic plan for Restore Ministries.
Restore Ministries, an organization within the Green Hills YMCA, works with people whose lives are in crisis because of addiction, emotional and lifestyle problems. Scott Real, Director of Real Ministries, said, “Lives will be impacted all over middle Tennessee and the world for years to come because of [York and Dryden]. We are forever grateful and appreciative of what you did for us.”
Alumnus Shares Dream of Barefoot Republic Camp
As part of the Homecoming 2011 celebration, Belmont alumnus Tommy Rhodes (’95) spoke on campus Wednesday about “Building God’s Community” and the purpose of his camp, Barefoot Republic.
Upon completing his undergraduate degrees at Belmont in biology and chemistry, Rhodes was accepted to Vanderbilt University’s Ph.D. program in biomedical science and was on the path to a successful career in research. However, during his third year of the program, he shared with his wife, Lane, that God had revealed that now was the time to pursue his real passion, creating a summer camp ministry.
“There are three things that I look back on that God does in all of our lives,” Rhodes explained. “He finds people, frees people and focuses people.”
Career Services Implements ‘Call to Serve’ Initiative
In February 2011, Belmont senior Carlin Lawroski and the Office of Career Services implemented the “Call to Serve” initiative on Belmont’s campus. Lawroski and Career Services will plan and offer programs to educate Belmont students about federal service. The Office of Career Services will promote internships and jobs with the federal government.
To accomplish these goals, the Partnership for Public Service–a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to revitalize the federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve–works with colleges and universities across the country to ensure that students are knowledgeable about opportunities in federal service. In addition, The Partnership for Public Service partners with federal agencies to develop innovative recruiting methods and effective hiring techniques to improve government’s capacity to build the workforce it needs.
Currently, the Call to Serve network consists of more than 720 schools and more than 75 federal agencies.
