Belmont University is open today–Wednesday, January 26, 2011–and classes will proceed as scheduled. Because weather and road conditions can vary greatly within our region, students, faculty and staff are urged to use individual discretion when making the decision to travel to campus in snow or icy weather.
Belmont Students Learn about Economic Development in Guatemala
Led by Belmont College of Business faculty Dr. Marietta Velikova and Jose Gonzalez, a group of 15 students recently spent 11 days on a study abroad trip to Guatemala. This is the second year a group from Belmont has visited the area to learn about Fair Trade Coffee, entrepreneurship and economic development. Their experience included work with Limitless Horizons, a local NGO that supports youth education in the region of Chajul, and Asociacion Chajulense, one of Guatemala’s largest Fair Trade and organic coffee producer coop. The group also visited Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City, where they were able to explore the campus and listen to a lecture by Professor Monterroso on poverty in Latin America.
About the trip, Instructor of Entrepreneurship and Management Jose Gonzalez said, “This is a great opportunity for students to apply learning and get some international experience doing what so many at Belmont are passionate about, helping others. I’m thankful to be a part of what has proven to be such a rewarding learning experience for all.”
Belmont University and iPractice Group Partner in Employer in Residence Program
iPractice Group, a Nashville-based healthcare IT company, has announced a partnership with Belmont University for their Employer in Residence program. The company hopes that this relationship will help foster local young talent in the fields of IT, finance and marketing.
Lori LeBleu, director of career development for Belmont University’s College of Business Administration, said, “ The Employer in Residence program provides a win-win opportunity for both organizations: our students will gain real world experience and knowledge from a growing company in a key industry while the company will develop a pipeline of fresh talent.”
Dr. Yvonne Catino, vice president of human capital and organizational development for iPractice Group, said, “We are proud to be part of this new partnership with Belmont University. We have several objectives for the program, the main focus being to share our industry expertise with the faculty, staff and students. Our hope is to take a leadership role in raising awareness of the ‘up and coming’ healthcare careers that will be needed in the next 5-10 years. We are pleased to be the first company to partner with Belmont in this Employer in Residence initiative.”
Anderson Shares Lessons from ‘Empowerment Experiment’
As part of Belmont’s celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. week, Maggie Anderson, co-founder of the Empowerment Experiment, spoke to students at a convo on Wednesday. The Empowerment Experiment was Anderson’s attempt to “buy black” for one year, only supporting African American-owned businesses. On the Empowerment Experiment Web site, Anderson wrote, “Our goal is to trigger a smart movement where Americans of all backgrounds will unite to support quality minority businesses and ensure that the American Dream truly applies to all. In EE, we focus on uplifting Black businesses and empowering the Black community, as this community suffers disproportionately economically because it does not engage in self-help economics – like everyone else.”
At her lecture, Anderson described the obstacles facing the black community. African Americans have one-tenth the wealth of their white counterparts, a statistic that has not changed since Reconstruction. She said black communities are in shambles, partly because black-owned businesses are disappearing. African Americans represent 37 percent of the minority population, but only 30 percent of minority-owned businesses. Worst of all, black businesses only earn 13 percent of the money spent in minority-owned businesses.
“God gave me a moment, and it was in that moment that I learned that I don’t have the luxury of giving up on my people,” Anderson said. “Good intentions and spirited conversations weren’t going to cut it—we had to act.”
Anderson described the Empowerment Experiment as an “everyday movement.” The EE aimed to defy stereotypes about black businesses, counter unemployment and underdevelopment in black communities, set an example for future generations and showcase the power of a good idea. Anderson said, “We started EE to show this generation… that we have a duty to make things right—to end the neglect and the exploitation.”
As a result of the Empowerment Experiment, Anderson said African Americans who had previously given up hope and those who were “too good to buy black” have joined the movement. Anderson and her husband spent more than $90,000 with black businesses in 2009, and more than 90 percent of that money went directly into underserved black communities.
Anderson concluded her lecture by reading Belmont University’s mission statement, challenging students to change the world. “Just care about justice. Just believe in something and give a better legacy to future generations. It doesn’t take much to be a revolutionary,” she said. “Unless we all become everyday revolutionaries, these people—the people of North Nashville—will become a permanent underclass, and it will be our fault.”
Anderson has set up the EE Foundation to keep the movement alive with ongoing research, education, events and programs to promote self-help economics in minority communities.
Belmont Open Friday But No Classes Until 10 a.m.
Belmont University is open today–Friday, January 21, 2011–but no classes will be held prior to 10 a.m. All classes and events scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. or later are expected to proceed as scheduled. Because weather and road conditions can vary greatly within our region, students, faculty and staff are urged to use individual discretion when making the decision to travel to campus in snow or icy weather.
THURSDAY EVENING CLASSES CANCELLED
Evening classes (those beginning at 5 p.m. or later this evening) are cancelled tonight (Thursday, January 20, 2011) due to the weather conditions.
In addition, the MLK Week panel, “Racial and Ethnic Diversity at Nashville’s Universities,” that was scheduled for 6-8 p.m. tonight has also been cancelled.
Barnes Named to PRSA Universal Accreditation Board
Susan Barnes (Public Relations), APR, Fellow PRSA has been named to represent the Public Relations Society of America on the Universal Accreditation Board, which oversees professional accreditation in public relations for nine different public relations organizations and associations. The board develops and administers the accreditation examination for public relations professionals around the world. This is her second three-year term on the board.
Stewart Participates in Joint Mathematics Meeting
Sarah Ann Stewart (Mathematics) attended the 2011 Joint Mathematics Meeting in New Orleans Jan. 6-9. It is the largest annual mathematics meeting in the world. Stewart served on a panel titled “How to interview for a job in the Mathematical Sciences” and moderated the Open Forum for the Young Mathematicians Network. She also serves on the national Joint Committee on Employment in the Mathematical Sciences and attended meetings connected to the committee.
Miller Publishes Article
Andrew Miller (Mathematics) had an extended book review published in the January 2011 issue of the journal Numeracy. It is titled “Four Popular Books on Consumer Debt: A Context for Quantitative Literacy.” The article is available free online here.
Stamper Chairing SACS Committee
Jim Stamper (Education) will be chairing a SACS committee March 1-3 to Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia. Jim has served as committee member and chair for 40 SACS Committees for 35 years.
