Robbie Pinter (English) has an essay included in a new book titled Hope: It’s More Than Wishful Thinking, edited by Amy Lyles Wilson and published by Fresh Air. The essay, “Learning from the Landscape,” explores connections to the transcendent through daily-life activities. The book can be found on Amazon.com.
Pinter Publishes Essay on Hope
Murray Presents at College English Association Meeting
Douglas Murray (English) presented a talk titled “Katherine Lee Bates’s ‘America the Beautiful’ and American Myths of Cosmogenesis” at the College English Association meeting in San Antonio, Texas on March 25.
Bright Places in Top 12 at the American Forensics Association National Tournament
Belmont freshman Nicole Bright placed in the top 12 in “After Dinner Speaking” at the American Forensics Association’s (AFA) National Tournament this past weekend. This is only the second time that Belmont has competed in the AFA tournament, the most rigorous and competitive tournament in collegiate forensics. Nicole was one of only two students from Tennessee to place. Belmont had six students qualify in 16 events for AFA. To qualify, students had to make finals at three separate tournaments with their three top awards totaling no more than eight (thus, having three 3rd place awards would add up to nine and would not qualify one to compete at the AFA tournament). Two coaches and four students traveled to Eau Claire, Wisconsin for the four-day tournament. Participants included Jason Stahl, director of forensics, Ryan Greenawalt, assistant coach, Nicole Bright, Eric Schoen, Bethany Miller and Kate Tully. According to Stahl, “Merely qualifying for the AFA national tournament is difficult. Placing in the top 12 of the 140 top national competitors is a huge accomplishment and a first for Belmont University.”
Stahl Named ‘New Coach of the Year’ by the American Forensics Association
Jason Stahl, Belmont’s Director of Forensics, was named “New Coach of the Year” by the American Forensics Association (AFA) this past weekend. Stahl was nominated by his colleagues in the forensics community and recognized with the award at the AFA National Tournament. The criteria for the award include leadership in innovations in forensics as well as the quality of forensic education. According to Mary Vaughn, chair of the Communication Studies Department, “Jason has taken Belmont’s Speech & Debate program to an entirely new level! We dominate state debate, we won the 2010 Christian Nationals tournament, and now we’re being recognized by the most prestigious collegiate forensics organization in the country. This is high praise for Jason and for Belmont!”
Hodges Hamilton Presents at Composition Conference
Amy Hodges Hamilton (English) presented at the Conference on College Composition and Communication in March. Her talk was titled “Mixing it Up: Merging Personal and Social Rhetoric through Service-Learning.” Hamilton also was a co-coordinator for the Special Interest Group on Creative Nonfiction.
Burgess, Gustke Participate in English Studies Symposium
On March 26, adjunct English instructors Wyeth Burgess and Charmion Gustke travelled to the English Studies Symposium “English 2.0: Discoveries and Recoveries” hosted by Tennessee Tech University. Dr. Burgess spoke on “Heroes, Hellions and Hags: Harnessing the Power of Celebrity in the Composition Classroom,” in a session titled “It’s All About the Students,” and Dr. Gustke’s paper, “’It is either me or the horse’: The Empire of the South in Edna Ferber’s Giant” was in the “Taboo”-themed session.
Belmont Students Present Research at Alpha Chi National Honor Society Super-Regional Convention
Eight students from Belmont University presented research papers at the Alpha Chi National Honor Society Convention at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, Ark., April 3-4. Faculty advisors Rachel Rigsby and Jonathan Thorndike also attended the convention. The annual Alpha Chi convention is organized around student presentations by juniors and seniors from their respective chapters. Convention attendees also visited the Clinton Presidential Center and the Heifer International World Headquarters.
Membership in Alpha Chi is the highest academic honor awarded by Belmont University. Its members are invited based on their academic standing in the top 10% of the junior and senior classes within any academic major. Belmont has had an active chapter of Alpha Chi for over 25 years. Dr. Sarah Ann Stewart (Mathematics) is the current sponsor, and Dr. Rachel Rigsby (Chemistry) is the assistant sponsor. Dr. Jonathan Thorndike is Region III Secretary-Treasurer. Alpha Chi Region III includes the colleges and universities with chapters in Alabama, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
The convention’s keynote speaker was Carlotta Walls Lanier, who made history in September 1957 when, at age 14, she became the youngest of nine students to integrate Little Rock Central High School. The students became known around the world as the “Little Rock Nine” and changed the face of American education forever. Conventioneers received a copy of Lanier’s book, A Mighty Long Way.
Belmont student presentations included:
– In the health sciences section, Julie Malkowski presented her research on “The Search for an End to Aging.”
– In the music section, Lindsay Thompson presented her research on “Music and the Brain.” She discussed what happens inside a listener’s head when he or she listens to music and how certain people are predisposed to be skilled at music due to brain information processing.
– Also in the music section, Allison Simmons discussed “Extending the Piano: Beyond the Black and White.”
– In anthropology and sociology, Amanda Danley presented research on “In Search of the Sacred Cosmos.” This senior thesis explores the contemporary application of Emile Durkheim’s sacred-profane dichotomy in a narrative context. Amanda’s research was based primarily on the theories of Durkheim and Peter Berger, as well as a case study she conducted on rituals within fraternal organizations.
– Also in anthropology and sociology, Jill Johnson discussed “The Death Penalty and Its Abolition Movement as Analyzed Through the Theories of Foucault and Durkheim.” Foucault approaches the death penalty as a manifestation of both power and knowledge being held by the elite. Durkheim, however, sees the death penalty as a function of society that improves social solidarity and reinforcement of the “conscience collective.”
– In the Business Section, Laura Haupt presented “A Man of Vision.”
– Also in the business section, Lauren Cooper discussed “A New Kind of Pirate.”
– In the religion section, Anny Knight presented her creative essay titled “I Found God in a Textbook.”
Al-Shamma Publishes Book on Sarah Ruhl
Jim Al-Shamma, adjunct professor of theatre, has published a book on Sarah Ruhl, titled Ruhl in an Hour, as part of Smith and Kraus’s new series, Playwrights in an Hour. Each volume provides an introduction to one of 27 playwrights. For more information about the book and series, please visit http://www.smithandkraus.com.
Belmont Alum Tom Eades Officiates National Championship Game
Belmont alumnus Tom Eades (’77) was one of three officials to call Monday night’s National Championship game between Duke and Butler. Eades, who served on an officiating crew with John Cahill and Ted Valentine, has now worked two Final Fours.
A native of Central City, Ky., Eades was a three-year letterwinner for Belmont Basketball from 1974-76, before electing not to play his senior season. Eades earned a degree in Business Administration from Belmont in 1977. Click here for more on this story.
Grant, Gill Provide ‘Insider’s View’ of Music, Faith, Family
One of the most well-known and influential couples in the music business visited Belmont University today to discuss their experiences within the industry as well as their thoughts on life, faith and artistry. Amy Grant and Vince Gill delighted a packed Massey Performing Arts Center with their conversation as part of the Curb College’s ongoing “Insider’s View” series, hosted by Harry Chapman. This event was co-sponsored by the Office of Spiritual Development.
Grant and Gill, who celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary in March, opened the morning discussing their Belmont connections. Grant’s first music demos, at age 17, were recorded at Belmont by then-student and current famed producer Brown Bannister. Those demos were then played for a Word Records music executive, leading to Grant’s first record contract. Gill’s connections, on the other hand, came through Belmont Athletics and his long-term friendship with men’s basketball coach Rick Byrd.
Most of the morning’s conversation, however, revolved around the couple’s thoughts on artistry and faith. “Amy and I had very different upbringings,” Gill said. “She played mostly in churches on Wednesday nights and Sundays, and I played mostly in the beer joints. Come to find out 35-40 years later that we were playing to the same people.”
Chapman asked the couple how they had managed such lengthy careers in the business. “Longevity is based on a lot of things, but it’s greatness that keeps people like James Taylor or Bonnie Raitt sticking around for 30 years. I know first hand that there are people parking my car who can play me under the table.”
Grant added that she and Gill both suspect they have already passed the peaks of their career, and that they often share a phrase that helps keep them grounded and focused: “Gracious on the way up, gracious on the way down.” She added, “When you love music, you just do it whenever you can… Music shouldn’t be exclusive.”
Gill said that at this point he’s not counting on sales or accolades to justify his career, but rather is pushing himself to make the best music he can and enjoy the process. “If you can let go of the results, you’ll find great peace in your music. Whether it sells 10 million copies or 10, none of the notes have changed. I’m willing to let music be in the moment.”
Gill and Grant each shared a song with the audience. Grant, whose new album Somewhere Down the Road released last week, offered “Find What You’re Looking For,” while Gill sang a song called “Red Words,” inspired by his wife’s strong faith.
Grant said, “I tell my kids that when you experience the Great Other reaching toward you, don’t miss the chance to respond. Years ago I realized that the best things in my life happened outside my plan. Maker of the Universe, feel free to inject your creativity into my plan.” Click here for more photos from the event. Click here to watch the event.
Amy Grant has sold more than 30 million albums and won six Grammy Awards as well as numerous Dove Awards. She has had 17 Top-40 hit songs as well as a string of Contemporary Christian hits. Vince Gill has sold more than 26 million albums and has earned 18 Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year twice. Gill is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has received 19 Grammys.
