Belmont School of Nursing is pleased to announce the 2010 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: New Careers in Nursing scholarship recipients. Ten students were recently selected to receive this award that will enable them to pursue a second degree in nursing. The New Careers in Nursing is a program designed to help alleviate the nursing shortage and increase the diversity of the nursing workforce. Through grants to schools of nursing, the program provides scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each to college graduates without nursing degrees who are enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate nursing program. Funding from the grant has resulted in increased student enrollment with the creation of a new spring cohort beginning in January 2010 and twice yearly admissions for the Belmont School of Nursing Accelerated Program. Award preference is given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Of the accelerated students beginning their program of study in January 2010, 23 percent are male, and 33 percent come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. In comparison, national nursing workforce data indicate that men comprise only 5.8 percent of the American nursing workforce and racial/ethnic minorities comprise only 10.7 percent. Grant funding will be used by schools to help leverage support for new faculty resources and provide mentoring and leadership development resources to ensure successful program completion by scholarship recipients.
School of Nursing Awards Foundation Scholarships
Byrne Encyclopedia Named ALA’s 2009 Booklist Editor’s Choice
Booklist, publication of the American Library Association, has named The Encyclopedia of Pestilence, Pandemics and Plagues, edited by Honors Program Professor Joe Byrne, an “Editor’s Choice” for 2009, noting “…notable for authoritative content on a topic of broad appeal, [it] is highly recommended.” This places it among the top 23 references works reviewed by Booklist this past year. Typically they review over 60,000 books and publish 8,000 reviews of recommended works; in 2009, only 185 were listed as “Editor’s Choice.” Byrne worked with associate editors from Yale, UCLA, Vanderbilt and Indiana University along with 100 authors from across the globe. These included Belmont Professors Devon Boan of the Honors Program, and biologists Nick Ragsdale and Steve Murphree. Contributing editorially were Honors students Beth and Becky Repasky, Sarah Bennett, and Beth Schriner. Byrne is currently writing The Encyclopedia of the Black Death for ABC-CLIO and a book in the seven-volume medical history series Health and Medicine in Daily Life, of which he is the editor for Greenwood Press.
Steve Ballmer Autographs Macbook Pro for Belmont Student
Twelve Belmont students attended breakfast with Microsoft Chairman Steve Ballmer last Wednesday–and one took home a unique memento of the experience. Sponsored by the Nashville Technology Council (NTC) and held on the campus of Trevecca University, the breakfast is an annual event, held as an opportunity for NTC members to find out the direction the organization is taking in the coming year, to network with other members and to hear from world class speakers. This year’s crowd of around 900 included attendees ranging from CEOs and CIOs to project managers and developers to educators and students.
Before his prepared remarks, Ballmer took time to shake hands with each of the students. Belmont sophomore Jordan Bennett took the opportunity to ask Ballmer to autograph an unusual keepsake–his Apple Macintosh Macbook Pro. Ballmer rose to the occasion, signing his name right over the top of the Apple logo. Above his signature, he added the comment, “Need a new one?” The moment was caught on video and is circulating on YouTube with over 350,000 views to date. Click here to watch the video.
Bennett plans to keep his signed Macintosh for a long time. “Along with my Belmont diploma, my ‘Steve Ballmer’ experience through the Nashville Technology Council will definitely be on my resume… I am very confident of my future and ability to get my foot in the door with Microsoft–a company that I intend to work for very soon. I’m also in the market for a new laptop. I’ll let you know which Steve comes through!”
Jellissen Book Review Published
Dr. Susan Jellissen, assistant professor of political science, recently had a book review published of Brian Jenkins’ Will Terrorists Go Nuclear?. The review appeared in Middle East Quarterly (Winter 2010, Vol. 17, No 1).
Math Faculty, Students Participate in Conference
Associate Professors of Math Andy Miller and Sarah Ann Stewart, along with students Alex Dalrymple and Luke Horsley, attended the national Joint Mathematics Meetings of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and The American Mathematical Society (AMS) in San Francisco, CA January 13-16. Alex and Luke presented a poster titled “Infectious Disease Modeling with Contact Networks” at the Undergraduate Poster Session. Miller presented a talk on “Service Learning in Support of Financial Literacy.” Stewart served on the panel “How to Interview for a Job in the Mathematical Sciences” and moderated the Open Forum of the Young Mathematicians Network.
Searcy Receives “Woman of Achievement” Honor
Tennessee State University will recognize Joyce Espy Searcy at their annual Women of Legend and Merit Awards on Thurs., March 18. Searcy, Belmont’s new Director of Community Relations, will be recognized for her work in the area of community service. The awards were established in conjunction with the TSU Women’s Center. To read an article in the Tennessean with the complete list of award recipients, click here.
Searcy will also give the commencement address at the Hi-Tech Institute on Fri., Jan. 29.
Michael W. Smith, Community of Artists Record Haiti Benefit Song at Belmont’s Ocean Way Studios
Studio donates time to aid in song to benefit relief efforts
Yesterday at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studios, multi-platinum, Grammy and Dove Award winning artist, Michael W. Smith gathered a who’s-who list from the music community to record “Come Together Now.” The song, penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan and produced by Bryan Lenox, was written to remind people of the need to help those in Haiti.
“The crisis in Haiti has left us all trying to figure out how we can help,” Smith said. “We wanted to create something that the community could support, for the greater good of those in Haiti. Everyone gave of their time: the studio was donated, the musicians donated their time and all proceeds from this song will go to designated charity/relief work
through The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse. It’s incredible to be part of something that is going to help
so many people.”
Pat McMakin, Ocean Way’s director of operations, said, “Besides being an educational and commercial facility, it is Belmont’s intention to use Ocean Way Nashville to reach into the community by providing it as a resource for projects of this nature. Additionally, we regularly host events for AES, NARAS, Leadership Music, local and regional schools, and many other organizations that are music/recording education related. When we were approached to work with Michael W. Smith on this project, I felt it was not only the right thing to do, but consistent with Belmont’s values which include service and collaboration.”
In addition to lending their voices in song, several artists also recorded public service announcements for The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse for use in upcoming months.
Contributing artists included Aaron Shust, Alathea, Amber Hezlep, Anthony Moreino, Anthony Skinner, Ashley Cleveland, Austins Bridge, B. Reith, Brady Toops, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole, Byron Chambers, Calvin Nowell, Charmaine, Chris McClarney, Chris Sligh, Chuck Girard, Dana Jorgensen, Darwin Hobbs, David Mullen, Don Poythress, Donovan Tea, Dorothy Savage, Duane Allen, Echoing Angels, Everlife, Francesca Battistelli, Greg Jennings, Hillary McBride, Jaime Jamgochian, Jared Anderson, Jasmine Sagginario, Jason Baird, Jason Dunn, Jimmie Allen, Jody Davis, John Ford Coley, John Schlitt, Joseph Martino, Julia Ross, Justin Rivers, Kate Lazar, Kate Schettler, The Katinas, Kevin Max, Kirk Sullivan, Lara Landon, Lanae Hale, Lannie Anderson, Lee Greenwood, Mandisa, Manic Drive, Margaret Becker, Mark Hall and Megan Garrett of Casting Crowns, Matt Dowley, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Melinda Doolittle, Meredith Andrews, Michael Cavallo, Michael Olson, Michael Tait, Michael Tash, MIKESCHAIR, Mike Weaver, Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen, The Oak Ridge Boys, Paige Armstrong, Phil Stacey, Point of Grace, PureNRG, Rachael Lampa, Rachel B. James, Reco Hight, Restless Heart, Ruben Mundo, Russ Mohr, Sarah Ross, Sarah Sadler, Selah, Shannon Cochran, Shawn Cavallo, Stephanie Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Terrence James, TobyMac, Tommy Coomes, Travis Cottrell, Trey Heffinger, Wynonna, and Yellow Cavalier.
The song will be made available for sale soon, with all proceeds going to benefit relief efforts to Haiti. More details
on the song’s release date are forthcoming.
New Student-Run Candy Business Opens on Campus
Center for Entrepreneurship assists in Buzzy’s grand opening
Belmont’s Center for Entrepreneurship and sweets lovers everywhere celebrated today the grand opening of Buzzy’s candy shop, a new student-operated business on Belmont Blvd. Located in the Curb Event Center across from Bongo Java, Buzzy’s Candy will sell gummis, chocolates, old fashioned candy, popular wrapped candies and jelly beans. The students behind the Buzzy’s venture are Areej Rabie, a finance and entrepreneurship major, entrepreneurship major Julia Cecere and marketing major Mandy Strader, all of whom were smiling from ear to ear at the long line of customers inside their store for opening day.
“The story of Buzzy’s is a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit of the students coming to Belmont,” said Dr. Jeff Cornwall, Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship at Belmont University. “The proposal for Buzzy’s was developed and pitched by a freshman, and the start-up team includes another freshman and a sophomore. Like so many of our students, they came here not only ready to learn in the classroom, but ready to get their hands dirty and learn through experience.”
Three student-run businesses–Boulevard Studios, Buzzy’s and Feedback Clothing Co.–are currently operating in the Curb Event Center space which has been set aside by Belmont University. This program gives students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in operating a small business. When a space in the Curb Center opens, a Call for Proposals goes out to students across Belmont’s campus. Students submit plans to the faculty and staff of the Center for Entrepreneurship, and those selected are interviewed. Selections are made based on viability, sustainability, research and fit for the university. Click here for photos from the Buzzy’s Grand Opening.
Sociologist Shares Perspective on Modern Manhood
Renowned sociologist and bestselling author Dr. Michael Kimmel (The Gendered Society, Manhood in America) spoke at Belmont today on “Mars and Venus, or Planet Earth: Women and Men in a New Millennium” as part of the Living Sociology Speaker Series.
Kimmel opened his talk by describing that the biggest changes seen in men in the past 50-plus years aren’t really “changes” at all. Rather, due to the countless ways women’s lives have changed, the perspective on men has changed. For example, as schools and workplaces have become gender-integrated, women have come to expect more from men. Most women and men expect to have full-time employment after college which raises issues of work/life balance since, historically, women have done the “second shift” (i.e., been primary childcare providers, homemakers). As women do more outside the home, men must do more inside the home to make help create that balance.
“My father went to an all male college, served in an all male military and worked in an all male office,” Kimmel said. “That world has changed.”
Although men’s and women’s lives have changed dramatically in the last 50 years, according to Kimmel, the model for masculinity has not. Men are expected to abide by the same four rules of masculinity that were evident in the 1950s, as noted by social scientists Deborah David and Robert Brannon: No sissy stuff, be a big wheel (manhood being measured by the size of a paycheck), be a sturdy oak (be reliable but emotionless) and “give ’em hell” (be daring).
Kimmel emphasized that by creating more equality between women and men–in schools, in workplaces and in families–both genders will benefit and be able to live fuller, happier and healthier lives.
Belmont ‘Tops Out’ New Residence Hall
Structure to put freshman students in heart of campus
Belmont University held a topping out ceremony today for a new 103,000 square foot residence hall in the center of campus. The as-yet-unnamed six-story building will provide housing for approximately 400 freshmen when it is completed this summer, prior to the start of the fall 2010 semester. The new residence hall will be connected via an underground tunnel to Maple Hall, another freshman residence which opened last year. All of the new residential space is needed to accommodate Belmont’s rapidly growing enrollment which has increased by more than 80 percent since 2000. In addition to offering more housing space, the new facility will provide a unique living-learning community lifestyle by putting all first-year students in the heart of campus.
“Belmont University continues to grow at a remarkable rate,” Fisher said. “It’s important that Belmont remains student-centered, placing our students’ needs first even as we experience significant enrollment increases. This new residence facility guarantees that Belmont will provide a unique and innovative space to welcome incoming classes into the heart of campus.”
Belmont’s enrollment has increased by more than 80 percent since 2000, with the fall 2009 enrollment topping 5,400 students. The structure will complete the university’s vision to house all first-time students in the center of Belmont’s 75-acre campus. The close proximity to one another and to all academic buildings will provide an ideal learning community for incoming freshman classes. In fact, the new structure will include classroom space on the bottom level to accommodate First Year Seminar courses.
Provost Dr. Marcia McDonald added, “Creating a community for our freshmen at the core of campus will enable us to enhance our living-learning experiences. We anticipate opportunities for extended student-faculty dialogues and exchanges around our innovative First Year Seminars, most of which will be taught in classrooms in these residence halls.”
Nashville-based architect Earl Swensson Associates—the same company that designed Belmont’s Curb Event Center and the Gordon E. Inman Center—is overseeing building plans. R.C. Mathews is the contractor on the year-long project.
