Fiesta Belmont, Nashville’s Latin Music Street Fair, returns Sat., May 9 for its fifth annual celebration of Latin culture. Sponsored by Belmont University, the street fair features a day-long schedule of continuous Latin music performances, Latin food vendors, kids’ activities and folkloric Latin dance groups. Admission to the event, which runs from noon-7 p.m. on the Belmont University campus, is free.
Ebony Cosby, student event coordinator, said, “We believe this festival provides a positive showcase for culture and interaction within the community. This event has become a class project, and we are proud to be a part of this.”
The event features family and local business vendors who will be supplying Columbian, South American, Caribbean and Hispanic food for this fifth annual event. Entertainment includes traditional folkloric dancers, along with a wide variety of Latin music such as mariachi, conjunto/cumbias and salsa from Nashville’s top professional Latin bands. Admission and parking to this family-friendly event are free, and kids’ activities—such as piñatas, face painting, bubble activity and inflatable slides—are also provided at no extra charge.
Belmont faculty member Dr. David Herrera, who also serves as Fiesta Belmont event director, said, “This event celebrates the growing diversity that is becoming Nashville. It mirrors the authentic Street Fairs of my childhood in New Mexico, showcasing music and incredible food. I am proud that Belmont provides this showcase for local culture, food and interaction within the community.”
Net profits from the event will benefit the YMCA Hispanic Achievers Program—a program that assists local youth and parents through mentorship and educational programs. For more information, visit www.latinstreetfair.com or contact David Herrera at (615) 460-6908 or at herrerad@mail.belmont.edu .
Fiesta Belmont Returns for Fifth Annual Latin Culture Celebration
Lake’s Novel Selected as Baylor Common Book
Dr. Joy Jordan Lake, adjunct professor and wife of Vice President of Spiritual Development Todd Lake, recently had her debut novel, Blue Hole Back Home, selected as the 2009 Common Book for Baylor University. The Common Reading is designed for all freshman and transfer students at Baylor University to engage new students in discussion about an important theme or idea with fellow classmates, upper-class students and faculty.
Greenberg Named A-Sun Track Athlete of the Week
The Belmont men’s track and field team closed out the month of April with a successful stop at the Western Kentucky Hilltopper Invitational led by shot putter Pierce Greenberg’s second place finish. His throw earns him Athlete of the Week, the conference announced Wednesday. The sophomore notched a second-place finish in the shot put with a team-high distance of 13.84 m. The Raleigh, N.C., native (Cardinal Gibbons HS) topped his season best, set 13.46 meters at the Austin Peay Spring Fling, and now ranks fourth in conference standings. Greenberg also finished in sixth place in the hammer throw with a mark of 37.22m.
Hobson Presents at Johns Hopkins
Dr. Eric Hobson, associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Pharmacy, recently presented at Johns Hopkins Hospital Grand Rounds on the topic “The Art of Patient Care: Developing Practitioners’ Maturity, Perspective and Wisdom.”
University Honors Students, Faculty at Annual Scholarship and Awards Day
Belmont University recognized students and faculty at Monday’s annual Scholarship and Awards Day ceremony. Students honored in the ceremony included:
Chelsea E. Johnson, Tripper Ryder – The Williams-Murray First Year Writing Awards
Meg Tully, Andrew Cole – The Alfred Leland Crabb Awards
Ben Bryan, Dominique Roy, Keith Johnson – The Stacy Awalt Writing Awards
Megan DeVries- The Annette Sisson First Year Seminar Writing Award
Rachel D. Harlow – The John Williams Heart of Belmont Award
John P. Karvonen – The First Year Award, Leadership
Sarah Elizabeth Norton – The Second Year Award, Leadership
Henry L. Carter – The Third Year Award, Leadership
Melanie Kaye Bengtson- The Fourth Year Award, Leadership
Retiring faculty members Dr. Corinne Dale, Dr. Betsy Hay and Dr. Paul Godwin were also recognized for multiple years of service to Belmont. In addition, nominees were recognized for the Chaney Distinguished Professor Award (Marjorie Halbert, Dr. Lorriana Scholten and Dr. Jennifer Thomas) and for the Presidential Faculty Achievement Award (Dr. Leslie Folds, Dr. Linda Jones, Dr. Vaughn May, Dr. Maggie Monteverde and Linda Quigley).
Belmont Literary Journal Releases New Edition
The 2009 edition of the Belmont Literary Journal was launched on April 21 during a Celebration featuring readings by some of the contributors. The occasion also recognized the achievements of the editors (Mary Gray, Abby Barnhart, Kelda Williamson, Michele Waddell, Erica Scoggins and Kendil Brooks) and of staff members who worked in planning, publicity, selection and production.
BLJ is entirely student-produced and showcases the talent of Belmont students, from across the campus, in creative writing and visual art. A limited number of copies are available for sale; if interested, please be in touch with Dr. Sandra Hutchins, Dept. of English, ext. 6389. Cover art, shown above, is by Erica Scoggins, art editor.
Wicke Receives NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
Belmont University men’s basketball senior Andy Wicke (Hendersonville, Tenn.) has been awarded a coveted educational grant through the NCAA postgraduate scholarship program. The 6-2 shooting guard was one of 58 student-athletes who participated in NCAA winter sports – men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s gymnastics, women’s ice hockey, women’s rifle, men’s skiing, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s indoor track and field and wrestling – selected as a 2008-09 Postgraduate Scholarship Award winner. Wicke was one of only two NCAA Division-I men’s basketball players chosen to receive a postgraduate scholarship, joining Brett Winkelman of North Dakota State University. Click here for more on this story.
School of Sciences Hosts Statewide Meeting
On April 18, the School of Sciences hosted the Tennessee Academy of Sciences Middle Collegiate Division Meeting for the second straight year. Dr. Nick Ragsdale, assistant professor of biology and the meeting coordinator, indicated that Belmont student participation had increased from 43 abstracts in 2008 to 55 abstracts in 2009. Students presented their work in topics ranging from geology to cancer biology. Out of eight sections, Belmont students won 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the Entomology, Animal & Cellular Behavior, Neuroscience, Immunology/Microbiology and Zoology/Geology sections. The School of Sciences will also host the 2010 Tennessee Academy of Sciences Middle Collegiate Division Meeting.
Selden Selected as IRTS Fellow
Junior journalism major Abby Selden, an honors student, was recently informed that she has been selected as a 2009 International Radio and Television Society (IRTS) Summer Fellow. During the program, which runs May 31-Aug.1, Selden will live in New York City and intern at at PBS Wide Angle, a program dedicated to international current affairs documentaries.
Dr. Sybril Bennett, associate professor of journalism and executive director of the New Century Journalism Program, said, “Abby has done everything she’s been asked to do and more. She knows how to tell a great story, shoot, edit and utilize various social and multimedia tools. This is an honor that is typically reserved for seniors. The fact that Abby has secured this as a junior speaks volumes about her work.”
Bennett Elected Vice-Chair of News Division at Broadcast Education Convention
Dr. Sybril Bennett was elected the Vice-Chair of the News Division at the annual Broadcast Education Association convention held in Las Vegas, April 21-25. In this role, Dr. Syb will be responsible for the panel submission and implementation process for the national conference for the 2009-10 academic year. In addition, she will become the Division Chair for 2010-11. During this year’s convention, she moderated two panels and served on another. One of the panels was an opportunity for Dr. Syb and other faculty to share their experiences as Fellows at the Disney/International Radio Television Society Digital Media Summit held in 2008. Another panel focused on teaching diversity in the classroom while the other was an opportunity for her to share multimedia teaching strategies and ways for faculty to get training on new technology.
Dr. Syb is also serving on the national conference planning committee for the Online News Association convention to be held in San Francisco in October, 2009.
