A Lutheran minister with a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, Rev. David Beckmann spoke on campus twice this past week, offering perspective on business and the poor as well as his life as a “missionary economist.” Beckmann will appear Fri., April 11 as a guest on “Bill Moyers Journal,” a weekly PBS program, to discuss how the 2002 U.S. Farm Bill impacts low-income families and poor farmers.
Rev. Beckmann, whose visit to Belmont was sponsored by the Office of Spiritual Development and the Center for Business Ethics, served for several years on the board of Bread for the World before becoming president of the organization in 1991. Bread for the World is a grass-roots, Christian citizens’ movement against hunger. Its 56,000 members and member churches urge the U.S. government to take actions to reduce hunger, both domestic and international. Rev. Beckmann is also president of Bread for the World Institute, which does research and education on hunger.
In Wednesday’s convocation lecture for students, Beckmann encouraged them to connect their faith and ethics to their future professions, whatever they might be. “You can go into business with a purpose, a moral purpose… If we think God is concerned about justice and poverty, then we need to weigh in on those issues.”
Beckmann Encourages Students to Connect Faith to Business
Jones Provides Keynote for ‘Belmont and Beyond’ Finale
Patrick Jones, MBA, and executive vice president and executive producer of Journey Productions, gave an inspirational talk to students in MPAC Thursday. Jones shared his personal journey with students and talked about how he found the “heart ” of his career when he produced the award-winning film, The Journey. The film follows four young adults as they search for the meaning of life.
Jones also reflected on his meetings with Mrs. Coretta Scott King and other famous political figures. He encouraged students to listen to themselves, make inspired choices and go where their hearts lead them. The “Belmont and Beyond” series, sponsored by Career Services, is offered as co-curricular programming that is designed specifically to assist students transitioning to life after Belmont.
Lind Awarded Research Grant
Dr. Joan Lind, an assistant professor of mathematics, has been teaching a topics course this semester devoted to an undergraduate research project in mathematics. Seven students have participated in this experience, and they presented their research at the regional Mathematical Association of America conference last month. Dr. Lind was recently awarded a grant from the Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics (CURM) at Brigham Young University (BYU). CURM is funded by BYU and a grant from the National Science Foundation. This grant will enable Dr. Lind to continue the undergraduate research project with her students. The CURM mini-grant awards the faculty member $5,000 for a course release. Also, two students, Sarah Claiborne and Cat Simpson, will each receive $2,000 for their year’s work.
Physics Students Celebrate Pi Day
Pi Day (π) was celebrated on March 14 by the Society of Physics Students (SPS) club with a fundraiser “πi a Professor.” SPS has a new chapter on the Belmont campus, and the students are helping raise money for this club. In the photo, Dr. Scott Hawley, the club’s faculty advisor, is in the center of the photo surrounded by Physics students.
Debate Team Hauls in Numerous Awards
The Belmont Debate team has nearly finished its 2007-2008 season, and with one national tournament left to attend, the season has been filled with awards. Most recently, the debate program was ranked 36th in the nation out of the 245 ranked teams, and in early March Belmont hosted the National Christian College Forensics Invitational (the national speech/debate tournament for Christian colleges). Specific awards from this tournament included:
DEBATE
George Shifflett/Renee Reyle: 2nd place overall debate team
Sarah Friederich: 6th place overall open debate speaker
Price Rainer: 14th overall open debate speaker
Wesley Rainer: 1st place overall speaker JV debate division
Caroline Tenenbaum: 11th place overall speaker JV debate division
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
Impromptu Speaking: Tabitha Metcalf (semi-finalist), Melanie Bengtson (4th place)
Faith Literature: Tabitha Metcalf (5th place)
Novice Faith Literature: Kelli Mehlhaf (5th place)
Extemporaneous Speaking: Price Rainer (2nd place), Melanie Bengtson (1st place)
Novice Extemporaneous Speaking: Wesley Rainer (5th place), Caroline Tenenbaum (4th place)
Persuasive Speaking: George Shifflett (2nd place)
Dramatic Interpretation: George Shifflett (3rd place)
O’Brien Scores Medal at MSU Spring Invitational
Sophomore Scott O’Brien (Brookings, S.D.) delivered the highlight of the spring golf season Tuesday, earning individual medalist honors as Belmont University men’s golf placed fifth at the MSU Spring Invitational. O’Brien entered Tuesday’s final round three strokes off the pace after carding rounds of 69 and 71 Monday. But the 6,858 yard Par 72 Greystone Golf Course layout was a much sterner test Tuesday with winds gusting to 25 miles per hour. As the overnight leaders fell back, O’Brien remained sharp and steady. His final round of one under par 71 proved good enough for first place at 211 (-5).
Students Join First Res Life Alternative Spring Break Trip
Over Spring Break six students participated in the first annual Residence Life-sponsored Alternative Spring Break trip. Instead of basking in the warm Florida sun or going snow skiing in Colorado, they traveled to Statesville, N.C. to help Habitat for Humanity build a three bedroom, two bath home for a deserving family. The new homeowner will move in with her daughter and use the home to provide foster care. Among the Belmont students on the trip were Annalise Emerick, Britney Monroe, Brittany Hodges, Lindsay Barnes, Nicole Pearce and Wes Burkhart, who all spent the week swinging hammers, installing drywall, attaching exterior siding and adding a wooden deck.
Hare, Peeples to Play in Music City All-Star Classic
Belmont Basketball senior Justin Hare (Cleveland, Tenn.) and junior Will Peeples (Little Rock, Ark.) have been selected to play in the inaugural Music City All-Star Classic hosted by Tennessee State University. The game is scheduled to be played Sat., April 19 at 5 p.m. Central in TSU’s Gentry Center. Belmont University head athletic trainer Paul Malloy will also be participating.
The Music City All-Star Classic will feature the top college basketball seniors in the state of Tennessee, welcoming players from Belmont, the University of Tennessee, Memphis, Vanderbilt, Austin Peay, Tennessee State, Lipscomb, Tennessee-Martin, Trevecca and Cumberland. Festivities will kick-off with a three-point contest and a slam-dunk contest, followed by the game. Events are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and discounted with a student I.D. Contact Tennessee State Athletics for more information.
Sophomore Matt Lee to Perform for Pope
Sophomore Matt Lee, a music business major and student worker in the Office of Alumni, will be performing with his band Full Armor next week for Pope Benedict XVI in New York City. Full Armor was chosen from more than 150 bands that auditioned for the slot and will perform three songs in front of an anticipated crowd of 20,000 at the Pope’s Youth Rally on April 19. Other performers that day include Kelly Clarkson and Third Day. Lee, who plays the violin, said the band formed two years ago to play for a weekly teen mass at a Catholic church in a suburb of New York, and Full Armor’s second album is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.
Click here to read more on the story from a local newspaper. Click here to visit the band’s Web site.
‘Best of the Best’ Concert Honors Mulloy Legacy
Last Saturday, the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business presented its annual Best of the Best Showcase, which included a special celebration of the life and legacy of former faculty member and alumnus Bob Mulloy. Known for his passion for students and his dedication to Belmont University, Mulloy was the vision and drive behind Belmont’s renowned music business program.
The evening included a moving video tribute, a song dedication from notable Belmont alumnus Gordon Kennedy and the presentation of a $25,000 check to fund an endowed scholarship in Mulloy’s honor. Students pursuing careers in the music business and entertainment industries will be eligible to receive assistance to pursue their goals, and those selected will hold the distinguished title of “Mulloy Scholar.” In addition, Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher announced the establishment of the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence, an annual award to be given to an individual who has achieved a level of excellence in the music business and entertainment industries with notable service to Belmont University and the Nashville community. Both awards will have inaugural presentations in 2009.
As always, Best of the Best also highlighted some of Belmont’s remarkable student talent with performances from winners of past CEMB showcases and writers’ nights playing before a packed house. Showcase winners who performed included Alvin Love (Urban/Pop), Jordan Kyle (Christian), Shea Raye (Country), Lorien (Rock) and Stephanie Lambring (Cover). In addition, ASCAP Writers’ Night Winners presented their original compositions: Joshua Eric Wright, Andrew Mallanik, Troy Akers, Matt Dragstrem, Greg Bates and Nathan Klages.
For information on how to contribute to the Mulloy Endowed Scholarship, email mulloyscholarship@mail.belmont.edu.
