Senior Chris Bowman participated this summer in “Research Experience for Undergraduates” (REU), a program supported through a National Science Foundation grant that takes place at over 50 different universities around the nation. Bowman, a senior majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, worked for 10 weeks at the University of Cincinnati performing research on a way to improve chemical sensors, which are vital to detecting harmful agents in water. He will present the findings of his research at the National American Chemical Society Conference in New Orleans this spring before starting medical school in the fall.
Belmont Athletics Announces 2007 Hall of Fame Class
Belmont University Athletics announced Friday the names of its 2007 Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame induction class.
Al Allen (’96) was one of the most imposing and productive interior players in Belmont men’s basketball history. Despite playing just three seasons, Allen is one of only eight players in program history to score over 2,000 career points (2,030). Belmont went an astounding 95-20 during Allen’s career, including 37-2 in 1994-95. That season, Allen was named Second Team NAIA All-American and TCAC Co-Player of the Year as Belmont earned its first-ever No. 1 national ranking and a trip to the NAIA Final Four. His career field goal percentage of .669 is the highest in Bruin history, a mark that will likely stand the test of time.
Jaymie Moore Rankhorn (’98) will go down as one of the greatest volleyball players in Belmont history. An explosive yet versatile performer, Moore Rankhorn ranks first all-time in kills (1,622), hitting percentage (.325), aces (229) and digs (1,222). Her single season marks–562 kills in 1995 and .421 hitting percentage in 1994–have not been threatened since. Behind Moore Rankhorn’s play, Belmont won the TCAC regular season and tournament titles in 1995 before transitioning into NCAA Division-I play.
Daree Pilkinton Merritt (’91) was a four-time All-TCAC selection in women’s basketball. A multi-faceted player, Pilkinton Merritt’s name floods the Belmont record book. She ranks first in career steals (404), second in career assists (574) and third in career three-point field goals (222). Pilkinton Merritt also set the single season standard for steals with 135 in 1990. Moreover, she is one of just five Bruins ever to score over 1,500 career points, ranking fifth all-time (1,645). Belmont went 105-26 over her four-year career.
The three honorees will be formally inducted as part of a banquet on Thurs., Oct. 4 at 6:30 pm in the Maddox Grand Atrium of the Curb Event Center. Tickets are $25 per person. For reservations, contact Debbie Chenoweth at (615) 460-6854.
The Belmont University Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1980 by Belmont University Athletics. The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of Belmont University and its intercollegiate athletic program. To be nominated, an individual must have completed his or her athletic eligibility at least seven years prior.
This story was also featured in Sunday’s Tennessean.
Steven Curtis Chapman Appears at Curb College/ASCAP Writers’ Night
Belmont University played host to Sparrow Records recording artist, Steven Curtis Chapman on Tuesday evening. Chapman was the guest writer at the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business ASCAP Writers’ Night Series, a year-long series that gives singer/songwriters at Belmont an opportunity to perform original material in front of a live audience and professionals from the industry.
Steven Curtis Chapman attended Belmont and was part of the Belmont Reasons during his collegiate experience. From the stage, Chapman shared how fellow alumnus Phil Naish heard him perform during his tenure at Belmont, recognized his talent and subsequently produced his first four projects. Chapman was signed to Sparrow Records in the 1980s, after the success of his song “Built to Last.” He has since sold more than nine million records worldwide and has won more Gospel Music Association Dove awards than any artist in history, as well as five Grammy awards.
Parry Appointed Co-Chair of Interest Group
Pam Parry, associate professor of journalism and Public Relations Program Director, was elected in August as the Research Co-Chair of the Small Programs Interest Group within the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. As co- chair, she will help direct the scholarly paper competition and develop panels for the organization’s annual conference in 2008.
Accounting Professors Receive Award
Associate professors of accounting Dr. Lee Warren and Dr. Marilyn Young have earned honorable mention status for the AICPA Bea Sanders Innovation in Teaching Award by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Professors Warren and Young were selected for the honor based on their submission, “Testing Critical Thinking Skills in Accounting Principles”—a case that outlines the Belmont College of Business Administration’s innovative Integrated Accounting Principles course. Both professors were heavily engaged in developing the new course that is now beginning to receive national attention for its novel pedagogical approaches. The course was first piloted during 2006-07, with the majority of class sections within COBA now offered within the revised format. Feedback from students has been very positive. The Bea Sanders recognition comes with an invitation for both professors to present at the national “Best Practices Session of the Colloquium on Change in Accounting Education,” held Oct. 5 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Belmont Staff/Alumni Prompt Media Coverage
This week Belmont’s president, a faculty member and an alumna received media coverage in a variety of different stories:
• Dr. Robert Fisher and his wife Judy were the subjects of an editorial in Saturday’s Tennessean. The article focused on the Fishers’ upcoming book release, Conversations with the Soon Departed: What Really Matters.
• Pat Raines, dean of the Massey Graduate School of Business, was recently quoted in an issue of Christian Science Monitor in a story on boosting salaries through education.
• Occupational Therapy graduate Jenny Owens (’06) was quoted in an AP article on Iraq soldiers’ struggles with traumatic brain injuries. Owens works in the rehabilitation institute at Vanderbilt Medical Center, where she treats several of these patients.
Cross Country Teams Ranked in Regional Polls
The Belmont men’s and women’s cross country teams were each ranked in the initial 2007 Division I Cross Country regional polls as released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Monday. Belmont men’s cross country is ranked fourth in the South Region poll, while the women’s cross country team is ranked ninth. Both Belmont teams are in action this coming weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational.
Cusic Interviewed by BBC
Belmont Professor of Music Business Don Cusic was recently interviewed by BBC-TV for a special on Southern Gospel music. The documentary, with the working title of “Gloryland,” will be broadcast on the UK channel BBC4 later this year. In his interview Cusic discussed the history of Southern Gospel, its connection to contemporary Christian music and the relationship between American culture and Christianity. The TV crew traveled to Louisville to film the 50th Annual National Quartet Convention after interviewing Cusic, who also appeared on the BBC-TV special on country music, “Lost Highway.”
Acree Appointed Assistant Provost
Dr. Glenn Acree has been named Assistant Provost at Belmont University, with primary responsibilities in the areas of assessment, engaged learning and advancement. At Belmont, Acree has served as Director of Academic and Community Outreach and Undergraduate Research for the College of Arts and Sciences since 2001 and holds an appointment as Professor of Mathematics.
“Glenn Acree brings to this university-level position considerable experience working within Belmont and with external partners and constituencies,” said Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander. “We are delighted to have someone of his talent and abilities working with our academic leadership to ensure the excellence of our programs and to extend our connections with community supporters.”
Associate Provost Dr. Marcia McDonald added, “In his past six years with the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Acree has helped develop a number of programs that have been expanded university-wide. He brings to his new position the ability to think creatively about our university programs in academic engagement and a strong commitment to academic quality and undergraduate research.”
Dr. Acree led the expansion of undergraduate research opportunities in the College of Arts and Sciences through the development of a Summer Scholars program and interdisciplinary research projects in the sciences. He also developed “Conversations @ Belmont,” which reaches over 1000 area teachers in 17 counties to provide opportunities for dialogue and professional development with Belmont faculty. Additional areas of leadership include programs connecting Belmont students with secondary students in areas of academic interest and symposia focused on academic achievement and undergraduate research.
Dr. Acree received his Ph.D. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Emory University, a M.S. from Georgia State University, and his B.A. from Samford University, with additional graduate study at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to his appointment to the Belmont University faculty in 1997, Dr. Acree was on the faculty at Wake Forest University. He has also been employed by Aspect Communications of Brentwood as a software developer. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Nashville Technology Council and serves with numerous community organizations in Franklin, Tennessee.
Belmont University/TBC Update
We regret to report that the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s representatives did not accept Belmont’s final proposal for a continuing relationship. For the past eight months Belmont and the TBC have been engaged in an elaborate mediation process that was suggested by the TBC. This process has included the exchange of thousands of pages of documents, the input of neutral parties to assess the TBC’s claims, and the assistance of one of the very best mediators in Tennessee. Unfortunately, this process has not resulted in a mutually agreeable resolution of the dispute. The TBC has made demands that Belmont University has no legal or moral obligation to meet. Nevertheless, Belmont wished to continue the historic relationship between the university and the convention. Towards that end, Belmont’s last proposal to the TBC included such elements as investing significant sums of money over a 10 to 15 year period to support scholarships for Baptist students to attend Belmont, to help fund operations of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home and Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy, as well as funds to support the international missions efforts of Tennessee Baptists. We are disappointed that the TBC representatives rejected our proposal and apparently continue to insist on some cash repayment of funds despite having no legal basis for this claim. Thus, last Friday the judge in this case set a trial date, which is currently scheduled for May 2008. We are prepared for the court to resolve this dispute and have every confidence that we will prevail.
Marty Dickens
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Belmont University
Belmont University/TBC Background Information
