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
Curb College Professor Serves as Visiting Scholar in Hong Kong
David Moser, associate professor in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, is spending the Fall 2007 semester as a Visiting Scholar at Lingnan University in Hong Kong. At Lingnan, Moser is teaching a Business Law course and doing research on copyright issues and the Asian entertainment industry.
Including photos of Hong Kong harbor and the Lingnan campus, Moser writes that he’s had a great experience so far as a Visiting Scholar. “The students are very attentive in class and seem eager to learn. The majority of students are from Hong Kong, but there’s also some from mainland China as well as exchange students from many other countries. We even have two Belmont students here studying Chinese. I strongly encourage Belmont students to take advantage of the study abroad opportunities we offer, whether in Asia or elsewhere.”
Moser, who previously spent three months as a Fulbright scholar conducting research on copyright enforcement in the Philippines, has noticed that Hong Kong has a particular international flair. “I had lunch a few days ago at the campus cafeteria and sat at a table with two professors from Hong Kong, one from mainland China, one from England and one from Croatia. I think this kind of diversity is a great benefit to students, especially in the increasingly globalized world we live in.”
An attorney with a decade of experience in intellectual property and entertainment law, Moser sees Asia as a tremendous prospect for entertainment business. “Asia is the part of the world with the greatest opportunities for growth of the entertainment industry over the next several decades due to the high rates of economic growth in huge countries such as China and India. As income levels rise, more people have disposable income to spend on entertainment products and services.”
To keep track of Moser and his Lingnan adventures throughout the semester, click here to visit his blog.
Belmont Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall
In a ground-breaking ceremony held earlier today, Belmont’s senior administration announced that the university is starting construction on a new campus residence hall, which will serve as housing for 190 freshmen when the building is completed next fall. The facility, which is anticipated to cost approximately $12 million, will be located behind Hail Hall and will face the current soccer field.
With plans for continued student growth in coming years, the new residence hall will help meet the university’s need for increased housing capacity on campus. Belmont’s enrollment has increased by more than 60 percent since 2000, with current enrollment of more than 4,750 students, making it the second-largest private university and largest Christian university in Tennessee. 
Full-time undergraduate enrollment has increased by more than 1,500 students in the past seven years, and the university’s out-of-state student draw has grown by nearly 75 percent during the same time frame. Having more students coming from outside the state of Tennessee brings more student diversity and necessitates more on campus housing options.
Dr. Robert Fisher, Belmont University president, said, “With the completion of this new residence hall, we will be consolidating our freshmen at the core of campus, creating a strong sense of community and an opportunity for an even greater shared learning experience.”
The residence hall represents the cornerstone of a larger vision that will entail at least three buildings in the center of the university’s 62-acre campus, all intended to house first-time students. The five-story residence hall is scheduled to open in August 2008. The close proximity to one another and to all academic buildings will provide an ideal learning community for incoming freshmen classes.
Nashville-based architect Earl Swensson Associates—the the same company that designed Belmont’s Curb Event Center and the Gordon E. Inman Center—will oversee building plans, which currently have the residence hall similar in style though taller than Hail Hall. R.C. Mathews will be the contractor on the year-long project.
Belmont Celebrates Opening Convocation
President Robert Fisher and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Marty Dickens officially welcomed students back to campus and hearkened the Fall 2007 academic semester on Wednesday at Belmont’s annual Opening Convocation. Following the singing of the University Hymn, the opening prayer and the special recognition of Chancellor Herbert Gabhart and Judy Fisher’s attendance, Dickens proceeded to unveil the university’s recently re-crafted Vision, Mission and Values statement. As before, the statement continues to emphasize Belmont’s focus on creating and maintaining an academically challenging, diverse, student-centered Christian community that empowers men and women to engage and transform the world.
After student-led Scripture readings and the Belmont Chorale’s stirring rendition of “Sing a Mighty Song,” Dr. Fisher delivered his annual State of the University address. “So, how are we doing?” he questioned rhetorically. “I’ll give you my assessment: ‘Baby I’m amazed’… What we’ve accomplished is simply remarkable.” Offering statistics from Fall 2007 enrollment and ratings from the recent U.S. News and World Report rankings as indicators of Belmont’s ongoing success, Dr. Fisher then challenged his audience to dream even bigger for the future. He also provided an update on Belmont’s talks with the Tennessee Baptist Convention as well as the lease agreement for Rose Park, which he noted holds the potential to be one of Belmont’s greatest legacies. He concluded his comments with the announcement of the three-phase construction of new freshmen dorms at the center of campus, with the groundbreaking for the first dorm to occur next week.
Belmont Participates in Music City Jam Festival
Produced in part by Belmont Univeristy, the 2007 Music City J.A.M. (Jazz And More) festival, took place Labor Day weekend at Riverfront Park. Belmont University and the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business served as official sponsors for the event. In addition, the Curb College Service Corps provided more than 60 volunteers who served as ticket takers, information hosts, artist wranglers, stage hands and production assistants. Belmont also hosted a booth that featured wares from the entrepreneur shops on Belmont Blvd., the SIFE Rumba Roast coffee and Belmont Athletics. The School of Music Small Jazz Ensemble opened the festival both days.
Headlining the two-day festival was multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated R&B artist Brian McKnight. Other artists of national prominence who performed include Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub and Tim Bowman; American Idol finalist George Huff; and Grammy-nominated recording artist Jaci Velasquez. Tennessee’s own Kirk Whalum hosted the festival.
Honorary co-chairs of the event were Dr. Robert Fisher, Belmont University; Dr. T.B. Boyd III, President of R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation and Chairman of the Museum of African American Music, Art & Culture; and Dr. Melvin Johnson, Tennessee State University. The Music City J.A.M. was produced by Music City, Inc. in association with Belmont University and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit The Museum of African American Music, Art & Culture, and Music City, Inc.
