Belmont alumna and member of the New Century Journalism Advisory Board, Michelle Williams (’89), has been named chief of bureau for the Associated Press (AP) in Arizona and New Mexico. Williams will oversee the AP’s news and business operations and will be based in Phoenix.
Williams began her AP career in 1989 as an editorial assistant in the Nashville, Tenn., bureau. She advanced to a reporting position and in 1991 moved to Milwaukee, where she covered the arrest and trial of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. She later served as a correspondent in Chattanooga, Tenn., supervisory correspondent in San Diego and news editor for Tennessee before moving to Texas as news editor in 2003. She was promoted to assistant chief of bureau for Texas in 2006.
Belmont Alum Appointed AP Bureau Chief for Arizona and New Mexico
Belmont Students and Faculty Prepare for Three-Week Travel-Study Tour of Japan
Belmont University will initiate a new relationship in May with the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, about 50 minutes away from Kyoto. A group of 10 Belmont students with Dr. Jonathan Thorndike, Honors professor, and Dr. John Paine), professor of foreign languages and English, will spend three weeks in Japan. After one week at the JCMU, they will visit Otsu, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Tokyo. The Belmont group will be joined with a group from Michigan State University. The Asian Studies Program at Belmont hopes to offer regular opportunities to study in Japan in the future, either for the May term or for the entire semester at the JCMU.
The purpose of the May-term travel-study course is to study Japanese history and literature and to learn how historical Samurai codes of honor and values may have influenced modern Japan. The group will tour the Nissan Oppama Assembly Plant in Kanagawa as well as the Bridgestone Museum of Art in Tokyo. Belmont’s cooperative program with the JCMU in Hikone allows for classroom instruction at the JCMU with field trips on weekends and afternoons. Students will begin learning the Japanese language and practice speaking basic Japanese phrases. The class will maximize on the unique opportunities created in traveling to relevant field trip sites as a primary teaching and learning model. The students will participate in lectures, class discussions, student research projects and visiting Japanese educators.
The JCMU is the product of a sister-state relationship between Shiga Prefecture, Japan, and the state of Michigan. The JCMU hosts exchange programs between Japanese and American high schools and colleges as well as conferences for business leaders: to contribute to the development of closer ties between the United States and Shiga Prefecture and Japan; to promote mutual understanding of the cultures, languages and customs of Japan and the United States in a location where people can come together for study and research; to serve as a focal point for international educational exchange open to the local community; and to carry out four major programs: a) academic program in Japanese language; b) special purpose courses, seminars and workshops; c) English language program for citizens of Shiga; d) visiting scholar program for faculty and graduate students from American colleges and universities.
Belmont Alumna and Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith Returns to Belmont
Belmont University alumna and Miss USA 2007, Rachel Smith, came back to Belmont today for the first time since winning the Miss USA crown last month. Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher proclaimed today “Rachel Smith Day” in recognition of her service to the Belmont community as a student and for all her successes since graduating last December.
Smith answered questions from Harry Chapman, director of development for major gifts at Belmont, and students in the audience and reconnected with friends and former professors during a reception following the program. She spoke about the Miss USA pageant experience, her time at Belmont and her plans for the future, including the upcoming Miss Universe pageant May 28 in Mexico City.
While a Belmont student, Smith served as managing editor of The Belmont Vision, Belmont’s student newspaper, interned for “The Oprah Winfrey Show” for eight months and traveled to South Africa to work with students at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy.
Smith was an Ingram Scholar while a student at Belmont, a scholarship supported by Orrin Ingram and the Ingram family. Students named Ingram Scholars receive a scholarship to attend Belmont; in return, each student must perform a set number of volunteer hours at the Boys and Girls Club each month, although many Ingram Scholars (including Smith) spend much more time volunteering than required. This unique service-learning scholarship allows Belmont to give a quality education to well-deserving students while they give back to the greater community. Smith was one of the first Ingram Scholars to graduate from Belmont.
Belmont Alumna Advances to Top Six on American Idol
Belmont alumna, Melinda Doolittle (’99), advanced to the top six on “American Idol”. She will perform Tuesday night at 7 p.m. CT on Fox. Click here for Doolittle’s official “American Idol” Web page.
ATO Raises $1,000 for Blood: Water Mission
The Belmont chapter of ATO recently raised more than $1,000 for Blood: Water Mission during their annual Jail Break. Jail Break is a fundraiser hosted by ATO’s spring pledge class. Two days prior to Jail Break students were able to purchase “warrants” for their friends arrest for $1; $2 was charged for a “get out of jail free card.” Once an individual is put in jail they have to raise 10 dollars to be set free. ATO would like to thank everyone who helped with the event and made donations to Blood: Water Mission.
Dale Thomas Speaks at Belmont and Beyond
Dale Smith Thomas, motivational speaker and author, spoke in the Massey Boardroom on Wednesday, April 11, as part of the Belmont and Beyond series. She encouraged students to follow their dreams and to live their dream life. Thomas said, “God will not give you a dream that you can’t fulfill,” and she outlined her tips to success: have a good attitude, know who you are, write down your goals and have courage. The program was arranged by the Belmont and Beyond Advisory Group.
Dr. Deborah Baruzzini Presents at the PeopleAdmin National Client Services Conference
Dr. Deborah Nunn Baruzzini, director of organizational development, presented at the PeopleAdmin National Client Services Conference in Austin, Texas, on April 3, 2007. Her session, entitled “Faculty Searches Made Easy”, focused on Belmont’s faculty hiring process, including the online position description, recruiting and applicant tracking functions. PeopleAdmin partners with Belmont University in the development and implementation of the online employment Web site, Belmont Jobs Online.
Pam Parry to Present Academic Paper at Texas Tech’s Definition of Convergence and Integration Conference
Pam Parry, associate professor of journalism, will be presenting an academic paper, “Defining Convergence in an Educational Context” at Texas Tech University’s Definition of Convergence and Integration conference on April 20, in Lubbock, Texas.
Statement From Belmont President Bob Fisher on Virginia Tech Tragedy
As the extent of the tragedy at Virginia Tech is revealed, it is important for us to take a moment to remember those students and our partners in higher education who are faced with the aftermath of the senseless violence and killings on their campus. We hope and pray that the students, faculty and staff, families and friends affected by this tragedy will be surrounded by God’s grace and comfort during this terrible time.
I want everyone to know that campus safety and security are of the highest priority to our senior leadership team. We have a broad emergency management plan in place that covers any number of circumstances we might face – from criminals and violence on campus to natural disasters such as tornadoes and snow storms. Additionally, we have been working for the past several months on a system that would allow us to immediately contact all Belmont faculty and staff via e-mail and telephone if such a need were to arise. Today, we sent the first test message to faculty and staff using this new system. We are moving forward in implementing this system campus-wide. While we cannot possibly anticipate and plan against every possible scenario, we have made it a priority to be vigilant in continually making steps that will assist us in keeping our campus environment safe and secure. Please join the Belmont campus in keeping those affected by the Virginia Tech tragedy in your prayers in the coming weeks and months.
Thank you.
Bob Fisher
