The Center for Entrepreneurship at Belmont University hosted Dr. Arthur Laffer as a part of the Moench Entrepreneurship Lecture Series on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Laffer is a famed economist, creator of the “Laffer Curve” and a former member of President Ronald Reagan’s Economic Policy Advisory Board from 1981-1989.
Former Reagan Adviser Speaks at Belmont
Belmont University Names New Dean of Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing
Jack Williams, Ph.D., M.Ed., has been named dean of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing at Belmont University. Williams currently serves as dean of the Division of Health Sciences at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D. He will begin his new position at Belmont on June 1, 2007, following the decision of Dean Debra Wollaber to step down and return to the teaching faculty.
“With the needs for health care education rapidly growing, there are many career opportunities available,” Williams said. “For me, Belmont was an obvious choice because of its special warmth and energy and the enthusiasm of the people at the university and in the community to embrace society’s health care challenges.”
Williams has served the University of South Dakota as dean since 2000 while continuing to teach in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Williams’ professional career has spanned a variety of positions in high schools and the undergraduate and graduate levels in traditional classroom settings as well as field experiences and five years of postdoctoral research training.
“Though we are sad to see Dr. Wollaber step down, we are thrilled Dr. Williams is joining the Belmont community,” Belmont Provost Dan McAlexander said. “With the opening of the Gordon E. Inman Center last summer and our growing reputation for the quality of our health care programs, we are making a lasting impact on health care in the Nashville community, the region and the nation. Dr. Williams’ experience and years of service to health care education make him the perfect candidate to lead Belmont through an exciting new phase of development and expansion, as we continue to strengthen existing programs and envision new ones.”
Outside of his experiences leading in the classroom and as an administrator, Williams has also made substantial contributions to his community. He has been active for 14 years as a leader of the American Heart Association, has served the American Red Cross for 20 years as a volunteer or professional, and has been involved with Boy Scouts of America for over 25 years. Recently, he has collaborated in grants with Native American community partners in South Dakota that both served the community and provided students with service-learning opportunities.
The Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing is home to Belmont’s nursing, social work, occupational therapy and physical therapy programs. Belmont is a founding member of the Partners in Nursing consortium with three other area colleges and universities – Volunteer State Community College, Trevecca Nazarene University and Nashville State Technical Community College. Through the consortium, students at these area schools divide their time between their respective schools and Belmont, where they will complete their nursing education. Since the opening of the Inman Center, Belmont is able to increase its enrollment of nursing students from 250 to 600, giving access and opportunity to the next generations of health care leaders.
Belmont’s Connections to Grammy Awards
Belmont University’s influence and presence was felt at the 49th annual Grammy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. Belmont alumna Hillary Lindsey won the Grammy for best country song, an award that goes to the songwriter. Lindsey co-wrote the Carrie Underwood smash hit, “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Belmont students participating in Belmont West, a semester-long program based in Los Angeles through the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, worked behind the scenes at the awards show. The students served as escorts to performers and other guests and several students watched the show from backstage and were able to watch performers and presenters getting ready as well as set changes throughout the show.
Reed Publishes Article
Steven Reed is the author of an article that was accepted for publication in the current issue of the SACRAO Journal, an annual refereed periodical of the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. “Credit Transfer – The Past and Next Step” discusses the impact of recent federal legislation on the manner in which colleges and universities may accept transfer credit. Reed is the University Registrar at Belmont University.
McCrickard Receives Award
The Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers recently awarded Matthew McCrickard the 2007 Margaret Ruthven Perry Distinguished Journalism Award at its annual meeting in Little Rock, Ark. The award recognizes McCrickard for an article he authored entitled “Adapting Solution Focused Advising: Effective Communication Strategies for Registrars,” which was accepted for publication in the organization’s refereed journal. McCrickard is Associate Registrar in the Office of the Registrar.
College of Business Offers Exploring Program
“Exploring,” a program for Career Education, and the College of Business Administration will offer high schools students “Careers in Business.” The program will bring high school students to campus and features College of Business faculty, including Dr. Jeff Cornwall, Dr. Jane Finley, Dr. Gary Garrison, Dr. John Gonas, Dr. Jeffrey Overby and Dr. Richard Churchman. Remaining dates of the program are February 15, March 1, March 15 and March 29.
Music Education Graduates Named Teacher of the Year
Three Belmont Music Education graduates have been named “Teacher of the Year” at their respective schools for 2007. They are: Altricia Pruitt, Moore Middle School (Metro School System), Natalie Karnes, Trinity Elementary School (Williamson County Schools) and Carol Poston, Brentwood Middle School (Williamson County Schools).
Hare Earns Academic All-District Honors
For the second consecutive year, Belmont University junior Justin Hare has been named to the CoSida Academic All-District Men’s Basketball Team.
The 6’2 guard from Cleveland, Tenn., sports a 3.85 GPA in his chosen major of exercise science and health promotion.
Hare, among the most decorated players in Belmont basketball history, is the reigning Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP, a Preseason All-Atlantic Sun First Team selection, and a five-time Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honoree. Equally adept at driving or shooting from long distance, Hare has scored 1,163 career points to place him as one of seven Bruin players to eclipse the 1,000 point plateau (NCAA era).
Known for rising to the occasion in pressure situations, Hare has made a shot to win the game or force overtime a staggering 10 times. Hare’s career-high 32 point performance in the 2006 Atlantic Sun Championship game against Lipscomb propelled Belmont to its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. This season, he leads Belmont in scoring at 15.0 points per game.
Hare joins former Bruin greats Adam Mark and Wes Burtner as the only Belmont players ever to have received multiple Academic All-District distinction.
“It is rewarding to see a young man like Justin be honored for his hard work in the classroom as well as his performance on the court,” Belmont Head Coach Rick Byrd said. “Our basketball program and his teammates are happy for him as he earns his second consecutive All-District award.”
Joining Hare on the District Four First Team are Joe Reitz of Western Michigan University, Matt Lefeld of Bowling Green State University, Bobby Perry of the University of Kentucky and Ty Rogers of Western Kentucky University. Hare, Reitz, and Lefeld were on the 2006 Academic All-District First Team as well.
The Academic All-District teams are voted on by members of CoSida – the College Sports Information Directors of America.
First Team All-District honorees also receive consideration for ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-America awards.
Civil Rights Leader Will Campbell Speaks At Belmont
The Office of Spiritual Development at Belmont University hosted Will Campbell, a well-known preacher, writer and speaker Wednesday, Feb. 7. Throughout his life, he has been a notable white supporter of civil rights in the southern United States.
After serving in World War II Campbell studied at Yale Divinity School and participated in key events of the civil rights movement. He helped escort black students who integrated the Little Rock, Ark., schools and attended the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) that was led by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Video clip available here
King, Local Montessori Community Honored by Metro Council
Councilwoman Neighbors and Councilman Cole will present a resolution honoring Nashville’s Montessori schools to proclaim February as Montessori Education Month, with Dr. Merrie King, Belmont’s Department of Education, accepting the resolution on behalf of the Montessori Community. This will take place at the Metro Council Meeting on February 6 at 7 p.m. at the Metro courthouse.
The resolution will be at the beginning of the meeting. Public parking is available under the public square or at the Union Square parking lot across the street.
