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Dr. Bob Fisher Considers ‘What Really Matters’ at His Final Homecoming Chapel before Retirement

Haley Charlton
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Dr. Bob Fisher Considers ‘What Really Matters’ at His Final Homecoming Chapel before Retirement

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher will retire from his 20-year tenure at the end of this academic year. In his last chapel, rounding out Belmont’s 2021 Homecoming week, Fisher took the opportunity to look back and reflect on “What Really Matters” in life. 

With an introduction from Belmont Board of Trustees Chair Marty Dickens and musical performances from alumnus Dwan Hill & Co., Fisher began his presentation with background on his and his wife Judy’s 2009 book “Life is a Gift,” in which the two conducted in-depth interviews with more than 100 terminally ill patients of Alive Hospice in Nashville. 

The couple’s conversations with patients like 5-year-old Maddie or the 98-year-old man who spent his last weeks learning Hungarian followed a standard question-and-answer formula: What are you most proud of? What has been your greatest joy? What has been your greatest disappointment? What do you regret? What comes next for you? If you could give one message to the world, what would it be?

A few common themes emerged that have stuck with Fisher as things that are truly important in life: mainly relationships with God and relationships with other people. 

“Your family is what really matters. When you’re 5, you know it. When you’re 102, you know it. So many people get lost along the way. But, think about it. What really matters to you in life?” Fisher proposed. “Call your family today and tell them how much you love them. Invest your time and energy into those relationships. We heard it over and over and over.”

Other common themes focused on joy, forgiveness, reconciliation and being in touch with God. One patient who had suffered a difficult life told the Fishers she had no regrets because without the tribulations she faced, she wouldn’t have come to know the God of her salvation. And because she had known Him, she was full of hope and full of joy.

The patients talked a lot about God – the role he had played and the difference he made in their lives. The times when they were in step with God, their life prospered and happiness was there. In the times they strayed, it was tougher. Fisher reminded the listeners that it’s never too late for them to change the road they are on. For some patients, it was too late, but for many, there were great efforts made to ask for forgiveness from people in their lives and they received it. 

“For most of you, your life has just begun, and you’re not thinking about death and you shouldn’t be thinking about death, except to know that you are mortal and to know that if you can make the right decisions now, you’re going to have a life of great joy,” Fisher said as he concluded. 

“Don’t wait until you’re on the front porch of eternity to consider how you should live today. Remember, you’ve been given a gift of life, and also understand that it is a gift. Be thankful for it, praise God’s name and live your life with joy. Celebrate that life and make a joyful noise. Within practice hours.”

A recording of the service is available on Belmont’s Youtube channel.

Massey College of Business Ethics Team Brings Home Second Place in 2021 Templeton-Stetson Ethics Case Competition

Haley Charlton
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Massey College of Business Ethics Team Brings Home Second Place in 2021 Templeton-Stetson Ethics Case Competition

Five Belmont students competed in the 8th annual Templeton-Stetson Ethics Case Competition which was held virtually on Friday, February 19 and placed second. The Belmont Team included Amanda Barbosa, Sarah Carvalho, William Fitzpatrick, Anna Pearson and Morgan Turpin. Boyd Smith and Tony Saunders served as coaches and faculty advisors.

This year’s case topic placed the Belmont Team as hypothetical consultants to Gene Lee, chair and CEO of Darden Restaurants, Inc., addressing “Covid-19 Vaccine: Freedom of Choice for Workers or Necessary Mandate for Business?” 

After observing several of the practice sessions, Dean Sarah Fisher Gardial said, “They were exceptionally well-prepared and impressive in their presentation skills. This team went to the competition ready to win. We are so proud of their performance in an impressive field of competitors.” 

Belmont placed second behind Campbell University. University of Florida placed third and other competing universities included Georgetown, UMass-Amherst, United States Naval Academy, Clemson, Boston College, Penn State and University of Calgary, among others.

Smith emphasized the immense time commitment from students which exceeds 70 hours over a four week period to conduct the necessary research, develop a recommendation with implementation plan while simultaneously developing a 20-minute presentation.   

The Templeton-Stetson Competition is sponsored by the Kennedy Center for Business Ethics as a co-curricular program in the Massey College of Business. This is the fourth year Belmont has competed and has placed in the top five each year. Smith added, “We are already looking forward to next year!”  

Belmont Concludes Homecoming Week Celebration ‘at Home’

Emma dela Pena
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Belmont Concludes Homecoming Week Celebration ‘at Home’

Belmont University celebrated its 2021 “Homecoming at Home” festivities this year during the week of Monday, February 15 – Saturday, February 20. Homecoming recognized the University’s strong spirit of community and the bond alumni carry with them beyond graduation. Despite the challenges of the coronavirus and a week of snow in Nashville, much of the celebration was still able to proceed virtually.

Belmont featured COVID-safe events that allowed students, faculty, staff and alumni to participate on their own time including a Virtual Polar Bear 5K Challenge, a Belmont Athletics Pop-Up Scavenger Hunt and exclusive discounts from The Belmont Store.

“The goal was to continue to ‘Defend our Den’ while following the established safety protocols, and simultaneously working to expand the cherished traditions of Homecoming,” shared Director of Alumni Relations Julie Thomas. The University did just that and continued to successfully celebrate the Belmont spirit and pride virtually throughout the week. 

Basketball player shoots the ball
Belmont Men beat Tennessee Tech 90-66 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, February 20, 2021.

The Men and Women’s Basketball brought home spectacular victories on Homecoming Saturday with the Men’s Basketball vs. Tennessee Tech winning 90 – 66 and the Women’s Basketball vs. Tennessee Tech winning 73 – 61. The Homecoming Court also announced its 2021 Homecoming King as Damarius Drumwright and Homecoming Queen as Erica Olfson.

The University’s Homecoming Community Service Initiative with the PENCIL Foundation was also a central focus of the week where pencil donations were collected at the Foutch Alumni House and the Office of Service-Learning throughout the month. 

The week featured a set intention for each day including Mission Monday, T-shirt Tuesday, WOW Wednesday, Thank You Thursday and FANtastic Friday. A recap and some highlights of each day’s events is listed below. 

Mission Monday: February 15

  • Belmont Alumni who own or work with area non-profits imparted knowledge to students at the Virtual Alumni Non-Profit Fair.
  • The annual Build-A-Bruin competition was a week-long success where students and organizations were able to pick up supplies to decorate their own bear for Homecoming. 
  • Local non-profits spoke on a panel for Radical Generosity: Helping Others in the Midst of a Pandemic reminding and humbling students of those that are hurting and in need. 
Homecoming 2021 banner
Hillside Homecoming Banner at Belmont University

T-Shirt Tuesday: February 16

  • Students heard from Casey Alexander, Men’s Basketball Head Coach, and Bart Brooks, Women’s Basketball Head Coach, for Coffee with the Coaches.
  • Students worked week-long on Residence Life banners for the annual Homecoming Banner competition.
  • The T-Shirt Tuesday extravaganza was postponed and students were able to pick up their free Homecoming T-Shirts on Friday to commemorate another year of life at Belmont. 

WOW Wednesday: February 17

  • Homecoming Bruin Break: The Early Belmont Days featured Belmont alumni who shared their past stories and talked about faculty and staff that helped shape their post-graduation experience. 
  • Students and alumni attended the College of Business Virtual Mixer.
  • Young Alumni Trivia Night was a night of fun and shared with participants that Teddy Roosevelt visited campus back in the Belmont-Ward days. 
  • The Virtual Murder Mystery Event occurred thanks to Belmont’s Department of Theater and Dance with actors leading participants through an evening show with a rehearsed performance and audience interaction.
  • The Belmont Women’s Basketball team took home a victory.

Thank You Thursday: February 18

  • Belmont Faithful members were treated to an annual “thank you” luncheon, althought postponed to February 25.
  • Belmont’s Basketball Double Header on ESPN + was a double victory with the Women’s Basketball vs. Jacksonville State Game finished at 54 – 53 and the Men’s Basketball vs. Jacksonville State Game concluded at 63 – 59. 
Dr. Fisher at Chapel
Dr. Bob Fisher speaks during homecoming week via a zoom call.

FANtastic Friday: February 19

  • Alumni were invited to participate in “a safe and brave space to voice all opinions,” at the Alumni Real Talk: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace.
  • Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher spoke at the Homecoming Chapel on “What Really Matters.”

Homecoming Saturday: February 20

  • The Belmont community went on a Virtual Guided Prayer Walk Through Campus.
  • Students learned about the impact COVID-19 has had on Healthcare Delivery.
  • The Presidential Scholars Virtual Homecoming Gathering: A BOLD Leadership Experience took place. 
  • Belmont Women’s Basketball vs. Tennessee Tech brought home another win at 73 – 61 alongside the Belmont Men’s Basketball vs. Tennessee Tech with a win of 90 – 66. 
  • The 2021 Homecoming Court crowned its Homecoming King Damarius Drumwright and Homecoming Queen Erica Olfson. 
  • Campus listened in as the Homecoming Carillon Concert took place at the Bell Tower. 

With the unexpected inclement weather, some of the events have been postponed. See below for upcoming events:

Homecoming Continued:

  • WOW Wednesday Popcorn Palooza will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 24 in Harrington Dining Hall. 
  • The Belmont Faithful Take-Away Lunch has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25.

The University thanks students, faculty and staff for a different, but a successful homecoming. For any further questions regarding homecoming, please contact our Alumni Office.

Alumni Reflect on Belmont’s Early Days During Homecoming 2021

Leah Kuhn
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Alumni Reflect on Belmont’s Early Days During Homecoming 2021

On Feb. 17, Belmont Ambassadors Lucy Walsh (senior) and DJ Needs (sophomore) sat down to host a discussion panel with alumni from some of Belmont College’s first graduating classes as part of the Homecoming 2021 celebration. They recounted memories of campus life and academics, laughing all the while about how much has changed. 

In 1951, the Belmont property was purchased and converted into a degree-granting institution. The first graduating class, in 1955, had 26 graduates. Mary Lena Huber Price, an elementary education major with a minor in English, started at Belmont in 1954. She lived in North Front Hall, now known as Barbara Massey Hall.

Life in dorms has changed drastically since then as Huber Price recalled having to sign in and out each time she left the building. There were also very strict curfew hours in place for both weekdays and weekends. Huber Price remembered losing track of time after visiting a friend on the other side of campus, and when she returned to her dorm, she found the head of the “house council” (similar to residential life staff today) waiting for her outside. She had to appear before the house council to avoid punishment. 

Janis Reynolds Mitchell, an English major with a minor in Latin, graduated from Belmont in 1969. After spending her first year in North Front Hall, Mitchell and her roommate moved to Heron to get a nicer bathroom. They waited in line for hours to get higher priority to select their room. Their waiting paid off when they got a corner room in Heron that had its own bathroom. Mitchell and her roommate loved the room so much, they lived there for two years. She recounted her experience in the dorms at Belmont as the best years of her life filled with memories and mischief, from exchanging secret Santa gifts to sneaking onto the roof to tan. “It felt like living in a small town,” she shared. 

Betty Wiseman, who majored in physical education and health with a minor in English, became a dorm monitor after her first year living on campus. Wiseman speculates she was likely offered the position to keep her from being too mischievous. One of her duties was to do a hall check where the dating rooms were in the Belmont Mansion. When women were picked-up to go on a date, the lobby desk monitor would call up to their room to signal them to come down. Women were strictly forbidden from wearing pants or slacks, and they were not allowed to leave their dorm with their hair in curlers. 

In addition to memories of campus life, alums remembered their time in the classroom. Dan Hatfield, who came to Belmont as a transfer from Trevecca in 1961, recalled his most memorable professor, Dr. James Helms, who taught history. Hounds was known for his unique teaching style sitting on a stool at the front of the classroom and doing his entire lecture with his eyes closed. Even with his eyes closed, Hatfield remembered him as a dynamic lecturer. So dynamic in fact, he once became so engrossed in discussing a historic battle that he fell off of his stool and hit his head on the chalkboard. 

Hatfield also remembered the struggle of balancing coursework with his job at Kroger. He worked 35 hours per week all throughout college in order to pay for his entire education. “I didn’t make the best grades, but I made it. My life has been all the better for it.”

Other alums shared their appreciation for then University president, Dr. Herbert Gabhart. He was remembered for his kindness and his ability to remember every student’s name. Janis Reynolds Mitchell recounted the time she and her fellow cheerleaders went to his office to ask if they could slightly hem their skirts. He was receptive and understanding, and after discussion he did allow them to make the adjustment, which Mitchell chuckled and said, “Made all the difference!”

Gabhart once iconically said, “The best is yet to be for Belmont.” Alums echoed this statement, sharing that through the years, Belmont students and staff have remained very passionate and distinctive. As they expressed gratitude for their time and experiences at Belmont, they offered their prayers and well wishes for the future of the university.

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Opens Nominations for 2021 Class

Haley Charlton
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Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Opens Nominations for 2021 Class

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame announced today that the nomination process for the class of 2021 has officially opened. Nominations may be submitted at www.tnhealthcarehall.com through March 24.

Created by Belmont University, and supported by founding partners The McWhorter Society and The Nashville Health Care Council, the Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor the men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industry. The Health Care Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and honor pioneers and current leaders who have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals.

The year 2020 called fresh attention to the critical role of healthcare as the first worldwide pandemic in more than a century demanded more dedication and commitment from our healthcare professionals than ever before. Because of the pandemic, the announcement of the Health Care Hall of Fame’s 2020 class was postponed, and these individuals will be formally announced and inducted along with the 2021 class later this year.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “As we work to equip our students to be future leaders in the health care industry, I am grateful for the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame members who serve as inspiring examples of what it means to make a difference. It is a joy and privilege to recognize and honor them in this way.”

Nominees can be practitioners, executives, entrepreneurs, mentors, teachers, scientists, researchers, innovators or any person with a connection to the health or health care field. Potential inductees must have:

• Been born, lived or have worked in Tennessee
• Made a significant impact and lasting contribution to health care at the local, state, national or international level
• Exhibited the highest ethical and professional character
• Served as an outstanding role model in their community

To date, the Hall of Fame’s five announced inductee classes have included health care leaders from across the state. The inaugural class in 2015 included Dr. Thomas Frist, Jr., Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., Dr. Ernest Goodpasture, Jack C. Massey, R. Clayton McWhorter, Dr. David Satcher, Dr. Mildred Stahlman and Danny Thomas. 2016 inductees were Jack Bovender, Jr., Dr. Stanley Cohen, Dr. Henry Foster, Dr. Frank Groner, Dr. Paul Stanton and Dr. Colleen Conway-Welch. 2017 inductees were Dr. Dorothy Lavinia Brown, Dr. William H. Frist, Dr. Donald Pinkel, Dr. Harry Jacobson, Joel Gordon and Dr. Stanford Moore. 2018 inductees were Monroe Carell, Jr., Dr. John Henry Hale and Millie Hale, Carol Etherington, Dr. Lynn Massingale, Dr. William Schaffner and Dr. Matthew Walker, Sr. 2019 inductees were Dr. David Barton, Dr. Mary Bufwack, Nancy-Ann DeParle, Dr. Lloyd C. Elam, Dr. John M. Flexner, Richard L. Miller and Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin.

Sister Sadie Included in Upcoming ‘American Currents’ Exhibit at Country Music Hall of Fame

Haley Charlton
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Sister Sadie Included in Upcoming ‘American Currents’ Exhibit at Country Music Hall of Fame

Director of Curb College Academic Advising, Tina Adair Dishman’s band Sister Sadie will be featured in the upcoming “American Currents: State of the Music” exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, along with many other artists, opening March 12.

Presented annually, American Currents: State of the Music represents the ongoing research and analysis among curators and Museum staff to determine the most significant developments in country music over the previous year. Those featured are artists, musicians and songwriters who have shaped the broadly defined genre of country music.

Dishman said, “I’m so excited and very honored. It’s such a dream come true!”

The exhibit includes an “Unbroken Circle” section, featuring paired artists that illustrate the connection between country music’s past and present; a video compilation of important country music moments from 2020; and a representation of the past year’s chart-topping country albums, singles and highest-grossing tours as reported by Billboard and Pollstar. Amid a global health crisis, a renewed push for social justice and more, the powerful role of country music and the stories told through it remained constant in 2020.

Sister Sadie group shot

Sister Sadie’s section of the exhibit will include a showcase of artifacts, including one of Dishman’s mandolins that was custom built and one of her Grammy outfits, along with other fun items from the band. 

The exhibition runs March 12, 2021 through February 6, 2022 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville. Plan your visit here.

Blash Selected As 2021 National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity Scholar

Haley Charlton
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Blash Selected As 2021 National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity Scholar

Given challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) faculty members, and Belmont University’s efforts to support faculty, the Welcome Home Diversity Council (WHDC) announced that they will award one BIPOC tenured or tenure-track Belmont faculty member a one-year membership of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). Dr. Anthony Blash, associate professor in the Belmont University College of Pharmacy, was selected as the inaugural WHDC faculty membership grant recipient.

NCFDD is an independent professional development, training and mentoring community for faculty members, postdocs and graduate students. Their stated mission is to support academics in making successful transitions throughout their careers. The purpose of the NCFDD membership is to provide a professional development opportunity that assists Belmont BIPOC faculty members in working toward tenure and promotion, and in furthering their professional development goals.  

The membership will entitle the WHDC recipient to receive weekly coaching, access to the full NCFDD Core Curriculum, guest expert webinars, intensive multi-week courses facilitated by national experts, a private discussion forum, monthly writing challenges and the opportunity to connect with a writing accountability partner.

“I’m excited to work with the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity,” said Blash. “NCFDD mentorship will connect me to a larger family of scholars who provide mutual support, and I am grateful to Provost’s Burns, the Welcome Home Diversity Council and Belmont University for sponsoring this transformative opportunity.”

Belmont Alumna Elected Vice President of TNOTA

Emma dela Pena
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Belmont Alumna Elected Vice President of TNOTA

School of Occupational Therapy 2018 alumna Whitney Joy was recently elected as Vice-President of the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA). With a B.A. in Communications from Austin Peay State University and an A.A.S. in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Lewis and Clark Community College, she moved on to obtain an M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University, 

Joy is currently the owner of Aspire Therapies, a home-based pediatric occupational therapy practice. She previously worked as a production assistant at the CBS affiliate but with no findings of a full-time position, she went back to waitressing and bartending.

Her journey to the healthcare field began when she started researching professions in the allied health field and came across a new article discussing how individuals with bachelor’s degrees were finding success returning to community college. Joy then became interested in occupational therapy and took advantage of the opportunity to shadow an O.T. professional, which left her determined to pursue that career. 

After practicing as a COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) for four years, Joy applied to Belmont’s Bridge Program in 2016 and graduated in 2018. She began working as a home health therapist in 2015 and recognized the economic disparities that people of color face daily. 

Her leadership with the TNOTA started in 2019 when she joined the team as the advocacy chair. Joy’s recent election to the Vice Presidency position in 2021 is a result of her affinity for the work the organization was doing to support the Tennessee Occupational Therapy practitioners. “I’m looking forward to working with others to advocate for the profession,” Joy shared.  

Belmont Launches New Paid-Work Experience Platform, Project Connect

Emma dela Pena
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Belmont Launches New Paid-Work Experience Platform, Project Connect

Belmont recently released a new platform called Project Connect where students can get connected with Belmont alumni in order to find paid short-term projects. The goal of this tool is to “further connect students and recent graduates with real-world projects and short-term work opportunities contributed by alumni, families and corporate partners.”

The opportunity to launch this new project arose when many students had a change in internship plans due to COVID in the spring of 2020. With the pandemic lasting longer than expected, students still are eager for the learning experience and networking opportunity that an internship can offer. 

When COVID struck in March, the Belmont Career Development team began exploring a solution to serve students in an ever-changing job market. Project Connect helps directly connect them with not just any work experience but meaningful and networkable learning projects that can open doors long-term. 

Mary Claire Dismukes, director of the Office of Career and Development, shared that “we often hear two things from Belmont alumni: ‘Belmont helped me to network with employers’ or ‘we want to pay it forward and connect with or mentor students.’” The new platform is more relevant than ever, offering students a direct connection to paid work when it currently seems harder to find. 

In order to launch this platform, Belmont collaborated with Bridges Alliance, a network of colleges and universities from across the country dedicated to preparing students and alumni for the future of work by providing access to project-based work experiences. 

The platform just recently launched and is currently seeking alumni, corporate partners, parents and friends of Belmont to post projects for students. The projects need to be short-term, paid, remote in nature and can include tasks like website design, social media content strategy, designing a logo, cleaning and analyzing data, etc.

Dismukes shared, “As we navigate 2021, it’s more important than ever to focus on community and personal connections. We’re excited to provide students and alumni with the opportunity to connect through project-based work via Belmont ProjectConnect.”

WalletHub Features Professor Farringer

Emma dela Pena
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WalletHub Features Professor Farringer

Belmont’s Dr. Deborah R. Farringer was recently featured on the personal finance website WalletHub in the article “2021’s Healthiest & Unhealthiest Cities in America.” In her feature, she discusses how to prioritize health while on a budget, what factors to take into consideration when moving to a healthy city and how authorities can work to improve local healthcare systems. 

In regards to rebuilding healthy habits, Dr. Farringer shares that “the best thing to do is simply to get started. There is always a reason to justify putting something off until tomorrow, but rebuilding always must start with the first step. There will always be setbacks along the way or bumps in the road that derail efforts, but just take each day as a new opportunity to get a fresh start.”

As a professor in the College of Law, Dr. Farringer has taught various courses throughout her time at Belmont and also currently serves as the associate dean for academic affairs and director of health law studies. Farringer has additionally been published in a number of magazines including Brooklyn Law Review, Nevada Law Review and Seattle University Law Review.

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