Belmont Director of Community Relations Joyce Searcy participated on a COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Taskforce to make recommendations to the Metro Nashville Department of Health on how the city can improve administering the COVID-19 vaccine to communities of color and vulnerable populations.
As vaccine doses continue to reach states for distribution, the Tennessee Department of Health has released early data suggesting minorities are not receiving the vaccine in percentages that mirror their share of the population or even their share of COVID patients. As of January 13, 2021, less than 4 percent of Tennesseans who identify as African American and less than 2 percent of Hispanics have received the vaccine. By contrast, African Americans account for 13 percent of the state’s COVID-19 cases and more than 25 percent of hospitalizations.
Concerned by this disturbing trend, representatives of several community organizations –who share a commitment to reaching the most vulnerable in Nashville, came together for a series of meetings to identify potential resources and solutions to mitigate disparities in the awareness of and access to a COVID-19 vaccine.
In general, observations and recommendations can be grouped into four basic categories, with some challenges and opportunities cutting across multiple categories, including public information and messaging, logistics, appointment scheduling methods and related messaging and instructions, and the vaccine supply. The taskforce wrote up their recommendations and presented it them to Dr. Gill Wright with the Metro Public Health Department.
Others who served on the taskforce include:
Dr. A. Dexter Samuels, MHA, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs & Executive Director of the Center for Health Policy at Meharry Medical College
Katina Beard, CEO of Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, Inc.
Yuri Cunza, President & CEO of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Fain, Chief Strategy Officer at YMCA of Middle Tennessee
Matt Wiltshire, Chief Strategy Officer at Metropolitan Housing and Development Agency
A lifetime Kansas City Chiefs fan, 2010 commercial music alumnus Blane Howard recently released his song “Run It Back” to celebrate the team. The Chiefs not only used the song in one of their promos, they also played it in Arrowhead Stadium to fire up the crowd during the 2021 playoffs.
This weekend the Chiefs defend their title against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Big Game.
Howard will perform Saturday and Sunday in St. Petersburg, Florida for the Arrowhead South Chiefs fan group’s event, “Run It Back 2 Back BBQ Tour.”
Watch a promo video featuring Howard’s song “Run It Back” here.
Belmont Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OT) alumnus Joe Straatmann (2017) is published in the fall 2020 edition of the International Journal of Telerehabilitation. The study, “Functional Mobility Outcomes in Telehealth and In-Person Assessments for Wheeled Mobility Devices,” found telehealth to be an appropriate care and delivery source for patients with mobility needs, traveling from rural communities to city clinics. The research was conducted in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.
“As occupational therapists, we look for ways we can best serve the people and communities we live and work in, better addressing healthcare disparities,” said Dr. Straatmann. “This study was promising because it provided us with a safe way to see patients from afar while also meeting their needs and expectations.”
In partnership with Mitchell Bell, Dr. Richard M. Schein, Dr. Brad E. Dicianno and Dr. Mark R. Schmeler, the driving forces behind the study, Dr. Straatmann discovered veterans who utilized telehealth in lieu of clinics experienced reduced caregiver, financial and travel burdens.
“This study contributed to the future of telehealth,” said Dr. Straatmann, “and it is our hope others can take what we learned and find ways to use the lessons in everyday life.”
Dr. Straatmann moved from Music City to the Steel City after graduation to work at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he is an occupational therapist and assistive technology professional. He also serves as an adjunct clinical instructor in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. He credits Belmont for playing a role in his success.
“OT is wide-ranging with expertise—everybody takes a unique spin on it as a practitioner. Belmont’s program taught me about the fundamentals of OT but pushed me to embrace my interests in OT,” said Dr. Straatmann. “Dr. Teresa Plummer was instrumental in encouraging me to follow my passion for assistive technology and take steps to create my own identity. Then, the opportunities presented themselves.”
Learn more about the study Dr. Straatmann co-authored here.
Belmont alumni are showcasing their achievements all over the music industry with releases from graduates and former students this month. Music Rowrecognized the artists in their recent “DISClaimer” article highlighting notable new releases and new artists.
Belmont alumnus Brad Paisley was recognized by the magazine article for his release with country artist Jimmie Allen, “Freedom Was a Highway.”
Lauren Weintraub, a former Belmont songwriting student, released her new single “She’s Mine,” after receiving more than a million views for the single on her TikTok account.
Jake Hoot and Kelly Clarkson’s new song “I Would’ve Loved You” was recently released, co-written by music business graduate Jamie Floyd.
Songwriting graduate Clare Dunn was also recognized for her release of “Real Thing,” and songwriting graduate Cameron Bedell co-wrote with music duo Seaforth on their new release, “Breakups.”
American Songwriter recognized songwriting graduate Sheyda for her new single “The Dragon,” which sets “an impressive tone for her rising career.”
Alumnus Devin Dawson released his new EP, “The Pink Slip EP,” on January 15. Dawson told Music Row in regards to the new release, “I have come a long way from the person I was, and I understand more of what it means to be an artist.”
Belmont math major Konstantin McKenna was recently presented with the opportunity to write a feature article for the magazine “Foreign Policy.” The article discusses and shares perspective on the “1776 Project” recently implemented by former President Donald Trump but soon canceled by President Joe Biden.
McKenna was invited to write for the magazine through a Twitter connection. The article is featured on Foreign Policy magazine, an American news publication that features news on current events, global affairs and domestic and international policy.
The Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature hosted their annual General Assembly session this past november where students from Belmont were able to use their voices and learn more about how the government works. Keidron Turner, Chloe Vaughn, Jace Wilder and Lauren Stanfill represented Belmont at this year’s virtual event and left the experience with many accomplishments under their belts.
The students joined other students across the state of Tennessee to participate in the weekend-long mock legislative session, which consisted of students writing, presenting and debating legislation and lobby bills. Students also had the opportunity to document the event through TISL media.
Keidron Turner, sophomore politics and public law major, and Chloe Vaughn, junior political science and global leadership major, were among the students that succeeded in getting their bills passed at the session. Vaughn was also elected as the TISL’s state treasurer for the year where she will work to plan next year’s general assembly. Each elected position has the chance to serve throughout the year with their term ending at the next general assembly.
The bills that are submitted each year can range from civil rights, education, healthcare and more. Students have the opportunity to submit bills that can be passed on to the TISL’s House and Senate chambers which move to the Tennessee General Assembly. From there, bills are debated and examined to possibly become Tennessee law. Belmont’s delegation submitted three bills with two of them being passed through the House and Senate chambers and are currently being processed by the TISL leadership.
Jace Wilder, junior political science and public health major, won the Carlisle Award for the organization’s best senator. The Carlisle Award is granted to ten outstanding legislators and is the oldest and most prestigious award. Wilder is Belmont’s head delegate and won the award and best senator for his distinguished performance in this year’s assembly.
Freshman politics and public law student Lauren Stanfill represented Belmont at the assembly by serving in the position of CEO for the Healthcare and Education lobbying firm. Stanfill’s role was to decide the direction of the firm by analyzing each bill and choosing whether or not to lobby for legislation.
Although virtual this year, Belmont students were still able to experience the event and carried out a noticeable and outstanding performance.
Four high-fashion, sustainable garments designed by students in the O’More College of Architecture & Design at Belmont University will be sold at OnlineGoodwill.com in an auction which will be open for bids from Feb. 1-5.
Each of the upcycled outfits was created from donated clothing and home goods obtained for about $25 from local Goodwill stores or Outlets. Students Marian Anderson, Maddy Clements, Emily Ferguson and Carson Stromen participated in the class project, called the Goodwill Studio Challenge.
Clements, who is a junior, designed a woman’s cropped top, wide-leg pants and a face mask using men’s button-down shirts she purchased from the Goodwill store on Berry Road in Nashville.
“Designing this look helped me see the potential in unwanted clothes,” Clements said. “I learned how to transform second-hand garments into fashion-forward, innovative designs. I learned that you don’t need fabric that costs hundreds of dollars to create designs that could walk the runway.
“I hope that by creating this garment I can show others how to use their creativity to extend the life cycle of thrifted clothing,” she added.
The four students’ creations were part of a Virtual Fashion Showcase, sponsored by Singer and AMAX Talent, which was unveiled on Belmont’s website Jan. 13. The virtual display was held in lieu of an annual in-person fashion show to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Goodwill Studio Challenge was integrated into O’More’s Basic Draping course and was intended to challenge students’ design, construction, patterning and draping skills. They worked throughout the fall semester on their creations, even as in-person classes were on hold.
Other outfits include a woman’s jacket, cropped shirt with one sleeve and trousers by Anderson; a quilt-textured woman’s jacket and pants by Ferguson; and a man’s corduroy top and distressed jeans by Stromen. Unusual materials from Goodwill incorporated into some of the garments include placemats, a tapestry blanket and a shower curtain.
Proceeds from the auction of the garments at OnlineGoodwill.com will benefit the nonprofit mission of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, which is changing lives through education, training and employment.
What: Online Auction of Upcycled Garments from the O’More College of Architecture & Design Virtual Fashion Showcase
When: Monday, Feb. 1-Friday, Feb. 5 (Bidding Open 24-7)
Belmont’s Dr. David Dark was recently featured on the cover of the Nashville nonprofit street paper, The Contributor, for his story “Make Repentance Great Again.” The article shares his personal experience with repentance as an educator.
Dr. Dark emphasizes the importance of owning up to our words because repentance “is a moral breakthrough that benefits self and others.” He shares that “in a nation of equals, assuming responsibility for your own words and actions, especially when they prove to have been demonstrably abusive, is one actionable way of loving your country.”
Regarding more accomplishments, Dr. Dark just signed a contract with the University of Texas Press to publish a book about U2 (Explain All These Controls: U2 & the Inner America).
Dr. Dark is a professor in the College of Theology specifically for the Religion and the Arts. Having been published multiple times by various publications, Dr. Dark has accomplished a lot of notable writing. To read more about him and some of his accomplishments, visit here.
Belmont alumna Ainsley Barry was recently promoted to Social Media Coordinator as a part of Black River Entertainment’s goal to reconstruct the marketing department. This push for change was sparked after the entertainment group deemed ‘resilience’ as their word and theme for the year of 2021. Barry graduated from Belmont in 2019 with a degree in Entertainment Industry Studies.
Originally, Barry joined Black River Entertainment as the Copyright and Licensing Coordinator in 2019. With her new promotion to Social Media Coordinator, she reports to the company’s VP of Marketing Tanya Schrage.
Her responsibilities includes planning and creating ways for the entertainment group to strengthen, grow and engage their online community. Barry is responsible for planning, implementing, managing and analyzing campaigns and content creation for social media platforms.
The entertainment group is a “family of record labels, a management company, a multi-GRAMMY winning publishing company and state-of-the-art recording studios.” The growing company has worked with various award-winning artists including Blake Ruby, Josh Kerr, Anna Vaus and more.
Belmont University’s Board of Trustees announced today a unanimous decision to appoint Dr. L. Gregory Jones, dean of Duke Divinity School, as president of Belmont, effective June 1, 2021. Dr. Jones, who will succeed long-time Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher following his May retirement, brings more than 30 years of higher education experience as a faculty member, administrator, consultant and strategist.
Board of Trustees Chair Marty Dickens said, “Finding a president to follow Bob Fisher is no easy task, but we couldn’t be more pleased that Dr. Greg Jones has agreed to serve as the next leader of Belmont University. An exceptional scholar, tremendous communicator and strategic thinker, Dr. Jones will bring great imagination and energy to his role and will cultivate a dynamic, thriving culture that continues to focus on student success. Most importantly, as a devoted Christian and ordained minister, Dr. Jones will ensure Belmont’s ecumenical Christian identity endures and is strengthened in the years to come.”
Known for his entrepreneurial leadership and fundraising ability, Jones currently serves as dean of Duke Divinity School, a position he held from 1997-2010 and again from 2018 to the present. Between 2010 and 2018, he served in a variety of roles, including vice president and vice provost for global strategy at Duke University and also as provost and executive vice president of Baylor University. In addition, he has served in advisory and strategic roles with several foundations and educational institutions in the United States as well as in Armenia.
In his current tenure as Dean, Jones has strengthened the Divinity School’s financial trajectory, diversified the faculty and staff and led a strategic planning process that has garnered great enthusiasm for the school’s future, all while setting new records for gifts to the Annual Fund and to the Divinity School overall. In addition, he currently serves as a senior fellow at Leadership Education, which he founded, and senior fellow at the Fuqua-Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics, both at Duke University. He is passionate about re-shaping cultures within and across organizations and has coined the term “traditioned innovation” to capture how he re-frames complex challenges to seize significant opportunities.
Jones said, “I am honored, humbled and delighted to be invited to serve as President of Belmont University. I have long admired Belmont as a university that brings together the best of Christian faith, an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong focus on forming and educating students through excellent faculty and staff. President Bob Fisher has provided extraordinary leadership over the past two decades, and I look forward to working with the Belmont community to build on all that has been accomplished as we look forward to a bold and exciting future.”
Dr. Greg Jones and Rev. Susan Jones were officially introduced to the Belmont and Nashville communities at a press conference Feb. 2.
Jones was unanimously recommended for the position by the Presidential Succession Committee, which consists of representatives from Belmont’s Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and alumni. The Succession Committee was guided in their selection by input from more than 775 campus stakeholders—students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, Board and community members—who participated in a survey on the qualities and experience most needed by Belmont’s next president.
Board of Trustees chair elect Milton Johnson noted, “The Belmont community spoke clearly about the characteristics they believe are needed in the University’s next president. They want an energetic, collaborative leader committed to diversity and inclusion, the student experience, Belmont’s Christian mission and campus resources and culture. Throughout his career Dr. Jones has demonstrated exceedingly strong capabilities in each area, while also possessing significant experience as a strategic and entrepreneurial thinker who excels at leading large organizations. Moreover, Dr. Jones’ passion for ‘traditioned innovation’ promises a president who will build on the strong community feel at Belmont and boldly take the University to even greater heights.”
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher added, “I am ecstatic that Dr. Greg Jones will become the next president of Belmont University. Having done this job for a few years, I also know how much it means to have someone beside you every single step of the way that you know loves you and cares for you no matter what. In Greg’s case, that’s Rev. Susan Jones, and I’m equally thrilled that she is ‘all in’ for this opportunity. They will be a powerful team for Belmont! Knowing that our Succession Committee was able to recruit such an outstanding leader to be the next president makes me proud to be a part of Belmont University. Former President Herbert Gabhart often said that ‘the best is yet to be for Belmont.’ I now understand that was much more than an expectation—it is a prayer, and it’s now my turn to pray that same prayer as we embrace the leadership of Dr. Jones.”
Jones’ tenures as dean have been marked by significant growth in Duke Divinity School. More than $102 million was raised under his leadership in The Campaign for Duke (1998-2003), and major new initiatives begun during his tenure include the Center for Reconciliation, the Thriving Rural Communities Program, the Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation, the Clergy Health Initiative, the Reynolds Program in Church Leadership and numerous international partnerships, especially with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, the United Methodist Church in Cote d’Ivoire, and the Center for Reconciliation’s Great Lakes Initiative which embraces the central-east African region. As Duke’s Global Strategist, he led initiatives in China and India as well as helped to engage work in Singapore.
A gifted speaker, Jones is the author or editor of 19 books, including the recently released Navigating the Future: Traditioned Innovation for Wilder Seas (with Andrew P. Hogue) which outlines his perspective on traditioned innovation as “a habit of being and living that cultivates a certain kind of moral imagination shaped by storytelling and expressed in creative, transformational action.” Other works include Christian Social Innovation, the co-authored Forgiving as We’ve Been Forgiven: Community Practices for Making Peace (with Celestin Musekura), the co-authored Resurrecting Excellence (with Kevin R. Armstrong), and the widely acclaimed Embodying Forgiveness. An ordained United Methodist minister, he has published more than 200 articles in a variety of publications.
Dr. Jones received his bachelor’s in speech communication and a masters of public administration from the University of Denver, and his masters of divinity and Ph.D. in theology from Duke University. He is also the recipient of honorary doctorates from Lycoming College (Williamsport, PA) and North Carolina Wesleyan. He currently serves on the boards of the John Templeton Foundation, the McDonald Agape Foundation, the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and the India Collective.
Dr. Jones is married to the Rev. Dr. Susan Pendleton Jones, who has served as a campus minister, a local church pastor and as a senior administrator at Duke Divinity School. Currently, she is working as a consultant to the bishop’s office of the United Methodist Church in North Carolina. Greg and Susan are the parents of three children: Nathan, Ben and Sarah, and are grateful for their two daughters-in-law, Amy Little Jones and Allison Jones, their son-in-law Joey Fala and their granddaughters Clara, Audrey and Sophie.
