IMPORTANT NOTE: These are the archived stories for Belmont News & Achievements prior to June 26, 2023. To see current stories, click here.

Home Blog Page 83

Belmont Equity Trading Club Wins Largest TVA Investment Challenge Award in School’s History

Haley Charlton
-
0
Belmont Equity Trading Club Wins Largest TVA Investment Challenge Award in School’s History

Belmont University’s Equity Trading Club will be recognized on March 24 for their excellence in managing the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Investment Portfolio this year and receiving a return of 28.96 percent (with an Alpha of 10.56 percent over the S&P 500). Massey Business School will receive a performance award of more than $12,000 from TVA, the largest award in the school’s 12 year history of competing.

Belmont is one of 26 universities that are entrusted to manage “decommissioned asset” taxpayer money slated for energy production in large coal-fired or nuclear power facilities. The Equity Trading Club managed the $600,000 investment portfolio for TVA and will learn at the virtual conference in March where they ranked among the other schools for 2020.  

Associate Professor of Finance Dr. John S. Gonas, the Equity Trading Club advisor, said, “Given the investment policy tied to the management of TVA funds and the directives to adequately diversify the portfolio, I am amazed that Hayden Smith and his team of managers were able to achieve such a high level of relative performance. These students have applied what they have learned in their Massey BBA curriculum to not only bless the TVA, but also present themselves as accomplished equity analysts and wealth managers. I am excited to watch each member in their vocational pursuits, especially when they are called to the stewardship of money.”

Hayden Smith
Club President Hayden Smith

Senior Hayden Smith, president of the club, led the team of managers, including former vice presidents and now alumni Grayson Davis and Jack Morgheim, current vice president and junior Matin Danadel, seniors Shawn Gammon, Abdulkarim Abbas and Aidan Robinson, juniors Tom Joseph and Thomas Nabors, and sophomore Sadie Nayman.

Carter Presents, Publishes Law Expertise this Year

Haley Charlton
-
0
Carter Presents, Publishes Law Expertise this Year

Associate Professor of Law and Director of Academic Success Dr. Tracey Carter has recently shared her law expertise in several ways.

In December, Carter gave a virtual CLE presentation to the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office on “The Psychology of Negotiations.”

Dr. Carter’s law review article titled “Drunk Drivers are a Moving Time Bomb: Should States Impose Liability on Both Social Hosts and Commercial Establishments Whose Intoxicated Guests and Patrons Subsequently Cause Injuries or Death to Innocent Third Parties?” will be published in Volume 49 of the Capital University Law Review this year.

Alumna Ensley Talks COVID-19 Vaccine with Tennessee Tribune

Emma dela Pena
-
0
Alumna Ensley Talks COVID-19 Vaccine with Tennessee Tribune

Alumna and nurse practitioner Jessica Friley Ensley is currently featured in the Tennessee Tribune sharing her experience after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer vaccination against COVID-19 in the recent article entitled “Saluting One of Tennessee’s Essential Workers: Nurse Practitioner Shares Importance of Getting Vaccinated.” 

In her feature article, Ensley shares the challenges and circumstances that come with being a healthcare worker. She currently works at the Nashville Centennial Hospital where she courageously sees and assists patients of all ethnicities and ages fighting the virus. She explained, “Black people are more likely to die from COVID, and it’s my hope that seeing a Black person getting vaccinated will encourage some trust in science and the medical community.”

Since COVID struck early last year, Ensley has been adhering to a safety routine to protect her husband when she comes home from work. While taking this precaution every day, Ensley shares that she decided to get the vaccine because she exposes her husband often, she hasn’t hugged her family in nearly a year, she misses choir rehearsal and going to church and she has experienced personal loss.

“My coworkers and I have been fighting this for a long time, and some have contracted COVID—we’ve been lucky everyone has recovered. Tough decisions are being made because there aren’t enough ventilators or ECMO,” she said. “It’s been a challenging 10 months, and there are difficult days ahead. This moment gave me a glimmer of hope. I’m happy to keep anyone interested updated. Please wear your mask and keep safe distance. We’ll get through this together.”

To read more about Ensley’s statement and experience working in healthcare amidst a pandemic, visit the Tennessee Tribune.

Nashville Business Journal Features Belmont Alumni on ’40 Under 40′ List

Emma dela Pena
-
0
Nashville Business Journal Features Belmont Alumni on ’40 Under 40′ List

Four Belmont alumni were recently announced as a part of the Nashville Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” 2021 awards. The accomplished professionals were recognized for creating a better Nashville, whether it be for their company, community or a cause. Rebecca McKelvey Castañeda, Justin Hayden, Trevor Hinesley and Melanie Jane Bull represented Belmont on the 2021 edition of the 40 Under 40 listing. 

Castañeda serves on the Board of Trustees at Belmont and is the former president of the Belmont University Alumni Board of Directors. Currently a member (partner) of the firm Stites & Harbison based in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, she works exclusively in family law. Castañeda attended and graduated from the university in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in political economy and broadcast journalism.

Soon to be Chief Legal Counsel of Pinnacle, Hayden graduated from Belmont in 2004 with a degree in political science and received his Juris Doctorate degree from Mississippi College School of Law. Throughout his time at Belmont, he was named American Inn of Court Outstanding Mentor of the Year. 

Hinesley, also featured in the journal, graduated in 2012 with a degree in audio engineering which then led him to become co-founder and CTO of Soundstripe. The royalty-free music subscription is for podcast creators, YouTubers, wedding videographers and more. 

Senior Associate at Schmidt Government Solutions, Bull was also recognized for her many accomplishments. As the public policy director for the Tennessee Disability Coalition, she handles all statewide public policy issues. Throughout her time at Belmont, Bull studied political science and economics leading her to a state legislative internship and experience with the Tennessee General Assembly. 

NBJ’s article shares 40 individuals and professionals in the Nashville area that have exceptionally succeeded in their careers striving in leadership, innovation and service.

Belmont Alumna Sherrill Featured on Cover of Nashville Scene

Emma dela Pena
-
0
Belmont Alumna Sherrill Featured on Cover of Nashville Scene

Belmont Alumna Wren Sherrill was recently featured on the cover of the Nashville Scene in a tribute to the Nashvillians of the Year: Health Care Workers. The article shares Vanderbilt’s healthcare workers and their fight to save lives in the midst of a global pandemic. 

Sherrill graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has continued on to work as a part of Vanderbilt’s COVID-19 ICU staff. With challenging work and eye-opening experiences every day, Sherrill considers the ICU staff “the final fighters in this war.” 

The article shares the words of another ICU worker Olivia Kirkpatrick who says to “give some grace to our leaders, and the scientists that are making recommendations.” Healthcare workers in Nashville and across the country are working diligently to protect their city and its residents. 

The Nashville Scene covers more of Vanderbilt’s ICU staff and daily experiences in their 2020 Nashvillians of the Year: Health Care Workers.

Belmont Celebrates Martin Luther King Week 2021, ‘A Legacy of Uplift’

Emma dela Pena
-
0
Belmont Celebrates Martin Luther King Week 2021, ‘A Legacy of Uplift’

As Martin Luther King week at Belmont comes to a close on campus, students and faculty will not forget the ‘legacy of uplift’ that Dr. King created as the campus community continues to pursue and encourage his example.

Belmont University’s Marting Luther King Jr. Week 2021 kicked off with an Uplift Luncheon on the 15th, where various MLK sermons, speeches and quotes were shared by members of the Belmont community. Watch the luncheon here.

On the actual MLK holiday, January 18, Belmont dedicated the new Freedom Plaza Memorial in a special online ceremony. The memorial featured guest speakers Dr. Susan West, Dr. Bob Fisher, Dr. Anthony Blash, Mark Brown, Dr. Jeffrey Ames and student Haily McGee who all spoke on the history and legacy of the memorial. 

As President of the Black Student Association, McGee shared how this memorial will serve as a daily reminder of Belmont’s history, “whether good or bad.” In closing, she shared, “While this memorial is not the solution, it is a step in the right direction.” To see the memorial and dedication on Belmont’s YouTube, click here. 

MLK Postcard
What MLK Means to Me postcards that will be written and displayed as an art piece on exhibit in the lobby of Janey Ayers at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, January 21, 2021.

Throughout the week, students and faculty filled out cards to be posted on bulletin boards sharing their personal intentions and reasoning for the celebration of Martin Luther King week. Intentions of students, faculty and staff can be found on bulletin boards throughout campus as remembering the importance of MLK week. Campus also used the week to give back, both through a book drive benefitting the PENCIL Foundation and through a city-wide Letter Writing Project with Greater Nashville Regional Council, Creative Ideas Project with Turnip Green Creative Reuse.

On Tuesday of the week, Jemar Tisby, author of the book “Color of Compromise,” hosted a presentation for the faculty and staff at Belmont in addition to a chapel hosted for students. This day also consisted of an event that celebrated and took strides forward in racial healing, hosted by Baratunde Thurston. The National Day of Healing featured many guest speakers that discussed how to unravel racial biases.

Marcus Knight, publicity chair of the Black Student Association, shared words of wisdom at the organization’s virtual candlelight vigil where students were able to pick up a celebration packet ahead of time. Knight shared, “There can be no comfort, complacency or currency when it comes to moving forward as a human race, solving the problem of systemic racism and social injustice.” 

He led the virtual event as he shared that “justice is not a noun. It is a verb. Love is not a noun. It is a verb. Righteousness is not a noun. It is a verb.”

As campus moves forward throughout the semester, let this week be a reminder to act on the words spoken and treat others kindly.

Pharmacy Student Soriano’s National Guard Team Featured on NBC for Helping Hospital Overrun with COVID Patients

Emma dela Pena
-
0
Pharmacy Student Soriano’s National Guard Team Featured on NBC for Helping Hospital Overrun with COVID Patients

Trish Soriano, a current Belmont student in the College of Pharmacy and active member of the United States National Guard, was recently recognized by NBC of Palm Spring under the headline “National Guard Helps Riverside Hospital Overrun with Covid Patients.” The California hospital became overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, calling in help from the National Guard. 

The strike team that was called into the hospital consists of six team members, one of them being Soriano. The chief nursing officer of Riverside hospital shared that the strike team has helped alleviate the surge of COVID-19 patients and the hospital is more than grateful. 

Soriano shared the reality of working on the frontlines in the middle of a pandemic is stressful and upsetting most times. “I can’t see my family or visitors, and I have to stay in a hotel leaving only with permission. I wish people could see what we have experienced in the ER and ICU every day so that others can take the pandemic more seriously,” she said. 

However, she also has the opportunity to learn what it’s like to be a clinical pharmacist on-site at Riverside hospital. Soriano checks patients’ vitals and assists them with their medications. 

To view Soriano and her strike team’s feature on NBC Palm Springs, click here.

Belmont Motion Picture Majors Place in WCTE-PBS Film Festival

Emma dela Pena
-
0
Belmont Motion Picture Majors Place in WCTE-PBS Film Festival

Two motion picture students recently placed in the WCTE-PBS Students Film Festival that took place January 13-15, 2021. The festival presented students with the opportunity to attend workshops, panels and submit films as a part of an award-winning film screening. 

Belmont student Kaleb Knight placed first in Best Tennessee Local Films for his film Sugar Baby. Another student filmmaker, Evan Korycki, placed third in Best Tennessee Local Films for her film Madame Upstairs. Both students placed in the Ages 13+ category for the state of Tennessee. 

Dr. Amy Bertram of the Curb College shared the opportunity with as many motion picture students and faculty as possible at the end of the fall semester and several students submitted films. Dr. Bertram shared how proud she was of the students and was happy to see them winning in the Tennessee local category that carried a small cash prize. 

To view their films and other award-winners, click here.

R. Milton Johnson Named Chair-Elect of Belmont University Board of Trustees

April Hefner
-
0
R. Milton Johnson Named Chair-Elect of Belmont University Board of Trustees

R. Milton Johnson, the retired HCA Healthcare chairman and CEO, was recently unanimously elected as the new chair of the Belmont University Board of Trustees. Johnson will step into a role currently held by retired BellSouth/AT&T-Tennessee executive Marty Dickens, who has led the Board since 2005. Johnson, a 1979 Belmont graduate who currently serves on the Board’s Executive Committee and chairs the Academic Affairs Committee, will assume the new role June 1.

The transition is a timely one, coinciding with the May 2021 retirement of long-time Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher. “I’ve long said that having an involved, supportive Board is what enabled me to successfully serve as Belmont’s president for the past 20 years,” said Fisher. “Having Marty Dickens as chairman gave me and Belmont a tremendous advantage. I’m incredibly grateful for his leadership, and I’m equally excited for Milton Johnson to take the reins. As an alum, he represents what Belmont is all about, truly using his education to make transformational change in the world. With his guidance I’m convinced the best is yet to come for Belmont.” 

Dickens added, “Belmont is so fortunate to have Milton Johnson take over as chair of the Board of Trustees. He has consistently demonstrated his passion for education, and for Belmont specifically, throughout his life, and I know he will do a wonderful job leading the Board as the University heads into an exciting future.”

A 37-year veteran of HCA Healthcare, Johnson served in various financial and senior management positions for the company that now includes 184 hospitals and 2,000 sites of care located in 21 states and the United Kingdom. Johnson has remained a dedicated leader and supporter of the University’s mission since his graduation, and he and his wife Denice are active in the lives of Belmont students. The couple created the R. Milton and Denice Johnson Bridges to Belmont Endowed Scholarship Fund in 2015, which helps to provide full scholarships for qualified, high potential students from Metro Nashville Public Schools to attend Belmont. In addition to their financial support, the Johnsons spend substantial time each year with the more than 120 students whose experience at Belmont is made possible by their gifts. 

National Museum of African American Music Celebrates Official Opening

Haley Charlton
-
0
National Museum of African American Music Celebrates Official Opening

In celebration of the official opening later this month, the National Museum of African American Music held a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, January 18, 2021, coinciding with MLK Day. Museum President and CEO H. Beecher Hicks III and special guests commemorated this milestone event in the museum’s history through a live streamed event which can be viewed here.

Timed, self-guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays will be offered when the museum opens on January 30, with additional days becoming available later in the spring. Tickets can be purchased at blackmusicmuseum.org/tickets.

Belmont University is a sponsor of the museum, both financially and in opportunities for growth and education. The University recently hosted a series of webinars for students and the community to discuss racial justice issues within the music industry and also sponsored the Roots and Streams exhibition at the museum. The goal of the partnership is to foster sustained and impactful relationships that lead to better telling of its rich history and might also serve as a conduit for students to visit the museum, have potential internships and work collectively together.

Read more about Belmont’s involvement here.

1...828384...887Page 83 of 887
Belmont University Logo | News & Media

CONTACT US

University Marketing and Communications
615-460-6650
communication@belmont.edu

FOLLOW US

Secret Link