Belmont alumna Hartwell Sawyer recently wrote and produced an anthem entitled ‘Universal Love,’ which encourages unity in the midst of chaos. With a bachelor’s in commercial music, she graduated in 2009 from Belmont’s School of Music.
Sawyer shared the reasoning and intent behind her song in an e-mail to her fans. “The beginning of this year felt like doomsday to so many people I care about – which inspired me to write a song about the invisible force that connects each and every one of us…no matter our differences,” she wrote.
Currently living and working in Bali, Sawyer is a self-produced songwriter. Writing more than 400 songs and performing in concerts all over the world, Sawyer thanked Belmont for the education provided to her. To watch her anthem on YouTube, click here.
This fall the O’More College of Architecture & Design at Belmont University celebrates its 50th anniversary, beginning with a social media campaign that launches tomorrow and continues for the next 50 days. Initiated on the O’More Instagram account and identified by the hashtag #OMores50DaysOfDesign, this series will comprise 50 high achievements in design—in any and all disciplines—as promoted by individual O’More students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the college’s programs.
Dr. Jhennifer Amundson, dean of Belmont’s O’More College of Architecture & Design, said, “Marking the significant occasion of the College’s 50th anniversary, this project brings together a remarkable and diverse array of examples that show how much good design impacts and improves both our daily lives and extraordinary events. In addition to celebrating design, because it is the product of 50 faculty, staff, students and alumni of the College, it’s a digital gallery of what has made O’More successful all these years—the fantastic people who have worked and studied together.”
The original O’More College of Design was founded in 1970 by Eloise Pitts O’More, a Ward-Belmont graduate who also trained in Paris and New York for interior design. Her goal was to establish a school that would foster and preserve her passion for design and design principles. With an aim to provide a student-centered environment that cultivates the power of design to transform, O’More offered programs in fashion design, fashion merchandising, graphic design and interior design for more than four decades at its Franklin, Tennessee-based campus. O’More long held connections to Belmont, including via an articulation agreement in the 1980s in which O’More students could take their general education requirements at Belmont while Belmont students could take interior design and historic preservation courses at O’More.
The College officially merged with Belmont University in 2018 and added a new undergraduate major in architecture this fall, the first and only architecture education program in Middle Tennessee. (The graphic design program has since moved to Belmont’s Watkins College of Art.) O’More’s programs are housed in more than 22,000 square feet in Hitch Hall, which was transformed into a state-of-the-art design education space by O’More faculty who provided all aspects of the design, finishes and furniture selection. Within these spaces, the College’s 150+ students have access to cutting-edge equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutter, high-speed plotters, EFI/Optitex computerized pattern-drafting and 3D virtual fit software and hardware, and industry-standard manufacturing equipment.
The 50 Days of Design Instagram campaign will run Nov. 13-Dec. 31. There will be a post each day from individuals affiliated with O’More, and each post will depict a significant designed object along with text as to why it was chosen.
Professor of Sociology Dr. Ken Spring and Professor of Creative and Entertainment Industries Dr. Sarita Stewart worked collaboratively to create a paper entitled “Bonnaroo University: Pedagogy of a Music Festival,” based on their experience teaching the University’s program “Belmont at Bonaroo.” The two co-presented the paper at the MEIA Summit, Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association.
The University program “Belmont at Bonnaroo” provides hands-on experience for students interested in festival culture and music research. Stewart and Spring lead the program by teaching co-curricular classes “Research Methods and Festival Culture” and “Sociology of Music.” Students then get the chance to apply what they have learned in class to the real-world music festival, Bonnaroo which takes place every year in Manchester, Tennessee.
Belmont students at the academic immersion program, “Belmont at Bonnaroo.” Disclaimer: Photos were taken pre-COVID.
Dr. Spring has been a part of Belmont since 2002 and has been interviewed by over 20 local and national news publications. In addition, he’s appeared in several documentaries that have aired on various television platforms. As a professor in the Curb College, Dr. Sarita Stewart values working with both undergraduate and graduate students. She is an entertainment researcher with interests in music consumption, video games, artist fandom and mood management.
Belmont songwriting student, Claire Ernst, recently won the opportunity to help recording artist H.E.R. finish co-writing a song for a “Life is Good” campaign. Out of thousands of submissions, Ernst was one of the three winners chosen to be flown out to Los Angeles to collaborate with H.E.R.
The home electronics company, LG Electronics held a collaboration campaign with singer-songwriter H.E.R. in an effort to help finish a song of which the artist wrote only 16 bars. The three finalists chosen, two songwriters and one instrumentalist collaborated with the artist to record in a studio and shoot the final video performance.
The hashtag is #lifeisgoodmusic_lg on Instagram and the audition highlights/winner reaction can be found on LG’s Instagram and Youtube. The music video campaign is being shown on a billboard in Times Square and in London Piccadilly Square, and an interview with Billboard will be posted soon featuring the winners of the contest.
Ernst shared, “This experience has been incredible, to be able to talk to and work with one of my idols while also doing what I love was surreal. I still can’t believe it happened!”
Be sure to watch for the official music video to be posted on LG’s global Youtube and Instagram pages in the next week.
It’s time. With a short and simple phrase, Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher announced yesterday to the Board of Trustees his intent to retire in May 2021 following more than two decades of service to the Nashville institution. A visionary and innovator in higher education, Fisher’s tenure is marked by Belmont’s phenomenal growth, dramatic rise in national prominence, dedication to student success and an extraordinary commitment to what he calls “the greatest privilege in life, serving someone else.”
“In my inauguration speech in 2000, I remarked that Belmont was a really good university, but then went on rather boldly to quote Bachman-Turner Overdrive to say ‘but you ain’t seen nothin’ yet,’” Fisher recalled. “What has been accomplished by our leadership team, our staff, our faculty and especially our students has exceeded anything we could have imagined. My overwhelming response to all that’s been accomplished is a deep sense of gratitude. I’m thankful for the incredibly smart and talented people on this campus who approach their work with great enthusiasm, effort and dedication, as well as for the tremendously supportive Board of Trustees who have stood with me all these years. Without a doubt, my wife Judy and I have been so blessed to be a part of Belmont—we are Bruins for life.”
Belmont’s Board of Trustees, under the direction of Chairman Marty Dickens, will immediately begin the process of seeking the University’s next president, anticipating a summer 2021 start date. Details on the search team and timeline will be announced at a future time.
Dickens said, “There is no question that Bob Fisher will leave big shoes to fill. He has consistently outperformed all expectations, and his tireless commitment to Belmont University is simply unmatched. I speak for the entire Board in thanking him for a job exceptionally well done. He leaves Belmont far better than he found it, and this University’s next president will inherit an institution poised for a dynamic future. Belmont has been blessed greatly by the contributions of Bob and his wife Judy, and I congratulate them on their upcoming well-deserved retirement.”
The Store Grant announcement
Alumnus Luke Putney Launches Miraculous Walk-a-Thon
Dr. & Mrs. Fisher
Belmont Inauguration
Belmont inauguration
Dr. Fisher talks to parents at 2017 Welcome Dinner
Bridges Sundae Social with Milton and Denice Johnson
The 2016 Ward-Belmont Reunion
Dr. Fisher, Dolly Parton and Mike Curb at ‘Celebrate the Songwriter’ event
Davis Cup at Belmont
Bob Fisher as student senate president at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark. Fisher was the student representative on a university search committee for a new president that year.
Dr. Fisher with his bees
Dr. Fisher and Helen Kennedy
Dr. Fisher and retired Coach Rick Byrd
President Fisher has long noted that his life’s mission is to help to create experiences that transform people, especially students, in ways that enable them to become all they were created to be. He remains focused on that same mission as he leads the University for the next seven months, ensuring the safe and successful completion of this unprecedented academic year while preparing for the incoming Fall 2021 class. He will also guide efforts to appoint the leadership team for the recently announced College of Medicine, and he will be directing progress on multiple construction projects, including the new performing arts center, two athletics facilities, a new parking garage and a new residence hall.
“Belmont University has been blessed beyond measure with great leaders in its past, but Bob Fisher has taken this institution to a level no one could have previously imagined,” said Vice President and Chief of Staff Dr. Susan West, speaking on behalf of the Senior Leadership team. “He set a high bar and demanded excellence in all things and at all times, all while providing opportunities for the people on this campus to work together to lift the University to new heights. His remarkable attention to detail, deep love for our students and passion for Belmont University represent a model that will endure.”
Upon the conclusion of his contract in May, Fisher plans to take a year-long sabbatical to enjoy time with his family as well as to spend time on his Arkansas farm. The Board has invited Fisher to consider a position as Chancellor of Belmont following his sabbatical. That position was last held by the late Dr. Herbert C. Gabhart, a past Belmont president who Fisher considered a friend, mentor and “the heart of Belmont.”
Affectionately nicknamed “Bob the Builder” among students, faculty and staff, Fisher has shaped Belmont University into a nationally recognized, premier institution, leading the campus through extraordinary development since his tenure began in 2000 with more than $1 billion invested in new construction, renovations and property acquisitions. The expansion has been needed to serve a rapidly growing enrollment that has nearly tripled under his leadership.
Beyond the campus and population expansions, Fisher’s fingerprints can be seen on nearly every accolade Belmont University has accomplished since he took office in 2000, and it is an extensive and impressive list. Highlights include:
ACADEMICS & OUTCOMES
Growing enrollment from 2,976 students in 2000 to more than 8,200 this fall, making Belmont the country’s largest ecumenical Christian university
Launching new graduate schools with the Colleges of Pharmacy and Law as well as the most recently announced College of Medicine
Expanding Belmont’s overall academic offerings to more than 100 areas of undergraduate study, 27 master’s programs and 5 doctoral degrees including recent additions for architecture, data science and public health, among others
Raising average ACT scores for entering freshmen as well as significantly improving retention and graduation rates
Awarding more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees
Creating an atmosphere where student-athletes thrive in the classroom and their chosen sports, securing 59 conference championships in the NCAA era while winning conference academic trophies 17 of the last 19 years
Shepherding the University into the Top 5 Best Regional Colleges ranking in U.S. News & World Report before making the recent leap into the National rankings
Consistently landing Belmont high atop U.S. News annual rankings of the nation’s Most Innovative colleges
CAMPUS GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Adding more than 3,500 residential spaces to the urban campus through the construction of 11 residence halls
Constructing stunning and flexible arts and entertainment facilities with the Curb Event Center, Troutt Theater, the renovated McAfee Concert Hall and the upcoming Performing Arts Center
Building beautiful, state-of-the-art academic facilities including the 186,000 square foot Janet Ayers Academic Center, the Milton & Denice Johnson Center, the Randall & Sadie Baskin Center, McWhorter Hall (named for brothers Clayton and Fred McWhorter) and the Gordon E. Inman Center
Expanding the campus’ physical footprint by more than 20 acres
Merging with local institutions O’More College of Design (now the O’More College of Architecture & Design) and Watkins College of Art to fortify Belmont’s position as a leader for art and design education in the South and a central hub for creatives
Guiding campus-wide sustainability efforts that have led Belmont to receive a Gold rating while securing multiple environmental stewardship awards
Securing the largest fundraising gifts in the institution’s history as well as leading the largest fundraising campaign, the We Believe campaign, which is closing in on its aggressive $300 million goal
Increasing the University’s endowment from $42.8 million to more than $278.2 million
Growing the employee infrastructure along with the enrollment, from 537 full-time employees in 2000 to 1,070 this fall
Ensuring Belmont attracts and retains strong talent by offering 21 straight years of a consistent 5 percent raise pool, moving wage comparisons among peer institutions from the University being in the 35thpercentile to now the 85th percentile
Committing to hourly workers as well with a $16.38/hour minimum starting salary this year
COMMUNITY SERVICE/ENGAGEMENT
Hosting presidential debates on campus in 2008 as well as on Oct. 22, 2020 that put the University on worldwide display—these events represent the only general election presidential debates to ever be held in Tennessee
Starting the Bridges to Belmont program in 2013, which each year provides 34 incoming freshmen who attend one of four Metro Nashville Public high schools with full, four-year scholarships
Initiating an innovative public/private partnership with Metro Nashville government that led to a $10 million renovation of nearby E.S. Rose Park, additional scholarships for local high schoolers and ample community relations and service connections
Forging a relationship with Nashville Public Television that led to 18 straight years of the “Christmas at Belmont” holiday concert being nationally broadcast on PBS
Hosting a wide variety of events that allowed for students to have unique engagement opportunities including the CMT Music Awards, CMA Country Christmas, the internationally broadcast Davis Cup tennis competition and a slate of political debates and forums
Partnering with alumnus Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberley Williams-Paisley to open nonprofit grocery outlet The Store
Launching a Missions Program in which thousands of students have used what they are learning at Belmont to serve others at home and abroad
Prior to his appointment at Belmont in April of 2000, Fisher was vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas State University, had previously served as dean of the school of business at Henderson State University and was a Professor at the University of Central Arkansas. He earned his BSBA from Henderson State University, an MBA from the University of Memphis, and a PhD in economics and management from the University of Arkansas.
Throughout his time in Nashville, he has also given of his time for the betterment of his community by volunteering in various roles. He currently serves as chair of the board for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. as well as on the Policing Policy Commission and on the Board of Directors for the National Museum of African American Music. He has previously held positions as chair of the Greater Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, chair of the board of the Pencil Foundation and Alignment Nashville, co-chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Public Education and as a member of the board for non-profits such as the Nashville Public Education Foundation, Cumberland Region Tomorrow, United Way, Nashville Symphony, Country Music Hall of Fame, and others.
Fisher was named “Tennessean of the Year” in 2008 following Belmont’s hosting of the Town Hall Presidential Debate, and in 2010, he was named “Nashvillian of the Year.” Even more recently, the Nashville Post recognized him as CEO of the Year in 2018.
In 2008, he and his wife, Judy, co-authored Life is a Gift: Inspiration from the Soon-Departed, a book that shares thoughts on living from 105 people in the Alive Hospice Program. He previously co-authored Real Dream Teams, a book on team leadership. Fisher has also served as a Fulbright Scholar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
About Belmont University Belmont University—home of the October 22, 2020 Presidential Debate, the third and final in the election season—is made up of more than 8,200 students who come from every state and 28 countries. Nationally ranked and consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its innovation and commitment to teaching, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 100 areas of undergraduate study, 27 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual’s horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
Belmont University’s Department of Chemistry and Physics hosted the 4th annual Celebrating the Women of Physical Science outreach event on Monday, November 2. More than 40 high school students and teachers from high schools in Nashville, TN, Knoxville, TN and Murray, KY signed-up for the event.
This year, the event was virtual via Zoom and started with a virtual lab tour lead by Dr. Rachel Rigsby, chemistry professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, showcasing some of the undergraduate programs in the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Dr. Krista McBride, associate professor of physics, and Dr. Danielle Garrett, associate professor of chemistry education, also had the opportunity to highlight undergraduate research opportunities at Belmont University.
The featured event was Dr. Julia Stoyanovich’s keynote address Responsible Data Science. Dr. Stoyanovich is an assistant professor of computer science and engineering and of data science at New York University, where her research focuses on responsible data management and analysis: on operationalizing fairness, diversity, transparency and data protection in all stages of the data science lifecycle. She is the founding director of the Center for Responsible AI at NYU, a comprehensive laboratory that is building a future in which responsible AI will be the only kind accepted by society.
Previously, Stoyanovich established the Data, Responsibly consortium and served on the New York City Automated Decision Systems Task Force. She is developing and teaching courses on Responsible AI at NYU and is the co-creator of an award-winning comic on this topic.
Stoyanovich holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from Columbia University and a B.S. in Computer Science and in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Her work has been funded by the NSF, BSF and by industry, and she is a recipient of an NSF CAREER award and of an NSF/CRA CI Fellowship.
At the end of the talk, McBride moderated a question and answer session, where visiting high school students, teachers and Belmont undergraduate students and faculty had the opportunity to ask Dr. Stoyanovich questions via chat.
This event was organized by the Department of Chemistry and Physics STEM Outreach Committee (Rigsby and McBride) and Committee Chair (Garrett) and was promoted on-campus by the Women in Science student organization (faculty advisor, McBride, and student president, Sanyourah El-Hulu).
Garrett was extremely pleased with the success of the event this year with the new virtual format. She said, “We were very excited to have Dr. Stoyanovich join us this year as the keynote speaker. Dr. Stoyanovich started her talk by sharing her personal story as a woman in a STEM field. Her message resonated with the audience, letting them see that challenges are not the end of a journey but the beginning. Her talk was extremely accessible to the audience and emphasized the difficult questions and real-world relevance of responsible data science in today’s world.”
Assistant Professor of Data Science Dr. Dana Zhang was recently published in the Frontiers Journal for her article “Toward Patient-Centered Stewardship of Research Data and Research Participant Recruitment With Blockchain Technology.”
Previously, Dr. Zhang was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Read her full article published in Frontiers in Blockchain here.
As the debate programming comes to an end, Belmont University thanks students, faculty and staff for being supportive in the University’s preparation for the Presidential Debate and their participation in the virtual, educational events throughout the fall season.
As soon as Belmont was announced as the host site, the University worked swiftly to create a semester full of debate-related programming under the umbrella topic of “The Ideas of America,” which featured a slate of events, speakers and discussions, many of which are still available at Belmontdebate2020.com and on Belmont’s YouTube channel.
With a goal to explore many of the ideas at the heart of the American story: our history, democracy, the vote, the rights and responsibilities of citizens and more, the “Ideas of America” programming provided students and community members with unique events where they were able to engage with professionals in various fields and professions as they all discussed the debate and topics surrounding it, keeping civility and civic responsiblity at the center. Ultimately, Belmont’s goal was to create events and programs that celebrate the American spirit and recognize what makes this great nation so unique.
Events included the University’s annual Humanities Symposium and White House Style, a four part series with creative consultant and host Libby Callaway that featured a national slate of historians, designers and cultural critics. Other events brought in experts to share their thoughts and knowledge on topics such as social media, misinformation, Christianity and politics, and voting. The University also partnered with other local colleges and Rock the Vote for a concert celebrating National Voter Registration Day.
The University offered various courses related to the Presidential debate, as well, such as a class taught by Instructor Jennifer Duck and Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel called “Democracy, Media and the Public Sphere,” which was featured on C-SPAN’s “Lectures in History.”
Student Danielle Mcgahan shared, “Students have been given unique opportunities to enroll in classes that examine our democracy and teach us how to be responsible citizen and consumers of media.”
Lucy Walsh, a student in the Public Relations course, Debate in Action, taught by Dr. Sharee Broussard, shared, “I’ve gotten to take a deep dive into what it takes for a university to facilitate an event on this scale, and I’ve particularly focused on the support and collaboration needed from the greater Nashville community.”
Two special initiatives are still ongoing and are available to the public. The Unity Flag project is on display until November 20 in the Lobby of Leu Center for the Visual Arts and in a special online gallery. Another exhibit is also up until November 20 in the Leu Gallery in the Lila D. Bunch Library, entitled Designing a Democracy: from the political poster collection of Ronnie Steine.
Belmont thanks not only the faculty of Belmont but alumni, sponsors and partners beyond the Belmont community for sharing their knowledge to contribute to the betterment of students’ civil discourse education.
Overall, the presidential debate provided not only the Belmont community but the Nashville community with a unique opportunity and signifcant impact. As the activities and excitement around the presidential debate come to a close, the University hopes that students use the education acquired from debate programming to continue the conversation and foster civic engagement often on campus and beyond.
Dr. David Dark, assistant professor of Religion and the Arts at Belmont, was recently featured as a special guest on the Floods of Justice Podcast with Kevin Sage.
Floods of Justice works to “look at the issues of our day from a biblical perspective without the labels.” It’s led by Reverend Doctor Kevin Riggs with co-host Kevin sage. The podcast can be found on all streaming platforms and to read more information on the podcast, click here.
Bassel Alhashemi, a fourth year pharmacy student at Belmont University, is one of five New Icons Grant winners who will receive $50,000 to put toward school loans and tuition expenses from Figs.
Alhashemi was born in Aleppo, Syria and left the country when the war broke out. Witnessing the devastating effects of lack of access to vaccines and medication, he was inspired to begin his career in pharmacy. He told Figs, “I’m dedicating my professional career goals to making sure people across the globe have access to their medications.”
“We are extremely proud of Bassel and his efforts in receiving an award that nationally recognizes him for what we already know about him as a student in our program,” said Dr. David Gregory, dean of Belmont’s College of Pharmacy. “He is a genuine professional who consistently helps his classmate and exhibits kindness to those around him. He is such a hard worker who has a bright future ahead of him, and students like Bassel are a key reason why our program continues to excel.”
Alhashemi’s goals include climbing Mount Everest, earning his Doctorate degree and one day working for the United Nations. Learn more about Alhashemi and the grant in a video on the Figs website.
