Belmont recently was recognized with the Century Award from Cheekwood Estate and Gardens for more than 100 hours of volunteer service by students. Dr. David C. Julseth, chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and professor of Spanish, attended the Volunteer Appreciation Day on Sat., Oct 21. to receive the award on behalf of the many students and faculty from Belmont’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) who have worked to support the annual celebration of the Hispanic holiday “El Día de los Muertos” (the Day of the Dead).
Julseth served on the original “El Día” advisory board at Cheekwood 17 years ago, and he continues in that role this year. On Fri., Oct. 20, Julseth and 20 Belmont Spanish students spent the afternoon making over 1,400 sugar skulls in preparation for the actual celebration of “El Día de los Muertos” that will be held this Sat., Oct 28 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Cheekwood. Last year the event was attended by more than 5,700 guests who enjoyed the vendors, food trucks, Mariachi band, Aztec dancers and “ofrenda” displays to remember deceased loved ones in positive ways. Guests will also be able to enjoy a wide variety of arts and crafts including the opportunity to decorate the sugar skulls made by the Belmont students.
