Belmont Story Review (BSR) has been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) as a REALM First Class magazine. This year, schools in 42 states and five countries nominated 262 student magazines ranging from middle school to higher education. Of those, 38 magazines were awarded the contest’s highest distinction, REALM First Class.
The REALM program publicly recognizes excellent literary magazines produced by students with the support of their teachers. REALM is designed to encourage all schools to develop literary magazines that celebrate the art and craft of writing.
“It’s an immense honor to receive the REALM First Class award from NCTE,” said assistant professor Sara Wigal, BSR editor and media studies department chair. “Each year, Belmont publishing students work so hard to produce a professional-caliber literary journal and having that recognized on the national scale will bring a smile to our faces for the rest of this semester. We are grateful and will be reading a lot of poetry and prose in the coming months to celebrate and settle on the selections for our 2023 volume.”
Established in 2016, Belmont Story Review is a national magazine of literary arts, faith and culture, charming readers through diverse storytelling including fiction, personal essay and poetry.
BSR was founded by Richard Sowienski who served as the first editor of the magazine and former director of publishing. Today, it operates as a practicum course where students gain hands-on experience running a magazine with senior Sophie Slusher serving as managing editor. Primarily student-run, the magazine is open to all students who have taken the prerequisite publishing process course.
BSR’s eighth volume is set to publish in August 2023 and has received a record-breaking number of submissions: 698 prose and 503 poetry. Submissions are not open to Belmont students or faculty—although alumni of four years or more can submit—and contributors are paid.
“We recommend these schools highly and with great regard for the MBA programs they offer,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief. “Every MBA program—on-campus as well as online—that made our lists for 2023 offers outstanding academics, superb experiential components, and impressive career services.”
The Princeton Review editors weigh more than 60 data points in selecting their annual Best Business Schools lists. Belmont’s Graduate School of Business profile highlighted the program’s personalized career planning, International Business internship opportunities and the Executives-in-Residence programs.
“For students who have been through our program, the possibilities are endless,” said Dr. Sarah Gardial, Dean of the Jack C. Massey College of Business. “We’re creating a community. It really is a Massey way of life for us that extends far beyond the time that you’re here and for the rest of your career.”
The Massey MBA has four distinct graduate programs: professional MBA, accelerated MBA, healthcare MBA and Master of Accountancy. Massey’s Professional MBA program is now available in multiple formats. Students can choose between in-person, online or hybrid modalities for more convenience and customization, part-time or full-time.
Applications for The Disney College Program opened last week for the fall 2023 term. While any student who meets eligibility requirements can apply, Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business (CEMB) offers a unique opportunity for many of its majors.
Acceptance into the program can provide an opportunity to remain full-time Belmont students, keep their scholarships and financial aid and get hands-on experience working in Disney Parks and Resorts. Plus, Belmont offers online classes that students can take while participating in the internship program as well as specialized Disney seminars and professional development classes for which they can receive credit.
“Being one of the only institutions in the country able to do so, it puts CEMB in a unique position to provide opportunities that are difficult to find elsewhere,” said Dr. David Schreiber, Associate Professor and Chair of the Creative & Entertainment Industries Program at Belmont. “It’s a perfect complement to what many students are studying during their time here. Whether they are a creative & entertainment industries (CEI) major, music business, media studies or songwriting, they can take what they are learning in the classroom and build upon that through this experience. Being able to provide full-time options to some students is often quite attractive for those who need to keep this status for financial aid or scholarship purposes.”
This popular program is designed to help college students gain valuable work experience, develop leadership skills, make lifelong connections and reach graduation on time. The Disney College Program is available for up to two years after graduation, giving students more time to take advantage without interrupting regular coursework.
“Many of the students that have interest in being involved in the program have often grown up with a fondness and positive association with the parks and the Disney brand,” Schreiber said. “Having the opportunity to work for one of the best entertainment companies in the world while being able to provide the magic that inspired them is often at the heart of their desire to be engaged in this way.”
Here’s a closer look at the benefits for students:
Real-World Experience
Participants get the opportunity to work in various departments within Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Programs span four to seven months (with opportunities to extend up to one year) and students may work as park attendants, merchandise associates, ride operators or costumed character performers starting at $14 an hour. They may also participate in a professional internship related to their major (marketing, accounting, legal, etc.).
Note: Disney Professional Internships differ from the Disney College Program. These professional internships are offered across the United States in all segments of The Walt Disney Company, including media networks, consumer products, studios and entertainment, and may be located in Los Angeles, Orlando, Seattle or Bristol, Connecticut. Information about applying for Disney Professional Internships can be found here.
Students who participate in the Orlando Disney College program live at Flamingo Crossings Village for the duration of their program with all amenities they need close by. Transportation to and from the parks and resorts is included. Cast member discounts on merchandise, food and resort stays are just some of the perks of the program.
Networking Opportunities
The Disney College Program also provides participants with valuable networking opportunities. Students have access to social events to meet other students from around the world and connect with potential future employers. They also receive personalized feedback from experienced mentors dedicated to helping students succeed inside and outside their role at Disney.
Career Development Resources
The program doesn’t end after their internship ends—Disney continues to provide resources for alumni after they leave their positions. As alumni of the program, students have exclusive access to career development resources such as job postings for entry-level roles within The Walt Disney Company or other organizations around the country, advice from former colleagues and discounts on flights and hotels for professional conferences or interviews.
Eligibility
Belmont students must be at least a second-semester sophomore before beginning the program and must have met the majority of WELL-Core hours needed before going. Belmont has additional eligibility requirements that are separate from Disney’s requirements. Click here to learn more and apply.
Click here tolearn more about the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business and to apply.
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
These words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired the theme of Belmont’s 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week which has taken place in observance of the late minister’s birthday since January 1997.
Community guests and neighboring colleges and universities joined Belmont in celebrating the infinite hope of Dr. King’s legacy. The theme connects back to the campus message for Belmont to be an institution where hope abounds.
“Even as we commemorate Dr. King and the power of his words, life and witness to move America, let’s also remember it wasn’t only him,” Belmont University President Greg Jones said. “The work of preaching, like the work of ministry, like the work of discipleship is not a solo enterprise – it’s a team sport. So, let’s all be agents of hope.”
Belmont students joined eight other colleges and universities for the 2023 Joint Day of Service.
Nine Nashville colleges and universities participated in the ninth annual Joint Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 14 to kick off the weeklong celebration.
Belmont’s director of the Office of Service-Learning Tim Stewart helped establish the Day of Service thirteen years ago, in partnership with Vanderbilt and Tennessee State University. This year, the event brought hundreds of students together to participate in various service projects throughout Nashville, echoing numerous facets of Belmont’s mission and vision.
“The work that we do on the MLK Joint Day of Service helps us towards our aspirational aim of being radical champions for helping people and communities flourish,” Stewart said. “Our collaboration with diverse campuses from the community help us embrace hope and inclusivity to help reweave the social fabric, as outlined in Strategic Pathway 4 and it provides opportunities to amplify storytelling to inspire the world with messages of truth, beauty and goodness, epitomized through our work surrounding Strategic Pathway 5”
Dr. Kevin Cosby speaks with a student after his chapel message. Photo by Sam Simpkins
Rev. Kevin Cosby spoke at a community luncheon after delivering Wednesday’s chapel address. Cosby is the Senior Pastor at St. Stephen Church in Louisville, KY — the largest employer of African Americans in Kentucky, and the seventh president of Simmons College of Kentucky. Using relatable, light-hearted anecdotes, Cosby encouraged chapel attendees with a message from Matthew 7, and his luncheon address focused on the boldness found in the fourth chapter of Acts.
Dr. Jon Roebuck, executive director of the Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership invited Arlene Averbuch, Steve Riven, Martin Sir and Rabbis Shana Mackler and Mark Schiftan from Nashville’s Jewish community to a panel discussion over Civil Rights advocacy and allyship from the Jewish perspective.
Left to right: Photo of Arlene Averbuch, Martin Sir and Rabbi Shana Mackler and Steve Riven at Special MLK Week Panel: “Seeing the Civil Rights Movement Through a Different Lens.” Photo by Sam Simpkins
Rabbi Mackler serves at The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom and emphasized the long-standing support between the Black and Jewish communities.
“Today, I think, there is a forgetting of that sacred relationship,” Mackler said. “It wasn’t Jews showing up for the African American community and being the one always with a handout to help. It went both ways. A lot of Rabbis and scholars who came from Germany to flee the Holocaust couldn’t get jobs in the northeast. They couldn’t get jobs in universities, but the HBCUs opened their doors.”
“We show up for each other and we build those relationships because we have those same values,” Mackler continued. “The work that we do with other communities of difference stands to help reinforce and educate all our communities in those values of being created in the image of God, loving your neighbor and shouting out justice and pursuing it.”
Gary Hunter and student Justice Dudley at MLK Week chapel. Photo by Sam Simpkins
Real Talk sessions for staff as well as students were facilitated during the week. MLK Celebration sponsors include the Office of the Provost, MLK Celebration Committee, Faith-Based Engagement and Church Relations.
Historian, author and history professor at Simmons College Jemar Tisby closed out the week as Friday’s guest lecturer. Tisby is the author of The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism and How to Fight Racism. His chapel message and lunch lecture challenged attendees to critically think about how compromise feeds racial prejudice and discrimination.
“We have this erroneous idea that the real racists are the ones who put on white robes and hoods,” Tisby said. “The ones who proudly and blithely proclaim racial slurs. Make no mistake, they are racists, but all those things happen with people nearby who don’t say anything. Understand, the most egregious acts of racism can only happen within a context of complicity.”
Belmont continues to emphasize the value of human dignity by hosting MLK Week events each year through chapel services, programming and dialogues on diversity, race and ethnicity.
Belmont double alumna I’Ashea Myles ‘14 recently began her eight-year term as the State of Tennessee 20th Judicial District Chancery Court III judge after winning the 2022 Tennessee State and Federal Primary Election. Myles’ new position is not only a personal victory but a pioneering accomplishment being the first Black female in Davidson County to serve as chancellor.
Outside of Chancellor I’Ashea Myles’ courtroom at the Davidson County Chancery Court. Photo by Sam Simpkins
Myles continually emphasizes the importance of representation in the legal community, a key message of her campaign. As a maverick in her position, the magnitude of her impact is still unfolding, often unexpectedly.
“I had a lawyer come in who regularly practices in Chancery Court and after she gave her argument, she got emotional and started crying,” Myles recounted. “She said ‘I don’t think you understand what your being up there means.’”
Since coming to Belmont as a freshman, the Cincinnati native has repeatedly garnered success and established a reputation of distinction, paving the way for the increase of diverse representation in the places that she occupies. “In any space, there has to be someone who blazes the trail,” Myles said.
The intentional effort of a Belmont recruiter when Myles was a freshman in high school made a lasting impact and paid off when she made Belmont her preferred school of choice over another prestigious institution. “Her name was Jody and we just kept in touch,” she remembered. “I was looking between Belmont and Julliard. Jody would call in and check and make sure things were going well.”
Myles was one of the first students at Belmont to receive the William Randolph Hurst Scholarship, a merit scholarship for students of color. She and three other scholarship recipients, all Black, female students – created a close-knit community at Belmont, a predominantly white institution (PWI).
Considering herself a late bloomer, Myles kept a sharp focus on her academics, cultivating strong faculty connections and finding community in the Black Student Association (BSA) which at the time consisted of just a handful of members. Her found community offered the support she needed to remain at Belmont to earn her bachelor’s degree in music. “The Black professors that we had in addition to our small group of eight to ten folks, I think, helped make sure that all of us successfully matriculated,” Myles said. “Not that we would not have done it, but I don’t know how many of us would have remained at Belmont without such a small, close-knit crew.”
“Belmont is a different place than when I was there,” Myles said. “I think that Belmont took a chance on four very bright, young ladies. They utilized us girls a lot to show that Belmont is a welcoming community.”
Chancellor I’Ashea Myles in her courtroom. Photo by Sam Simpkins
Her decision to pursue law was motivated by a lack of representation in the field. Belmont’s new college of law would set Myles on another trailblazing path. She was a member of the inaugural graduating class from the Belmont College of Law, whose bar passage rates outperformed many state programs.
Working on projects like the National Museum of African American Music, Myles excelled as an attorney in construction law, an area where few Black female attorneys have ventured let alone flourished. “I made a way as a Black, female construction lawyer. There was nobody that looked like me,” she said. “In that, there was a whole wealth of business for me to get. People could identify with me, and they wanted to work with an African American construction attorney, so I got to do the work.”
Myles’ twenty years of business and legal experience set the mother of three apart during her campaign. Serving in Chancery Court, a range of cases from name changes to inmate petitions, to construction and real estate cases pass her desk. Her life experiences and point-of-view as a Black, female mother provide a fresh perspective to the bench and help her accomplish the goals she has for herself in the role of Chancellor.
“My job, being in this space, is to mete out justice fairly and equitably for everyone who comes in my court,” Myles said. “It’s also to plant seeds for the next generation because there will be somebody like me. A little brown girl with a big name who wants to do something that nobody else has done.”
Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl will premiere in a one-night-only theater event on Monday, Feb. 6, presented by Fathom Events. The full-length documentary celebrates the life and work of Sarah Cannon and her beloved character Minnie Pearl. The film, created by Nashville Public Television, features the dichotomy between Sarah and her character Minnie. Sarah was serious, intelligent, ambitious and untraditional; Minnie was uncomplicated, direct, playful and quite traditional. Sarah dreamed of becoming a Shakespearian actress but found fame playing a simple country girl who often made herself the butt of her jokes.
Instantly identifiable—even in silhouette—by her straw hat with a price tag dangling from its brim, Minnie Pearl became an icon of country music radio, stage and TV. When she greeted audiences, they enthusiastically echoed her signature “How-dee!” in a happy roar. While Sarah and Minnie were two sides of a coin, both shared a legacy of compassion, empowerment and humor.
Kallooriville is now open on Belmont’s campus. Stop by for lunch or dinner, Sunday through Friday, 11-8 p.m. Finding a home in the Mesa Komal Café space on campus, Kallooriville gets its name from the Southern Indian and Sri Lankan language Tamil, with “kalloori” meaning “college”. The new pop-up concept features South Indian cuisine and is run by two Nashvillian entrepreneurs, Niroop Prabhakar of 615Chutney and Kesav Govindan of Café India. Together these two have joined forces to create a unique short-term culinary experience for the Belmont community.
The Kallooriville menu will feature curries, biryanis and other traditional South Indian fares to increase cultural awareness on campus as part of the larger Mesa Komal and Conexión Americas inclusive mission. “We thank the incredible teams from Café India, Belmont Dining, Mesa Komal Café and Conexión Americas for an amazing opportunity to bring nostalgic college-style Indian street food to Nashville,” said the 615Chutney team on Instagram. Belmont’s newest dining spot has been a cooperative effort, reflecting the driving force behind the Mesa Komal and Conexión Americas collectives.
Conexión is the Spanish translation for “connection.” Conexión Americas is a nonprofit co-founded by Belmont alumnus and professor of management and entrepreneurship, Dr. José González. Twenty years ago, González, Renata Sotó and María Clara Mejía created Conexión Americas to provide resources for Nashville’s growing Latino and Hispanic community. The Nashville-based nonprofit has grown to serve more than 9,000 individuals and families each year, including the Mesa Komal Kitchen program, a culinary incubator and commercial kitchen at Conexión Americas. In September 2022, Mesa Komal Café opened a permanent retail home on Belmont’s campus, hosting minority-owned businesses on rotation.
Recognizing that Nashville is growing increasingly more diverse by the day, Conexión Americas, Mesa Komal and Belmont continue to champion intentional connection and cultural understanding in the Nashville community.
Gonzalez believes that this is only the start of the journey to create a welcoming and diverse environment at Belmont. “It’s not only about the Latino and Hispanic community but the broader, underrepresented communities,” he says. “Elevating the awareness that an institution like Belmont is supporting something like Mesa Komal Café is something that I hope is a legacy.”
Belmont has announced the list of students recognized on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester. Approximately 52 percent of Belmont’s 7,100 undergraduate students qualified for the Fall 2022 Dean’s List.
Belmont Provost Dr. David Gregory said, “The Dean’s List achievement among a majority of Belmont’s student body exemplifies our campus commitment to exemplary education and the successful matriculation of our students. It is a privilege to recognize the accomplishments of our students in the academic space, and the University looks forward to the continued support, education and growth of those who have entrusted Belmont to equip them with the necessary tools to thrive at the local, national and global level.”
Dean’s List eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.
On Saturday, Jan. 14 the Greater Nashville Chinese Association (GNCA) held its annual Chinese New Year Gala at Belmont and hundreds of people from the Nashville Chinese community ushered in longevity, peace and prosperity by celebrating the Year of the Rabbit.
GNCA is a nonprofit with more than 500 active participants representing the Chinese community in Middle Tennessee and has a mission to provide a platform for connecting individuals, families, and businesses for Chinese and non-Chinese communities.
The New Year Gala was held at Belmont for the first time, made possible by director of Asian Studies Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn and foreign language faculty Dr. Joan Li, a GNCA board member.
“The Chinese New Year is a big event,” Li said. “With this event, we had a large number of Chinese people from Chinese communities on our campus. It’s a showcase of Belmont and it’s a way to expose Belmont to the Chinese community. It also resonates with Belmont’s mission and goal.”
A 3-person delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. and a 6-person delegation from the Nashville mayor’s office were among the guests.
Foreign language professor Dr. Joan Li, senior Rebecca Turner and freshman Abigail Blackburn at Greater Nashville Chinese Association Chinese New Year Gala hosted at Belmont.
Attendees enjoyed a meal in the Janet Ayers Academic Center and saw dozens of performances in the Massey Performing Arts Center including a modern Chinese dance performed by two Belmont students, graduating senior Rebecca Turner and freshman Abigail Blackburn who are both members of the Belmont Chinese Cultural Association (CCA).
“Chinese New Year is a particularly optimistic time because of the importance that Chinese culture places on happiness, prosperity, and familial relationships,” Turner said. “This holiday has encouraged me to emphasize these values in my own life, and in turn, has helped me connect with my culture.”
On Friday, Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m. CCA will host a Chinese New Year Celebration as a WELL-core event in the fourth-floor conference room of the Ayers center. Attendees will hear an introduction about the history and customs of the Chinese New Year, learn a New Year’s song and greetings in Chinese and participate in other festivities.
Celebrating cultural events and welcoming diverse groups from the greater Nashville community helps accomplish Belmont’s aspirational aim and ensure the flourishing of all people. Chinese New Year is special for many CCA members including Turner, who will graduate in May.
“Having this club at Belmont makes me feel seen as a student here,” she said. “I am appreciative to the faculty who are working to grow the Chinese cultural community on campus.”
Belmont University, in partnership with Nashville Public Television (NPT), celebrated the premiere of NPT’s “Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl” on Thursday, Jan. 19, a documentary honoring the life and legacy of Ward-Belmont alumna Sarah Cannon (’32) and her beloved character Minnie Pearl.
The soon-to-be-released documentary features the dichotomy between Sarah and her character Minnie. Sarah was serious, intelligent, ambitious and untraditional; Minnie was uncomplicated, direct, playful and quite traditional. Sarah dreamed of becoming a Shakespearian actress but found fame playing a simple country girl who never took herself too seriously.
“You’re going to see just a peep into the window of Minnie Pearl’s life,” said filmmaker Barbara Hall. “You can’t begin to tell someone’s story—especially someone as complicated as Minnie Pearl—in 90 minutes. I had so many people who came forward wanting to talk about Minnie. I also started having to take a box of tissues to every interview because everybody cried…and laughed… but mostly cried. I think it’s because they miss her and because she had such an impact on everyone’s life”
The premiere event in Belmont’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts featured stories and songs shared by both friends and fans of Minnie. Sylvia Harney—a Minnie Pearl character actress, Belmont College alumna and dear friend of Sarah Cannon—performed a tribute sketch.
Singer-songwriters Rodney Crowell, Pam Tillis and Kathy Mattea performed; friends Amy Grant and Brenda Lee shared reflections and Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel—Belmont Assistant Professor, author and Harpeth Hall School archivist—led a panel with filmmaker Barbara Hall, music historian Dr. Don Cusic, Sarah’s longtime agent Joann Berry and Kathy Mattea.
Hats inspired by Minnie and created by Belmont fashion students lined the Fisher Center Foyer, and theater student Susie Konstans created Grinder’s Switch vignettes as stage props and photo booths. Belmont’s Bluegrass Ensemble performed prelude music before the event.
“She was an incredible legend and a friend to all of us,” said NPT President and CEO Becky Magura. “The thing I love about Minnie Pearl is that when she stepped out on stage and said, ‘I’m just so proud to be here,’ it’s because she wanted you to know she was here for you. Minnie shared more than humor, she shared love. That’s what you’re going to see tonight.”
Instantly identifiable—even in silhouette—by her straw hat with a price tag dangling from its brim, Minnie Pearl became an icon of country music radio, stage and television. When she greeted audiences, they enthusiastically echoed her signature “How-dee!” in a happy roar. While Sarah and Minnie were two sides of a coin, both shared a legacy of compassion, empowerment and humor.
“Sarah Cannon was an exemplar of Belmont’s mission, so much so that this University awarded her our highest honor—an honorary doctorate—in 1989,” said Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones. “My hope is that many of our students, a number of whom are studying performing arts and entertainment, will look to her as a role model. She once mentioned during a television appearance that ‘to live forever in the hearts of our friends is to never die.’ Tonight, her memory is alive and well in all our hearts.”
“Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl” will premiere in a one-night-only theater event on Monday, Feb. 6, presented by Fathom Events. The film will air in select theaters nationwide for two showings at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Reserve your tickets today.
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