The annual review of the nation’s top music and entertainment business schools focused on the wealth of opportunities today’s students are offered in the United States and abroad to learn the industry, making particular note of Belmont’s study away options at Bonnaroo and in Australia. The author wrote, “For those seeking music careers, in front of or behind the mixing board, the following schools are at the top of their class.”
Beyond the study away opportunities with leading festivals and music companies, Billboard also noted that Belmont students also “have the opportunity to work on a number of faculty-led research projects: Associate dean Cheryl S. Carr has received a grant to study the role of women on Nashville’s Music Row; and Doyuen Ko, associate professor of audio engineering, is collaborating on an initiative to digitally replicate the acoustics of historic structures, including the Columbia Records studio in Nashville where Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel and others recorded.”
About the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business In 1971, Belmont first established a music business program designed to prepare students for operational, administrative, creative and technical careers in the music industry. The program grew in both size and reputation, leading to the advent of the full Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business in 2003. Currently home to more than 2,500 undergraduates with majors in music business, audio engineering technology, entertainment industry studies, songwriting, media studies and motion pictures, Curb College boasts an impressive faculty of academic scholars and authors, entrepreneurs, songwriters, producers, journalists, filmmakers and sound and recording engineers. The college serves as a world leader in music business and entertainment industry education and is the only freestanding college of its kind.
Belmont alumnae Kallen Blair and Alie B. Gorrie live in New York City and are pursuing a new project that raises awareness about actors with disabilities. The pair have created a video series to highlight these actors and start conversations around disability in the entertainment world. They were recently featured by Style Blueprint as new “FACES of the South.”
Blair hails from Memphis, Tennessee and studied theater at Belmont, while Gorrie is from Mountain Brook, Alabama and studied musical theater. The pair are the co-producers of the web series titled “ABLE: A Series,” that is directed by Cassidy Cole of Nashville. The series will consist of interviews with people in varying industries of entertainment to discuss their experiences with disability in the industry. According to their website, they aim to “fill a gap of missing conversations within the entertainment world.”
Guests interviewed in the series include actor Danny Woodburn, comedian Maysoon Zayid, actress Ali Stroker and several notable others. The goal is to discuss how people in entertainment can create more inclusive and representative stories surrounding those with disabilities.
In their interview with Style Blueprint, Gorrie said, “through ‘ABLE,’ I want our viewers to see that inclusion enhances everything. I hope ‘ABLE’ breaks down stigmas and stereotypes.”
A passion project that stems from personal experiences, both women hope that people take away from “ABLE” the importance of inclusion and that “telling real stories requires real people.”
The pair have been working on the concept since last summer and will be releasing the episodes online in the coming months.
Transferring to Belmont in 2011 after making what she calls the “best decision I ever made,” Laine Arnold went on to discover her passion for politics and public relations as a student. After graduating in 2013, Arnold worked in the communications sphere before getting involved in politics. At a recent convocation event on campus, Arnold shared not only her career history and how it led to her becoming Governor Bill Lee’s press secretary but she also shared some advice with students.
As press secretary to Governor Lee, Arnold deals with a variety of things in her day-to-day work. Her responsibilities include working on Governor Lee’s travel schedule, interacting with the press as well as working with members of his Cabinet. Being involved in all of these different aspects and more has given Arnold the opportunity to “interact with Tennesseans… and to get them to where they want to be.”
One important thing she has learned from her work as press secretary is the benefit of being aware of what you say and how conversations may be used. Her advice to students included being disciplined in what they say, adding that it’s often not necessary to say everything that comes to mind. Being mindful of what you do and say will only be beneficial, especially in the “big small town” of politics, she noted.
When reflecting on her time at Belmont and her career, Arnold noted the importance of having practical knowledge and certain strong transferable skills. For Arnold, her most transferable skill is her writing ability. She noted how this has helped her in all of her positions.
Another point Arnold made to students was to test out different fields and certain career options while in school. “Figure out what you don’t want to do,” she said, adding the benefits of taking a “non-linear path” to a career by trying out different things. Along with this, she also told students that it can be helpful to be realistic about your job and knowing that there are going to be things they may not like about it. “There are going to be a lot of things about your career you won’t like,” Arnold added. “But finding what are the points of joy in your career is important.”
Some of her final advice to students included encouraging them to approach their career being protective of who they are. “Don’t think you have to give your soul over to your career… you are multidimensional,” Arnold said. “Don’t lose sight of remembering ‘how would I be seen outside of work?’ See things for what they are.”
The Belmont Mansion, located at the heart of Belmont University’s campus, was recently named to a list of the grandest historic mansions in the U.S. The list was featured by USA Today and includes historic mansions from all 50 states in the country.
“We are very excited to be named the grandest historic mansion for Tennessee given the vast architectural heritage of Tennessee,” said Mark Brown, executive director of the Belmont Mansion.
Historic mansions were selected for the list after a review of historical societies, museums and media sources. The Belmont Mansion was built in 1853 by Adelicia Acklen and is open for tours daily.
Belmont Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) faculty, alumni and students presented at the 35th annual International Seating Symposium (ISS) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 18-22.
The ISS is the world’s leading educational conference and exhibition on the topic of Wheelchair Seating, Mobility and Associated Technologies. Clinicians, consumers, advocates, researchers, providers, manufacturers and policymakers from more than 30 nations attended the event.
Associate Professor Teresa Plummer, Assistant Professor and OTD Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Missy Bryan, OTD class of 2017 and alumnus Joe Straatmann along with faculty from Vanderbilt, University of Texas and University of Pittsburgh presented a pre-conference on GoBabyGo: Moving, Learning and Socializing.
In this pre-conference, attendees from five different countries learned to adapt to and ride on toys for children with disabilities to allow them to access and explore their environment.
In a poster presentation, OTD students Michaela Isenberg, Abigail Harris and Autumn Triggs presented a poster titled “Transporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A scoping review.”
Plummer and Bryan along with researcher consultant Ana Allegretti, assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, presented a session on the Importance of Self-Initiated Mobility.
Bryan and Vanderbilt Physical Therapist Heidi Kessler presented a session on Specialized Transportation Clinic Current Practice.
The highly anticipated groundbreaking for The Store, nonprofit free-referral based grocery store, happened this morning. On hand for the ceremony were co-founders Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley along with Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher, The Store Board of Trustees Chair Megan Zarling and The Store Trustee member and architect David Minnigan.
In addition to outlining
the vision for The Store, today’s event included unique surprises, including a
commissioned artist’s print depicting Brad, Kimberly and Dr. Fisher in front of
a rendering of The Store. The highlight of the event came when Brad personally
jumped onto the backhoe on site to officially break ground on The Store’s
location.
David Minnigan presents special print to the Paisleys and Dr. Fisher.
“I’m so excited to be here and see this dream come to fruition. In Nashville there are 1 in 7 people and 1 in 5 children that have food insecurity. That means they don’t know where they are going to get their next meal. The Store will be another resource to help families and individuals going through a hard time but working toward self-sufficiency.” says Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
Brad Paisley adds, “Our goal is to give dignity to parents. They can go
to The Store and shop in a completely normal way, from choosing the food to
checking out, but with no money exchanging hands. The kids can even ride a
mechanical pony out in front of The Store – no charge. Kids do not need the
stress of wondering how their parents are going to feed them. In Nashville we
have the power of the benevolence of the residents to support The Store.”
Brad Paisley uses a backhoe to officially break ground for The Store.
Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher
said, “Belmont’s mission is to challenge students with an education that
empowers them to use their talents and skills to engage and transform the
world. As an alum, Brad Paisley has certainly achieved that mission and more
throughout his career, and today’s groundbreaking for The Store marks another
milestone in the work he and Kimberly are doing to impact lives for the better.
I am especially grateful that Belmont University has been invited to partner
with them in this effort, and our current students and faculty are already
laying the groundwork to serve Store patrons through legal aid and health care
clinics. This is just the beginning—we anticipate The Store being a significant
part of the Belmont community for years to come.”
The Paisleys have partnered with Brad’s alma mater, Belmont University,
on the location of The Store at 2005 12th Ave. South, next to the
University’s Ministry Center. Belmont University has begun offering Legal Aid
Clinics at the center and plan to also offer healthcare services. Both groups
will work closely together to serve the broader community in a range of ways.
The location is convenient to bus routes and in the heart of Nashville’s
ever-growing 12 South district.
The building has been designed by
Nashville-based architectural firm ESa (Earl Swensson Associates) which donated
their services. Construction will be done by J&S Construction Company, Inc.
The construction is projected to be completed by the end of 2019.
Founder’s Circle supporters include Belmont
University, ESa, Sysco Corporation and Amerigroup Corporation. Sysco
Corporation is providing a financial donation, equipment and food. Amerigroup
Corporation is providing financial support and health and food expertise. Much
of The Store’s food will come from Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
and will include perishable and nonperishable offerings. All food in The Store
will follow guidelines set by dieticians from Second Harvest Food Bank.
Individuals and families will be referred by nonprofit and government agencies.
The estimated cost of the building is $1.5 million for 4,000 square feet. To complete raising funds for The Store’s construction, the “Brick Campaign” has been launched. With a donation of $500 or more, donors will receive a personalized 4×8 brick that will create the sidewalk in front of The Store. There are a limited number of bricks. Donations are accepted via the website.
The Board
of Directors for The Store include Brad Paisley, President; Megan
Zarling, Chair; Pete Fisher, Vice-Chair; Doug Paisley, Secretary and Elaine
Bryan, Treasurer. Other board members include Kimberly
Williams-Paisley, Sarah Cates, Jaynee Day, Hope Fisher, David Minnigan,
John Zarling, John Schario, Scott Scovill, Michael Stagg, Becca Stevens and
Dawana Wade. Executive Director is Gina Hancock.
About The Store
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley have partnered with Belmont University to spearhead The Store, a year-round free grocery store allowing people to shop with dignity for their basic needs. Individuals and families will be referred by nonprofit and government agencies for a term of one year. There is no charge to those referred or to the people and agencies that send them. They may shop for food to supplement their income during times of crisis and as they work toward self-sufficiency.
A philosophy of community empowerment means The Store aims to solve hunger issues in its community by developing programs to meet the needs of the community, including partnering with other organizations on issues of food security. The Store believes in cooperation and collaboration between organizations to better serve the population. Over time, the organization plans to develop additional supplemental services beyond the grocery store, such as job training, cooking and nutrition classes.
The bids are in. Today Belmont University discovered its competition to host a 2020 presidential date, as the Commission on Presidential Debates officially announced the six sites that applied for the honor this year. Of note, only Hartford (’96) and Belmont (’08) have served as previous host sites, and Belmont/Nashville is the only site in the South to apply.
Belmont previously hosted the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate between then candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, and the University served as the official alternate host site in 2016. In addition, the University has partnered with media outlets and other nonprofits multiple times to host past mayoral and gubernatorial debates.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Any time you enter the race to host a presidential debate, you know you’re facing tough competition as sites must be committed to pull off an event of this magnitude. However, I am confident in Belmont University’s ability—with the support of the Nashville community—to execute an extraordinary event for the Commission on Presidential Debates, the candidates and all of the accompanying media and visitors. Belmont has earned a reputation for a consummate service mentality, friendly atmosphere and commitment to excellence. Most importantly, this University has earned the trust of citizens and candidates alike to put on well-organized debates that give individuals from any party, and of any ilk, equal right to be heard.”
All debate applicants must be equipped to provide tens of thousands of square feet of dedicated space for the candidates, their staff, working media and other debate officials as well as ample parking, significant IT and communications infrastructure and access to as many as 3,000 hotel rooms, among other requirements. Belmont’s application for a 2020 debate includes letters of support from numerous state and local officials, including Senators Marsha Blackburn and Lamar Alexander, Congressman Jim Cooper, Gov. Bill Lee and Mayor David Briley, among others.
Following the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, a writer for USA Today noted, “Belmont University in Nashville proved that small places with big ambitions could be world-class stages.” Now a decade later, the explosive growth of both Belmont and Nashville has made the “small places” phrase obsolete, and each has repeatedly proven its ability to provide “world-class stages” for an array of large events. Since 2008, Belmont University has continued to demonstrate its expertise hosting major broadcast events, including the internationally televised Davis Cup tennis competition and, most recently, the television taping of “CMA Country Christmas” featuring artists Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Michael W. Smith,Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, among others.
Moreover, Nashville has drawn an increasing number of significant opportunities that bring thousands to a city whose reputation continues to expand beyond its Music City moniker. By the time of the 2020 debate, Nashville will have hosted annual CMA Fest events drawing capacity crowds, the 2016 NHL All Star weekend, annual July 4th “Let Freedom Ring” celebrations exceeding 250,000 attendees and the 2019 NFL Draft, not to mention a variety of conventions, festivals and award shows. The city will also be in the national spotlight all year with this fall’s release of Ken Burns’s newest documentary, “Country Music,” a series sponsored in part by Belmont.
With more than 41,000 hotel rooms in the metro area, a robust tourism industry and an inclusive hospitality mindset, the city is well prepared to host the political dignitaries, guests and media that would accompany a presidential debate. In fact, more than 5,000 new hotel rooms have opened in Nashville in the past five years alone with another 5,400 under construction in Davidson Country, a strong indication of the area’s ongoing popularity as a must-see destination. Many of these spaces come in a dozen new full-service and boutique hotel brands located in the heart of downtown.
The 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, the first to be held in Tennessee, scored a ratings coup nationwide. According to Nielsen Media Ratings, more than 63.2 million homes nationwide tuned in to view the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, the largest television audience of the three presidential debates held that fall. In addition, the event attracted thousands of media and other visitors to Nashville and resulted in both an economic boost and more than 5,200 media hits in the days leading up to and following the debate.
On Thursday, less than four months after announcing a multi-million dollar gift of more than 250 works of art, Belmont University celebrated the dedication of the new Frederick Hart Studio Museum. Lindy Lain Hart, the artist’s wife, and Bob Chase, Frederick Hart’s publisher and president of the Frederick Hart Foundation, donated the works on display and were present for today’s event, along with other friends, family members and supporters. Deemed one of America’s greatest sculptors, Frederick Hart (1943-1999) created works that forever changed the national landscape such as Washington National Cathedral’s Creation Sculptures and Three Soldiers bronze at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Hart was also distinguished as the 2004 recipient of the National Medal of Arts along with other significant commissions, awards and achievements during his lifetime.
The largest permanent collection of Hart’s work available for public viewing, the museum offers art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to view Hart’s artistic process as the space includes works in various stages of development, molds, plasters, sculpting tools, artifacts and completed sculptures. The Museum also features a full size Christ Rising, bronze, which was gifted to Belmont by passionate Hart patrons Lee and Pam Kennedy of Sarasota, Florida. Located inside Belmont’s Bunch Library, the Museum will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays thru Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. Belmont students, faculty and staff will have free access to the museum, and tickets for the general public are $5.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher examines Frederick Hart’s desk in the Hart Studio Museum.
Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Frederick Hart was a pioneer in his time, and the legacy and impact of his art is immeasurable. His work invites us to awaken to the divine forces in our world while keeping us grounded in the goodness, truth and beauty found in everyday life. To have so much of his work available for viewing on this campus is an invaluable gift, one that I believe will prove inspirational for our students and the broader community for generations to come.”
Hart’s gifts and influence are recognized worldwide. In 1997, Hart presented a unique casting of The Cross of the Millennium to Pope John Paul II in a private ceremony at the Vatican in Rome. When it was unveiled Pope John Paul II called this sculpture “a profound theological statement for our day.” Author Tom Wolfe noted, “Rick is — and I do not say this lightly—America’s greatest sculptor.”
Belmont’s relationship with Hart’s work dates back nearly two decades. In 2002, Ex Nihilo, Working Model, cast marble (Washington National Cathedral’s Creation Sculptures) was donated to Belmont by long-time University benefactor Barbara Massey Rogers. The work is installed on the south exterior wall of the University’s Chapel, facing the lobby of the Ayers Academic Center.
Lindy Lain Hart, wife of the artist, commented, “In the spring of 2004, Belmont University showcased my husband’s work in an exhibition entitled ‘The Creative Spirit.’ It was the largest and most ambitious exhibition of his work at that time. The exhibition’s success and the enduring relationship it forged eventually set the stage for the 2019 dedication of the Frederick Hart Studio Museum. I am grateful to the Belmont community for its commitment to my husband’s life’s work, and I am pleased to entrust the stewardship of his legacy to an institution with the vision and determination to move the discussion about art and its role in society in challenging new directions.”
With architect ESa and R.C. Mathews Contractor, Belmont has recreated Hart’s working studio and provided display space for the collection. The first floor of the campus’s Lila D. Bunch Library—already home to the prestigious stringed-instrument collection, the Gallery of Iconic Guitars (The GIG), and the Leu Art Gallery— has been selected as a synergistic location. Together these unique artistic endeavors offer a dynamic collective to further enhance the student learning experience, attract leading scholars to explore Hart’s artistic contributions and promote further awareness of Belmont’s pursuit of excellence in the arts. In addition, the Hart Studio, the GIG and the Leu share a Nashville Trolley Tours stop with the Belmont Mansion, making this portion of the University campus a historical highlight for any Nashville visitor.
Visitors to the Hart Museum will find they are surrounded by multiple mediums from mere sketches to completed works by Hart. Included is an extensive presentation on Hart’s innovative use of clear acrylic resin, the medium Hart pioneered to cast figurative forms which he described as “sculpting with light.” This innovation led to a patent for the process to embed one clear acrylic sculpture within another. The museum will also focus on historical and biographical insights into Hart’s life, and experiences that shaped his ideals and his critical positioning of the importance of the human figure in the visual arts. The Museum is, in a very tangible sense, creating a sacred space for the viewer.
Robert Chase, Hart’s publisher and president of the Hart Foundation, added, “We are thrilled and grateful that Belmont University will be home to the Frederick Hart Studio Museum. This museum will offer historians, students, educators and the art-loving public a more complete and intimate view of his life, work and philosophy than has ever been available previously.”
Two Belmont graduate students were recently selected to participate in the Tennessee Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) scholars program, a two-year commitment in which health profession students learn about community health through 40-hours of didactic training (online readings, discussions, essay responses) and 40-hours of clinical training.
AHEC is a nationwide project, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Building upon a core set of guidelines and requirements, each AHEC created an AHEC Scholars Program for their state to increase the distribution and diversity of the nation’s healthcare workforce. The latest cohort marks the first group to be held at the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, the first federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Tennessee. The AHEC training will focus on six primary topics: inter-professional education, behavioral health integration, social determinants of health, cultural competency, patient-centered practice transformation and current and emerging health issues.
Jaanki Bhakta and Joanna Plumb, both students in Belmont’s Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner program, were selected as AHEC Scholars and recently completed their orientation.
Bhakta said, “I wanted to participate in this program because I felt it would be a great opportunity to learn new things while helping underserved communities. I am hoping to gain knowledge that would be difficult to find elsewhere. For example, learning about resources that are available to patients at low or no cost and using that to help promote health in the underserved communities.”
Plumb added, “I wanted to participate in this program to gain understanding and experience in working in underserved populations and community health. I have always enjoyed the idea of public health and caring for those who have difficult access to care. I’m pretty excited to see where this program leads. I believe it will help me in giving good care to my future patients.”
Professor of English Dr. Eric Hobson’s article, “Eyes in the Sky: Charles Lindbergh and the Birth of Aerial Archaeology,” has been published by the Pan American Historical Foundation, and uncovers a little-known area of Pan American Airways’ early corporate activity in support of scientific exploration. The article has also been added to PAHA’s permanent collection of scholarship covering significant moments in Pan American Airways history.
With architect ESa and R.C. Mathews Contractor, Belmont has recreated Hart’s working studio and provided display space for the collection. The first floor of the campus’s Lila D. Bunch Library—already home to the prestigious stringed-instrument collection, the 
