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

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Alumna Opens Cafe With a Unique Concept, the Mewsic Kitty Cafe

Staff Writer
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Alumna Opens Cafe With a Unique Concept, the Mewsic Kitty Cafe

Belmont graduates go on to launch all kinds of careers, and for alumna and entrepreneur Maegan Young Phan, life as a young professional has come to mean opening her own cafe in Nashville. But her venture is not like the many traditional coffee shops filling the city. Her Cat Cafe, known as Mewsic Kitty Cafe, was opened in April 2018 and is Nashville’s first of its kind.

The concept, often called a cat-fe, is a twist on a traditional cafe that features friendly cats for customers to enjoy. Cat-fes have become popular concepts in recent years with new ones popping up in cities across the country. Customers are invited to pet, play and cuddle with cats while they enjoy a hot or cold beverage and a pastry. All of the cats at Mewsic Kitty are brought in through a partnership with Nashville Cat Rescue and are available for adoption.

Phan graduated from Belmont in 2007 with a degree in music business management and began her career in the music industry before following a new career path working for the Tennessee Language Center. Opening Mewsic Kitty Cafe was something she kept in the back of her mind for several years. “I came across an article about cat cafes in Japan,” she said. “I thought that was pretty much the best idea ever but doubted it would be doable in the US because of our health department laws. When “Pounce” opened in South Carolina, I was convinced a catfe would be possible in Tennessee.”

Maegan Phan headshot
Alumna Maegan Phan

Owning a business was always in the back of Phan’s mind as she took entrepreneurship classes while enrolled at Belmont. But deciding what type of business she wanted to open, in addition to lining up the beginnings of Mewsic Kitty Cafe, was not always easy. “It’s been a roller coaster,” Phan said. “We’ve faced tons of challenges; some self-inflicted and others were external. The community support, however, has been outstanding.”

For Phan, one of the best parts about owning Mewsic Kitty Cafe is getting to interact with and see others interact with the cats. Not only do people experience a unique cafe environment, but they also get to spend time with loving and playful cats. People who visit the cafe thoroughly enjoy it, so much so that Phan recalls one young guest saying his visit to the cafe was the best day of his life.

“To be able to bring that kind of simple, pure joy into people’s lives, especially when so much of life can be so needlessly complicated. That is a blessing,” Phan said. “And we get to do that while helping cats find warm, loving forever homes.”

To learn more about Mewsic Kitty Cafe or to book a reservation, visit their website here.

Belmont Community Donates Boxes for Operation Christmas Child

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Community Donates Boxes for Operation Christmas Child

Members of the Belmont community came together for the sixth year in a row to collect presents to donate to children in need around the world. Operation Christmas Child (OCC), the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, exists to ensure that children around the world receive a special Christmas blessing — a shoebox full of ‘wow’ toys, hygiene items and school supplies. Faculty, staff, students and alumni spent the past few months packing their own boxes to be delivered worldwide.

Groups and departments across campus participated, encouraging each other in friendly competition to gather the most boxes. The Office of Alumni Relations, among others, hosted a packing party where alumni, staff and students gathered together, bringing their collected items and finalizing their boxes.

Vice President of Spiritual Development Dr. Todd Lake said the opportunity to participate in OCC is one way Belmont can share Christ’s love during the Christmas season. “Every year our students, faculty and staff fill hundreds and hundreds of shoe boxes with toys and hygiene items which are shipped—along with 12 million other shoe boxes—to indigenous church partners in third world countries who distribute them to poor children in their communities. This is one small way we at Belmont live out our mission to be a blessing to others.”

Belmont Featured in The Knowledge Review for Sustainability Efforts

Staff Writer
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Belmont Featured in The Knowledge Review for Sustainability Efforts

Belmont University was featured as the cover story of The Knowledge Review’s August 2018 issue as one of the 10 Best Green Schools in America. Understanding the need to take care of God’s creation as more than a cause, but a charge, the article highlights Belmont’s numerous sustainability and conservation efforts on-campus, in the community and beyond.

The Knowledge Review’s August edition features schools that are dedicated to educating students to be environmental leaders of tomorrow and helping them protect the earth.

“Belmont constantly seeks ways of increasing its efforts all while educating students through their sustainability committee and environmental club, as well as work done through the university’s environmental/biology department including volunteer work, research in local wooded areas and streams, planting trees and more,” the article states. “Belmont is constantly striving to find new ways to engage their sustainability commitment throughout its campus.”

The cover story recognizes Belmont’s countless conservation and sustainability initiatives, including many LEED certification, campus green roofs, composting system, geothermal heating and cooling, receipt of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award and more.

Belmont University President Bob Fisher was featured in the article as “the Watchful Eyes overseeing Belmont’s nurturing.”

It goes on to say, “Under his leadership, Belmont’s enrollment has more than doubled in 15 years and the university’s energy efficient sustainable approach has resulted in energy cost increase of only 30% despite a campus square footage increase of more than 70%.”

Belmont’s Corporate Challenge Team Participates in Winter Warm-Up 6K

Hope Buckner
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Belmont’s Corporate Challenge Team Participates in Winter Warm-Up 6K

The Belmont University Corporate Challenge Team placed 1st in the “A” Division at the 12 South Winter Warmup 6k footrace on December 1. The 10-member Belmont faculty team competed against some of Nashville’s largest employers including Nissan, Genesco, Regions Bank and Bridgestone-Firestone. The 12 South Neighborhood Association’s annual event began in 2012 with 12- and 6k races staged before the neighborhood festival on the first weekend in December. This year’s race attracted over 600 runners.

Left to right: Leigh Ann Bynum, Kendall Shultes, Edgar S. Diaz-Cruz (All College of Pharmacy)

The beneficiaries of proceeds from the event were Hands on Nashville and the Waverly Belmont Backpack Program. Hands on Nashville connects volunteers to critical issues facing the Middle Tennessee community such as hunger, homelessness and environmental issues. The Waverly Belmont Backpack Program offers a weekend supply of nutritious meals and snacks for students completely free of charge to needy community members.

The Belmont runners turned in some impressive times including Haskell Murray (22:10—5th place overall) and Kendall Shultes (27:45—3rd place overall).

Featured Image (left to right): Eric Tarr (CEMB), Tom Bagwell (CTCM), Andy Miller (Math and Computer Science), Jonathan Thorndike (Honors Program), Steve Guthrie (CTCM) and Haskell Murray (College of Business); not pictured: Tim Stewart (Service-Learning)

‘CMA Country Christmas’ Set to Air Dec. 10 on ABC

April Hefner
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‘CMA Country Christmas’ Set to Air Dec. 10 on ABC

The ninth-annual “CMA Country Christmas” will air Monday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m./ET (7 p.m./CT) on the ABC Television Network. The event was recorded live in September in the Curb Event Center on Belmont’s campus with a number of students enjoying the performances and working backstage on the production.

Iconic entertainer Reba McEntire, who returns as host for a second year, will also perform during the holiday music special. Joining Reba are legendary acts and country favorites including Tony Bennett, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley, Michael W. Smith, Lindsey Stirling, The Isaacs and Brett Young, taking the stage for a night filled with Christmas classics and festive one-of-a-kind collaborations.

CMA partnered with Balsam Hill, beautifully realistic Christmas trees and décor, to decorate the “CMA Country Christmas” stage. “CMA Country Christmas” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director and Jon Macks is the writer.

But “CMA Country Christmas” isn’t the only place to see Belmont University students contributing their talents to the holiday season. A presentation of the 2017 “Christmas at Belmont” special performance, which featured world-renowned musician Sheryl Crow as guest artist and more than 700 students, faculty and staff musicians from the School of Music, will be re-broadcast on PBS on December 21 at 8 p.m. and on Christmas Day, December 25, at 11 p.m. Check local listing for additional broadcast times. 

About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958 and celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2018, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 7,400 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on the ABC Television Network.

Nursing Student Receives 2018 CASA Light of Hope Award

Staff Writer
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Nursing Student Receives 2018 CASA Light of Hope Award

Hailey Brooks, a junior nursing student at Belmont, recently received the 2018 CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) Light of Hope Award which honors those who have been “lights of hope” to children and youth in the community through advocacy and making a difference.

Brooks grew up in East Tennessee and entered foster care at the age of 15. She serves as a member of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth where she was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam.

Involved in other foster care advocacy positions for years, Brooks has served as a Youth Villages peer advocate and as part of the Department of Children’s Services Children’s Advisory Council. She is also a Jim Casey Fellow and the youngest thus far to be given the role.

Brooks is committed to spreading light on both the good and the bad areas of foster care and making positive changes in the system, particularly by increasing foster youth college attendance.

Belmont Alumnus Appears on NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’

Staff Writer
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Belmont Alumnus Appears on NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’

Raffeal Sears, a Belmont commercial voice performance alumnus, appeared on Chicago Fire on November 14.

In 1992, Sears began his career in acting in a Pizza Hut commercial promoting Big Brothers Big Sisters. He played the part of little brother to former Kansas City Chiefs Derron Cherry. Since the commercial, Sears knew acting was his calling.

For the past 25 years, his career has included parts in several theatre productions and voice overs. He went on to earn his MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana Campaign through the Professional Acting Training Program.

Belmont Students Bring Musical Talents to Vanderbilt Marching Band

Staff Writer
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Belmont Students Bring Musical Talents to Vanderbilt Marching Band

Focused on giving students as many opportunities as possible, Belmont University has countless partnerships with different groups and organizations around Nashville. For 38 Belmont students, these unique opportunities mean marching alongside students who attend school just across Wedgewood Ave. as they suit up as members of the Vanderbilt University Marching Band.

Standing at 125 people strong, the band is made up of a significant number of students who do not call Vanderbilt home. In fact, 54 (or 42 percent) of the program’s participants attend Belmont, Lipscomb and Trevecca.

According to Vanderbilt’s student newspaper, the Vanderbilt Hustler, the band is a big part of boosting spirit and morale at football games throughout the fall. Called The Spirit of Gold, Belmont students who make up the band feel a sense of fellowship with the other students involved.

In a Vanderbilt Hustler article, Belmont audio engineering technology major Matthew Bligh said that joining the Vanderbilt band gave him a strong sense of community in Nashville. He also said that he thoroughly enjoys being in the band and plans to continue his involvement. Both Belmont and Vanderbilt students said that being in the marching band is about coming together and playing music and not about if you go to a different school.

“I love being a part of the band program,” Bligh said. “It’s definitely made college a lot more enjoyable.”

Students interested in joining the Vanderbilt marching band can visit their website to learn more here.

Fortune 500 Company CEO Gives Leadership Advice to Students

Staff Writer
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Fortune 500 Company CEO Gives Leadership Advice to Students

Dennis Cooke has gone through many different stages in his career, and some of them came as a surprise, even to him. Now the CEO of Ryder Systems, Inc. and President of Fleet Management Solutions, Cooke shared some personal tips for success with students. At a recent convocation event on Belmont University’s campus that was sponsored by the Student Center for Public Trust, he reflected on his path to success and what got he there.

Cooke, the father of a current Belmont student and a recent alumna, has worked in various leadership positions for large companies that have allowed him to develop his own concept of his four Cs of leadership. But before he shared his four Cs with students, Cooke encouraged them to “take the complex and make it simple, you need to be inquisitive and ask why.” He also stressed to students the importance of having mentors, especially informal ones like professors, that can help develop students through critical early years.

Cooke’s four Cs of leadership are customer focus, collaboration, change and courage. He related each of these to different functions within his position at Ryder and how the company is evolving. “You have to embrace change,” he said.

While all the elements of leadership are important to Cooke, he often went back to the theme of collaboration. He stressed several times to students the importance of being able to work together in a team well. “Business is a team sport,” he said before explaining how he feels energized after working with functional teams.

After graduating from Purdue University for undergraduate, Cooke surprised himself when he went back to school for graduate degrees. Obtaining two masters from Purdue and the University of Chicago, Cooke never anticipated going that route. “I love to learn, and I didn’t know I’d get a graduate degree,” Cooke said.

Cooke closed his time with students by saying, “Belmont University is a launch pad, you’ve learned to learn. Now take the skills you’ve learned, and apply them. You have got to be willing to take risks and learn from it.”

Afshin Molavi Encourages Students to See the World With a ‘Macro Horizon’

Staff Writer
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Afshin Molavi Encourages Students to See the World With a ‘Macro Horizon’

According to Afshin Molavi, “Wherever we are going, we are going there fast.” In a recent talk Molavi gave on Belmont University’s campus to students, he encouraged them to be aware of how fast the world is changing and know that “we are living in an age of acceleration.” Molavi, who is a senior research fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, spoke to students about his work in global economics, how he see’s the world changing and how important it is to be aware of the world around us.

Molavi works in geo-political risk and economics and focused on relating information he has learned to students while advising them on how to make business choices and navigate the growing world. He shared five key trends he sees in the world that will shape our society in the future. One trend is that 85 percent of the world lives outside of what is commonly considered the West or western world. The realization of this trend led Molavi to co-found the emerge85 Lab that focuses on the markets in under-served populations.

Another significant trend Molavi explained was that 1.5 million people per week are moving to urban areas. He related this to Nashville and Tennessee specifically by explaining how Nashville is responsible for half of the gross domestic product of the state. He emphasized to students the importance of being aware of these trends, and more, and the implications they can have on our world.

Afshin Molavi speaks with a studentSome advice Molavi had for students surrounded the Mike Tyson quote, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Molavi told students to “be resilient because punches will come no matter what you do. You have to be nimble in this world.”

Molavi also encouraged students to not get pigeonholed in whatever they are specializing in. “Try to have as macro of a horizon as you can, even if you specialize in something. Do the work, don’t fake it and be humble in what you don’t know.”

Molavi was brought to campus by the Center for International Business at Belmont University as a part of the International Executive Spotlight Series.

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