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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Staff Member’s Bluegrass Band, Sister Sadie, Continues to See Success

Staff Writer
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Staff Member’s Bluegrass Band, Sister Sadie, Continues to See Success

Following the success of their second album “Sister Sadie II,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Charts, the band Sister Sadie, featuring Curb College Academic Advising Director Tina Dishman, better known as Tina Adair in her music career, is continuing to see success. The bluegrass group features five power-house female musicians who are well known for their skills as instrumentalists and vocalists.

Recently, the band was nominated for “Emerging Artist of the Year” at the International Bluegrass Music Awards in September. Sister Sadie also recently released the music video for their song “No Smokey Mountains,” featured by Parade Magazine. A short while since their album release, the band has been featured in several publications like NPR’s World Cafe Nashville: A New Music Round Up and Rolling Stone’s 10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week for their song “Losing You Blues.” Members of the band have also been featured in articles by Grammy.com.

Sister Sadie features Adair as well as Dale Ann Bradley, Gena Britt, Deanie Richardson and Beth Lawrence.

Recent O’More College of Design Graduate Releases Spring 2019 Handbag Line

Staff Writer
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Recent O’More College of Design Graduate Releases Spring 2019 Handbag Line

Known as Payton James in the fashion world, one May 2017 O’More College of Design graduate is putting her major to use with the debut of her newest handbag line. After majoring in fashion design at O’More, James recently displayed her designs at a trade show in New York City during fashion week.

Having an interest in fashion ever since she was little, James dabbled in apparel design but ultimately made the switch to accessories after learning more about the niche from her time in school. She credits O’More for giving her the skills she needed to be a part of the fashion industry of today. “O’More taught me what it takes to be in this ever changing fashion industry,” James said. “You really have to take everyone’s criticism into factor because that helps you learn what your customer wants.”

One of the most influential parts of James’s experiences at O’More was the trip to New York City where students had the opportunity to network and meet with industry professionals. These contacts helped James gain a complete perspective of what it takes to be in fashion.

Her spring line was inspired by vintage design, bold color and the combination of fashion and function. With the Spring 2019 handbag line generating its first orders, James is excited to continue growing her business, hoping to one day own a store that showcases her designs. “It is a hard thing to run your own business, but I am learning so much each new day and would not change a thing,” said James. “Make connections, stay humble.”

The Payton James website featuring her handbag designs can be found here.

Belmont Enactus Lands Third Place in International Ford Mobility Innovation Challenge

April Hefner
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Belmont Enactus Lands Third Place in International Ford Mobility Innovation Challenge

Belmont Enactus was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund Wednesday after tying for third place in an international social entrepreneurship contest. The Ford Mobility Innovation Challenge was designed to provide funding to scale a mobility project – a project that addresses affordable, clean transportation systems or mobility issues in a way that helps solve a social problem or urgent community issue.

Belmont Enactus students Lucia Clendenin, Oluwatito Ebiwonjumi and Nicholas Chakinis, along with faculty advisor Dr. Cate Loes (College of Business), attended the Enactus World Cup gathering in Palo Alto, California this week, where the pitch competition for $75,000 in grant money took place. The Belmont team was representing their work with Senior Ride Nashville, which supports older adults by keeping them connected to the community and providing mobility for maintaining health and quality of life.

The Enactus team has been helping Senior Ride Nashville establish a business plan, financial models and marketing as well as working with the nonprofit on its overall operational structure. Launched last fall, Senior Ride Nashville (SRN) connects caring, reliable volunteer drivers with senior adults who need transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, barber and beauty shops, pharmacies, community centers and other destinations. Last month the organization provided its 2,000th ride and noted that its services were expanding to include East Nashville in addition to the areas already served in West Nashville, Bellevue, Madison, Donelson, Hermitage and Old Hickory.

Belmont Enactus and members of the University’s occupational therapy department have been supporting Senior Ride Nashville since its inception. Chakinis said, “The best part about working with SRN is putting to action all the business knowledge I have learned during my time at Belmont and seeing the results. Sometimes, as a student, it’s hard to comprehend the application of the lessons you’re learning; that’s why students like myself wanted to join Enactus, to put our knowledge into action for social good.”

Jim Vella, president or Ford Motor Company Fund, said, “Each of these competitions advances Ford Fund’s commitment to work with communities around the world to drive innovation in education and make people’s lives better. The passion, understanding and determination of these young people bodes well for the future of our world. They have earned our appreciation and thanks for a job well done.”

The Belmont team competed against teams from the United States, Brazil, Morocco and Ghana.

Wright Named as First Citizens Bank Scholarship Winner

Hope Buckner
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Wright Named as First Citizens Bank Scholarship Winner

Senior Design Communications Major Jaleah Wright was recently named as the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by First Citizens Bank (FCB) for one of her paintings. Earlier this fall, the Nashville branch of FCB moved into a historic house on Music Row. The bank reached out to Belmont’s Department of Art for student submissions of a visual art piece showcasing the new location/history of First Citizens Bank. Five students submitted artwork and Wright was selected as the winner.

Wright and her mother are pictured with her winning submission

Belmont Hosts O’More School of Design Alumni Open House

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Hosts O’More School of Design Alumni Open House

The Beaman Student Life Center was full of alumni and friends of the O’More School of Design at Belmont University* on Wednesday night as the Office of Alumni Relations hosted the School’s Alumni Reception. Graduates and current students mingled amongst the group as passed appetizers were shared and a jazz ensemble played live music.

After a short ceremony of shared remarks from Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher and O’More Director Shari Fox, attendees were invited to take part in tours of the newly renovated and opened O’More School at Belmont, located in the Hitch Building on campus.

*Belmont’s O’More School of Design has received preliminary approval from the University’s regional accreditor (SACSCOC).*

Public Relations Students, Faculty Receive National Awards

Hope Buckner
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Public Relations Students, Faculty Receive National Awards

Belmont University students and faculty were honored at the 2018 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) International Conference and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) National Conference held Oct. 5-9 in Austin, Texas.

Belmont PRSSA received its 10th consecutive Star Chapter Award, recognizing 10 criteria of excellence. Belmont PRSSA is one of only two chapters, out of more than 360 across the country, to have received the Star Chapter Award each year since it was established in 2009. Lydia Bailey, president of Belmont PRSSA, and Johnathan Pushkar, a May 2018 graduate and an officer in Belmont PRSSA in 2017-18, received PRSSA National Gold Key Awards in recognition of their chapter leadership and contributions. Dr. Bonnie Riechert, faculty adviser to Belmont PRSSA, was honored for more than 10 years of service as a chapter faculty adviser. She has served as faculty adviser to Belmont PRSSA since 2006.

Riechert and six Belmont chapter officers were joined at the PRSSA awards banquet by Keith Miles of MP&F Strategic Communications, who serves as the chapter’s professional adviser. The conference included a Diversity and Inclusion Celebration event, at which Riechert accepted the honorable mention award on behalf of PRSA Nashville in recognition of the professional chapter’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

The concurrent professional and student conferences had a record-breaking attendance, with 1,600 professionals and 900 students attending. The theme of the PRSA International Conference was “Communications Convergence,” and the theme of the PRSSA National Conference was “The Art of PR.” Next year’s annual conferences will be held in San Diego, and in 2020 the conferences will come to Nashville.

Founded in 1947-48, PRSA is the nation’s largest professional organization serving the communications community with a mission to “make communications professionals smarter, better prepared and more connected through all stages of their career.” Its membership collectively represents more than 30,000 members comprised of communications professionals spanning every industry sector nationwide and college and university students who encompass the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). PRSSA was established in 1967-68. Belmont PRSSA was chartered in 2005.

Alumnus Giacomo Fiore Receives 2018 Encore Award

Hope Buckner
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Alumnus Giacomo Fiore Receives 2018 Encore Award
Italian guitarist, award-winning musician, University Lecturer at SF Conservatory, University of California Santa Cruz and the University of San Francisco and Belmont alumnus Dr. Giacomo Fiore was recently honored with Belmont’s College of Visual and Performing Arts 2018 Encore Award. Created in 2008 to honor a School of Music alumnus, the Award recognizes those musical greats who have made significant achievement throughout the classical music field.
Fiore’s extensive repertoire includes eclectic programs presented to audiences across the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland and Italy. A new music specialist, he has given world and U.S. premieres of more than two dozen solo and chamber works for classical, just intonation and electric guitars including pieces by Larry Polansky, Kenji Oh, Ron Nagorcka, Agustin Castilla–Ávila, Brian Baumbusch, Carolyn Chen, Lanier Sammons, Fernanda Navarro, Edward Schocker, and many more. To date, he has released seven recordings for Cold Blue, Pinna and Paper Garden Records, as well as his own impressum.
After graduating from Belmont in 2006, Fiore attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music for his master’s program. “I saw it both as a challenge, a test for the technical and interpretive work I had done at Belmont, but also as an opportunity to grow further,” he said. While in school, he realized his academic and research habits were solid, thanks to his time at Belmont, and began looking towards continuing his education as a musician, resulting in his Ph.D. in Music from the University of U.C. Santa Cruz.
There, he developed a kind of synergistic musical practice where research, performance and teaching overlapped. Looking back on his time on an undergraduate, Fiore believes his passion, inquisitiveness and talents were developed at Belmont, allowing him the confidence and ability he needed to complete his advanced degrees.
“I discovered the thrill of perusing a long-forgotten score or book in Bunch Library; I recorded and released my first album working with Curb College students; I carefully curated the program of my Senior recital to present not just a compendium of what I had studied, but something I felt was a coherent and engaging musical picture. My own aesthetics have changed much since then, but the foundation on which I’ve built was laid solidly,” he said. “Different tunings, different sounds, different worlds: I chase this music not to be different, but because its suggestion of possibilities enthralls me and rewards me to no end.”
To students who hope to embark on a similar path one day, Fiore has a few words of wisdom. “Acknowledge the sounds that linger in your head as you go to sleep and echo still while you wake up in the morning,” he said. “Then chase them down. You’ll never quite catch them—that’s beside the point—but you’ll discover wonders along the way.”
But as much as he can offer advice on the value of practice, the importance of expanding genres and the significance of education, it’s a person’s character that he points to as most important. “Support your peers. Love your friends. Take care of yourself. You’re only as good a musician as you are a human being.”

Alumnus TJ Wilt Named Chief Executive Officer, Partner for E|SPACES

April Hefner
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Alumnus TJ Wilt Named Chief Executive Officer, Partner for E|SPACES

E|SPACES, a professional office and meeting space provider with multiple locations in Middle Tennessee and a pending launch in Orlando, announced that Belmont alumnus TJ Wilt has been named chief executive officer and partner responsible for strategic planning and growth.

Recognized among the top investment professionals and business strategists in Middle Tennessee, Wilt is joining E|SPACES as the company continues its rapid expansion throughout the Southeast. Wilt will assume responsibility for strategic planning and operational oversight of the company while President Jon Pirtle will focus on sales and business development. The pair has set a long-range objective to launch 25 more locations in the next five years in multiple states.

A Nashville native, Wilt has been intimately involved in the growth of multiple industries in the region. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in administration and finance and his MBA from Belmont , Wilt began his career at Gaylord Entertainment Company where he advised on strategic acquisition for the corporation. Wilt then moved to Diversified Trust company, an employee-owned comprehensive wealth management firm, where he served for six years as vice president, acting as primary wealth manager for family and individual clients. Most recently, Wilt led TSW Investment company, where he served as the primary manager on multiple partnerships with more than 25 private investments and a diversified public equity portfolio. As part of his role at TSW, Wilt served as the CEO and CFO of Cumberland Transit, Nashville’s oldest and largest locally-owned outdoor adventure retailer, which he acquired in 2012.

“There is no end to the growth potential of E|SPACES in today’s evolving market,” said Wilt. “Modern workers are no longer tied to traditional concepts of office space. They are seeking a partner that provides adaptable meeting and work spaces, covers all their office needs at no additional cost, and still maintains a quality, professional environment. E|SPACES is the only company I have experienced that checks all those boxes. I jumped at the chance to join the team and help it continue to grow.”

“This is an important day for E|SPACES as we welcome TJ Wilt to our team,” said Crom Carmichael, vice-chairman of E|SPACES board of directors. “TJ brings to E|SPACES a wealth of experience in strategy, management and finance, as well as extensive reach across the broader business community in Middle Tennessee and the Southeast. His expertise, coupled with Jon Pirtle’s skills in sales and business development, will yield immediate, positive outcomes for the customers, partners and cities we serve.”

Founded in 2010, E|SPACES combines a range of executive suites, coworking spaces and shared offices to meet the diverse needs of the serious business professional. The company offers work spaces for individuals and small businesses not ready to make the leap to an office lease, medium-sized companies looking for space for employees to train or collaborate, and large companies seeking a convenient location to meet off-site. All services – including phone, Wi-Fi, office machines, 24/7 access, and parking – are included in the cost of membership.

Belmont University Hosts 4th Annual Diversity Week Across Campus

Hope Buckner
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Belmont University Hosts 4th Annual Diversity Week Across Campus

Provides meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and staff to engage in dialogue surrounding diversity and inclusion

Belmont University hosted its fourth annual Diversity Week last week and provided more than 20 opportunities for members of the community to engage in meaningful conversations surrounding diversity, inclusion, privilege, cultural humility and more. Launched by the Welcome Home Diversity Council and Racial & Ethnic Diversity Team years ago, Diversity Week is part of the Belmont State of Mind, the University’s overarching diversity and inclusion initiative.

Highlights from this year’s event include Real Talks for students, faculty and staff where important topics are discussed in a safe format, a Privilege Walk where participants are able to engage with their privilege in a physical way, a screening of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” in the University’s state-of-the-art theater, convocation presentations by nationally-known speakers and authors including Austin Channing Brown and Andrew Maraniss and more.

 

Massey College of Business Hosts Discover Accounting Day

April Hefner
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Massey College of Business Hosts Discover Accounting Day

The accounting and management information systems (MIS) programs in the Jack C. Massey College of Business hosted a Discover Accounting Day for 70 Nashville area high school students last month. Associate Professor of Accounting Dr. Beverley Alleyne motivated the students with words of wisdom on how to prepare for college and for the real world of an accounting career. Alexis Wade, senior accounting major, spoke to the students about why accounting is a great major and ideas for funding their college education.

Students had the opportunity to learn about careers in accounting, why accounting is considered the language of business and to discover which path of accounting best fits their interests and personality. Students interacted with local Nashville CPAs, including Chief Financial Officer of of the Tennessee Titans Jenneen Kaufman, Belmont Masters of Accounting alumni Allie (Shropshire) Zavattaro (senior accountant at Compass East), Lauren Moses (tax senior at Cherry Bekaert) and Accounting Advisory Board member Kristi Fireline (director at BKD).

In addition to the day of accounting information, the high school students “discovered” the Belmont campus with lunch in the Harrington Place Dining Hall. The one-day event was planned and coordinated by Laura Hunt, communications associate for the Tennessee Society of CPAs, and Dr. Del DeVries, associate  professor of accounting and information systems. Dr. Pat Raines, dean of the Jack C. Massey College of Business; Kelvin Ault, professor of practice and program director of accounting and MIS; and Taylor Dillon, admissions coordinator, also assisted in welcoming the high school students to campus.

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