English Professor Dr. Eric Hobson has accepted an invitation from Princeton University’s Department of Art and Archaeology’s Library to identify and document rolls of film recently discovered in their storage facility that date from 1930-31. The film canisters document Captain Vladimir Perfilieff’s scientific expeditions (1923-31).
Due to their highly flammable characteristics, these nitrate films require expert restoration processing. After restoring the film and linking each canister to its specific expedition, he and Princeton staff will write accounts of Perfilieff’s adventures and the resulting film records.
Belmont’s College of Law sent two teams to the regional competition of the American Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) earlier this month. Law students Jake Beggin, Emmie Futrell, Sarah Sims, Ben Riggs, Paul Madden and Richard Swor represented the College of Law.
Belmont prevailed as Regional Champion and will attend the national competition in Washington, D.C. April 5-7. Additionally, Futrell and Madden were named nos. 4 and 5 for Best Advocate in the Region.
The Center for Entrepreneurship hosted its annual Business Plan Competition last week, allowing nine student businesses to compete for cash prizes in front of a panel of judges.
Ryan Reisdorf took home first place with his business PlaceMat, a wholesome, farm-to-table catering service. The second and third place prizes went to Suzanna Stapler’s Squillustrate and Sarah Beth Perry’s With the Band. Additionally, Karyme Meixueiro Cravioto and Emily Knapp won the People’s Choice Award with their business, Alate.
The competing businesses included:
Suzanna Stapler: Squillustrate
Jordon Washington: College in Color
Emily Knapp and Karyme Meixueiro Cravioto: Alate
Ryan Reisdorf: PlaceMat
Bailey Jackson: Felicity and Bliss
Ernest Walter: Turning Leaves
Austin Sellinger and Andrew Cranny: Style 12
Tally Bevis: Octo Music Group
Sarah Beth Perry: With the Band
Competition judges included Kevin Roddey, senior vice president of Pinnacle Financial, Scott Rouse, entrepreneur and body language expert, Victoria Kopyar, CEO and founder of VK Sport and Belmont Entrepreneur in Residence, Shawn Glinter, CEO and founder of Pendant Biosciences, Inc. and Belmont entrepreneur in residence, Grant Ellis, CEO of Nut Butter Nation and Mark Brooks, Senior Vice President of First Advantage Bank.
Elizabeth Gortmaker, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, said, “The 2018 Business Plan Competition showed the creativity, drive, and passion of our student entrepreneurs. Pitching to a panel of expert judges is no easy task, but these students came prepared to present the businesses they’ve worked so hard to build. The top three prizes (awarded to a dining experience, a branding company, and an app) show the wide variety of ventures our entrepreneurs create during their time at Belmont.”
Jack C. Massey College of Business’s part-time MBA lands higher than ever before, and College of Law is included among those ranked for the first time
Two of Belmont University’s graduate programs, the Jack C. Massey College of Business’s Part-Time MBA and the College of Law, were lauded today when U.S. News and World Report released its 2019 rankings of Best Graduate Schools, a tool to help prospective graduate students better understand the graduate school landscape and identify potential programs.
Belmont’s Part-Time MBA program was ranked No. 141, higher than its 2018 No. 151 ranking. The University’s College of Law was ranked for the first time this year and came in at No. 139 on the 2019 list.
The Best Graduate Schools ranking in both business and law are based on expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students. The rankings’ data comes from surveys of more than 2,012 programs and from reputation surveys sent to more than 20,500 academics and professionals, conducted in fall 2017 and early 2018.
Dean of the College of Law Alberto Gonzales said, “We are pleased that Belmont College of Law was recognized on this year’s Best Graduate Schools rankings in only our second year of eligibility. As Dean of the College, I am grateful for the work of our faculty and the quality of our students. I look forward to an upward climb in future rankings as we build upon our current achievements.”
Dean of the College of Business Dr. Pat Raines said, “After moving ahead of 46 other programs last year in the U.S News Part-Time MBA rankings, I am thrilled for our faculty, students and alumni to advance another 10 places in the 2019 rankings. To be ranked ahead of many of our long-time peers and competition is rewarding, but to be listed ahead of several of our aspirant programs is a meaningful accomplishment. Our alumni should see that the value of their degree is increasing and our faculty should be proud of the outstanding work that they are doing both in the classroom and in their professional careers.
Belmont’s College of Law opened in 2012 and provides challenging academics, a service minded approach, real-world experiences and community leadership in a student-centered Christian environment. The College offers specialties in areas that complement the university’s nationally-known undergraduate programs including healthcare and entertainment and music business. Graduates will be practice-ready attorneys, empowered by their education and co-curricular experiences to provide legal counsel in a variety of settings with a commitment to high standards of expertise and ethics.
The Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business began offering its part-time MBA program in 1986 and has continued to add high-quality graduate business programming as market needs have evolved through the years. The School added an innovative part-time healthcare MBA program in 2012 to complement Nashville’s growing reputation as the healthcare capital of the U.S. and a joint PharmD/MBA program in 2016.
This week, Belmont is celebrating its World Culture Week, leading up to its 6th annual World Culture Festival. The festivities are spearheaded by HOPE council, a student-led organization seeking to create a more diverse and inclusive Belmont community. The council serves as a hub of multicultural and identity groups at Belmont including the Black Student Association, the Hispanic Student Association, Bridge Builders, the Gender Equality movement, the South Asian Middle Eastern Association, Bruin Vets, the Japanese Culture Club and the Chinese Cultural Club. According to Reena Patel, president of HOPE Council, “Our goal is to ensure that Belmont, as a whole, can experience the beauty of diversity and inclusion on an intersectional level.”
World Culture Fest began as a collaborative effort by a few students who wanted to bring the celebration of cultures to campus in an effort to share their heritage with their peers. After the creation of HOPE Council, they expanded the effort into a week of programming.
Upcoming Events include:
Wednesday, March 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. International food trucks will be parked by the South Lawn!
Wednesday, March 21, 6-8 p.m. Join South Asian Middle Eastern Society at their Bhangra night to learn about the popular music and dance that combines Punjabi folk traditions with Western pop music.
Thursday, March 22, 6-9 p.m. The International Fashion Show will showcase styles and trends from around the world.
Friday, March 23, 4-7 p.m. World Culture Fest offers the opportunity to “tour” the world through food, music, fashion and entertainment.
All events, aside from the food trucks, are located in Beaman A&B.
“The Belmont community has the chance to engage in critical discussions around diversity and inclusion,” Patel said. “… If we, as a community, truly want to engage and transform the world, we should immerse ourselves in the cultures, lives [and] experiences of others to do so….[By] hearing their stories, we have the chance to educate ourselves outside of the classroom and be part of a community effort to be more diverse and inclusive – not only here at Belmont, but in the world.”
Current Texas Tech associate dean named to lead student affairs division
Following an extensive nationwide search, Belmont University announced today that Dr. John Delony, current associate academic dean for student life for the Texas Tech University School of Law, is being named associate provost and dean of students, effective May 1.
In his new position, Delony will serve as Belmont’s chief student affairs officer and will work in collaboration with the provost to foster and sustain a student-centered living-learning environment. Delony will oversee a division of more than 50 professional staff members representing a variety of student-service areas including Residence Life, Health/Counseling/Support Services, Fitness and Recreation, Multicultural Learning & Experience and Student Activities, among others.
Belmont Provost Dr. Thomas Burns said, “This is a demanding position, and we set the bar exceedingly high for our next chief student affairs officer. In every conversation John Delony demonstrated the valuable expertise, compassionate care and contagious enthusiasm that he will bring to this position. His deep commitments to inclusivity, Christian faith and collaborative work environments align well with Belmont’s mission, and we are excited for him to join the campus community. ”
Delony noted, “Belmont is a unique and very special place. I am inspired by the spirit and engagement of the Belmont student body, the faculty’s deep commitment to teaching and student success, the extraordinary student affairs team and the campus’s unwavering commitment to their Christian mission. My family and I are looking forward to joining the Belmont community!”
In addition to holding a doctorate of higher education administration from Texas Tech University, Dr. Delony is currently completing his dissertation on a second doctorate in counselor education and supervision. In 2013, he completed the Higher Education Management Development Program through Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. He also holds a master’s in higher education administration from Texas Tech as well as a bachelor’s in humanities/psychology from Lubbock Christian University.
At the Texas Tech School of Law, Delony served as the dean of students and liaison to the broader University Campus Life Office. He chaired the Student Support and Emergency Team, assisted with strategic planning for the School of Law, advised the Student Bar Association and served on a variety of committees, on top of his stated duties. His efforts resulted in numerous awards and recognitions, including the Texas Tech University Distinguished Staff Member Matador Award, the Life Changer Award from the Student Bar Association and the Award of Excellence from the Black Law Students Association.
Prior to Texas Tech, Delony held student affairs positions at Abilene Christian University and Lubbock Christian University. He is a level one certified Civil Rights/Title IX Investigator through the National Center for Higher Education Risk Management/Association of Title IX Administrators program. He has also been certified in Critical Incident Stress Management and Behavioral Intervention Team Best Practice. Throughout his career Dr. Delony has also taught graduate and undergraduate courses on a variety of higher education, counseling and organizational leadership topics.
Tickets available now for Team USA vs Belgium in University’s Curb Event Center
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and United States Davis Cup Captain Jim Courier today announced that world No. 11 Jack Sock, No. 14 Sam Querrey, No. 17 John Isner, No. 53 Ryan Harrison, and No. 54 Steve Johnson, will represent the U.S. in the 2018 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Quarterfinal against Belgium. The best-of-five match series will be played on a hard court at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tenn., April 6-8. The Belgium team will be announced in the next week.
Fans can purchase single-day tickets and three-day ticket packages at www.usta.com/daviscup. Volunteer information can also be found on this website.
Play begins at 4 p.m. local time (5 p.m. ET) on Friday, April 6, and Saturday, April 7, and at 2 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET) on Sunday, April 8. Friday will include two singles matches featuring each country’s No. 1 player against the other country’s No. 2 player. Saturday’s schedule features the doubles match, and the final day of play on Sunday features the two “reverse singles” matches, in which the No. 1 players square off, followed by the final match between the No. 2 players. All matches are best-of-five sets until one nation clinches the tie. Sunday will feature a revised schedule if a team clinches in the third or fourth match. Tennis Channel will provide live daily coverage.
The winner of this tie advances to the World Group Semifinal, Sept. 14-16, where it will face either Croatia or Kazakhstan. Should the U.S. win, the team will be making its first Davis Cup Semifinal appearance since 2012.
The USTA has partnered with Belmont University, the Nashville Sports Council, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation to bring this event to the city. Local tie sponsors include Enterprise Solutions, Wyatt Johnson Automotive Group, and PepsiCo.
The U.S. holds a 4-0 record over Belgium in Davis Cup play. The U.S. last faced Belgium in the 2005 World Group Playoff in Leuven, Belgium. The U.S. won the tie, 4-1, with a team led by Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Bob and Mike Bryan. The U.S. also squared off against Belgium in the 1998 World Group Quarterfinal in Indianapolis, as well as in 1953 and 1957.
#TeamUSATennis Captain Jim Courier just announced the 2018 @DavisCup Quarterfinals Team! They'll be taking on Belgium in the Curb Event Center on April 6-8!
Sock, 25, is currently the top-ranked American man, at No. 11. He ended his 2017 season by winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title, in Paris. That win was one of his three ATP titles last year (Auckland, Delray Beach). He also reached the semifinals of the ATP Finals in London. Sock has played Davis Cup since 2015 and holds a 4-3 record in singles and a 2-0 record in doubles. Also a doubles specialist, Sock was the 2014 Wimbledon men’s doubles champion and a two-time medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics – capturing bronze in men’s doubles, with Steve Johnson, and gold in mixed doubles, with Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Sock captured his 10th career ATP doubles title with Davis Cup teammate Isner in Indian Wells this past weekend.
Querrey, 30, is ranked No. 14 in the world. He reached a career-high No. 11 in the world this February after reaching the final of the New York Open. In addition, he advanced to the quarterfinals of Indian Wells last week. Querrey also had a strong 2017 season, reaching the Wimbledon semifinals – the first American men’s Grand Slam semifinalist since Andy Roddick (2009 Wimbledon) – and the quarterfinals of the US Open. He also won his ninth and 10th career ATP singles titles last year (Los Cabos, Acapulco) and recorded victories over Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, and David Goffin. Querrey is competing in his fourth consecutive Davis Cup tie and his 13th overall. He made his Davis Cup debut in 2008, where he faced Nadal in his first-ever Davis Cup match. Querrey holds an 8-9 record in Davis Cup singles play and is 1-0 in doubles. He also competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition to his singles success, Querrey holds five ATP doubles titles, including two with Isner (2010 Memphis and 2011 Rome) and one with Johnson (2016 Geneva).
Isner, 32, is ranked No. 17 in the current world rankings and will be competing in his 16th Davis Cup tie. He is 14-11 in singles and 2-0 and doubles. Isner made his Davis Cup debut in the 2010 World Group First Round in Belgrade, Serbia, where he became the first U.S. player since 2003 to compete in three live rubbers in the same tie. Isner won his 11th and 12th career ATP titles in 2017 (Atlanta, Newport) and advanced to three ATP Masters 1000 semifinals. Isner’s biggest Davis Cup victory came in 2012, when he defeated Roger Federer in the U.S. team’s first-round win at Switzerland. He also represented the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Federer. In doubles, Isner captured his fifth career ATP doubles title with Davis Cup teammate Sock in Indian Wells this past weekend. Isner turned pro after an outstanding four-year career at the University of Georgia, leading the Bulldogs to the 2007 NCAA team title as a senior.
Harrison, 25, is ranked No. 53 in the world, and is nominated to play in his fourth Davis Cup tie for the U.S. and second this year after winning the clinching doubles point in February in Serbia. Harrison is coming off a 2017 season in which he won his first Grand Slam doubles title, at the French Open (with Michael Venus), and his first ATP singles title, in Memphis. Harrison also reached the final in Atlanta last summer, losing to Isner, and started his 2018 season with a run to the singles final in Brisbane, Australia. He played in two Davis Cup ties in 2012, going 1-2 in singles and falling to France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Quarterfinal round, his only live singles rubber.
Johnson, 28, is ranked No. 54 in the world. He is playing in his fourth consecutive Davis Cup tie and fifth overall, after a 2017 that saw he and Jack Sock – the 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalists in men’s doubles – win both of their Davis Cup doubles matches, vs. Switzerland and Australia. Johnson and Ryan Harrison clinched the first-round tie for this U.S. this year in Serbia. Johnson won his second career ATP title last year, at the red-clay event in Houston, and he reached nine ATP quarterfinals in 2017. Johnson, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 21 in the world in July 2016, turned pro in 2012 after an outstanding college tennis career at USC; he won the 2011 and 2012 NCAA singles championships and led the Trojans to team titles all four years he played for the school.
Belmont University alumnus and Nashville native Brian Baker, 32, will also be accompanying the U.S. Davis Cup Team for the week. Baker will serve as an “unofficial coach” to assist the team in practice and will then be a sideline reporter for Tennis Channel during its broadcast. Baker, 32, peaked at a career-high of No. 52 in the world in singles in October 2012 and No. 29 in the world in doubles in May 2017. He was also a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team in Rio. While recovering from injuries and surgeries throughout his career, Baker studied and coached tennis at Belmont, graduating with a business administration degree in May 2015.
Founded in 1900, Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis and is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with approximately 135 nations competing each year. The U.S. leads all nations with 32 Davis Cup titles. The U.S. holds a 218-71 all-time Davis Cup record, and owns the longest uninterrupted run in the World Group, dating back to 1989. For more information, including access to player and historical Davis Cup records, please go to www.usta.com/daviscup or www.daviscup.com.
Follow Team USA using hashtag #TeamUSATennis on Facebook @USTA, on Twitter @USTA and on Instagram @USTA. Wilson is the official ball of the U.S. Davis Cup team. Deloitte is the official team sponsor of the U.S. Davis Cup Team.
Belmont was recently named No. 4 nationally in the top 15 Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Entertainment Management according to Best College Reviews. Ranked on range of academic offerings, scholar-level faculty, graduate success and internship opportunities, Belmont was chosen for its “overall vision, which combines traditional values with progressive, innovative programming,” Julia McCaulley of Best College Reviews wrote.
This ranking was compiled using data on tuition and program information, including degree customization options and an overall “wow” factor. According to McCaulley, “The option for students to pursue either a BA or a BS [at Belmont] allows them to hone their focus as they pursue their desired career.” Similarly, Belmont’s “rigorous curriculum” was another important factor in its ranking.
According to David Schreiber, chair of the Entertainment Industries Studies (EIS) department, “The Entertainment Studies Major is a great option for students who want to pursue a career in just about any aspect of Entertainment from fairs and festivals to theme parks, events or music business. We are continuously evaluating the curriculum and activities so students are competitive in the workplace and being prepared to enter the work force with a professional maturity that competes with any program. We now have some great opportunities for students to do short-term study abroad and take courses in ‘Activity and Adventure Tourism’ or ‘Global Perspectives in Entertainment’. For EIS majors who prefer a semester long experience, they have options to intern in Australia or London while taking courses.”
Belmont’s EIS program is designed to prepare the future leaders of the creative and entertainment industries through a liberal arts study of business practices. Building upon the principles that drive the production, marketing and consumption of creative product, students are challenged to think critically about these foundations while learning to provide innovative solutions. Included in the EIS major are specialized courses in entertainment marketing, promotion and distribution, law and licensing, economics, leadership and management of entertainment organizations.
The Office of Communications (OC) traveled with Belmont’s Women’s Basketball team to Athens, Georgia for the first round of the NCAA Tournament where the Bruins took on the Duke University Blue Devils on Saturday, March 17. Seeking to learn more about the team, Head Coach Bart Brooks and the overall program, the OC members spent nearly 60 hours at the big dance.
He’s calm, cool and collected – a dad of sorts. He’s a “big picture guy,” at least according to a handful of folks closely involved with Belmont’s women’s basketball team. Coach Bart Brooks has only been a Bruin for less than a year, but according to his team and staffers, he’s a natural fit.
He’s a family man – that can be seen by the way his sons, 3-year-old Trey and 10-month-old Tyler and his wife Charleen, known to all players as “Char,” are three more members of the Belmont team. It’s a family affair – open to everyone, even a no-athletic-skill communications professional who’s along for the ride.
It’s a constant theme…
But the spirit of family doesn’t end with Coach Bart and his team – it’s a consistent theme that weaves its way through the fabric that makes up Bruins women’s basketball. In fact, it’s noted on Thursday morning, before the trip even begins, while basketball staff and players are loading up the Belmont Bruins branded GrayLine bus. Belmont basketball program founder, matriarch and first Women’s Basketball Head Coach Betty Wiseman, known lovingly by the team and Athletics staff as B-Dub, commented on the team’s family mentality as Coach Bart, Char and his kids arrived at Belmont’s loading dock. “Of course they’re all going with us,” she said. “We’re a family.”
It’s apparent when the bus pulls up to Bill and Stephanie Holby’s house for dinner along the route. As Assistant Coach Jamey Givens’s in-laws, and avid Belmont supporters, the Holbys are a natural part of the team’s family, and their hospitality is evident.
Stephanie stands in her light-filled sunroom, greeting each player with a hug and the happiest of smiles. Many faces she recognizes – they’ve filled her iPad over the last two years while she’s cheered Belmont to countless victories from her Buckhead, Georgia home. Before dinner, homemade by the Holbys, Bill gathers the team outside for a blessing. He congratulates the women on their recent OVC Championship victory, overviewing the game’s nail-biting end and their ability to close a 6-point gap in only 12 seconds.
Back on the bus, the family spirit of this team extends beyond those who wear the blue and red. Belmont senior and guard Kylee Smith is especially excited about playing Duke this year – because one of her ‘family’ members, her childhood best friend Lexie Brown, is the team’s point guard and highest scorer. Growing up playing AAU ball together, Kylee and Lexie both transferred to their current schools and are playing as 5th year students, looking to lead their teams to an NCAA victory.
“We’ve been each other’s biggest cheerleaders from afar,” Smith says. “She texted me two minutes after we found out we’d be playing each other and said, ‘See you in Athens ??❤”
Kylee’s willingness to open her ‘basketball’ family beyond her Bruins teammates extends past her friendly rivalry with Brown. In fact, a quick scan of the stands at any basketball game – home or away – will find father and daughter pair Glenn and Lynlea Payne, two more members of Kylee’s, and the Bruins’, family. Originally Vanderbilt fans, the Paynes became Bruins themselves when Kylee transferred from Vandy in 2014 and joined Belmont’s team. Her first year on campus, Kylee was red-shirted when Belmont played Vanderbilt at Memorial Gym.
Kylee and Lynlea share a hug upon Lynlea’s arrival in Athens.
Glenn realized Kylee was now a Bruin, and she invited him to the Curb for a game. The rest is history. Now, Glenn and Lynlea are staples at home games and even travel to away games, including the first round game against Duke. They’re members of the Belmont family, and though they joined the ranks because they followed Kylee there, she knows they’re fans for the long haul.
“Lynlea will continue to be a Belmont fan [after my graduation],” Kylee says. “She’s here to stay.”
They can play some basketball, too…
Despite their love for each other and the people around them, there’s no denying the natural talent that is evident with this team. After a later breakfast call on Friday morning, the team fills the bus and leaves the hotel for the University of Georgia’s Stegeman Coliseum where they’ll meet Duke the next day. Before taking the court for pre-game practice, Coach Bart and three Bruins find their seats before a group of journalists for the day’s press conference.
Belmont junior and team guard Darby Maggard, senior and now all-time Bruins record holder for the most blocks during a season Sally McCabe and senior guard Kylee Smith take the stage with Coach Bart for Friday’s conference. The trio speaks about their winning season, last year’s trip to the NCAA tournament and their strategy for playing Duke. After the women leave, Coach speaks about his gratitude to those Bruins – and the others who make up the team – for the way they immediately accepted him into their family.
“If these guys [didn’t] embrace me as their leader when I [hadn’t] earned it yet, then I don’t think we [would] have had a chance to do what we did this year. They opened up their arms and bought in right away,” he says. “I can’t tell you how impressed I am of these guys.”
It’s practice time, now – the women hit the court.
Shooting drills, buzzer beaters, zone offense practice – this family is focused. But a sense of consistent encouragement, pride and a dedication to each other is clear. Shouts of “Good job, blue!” “Nice shot, Ky!” “Yes, Hannah. YES!” “Ellie, Ellie, Ellie!” fill the court.
Practice ends with one final shot, the buzzer sounds and it’s back to the bus for one last afternoon and evening before tomorrow’s game.
The big day…
Saturday morning’s call time is earlier than Friday’s, and the effects of the early morning are clear. Breakfast is quieter–there’s a sense of focus in the air. In between bites of breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls, Rich Tiner describes this team’s “it” factor as chemistry. Acknowledging that previous women’s basketball teams have shared something similar, the 21-year game announcer and professor of media studies at Belmont says there’s no denying that something is unique with this group. “Their chemistry is off the charts,” he says. “This team’s mindset is ‘this is what we’ve worked for since we were little girls.’ They’re so focused.”
After watching a quick highlight reel, the team is ready to load the bus, and the hotel’s lobby is packed with cheerleaders, players’ parents, the pep band, students who traveled by bus to watch the game in person, Belmont administrators and more. As the players run through a tunnel of cheers, the fight song echoes in the background. It’s game day.
The locker room is buzzing with activity – music plays loudly as the women prepare for the day’s challenge. Darby finds her way to the court before her teammates to shoot with Coach Givens. She makes nearly every single shot she takes. The rest of the team rushes the court in their “Splashville” branded shooting shirts, and Belmont fans fill the arena. With minutes left before the game begins, the team heads back to the locker room for one final word from Coach.
His messages are clear – between strategies related to Duke’s offense and reminders for successful defense, he is quick to give a nod, many nods, to one of this team’s main strengths – their ability to play as a unit, a family. “Play free, play fast and always, play together,” he says. Senior Sally McCabe’s prayer is one of the last things the Bruins hear before they storm the court for their first round game. “Help us to play together as one unit, with the goal to glorify you,” she prays.
Finding themselves again with a well-deserved place in the March Madness bracket, Belmont’s women’s basketball team played a hard, well-fought game against Duke University. At halftime, the Bruins take the locker room with Duke up by only 1 point. But Duke’s defense presented a significant challenge for the Bruins, and they were unable to pull out a victory with a final score of 58-72.
After the game, the locker room is full of emotions – tears, hugs and heartfelt messages to each other, especially the seniors who played their final game. Belmont junior and guard Jenny Roy is quick to recognize those who have led the team to this year’s success. “I just want to say thank you to the seniors,” she says. “You guys paved the way, and your legacy will live on forever. Thank you for the best four years of this program.”
Soon after, it’s time for the post-game press conference. Coach takes the same three players into this session, crediting Duke for a wonderful game, commenting on the difference between the halves and recognizing the team he’s so proud to coach. “I can’t stop telling everyone how proud I am of our team,” he says. “I am just thrilled that I got to go on the head coaching ride with this team. It’s been one heck of a season. Our loss today absolutely does not define what this group did this season. These girls have really made this program what it is, and I can’t thank them enough.”
For both seniors, this is the last press conference they’ll attend, and some questions are emotional and hard to answer. “It’s been an incredible four years,” Sally says. “I know, speaking for Kylee and Sierra, it’s just been an honor to wear this jersey and to see the growth in this program and to see the young people coming in after us…that’s the best thing that you can have as a senior leaving.”
Even despite a tough loss and the emotions that come alongside it, the team’s sense of family is present. As the women prepare to leave the crowded locker room, it’s time for one last huddle.
“On 3,” they say as hands rise to meet each other. ”TOGETHER!”
Eason Taylor, a psychology major, was recently awarded a Spring Undergraduate Research Grant of $1,500 from Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in Psychology, with faculty sponsor Dr. Timothy Schoenfeld, assistant professor of psychology. They will conduct research this summer as part of the Summer Scholars Communities program.
The project, entitled “Examining the Effects of Exercise on Frustration-induced Anxiety-like Behavior in Rats,” seeks to investigate whether voluntary exercise prevents increased anxious behavior in rats following induced frustration from learning tasks. Eason plans to look at how stress hormones and neuron growth in the prefrontal cortex mediate these effects. This research can help shed light on how natural behaviors, like exercise, can help prevent experience-driven negative mood states.
English Professor Dr. Eric Hobson has accepted an invitation from Princeton University’s Department of Art and Archaeology’s Library to identify and document rolls of film recently discovered in their storage facility that date from 1930-31. The film canisters document Captain Vladimir Perfilieff’s scientific expeditions (1923-31).
This week, Belmont is celebrating its World Culture Week, leading up to its 6th annual World Culture Festival. The festivities are spearheaded by HOPE council, a student-led organization seeking to create a more diverse and inclusive Belmont community. The council serves as a hub of multicultural and identity groups at Belmont including the Black Student Association, the Hispanic Student Association, Bridge Builders, the Gender Equality movement, the South Asian Middle Eastern Association, Bruin Vets, the Japanese Culture Club and the Chinese Cultural Club. According to Reena Patel, president of HOPE Council, “Our goal is to ensure that Belmont, as a whole, can experience the beauty of diversity and inclusion on an intersectional level.”
In his new position, Delony will serve as Belmont’s chief student affairs officer and will work in collaboration with the provost to foster and sustain a student-centered living-learning environment. Delony will oversee a division of more than 50 professional staff members representing a variety of student-service areas including Residence Life, Health/Counseling/Support Services, Fitness and Recreation, Multicultural Learning & Experience and Student Activities, among others.
But the spirit of family doesn’t end with Coach Bart and his team – it’s a consistent theme that weaves its way through the fabric that makes up Bruins women’s basketball. In fact, it’s noted on Thursday morning, before the trip even begins, while basketball staff and players are loading up the Belmont Bruins branded GrayLine bus. Belmont basketball program founder, matriarch and first Women’s Basketball Head Coach Betty Wiseman, known lovingly by the team and Athletics staff as B-Dub, commented on the team’s family mentality as Coach Bart, Char and his kids arrived at Belmont’s loading dock. “Of course they’re all going with us,” she said. “We’re a family.”
Back on the bus, the family spirit of this team extends beyond those who wear the blue and red. Belmont senior and guard Kylee Smith is especially excited about playing Duke this year – because one of her ‘family’ members, her childhood best friend Lexie Brown, is the team’s point guard and highest scorer. Growing up playing AAU ball together, Kylee and Lexie both transferred to their current schools and are playing as 5th year students, looking to lead their teams to an NCAA victory.
After watching a quick highlight reel, the team is ready to load the bus, and the hotel’s lobby is packed with cheerleaders, players’ parents, the pep band, students who traveled by bus to watch the game in person, Belmont administrators and more. As the players run through a tunnel of cheers, the fight song echoes in the background. It’s game day.
Even despite a tough loss and the emotions that come alongside it, the team’s sense of family is present. As the women prepare to leave the crowded locker room, it’s time for one last huddle.
Eason Taylor, a psychology major, was recently awarded a Spring Undergraduate Research Grant of $1,500 from Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in Psychology, with faculty sponsor Dr. Timothy Schoenfeld, assistant professor of psychology. They will conduct research this summer as part of the 