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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Alumni Named Finalists, Winners of 9th Annual NTC Awards

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Alumni Named Finalists, Winners of 9th Annual NTC Awards

Belmont computer science alumni were recently honored at the 9th Annual NTC Awards.  David Ells (’06), Director of Technology at Watershed LRS, won the 2018 Infrastructure of the Year award and was named as a finalist for CTO of the Year. Sergei Temkin (’07), who currently serves as the vice president, software development team lead at 360 View CRM, was named a finalist for the Developer/Architect/IT Engineer of the Year. Also nominated was Satchel Health for Emerging Company of the Year, for which alumni Grayson Carroll (’13) and Caleb Gregory (’12) work on the engineering team. Carroll is the VP of Engineering for the company.

The awards ceremony was held Jan. 25 at the Wildhorse Saloon. This event is dedicated to connecting, uniting, developing and promoting Middle Tennessee’s rich community of developers and technology entrepreneurs, enthusiasts and institutions with awards in 14 categories.

The Nashville Technology Council (NTC) exists to be a catalyst for the growth and influence of Middle Tennessee’s technology industry. Membership is open to technology companies, technology employers, service providers, educational institutions, government and non-profit companies interested in supporting the growth of technology businesses in Middle Tennessee.

Belmont Announces Changes to the BELL Core

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Announces Changes to the BELL Core

Belmont University has recently announced changes to the BELL Core, the institution’s general education requirements for students. Led by Director and Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. Noel Boyle, the BELL Core curriculum supports Belmont’s mission by striving to make students informed and engaged citizens who think critically, act ethically and communicate effectively.

After a year-long reform process, the changes will now create a more streamlined program for students, reducing some degree requirements and simplifying the process for others. Now, the Bell Core will be structured differently, organizing courses into the following categories:

  • Signature Courses: All students, regardless of major or degree track, will complete these courses (First Year Seminar and Junior Cornerstone, among others).
  • Foundation Courses: All students will complete these as well, including courses in science, community and humanities, among others.
  • Degree Cognates: The third section of courses will vary depending on a student’s major or program of study.

Depending on a student’s program of study, the total number of hours required could decrease, but no student will be required to earn additional hours under the newly revised Bell Core.

“We have decided to make these changes because we believe they make the BELL Core better,” Boyle said. “With more simplicity and clarity, students can focus on the purpose of their liberal arts core more easily. We want students to seek to be transformed, not just informed. We want students to pursue an education, not just a degree.”

Boyle and other representatives from his team will be hosting Town Hall Sessions for both students, faculty and staff throughout the month of February. For more information on the Bell Core change, click here or contact the Office at bellcore@belmont.edu.

Belmont University Celebrates Black History Month with Series of Events

Hope Buckner
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Belmont University Celebrates Black History Month with Series of Events

Belmont University is celebrating Black History Month this year with a series of events for faculty, staff and students across campus. Led by Director of the Office of Multicultural Learning & Experiences Dr. Mary Clark, this year’s celebration is centered around the theme — “it’s more than history, it’s a legacy.”

Clark is committed to ensuring all members of the campus community have the opportunity to engage with Black History Month in meaningful ways that provide rich experiences, opportunities for dialogue and a conversation surrounding the background of the tradition. Clark said, “We hope to make these monthly celebrations — including Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and others — signature events from the MLE. We understand the importance of these month-long celebrations, and we want to provide ways for our community to experience their importance, too.”

The month kicked off on Thursday, February 1 with the Black Student Association’s Fashion Show, an event that featured Sankofa Dancers and Drummers and highlighted African designs.

Other upcoming events throughout the month include:

  • Weekly film showings in the Johnson Center’s Large Theatre, hosted by Belmont’s Black Student Association. I Am Not Your Negro will be shown from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. on February 5, Hidden Figures will be shown during the same time frame on February 19 and Marshall will be shown on February 26.
  • “Art Imitating Life” convocation series held on both February 8 and 22 from 10 – 11 a.m. in the Gabhart Student Center. These events will feature television episodes that illustrate how art imitates life — and the lessons they teach us.
  • A poster series will be on display across campus that highlight the history of Black History Month and where the celebration began.
  • A convocation on “NPHC – The Divine 9: Unity, Uplift, Urban Legends & Understanding” held in the Vince Gill Room on February 28 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

“These events provide meaningful educational opportunities for our campus community,” Clark said. “These simple events allow all members to engage in important celebrations through avenues that highlight the importance and contributions of African Americans to the American culture and the world.  In addition to this it is important that we all understand the significance and history of the great diversity we have in the United States. Black History month is just the beginning of one ways the Office of Multicultural Learning and Experience will be engaging the Belmont community and the surrounding community.   It’s very exciting for our community, and we’re eager to continue celebrations in the coming months.”

A complete schedule of the month’s events can be found here.

College of Sciences and Mathematics Hosts High School Lab Days, Reaches Over 200 Students

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College of Sciences and Mathematics Hosts High School Lab Days, Reaches Over 200 Students

girl, wearing safety goggles, smiling and holding a test tubeIn a continued tradition of community outreach and educational events, the College of Sciences and Mathematics (CSM) at Belmont University hosted a number of high school laboratory and science-based experiences for area students. The CSM faculty and staff are dedicated to introducing high school students to advanced laboratory techniques and the inter-connectivity found between the sciences, business, social sciences and the humanities. More than 200 students participated in the lectures, laboratory exercises and expositions throughout 2017. These STEM centered activities are slated for continuation in 2018 as high school students are given the opportunity to explore new, faculty-led laboratory exercises and take on the challenges of hypothesis-driven research.

One event hosted 45 A.P. Chemistry students from three different area high schools in an interactive lecture on titrations led by event organizer Dr. Danielle Garrett, assistant professor of chemistry education. The program also held a high school psychology camp thanks to Dr. Linda Jones’s senior capstone project. Jones, chair of the department of psychological science, led 20 A.P. Psychology students in week-long projects involving psychological experimentation techniques and statistical analysis. These students then designed their capstone project, which is required for graduation from Metro Nashville schools, with these tools in mind. Currently, all 20 students are utilizing borrowed equipment to run experimental subjects in their own high schools. Jones and her colleagues engage students monthly and the high school partners will present their findings at the Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium in April.

Additionally, Dr. Lori McGrew, biology professor, hosted alumnus and Davidson Academy science teacher Jim Garrett in her neuropharmacology research lab. Garrett and two of his current students utilized Danio rerio (zebrafish) to investigate learning and memory. With the students’ help, Davidson Academy plans to establish their own zebrafish colony. The work completed by Garrett and his students will also facilitate collaborative data collection between Davidson Academy and Belmont.

Perhaps the biggest event of the semester was the “Celebrating the Women of Physical Science” outreach event for high school students, coordinated by the Department of Chemistry and Physics STEM Committee. The event provided a tour of the chemistry and physics labs, a hands-on chemistry activity, a physics demo and presentation, a talk on “The Legacy of Marie Curie” and a keynote address titled, “With the Right Shoes You Can Do Anything.” Fifty high school students from 15 schools in Middle Tennessee attended.

boy conducting a science experimentFinally, Dr. Steve Murphree, biology professor, coordinates free laboratory experiences for the home-schooled community of Middle Tennessee and conducted two programs in 2017. In November, home-schooled children were able to investigate animal behavior during the program titled, “Explorations in Animal Behavior – Betta Fish.”  In December, students were able to compare human anatomy to that of cartilaginous fish in an exercises titled, “Shark Anatomy.”  In October, a group of 150 middle school students from Lead Academy Middle School toured Belmont’s science labs.

Bishop Writes Book Chapter in “Professional Education at Historically Black College and Universities”

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Bishop Writes Book Chapter in “Professional Education at Historically Black College and Universities”

Nadi Bishop HeashotNadielka Bishop, Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction for Bridges to Belmont, along with Comfort Okpala, a professor at North Carolina A&T and C. Dean Campbell, assistant dean for academic services at North Carolina A&T, wrote the chapter “Staying in Focus: Research Self-efficacy and Mentoring Among HBCU Professional Doctorates” in the book “Professional Education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Past Trends and Outcomes” edited by Tiffany Fountain Boykin, Adriel A. Hilton and Robert T. Palmer.

The book was released winter of 2017.

Belmont College of Pharmacy Hosts Middle Tennessee Antimicrobal Stewardship Symposium

Hope Buckner
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Belmont College of Pharmacy Hosts Middle Tennessee Antimicrobal Stewardship Symposium

Dr. Montgomery Williams, associate professor of pharmacy practice, Dr. Shaefer Spires, assistant professor with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Heather Spilburg, M.Ed., continuing education coordinator in the College of Pharmacy, developed and planned the Second Annual Middle Tennessee Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium held in Belmont’s Janet Ayers Conference Room on Friday, January 26.

The symposium was attended by more than 100 healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines including pharmacists, physicians, nurses and those involved with infection prevention and patient safety and quality. Several alumni, preceptors and Belmont faculty were in attendance, as well. Williams said, “It is enlivening to be able to host an event where healthcare professionals can come together to discuss an issue that they are passionate about and leave feeling invigorated to make changes to improve patient care. Our vision of creating a forum for stewardship personnel to share challenges and ideas has grown into a regional event that attracts like-minded professionals to learn from each other as well as our panel speakers. As a Belmont faculty, it is a privilege to host this event at our College and further connect the school to the practice of pharmacy in our area.”

2nd Annual Middle Tennessee Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, January 26, 2018.Morning sessions featured a lineup of experts in antimicrobial stewardship. These included Christopher Evans, PharmD, BCPS, HAI Pharmacist, Tennessee Department of Health Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program, George Nelson, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Libby Dodds Ashley, PharmD, MHS, FCCP, BCPS(AQ-ID), instructor, Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Duke University, Duke Antimicrobial Stewardship Outreach Network (DASON). The morning’s keynote speaker was CAPT Arjun Srinivasan, MD, associate director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who gave an update on national activities regarding antimicrobial stewardship.

During the afternoon, participants attended workshop sessions led by pharmacists, physicians and nurses, allowing them the opportunity to discuss topics in a small group format. Some of these topics included joint commission requirements, molecular susceptibility, procalcitonin, and nursing involvement in antimicrobial stewardship. Healthcare facilities across the nation are recognizing the benefit of developing and maintaining evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship programs because of their ability to improve patient safety and lower adverse outcomes such as Clostridium difficile and infections from antimicrobial resistant bacteria.  This symposium brought together key stakeholders and practitioners to learn about this topic and discuss ways to work together as a medical community to improve appropriate antimicrobial use and mitigate these risks.

Spires said of the event, “The 2nd Annual Middle Tennessee Antimicrobial Stewardship (AS) symposium was an astounding success. Our vision was to bring respective leaders in AS from hospitals across the state (and beyond) who are on the front lines practicing AS together, for networking, collaboration and to hear nationally and internationally recognized experts.  Our registration almost doubled from last year and included leaders from three other states including Tennessee. We were honored with informative talks and captivated by the CDC’s CAPT. Arjun Srinivasan as our keynote speaker.”

The College of Pharmacy plans to continue the Symposium as an annual event.

Belmont Students Participate in Hack-MT

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Belmont Students Participate in Hack-MT

A group of Belmont students, accompanied by a few recent alumni, Professor of Physics Dr. Scott Hawley and Professor of Mathematics Dr. Glenn Acree, participated in the third annual Hack-MT event last weekend. Hosted at MTSU, the event gathered over 250 students and 40 professional mentors from the developer community of Middle Tennessee to invent new web platforms, mobile apps and electronic gadgets. Students worked the entire weekend, some through the night, to prepare their presentations for Sunday’s exposition.

Many tech organizations were represented by their best and brightest developers on the lookout for talented students. The Belmont students in attendance included Ben Miner, Nick Chouard, Callie Deas, Tito Ebiwonjumi, Hannah Wright, John Ottenlips, Braden Carei, Daniel Gray, Sebastian Alegre and Aaron Itzkovitch. This weekend was an excellent opportunity for them to learn new things, practice their coding and programming skills and interact with students, faculty and industry professionals from across Middle Tennessee.

Carr Selected for Board of Directors for Creatives’ Day

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Carr Selected for Board of Directors for Creatives’ Day

Cheryl Carr HeadshotCheryl Carr, associate dean of the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, has been selected for the Board of Directors for Creatives’ Day, a nonprofit support organization for creatives in Tennessee that provides community and economic support to artists, poets, storytellers, makers and musicians living and working in Nashville and surrounding counties. The organization’s partners include the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Mayor’s Office of Housing. Prior to her selection to the Board of Directors, Carr served on the Creatives’ Day Board of Advisors.

Grant Supports Faculty Lunch Series Focused on Diversity Conversations

April Hefner
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Grant Supports Faculty Lunch Series Focused on Diversity Conversations

Dr. Gideon Park, a Faculty Fellow in the Belmont Fellows Program, recently received a grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and located at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

The grant, “Faculty Initiatives Promoting Racial/ Ethnic Diversity at Belmont University,” seeks to more fully express Belmont’s identity as a Christian university by creating an inclusive culture for minority faculty, staff and students of color. To accomplish this goal, a Diversity Lunch Series was launched with support from Tola Pokrywka in the College of Theology and Christian Ministry. This series will enable faculty from different colleges and departments to share a meal, build community and brainstorm faculty diversity initiatives for 2018-19.

The Diversity Lunch Series is also supported with generous funding from the Provost’s Office and is hosted by the Faculty Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee.

Photo from First LuncheonThe first lunch took place on January 29 with Sarah Shin and was a success with 50 people in attendance. Shin is associate national director of evangelism for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of Beyond Colorblind: Redeeming our Ethnic Journey. Dr. Todd Lake, VP of spiritual development, writes: “Belmont’s commitment to being a multi-racial, multi-ethnic Christian community of learning and service is enriched by hearing from author/ practitioners like Sarah Shin, who model how the best of Christian thinking and practice can help us become what God is calling us to be.”

Shin’s visit to campus included a chapel talk and ethnicity-awareness workshop for students. After attending the Saturday workshop, first year student Baylee Johnson commented: “I am glad I was able to attend. Ideas were brought to our attention about trying to become aware of ourselves and differences between others. Sarah talked about how there is beauty in every culture and how we should ‘commit to justice and commit to Jesus throughout our personal journey.’”

The faculty discussion was moderated by Dr. Mona Ivey-Soto, committee co-chair and assistant professor of education. Dr. Bryce Sullivan, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, attended the event and applauded the work of the committee: “The luncheon conversation with Sarah Shin hosted by the Faculty Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee was superb. Not only were Sarah’s ideas about ethnic identities and transformation enlightening, but the discussions with faculty colleagues created an opportunity to learn from others who are passionate about improving our community.”

Dr. Lakisha Simmons, committee chair and associate professor of management information systems, invites all Belmont faculty to participate. “The Faculty Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee aims to be, and empowers others to be, agents of change for inclusivity, diversity and equity at Belmont University. After a successful luncheon with Sarah Shin, we hope to continue the momentum with three more faculty conversations.”

Additional events include conversations February 9 with Dr. Larycia Hawkins, March 14 with Dr. David I. Smith co-sponsored by the Teaching Center, and a final event on April 3 with Dean Emilie Townes co-sponsored by the College of Theology and Christian Ministry. Space is limited so please RSVP to gideon.park@belmont.edu.

Belmont University to Host Fifth Annual Symposium on Faith and Culture, Feb. 5-9

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Belmont University to Host Fifth Annual Symposium on Faith and Culture, Feb. 5-9

Authors Brian McLaren, Carol Howard Merritt lead week focused on ‘Prophetic Consciousness’

The Fifth Annual Faith and Culture Symposium, sponsored by the College of Theology and Christian Ministry, will be held at Belmont University, Feb. 5-9, 2018. This year’s theme, Prophetic Consciousness, will work to sustain an ongoing conversation relating to faith and culture. It also raises questions about what a contemplative presence in the world looks like and how individuals can make a difference with compassion in places of need.

This year’s events will discuss topics such as Jesus and ethics, music’s role in religion, faith and race, religion’s place in the world and overcoming faith obstacles. Speakers will include Brian McLaren, author and activist advocating for a “new kind of Christianity;” Reverend Carol Howard Merritt, Presbyterian minister and award-winning author; Dr. James Carse, professor emeritus of religious studies at New York University’ and Dr. Larycia Hawkins from the University of Virginia Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture.

The week will also feature a songwriter’s round Monday , Feb. 5, with McLaren leading an evening of conversation and song exploring the power of song in human experience. Guests include Sarah Masen, Liza Anne, Sam Ashworth and Belmont alumni Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn.

Additionally, the program will include a panel titled “One God, Different Paths.” The panelists represent a variety of faiths, including:

  • Rev. Carol Cavin-Dillon, Senior Pastor at the West End United Methodist Church
  • Zulfat Suara, Tennessee women’s advocate and past chair of the American Muslim Advisory Council
  • Daniella Pressner, Principal of the Akiva School and past president of Jewish Family Service of Nashville
  • Moderator Dr. Marty Bell, professor in the College of Theology and Christian Ministry

“Our Committee chose ‘Prophetic Consciousness’ as our theme because we believe people in our country who identify with Jesus – or claim to follow him – are experience something of a Bonhoeffer Moment, a time of decision concerning the marginalized in our midst,” said Dr. David Dark, professor of religion and chair of the symposium’s faculty committee. “In an era of high anxiety and weaponized despair, we’re each going to do something brave (in word and deed) or we’re not. Each of our events is undertaken in the hope that it will aid in the work of contemplative activism, the possibility of the prophetic awareness.

A full list of events including speakers, dates, times, locations and topics can be found here.

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