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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Campus Security Shares Holiday Cheer, Safety Tips with Belmont Community

April Hefner
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Campus Security Shares Holiday Cheer, Safety Tips with Belmont Community

On Thursday, Campus Security handed out more than 700 candy canes to students studying for exams. Included with the candy canes were tips on being safe during the holidays. Administrative Captain Lou Mills said, “We know that finals are stressful, and we wanted to show our support and spread some Christmas cheer.”

Pictured above is Officer Malcolm McDole, who is the department’s recipient of this year’s Excellence in Service Award, while the video below shows Campus Security staff and student workers who were singing carols, including a specially written “safety-version” of a Christmas favorite, as they passed out tips.

Holiday safety tips that were passed along included the following:

  • Avoid dark, poorly lit and less travelled roads and lots – Use well lit, well-travelled areas when parking or out walking.
  • Use the buddy system, travel in groups, or use the escort system to have someone walk with you.
  • Be attentive to your surroundings. If something looks suspicious, get to a safe location and notify security or the police.
  • Don’t display large sums of cash. When possible, use credit/debit cards.
  • Do not leave valuables unattended or in plain view.
  • Do not display gifts under your tree in front of a window.
  • Lock your doors.

 

Thompson Named Finalist in Dr. Pepper Tuition Competition

Staff Writer
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Thompson Named Finalist in Dr. Pepper Tuition Competition

For biochemistry and molecular biology major Sarah Thompson, throwing a football has pushed her closer to fulfilling her dreams. Thompson was chosen as a finalist for the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway – a competition in which students toss as many footballs as they can in 30 seconds into a container shaped like a Dr. Pepper can.

Thompson has her eye on dentistry school and says that this money would help her fund that and later open up her own practice. Her ultimate career goal is to start a dental clinic for special needs patients. “They can’t take in normal stimuli and process it. It becomes totally overwhelming,” she said of some people with special needs.

While in dental school, Thompson hopes to specialize in pediatric dentistry, which will help with special needs cases. “You have to treat the individual as a person. You have to do it in a gentle way,” she said.

During last week’s semifinals, Thompson was surprised with a runner-up award of $10,000.

Endowed Songwriting Scholarship Created to Honor Late Songwriter Andrew Dorff

April Hefner
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Endowed Songwriting Scholarship Created to Honor Late Songwriter Andrew Dorff

SteveAndStephenDorffSongwriter-composer Steve Dorff and actor Stephen Dorff announced yesterday the creation of the Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund in memory of their late son/brother, country music songwriter Andrew Dorff. Donations made to the fund will support two initiatives: to help create an endowed scholarship at Belmont University in Andrew’s name that will assist students pursuing a career in songwriting and to support Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with its pediatric oncology initiatives.

In the spirit of Andrew’s favorite time of year, Steve and Stephen Dorff hosted a memorial party to celebrate his life and talents with the country music community. The event will occur annually and any donations made to the memorial fund will support Andrew’s favorite causes.

Andrew Dorff was known in the music world for penning five No. 1’s with country stars Blake Shelton (“My Eyes” and “Neon Lights”), Kenny Chesney (“Save it for a Rainy Day”), Hunter Hayes (“Somebody’s Heartbreak”), and Rascal Flatts (“Yours if You Want It”). He had other notable chart successes with top artists such as Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Old Dominion, Ronnie Dunn and countless others. With over 1,800 songs in his catalog, he left a legacy of many hits to come.

The Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund will honor the memory of one of Nashville’s top songwriters and will continue his legacy to uplift a new generation of music lovers.

Contributions can be made to the Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund through The Community Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Online donations can be made on The Community Foundation website.

Anthony Donovan Named 2017 Gabhart Award Recipient

Hope Buckner
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Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life Dr. Anthony Donovan was named the 2017 Gabhart Award Recipient at Belmont’s annual Staff Christmas Breakfast, held on Wednesday, December 6. Named in honor of the late Dr. Herbert C. Gabhart who served Belmont selflessly for 50 years, the Gabhart Award is the highest honor presented to a staff person and honors a member of the Belmont community who demonstrates significant achievements, commitment and service to the University.

In his day to day role, Donovan oversees Student Conduct, New Student Programs and Orientation and Residence Life. There, he is responsible for the overall operations of Belmont’s residential living program including the supervision, selection and training of his professional and student staff. This includes providing direction and vision for the office and emphasizing student safety, while working with young professionals — “some of the best students (Resident Assistants and Towering Tradition Leaders) in a university full of tremendous students,” he said.

Having been at Belmont for 17 years, Donovan said this recognition means more than he can accurately describe. “I was overjoyed to be nominated,” he said. “Many of the past winners are people I have worked with closely in my time at Belmont and are people I admire and respect greatly. It never occurred to me that I would get to be part of their circle of achievement.  Add to the fact that the nominations were submitted by people I work with every day and care about deeply, I was just overwhelmed.”

Looking over his time on campus, Donovan can point to one piece as his favorite — and it’s been the same since he first arrived at Belmont. “The best part has always been the people I work with every day,” he said. “The people at Belmont are unlike any place I have ever been, committed to the success and excellence of the university. It just seems like the most difficult the task, the more jazzed people seem to want to take up the challenge. When young people see others who aspire to be the best they can be, it frees them to dream and dare to be great themselves. That is the first step in transforming people.”

This year’s Gabhart Finalists also included Greg Pillon, Office of Communications, and the inaugural It’s All Belmont to Me Award was presented to Nagy Ibrahim, Custodial Services, in honor of his commitment to customer focus. Past Gabhart Award winners include Don Purdy, Betty Wiseman, Sarah Cates, Gary Hunter, Joan Eakin and Bonnie Wagonfield.

Hook Releases New Background Vocals

Hope Buckner
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Hook Releases New Background Vocals

Ileia Hook head shotCurb College Admissions Coordinator Ileia Hook continues to engage the industry as a Background Vocalist for artists in the Gospel and Contemporary Christian worlds. This year, she lent her vocal ability to many artists including Nicole C. Mullen, Todd Dulaney, Richie Fike and a spiritual freedom worship project developed by Testricity Music in partnership with author, Neil T. Anderson of The Bondage Breaker and The Steps to Freedom in Christ.

In December, two tracks were released featuring Hook as a background and session vocalist. From his upcoming album titled Your Great Name, eOne recording artist Todd Dulaney offered King of Glory for those who pre-ordered his album, slated to release in January. Additionally, she sang on Jordan Feliz’s new single, Faith. Feliz, a Centricity Music recording artist, is known for The River, Never Too Far Gone and Beloved and released his new single on December 1.

Both songs from Dulaney and Feliz featuring Hook as a team vocalist are available via iTunes and major music outlets.

 

Belmont University Celebrates Christmas with Free Public Concerts

Hope Buckner
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Belmont University Celebrates Christmas with Free Public Concerts

Belmont University is celebrating this year’s Christmas season with a number of free concerts that are open to the Nashville community, as well as the annual televised airing of the holiday spectacular, “Christmas at Belmont.” This year’s concert line-up began with The Nashville Children’s Choir performance, on Saturday, December 9, featuring the premiere youth choir’s renditions of traditional Christmas music.

The Belmont Camerata will offer its annual presentation of “A Camerata Christmas,” featuring Corelli’s Christmas Concerto and bluegrass-style carols, on Monday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Belmont Mansion. The University’s Christmas concert series will conclude with the annual Christmas Eve Carillon Concert, held on Sunday, December 24 at 2 p.m. at the campus Bell Tower, located just off the corner of Belmont Blvd and Portland Ave. Continuing a tradition begun during the Ward-Belmont days, the concert features traditional Christmas music played by longtime campus carillionneur and Professor of Music Richard Shadinger on the tower’s 42-bell carillon, one of five carillons in Tennessee.

Of course, the holiday wouldn’t be complete without the annual “Christmas at Belmont” special. A presentation of this year’s 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 shown in Middle Tennessee by Nashville Public Television (NPT-Channel 8) on Thursday, December 14 and Friday, December 22 at 8 p.m. and Christmas Day at 3 and 11 p.m. (CST). National viewers can enjoy the holiday spectacular on PBS December 22 (check local listings for times).

This is the 15th consecutive year “Christmas at Belmont” will be seen by a national audience on PBS.

Chuck Ainlay Presented Mulloy Award of Excellence from Belmont’s Curb College

April Hefner
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Chuck Ainlay Presented Mulloy Award of Excellence from Belmont’s Curb College

Producer/engineer recognized for contributions to music industry and education

Veteran producer/engineer and Belmont alumnus Chuck Ainlay was presented the 2017 Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence from the University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business last night, Tues., Dec. 5. The Curb College established the Award of Excellence in 2008 in memory of program founder Bob Mulloy to annually recognize an individual who has achieved a level of excellence in the music business and entertainment industries with notable service to Belmont University and the Nashville community.

Curb College Dean Doug Howard said, “It is an honor to shine a light on Chuck Ainlay for his outstanding career accomplishments and to express our deepest appreciation for his contributions to the music industry and to Belmont’s Curb College. Chuck is truly an engineer/producer extraordinaire who is loved and respected by the artists, engineers and industry professionals who have had the great fortune to benefit from his amazing talent.”

Ainlay added, “I’m extremely humbled to receive the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence from Belmont University. To be included alongside the previous outstanding and distinguished recipients is especially gratifying, as this award not only recognizes the individual for their personal achievements in the industry but also for their service to the community. For this Indiana boy who loved music, making the choice to go to Belmont was one of the best decisions I could have made as a teenager. Today, I am still grateful for all that Belmont University has given me and still continues to do. Thank you.”

After working as an assistant engineer at various studios on Music Row, Ainlay was hired as the chief engineer at the Castle Recording Studio, crossing paths with famed producers Jimmy Bowen and Tony Brown and launching Ainlay into a career as an independent engineer.

Throughout his acclaimed 30-year engineering career, Ainlay has worked with many of the world’s finest artists, musicians and producers and developed a diverse list of clients that ranges from George Strait to Dire Straits. His engineering dominance in the country field has been recognized by many, including with multiple Grammy nominations for his numerous critically and commercially successful albums. The Nashville Music Association named him Engineer of the Year in 1996 and again in 1997, and Music Row Magazine voted him the ‘Engineer with the most Top Ten Hits’ in 1998 while the years 1999 and 2000 brought with it nominations for the prestigious TEC award from Mix Magazine.

Ainlay’s long-standing collaboration with Mark Knopfler has resulted in two albums by Dire Straits, as well as production and engineering credits on several of Knopfler’s multi-platinumsolo albums. This partnership has also produced two movie scores for the films “Wag the Dog” and “Metroland.” Many within the audio industry also regard Ainlay as a leader in cutting-edge technology as he produced the first all-digital recording out of Nashville.

His community involvement includes serving on the Board of Governors and The Producers and Engineers Wing of NARAS, Leadership Music, SAE Advisory Board and the Nashville Chapter Board of the Audio Engineering Society.

Past recipients of the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence include Troy Tomlinson, Gary Overton, Donna Hilley, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, Vince Gill, Mike Curb, Clair Audio and Bandit Lites.

 

Belmont Receives Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Benefactor Award

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Receives Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Benefactor Award

Belmont University was presented with The Benefactor Award, from the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association, at a ceremony held at the Metro Parks Office today, December 5. The University’s recognition was given in honor of its work with Nashville’s parks system, sports and athletics, including its contributions to E.S. Rose Park Community Center and Sports Complex.

Rose Park was renovated and opened in 2011 through a public-private partnership between Belmont and Metro Parks. The $9 million renovated facility features several athletic venues including a turf baseball field, a natural grass softball field, a track, soccer facilities, relocated basketball courts and a center that provides team locker space and a concession stand. This innovative, shared facilities concept is available for use by community members, Metro Parks, area schools and Belmont University students and teams.

Dr. Jason Rogers, university counsel, accepted the award on Belmont’s behalf and offered remarks surrounding Belmont’s partnership with Parks. “This partnership has been a success since it was first created more than six years ago,” Rogers said. “We look forward to many more years of success.”

Belmont to Host First Televised Statewide Gubernatorial Forum Jan. 23

April Hefner
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Belmont to Host First Televised Statewide Gubernatorial Forum Jan. 23

Forum to focus on education and air on NewsChannel5

Belmont University, the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee and NewsChannel 5 are partnering to host the first televised, statewide gubernatorial forum of the 2018 election. The forum will be held on Belmont’s campus in the Curb Event Center on Jan. 23.

The forum will focus exclusively on education and be broadcast live on NewsChannel 5 and across all six of the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee’s websites and mobile apps, including Tennessean.com. The forum will air from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT. All seven top-tier Republican and Democratic candidates are expected to attend.

Belmont President Robert C. Fisher said the university is kicking off a year-long commitment to hosting events related to the 2018 governor’s race, and it’s appropriate the first forum is on education.

“We are eager to support efforts like this one that complement our mission to empower students to engage and transform the world,” Fisher said. “We are honored to be partnering with SCORE on events across our state to engage Tennessee’s gubernatorial candidates in this discussion that is vital to Tennessee’s future.”

Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, the founder and chairman of SCORE, noted, “As Tennesseans, we should be proud that our students and teachers have made our state the fastest improving in K-12 education, and that our state leaders have made Tennessee a national model in improving access to postsecondary opportunities.”

“Nothing could be more important than continuing this success by highlighting education as a top priority for our next governor,” Frist said. “We look forward to hosting a conversation with the candidates to hear how Tennessee’s next governor will help our students become best in the nation.”

 

Tennessee has made tremendous progress in recent decades but still has challenges ahead, particularly as it works to boost its English and reading proficiency, improve training and support for principals and continues to find a pathway to success for high school graduates.

“Education is one of the critical issues facing our state, and Tennessee’s next governor will play a crucial role in helping chart the future for our students,” said Michael A. Anastasi, vice president of news and editor of the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee. “From how the candidates hope to boost literacy rates and student achievement to maintaining Tennessee’s higher education successes, students and their families must understand where our next governor stands.”

“We are pleased to partner with SCORE, Belmont and NewsChannel 5 in bringing this important event to the public,” Anastasi said.

Lyn Plantinga, NewsChannel 5’s vice president and general manager, agreed.

“One of the most important things people expect from NewsChannel 5 is information that will help them make smart decisions,” Plantinga said. “We are excited to be a part of this important forum, and hope it will help our community be more informed, both as citizens and as voters.”

SCORE is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan advocacy and research institution. In addition to SCORE, Belmont, the USA TODAY NETWORK and NewsChannel 5, more than two dozen other organizations are partnering on the forum.

The organizations include public education foundations and chambers of commerce from across the Tennessee, along with groups representing teachers, parents, superintendents, school boards and charter schools.

 

2018 Gubernatorial Forum on Education

Hosts

State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE)

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

NewsChannel5 – WTVF

Belmont University

 

Partners to date
Chattanooga 2.0
Chattanooga Public Education Foundation
Complete Tennessee
Communities In Schools (CIS)
Jackson Chamber of Commerce
Johnson City/Jonesborough/Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce
Great Schools Partnership
Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Knoxville Chamber of Commerce
Memphis Education Fund
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
Nashville Chamber of Commerce
Nashville Public Education Foundation
Professional Educators of Tennessee (PET)
STEM Innovation Network
Tennessee Business Roundtable (TBR)
Tennessee CAN (TennCAN)
Tennessee Chamber of Commerce
Tennessee Charter School Center
Tennessee County Mayors Association
Tennessee Education Association (TEA)
Tennessee Educational Equity Coalition
Tennessee Federation for Children (TFC)
Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA)
Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS)
Tennessee Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE)
Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS)
Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA)
United Ways of Tennessee

Belmont Alumni, Faculty Featured on U2’s New Album

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Alumni, Faculty Featured on U2’s New Album

U2’s newest album, “Songs of Experience,” was released today, December 1 and portions of the album were secretly recorded in a home studio in Brentwood with the help of many familiar Belmont names. Paul Nelson, a 2002 Belmont alumni, served as contractor/leader on the program, Avery Bright, a 2014 alumni, played the violin and Craig Nelson, a Belmont adjunct faculty member, played string bass.

Though Paul Nelson and his team never met or spoke with the band, as their communication was done via email and through a co-producer, the group was featured in a recent Tennessean article saying the chance to work on a Bono record was a fantastic experience. Nelson and the team — which included string arranger and group ‘frontman’ Brandon Collins and studio owner/engineer Doug Sarrett — contributed to three songs on the final album.

According to the article, their work is primarily heard in “Summer of Love’s” final minute.

 

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