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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Sheryl Crow to Appear as Guest Artist for Nationally Broadcast ‘Christmas at Belmont’

Hope Buckner
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Sheryl Crow to Appear as Guest Artist for Nationally Broadcast ‘Christmas at Belmont’

Show to air on Nashville Public Television and nationwide on PBS in December

World-renowned musician Sheryl Crow joined nearly 700 student musicians, Belmont School of Music faculty and the Nashville Children’s Choir on Monday, December 4 for the taping of this year’s “Christmas at Belmont,” an annual holiday spectacular held at the Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The production of traditional carols, classical masterworks, world music and seasonal favorites, produced by Nashville Public Television (NPT), will air on NPT December 14 and 22 at 8 p.m. and Christmas Day at 3 and 11 p.m. 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” has been seen by a national audience on PBS.

The year’s edition of “Christmas at Belmont’ features the Belmont Chorale, University Orchestra, Musical Theatre Ensemble, Jazzmin and Jazz Band 1 along with many others. Performances will feature a variety of music including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Run, Run Rudolf,” “What Child is This?” “Russian Dance” from The Nutcracker and the beautiful “There Is a Star,” performed by Sheryl Crow.

A nine-time GRAMMY Award recipient, Crow is an American music icon. Her nine studio albums have sold 35 million copies worldwide—seven of them charted in the Top 10 and five were certified for Multi-Platinum sales. Crow has lofted 40 singles into the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Mainstream Top 40 and Hot Country Songs charts, with more No. 1 singles in the Triple A listings than any other female artist. Her new album and first for Warner Bros. Records, “Be Myself,” is out now. She is well known for her passionate support of multiple charities including City of Hope, Stand Up to Cancer, The World Food Program, Feeding America, Adopt a Classroom, the TJ Martell Foundation, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, MusiCares, the Special Olympics and many more.

Crow said, “I’m thrilled to appear as this year’s ‘Christmas at Belmont’ guest artist. It’s an honor to be asked to share the stage with hundreds of impressive student musicians and join in this beautiful Christmas tradition. I look forward to celebrating the holiday season with so many viewers across the country.”

“’Christmas at Belmont’ is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our world-class School of Music in front of a national audience,” said Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher. “I’ve been a huge fan of the music of Sheryl Crow for many years, and have become an even bigger fan as I have observed her commitment to helping others and giving back to the community.”

The performance and taping of “Christmas at Belmont” returns for the sixth time to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, one of the few venues in the world featuring natural lighting and state-of-the-art acoustics, including motorized acoustic drapes and an acoustical isolation joint that encircles the entire concert hall and prevents sound waves traveling into or out of the hall.

Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dr. Stephen Eaves said, “We are honored to once again help Nashville and the nation celebrate Christmas. We’re so grateful that our continued partnership with NPT allows our talented faculty and students to sing along with families across the country.  With our excellent guest artist and talented School of Music faculty students, we hope to inspire audiences to pause and embrace the joy and true spirit of this Christmas season.”

“NPT is excited to once again share one of Nashville’s unique holiday traditions with the entire nation on PBS,” said Kevin Crane, president and CEO of NPT.  “The talent that Belmont’s School of Music brings to this production is amazing and there’s no better place to highlight these young performers and their dedication than the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. “Christmas at Belmont” is sure to be a highlight of NPT and PBS’ holiday programming”

“Christmas at Belmont” is underwritten by longstanding presenting sponsors The Alvin and Sally Beaman Foundation and new this year, Tyson Foods. Other sponsors include Barbara Massey Rogers, The Jack C. Massey Foundation and Marty and Betty Dickens.

About Belmont University

Ranked No. 5 in the Regional Universities South category and named as a “Most Innovative” university by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University consists of more than 8,000 students who come from every state and more than 36 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 90 areas of undergraduate study, more than 25 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual’s horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.

About NPT

Nashville Public Television, Nashville’s PBS station, is available free and over-the-air to nearly 2.4 million people throughout the Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky viewing area. NPT’s three broadcast channels are NPT, the main channel; secondary channel NPT2; and NPT3, a 24/7 PBS Kids channel. NPT is also available to anyone in the world through its array of NPT digital services, including wnpt.org, YouTube channels and the PBS video app. NPT provides, through the power of traditional television and interactive digital communications, quality educational, cultural and civic experiences that address issues and concerns of the people of the Nashville region, and which thereby help improve the lives of those we serve. Join the conversation at facebook.com/nashvillepublictelevision and on Twitter @npt8.

Schreiber Presents at Music Industry Conference in Beijing

Staff Writer
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Schreiber Presents at Music Industry Conference in Beijing

David Schreiber, assistant professor and chair of Belmont’s Entertainment Industry Studies Program, recently participated on two panels and presented a paper at the 4th Annual Music Industry Conference at the Communication University of China in Beijing. Schrieber shared his insight on entrepreneurial activity within the U.S. music industry while providing an international perspective on current trends affecting the U.S. market.

Schreiber also presented a paper on the Nashville music industry at the Tencent Research Institute Colloquium. Tencent is China’s leading Internet company as well as the largest, best performing and most valuable gaming company in the world. Along with providing social networking services, WeChat and streaming music service QQ Music, Tencent reaches all aspects of digital life for consumers. The Tencent Colloquium was streamed live to over 600 million of the company’s consumers.

 

Barletta Speaks to Songwriting Class

Staff Writer
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Barletta Speaks to Songwriting Class

Gino Barletta, songwriter, producer and executive for Artbeatz Records, visited Jodi Marr’s songwriting class this week. Barletta’s writing and production credits include Daya, Selena Gomez, The Chainsmokers, JoJo and others. He recently co-wrote two of Daya’s hit songs, “Hide Away” and “Sit Still, Look Pretty.”

McGrew and Students Attend Society for Neuroscience Conference

Hope Buckner
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McGrew and Students Attend Society for Neuroscience Conference

Dr. Lori McGrew, Biology professor in Belmont’s College of Sciences and Mathematics, took her senior research students to Washington, D.C. to attend The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Conference. SfN’s 47th annual meeting, “Neuroscience 2017,” is the world’s largest neuroscience conference for scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. More than 30,000 colleagues from more than 80 countries gathered at the world’s largest marketplace of ideas and tools for global neuroscience.

The conference opened Saturday morning with the Neuroscience and Society session. The speaker, Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, a physician and researcher, wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, which explores the disease that has plagued humans for thousands of years. His new book, The Gene: An Intimate History, examines the quest to decipher how human heredity combines with life experiences to control our lives. In this lecture, Mukherjee spoke with SfN President Eric Nestler about the excitement and importance of communicating the promise of scientific inquiry to the public. He spoke eloquently about the role of researchers in communicating honestly with the public, the danger of over-promising and the obligation for research to either advance our understanding of the world around us or cure disease.

McGrew presents her research
McGrew presents her poster

During the afternoon, McGrew presented a poster in the History and Teaching session entitled “Measuring Student Learning Using Closed-Book Timed Exams Versus Open-Book, Take-Home Exams.” Students visited several other posters detailing current research in the field. The group wrapped up day 1 by attending the Presidential Lecture “Insights from Nonhuman Animals into the Neurobiology of Language” by Dr. Jarvis. This lecture presented a modern model of language from molecular, circuit, to behavior levels. Jarvis described key concepts of language, including vocal learning and brain regions that are necessary for vocal language. While most of his work involved songbirds, Jarvis played clips of mouse vocalizations that were modified to be detectable by human ears. These mouse songs were remarkably similar to bird song and are helping researchers to better understand language across species.

On Sunday, the groups started the day by attending sessions on brain imaging in Danio rerio, studies of traumatic brain injury and mechanisms of memory. One of the dynamic posters demonstrated a technique for characterizing neural activity in swimming zebrafish by immobilizing their heads in agar gel. That evening, the students presented their research at the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience poster session and social. Students Elizabeth Sparks, Christian Candler, Rebecca Derby and Kara Garrett presented their research findings at the FUN poster session during the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.

Candler and Sparks Present Their Research
Candler and Sparks present their research

Candler and Sparks presented a poster entitled “Assessment of Memory in Danio rerio following treatment with Natural Sugars, Artificial Sweeteners and Tomoxetine Hydrochloride.” Garrett and Derby presented a poster entitled “The effects of hormones and pathogens on cortisol levels in Danio rerio.” On Monday morning, McGrew attended a workshop focused on evidence-based methods in teaching neuroscience while the students visited some posters describing gender bias in research animals and the role of hormones in memory before returning to Nashville.

Bridges’s Work Featured in Upcoming Radio Show

Hope Buckner
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David Bridges HeadshotLecturer in the School of Music Dr. David Bridges will have one of his choral arrangements performed on “Tokens,” a radio show, on Sunday, November 19 at the Ryman. The show will be taped and air twice on WSM-AM 650 on Thanksgiving Day. The show was started 11 years ago by Lee C. Camp, a theology and ethics professor at Lipscomb University. Camp modeled it after “The Prairie Home Companion” with the addition of a religious element and a very eclectic mix of music. He announces the show, introduces the musical numbers, has comedy skits and interviews a wide variety of people. The audience has grown over the years, and the Ryman is consistently sold out for the taping.

The Lipscomb Academy Choir is one of the musical guests on the show and they will sing Bridges’s arrangement of the shaped-note tune IDUMEA, one of the tunes that was used in the film “Cold Mountain.” His arrangement is different from the film’s as it has a different text and is arranged for four (mixed) voices. Bridges’s choral arrangements have also recently been performed in the annual Christian High School Choral Festival Choir at Lipscomb University and at the Elementary Honors Choir festival in Pensacola, Florida.

Voight Published in Journal of Sports Physical Therapy

Staff Writer
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Voight Published in Journal of Sports Physical Therapy

Professor of physical therapy Michael Voight recently published two articles in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. The first, titled “The Relationship Between Segmental Rolling Ability and Lumbar Multifidus Activation Time,” was a graduate student research project completed by Nicole Clark, Sherry Pierce, Ryan Cook, Clint Henley and Lindsey Schiller, who graduated in 2017. Voight, Ashley Campbell and Pat Sells served as the faculty research advisers.

The second manuscript, titled “Introduction to the Movement System as the Foundation for the Physical Therapist Practice Education and Research,” written by Voight and Lisa Saladin, vice president of the American Physical Therapy Association, focuses on the transition of the field of physical therapy toward a movement-based approach.

The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy is a fully indexed medical journal with over 30,000 subscribers worldwide.

Hartz Discusses Nashville Transit Proposal

Staff Writer
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Hartz Discusses Nashville Transit Proposal

Emery Hartz of TransitNow, a local grassroots organization dedicated to promotion of a vibrant transportation system, discussed the implications of the proposed Nashville transit plan with Belmont students this week. Mayor Berry’s proposed plan includes 26 miles of new light-rail transit, an expanded busing service and a major underground tunnel below downtown, which would total a $5.2 billion project.

According to Hartz, by the year 2040, Nashville will be as large as Seattle or Denver, and traffic congestion will only continue to increase if nothing is done about the current transit system. She asserted, “We need more than one option to get out of gridlock.”

The proposed plan will expand bus operating hours and increase frequency, allowing them to run every 15 minutes from 5:15 a.m. until 1:15 a.m. All buses will be converted to electric buses as well, which will contribute to Nashville’s sustainability efforts and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Travelling on the new system would be free for all citizens living below the poverty line and for students under 18. Additionally, the plan proposes new bus lanes to reduce traffic caused by bus stops and expanded sidewalks and bike lanes to preserve foot traffic. As Hartz noted, “We want to keep Nashville walk-able for natives and tourists alike.”

The main revenue generator for this plan would be a one-half percent increase in Nashville’s sales tax, implemented in July 2018, which would increase again to one percent in five years. Mayor Berry has also proposed increases to the city’s hotel-motel, rental car and excise taxes. The $5.2 billion projection is expected to include expenses for free riders, such as those mentioned above, as well as construction of the project and system maintenance for the following 50 years.

Hartz conceded that, should the plan be enacted, “it will be an adjustment, but, in the long run, it’ll make getting around much easier.”

The plan will be put to a vote at the polls on May 1, 2018. She urged students to “get the message out, so that every one can vote on May 1.”

Since 2005, Belmont has offered free transportation to campus for students, faculty and staff thanks to a partnership with Nashville’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Students, faculty and staff can ride MTA buses, the Relax & Ride commuter bus or the Music City Star rail system free of charge by swiping their BUID.

Honors Student Walks Camino de Santiago, Presents Thesis

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Honors Student Walks Camino de Santiago, Presents Thesis

Skyline of the University of Santiago Senior Honors corporate communications major Erin Sanislo recently presented her thesis, “The Making of the Modern Pilgrim,” to discuss her journey on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

Sanislo studied at the University of Santiago de Compostela for five months, where she was able to research the camino on-site. In total, her research spanned approximately 1 1/2 years, including walking the Camino twice. She first experienced the trail as a pilgrim during Easter week, a popular time for holy pilgrimage on the trail.

The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage rich in history, legend and tourism. It incorporates 39 routes that spread throughout all of Europe. Sanlislo hiked a 116-kilometer section of the trail, making for a week of six-hour walking days.Erin Sanislo speaking

Her thesis explores the many facets of pilgrimage as they relate to the Camino specifically. She said, “Pilgrimage is an interdisciplinary phenomenon,” embodying not just religion, but also culture, language and heritage. She realized this importance of heritage in her own personal journey on the pilgrimage. Because Spanish is her second language, she noted how much she was able to learn about the language while conversing with the locals. “I realized how important Spanish is to my identity – how beautiful it is to make friendships in the context of my second language.”

Sanislo also emphasized the modern tourism of the Camino, but she noted that modernizing the experience does not necessarily detract from the faith journey. No matter the purpose of the journey, she said that the Camino offers “opportunities for every one to have an identity transformation… You’re creating your own personal journey, your walk of life.”

For some of her peers on the trail, the journey was “the best way they could show their devotion to God on Easter,” and for her it was an intensely cultural journey. She noted, “I think tourists can be converted into pilgrims on this route.”

 

 

Students Pitch Their Business Ventures to Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week

Staff Writer
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Students Pitch Their Business Ventures to Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week

Ten student entrepreneur groups recently competed in a business pitch competition hosted by Belmont’s Center for Entrepreneurship. The competition resembled the style of ABC show “Shark Tank.” Each student had two minutes to pitch their business concept to the judges and one minute to respond to the judges’ questions.

Justin Bavier took home first place of $500 for his business, Dime, an app that integrates charitable giving into users’ daily lives. According to Bavier, Dime’s goal is to “make giving to charities effortless.” Bavier and his team are currently members of the Accelerator, a program within the Center for Entrepreneurship that gives students the resources they need to start or run their business ventures.

The second and third place prizes of $200 and $100 went home with Suzanna Stapler’s Squillustrate and Ryan Reisdorf’s PlaceMat.

The competitors included:

  • Brett McCauley: Vibe Life Co.
  • Reggie Ordonez: Grind Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Fitness
  • Justin Bavier, Ben Miner and Heather Flanagin: Dime
  • Emily Waddell: The Honest Consumer
  • Austin Woodruff and Tyler Traeger: Runway Audio
  • Suzanna Stapler: Squillustrate
  • Rok Jung: Quistler, Inc.
  • Jordon Washington: College In Color
  • Ryan Reisdorf: PlaceMat
  • Quita Daughtery: The Creative Collective

Judging the competition were Dan Hogan, Ben Cooper, Hannah Davis, Scott Rouse, Victoria Kopyar and Jocelyn Youndahl.

This event was part of Belmont’s celebration of Global  Entrepreneurship Week.  The next event will celebrate Belmont’s student-run businesses, House of and Boulevard Record Shop, on Saturday, Nov. 18 at their locations.

Belmont’s School of Nursing Celebrates 45 Years

Hope Buckner
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Belmont’s School of Nursing Celebrates 45 Years

Alumni return to campus for 45th anniversary celebration on Saturday, November 11

Belmont’s School of Nursing (SON) recently celebrated its 45th year with a continuing educating presentation featuring Dr. Alisa Haushalter, Belmont alumna and current director of the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department and luncheon for faculty, staff and alumni. The event, organized by Associate Dean for Nursing Dr. Martha Buckner, welcomed alumni from every decade of the School’s history as participants reconnected with peers and faculty and looked through memorabilia. The event also included several former faculty members and administrative leaders including former Dean and Emeritus Professor Dr. Debra Wollaber, former Associate Dean Dr. Chris Algren and former Undergraduate Director Ms. Kathy Jordan.

Memorabilia from past yearsThe School also announced a few updates to the program with the celebration of its 45th year including the implementation of a new concept-based curriculum specially designed by SON faculty to promote critical thinking, compassionate care and essential skills needed in the workplace of the future. This curriculum change points to the School’s consistent commitment to remaining relevant and competitive in an ever-evolving world.

“With keen attention to emerging science and program quality, and gratitude for strong administrative support, our degree offerings have steadily advanced to meet dynamic healthcare marketplace needs,” Taylor said. “From initial Associate and Baccalaureate degrees, to the addition of the Master’s of Science in Nursing track and more recent addition of the Doctor of Nursing Practice and joint Doctor of Nursing Practice-Master of Business Administration options, Belmont nursing has consistently been recognized for innovation and excellence.”

Looking to the future, Taylor said the School of Nursing will continue to accommodate best practices driven by new technologies. “Future graduates will be equipped with advanced processing and communication skills needed to manage these technologies, and while cutting edge technical skills will remain an expected baseline for Belmont nurses, future graduates will still be known for high ethical standards and care that is marked with a compassionate, human touch,” she said.

The room was full for the luncheon!

Despite the countless accolades the School boasts–including high licensure and certification exam pass rates, impressive job placement rates, school-wide mission trips, consistent accreditation and more–it’s the people who make up the School of Nursing that Taylor points to as the greatest achievement. “The foundation for every milestone lives in the extraordinary expertise and commitment of our faculty, staff and students and their willingness to engage in new thinking and new models of teaching and learning,” she said. “Belmont nurses will continue to honor our longstanding tradition of excellence. We will make increasingly important contributions to the evidence base for nursing and to the policies and practices that promote the health and wellbeing of families and communities around the world.”

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