Belmont’s International Justice Mission (IJM) student chapter participated in a nationwide IJM Freedom Fest on campus November 10 & 11. The group raised more than $500, with the help of the Belmont community, to end modern day slavery. Across college campuses nationwide, IJM raised $30,000–which is enough to fund 5 rescue missions.
International Justice Mission Student Chapter Hosts Freedom Fest
Thorndike Presents on Honors Consortium at National Collegiate Honors Council
Director of Honors and Professor Dr. Jonathan Thorndike recently co-presented at the 52nd annual National Collegiate Honors Council Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Thorndike and representatives from Nashville’s recently created Local Honors Consortium shared the process of creating the group, benefits of a collaborative effort, activities and events hosted and best practice alignment.
Presenters included Fisk University Honors Program Director Patrick Fleming, Tennessee State University Honors College Director Coreen Jackson, Lipscomb University Honors College Director Paul Prill and Thorndike.
The Honors Council Conference highlights student and faculty research presentations from across the nation and provides training and development for honors program administrators. The conference theme, “Just Honors”, explored how faculty and students can address the issues of access, equity and technology as key partners in the community.
“Every presentation at conference leaves an impression on the honors network. NCHC’s 2017 conference experience includes opportunities for participants to challenge their understandings and provide innovative solutions for the communities at large,” said Mary Beth Rathe, NCHC Executive Director.
The National Collegiate Honors Council is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and enhance the community of educational institutions, professionals and students who participate in collegiate honors education around the world. NCHC members total nearly 900 institutions from the United States and around the world. Professional and student memberships are available. More information is available at nchchonors.org.
Belmont Physical Therapy Students, Faculty Volunteer for Garrett’s Hero Run
Belmont University participated in Garrett’s Hero Run on October 14, the Global Physical Therapy Day of Service, as part of the American Physical Therapy Association’s National Physical Therapy Month. This day provided a perfect opportunity for Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy to join with PTs in the community for a service event that supports a fellow physical therapist and Belmont alumna.
Amber Sapp, a physical therapist and 2005 graduate of Belmont’s program, has an 11-year-old son, Garrett, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare but fatal neuromuscular disorder with no cure. Every year, Amber and her husband, Randy, organize a 5K event as a fundraiser for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest nonprofit organization devoted solely to ending Duchenne. The race, Garrett’s Hero Run, encourages participants to dress in their favorite super hero costume to support Garrett. Currently, he is participating in clinical trials to help researchers find a cure so other children don’t have to face the same battles.
At the beginning of each fall semester, Dr. Christi Williams, assistant professor in the School of Physical Therapy, fellow 2005 alumna and former classmate of Sapp’s, shares Garrett’s story with her students. “I feel strongly that there is something special here at Belmont and we refer to it as the ‘Belmont PT Family,'” she said. “This ‘family’ serves to support you when you need it most.”
At Belmont, the physical therapy program strives to transform the lives of others by serving patients in the clinic and giving back to the community–as evidenced by students’ involvement in countless community service events. “Making a difference in the lives of others is what physical therapy is all about,” Williams said. “Amber is making a difference in the lives of many families and young boys by raising money to support research through PPMD. Her story provides encouragement and inspiration to all future PTs, and since Amber is a part of the Belmont PT family, her mission continues to be supported by her former classmates, fellow alumni and the current DPT students.”
The 2017 Garrett’s Hero Run raised more than $25,000 for PPMD to support research efforts towards a disease cure. Belmont DPT volunteers assisted in these efforts by volunteering on race day, helping with fundraising and providing auction items for the silent auction.
Sapp said, “When I was in Physical Therapy school at Belmont, my classmates became my family. When my son, Garrett, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy seven years ago, one of the first calls I made was to a fellow alumni. These are the types relationships that are built at Belmont. These relationships are what get you through the ‘stuff of life’. Your classmates are the people who went through the fire with you and held your hand the whole way. These are the people I still want by my side.”
Belmont Employees Raise $53K for Local Nonprofits
This year’s total is the most campus has raised since the creation of ‘Belmont Cares’
Faculty and staff across campus raised more than $53,000 for local middle Tennessee charities through this year’s Belmont Cares Campaign, a campus-wide initiative to raise funds for a number of causes throughout the area. The campaign, lead by Director of Business Operations Aaron Jerome and his committee, encourages Belmont employees to engage with the community in a powerful way. This year’s efforts hit a university milestone as the initiative raised more than any year previously. A check for the campaign’s total was presented during Belmont’s men’s basketball home opener game against Vanderbilt on Monday, November 13.
Dollars go towards the work of many local organizations including United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Community Shares of Tennessee, Community Heath Charities of Tennessee and Nashville Public Education Foundation. Account Manager for Workplace Engagement at the United Way Ashley Elliott said it’s important for organizations like Belmont to contribute to the communities where their employees work, live and play. “Funds raised through the Belmont Cares Campaign will go to programs focused on education, financial stability and health right here in Nashville,” Elliott said. “Our goal is to produce a minimum 10:1 return annually, so no matter how big or small, every gift does make a difference. Through the generosity of the Belmont community, we are able to improve conditions and change lives throughout our city.”
During the month of October, the 2017 Belmont Cares Committee hosted a number of events including a Two Buck Breakfast and Five Buck Lunch where faculty and staff were encouraged to enjoy a meal together for a good cause. Weeks later, the campaign’s annual Food Truck Frenzy invited food trucks to campus for folks to enjoy while a balloon popping station encouraged participants to purchase a balloon, filled with a gift card surprise, for $10.
Jerome said, “I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of the Belmont Cares Campaign this year. It’s exciting to see our faculty and staff support the important work of so many organizations throughout our city, and I look forward to the continued impact we’ll have year after year.
Belmont Named a Best Institution for Higher Education
The only university in Tennessee to be included on The Knowledge Review’s list
Belmont was recently included in The Knowledge Review’s 25 Best Institutions for Higher Education 2017, a list that names institutions for challenging career-driven education systems and reforming education into passion-driven curriculum. Knowledge Review points to these 25 institutions for their belief that “education is about meaning and truth, passion and interest, change and the improvement of humanity.” Belmont is the only institution in the state to be featured on the 2017 list.
Belmont’s feature emphasizes the university’s belief in something greater, describing President Dr. Bob Fisher as the “architect of Belmont’s modern day success story.” Detailing Belmont’s growth under his leadership, the feature highlights the university’s commitment to service, academics and student centeredness.
Massey Graduate School of Business Named a 2018 Best Business School by Princeton Review
Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business is an outstanding business school, according to education services company The Princeton Review. As part of their Best Business Schools 2018 list, Belmont was profiled on their website as one of 267 best business schools in the country.
The Princeton Review’s survey asked 23,000 students for their opinions of their school’s academics, student body and campus life as well as about themselves and their career plans. The student surveys analyzed for this edition were all completed online.
The Princeton Review also offers school profiles, which include information about academics, admissions, careers and outcomes, tuition and the student population. The profiles also have ratings (scores from 60 to 99) for admissions selectivity, academic experience, professor engagement, and more. Belmont received scores of 94 and 97 for “Professors interesting,” and “Professors accessible,” respectively.
Communication Studies Faculty Published in Text
Drs. Jeremy Fyke, Mary Vaughn and Nathan Webb, faculty in Belmont’s Communication Studies Department, were recently published in Communication in the Classroom: A Collection of GIFTS. The book, published by Macmillan Learning, examines over 100 Great Ideas for Teaching Students (GIFTS) in communication courses.
The three Belmont faculty published individual chapters in the book, presenting ideas for courses including public speaking, group and organizational communication and interpersonal communication.
Belmont Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students Volunteer for Nashville Buddy Walk
Belmont’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate students recently attended the Nashville Buddy Walk at the Hermitage. While there, the group helped with activities, passed out t-shirts and made Thanksgiving Day thank-you cards with the kids for their parents and caregivers. This event is sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee.
Participants enjoyed themselves throughout the day as they participated in activities with their siblings, parents and the Belmont student volunteers.
System Engineering Students Visit Peytonsville Baptist Church
A group of systems engineering students recently visited the Peytonsville Baptist Church to assist them with their sound system. They verified, aligned and tuned the sound system in addition to providing hands-on training with the system for their worship team. According to Scott Munsell, the audio engineering lecturer on the trip, “It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to give back to the community as well as gain some excellent, real-world, hands-on experience applying the skills they’ve learned in Systems Engineering!”
Alumna Promoted at Big Yellow Dog Music
Alex Stefano (’15) was recently promoted to General Manager Creative – Film & TV Sync at Big Yellow Dog Music. Stefano has worked with the team for three years and previously served as a Creative Manager for the company. According to Big Yellow Dog Music CEO Carla Wallace, “Through Alex’s efforts, we have secured placements for our writers in Grey’s Anatomy, Big Little Lies, How to Get Away with Murder, T-Mobile, Toyota and many more. As a classically trained pianist and a lover of films, she has an ability to combine those two strengths that creates great opportunities for our writers.” Stefano graduated with a B.B.A. in music business.
