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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PRSSA Sweeps Awards at National Conference

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PRSSA Sweeps Awards at National Conference

Belmont’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) recently received the national PRSSA Teahan Award for Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Relationship, as well as a Star Chapter Award, recognizing 10 criteria of excellence. Belmont PRSSA is one of only two chapters to receive this award every year since it was established in 2009. The students also received six national awards for their individual contributions to the chapter and the public relations profession.

These students received the awards at the PRSSA National Conference in Boston this month. The conference is the largest gathering of public relations students in the country and offered these students the opportunity to network and learn while exploring different sections of the public relations industry.

Alumnus Featured in ‘People’ and ‘Taste of Country’

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Alumnus Featured in ‘People’ and ‘Taste of Country’

'Yours' album cover - Russel Dickerson in front of blue screen with the word 'Yours' written across the image.Alumnus Russell Dickerson (’11) is attracting media attention as his rise to fame continues. He was recently featured on People.com/country and ‘Taste of Country,’ discussing his marriage and his musical success. He told People, “Once I stopped caring what people thought, it was like people were attracted to that. It took me a while to learn that.”

Dickerson has opened for acts like Thomas Rhett and fellow alumni Florida Georgia Line, and his recently-released debut album, “Yours,” hit No. 16 on iTunes this week. The project is a reflection of his relationship, focusing on happy songs like “Billions,” and the album’s namesake, “Yours.” He and his wife Kailey both graduated from Belmont in 2011 with degrees in Commercial Music.

 

Alumnae Entrepreneurs Featured in ‘Lashville’

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Alumnae Entrepreneurs Featured in ‘Lashville’

Makenzie Stokel and Channing Moreland standing side by side, looking at each otherAlumnae Channing Moreland (’16) and Makenzie Stokel (’16), founders of EVAmore, sat down with blogger Carly Peterson of Lashville this week to discuss their success in the entrepreneurial industry. The women started EVAmore through the Entrepreneur Center’s Project Music in 2015 and have since been featured in Forbes, highlighting their platform, strategy and model.

“We made it so that the website can do it all for you,” said Stokel. “But we also wanted it to be a customized experience.”

Evamore is an online booking platform that matches artists and performers with event planners and venues. It is designed to take the stress out of the booking process by streamlining the negotiation and contract process. The dream of EVAmore was born when Moreland and Stokel met at New Student Orientation at the beginning of their first year at Belmont. Moreland studied songwriting and entrepreneurship, while Stokel majored in music business and entrepreneurship.

Belmont Tops Out New ‘Tall Hall’ Residence

April Hefner
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Belmont Tops Out New ‘Tall Hall’ Residence

Building to house more than 600 students when completed

Dr. Fisher and Marty Dickens celebrate "topping out" of the new Hall Hall dorm at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. October 20, 2017.
The gable for “Tall Hall” is lifted into place.

Ten months after breaking ground, today Belmont University contractors lifted the north gable in place on a new residence, “Tall Hall,” that sits between 12 South and 15th Avenue. The topped-out structure’s top floor, based on overall elevation, represents one of the highest points in Nashville, offering tremendous birds-eye views of downtown.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “As part of our commitment to student-centeredness, we want to offer on campus living spaces for more of our students in order to enhance their learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. This new hall will further the robust Residence Life experience Belmont can offer while also helping more members of our community stay in a safe and affordable location near the center of our dynamic and rapidly expanding city.”

At more than 243,000 square feet, Tall Hall will be the institution’s largest residential building to date and is scheduled to open in phases with about half of the facility welcoming students in August 2018, with the remaining space finished by January 2019. The $80 million complex will house 611 upperclassmen in total and will include a fitness studio on the ground level to provide workout opportunities close to students’ homes. In addition, a large park-like green space is being added beside Tall Hall between Dickens, Horrell, Russell and Thrailkill Halls. The area will feature a flowing stream, a small pond, seating spots and a green recreational space.

Dr. Fisher speaks during the celebration "topping out" of the new Hall Hall dorm at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. October 20, 2017.
Dr. Fisher speaks during the celebration “topping out” of the new Tall Hall dorm at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. October 20, 2017.

Approximately 55 percent of Belmont’s undergraduate population currently lives on campus, and the new hall will increase residential spaces from approximately 3,500 currently to more than 4,100 spots. The new facility will feature both suite and apartment-style room options and will be located in the southeast quadrant of campus. Nashville-based R.C. Mathews is the contractor and ESa the architect for the project.

Belmont continues its commitment to sustainable buildings with this project, as this is expected to be the fourth campus building to achieve LEED certification. Occupancy sensors, nearby material sourcing, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC system and low VOC paints all contribute to ensuring less impact on the environment from this new construction.

Belmont’s continued campus growth—with investments exceeding $600 million in construction, renovation and property acquisitions since 2000—is matched by an enrollment surge that finds the University topping 8,000 students for the first time this fall.

Starnes Becomes College’s First Epidemiologist

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Starnes Becomes College’s First Epidemiologist

Catherine Starnes headshotAssistant Professor of Mathematics Catherine Starnes recently joined the College of Sciences and Mathematics as the faculty’s first-ever Epidemiologist. Her teaching and research interests focus on applied statistics, particularly in the areas of women’s health, minority health outcomes and maternal/child outcomes.

Starnes received her B.S. in Mathematics from Belmont and her PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Kentucky.

Belmont President Recognized as Nashville ‘Trendsetter’

April Hefner
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Belmont President Recognized as Nashville ‘Trendsetter’

Bob FisherBelmont President Dr. Bob Fisher was recognized this week by the Nashville Business Journal (NBJ) in the publication’s annual Power 100 list. This year the list of the city’s “most powerful business leaders” was divided into five categories: Heavy Hitters, Industry Giants, Connectors, Dealmakers and Trendsetters. Dr. Fisher was recognized among the Trendsetters, which NBJ Editor Lori Becker described as “…among the city’s most creative, leading the business community with new ideas. They’re big-picture thinkers with the 30,000-foot view of Nashville’s business community.”

In addition to noting the significant enrollment and endowment growth during his 17-year tenure, the magazine remarked, “Fisher has worked to elevate Belmont’s status locally by tailoring programs to specifically address the needs of the city’s business community, especially the city’s arts and music industries. As a result, Belmont is positioning itself as a school of choice for companies looking to fill their talent pipeline.”

 

Garrett Presents Research at VCAR Science Day

Hope Buckner
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Garrett Presents Research at VCAR Science Day

Dr. Lori McGrew, professor of biology, and senior neuroscience major Kara Garrett, one of McGrew’s research students, attended Vanderbilt University’s Center for Addiction Research (VCAR) first annual Science Day on October 17. The symposium included presentations by Dr. Stephen Loyd, Tennessee’s medical director of the division of substance abuse, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and the neuroscientist who first cloned opioid receptors Dr. Brigitte Kieffer.

The talks were followed by a poster session where Garrett presented research she conducted as part of Dr. McGrew’s 2017 Summer Scholars group. Her presentation, “The effects of various pathogens on cortisol levels of Danio rerio measured from holding water compared to full body collection” was well received and the pair was invited to return next year.

Business Students Earn Top Marks at CIBER International Business Case Competition

Hope Buckner
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Business Students Earn Top Marks at CIBER International Business Case Competition

A team of Belmont University business students earned top marks at this year’s CIBER International Business case competition, held recently at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. Belmont’s participants included Rachel Masterson, Heta Patel, Leviere Carrillo and Joshua Dahlberg. These students competed among 10 teams made up of students from Florida State University, Purdue University, San Diego State University, Bowie State University, University of Connecticut, University of Maryland, Università di Trento (Italy), Bryant University and University of Vermont.

This year’s case, “Goonj: Essence of Sustainability and Scalability of a Social Venture,” challenged the students to create a sustainable strategy for Goonj.

Dahlberg’s team won its preliminary round and advanced into the final round. Additionally, Patel won an individual award for best presenter in her preliminary round.  After the final round and judging, Dahlberg’s team placed first overall in this year’s competition.

 

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Inducts Six Health Care Legends at Luncheon and Ceremony

Hope Buckner
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Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame Inducts Six Health Care Legends at Luncheon and Ceremony

For images from this year’s event, click here. 

The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inducted six health care legends from across the state at a luncheon and ceremony held in Belmont University’s Curb Event Center today, Tuesday, October 17. Hosted by Senior Counsel at Finn Partners John Seigenthaler, the Hall of Fame’s Ceremony recognizes and honors the pioneers and current leaders who have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals.

Created by Belmont University and Belmont’s McWhorter Society with the support of the Nashville Health Care Council, a Founding Partner, the Hall of Fame’s 2017 class includes:

  • Dorothy Lavinia Brown: First African American female surgeon in the south, TN House of Representative and General Assembly Member, longtime educator and Chief of Surgery at Riverside Hospital and Clinical Professor of Surgery at Meharry, advocate for women’s health, rights and education
  • William H. Frist: Former U.S. Senator and Majority Leader, Vanderbilt Transplant Center founder, first heart and lung transplant surgeon at Vanderbilt, Founder of Hope Through Healing Hands and NashvilleHealth, Senior Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center
  • Joel C. Gordon: 47-year health care veteran who introduced physician ownership/joint ventures as a business structure, Founder of GeneralCare and Surgical Care Affiliates, Co-Founder of HealthWise of America, Owner of Gordon Group Investment Management
  • Harry R. Jacobson: Physician, entrepreneur and investor who founded/co-founded eight companies, Past Chair of the Nashville Health Care Council Board of Directors, Executive-in-Residence at Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey College of Business, Past Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at Vanderbilt University and former CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Stanford Moore:  Received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1972 for his work with proteins and their composition which led to the first understanding of the complete chemical structure of protein and ultimately informed decades of scientific work surrounding disease and drug discovery; graduate of the University School of Nashville and Vanderbilt University
  • Donald P. Pinkel: First Director and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; received the Lasker Award for Medical Research, Kettering Prize for Cancer Research and Pollin Prize for Pediatric Research; led the development of the first treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, increasing the cure rate from 4 to 50%

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees join an impressive list of health care legends honored in the last two years. These include Jack O. Bovender, Jr., Stanley Cohen, Dr. Henry W. Foster, Dr. Thomas Frist, Jr., Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., Dr. Ernest William Goodpasture, Frank S. Groner, Jack C. Massey, Clayton McWhorter, Dr. David Satcher, Dr. Mildred Stahlman, Dr. Paul Stanton, Danny Thomas and Dr. Colleen Conway Welch.

For more information on the Hall of Fame, click here.

Curb College Alumni Take Over NYC

April Hefner
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Curb College Alumni Take Over NYC

New York City received a quadruple threat of Belmont alumni musicians this week as four surging acts played shows in the Big Apple. Many of the alumni are graduates of Belmont’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Moon Taxi, which recently signed a label deal with RCA Records, played a sold out show Tuesday night at Bowery Ballroom. The quintet was founded in 2006 at Belmont, where they had originally practiced together in the residence halls. The members include vocalist/guitarist Trevor Terndrup (’07), bassist Tommy Putnam (’06), lead guitarist Spencer Thomson (’06), percussionist Tyler Ritter (’08) and keyboardist Wes Bailey (’09).

Meanwhile, recent graduate Devin Dawson performed at a showcase Wednesday night for executives for Atlantic Records, a performance that comes just weeks following a special presentation in his honor during the Belmont songwriting program’s 10th anniversary celebration event. In honor of his success, Warner Music Nashville Chief Operating Officer Matt Signore and Senior Vice President A&R Cris Lacy presented an endowed $25,000 scholarship in Dawson’s name, and the university matched the contribution, creating a $50,000 endowed scholarship.

Devin DawsonDawson said, “The Belmont songwriting program has always been at the center of my heart. I don’t know if I would be in Nashville if I hadn’t heard about and been accepted into the degree program, and I certainly wouldn’t be the same artist had it not been for the informative years I spent honing my identity alongside my peers and the remarkable faculty. I was completely caught off guard when my Warner Music Nashville family teamed up with Dr. Fisher to announce a new scholarship in my name. My father was only able to go to college as a result of his academics and the scholarships he was awarded, so to now have a scholarship endowed in my name is a full circle moment for me. My family and I are beside ourselves. Thank you to Warner Music & Belmont University for creating an opportunity for young songwriters to pursue their musical dreams outside the stress of financial burdens. This is an honor that will live on for a long time.”

Judah and the Lion

Also on Wednesday night, Judah & The Lion played a sold out show at Irving Plaza Wednesday night as well. Made up of Belmont alumni, the band released its second studio album, Folk Hop n’ Roll last year and followed it up in early 2017 with a deluxe edition that includes four new tracks. The band’s single “Take It All Back” reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s alternative chart, and the members are wrapping up their 2017 U.S. dates this month before heading overseas for 16 European shows.

Wilder full bandFinally, on Saturday night, Atlantic Records’ band and Belmont alums Wilder will be wrapping up its fall tour with Kaleo in a performance at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The band recently recorded its first EP with Grammy-winning producer Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Buddy Guy, James Bay).

All four artists are being booked by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which also employs a number of Belmont alumni.

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