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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TetherBox, Belmont Announce College Care Package Collaboration

April Hefner
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TetherBox, Belmont Announce College Care Package Collaboration
Subscription box college care package company comes to Belmont University

TetherBox and Belmont University announced recently that they have entered into a working relationship to provide subscription box care packages to Belmont’s student body.

Photo of Sample Tetherbox“Belmont University is consistently recognized as a ‘Most Innovative’ university and this move away from the old junk food-filled style of care package is one small example of our dedication to innovating for the benefit of our students,” said Dr. Anthony Donovan, associate dean of students and director of residence life. “The quality, flexibility and affordability of TetherBox care packages, and the fact that they offer nut free and gluten free options, make them a great fit for Belmont.”

TetherBox college care packages are delivered monthly and are filled with seven to 10 specially curated snacks, unique personal care products, trending items and useful gadgets hand-picked by the company’s network of student ambassadors from colleges around the U.S.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with such an amazing institution as Belmont University,” said Lynn Holdsworth, co-founder of TetherBox. “The Belmont team has been wonderful, and we’re excited to deliver the best possible product and customer service experience to the students and their families.”

TetherBox is a national company offering Month to Month, Semester, and School Year college care package subscription plans.

Belmont Partners with National Nonprofit in Support of Low-income, First-generation College Students

April Hefner
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Belmont Partners with National Nonprofit in Support of Low-income, First-generation College Students

Strive for College increases college attainment and success for deserving young people

CollegePartner Logo17-18Belmont University has partnered with nonprofit Strive for College to strengthen college opportunities for low-income, first-generation college students. By becoming a Strive for College Partner, Belmont has demonstrated a commitment to enrolling
and graduating low-income and first-generation college students and through Strive’s programs will promote and strengthen their campus programs and support services for these students.

An estimated 24 percent of students enrolled in college are low-income, first-generation college students. But only 10 percent of these students earn a bachelor’s degree six years out from high school. “The alarming dropout rate among first-gen college students illustrates the importance of programs that promote better college opportunities for these students,” says Strive for College founder and CEO Michael J. Carter, “Alongside schools like Belmont, we aim to change this trend.”

Strive for College’s programs provide numerous resources to educators and students alike. For College Partners, there is a learning community where colleagues can share best-practices and model successful programs for recruiting and retaining first-generation college students. For students, Strive’s virtual mentoring program connects aspiring college students with dedicated mentors to receive one-on- one guidance and support through the college admissions and financial aid application process. Strive’s custom-built technology platform has advanced communications features like video chat and data-powered college
matching tools to help students discover and connect with colleges like Belmont. Belmont is also helping to mobilize mentors from its campus community and alumni network to assist students.

Belmont is also featured in Strive’s “I’m First!” Guide to College, the only comprehensive college guidebook for first-generation college-bound students, and participates in the ImFirst.org website featuring student videos stories, blogs and advice from and for first- generation college students.

As part of its efforts to support first-generation students, the University considers every admitted freshman for merit based scholarships and administers a wide array of need-based financial aid programs. Moreover, an in-depth summer orientation program prepares students for college life, and once they arrive on campus, support services are available via academic advisors, free learning centers and tutoring programs, as well as a variety of student organizations that promote leadership skills and cultural awareness.

Belmont Associate Provost and Dean of Enrollment Services David Mee said, “Belmont University is committed to offering programs and services that can help all our students reach their full potential, and so we are very proud be in partnership with Strive for College. This is the kind of community and resource that prospective students and families need when considering which college is right for them.”

About Strive for College
Strive for College was founded in 2007 by Michael J. Carter, then a student at Washington University in St. Louis, to help underserved area high school students apply to college and navigate financial aid. College students volunteered as in-person mentors for high school students, and mentored students achieved substantially better college go-on rates than their non-mentored peers. Strive for College grew to become a respected college access organization, serving in-person mentoring across the country. Delivering its mentoring service at sufficient scale to make a meaningful impact on the national college access problem soon became Strive’s biggest challenge, which led to the development and launch of Strive’s online platform in 2014. Online mentoring by Strive for College is now a national service, which is intended to serve one-million students within three years.

Since merging with the Center for Student Opportunity in 2016, Strive for College now runs ImFirst.org and publishes the I’m First! Guide to College in support of first-generation college students, and partners with nearly 200 four-year colleges and universities to promote and strengthen their efforts on behalf of these students.

Art Student Featured in Exhibition

Hope Buckner
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Images of the art at the exhibit in Canton, OhioSenior art education major Elise Haines has six photographs and one print in an exhibition that recently opened at the Meraki Gallery in Canton, Ohio. This is the inaugural exhibition for the gallery and features the work of several of Jackson School for the Arts visual arts alumni. The exhibit runs through October 20.

Songwriting Majors Win John Lennon Scholarship for Original Songs

Staff Writer
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Songwriting Majors Win John Lennon Scholarship for Original Songs

Bethany Warner and Chelsea Gilliland headshots, side by sideStudents Bethany Warner and Chelsea Gilliland were recently awarded John Lennon Scholarships, given out by BMI Foundation in cooperation with Gibson Musical Instruments.

Warner, a contemporary voice and songwriting double major, took home the second-place prize of $5,000 for her song “$mall Talk & Old Money.”

“I was so shocked when I received the call that I won,” she said. “I almost didn’t believe it! Most songwriters know how tough it can be at times to whole-heartedly be behind your work, so it’s always extremely validating to have others believe in it to, especially people from the business. It was really just overwhelming. ”

Gilliland, a first-year songwriting major, tied for the third-place prize of $2,500 for her song “Fire.”

She asserted that, “just being part of the BMI Foundation’s amazing history and legacy is very special to me… Being selected by this top tier judging panel is certainly a major highlight in my songwriting career, and I am thankful to the BMI Foundation for all of its support for musicians around the world.”

This year was the 20th anniversary of the first John Lennon Scholarship, and hundreds of students from all over the country participated. The John Lennon Scholarship competition annually awards up to $20,000 for the three best original song submissions.

Alumnus Brett McLaughlin Writes for Selena Gomez, Several Pop Icons

Staff Writer
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Alumnus Brett McLaughlin Writes for Selena Gomez, Several Pop Icons

Brett McLaughlin headshot, black and whiteBelmont alumnus Brett McLaughlin was recently featured in the Sun Herald (Gulfport, Mississippi) for his rise to songwriting fame. McLaughlin was a Commercial Music major at Belmont (’09) and has used his education to springboard into the Los Angeles music scene.

The songwriter is now famous for his work with Demi Lovato, DNCE, Daya, Troye Sivan and Andy Grammar, among others. His recent song “Fetish,” performed by Selena Gomez, sat at No. 27 on the Billboard 100 this week.

Alumnus Andy Harding Opens Art Exhibition, Combines Art and Science

Staff Writer
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Alumnus Andy Harding Opens Art Exhibition, Combines Art and Science

Belmont alumnus Andy Harding (’97) was recently featured in the Murray State News for his new art exhibition, “Cloud Witness.”

Influenced by his background in science (he was a chemistry major at Belmont), Harding creates his artwork from different perspectives. His new exhibit is an approach at science from an artist’s viewpoint and an attempt to examine new scientific discoveries. “Cloud Witness” will be on display in the Clara M. Eagle Gallery until Sept. 24.

Alumna Sally Robertson Promotes Sustainability, Bikes Everywhere

Staff Writer
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Alumna Sally Robertson Promotes Sustainability, Bikes Everywhere

Sally Robertson smiling on bike, wearing library tshirtBelmont alumna Sally Robertson was recently featured in The Wilson Post for her green lifestyle and love of biking.

Robertson is currently a librarian at Tennessee State Community College, and she bikes to and from her home in Mt. Juliet everyday. She has pedaled an average of 6,000 miles every year for thirty years. She says she does it to be sustainable. “I want my carbon footprint to be light,” she said. “We have to be responsible for our environment.” Robertson graduation from Belmont in 1978, where she studied history and library science.

Tony-Award Winning Levi Kreis Returns to Campus for Senior Recital

Hope Buckner
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Tony-Award Winning Levi Kreis Returns to Campus for Senior Recital

When students entered the Massey Performing Arts Center on Friday, September 15 for another senior recital, they were greeted with an artist who is no stranger to the stage. Tony Award-Winning singer, songwriter and actor Levi Kreis performed his senior recital before a full house last week, signaling the end of a degree he has spent years working towards. In December, Kreis will receive his bachelor’s of music in commercial music with a music business emphasis.

After leaving Belmont years ago to begin his career before graduating, Kreis won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical when his experience as a recording artist, actor and pianist combined to originate the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway’s Million Dollar Quartet. Soon after, to further his success, Kreis became more and more interested in completing his degree. Since then, Belmont’s School of Music has worked around his show, tours and travel schedule to ensure he was able to complete his outstanding degree requirements. Understanding the importance of finishing what he started, Kreis set his sights on graduation.

Levi Kreis performs in the Massey Performing Arts Center for his Senior Recital.“There’s a pride in being a Belmont alumni,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave any unfinished business. It’s important to me to be associated with Belmont, especially in this industry. The university attracts the cream of the crop and has proven, time and time again, that it can groom that talent to have a remarkable impact on the entertainment industry and beyond. I’m proud to be a Belmont alum.”

Kreis said it’s always been important that he finish the degree, it was just a matter of timing. Reflecting back on his “fantastic experience,” Kreis has a message for current students. “There are so many ways to be successful,” he said. “Had I not been given the tools through my Belmont experience to create a unique vision for myself, I’m not sure where’d I’d be. We all have the opportunity to use the tools we’ve been given and decide what success looks like for our own careers. At any time in life, you can always turn to your education.”

Before taking the stage last week to complete his senior recital (the final requirement for his degree), Kreis said he heard a final word of encouragement from Dr. Jeff Kirk, associate director of the School of Music and the faculty member who shepherded the completion of his degree. “I know this has been a long journey,” he said, “but we are so very proud of you.”

In addition to his recognition for Million Dollar Quartet, Kreis’s career has included other notable acting credits like  Broadway’s Tony nominated revival Violet, the national tour of Rent, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Pump Boys & Dinettes and the films Frailty, Don’t Let Go, Slip Tumble and Slide, A Very Sordid Wedding and The Divide.

Belmont Student Entrepreneur Featured in U.S. News and World Report

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Student Entrepreneur Featured in U.S. News and World Report

Belmont sophomore, economics major and local entrepreneur Nathan Fink was recently featured in U.S. News and World Report’s article, “Discover Creative Ways to Afford College,” for his franchise of Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies. As a franchisee, Fink opens his food cart at basketball games held in Belmont’s Curb Event Center Arena. The profits from his entrepreneurial venture assist in his expenses.

“There’s the potential to make $1,000 in a weekend,” Fink said in the article. His dad bought into the franchise in 2013, operating a few carts in Fink’s hometown of Mayville, Wisconsin. “I was watching him do it, and I was helping out at events and making smoothies. I made use of that experience to get started on my own,” he went on to say.

After finding a retired owner in Nashville, Fink took over the franchise to sell on Belmont’s campus, as well as local high school sporting events and tournaments. Fink went on to mention the addition benefits of operating the cart, including the flexibility of hours and the ability to keep up with his school work. To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Belmont University Featured in Princeton Review’s Guide to 375 Green Colleges

Hope Buckner
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Belmont University Featured in Princeton Review’s Guide to 375 Green Colleges

Belmont University was recently selected as one of the 375 most environmentally responsible colleges according to The Princeton Review. Published on September 19, the ranking can be accessed here..The Princeton Review chose schools for this seventh annual edition of its green guide based on data from its 2016-17 survey of hundreds of 4-years colleges concerning the schools’ commitments to the environment and sustainability.

“We strongly recommend Belmont University and the other fine colleges in this guide to the many environmentally-minded students who seek to study and live at green colleges,” said The Princeton Review’s Robert Franek, senior vice president-publisher.

Franek noted the growing interest the company has seen among college-bound students in green colleges. “Among more than 10,000 teens and parents who participated in our 2017 College Hopes & Worries Survey, 64% told us that having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the college.” A complete report on that survey is available here.

The profiles in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 375 Green Colleges provide information about each school’s admission requirements, cost and financial aid and student body stats. They also include “Green Facts” about the schools with details on the availability of transportation alternatives at the schools and the percentage of the school food budgets spent on local/organic food.

Selected colleges were chosen based on “Green Rating” scores (from 60 to 99) that the company tallied in summer 2017 for 629 colleges using data from its 2016-17 survey of school administrators. The survey asked them to report on their school’s sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. More than 25 data points were weighted in the assessment. Schools with Green Rating scores of 80 or higher made it into this guide.

 

 

 

 

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