Dr. Matthew Heard, assistant professor of biology, recently had an article accepted for publication in the journal The American Biology Teacher. The article is entitled “Using Life History Data to Examine Trade-Offs in Body Size and Reproductive Ability” and describes a laboratory exercise that Heard has used in his classes which helps students to learn about basic concepts and topics in ecology, evolution and natural history. The American Biology Teacher is an award-winning, peer-refereed professional journal for K-16 biology teachers.
Heard Published in The American Biology Teacher Journal
Mathematics Major Receives Actuarial Scholarship
Kailee Gerzema, mathematics major and senior, was awarded the Southeastern Actuaries Conference (SEAC) Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year. This competitive scholarship is available to students at southeastern U.S. universities who plan to pursue a career as an actuary.
Each year the SEAC funds actuarial science scholarships for full-time students at universities and colleges in the Southeast who have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing a career in the actuarial field. In 2017, we awarded 10 scholarships totaling $10,100 to individuals attending schools in the Southeast including Florida State University, University of Alabama, Georgia State University, University of Central Florida, Middle Tennessee State University, Belmont University, Clemson University and University of South Florida.
Hawley Releases Single and Music Video
When Dr. Scott Hawley, associate professor of physics, came to Belmont in 2006 to fulfill a career goal of teaching physics, he moved his second passion of making music to “the side.” Since then, he’s done a substantial amount of physics, but the music has been largely dormant. In August, however, Hawley released the single and music video for the song “Atlantis” from his upcoming album, “How You Ache.”
This album has been a true Belmont effort with significant contributions by faculty, alumni and current students:
- Mixed by Audio Engineering Technology Professor Justin Dowse
- Mastered by former Music Square East Facilities Manager Luke Gilfeather
- Music video directed by audio engineering technology and film alumnus Seth Kays
- Marketing plan developed by Clyde Rolston’s students, who selected “Atlantis” as the first single based on market research.
The full album will be available in late September. The video is available on YouTube at and the single is available by clicking here.
Rogers Travels to Arizona to Unveil Latest Project
Christine Rogers, assistant professor of photography is traveling to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tucson, Arizona to unveil her latest project in the collaborative series, Art, Nature, and Devotion, which pairs visual art with contemporary art music. This video piece was commissioned to pair with a live performance by the Tucson Symphony principal horn player Johanna Lundy and a piece of horn music called, “Sea Eagle” by Peter Maxwell Davies.
The Sea Eagle live on the coast of England. To create the video, Rogers used a local car wash to create the atmospheric and abstract wind and water.
Rogers will attend the live performance at the gallery opening and a second premiere at a Tucson movie theater.
Williams and Her Therapy Dog, Layla, Spend the Summer with Community Children
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Dr. Christi Williams spent the summer spreading joy throughout the community with her certified therapy dog, Layla. A 7-year old yellow Labrador Retriever, Layla has been volunteering for the past two years as a certified therapy dog through Pet Partners, a local nonprofit organization. Williams and Layla visit many locations on a volunteer basis, including Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and Vanderbilt One Hundred Oaks, to spread smiles to patients and health care providers.
This summer Layla volunteered with Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic’s Constraint Camp, a camp that focuses on promoting use of the involved upper extremities by casting the uninvolved side. While there, Layla eased the children’s fears and encouraged them to try new and often challenging tasks. They worked on their gross motor skills alongside Layla by petting and brushing her and finding special stickers inside the zippered pocket of her vest. Gathering stickers from her pocket allowed the children to work on these motor skills, while also proudly displaying proof of the day’s therapist — their favorite yellow lab.
Though Layla loves all her time at camp, Williams said one of her highlights is playing fetch with the children and her favorite pink tennis ball. A very challenging task for the kids as it requires skill to grasp, hold and release the ball, they are determined to play alongside Layla. “She is always patiently waiting for them to throw it her way!” Williams said.
Children also enjoy taking Layla for a ‘walk’ throughout the facility where a small leash is attached to Layla’s harness for the kids to hold. Despite the physical challenge this can present, they are eager to participate. A physical therapist herself, Williams loves to work with Layla in the rehabilitation setting. “There’s nothing like watching self-doubt immediately turn into pure confidence when Layla’s ‘leash’ is placed in these children’s hands. Their faces change and they no longer think about it as a challenge. They just do it–and with such confidence!”
Layla and Williams also spent time this summer at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital’s Dog Days of Summer “Paw-ty” where Layla, and other certified therapy dogs, joined children in games, activities and more. Children watched the dogs do tricks on stage and received some takeaways, too — a dog stuffed animal and a paw print stamp of the therapy dogs who participated.
Layla then traveled to Camp TALK, a camp for children with speech deficits, where she taught children about therapy animals. The kids practiced talking to and giving commands to Layla including “sit,” “lay down,” “shake hands” and “high five.” Layla also showed off her catch skills and played hide-and-seek with the kids.
“For these children, Layla’s presence creates an environment where they are no longer anxious to try new things or speak in front of their peers,” Williams said. “Having Layla in the room shifts the children’s focus from their disability to simply having fun with the dog!”
Visiting with patients and helping children during their rehabilitation is a big part of what Layla does as a certified therapy dog, but she often has the greatest impact on the health care providers who are working alongside their patients. At the Center for Women’s Health, Layla’s “job” is to visit with the nurses and physicians, providing a necessary break during the day.
“This visit tends to be one of Layla’s favorite stops because these nurses spoil her rotten,” Williams said. “She knows exactly who has treats for her and which drawer or cabinet they are stashed in. Being a health-care provider can be very stressful at times, and Layla provides that much-needed mental break!”
Photos courtesy of Vanderbilt Pediatric Rehabilitation at One Hundred Oaks and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Belmont Hosts, Sponsors Tech Inclusion Nashville Forum
Belmont University hosted Tech Inclusion Nashville Forum, an event created to provide an opportunity for community members in the technology fields to discuss solutions to diversity and inclusion, on Tuesday, August 29 in the Janet Ayers Academic Center. Co-organized by Co-Founders of Black in Tech Nashville Dr. Fallon Wilson, Jurnell Cockhren and Jarrett Strickland and Change Catalyst and sponsored by Google Fiber, the Forum addressed jobs and education, access and opportunity, empathy and allyship, inclusion and accessible design and creating inclusive policy, among other topics.
Director of Belmont’s Office of Community Relations Joyce Searcy welcomed the group, noting the University’s commitment to diversity efforts across campus. “We are so happy to host today’s events, as diversity and inclusion are flagship priorities of who we are,” she said. “At Belmont, we believe that it’s our differences that make us who we are. And we take that charge very seriously. As we work to recruit students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds, we are equally committed to ensuring all on our campus have a rich experience within a welcoming environment.”
Speakers included representatives from community organizations focused on inclusion within technology including Veterans Who Code, Nashville Girl Geek Dinner, Women in Technology in Tennessee, Nashville LGBT+ in Tech and many more. Panel discussions featured conversations surrounding building inclusive cultures, creating an inclusive tech ecosystem, making venture capital inclusive and creating an includes tech pipeline.
Wilson said Black in Tech Nashville, a relatively new organization to the city, was interested in hosting this event to ensure Nashville continues to grow in a way that represents the leadership, innovation and voices of the diversity that forms the community. “We wanted to bring together amazing thought leaders from tech companies, education institutions, community-based organizations and government to collectively learn, discuss and plan for a more representative workforce in our tech and knowledge economy,” she said.
The opportunity to host the event at Belmont was a natural fit, particularly with the University’s Vision 2020 and its commitment to diversity and service learning. “It made sense to host Nashville’s first ever city-wide conversation on diversity and inclusion in tech at Belmont,” she said. “Also, the Belmont way of hosting was one of optimal service and generous hospitality.”
Looking back on the event, Wilson said she can point to sheer attendance as a successful metric — but her views of why the event exceeded expectations go behind the numbers. “The many meaningful conversations had on panels and at lunch let’s me know that we as a city will move in the right direction of developing processes to ensure access to the new world of tech for all people,” she said.
The forum was held as part of Tech Inclusion, a series of events that drive solutions to diversity and inclusion in technology. To learn more about Black Tech in Nashville, click here.
Best Buddies Chapter Sweeps State-Wide Awards
Belmont’s Best Buddies Chapter, an organization that pairs Belmont students with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community, was recently nominated for six state-wide awards. The Chapter went on to win five of those awards including College Chapter of the Year for Tennessee, allowing the Chapter to be eligible for international chapter of the year.
The students also won Buddy Pair of the Year, Ambassador Speech of the Year, College Chapter President of the Year and Event of the Year for the chapter’s Music Festival, an event held in the Beaman Student Life Center where members of the Belmont and Nashville community were invited to a night filled with musical talent and entertainment.
The event, pictured to the left, was the group’s final event last semester. Bands played and sang alongside the chapter’s community buddies.
Belmont’s Chapter Faculty Advisor Dr. Sally Barton-Arwood said the group’s student members are incredibly committed to spending time with their buddies. With outings each month, students arrange one on their own — ice cream, trips to the mall, etc. — and the second is done as a larger organization.
Story published in partnership with Best Buddies Tennessee.
Holt Co-Presents at CD Baby DIY Musician Conference
Assistant Professor of Music Business Eric Holt recently co-presented at the CD Baby DIY Musician Conference, the only conference focused wholeheartedly on the needs of today’s independent artist. Holt’s session, “Get Booked at Local Venues,” was co-presented with Belmont Adjunct Chris Cobb.
The session included a discussion between Holt and Cobb, two of Nashville’s local venue bookers, on best practices when pitching to local venues, what promoters need to know, how an independent band stands out and a do/don’t list for any independent artist.
Ramsey Participates in Album Production
Instructor of Songwriting Drew Ramsey spent most of the last year writing, producing, recording and performing on the upcoming album, “Signs,” from artist Jonny Lang. The album will be released on September 8. Ramsey also mixed four songs on the album including the first single, “Stronger Together.”
For more information and to stream or download a song, click here.
Alumnus Brings ‘Taste’ to Nashville
For Music Business major Andy Seavers, creating an app about food was never on the agenda. But since his graduation in 2014, that is exactly where he ended up. Seavers just launched a new app, Taste, which allows users to find restaurants based on locals’ favorites, a strategy he says is much more dependable than trusting ambiguous reviews.
“Instead of sorting through countless reviews on traditional review sites, Taste lets you find the best of whatever you’re craving, wherever you are,” Seavers said. The concept is simple: locals get one favorite in each food category (coffee shops, burger joints, etc.), and users can check-in at those locations to earn “milestones” that increase the value of their vote. Users are also able to compare favorites with their friends to exchange recommendations, providing a better and more accurate review for each location. “By eliminating long-winded and sometimes biased reviews and one-to-five star ratings, Taste intrinsically reshapes the way people decide where to go eat and drink through a positive exchange: favorites,” he said.
The inspiration came to Seavers while trying to find restaurant recommendations online. Not only was the process of sifting through reviews and ambiguous ratings too time-consuming, but he found that negative reviews often discouraged him from trying a restaurant that he otherwise would have liked. With Taste, users don’t get any extra information about strangers’ experiences or preferences. The app simply tells you what restaurants are being frequented by area locals in order to choose a “favorite.”
Though he studied music business at Belmont, Seavers attributes his start as an entrepreneur to his time on campus. “My experience at Belmont was a great launchpad for my entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “Every entrepreneurship, marketing and business class I took while at school has been valuable in shaping my career.” Seavers had already begun his first business while still in school, and he said it was real-world experience, along with his opportunities at Belmont and in Nashville, that helped “drive the passion behind Taste.”
Because the app, which is available for iPhone in the app store, just launched this month, Seavers and his team hope to continuing spreading the word. They are initiating a Student Brand Ambassador Program, which is currently accepting applications. More information about that program can be found here. Looking toward the future Seavers said, “We see Taste as the go-to app for finding local favorites, whether you are a newcomer to a city, are traveling, or you just want to find something new.”
