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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Harper to Serve on Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Board

Hope Buckner
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Charles HarperAssociate Director of Student Financial Services and Director of Financial Aid Charles Harper will serve on the Tennessee Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (TASFAA) Executive Board for the upcoming academic year. Membership on the board requires expertise in financial aid administration.

TASFFA is committed to “developing and maintaining an organizational structure that promotes professional preparation and growth, collaboration, effectiveness and mutual support of its diverse body of members as they strive to serve the needs of students, families, institutions and other constituencies in providing financial assistance to help meet post-secondary educational expenses.”

Tough Nominated for Two Dove Awards, Song in ‘Blood and Oil’

Staff Writer
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Blood-Oil-TV-PosterProfessor Dr. Dave Tough’s song “Lets Get Crazy” was in the pilot episode of “Blood and Oil” on the ABC network last Sunday night. Tough was also nominated for two GMA Dove Awards last week for songs he co-wrote and produced during 2015.

Kaylee Rutland Competes in NASH NEXT

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Kaylee Rutland Competes in NASH NEXT

Junior music business major Kaylee Rutland has made it halfway through the Nash Next Country Competition after being on the top of the leader board for the first three rounds. The competition, aiming to discover new talent in country music, began in June and consists of an audition and six challenges.

Hundreds of contestants were narrowed down during the audition period, and the challenges began in August with the top 100 contestants. Voting for each challenge takes place online and by a panel of celebrity judges. The bottom 15 contestants are eliminated after each challenge through Challenge Five, when 30 will be eliminated. The top 10 finalists will be announced on October 26, who will then participate in a final challenge to determine the grand prize winner of a recording contract. The Top 10 will also participate in a concert tour in 2016.

Rutland passed through the first three challenges in the top five, and is currently in the running for the fourth round. “Achieving the top 10 would be a dream come true, and my main focus right now is being as creative and unique as possible,” she said.

The first challenge was to select one of three cover songs and create a music video. Rutland chose “How Country Feels” by Randy Houser. The second challenge was to create a jingle for the Nash brand – leaving off the last 5 words – and having fans suggest the last line on Twitter. The third challenge was a live Periscope performance of either a Justin Bieber or Ariana Grande song, and Scooter Braun was a guest judge. Rutland chose “Somebody to Love” by Justin Bieber. These challenge performances can be found on her NashNext page. Rutland used the Belmont campus to film a short Instagram video for her fourth challenge entry, which will be posted on the Nash Next site and her personal Instagram account by October 7.

Kaylee Rutland FilmingRutland said she decided to join the competition because of the many great experiences and opportunities that go along with it. “There’s the potential to be exposed to and reach so many new country music fans! The challenges encourage us to be creative on many levels; sometimes you really have to stretch yourself. I’m also very excited about working with other artists and having an opportunity to go on tour next year. I especially love that’s it’s exclusive to country music artists,” she said.

Belmont can follow along by going to NashNextCountry.com. “It would help me tremendously if you’d become a fan on my page, listen to my songs, watch my videos and vote at the end of each challenge! There is a lot of focus on social media with this competition so I will have a lot of updates and teasers on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.“

Campus Security Donates Bikes to Edgehill Bike Club

April Hefner
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Campus Security Donates Bikes to Edgehill Bike Club
Thanks to Belmont’s Campus Security, dozens of children in the Edgehill community will soon enjoy a free bike due to a partnership with the Edgehill Bike Club. Every year dozens of bicycles are abandoned on Belmont’s campus following spring commencement and summer classes. Announcements are posted for two weeks to allow students to claim bikes they may have unintentionally left behind, but any abandoned bikes left after that deadline passes are donated to a local charitable organization that specializes in mentoring disadvantaged youth.
This year Campus Security delivered 20 bikes to the Edgehill Bike Club (1277 12th Ave South), which “seeks to change lives one child at a time by combining the refurbishing of bikes with regular bike rallies and mentoring. The organization was founded by Terry Key in 2013 to create crime free communities by educating and inspiring children and parents to actively participate in creating a safe environment through biking programs, and more than 500 bicycles have been give to those in need since the program’s inception.
Campus Security First Shift Captain Lou Mills said, “Belmont came up with the idea of donating bicycles to the community because we wanted to share our love of cycling with others. Many of Campus Security’s officers were or are bike patrol officers, and we spoke with our local bike shop about what we were encountering with all the bikes leftover at the end of the year. The bike shop referred us to the Oasis Center of Nashville, who then referred us to the Edgehill Bike Club this year.”

Belmont to Host Free Document Shredding Event Oct. 13

April Hefner
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Belmont to Host Free Document Shredding Event Oct. 13

Onsite Shred-It truck provides safe, secure disposal of confidential information

Belmont University will host a Shred Event from 8 a.m. to noon on Tues., Oct. 13 on campus in the parking lot behind the University’s Facility Management Services building at 1508 Delmar Ave. This event, being held for the third consecutive year, is free and open to the public.

A number of community organizations and local companies have already signed on to show their support for and participation in the event, including the Edgehill Village Neighborhood Association,Belmont-Hillsboro Neighborhood Association, Edgehill Family Resource Center, District 17 Council member Colby Sledge, District 18 Council member Burkley Allen, District 19 Council member Freddie O’Connell, Watson Grove Baptist Church, Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Second Missionary Baptist Church, Edgehill United Methodist Church, Lee Company, FASTSIGNS 110, R.C. Mathews,Enterprise Electric LLC, Elder Building Supply, American Paper & Twine, Music City Processing, Kirby Sanitary Supply, Republic Services, Neal’s Electric Supply and McCarthy Jones & Woodard.

Through a partnership with Shred-It, documents will be securely destroyed onsite with a mobile shredding vehicle, ensuring secure, confidential disposal of sensitive information. Staples, rubber bands, folders and paper clips do not need to be removed before shredding occurs.

Shred-It helps customers comply with the law and fight identity theft by destroying all of the following:

• Invoices
• Bank Statements
• Canceled Checks
• Profit and Loss Statements
• Leases
• Capital Stock Ledgers
• Patent and Related Data
• Computer Printouts
• Market Research Studies
• Customer Lists
• Sales Figures
• Sealed Bids
• Strategies
• Balance Sheets
• Reconciliations
• Audit Reports
• Monthly Trial Balances
• Claims and Litigation Records
• Timecards
• New Product Designs
• Credit Reports and Applications
• Marketing/Advertising Plans
• Medical Records
• Micro Media
• Draft Copies of Letters
• Drug Screens
• Cash Books
• Financial Statements
• Correspondence
• Tax Returns
• Trademark Information
• Complaints
• Blueprints
• Inaccurate Sales Literature
• Contracts
• R & D Information
• Personnel Records
• Memos and Legal Briefs
• Technical Data
• Insurance Records
• Sign In/Registration Forms
• Credit Card Receipts
• And more

McAnally Hired to Teach English at Zhengzhou University

Staff Writer
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Eric McAnallyBelmont 2015 alumnus Eric McAnally recently moved to China to teach advanced writing, oral communication and movie appreciation to third-year English majors and postgraduate non-English majors at Zhengzhou University. McAnally earned his Bachelors in Psychology and Chinese, and Asian Studies professors Dr. Qingjun (Joan) Li and Dr. Ronnie Littlejohn helped him secure a one-year teaching contract at Belmont’s host institution.

McAnally says teaching is a challenge he is aggressively tackling. “I had been planning on coming here to China for a while, but I wasn’t sure how. Teaching English seemed to be the ideal choice to make that happen. It was a long shot, but it has happened,” he said. “I encourage everybody to follow their dreams because they can definitely come true. It was a challenge transitioning from being a student for my entire life and then becoming a teacher (though, I am still a student and learner as I am teaching). It’s a beautiful and mind-expanding phenomenon to be a part of. I’m fortunate to be able to engage with the various dynamics of learning and education.”

While at Belmont, McAnally traveled to China with a study abroad program, visiting many places including Beijing, Xi’an, Zhengzhou and Dunhuang. Each place produced memories that McAnally says he will never forget and will forever appreciate. “These memories helped fuel the drive to come back,” he said.

McAnally said his three years studying Chinese in America with professors like Littlejohn, Dr. Li and Dr. Pete Giordano (psychology) prepared him well for his current position. He said the Zhengzhou faculty and students have shown him great kindness and are very helpful and well organized. The program began with introduction classes, so McAnally has spent time getting to know the students and observing their writing and communication skills. For some of them, it is their first time having a foreign teacher or even speaking to a foreigner, in general.

McAnally said he owes much of his success to the opportunities Belmont afforded him. “Belmont has given me many experiences and connections. I was able to leave the country and travel the world for the first time because of Belmont. I have found myself in part because of Belmont. Most importantly, I’ve been enabled to further my education because of Belmont,” he said.

Once his teaching contract is over, McAnally hopes to advance his career in psychology, earning a PhD in industrial organizational psychology within the next five to 10 years. And because he has recently developed a passion for traveling, he hopes to work in the field on an international stage.

Moving to China to teach right after graduation has provided McAnally with a global perspective he would encourage all students to develop. “Do not fear the unknown. Embrace it. One will be able to understand the self and others in a far more metaphysical and humanitarian manner. We are not alone in this world. Take risks. Make mistakes. Learn from them,” he said. “This is why I think my story should be told. I come from an impoverished and broken home. If I can follow my dreams and make rational decisions to get there, I know everybody else can, too. Find a way to be granted the opportunity. You are in control of your life.”

Alumna Co-Authors Book ‘Joined at the Heart’

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Erin HuttingerJoined at the Heart: A Story Of Love, Guitars, Resilience and Marigolds chronicles the lives of 1984 alumna Erin Morris Huttlinger and her husband Pete, through the successes, hardships and victories experienced from careers in the music industry. The book will be released October 10.

Pete Huttlinger is an award-winning guitarist whose resume includes touring with John Denver, opening for Hall and Oates and LeAnn Rimes, and playing Carnegie Hall and Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival three times each. However, Pete has also faced a long battle with a congenitally damaged heart. A release about the upcoming book launch said, “That Pete still plays like a champion—and still tours—is principally attributable to three factors: his unflagging spirit, dramatic advances in heart-assistance technology and the Olympian support of his wife, Erin, who simply will not let him doubt his own resilience, succumb to despair or stop working.”

Erin Morris Huttlinger is a veteran publicist and artist-development specialist. At RCA Records, she enhanced and spotlighted the careers of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Alabama, Waylon Jennings, The Judds, Roy Rogers and Keith Whitley, among others. As an independent publicist, she has helmed publicity campaigns for such stars as Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes, Ralph Stanley, Martina McBride, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner and The Time Jumpers.

Joined at the Heart is structured around two catastrophic medical events in Pete’s life. The story is told by Pete and Erin from alternating perspectives, with an introduction written by John Oates of Hall & Oates. Purchase of the book includes a free MP3 download of one of Pete’s original tunes, “Things Are Looking Up.” Pete and Erin also make speaking appearances titled “Things are Looking Up” that chronicle their triumphs over Pete’s medical problems to enable him to continue performing.

The couple’s daughter, Sean Della Croce, will graduate from Belmont this December.

Dr. David Rudd Shares Expertise on Serving Student Veterans

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Dr. David Rudd Shares Expertise on Serving Student Veterans

President of the University of Memphis and Co-Founder and Scientific Director of the National Center for Veteran Studies Dr. David Rudd shared his expertise with faculty and staff on September 21 to build understanding and capacity for serving student veterans (the complete talk can be viewed on the YouTube video below).

In his presentation, “Soldier to Student,” Rudd shared the seven core Army values that do not simply vanish when soldiers become veterans. These values are what shape soldiers’ identities and roles in the world, narrowing the margins of identifying personal success and failure. This “warrior mentality” carries forward into their lives, and with it, veterans often sustain a feeling of invincibility and a belonging to a cause bigger than themselves.

Although this mentality remains, transitioning veterans will ask of a new situation, “Do I belong here?” The job of collegiate faculty and staff is helping answer that question. Rudd shared startling statistics revealing disconnectedness is far larger than many may realize. Faulty messaging to the veterans has not helped.

Rudd said the answer in reaching this audience is simply asking them which messaging works. He recommended focus groups to collect these opinions. Studies have found that human interaction is the number one thing that helps people reconnect. When students feel like they belong, they will stay.

Belmont Releases 125th Anniversary History Book

Hope Buckner
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Belmont Releases 125th Anniversary History Book

In honor of Belmont’s 125th anniversary celebration this year, author and Belmont Adjunct Joy Jordan-Lake has released From Here to Anywhere: Belmont University 1890-2015, a history book chronicling Belmont’s story from the initial founding of Belmont College for Young Women in 1890. The book is available for order now on the Belmont 125 website.

An internal team, made up of a number of University employees, was charged with detailing Belmont’s rich history through the creation of a book. Looking for an author to build upon research that had already been collected, Jordan-Lake said she was approached to continue “looking for the threads of the overarching story.”

To begin, Jordan-Lake met with the committee, Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher and many Belmont community members including professors, alumni, deans, donors, supporters and coaches. “Each person came with his or her own stories – sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking,” she said. “All were perspectives on what made Belmont special.”

BookCoverThough the stories were diverse and representative of Belmont through the ages, Jordan-Lake said she quickly came to notice one common idea – interviewees were quick to give credit to others. As stories unfolded and successes were described, other folks were highlighted as those who deserved the attention. “It became something I came to think of as a Belmont distinctive – generosity of spirit,” Jordan-Lake said.

When reminiscing about the best parts of the experience, Jordan-Lake turns to her memories as a Belmont community member. Describing the process as a privilege, Jordan-Lake said her time learning more about the Belmont story has built an all-new appreciation for the institution. “Now, what used to be just names etched up high on buildings have become faces and remarkable stories of hard work and creativity and perseverance in the face of almost certain failure.”

Stories of moral courage, empty coffers and efforts to rebuild make up Belmont’s larger story. For Jordan-Lake, this is a story of courage, belief and vision – a story that should be told. “It made me appreciate that the sleek, gorgeous Belmont University we see today is the product of thousands—hundreds of thousands—of individual acts of tremendous sacrifice, courage, perseverance and vision.”

With a book signing scheduled for October 1 in Belmont’s Foutch Alumni House, Jordan-Lake said she looks forward to the event serving as a celebration of the University’s history and the people who have made it.

“The Belmont history is quite a story—not because of the way it’s written or arranged on the page, but because of the people who’ve lived it,” Jordan-Lake said. “I’m just grateful to have been a part of the team of people who helped preserve the story.”

Alumna Alysa Vanderheym Signs with Major Bob Music

Staff Writer
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Alumna Alysa Vanderheym Signs with Major Bob Music

Songwriting alumna Alysa Vanderheym recently signed an exclusive, worldwide songwriting deal with Major Bob Music.

Of her new position, Vanderheym said, “I am incredibly blessed to be apart of the Major Bob family. Jesse Frasure is one of the most well-respected and innovative producers in this town, and I am honored to learn from and build my brand alongside him. I signed at the beginning of this month and already have already gotten to write with some incredible songwriters.”

Alysa Vanderheym 2Vanderheym’s first Major Bob write was with Cary Barlowe and Josh Thompson, and that song is already on hold. Frasure asked her to remix his hit, “Crash & Burn,” for Thomas Rhett’s album release party just last week.

With a few accomplishments already under her belt, Vanderheym is excited for her future with Major Bob. “My publisher, Tina Crawford, is incredible and has such a good ear and great taste in music. My focus for the next couple years will be on developing my sound as a producer, and simply writing those outstanding songs that come from a genuine place,” she said.

Vanderheym says she owes a lot of her opportunities to her time in Belmont’s songwriting program. “Belmont has been so crucial for my launch. I graduated in December of 2014 and immediately bought pro tools and learned how to make tracks for six months, knowing I needed something to set myself apart and make myself valuable as a writer,” she said.

“Drew Ramsey in the songwriting department, in particular, has been great about giving advice like that. My internships, going to shows and developing and deepening relationships with publishers and other industry folks has really been the foundation of the opportunities I have now.”

Read more on the story on Music Row.

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