Financial Officer for the Massey College of Business Susan Hopfensperger researched and wrote the biographies of six women living in Tennessee on or before 1850 that were included in the two-volume set of books “Legacies of Our Great Grandmothers – Early Tennessee Women,” soon to be released for sale. The year 1850 was chosen because that census was the first to list all women by name. Earlier censuses had listed only the head of household and included tick marks to indicate the age ranges of males and females.

Hopfensperger researched, wrote and submitted proof documents to record the lives of Adelicia Hayes Franklin Acklen Cheatham, her mother, Sarah Hightower Hayes, Sarah Lewis Pine Hardin McNeil, Josephine Thompson Bryan Hardin and Catherine Wheatley Saunders and her sister, Mary Wheatley Saunders. All of these women are ancestors of the General Francis Nash chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) members. Hopfensperger is an associate member of the chapter and serves as Volunteer Genealogist and chapter chair of the State Regent’s book project.

The books, a fundraiser for the DAR State Regent’s project, are priced at $130 per set.  More than 260 women are featured in approximately 1,300 pages. Each biographical sketch was verified and all proof documents were cited in footnotes. Funds raised will be used for patriotic, historic preservation and educational purposes.

Hopfensperger and other writers are scheduled to sign copies at the Tennessee DAR State Conference in April.

The Office of Campus Security (OCS) is transitioning its fleet of patrol vehicles from Ford Crown Vics to more fuel efficient and economical Ford Fusion Hybrids as part of the department’s commitment to Vision 2020. The lower fuel costs, in conjunction with decreased maintenance costs and improved resale value, are expected to result in significant savings and double fuel efficiency.

The newly designed markings, created by OCS in conjunction with University Marketing, feature the new uniform patch displaying the Belmont bell tower and help project a more visible, professional image for the officers.

“We wanted our vehicles to be clearly marked and readily distinguishable as both Belmont University and Campus Security to promote security on campus and to aid in promoting our mission of community policing: being a professional campus security organization  dedicated to providing service, support and response to the Belmont community,” said Chief of Campus Security Pat Cunningham.

The mid-sized Ford Fusions are smaller, lighter, more fuel and energy efficient, easier to maneuver and better suited to the campus environment, while still offering comfortable transport when providing escorts or assisting citizens. The Fusions also feature new LED light bars which provide increased visibility, particularly in low lighting and inclement weather, to alert motorists when security is directing traffic around an accident or road hazard.

Dean of the College of Law Judge Alberto Gonzales was recently featured in a story published in The Tennessean entitled, “Alberto Gonzales, Now at Belmont, Relives Bush Years.” Highlighting Gonzales’s background, career and upbringing, the story describes his years working as general counsel for then-Governor George Bush and then as his year’s as Attorney General.

To read the story, click here.

As a Ganette publication, USA Today also posted the story online.

Bennett also served as a judge for the national Scripps Howard Journalism Awards. The Scripps Howard Awards program offers 17 categories and $180,000 in prize money. The competitions recognize work across multiple platforms and category eligibility. What was once extended primarily to newspapers, now embraces television stations, networks, online media outlets and independent producers.The judging took place at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. Winners can be found here.