Mathematics and Computer Science department faculty Dr. Glenn Acree (Pathways director) and Dr. Danny Biles (Pathways program manager) recently took seven of the students from the Pathways Scholarship Program to Mammoth Cave National Park. The students were given a description and viewing of the instruments used to monitor and maintain the climate in the cave, received explanations of the geological features of the Mammoth Cave system and learned about the history and folklore regarding the cave. Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and is a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. It is the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored. Pathways is a scholarship and mentoring program for students in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, neuroscience and physics which was established by a National Science Foundation grant. The students attending were Angela Gaetano, Jack Streeter, Spencer Colling, Lee McGill, Josh Stark, Kathryn Hook and Emily Deas.
Pathways Scholars Visit Mammoth Cave
MSN Students Achieve 100 Percent First-Time Pass Rate
10 Years of Perfection for Nursing Graduates
For the tenth consecutive year, graduates of the Belmont University master’s program (MSN) for Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) have achieved a 100 percent first time pass rate on the nursing certification examination. The most recent class of 28 graduates all passed the exam on the first attempt this spring. Nationally, only 80 percent of new FNP graduates pass on the first attempt.
“This is a truly remarkable accomplishment,” said Dr. Martha Buckner, associate dean of nursing. “We are so proud of the sustained level of excellence by our students and faculty and for the leadership of program director and professor of nursing, Dr. Leslie Higgins.”
The School of Nursing began offering the Master of Science in Nursing 20 years ago, and the program has grown throughout the years to a record enrollment of 83 students this past fall. FNP graduates enjoy significant professional flexibility and marketability. Prepared to practice in a variety of settings, FNPs provide primary health care to families and individuals of all ages.
Three Faiths Work Together as Innkeepers for Homeless
On Wednesday evenings in the Sport Science building, Belmont University students and Nashville area volunteers created a modern day story of the Good Samaritan. In the Biblical parable, a man was beaten and robbed and his needs overlooked until a Samaritan bandaged him and took him to an inn.
“In this case we put him in a Kia or a Chevy and took him to a gymnasium,” said Belmont Vice President of Spiritual Development Todd Lake. “We found people in other religious communities who were willing to set the alarm clock early or miss time with family and friends to be here and help people who needed help.”
Room in the Inn is an organization that coordinates shelters for homeless people and offers them emergency services, transitional programs and long-term solutions to help people rebuild their lives. Belmont began hosting guests with Room in the Inn in 2011, becoming one of the only universities in the country to shelter homeless guests in on-campus facilities.
Two nights a week–Wednesdays and Fridays–from November to March Belmont students cook dinner for the homeless and fellowship with them before they turn in for the night on cots. Although they had the eagerness and willingness to serve, students often did not have transportation to get the homeless to campus this year, so students turned to members of other faiths in Nashville for help. The Islamic Center of Nashville and Congregation Sherith Israel sent volunteer drivers and chefs to work alongside students at a Christian university to aid the homeless.
During a recent informal celebration of the partnership’s success, Belmont Director of Outreach Micah Weedman said, “One thing all of our religious traditions share is a common commitment to hospitality, particularly to those on the margins of our society and those considered outsiders. One of the fundamental elements of Christian life is to welcome strangers so that they might be our friends. At a University where we strive to address issues like global poverty and homelessness, it’s important that we learn also to become friends and share meals with those we wish to serve, and with those we’re learning to serve with.”
“Thank you on behalf of Belmont students. People are always telling me how much this experience changed them,” said sophomore Jeanette Morelan. “Through Room in the Inn, we came to learn someone else’s perspective through dialogue. It’s been incredible to see how much students from the Belmont community wanted to give, and it pouring back into our loves. Thank you for facilitating that experience.”
Students Ride Across America ‘With A Reason’
While many college students spend the summer working, performing internships or continuing coursework, three Belmont students will cycle across the country to raise funds for orphans in Honduras.
“The idea of a 4,000-mile cross country bike ride was enticing but left us wanting more,” said JD Hartwig, of St. Louis, Mo. “Being on a bike four to six hours a day for seven weeks is a crazy ridiculous opportunity to bless other people.”
Hartwig, rising senior Brennon Mobley and rising junior James Richfield discovered they shared a common compassion for orphans and connected with 147 Million Orphans, a Middle Tennessee-based nonprofit organization that raises awareness for orphans and provides them with food, water and medication. They created Riding with a Reason to use the summer excursion to raise $50,000, enough to finance a school building in Mount Olivos, Honduras and fill it with basic supplies, desks, chairs, books and uniforms as well as secure teachers’ salaries. Together the students are underwriting the trip so that all of the money raised through their bike ride across the country supports the project.
On Monday, they left for Hondorus to visit the children they will impact, and on May 15, they will begin their seven-week journey from Oceanside, Oregon to Washington, D. C.
Students Raise Funds for Cure International through Concert
Students in Dr. David Herrera’s Concert Promotions class were assigned the task of executing a live event at a local venue and raised $2,000 for a donation to the Cure International, a charity that provides free medical care to countries in need. Mark Fuhrer, Daniel Jenkins, Stephanie Kopel, Kellie Longworth, Kendall McHenry and Geoffey Webb completed their project with a concert on April 13 at the Mercy Lounge with over 400 paying attendees. The show raised enough to cover all expenses plus the Cure International donation, which is covering the knee surgery of a 7-year-old Ethiopian boy. Students worked during the semester to book the talent through local agents, worked with managers, modified agreements/riders, executed a great promotion including radio buys, print adds and social media ad buys, then settled the event payout after box office closed with the venue. The show talent was The Vespers, Judah & the Lion and Shel.
Best Buddies Belmont Named Tennessee College Chapter of the Year
As student members of the Belmont chapter of Best Buddies were participating in a Friendship Walk at Bi-Centennial Mall to raise money for Best Buddies Tennessee on April 13, they learned they won Tennessee College Chapter of the Year.
“Winning best college chapter for the state of Tennessee was a surprise, but I believe a true reflection of the genuine hearts of the Belmont students that are members of Best Buddies,” said chapter President Kristin Hinkley, a senior studying public relations. “The students in our chapter really go above and beyond to include their buddies in their everyday life, integrating them with their friends and their weekend plans. Our members don’t do it to build their resumes or get community service hours, they do this because they truly believe in Best Buddies and how important it is to give a voice and a community to those who wouldn’t get either otherwise.”
Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies International opened a state office in Tennessee only a few years ago and has already established over 70 middle, high school and college chapters in the state. The Belmont chapter is four years old.
Taylore Griffin, program manager for Best Buddies Tennessee, said she nominated Belmont for the award because many of its buddies are live far from campus yet Belmont students always are willing to pick them up for events and continuously show dedication to service.
“This is a tremendous award and recognition of our student members of Best Buddies at Belmont. These students are truly engaging and transforming the world. Through the seemingly simple act of friendship, Best Buddy Belmont members are breaking down barriers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said chapter adviser Sally Barton-Arwood, associate professor of education. “I am humbled and inspired by their unwavering commitments to advocate for and create inclusive communities that recognize similarities and strengths instead of deficits and differences.”
The day the students won the award, members of Best Buddies Belmont and four buddies with intellectual disabilities attended a Judah and the Lion Four concert and were honored backstage and on stage.
Education Students Run Camp for Children with Down Syndrome
Belmont education students and Associate Professor of Education Sally Barton-Arwood concluded their Saturday morning Music Camp with the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee this month. Music, art, early childhood, elementary and middle school licensure students gathered with children with Down syndrome for a hands-on learning experience of building vocabulary. The Belmont students planned and ran the camp twice a semester in the Sport Science building.
“The children who return for each camp have something wonderful to look forward to. Families tell me how their children can’t stop smiling and clapping on the way to our camp. Families also get a few hours to do something on their own,” said Barton-Arwood. “I had a mother cry because she had not been able to spend time with her typically–developing daughter in five years since her son with autism and Down syndrome was born. In addition to totally changing their world view on individuals with disabilities, our students also gain experiences in communicating with parents and working through challenging behaviors of young children.”
The program was started to meet two needs: to give music education and early childhood students meaningful practicum experience; and also to provide weekend social time for children with Down syndrome.
‘Integrity in Sports’ Panel Discusses Hot Topics in Collegiate Athletics
The Edward C. Kennedy Center for Business Ethics and Belmont University Athletics welcomed NCAA Division I administrators to campus for a candid dialogue on student athlete compensation and the commercialization of college sports on Tuesday in the Maddox Grand Atrium.
Moderated by Belmont Athletics Director Michael Strickland, participants Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth DeBauche and former Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said they agreed that the NCAA business model needed a “radical change” to resolve its ethical issues and allow college and university athletics departments to be financially viable. However, Beebe argued that paying some student athletes would mean levying more student fees on their peers to provide funding.
Although some Division I colleges have multimillion dollar television deals and rising coaches’ salaries, many smaller universities do not operate profitable athletic departments on their own, DeBauche noted. In the OVC, much of the conferences’ profits return to its member institutions to pay their bills, and many of the 32 conferences are similar to the OVC, she said, adding that all conferences need to continue to meet Title IX requirements.
Belmont Continues ‘Read with Me’ Tradition with Family Literacy Day
Some 145 Belmont students read to Nashville children during the 14th Annual Family Literacy Day on April 12 at Rose Park. The event was designed to allow the Belmont community to partner with Nashvillians to encourage reading and literacy among elementary-age children and their families.
“It is a great privilege for Belmont to celebrate the great work that goes on all year long by joining with Metro Nashville Public Schools, the Nashville Public Library, Metro Parks, Book’em, PENCIL Foundation and Homework Hotline to provide Family Literacy Day to the community,” said Belmont Director of Service-Learning Tim Stewart. “We are grateful for the opportunities the community provides our students and view Family Literacy Day as a small but hopefully significant way to say ‘thank you.’”
During the free celebration on reading, children enjoyed interactive story times, crafts, face painting, games and refreshments. In reading circles, hosted by Belmont student organizations such as the foreign language majors, the children listened to students read aloud and earned stickers to trade in for prizes and books donated by Book’em.
In the weeks prior to the event, first through fourth-grade studen
ts were invited to submit 12 to 16-line poems about their favorite literature. From 118 entries, the Belmont English Club selected five finalists, and the top five poets worked with local professional songwriters Seth Alley, Sherrié Austin, Maddie Larkin, Bill McDermott and Will Rambeaux to set their poems to music. More than 5,000 votes were cast online in the poetry contest, and the winner was “The Girl Who Thinks She Can” by Arieanna Rushing, a fourth-grade student at Sylvan Park Elementary. Click here to listen to the winning song and the other finalists.
Belmont Alumni Release New Christian Album
Belmont alumni and acclaimed pop band MIKESCHAIR recently released its third studio project, All or Nothing (Curb Records), on April 1. The album is available at Family Christian Stores, as well as iTunes, Amazon and other digital retailers.
Produced by Matt Bronlewee (Plumb, Jars of Clay), All or Nothing cautious against lukewarm faith. The anthemic title track was the first song lead singer Mike Grayson wrote for the album, and it immediately became a creative foundation for the record.
“Throughout the span of the whole project, the goal is to inspire people to be sold out, to be on fire for God, to choose the ‘all’ side of the phrase ‘all or nothing,’” Grayson said. “It’s the first time where I actually wrote a song and then followed a theme throughout the whole process of writing the record… I feel like this is a season of challenging our fans to really take that step with us and say, ‘Hey! This is it! I’ve made a choice, and I want to see it through.’”
MIKESCHAIR made its major-label debut in 2009 and has garnered five Top 5 and three Top 10 radio singles and 12 GMA Dove Award nominations. All of its founding members met at Belmont University, and the band scored a coveted performance slot for Belmont’s Christian Music Showcase, which led to a record deal with Curb Records. The five-piece has toured with MercyMe, Newsboys, Lecrae, Matthew West, Brandon Heath and Big Daddy Weave, among others, and is now partnering with Aaron Shust for “The Morning Rises Tour.” MIKESCHAIR continues to maintain a heart for missions working alongside organizations and international relief agencies who provide for those in need.
