Director of Service-Learning Tim Stewart presented at a workshop for the faculty of the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. on March 12. The presentation was organized by Tennessee Campus Compact, who invited Stewart to be one of three presenters on integrating service-learning into the college’s programs. Other presenters included Mani Hull, director of Tennessee Campus Compact, and Shannon Hoffman, community service coordinator at Rhodes College.
Belmont Service-Learning Director Shares with Faculty at Southern College of Optometry
Brandt Presents at Conference on Volunteerism, Service-Learning
Belmont senior Nicole Brandt presented an interactive workshop about her organization at the Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning held in Franklin, Tenn. on March 10-11. She is founder of the non-profit organization Poverty and the Arts, an organization that strives to break down class lines and empower the homeless community through the arts, Participants experienced the process of group art creation similar to what Poverty and the Arts does with college students and the homeless who come together at Room In The Inn to draw, paint, sculpt, compose poetry and music and create drama. Brandt shared examples of work that had been created and presented ideas on how others could create similar projects in their communities. She has also been recognized for her efforts by being nominated for the Volunteer Innovator award category of the Mary Catherine Strobel Awards sponsored by Hands On Nashville.
Belmont Alumnus Publishes Web Programming Book
Belmont alumnus Nicholas Williams is the newly published author of “Professional Java for Web Applications,” a comprehensive guide to the creation of Java web applications for the enterprise. Wrox, a division of John Wiley and Sons featuring books “written for programmers by programmers,” released the 936-page volume this month. Williams extends gratitude to three of his Belmont professors in his dedication page of the book. Specifically mentioned are Dr. Bill Hooper, Dr. Sarah Ann Fleming and Dr. Joyce Crowell, all from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
The guide shows Java software developers and software engineers how to build complex web applications in an enterprise environment. It begins with an introduction to the Java Enterprise Edition and the basic web application, then shows the reader how to set up a development application server environment. Readers learn about the tools used in the development process, and explore numerous Java technologies and practices. The book covers industry-standard tools and technologies, specific technologies, and underlying programming concepts. This includes the latest versions of many frameworks, such as Java SE 8, Java EE 7, Spring Framework 4.0 and Spring Security 3.2.
Williams, a 2009 graduate of Belmont, was a double-major in computer science and audio engineering technology. At Belmont, in addition to his studies, he managed to be active in Student Government and worked almost full-time. In 2010 he was selected “Programmer of the Year” by the Nashville Technology Council. He works as a Software Engineer for UL Workplace Health and Safety, a division of Underwriters’ Laboratories. He and his wife Allison Pellicciotti, also a Belmont alumna, live in Nashville, Tenn.
Biles Serves as Guest Co-Editor
Dr. Danny Biles, professor of mathematics and computer science, along with Marcia Federson of the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and Rodrigo Lopez Pouso of the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, served as guest co-editors of a Special Issue of the journal Abstract and Applied Analysis released this year. The issue was entitled “Generalized Differential and Integral Equations” and collected some of the most recent research dealing with topics such as differential inclusions, stochastic equations, fractional equations, discontinuous equations, singular equations, functional equations, fuzzy equations, impulsive equations, dynamic equations on time scales, generalized integration with applications to differential equations, over determined boundary conditions and generalized notions of solutions. Abstract and Applied Analysis is a mathematical journal devoted exclusively to the publication of high-quality research papers in the fields of abstract and applied analysis.
Bruins Fans to ‘Tailgate at the Tower’ Before Home Tournament Game
The Belmont Bruins defeated the Green Bay Phoenix Tuesday night in the NIT Postseason Tournament first round, setting up Belmont’s first-ever NCAA era postseason home game in the Curb Event Center. The “Crash the Curb” match up versus Robert Morris will occur tonight, March 21, at 8:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live nationally on ESPNU and available on the WatchESPN app.
Bruins’ fans are invited to the Belltower amphitheatre before the game for a special “Tailgate at the Tower” event. Free food, games, music and televised March Madness will all be set up to entertain the crowd before the game. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m., with food arriving at 6:30.
A Bruin supporter is covering the cost for all Belmont student tickets–students simply bring their BUid to have scanned at the second floor Beaman entrance to the Curb Event Center for free access to the game. That entrance will open at 7:15 p.m., 15 minutes prior to general doors.
Faculty, staff, alumni and other Bruins fans may click here to purchase tickets for $10 each.
In order to expedite entrance into the arena, fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets online and print them at home or purchase their tickets at the Curb Event Center box office, which is open from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Doors open for ticket holders at 7:30 p.m.
University Ministries Sponsors 2014 Immersion Trips
Approximately 80 Belmont students, faculty and staff traveled across the world last week as part of Immersion 2014, Belmont’s Spring Break mission trip program sponsored by University Ministries. Every Immersion trip gives participants a chance to be immersed in local culture and in the cares and concerns of local communities while also providing an intense exposure to what God is doing all over the world.
This year groups traveled to diverse locations all over the world, exploring immigration and border issues in Las Cruces, examining creation in Cumberland Island, Ga., engaging in servant leadership in D.C. and working in the inner cities of New York and Guatemala, among other excursions. To see blog entries from the immersion trips, click here.
“My experience with Belmont’s Immersion program was the best spring break choice I’ve ever made. I was able to gain a new perspective on poverty and homelessness, problems so many Americans face every day. I created meaningful relationships with other students and was able to experience a different side of Washington, D.C. than most tourists ever see,” senior Emily Cox said about her trip to D.C.
Each of these trips had its own theme and unique contexts, but shared prayer as a commonality. Each team used the same prayer guide daily to lead and inspire them through their missions.
University Ministries’ Director of Outreach Micah Weedman said, “Immersion trips are a powerful opportunity for our students, faculty and staff to immerse themselves in God’s love for God’s world—the people and the places—and to find themselves in God’s love by proclaiming it in service, learning and reflection.”
Men’s, Women’s Basketball Prepare for Post-Season Play
NIT Tournament Game May Be Played on Belmont’s Campus
Despite tough losses in OVC Championship games, both of the Belmont basketball teams earned postseason automatic bids.
The men’s basketball team dropped a 79-73 decision to Eastern Kentucky in the 2014 OVC Championship game Saturday night. The Bruins, fresh off a historic fifth consecutive regular season conference championship, has positioned itself to host a first round game in the upcoming Postseason NIT. This opportunity may afford Bruin fans the rare opportunity of witnessing postseason play in the Curb Event Center.
NIT first round games will take place either Tues., March 18 or Wed., March 19, with times to be determined this weekend. The NIT Selection Show will air Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU and the WatchESPN app. Should Belmont be selected to host its first round game, tickets will go on sale online at www.belmontbruins.com on Sunday night at 8 p.m. CT. The Curb Event Center box office will open for ticket sales during the hours of 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 17. Click here for more information on the NIT Tournament.
Meanwhile, the women’s team awaits seeding late Monday night for the 2014 Postseason WNIT, marking the Bruins first postseason berth since 2007. The Bruins, in their first year under head coach Cameron Newbauer, returned to the OVC Tournament for a second consecutive season. After earning a double-bye with a No. 2 seed, BU defeated No. 6 Jacksonville State, 65-50, to advance to the OVC conference finals for the first time. Belmont was held off by eventual champion UT Martin, who held the No. 1 seed.
The 64-team WNIT tournament will open with first-round games Wednesday through Friday, March 19-21. The announcement of the 64-field WNIT will occur late Monday night on the WNIT’s website, womensnit.com. Click here for more information on the WNIT tournament.
Founding Dean Named for Belmont’s New College of Sciences and Mathematics
Loyola University Vice-Provost Dr. Thom Spence to join Belmont
Dr. Thom Spence has been named as the founding dean of Belmont University’s new College of Sciences and Mathematics. Spence currently serves as the vice-provost for institutional effectiveness, assessment and student success at Loyola University (New Orleans, La.), where he has been a faculty member since 1999. Spence will begin his new position on Belmont’s campus July 1.
Currently, Belmont’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is the University’s largest college with 130 full-time faculty members and 15 academic departments within four schools. Due to extensive growth as well as recognition of the complexity of the College, Belmont will create two colleges out of the former CAS. Spence will lead the new College of Sciences and Mathematics (CSM), which will include undergraduate majors in the biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science and psychological sciences fields. CSM will be housed in the new Wedgewood Academic Center that is under construction at the corner of Wedgewood and 15th Avenues and is scheduled to open this fall.
Belmont Provost Dr. Thomas Burns said, “Belmont’s focus on developing extraordinary academic programs provides the backdrop for the creation of two colleges from our current College of Arts and Sciences. This new organizational structure will allow all of the programs in the College of Arts and Sciences opportunities for increased prominence and student focus. I am extremely pleased to announce Dr. Spence—a leader who is committed to student and faculty development, undergraduate research and community engagement—as the founding dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Dr. Spence’s hiring not only brings an accomplished scientist to our campus, but his appointment allows Belmont to provide even greater focus on all of our science, technology and math programs as we work together to help prepare our graduates to engage and transform our world.”
Spence added, “I am very excited to be joining the College of Sciences and Mathematics at Belmont. This new college is poised to become a strong attractor for students interested in the STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] fields by offering excellent instruction in small classes with meaningful undergraduate research opportunities. I am grateful to be joining Belmont during this exciting time in its history.”
Smith Presents Paper at Philosophy Conference
Clancy Smith, instructor of philosophy, presented a paper titled “Radicalism, Pragmatism, and Critical Theory: A Peircean Response to Horkheimer’s Critique” at the annual meeting of the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy in Denver, Colo. on March 7 with respondent Dr. Lee McBride, chair of the philosophy department at the College of Wooster.
English Faculty Present at Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning
Dr. Jason Lovvorn, assistant professor of English, and Dr. Linda Holt, chair and associate professor of English, conducted an interactive workshop at the Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning, held in Franklin, Tenn., March 10-11. The title of their workshop was “From Service to Story: How Service-Learning Improves Student Writing.” Drawing on their experiences as service-learning practitioners and as writing instructors, Lovvorn and Holt helped workshop attendees explore how service-learning practice benefits student writers on multiple levels.
