Belmont University has appointed Jill Robinson to the position of director of external relations and Executive Learning Networks for the College of Business Administration. Named the 2013 Young Leader of the Year by Young Leaders Council, Robinson has worked at Belmont since 2005, primarily in program oversight and marketing with the University’s Center for Executive Education (CEE). In her new role, she will secure and manage corporate and CEO relationships in the greater Nashville business community, resulting in both an expansion of Executive Learning Network and a coordinated outreach effort to all key business school relationships and partners.
Robinson will report directly to College of Business Administration (COBA) Dean Dr. J. Patrick Raines, who said, “Jill will continue her leadership of the Executive Learning Network program, fostering a community of learning among the executive members in Middle Tennessee. As dean, I’m excited to have her work alongside our team in the College of Business Administration to build more relationships with area businesses in our community.”
Robinson added, “I’m looking forward to this new opportunity to partner with more community and corporate organizations, meet with local businesses, hear their needs and identify ways to increase COBA’s service to Greater Nashville area.”
A graduate of Samford University (B.A. in Graphic Design) with an M.B.A and Master of Arts in Organizational Management from Trevecca University, Robinson offers more than 18 years of experience in leadership program management, community relations, volunteer management and organization partnerships. In addition to her work since 2007 with the Center for Executive Education, Robinson previously served for two years as Belmont University’s senior university events coordinator and worked six years at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in a variety of roles, including director of development.
During Homecoming week, brothers and Belmont School of Music alumni Dwan and Marcus Hill returned to campus to share music industry advice with students during chapel.
From its launch in 2009, Belmont’s College of Law has focused on the goal of graduating practice-ready attorneys who are prepared for today’s global legal market. With the College’s first commencement just three months away, Belmont Law showed again why it practices what it preaches… and teaches.
Provost Thomas Burns took part in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Tuesday in which Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander was honored with the “Twenty-First Annual NAICU Award for Advocacy of Independent Higher Education.” The ceremony took place during the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) Annual Meeting. The Senator provided a compelling speech on the need to simplify the Higher Education Act. He also stressed the need to make it easier for students to apply and learn about available student financial aid long before selecting a college or university to attend. Accompanying Dr. Burns at the presentation ceremony were Claude Presnell (TICUA), Ted Brown (Martin Methodist College), Jim Dawson (Lincoln Memorial University), John Smarrelli (Christian Brothers University), Marjorie Glick (Vanderbilt University), Randy Lowry (Lipscomb University) and John McCardell (Sewanee).
Vice President of Spiritual Development Todd Lake visited Colombia last week with Samaritan’s Purse to deliver 
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Dr. Sybril Bennett, professor of journalism, was the keynote speaker at the Sixth Annual Walter Murray Jr. Commons Lecture on Feb. 3 at Vanderbilt University. This lecture commemorates Walter Murray Jr., the first African-American member of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, and annually honors the contributions and lives of African-Americans in the Vanderbilt University community. The Walter Murray Lecture is sponsored Vanderbilt’s Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, the Black Student Alliance and the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center. 
Dr. Pete Kuryla, associate professor of history, has published a chapter in a book about the transatlantic dimensions of the thought and life of the American philosopher William James. The book, 