Belmont Professsor of Mathematics Danny Biles , Marcia Federson of University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and Rodrigo Lopez Pouso of University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain had a paper accepted for publication by the journal Abstract and Applied Analysis. The paper is titled “A Survey of Recent Results in the Generalizations of Ordinary Differential Equations.” 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. Emphasis is placed on important developments in classical analysis, linear and nonlinear functional analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations, optimization theory and control theory. The journal supports the publication of original material involving the complete solution of significant problems in the above disciplines. Abstract and Applied Analysis also encourages the publication of timely and thorough survey articles on current trends in the theory and applications of analysis.

WKRN news anchor Bob Mueller interviewed Dr. Nathan Griffith, chairman and associate professor of political science, on Jan. 12 for the weekly television show “This Week with Bob Mueller.” The talk show discusses the latest news and political headlines. Griffith provided analysis on forecasting what will be the top political stories for 2014 including midterm elections and The Affordable Health Care Act.

Dr. Qingjun (Joan) Li, assistant professor of Chinese and Asian Studies, presented at two conferences during the winter break. The first conference she attended was the 2014 Annual Hawaii University International Conferences on Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences held at Honolulu, Hawaii on Jan 4 through 6. She presented a paper entitled “Oriental Light Shining in Western Darkness: Thoreau’s Use of The Mengzi in Walden.” This paper has been published in the proceedings of the conference.

In addition, she also attended the 20^th National Conference of the Japan Studies Association, which was held at Tokai University, Hawaii on Jan. 2 through 4. At this conference, she made a presentation entitled “Family, Transformation, and Death in the Film Departures.” Li was also awarded a Faculty Travel Grant by the Japan Foundation and the Japan Studies Association as a junior professor who promotes and infuses the study of Japan into her teaching and research.

On Jan. 11, Belmont University College of Pharmacy hosted a certificate program for pharmacists entitled “Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services.” Developed by the American Pharmacists Association, the interactive training program explores the pharmacist’s role in providing medication therapy management services to patients. The program enhances pharmacists’ clinical expertise in evaluating complicated medication regimens, identifying medication-related problems and making recommendations to patients, caregivers and health care professionals. Pharmacists from Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky attended the one-day training session led by College of Pharmacy faculty members Dr. Traci Poole and Dr. Ashton Beggs.

Audio engineering technology full time adjunct Joe Baldridge received a Grammy nod for his work on Taylor Swift’s album “Red,” which is up for Album of the Year.

Instructor of Entertainment Industry Studies Sarita Stewart recently graduated from The University of Alabama with a Ph.D. in Mass Communication with a specialization in Entertainment Media and cohort in Statistics.  Her dissertation, “Artist-Fan Engagement Model: Implications for Music Consumption and the Music Industry,” was directed by her graduate studies dean and the media effects scholar, Dr. Shuhua Zhou.

Belmont Veteran Affairs Education Counselor Linda Mullins was recently selected to serve on Gov. Bill Haslam’s Veterans Education Task Force to evaluate how to best serve Tennessee’s veterans seeking a certificate or degree beyond high school.

Along with the other members of the task force, Mullins will be responsible for identifying common educational hurdles for transitioning veterans, researching best practices to serve student veterans and making recommendations on improving opportunities for veterans to earn a certificate beyond high school.

“Over the last several years, enrollment of veterans in Tennessee colleges and universities has more than doubled,” Haslam said. “While cost is often a barrier for many students to post-secondary education, that isn’t usually the case for veterans due to federal grants and other scholarship support.  We need to better understand what unique obstacles veterans face in completing their education, and work with them to overcome those obstacles and graduate.”

The committee will engage a variety of stakeholders including higher education leaders, veterans and advocacy groups and will present recommendations to the governor in June 2014.