Mass communications student Libby Oellerich has become a blogger for The Huffington Post. Oellerich’s blog, called The Local Lady, supports small businesses and local artisans in Nashville by sharing their stories. The idea for the blog originated from a class project Oellerich completed for Dr. Sybril Bennett, professor of journalism, where students had to design a mobile app that also involved developing a blog. The blog’s slogan is “Embracing Authenticity and One-of-a-kind Legacies,” and Oellerich’s goal is to develop strong relationships with the businesses she highlights so that the blog’s followers are in the know about local homegrown products. With the encouragement of Bennett, Oellerich contacted Arianna Huffington about her blog, from which Huffington put Oellerich in touch with her blog editor. The Local Lady blog appears in the Huffington College and Huffington Small Business sections. Click here to read Oellerich’s most recent article.
Mass Communication Student Blogs for Huffington Post
University-Wide Box Drive to Bring Hope to Orphans
A small shoe box gave a Russian orphan hope and desire for more than the life she was living, and now Belmont has begun an initiative to bring that great joy to hundreds more children.
Forsaken by her prostitute mother and alcoholic father, Oksana Nelson became an orphan at age seven. Although she no longer had to steal food or spend nights on the street, she recalled the orphanage as a “difficult and challenging place.” There she shared one toilet, one sink, one bar of soap and one toothbrush with more than two dozen other children.
“Many other orphans who aged out of the system at 16 turned to drugs and prostitution to survive,” said Nelson, a spokeswoman for Operation Christmas Child, who shared her story during chapel in early October to kick off a University-wide service project. “We saw that and thought it was the path for our lives. You see, we were taught that we were the bottom of society and that we would never amount to anything. You were an orphan because you were an inconvenience, a nuisance; you were just in the way and not supposed to happen.”
At age nine, missionaries came to her orphanage, played games with the children and shared the Gospel.
Paisley to Receive Harmony Award from Symphony
Country artist and Belmont alumnus Brad Paisley will receive the 2013 Harmony Award at the 29th annual Symphony Ball. The award will be presented on Sat., Dec. 14, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where Paisley will join the orchestra to perform one of his hits.
Each December, at its annual Symphony Ball fundraiser, the Nashville Symphony presents the Harmony Award to an individual who exemplifies the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s thriving musical community. “As one of country music’s biggest stars, Brad has made a huge impact by staying true to his artistic and personal vision,” says Alan Valentine, CEO and president of the Nashville Symphony. “We can’t think of anyone today more deserving of this award, which over the years has honored the many artists who’ve helped make Nashville the thriving creative capital that it is today. Without a doubt, Brad’s talents and contribution to the music of Nashville have been outstanding.”
A 1995 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Paisley majored in music business at what was then the Mike Curb School of Music Business. Last year he established the Brad Paisley Endowed Scholarship at Belmont to provide financial assistance for a deserving student with demonstrated need who is studying in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.
Belmont Production Voted Best by Nashville Scene
This year’s “Best of Nashville” issue from the Nashville Scene released on Thursday, and Belmont’s musical theatre students, faculty and staff received special recognition for their work on last spring’s production of Les Miserables. Writer Martin Brady noted, “University faculty joined with some imported professional talent to mount the project, and a gifted ensemble of performers from the school’s excellent music and theater programs infused the staging with presence and wonderful voices.”
Dr. Jeffery Burgin Appointed Associate Provost and Dean of Students
Current Alabama A&M vice president to lead student affairs division
Following an extensive nationwide search, Belmont University announced today that Dr. Jeffery Burgin, current vice president for student affairs at Alabama A&M University, is being named associate provost and dean of students, effective Dec 1.
In his new position at Belmont, Burgin will serve as the chief student affairs officer for the University, exercising broad oversight of the University’s student affairs programs and operations. He will be responsible for fostering the building of community among students and between student groups while empowering the staff and students in the Division of Student Affairs to be effective educators and leaders for student success.
Belmont Provost Dr. Thomas Burns said, “Dr. Burgin is a student-centered leader with a history of fostering a positive, engaging, supportive student environment on the campuses he has served. We are extremely excited to welcome such a successful leader to the Belmont community.”
Burgin noted, “I am deeply indebted to Alabama A & M University for the opportunities provided to me and my family. I am ecstatic about new opportunities at Belmont University and working with Dr. Burns. The warmth from students, faculty, staff and administration I felt during my visit was a selling point for me. I look forward to many collaborative efforts as we assist in the academic and social development of our students. I would also like to commend Dr. Becky Spurlock and the student affairs staff for the excellent work they have done during this transitional period. I know there will be many future successes.”
Missionaries Share Stories ‘Through the Eyes of Others’
Christian missionaries Keren Madora and Kristene Diggins spoke to students about their lives of service working among the Piraha tribe in the Amazon on Thursday night in the Curb Event Center at the 2013-2014 First Year Seminar convocation. Sponsored by the Office of General Education and Student Government Association, this event addressed the university theme of “Through the Eyes of Others.”
Diggins is the daughter of Madora and Dan Everett, the author of FYS common book, “Don’t Sleep, There Are Snakes.” They lived the experiences written about in the book. Madora has worked with the Piraha for more than three decades. Diggins, who grew up as a child with the Piraha, is now a nurse who provides a clinic for the Piraha and other indigenous tribes in the Amazon.
Madora spoke about her experience learning the language of the Piraha. She related her studies to those of the students at Belmont. “[God] is the author of all truth. Whatever we are called to do, we should seek his face. Make prayer a major component of your learning,” Madora said.
Diggins shared with students her experience growing up alongside the Piraha. She spoke of the importance of discovering one’s purpose in life, quoting from John 10:10, “I have come that you may have life.” She explained that God guides us to discover our purpose.
The event concluded with a Q&A with students moderated by Belmont sophomore Jeanette Morelan.
The General Education program at Belmont University fosters the skills, knowledge, perspectives, values and dispositions that will enable students to apply their understandings and abilities beyond the classroom, encouraging them to become responsibly engaged in their community and in the world.
New Equestrian Club Brings Ribbons Home to Belmont
During their first Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition in Sewanee, Tenn., the Belmont Equestrian Club faced well-established university teams from Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas and returned to campus with seven ribbons, including one first place.
Sophomore Sarah Allison Harpole earned first place in Beginner Walk Trot Canter, and every team member competing placed in each of her classes.
“It’s been an incredible experience. The girls are fantastic. We really are a team and that showed well at the competition this past weekend. We all pitched in and helped each other,” said Harpole, who is from Paducah, Ky.
Together with six other Belmont students, Harpole practices for three hours each Saturday 30 minutes south of campus at Hunters Court Stables under the direction of Assistant Trainer Amy Rippel.
Trailblazer of Southern Politics Gov. Winfield Dunn Speaks to Belmont Students
Former Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn shared his experiences with Belmont students as part of a convocation lecture on Wednesday. Students learned how throughout Dunn’s adult life his over-riding business and professional interests centered on healthcare. He was also very involved in the growth and development of the Tennessee Republican Party, first in Memphis and later throughout the state, and has remained active in the political life of Tennessee for more than 50 years.
Dunn was governor of Tennessee from 1971 to 1975 .He was the state’s first Republican chief executive in fifty years, and he was only one of six Republican governors since the Civil War.
His accomplishments as governor were numerous. In addition to his successful efforts in reorganizing Tennessee’s executive branch, Dunn created the Department of Economic and Community Development. Also during his tenure, highway construction boomed and state employees received much needed pay raises.
Perhaps most noteworthy is that his accomplishments occurred in the context of a divided government. Dunn worked productively with a Democratic-controlled General Assembly, and extended state appointments to members of both parties. Forty years later, his administration offers political observers a model of cooperation, moderation and legislative achievement.
The convocation was made possible through support of Richard Treadway, chairman of Polaris Hospital Company and co-founder of Psychiatric Solutions Inc. Treadway a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the Massey School of Business at Belmont University and is a distinguished member of Belmont’s McWhorter Society.
Blind Golfer Encourages Students to Overcome Challenges
Four-time National Blind Golf Champion David Meador recently spoke to 300 students to kick off the Belmont and Beyond programs. Meador talked about Broken Eyes, Unbroken Spirit, his book about overcoming challenges.
He lost his sight when he was an 18-year-old freshman in college. On Christmas Eve, Meador was a passenger in his friend’s car when a wreck occurred. It was the turning point in his life, he said.
He said losing his sight changed his life forever. He showed his great sense of humor and shared several personal stories. Meador said the greatest lessons blindness taught him are to let go of options that are not really important, focus on what is important and let go of fear. Meador told students to focus on their purpose.
He closed with a video about the Junior Blind Golf Association.
Textbook Authors Educate Students on Ethical Leadership
Drs. O.C. and Linda Ferrell spoke to students about the vital role that ethical leadership plays in one’s career success on Wednesday in Massey Boardroom in a convocation event sponsored by the Belmont University Edward C. Kennedy Center for Business Ethics.
“Good business is good ethics. Good ethics is good business,” O.C. Ferrell said. “Your success depends on your character and your confidence in ethical practices.”
Ferrell asked the audience to reflect on the biggest challenges in the ethics arena and how to assure the maintenance of personal ethical standards.
“Strong ethics and social responsibility leads employees to be motivated to serve customers, committed to the firm, committed to high quality standards, satisfied with their jobs and have a higher organizational performance,” Linda Ferrell noted.
The Ferrells are distinguished professors of business ethics at the University of New Mexico. They have co-authored over 20 books and more than 100 articles in major journals and publications including the business ethics textbook used at Belmont. In the academic environment, they are considered the foremost authorities on ethical decision-making, stakeholder relationships and social responsibility in the world of business.
The Center for Business Ethics seeks to bring people together in the discussion of business ethics, help empower business leaders to face the current crisis in business ethics and educate ethical business leaders for a better society.
