IMPORTANT NOTE: These are the archived stories for Belmont News & Achievements prior to June 26, 2023. To see current stories, click here.

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Belmont Breaks Ground on New Academic and Dining Services Complex

Paul Chenoweth
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Dining services partner Sodexo invests in project; Extensive campus growth contributes to University’s significant economic impact in Middle Tennessee

This afternoon Belmont University broke ground on a new academic and dining services complex that is anticipated to cost $55 million, bringing the University’s total investment in construction projects since 2003 to a staggering $442 million. In addition, campus dining services provider Sodexo announced today that the company is investing in the construction as part of their ongoing partnership with Belmont University.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Like all of our projects, this new complex is being designed to add to the quality of life and the improvement of learning for the entire Belmont community, especially our students. I’m proud that these additions to our physical campus also impact our local economy and culture, creating thousands of jobs right here in Nashville and further cementing our city’s reputation as the Athens of the South.”

The new dining services complex will be one part of a four-story 116,000-square-foot building, and it will provide a seating capacity that is 2.5 times larger than the current campus cafeteria. Beyond supporting the construction costs, Sodexo also announced today that it would provide 20 full meal plans at no cost to support the University’s “Bridges to Belmont” program that was officially launched at an event this morning.

In discussing Sodexo’s 20-years as Belmont’s dining services provider, Sodexo Senior Vice President Fred Formichella said, “From day one we’ve been considered a partner, not a vendor like what sometimes occurs at other campuses. [Belmont’s] vision and mission talk about excellence, and you really work to be the best at what you do. We at Sodexo get that, and we look forward to being your partner for many years to come.”

Belmont Vice President and Chief of Staff Dr. Susan West added, “Focus groups were conducted with students, faculty and staff to get their ideas about dining options and the overall aesthetics for this new facility. That information was compiled and shared with the parties responsible for the building’s design. I am proud to report that, due to those good efforts, our campus community will benefit greatly from improved dining services in this facility. Anyone with additional suggestions or input is welcome to contact me as this project begins to take shape.”

Classrooms and faculty/staff offices will comprise approximately 70 percent of the building. Several academic programs—including music business and media studies—have been invited to submit proposals for how occupying the new space could creatively enhance their efforts or provide opportunities for greater innovation within their units.

The new facility will also include the construction of a 1,000 space underground parking garage. With this addition, Belmont will have added a grand total of more than 4,800 new parking spaces to campus since 2003. Site preparation has begun, and blasting for the garage is scheduled to begin April 1. The complex, which is aiming for LEED certification, is expected to open for the fall semester of 2015.

In addition to this project, Belmont continues to invest in the physical campus to enhance the resources the institution can offer its growing student body. The University reached a record-breaking enrollment of 6,647 students last fall, more than double the counts from a mere decade ago.

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New Belmont Initiative Provides Full Scholarships, Educational Support to 25 Metro School Students

Paul Chenoweth
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Bridges to Belmont program immerses local students in summer program to foster academic success

Thanks to a new full scholarship program from Belmont University, 25 Metro Nashville high school seniors will receive the opportunity to attend college next year. The Bridges to Belmont program is designed to enroll high potential students from Metro Nashville Public Schools who may not have previously been able to consider Belmont as an option.

Belmont University President Bob Fisher said, “We believe every young person has potential for great success with the biggest challenge often being simply the absence of opportunity. This is Belmont’s attempt to step up and provide that opportunity to high potential students here in Nashville. Of all the projects we’ve undertaken in the past decade, I can’t think of any that make me more proud to be at Belmont.”

In addition to the full scholarships, the Bridges to Belmont program will focus on creating a learning and service environment to empower students’ personal passion to meet the needs of the world. Bridge students will live and work on campus the summer prior to enrollment while attending an intensive institute that will allow them to take full advantage of the opportunities the college environment will offer. Programming will focus on quantitative reasoning, writing, public speaking skills and research methods as well as on creating a community of learners. The summer immersion program also will include community service and social activities for participants.

The pilot Bridges to Belmont program is open to students from Maplewood and Stratford High Schools for the 2013-2014 academic year and eventually could expand to include other Metro Nashville Public Schools. The charter Bridge class members will be nominated by principals at each high school. Preferred candidates for the 25 available slots will be taking a college prep curriculum and feature strong recommendations regarding academic motivation and personal character. (Click here to view video highlights of Tuesday’s press conference.)

“The Bridges to Belmont program will be life-changing for the students selected,” said Metro Schools’ Director Dr. Jesse Register. “The opportunity to attend Belmont tuition-free, as well as participate in the summer transition program, is a tremendous example of how the community can and does support our schools and our students. Belmont is a great partner for Metro Schools, and today’s announcement is another example of how this partnership is bringing lasting benefits to individual students and our community. I want to thank President Fisher and everyone who has worked to make this program a reality.”

After state and federal grant assistance is applied, Belmont University will provide the remaining funds to ensure Bridge students have a full financial package to cover tuition, room, board and books.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to partner with Belmont University. Belmont has a rich heritage and is distinguished as an institution where service, compassion and courage are exemplified in their values. I truly believe that the academic design for this program is ‘forward thinking’ and will promote diversity as well as bridge the gap for first-generation college students across the city,” said Maplewood Comprehensive High School Principal Dr. Ron Woodard.

Stratford STEM Magnet High School Executive Principal Michael Steele added, “This gift, this amazing gift, is an opportunity of a lifetime for these students, and I am thrilled for our students. Belmont is an exceptional institution, and these students are being blessed. One day they will look back and thank God for this life changing gift.”

Bridges to Belmont is the result of a deliberate effort on the part of Belmont’s administration to engage inner-city students with the University. Belmont senior leaders along with University enrollment and academic officers have met with MNPS principals and admission counselors during the past several months to establish the foundations for the program. Bridges to Belmont also reflects a continuing effort to provide higher education to students in Davidson County as Belmont strives to be Nashville’s University. In 2007, Belmont established the E.S. Rose Park and Community Outreach Scholarships, and there are 11 current Belmont students—all from Davidson County—who are benefiting from those efforts.

Students Learn Japanese in Classroom, Community

Paul Chenoweth
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Ozaki’s students made sushi.

Adjunct faculty member Naoko Ozaki is gaining a reputation on campus and in the Nashville community for her techniques to teach Japanese to Belmont students. Their in-classroom experience includes games of charades, and on the weekends, students dine at local Japanese restaurants, make sushi and volunteer at local Japanese festivals.

“I believe in the grammar translation method of education: study grammar, read and write, in combination with communicative approach,” said Ozaki, who also advocates for cultural immersion and has created a micro environment for her students to interact with people whose first language is Japanese. All of Ozaki’s students interact each week with Japanese immigrants she met at the Nashville Cultural Festival. Ozaki gives guidelines on which grammar patterns to use and during the hour-long session, they split their time equally conversing in Japanese and English to help each other develop language skills and with culture nuances.

“(Students) are happy with the fact they go to the store and can read the words on products and recognize words when they watch Japanese movies. They have learned 400 characters and can converse at limited capacity but can ask questions and put together simple sentences,” said Ozaki, adding that she strives to build a sense of unity and sense of belonging in Belmont’s Japanese program.

The classes performed this past Saturday at the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival in the Public Square.

“She said she wanted to start a choir, and our class was like, ‘yeah, OK.’ Then she told us she got us a gig. It was a little surprising for us as a class, but fun,” said Cecilia Tregelles, a junior in the entertainment industry studies program.

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Foreign Language Faculty Present at Conference

Paul Chenoweth
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Dr. Cheryl Brown, Dr. Francesca Muccini and Dr. Regine Schwarzmeier, of the Department of Foreign Languages, gave a presentation on March 16 entitled “Connecting the Classroom to the Community: Language Learning in the Real World” at the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in Columbus, Ohio.

Kimmons Presents at AILACTE Conference

Paul Chenoweth
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Dr. Joy Kimmons, professor of education, presented a paper at the annual meeting of The Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education on Feb. 28, in Orlando, Fla.  The paper “Collaborations between a Private Liberal Arts Teacher Education Program and a Magnet High School to Enhance the Liberal Arts Perspective on the Common Core” examined the views of teachers and teacher candidates on curriculum reform and the potential impact it may have on the liberal arts perspective in future classrooms.

Kuryla to Present at American Popular Culture Association Conference

Paul Chenoweth
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Dr. Peter Kuryla, assistant professor of history, will present at the American Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., March 27-30. The presentation titled, “Dude Agonistes: The Big Lebowski, Frontier Individualism, and Civic Association in the Gloaming of American Empire, ” explores the Coen brothers’ cult classic film.

Law Student Earns Reporting Position at Intellectual Property Conference

Paul Chenoweth
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Second-year College of Law student Franklin Graves was selected as one of 12 law students from across the country to attend the 28th Annual ABA Intellectual Property Law Conference in Washington, D.C.  As part of the Third Annual Law Student Reporters Program, Graves will report live via social networks and blogs at each conference event on behalf of the American Bar Association’s Law Student Action Group.  The conference, taking place April 3 through 5 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, offers over 30 Continuing Legal Education sessions in addition to multiple networking events.  Click here to follow the action and interact with the speakers and attendees leading up to the conference.

Chmieleski Shares Thoughts, Personal Experience on Mentorship

Paul Chenoweth
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As his first semester of college drew to a close, Guy Chmieleski opened the spring course catalog and had an unexpected experience.

“I flipped right past the science classes and straight to the religion classes. As I sat down with that catalog, it was like God was in my dorm room. He was guiding me,” said Chmieleski, who originally planned to major in chemistry. That semester, he took a large number of religion courses. “In a moment of weakness, I forged the signature of my chemistry adviser. I was terrified of what they would say.”

What initially began as interest in religion became a career, and Belmont University Minister  Chmieleski has never looked back. He shared his personal experiences with faith and mentoring throughout college and discussed his new book Shaping Their Futures during a Wednesday convocation lecture.

Chmieleksi began by reading the parable of the sower from the book of Matthew. For him, the first seeds were planted in high school. However, it wasn’t until he reached college that the seeds began to grow. After changing his major, Chmieleski met a professor who would become one of the most influential people in his life.

“She blew up my world spiritually. She planted the seed in me,” he said emphasizing the importance she played as a mentor in his life.

She suggested Chmieleski consider working with college students. He took her advice and now shares her passion for mentorship.

“I sensed God making me available to college students,” he said.

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High School Students Job Shadow at College of Pharmacy

Paul Chenoweth
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Fourth-year pharmacy student Cortney Manning shows high school students how to fill a prescription.

Hillsboro High School students visited the College of Pharmacy March 20 as part of a job shadowing program designed to expose them to the pharmacy profession and expand student interest in the pharmaceutical field.

“Health care and pharmacy are changing now, and the industry wants to be prepared. PharmD is a terminal degree and a commitment. The high school age group is good to target because they will know whether this is for them or not,” said Assistant Professor Edgar S. Diaz-Cruz, who serves as an advisory board member for Hillsboro’s Global Health Academy. “High school students also can gain valuable experience as a certified technician, and we want to expose them to that. This was a chance for them to see our facilities and research labs and get to interact with our students and faculty.”

The job shadow day was made possible in part by the Walgreens Diversity Donation award, which aims to recruit minorities to the pharmaceutical field.

“I never thought about all the things pharmacists do, like working in labs and making medicine. It’s a broad field,” said Hillsboro junior Zacnite Vargas. She said she is now considering pharmacy in addition to her previous goal of pediatric medicine.

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Belmont Rock Outing Club Sends Two Students to National Competition

Paul Chenoweth
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Chris Clark climbing at the annual Nashville Collegiate Climbing Regional competition

Junior Chris Clark and sophomore Danny Hupp have both qualified for the National Collegiate Climbing Series competition.  In order to qualify, each had to place in 10 regional tournaments.  Both are members of the Belmont Rock Outing Club (B-ROC).

Hupp, a songwriting major, has been with the club for two years. He is the group’s safety coordinator and oversees outdoor climbing. Clark, an audio engineering technology major, serves as the group’s vice president. The two are leaders in the club beyond their titles. “We try to act as the coaches, too,” said Hupp.

The competition will take place from April 19-20 in Melbourne, Fla. In order to fund the trip, the two students have created a donation page. If they are able to raise enough money, they both intend to participate in the competition.

There will be more than just competition. The students will have an opportunity to attend a climbing clinic on one of the days. Last year, nationally recognized climber Daniel Woods spoke.

This is the second consecutive year that members of B-ROC have received an invitation to compete. Last year, alumnus Andrew Bellisle placed in the top 50 at the national competition.

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