Biology Assistant Professor John Niedzwiecki and six biology majors traveled to Clemson, S.C. during fall break to present their research at the 2012 Southeast Population Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics (SEPEEG) meeting, held at the Clemson University Outdoor Lab from October 12 to 14. The Belmont seniors attending were Parth Majmudar, Rachel Chandler, Amy Nesius, Janet Steen, Bellamy Hawkins and Breanna Poore. During the weekend the students attended talks by graduate students and faculty from universities across the southeast, and they presented their research in the poster session on Saturday night. SEPEEG brings together scientists from institutions in the Southeastern United States to discuss their research on ecology, population biology, evolution and genetics. This is the fifth consecutive year Belmont students have participated in the SEPEEG meeting.
Biology Students Present Research at Clemson
Pharmacy Students Assist Dispensary of Hope
Belmont pharmacy students recently assisted the Dispensary of Hope in sorting donated medications at their Nashville distribution center. The students are members of Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International, a worldwide ministry of individuals working in all areas of pharmaceutical service and practice to serve Christ and the world through pharmacy. Director of Experiential Education Mark Chirico is faculty adviser for the group. The students assisted Dispensary of Hope in providing close to $100,000 worth of prescription medication to uninsured individuals across the United States.
Physical Therapy Students Help Coordinate Race for the Cure
Physical therapy students from Belmont University helped coordinate Nashville’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Oct. 27. Over 100 student volunteers assisted with course set-up and take-down, served as course marshals throughout the course including the start/finish line, provided water at course stations and managed the crowd . The event drew over 26,000 participants and spectators. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is a nationwide effort to raise funds to help end breast cancer forever.
Physical Therapy Professor Michael Voight was co-chairman of this year’s race. Voight is a longtime supporter of the organization and for years has brought physical therapy students to help coordinate the annual race.
“I chose to support Komen because 75 percent of every dollar raised in the region stays in Middle Tennessee and provides grants to other area non‐profits. These local organizations are working on the front lines to battle breast cancer, educating all of us on the value of early detection and promoting awareness to low‐income and non‐insured individuals. To date Komen Greater Nashville has provided more than $3 million in screening, treatment and educational services to the women of Middle Tennessee,” he said.
Seigenthaler Begins College of Law Speaker Series
Award-winning journalist and First Amendment advocate John Seigenthaler began the College of Law Speaker Series by leading the discussion “First Amendment Challenges Posed by New Media Technology” on Oct. 30 in the Massey Performing Arts Center.
“We look upon technology as the enemy that has served as the end of newspapers, but it is a simple, different way of delivery,” he said. “If newspapers can make online content as attractive as in the blogosphere, then readers seeking credible information will follow … and advertisers will follow.”
Seigenthaler read “Blessed are the Cursored,” his tongue-in-cheek forecast of technology’s impact on journalism. He recalled the evolution of media from his first day as a cops reporter to serving as publisher of The Tennessean, including hiatuses that made him part of the John F. Kennedy administration and the founding editorial director of USA Today.
He also shared his personal experience with the dark side of the First Amendment, anonymity and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which prohibits information service providers from being treated as publishers or broadcasters as it relates to defamation. Anonymously posted libelous statements about Seigenthaler appeared on Wikipedia in 2005. His editorial that publicly condemned the website as a non-credible source led to the website revising its policies.
Baskin Center Awarded Gold-Level LEED Certification
College of Law building is largest LEED-certified university academic building in Middle Tennessee
The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Belmont University’s Randall and Sadie Baskin Center with LEED certification at the Gold level, making the building the largest LEED-certified university academic building in Middle Tennessee as well as the first LEED-certified law school building in the state, according to information provided by the USGBC. The 75,000-square-foot Baskin Center sits atop a five-level underground garage and houses Belmont University’s College of Law, a program starting its second year of classes.
The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a feature-oriented rating system that awards buildings points for satisfying specified green building criteria. The six major environmental categories of review are Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design.
“In the design, construction, maintenance and operations of the Baskin Center, we sought to use less energy, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a healthier environment for students, employees and the larger community,” said Belmont President Bob Fisher. “Our hope is that this environmentally-conscious building inspires Belmont College of Law students to become the greatest legal minds of their generation while being cognizant of their footprints on the world.”
“The Baskin Center’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said U.S. Green Building Council President Rick Fedrizzi. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Belmont University serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish.”
Belmont Nursing Students Recognized for Achievement in Army ROTC Program
Two Belmont University nursing students participating in Vanderbilt’s Army ROTC program recently received two of the highest cadet rankings in the nation. Their rankings are based on their total experience as cadets, including academics, performance at strategic camps, leadership ability and more.
Cadet Lt.t Col. Amanda Barfield is the second-ranked nurse in the nation. She was the cadet battalion commander, the senior ranking cadet in the program, for the 2011-2012 academic school year. Cadet Capt. Jessica Sanders is the 12th-ranked nurse in the nation. She holds the position of Assistant Tactical Officer and is charged with the evaluation of junior cadets in the program. Both cadets also ranked very high on the overall National Order of Merit List, which ranks cadets from all schools and all majors. This year, the list was comprised of more than 5,500 cadets.
“Amanda and Jessica are both outstanding nursing students,” said Associate Dean of Nursing Belmont Nursing Students Recognized for Achievement in Army ROTC Program. “Their maturity, discipline, compassion and clinical competence are among the best we have seen. I am so proud of their national achievement in the ROTC program because I know they are competing with cadets from all academic majors and universities from across the country. Their ROTC training will prepare them to be the kind of change leaders that we need in our profession.”
Career Day Matches Students with Employers
Neely Dining Hall and the Black & White Dining Hall were filled to capacity on Oct. 24 with representatives from over 70 companies and organizations attending Career Day to meet and recruit Belmont students and graduates. Over 300 students and graduates filled both rooms to talk with employers about jobs and internships. Employers commented on the professionalism and preparedness of attendees. Students expressed their appreciation and thanks to the Career Services team for the opportunity to meet many quality employers with great opportunities.
Click here to see more photos from Career Day.
Hatch’s Research Paper Published in Chemical Society Journal
Chemistry Instructor Duane M. Hatch recently had a research paper published in The Journal of the American Chemical Society. The paper is titled Superoxide Reaction with Tyrosyl Radicals Generates para-Hydroperoxy and para-Hydroxy Derivatives of Tyrosine. Click here to read the complete article.
Yandell and two Belmont Alumni publish article in Psi Chi Journal
Psychological Science Professor Lonnie Yandell has published an article with Belmont psychology alumni Ben McGlothlin (’10) and Dawn Jiacoletti (‘11). The article titled “The Inversion Effect: Biological Motion and Gender Recognition” was published in the current issue (Summer 2012) of the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research. The purpose of the Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research is to educate, support and promote professional development and disseminate psychological science. Through the Psi Chi Journal, members can build research skills in the process of receiving thoughtful, detailed and rigorous feedback on their work. A supportive review process leads to publication. This peer-reviewed journal publishes empirical research completed by undergraduate and graduate students in conjunction with faculty mentors.
Lovvorn Speaks at the University of Louisville
English Instructor Jason Lovvorn recently delivered a talk entitled “Economies of Labor and Spatial Production in the Writing Center” at the Ninth Biennial Watson Conference in Rhetoric and Composition, held Oct. 18-20 at the University of Louisville.
