Shaka Mitchell, J.D., adjunct instructor of Political Science, recently had a column published in US News & World Report. The column is entitled “Compensating Bone Marrow Donors Will Save Lives.” Mitchell is a 2001 alumnus of Belmont, an attorney and president of MoreMarrowDonors.org, a non-profit that provides scholarships, housing allowances and compensation to bone marrow donors who are matches for patients with various blood diseases. Click here to read the editorial.
CAS Professors Present at Conference on College Teaching and Learning
Dr. Shelby Longard of the Department of Sociology, Dr. Lauren Lunsford of the Department of Education and Dr. Bonnie Smith-Whitehouse of the Department of English co-presented at the 23rd International Conference on College Teaching and Learning in Ponte Verdra Beach, Fla. Their first presentation was “Developing an Idea of Lifelong Learning in College Students” and was about their work in linking students in senior seminars, junior cornerstones, learning communities and first-year seminars. Their second presentation was “Parenting and Academia” which was a discussion on how becoming a parent and a working parent has affected them as lifelong learners and researchers in their respective fields.
Math Students Present at Conference
Barbara Ward and Keeley White, Mathematics Department faculty, along several Belmont students recently attended the University of Tennessee Mathematics Department’s Sixth Annual Undergraduate Math Conference on April 21 in Knoxville, Tenn. This conference gave undergraduate students a chance to present their mathematical research and to meet other undergraduates and hear about their research. This conference was sponsored by the University of Tennessee Mathematics Department and the National Science Foundation.
Students in Barbara Ward’s Regression Analysis class attended the conference as part of the class and presented their research. Alina Lepkowski and Angela Gaetano did a presentation together titled, “Exploring Artistic and Creative Interests of Students.” Alice Curtis did a presentation titled, “Colossal Corn.” At the poster session Brad Weaver presented “A Regression Analysis of the American Frown” and Megan McElmurray presented “Predicting an Incoming College Freshman’s Major”.
Hobson to Present Poster at Pharmacy Education 2012
Dr. Eric Hobson, of the Department of Pharmaceutical, Social & Administrative Sciences, had his poster titled Economics of Reciprocity in Strong NGO-Academic Global Health Partnerships accepted to be presented at the annual meeting Pharmacy Education 2012 of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in July.
As the first step in a longitudinal analysis of strong, long-term medical mission partnerships between NGOs and academic institutions, this qualitative project identifies equity-sensitivity profiles, ROI assumptions, and partnership equity assessments from the organizational leadership of two entities engaged in a long-term, mutually-beneficial medical missions project serving the children of Guatemala: The Shalom Foundation and the Belmont University College of Pharmacy.
Guthrie Book Recognized by Parish Clergy
A recent book by Dr. Steven Guthrie of the School of Religion was named one of the 2011 Top Ten Books for Parish Ministry, by the Academy of Parish Clergy. The book, Resonant Witness: Conversations between Music and Theology, was co-edited by Guthrie and Professor Jeremy Begbie of Duke University, and includes contributions from music historians, music theorists, composers, philosophers and theologians. Click here to read the publisher’s announcement of the award.
Murphree Shares Expertise at Adventure Science Center
On April 14, Dr. Steve Murphree, entomologist and professor of biology at Belmont University, along with more than 20 scientists and local research students, participated in the Adventure Science Center’s Got Science? Program. The scientists were there to share their area of expertise using hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities.
Topics included DNA, nanotechnology, neuroscience, entomology, alternative energy, genetics, astrophysics, forensics, materials science, the human body, microbiology, engineering and pharmacology. Murphree let guests have a close-up encounter with his collection of ticks and educated visitors about the behavior of ticks, how botanical extracts can be used as tick repellents and human diseases carried by ticks.
Visitors also learned to recognize commonly encountered tick species, how to avoid ticks and how to remove ticks once attached. Murphree was joined by Libby Thorndike, one of his undergraduate research students, who provided great assistance in describing her research on tick repellency to the public.
Computer Science Majors Place Second at ACM/SE Conference
Colin Hemphill, a Belmont senior majoring in Computer Science and Audio Engineering Technology, and Josh Sheehy, a Belmont senior majoring in Computer Science, placed second in the Best Student Paper Competition at the recent Association for Computing Machinery Southeast Conference (ACM/SE). Their paper, “Finding Effective Search Strategies for the TwoBik Puzzle,” was one of a dozen undergraduate and graduate student papers accepted for presentation at the conference. The 50th Annual ACM/SE drew 183 students, faculty and professionals in computer science to Tuscaloosa, Ala. on March 29-31.
Students Perform Musical Theatre Showcase in New York
Marjorie Halbert, director of musical theatre in the School of Music, recently returned from New York City with 13 musical theatre seniors who presented a Senior Showcase for approximately 50 industry specialists in musical theatre in New York City. Norm Lewis, star of Broadway’s current production of Porgy and Bess, was in attendance, along with other prominent Broadway actors, choreographers, directors, music directors, casting agents and representatives from talent agencies.
There were three performances, with the last being specifically targeted to attract Belmont alumni and former students who reside in New York City. A strong, enthusiastic group of alumni was present to watch the current Belmont students perform along with several students’ families and friends, who traveled to New York for the showcase performance. The musical theatre students were accompanied by Cynthia Curtis, dean of the College of Visual & Performing Arts, as well as musical theatre faculty members Marjorie Halbert, David Shamburger and Jo Lynn Burks. This was the fourth New York City Senior Showcase. The event was held in the Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café on Theatre Row, 42nd Street.
Author Donald Miller Brings Storyline Conference to Belmont May 6-7
Following two ‘sold-out’ Portland events, Storyline expands across the country
New York Times best-selling author Donald Miller is bringing his Storyline Conference to Belmont University May 6-7. Based on his best-selling book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Storyline is an intimate two-day conference that walks registrants through the steps of writing a life-plan using the elements of story.
The conference arrives in Nashville fresh on the heels of the April 13 release of Blue Like Jazz, a movie based in part on Miller’s own life story. Previously held in Portland, Ore., Storyline has sold out both years and has expanded to Nashville in 2012. Belmont faculty, staff and Students are now being offered a $99 registration to the two-day conference. Click here to learn more on how to take advantage of this discount (must use Belmont email address to register). In addition, residential students will also have the opportunity to remain in their on campus housing for the event (contact Residence Life at reslife@belmont.edu for more details).
“We’re excited to bring Storyline to Belmont University and help registrants put their life on a map so they can know where they’re headed,” said Donald Miller, “When you know your story, you’ll better understand your purpose, and you’ll live with greater efficiency and impact.”
Miller will guide the registrants through five sessions and accompanying modules to help them map their life story. In addition to the sessions, registrants will be treated to appearances from a number of special guests, including:
- Bob Goff, the founder and CEO of Restore International, a non-profit organization which was established to address the atrocities and injustices committed against children. An attorney who also serves as the Hon. Consul for the Republic of Uganda to the United States, Goff will release his first book, Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World (Thomas Nelson), on May 1.
- Amy Grant, Grammy-winning, multi-platinum selling artist. Grant’s career spans over 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, author and philanthropist. Grant has sold more than 30 million albums and won six Grammys in multiple categories.
- Jamie Tworkowski, founder of To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA was recently awarded a one million dollar grant at the first Chase American Giving Awards, which will help the organization continue to provide treatment and spread its message of hope and help.
Christy Ridings, the associate university minister for Belmont University, said, “Having participated in the Storyline conference in Portland last year, I recognized its potential for the collegiate generation as they reflect upon their own lives within the context of narrative. Donald Miller is a long-time friend of Belmont, and he actually helped launch our Living a Better Story initiative, which challenges students to think differently about their world and to live to their fullest potential. We are excited to welcome Donald Miller back to Belmont.”
For more information and to register for the conference, visit http://www.mystoryline.net/conferences/storyline-conference-at-belmont-university/.
About Donald Miller
Donald Miller is best known for his book Blue Like Jazz which spent 43 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list and sold over 1.5 million copies and has recently been adapted into a film which had its World Premiere at the 2012 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival. In addition to his writing and conference speaking, Miller is the founder of The Mentoring Project, a national organization that provides mentors for children growing up in fatherless homes. He also served on The Presidential Task Force on Fatherhood and Healthy Families and advised the White House on policy decisions regarding American families.
Scholarship and Awards Day Celebrates Student, Faculty Achievements
The annual Scholarship and Awards Day convocation, a year-end celebration of academic achievement, was held Wednesday morning in the Massey Performing Arts Center.
Dr. Jennifer Thomas, recipient of the 2011 Chaney Distinguished Professor Award, gave the Honors Address for the ceremony, noting, “Honored students and professors, as you continue in your academic and life achievements, be kind to yourself… be grateful, embrace mistakes, ask for help and take risks. Most importantly, though, share these gifts and talents that you have and be a good example for others. Your words and actions are so enormously powerful.” To read the entire address, click the link: Awards day address-Thomas-S12.
Students honored in Wednesday’s ceremony included:
The Williams-Murray First Year Writing Awards: Nathan Tinnell and Julienne Irwin
The Alfred Leland Crabb Awards: Zach Selby and Jesse Johnson
The Stacy Awalt Writing Awards: Kent Toalson and Elli Whiteway
The Annette Sisson First Year Writing Award: Stephen Braxton Fralick
The Lumos Travel Award: Shirah Foy, Alexandra Haas, Rainu Ittycheriah, Lindsey Ricker, Alyssa Meisterling, Derek Price and Brent Shively
The John Williams Heart of Belmont Award: Margaret Lynne Shores
The First Year Award, Leadership: Brennon Reid Mobley
The Second Year Award, Leadership: Kelsey N. Maguire
The Third Year Award, Leadership: Andrew E. Bishop
The Fourth Year Award, Leadership: Shirah Eden Foy
In addition to student award winners, Dr. Rich Tiner, professor of media studies, was named the 2012 Chaney Distinguished Professor. The Chaney Distinguished Professor Award, determined on the basis of superior teaching, is presented each year to a faculty member who best represents the vision of the university to be a “premier teaching institution.”
Tiner said, “What a pleasant—and humbling—surprise! For me, this is a tribute to some terrific students, who make me look good by coming to class well-prepared and ready to engage. They make my work pure joy.”
Dr. Leslie Folds, associate professor of nursing, was awarded the 2012 Presidential Faculty Achievement Award. The Presidential Faculty Achievement Award is presented each year to a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to student life outside the classroom. The award honors and recognizes excellence in faculty-student relationships, special abilities in meeting student needs – academic, personal and professional – and symbolizes Belmont University’s commitment to being a student-centered institution.
Folds said, “I feel so honored, blessed and humbled to receive the Presidential Faculty Achievement Award and to work at Belmont University where the focus for all of us as administrators, faculty and staff is to use our unique gifts to serve students. Every decision I make, I always ask myself ‘How will this impact my students?’”
