John Barnwell, a third year student in Belmont’s PharmD program, has received the Respect, Excellence and Service in Pharmacy (RESPy) Award for excellence in pharmaceutical care. The national award is presented by Walmart and Pharmacy Times to a student who has made a difference in his or her community demonstrated by the following criteria: voluntary public service activities, a high level of professional/public health related activities outside the classroom and a high level of effort to advance the profession of pharmacy in the public area. Eight RESPy awards are given annually and featured with a Pharmacy Times article. RESPy winners receive a monetary award and are offered a summer internship with Walmart.

Barnwell, who will graduate from the School of Pharmacy in 2013, is a founding officer of the board of directors of NotAlone.com, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing counseling for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder and their families. NotAlone.com offers online support groups, in-person counseling, and Web resources to support combat veterans and their loved ones.

A graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point followed by almost eight years in the U.S. Army, Barnwell is familiar with the field. He held a variety of positions at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and in Iraq, and was decorated with a Bronze Star and Joint Service Achievement Award.

“NotAlone is such a rewarding endeavor,” says Barnwell. “Being a veteran myself, anything I can do to make life better for soldiers, veterans, and their families gives me a great sense that I am still making a difference for my brothers- and sisters-in-arms.”

“Mr. Barnwell offers his abundant energy and leadership to his profession on a daily basis; he is an inspiration to everyone. I cannot think of any one more deserving,” said Philip Johnston, dean of the School of Pharmacy.

 Click here to read the Pharmacy Times’s article featuring Barnwell.

Belmont University’s Chadasha Gospel Choir performed in the first Edgehill Community Fellowship Service on Nov. 20 at Southside Community Church. The service at was the first community fellowship day to unite the Organized Neighbors of Edgehill and World Music Mission with students and area churches. Together they raised $250 for Habitat for Humanity’s “Brush with Kindness.”

Graduate student Lindsey Bailey is spearheading an art project that collaborates the work of three Nashville schools and will display their students’ works on Belmont’s campus next year.

Bailey, who is working on her master’s degree in education, created Deliciously Happy as an offshoot of her graduate research. Through the project she works with students from the University School of Nashville, Bordeaux Elementary and Lead Academy to create social issue-based stories and accompanying art work. Through her fundraising efforts, Bailey has provided project supplies and video crews to document the students’ works for 12 of the planned 24 workshops.

The Deliciously Happy gallery will be open at Belmont University Feb. 27 – March 23 with an opening reception 5- 7 p.m. March 1. The gallery will include projected animations, costumes, colorful props and stage pieces.

“For me, this project is about showing how important art is as a tool to spark people into sharing ideas and working together, one that spans cultures, socioeconomic standing and is widely intergenerational,” Bailey said. “Art making is transformative and helps people be receptive to new information and experiences, leading to positive change and personal growth.  It’s a chance for me to collaborate with students from all over Nashville and applaud youth voice.”

Bailey’s work has recently been featured at D!verseWorks Art Space for the Houston Fine Art Fair and Texas Contemporary Art Fair in Houston and at the Sideshow Fringe Festival at Belmont University in Nashville. In December and January, she will have work featured at the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut.