Pinky Gonzalez, an Entertainment Industry Studies instructor and new board member for the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, was recently interviewed on NPR regarding Taylor Swift’s success with social media marketing. Click here to read the interview.
Acree Serves as National Science Foundation S-STEM Reviewer
Glenn Acree (Mathematics and Computer Science) recently served on a panel to review proposals for the National Science Foundation. The review panels met September 26 – 28 in Arlington, Virginia. The grant applications were for the Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program which seeks to increase the quality and number of undergraduates with majors in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
This fall the School of Sciences is benefiting from a S-STEM grant through which five entering freshman and six sophomores are receiving up to $10,000 each in scholarships. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years. Additional Pathways Scholars will be added each year for the next two years, so that a total of 20 students in the sciences will be supported by the grant. Belmont has committed to sustaining this scholarship program beyond the NSF funding period.
Murphree Publishes Paper in ‘Insecta Mundi’
Steve Murphree (Biology) has recently had a scientific paper accepted for publication in Insecta Mundi, A Journal of World Insect Systematics. The authors are William L. Grogan, Jr., Lawrence J. Hribar, C. Steven Murphree and James E. Cilek, and the title of the paper is “New records of biting and predaceous midges from Florida, including species new to the fauna of the United States (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).” Click here is to read the article.
School of Nursing Provides Flu Clinic For Edgehill
On Oct. 11, nursing student Ashley Scoby administered flu shots to Edgehill residents in the I.W. Gernert Homes along with School of Nursing faculty Dr. Anita Chesney and Dr. Ruby Dunlap. The shots were donated by Student Health Services.
“The three of us really enjoyed interacting with the residents of the IWG high rise,” Dunlap said. “This is the kind of nursing I enjoy most— offering health services right where people live.”
In addition to the flu clinic, 87 nursing students have made home visits to refugee family clients of Catholic Charities and World Relief Refugee Resettlement. The students provided health assessments, nutrition and medication instruction and instruction on the U.S. healthcare system. The families hailed from various countries, including Nepal, Burma, Iraq and Ethiopia.
Student, Alumnae Featured as Nashville’s ‘Most Beautiful’
Several Belmont alumnae were recently featured in Nashville Lifestyles magazine’s cover story on the area’s “25 Most Beautiful People.” The October issue highlighted singer/songwriter Ashlyne Huff (’07), Monarch Publicity Owner Cindy Heath (’06, Massey), EMI Music Publishing A&R Manager Laura Wright (’09) and actress/writer/producer Janet Ivey-Duensing (’90). In addition, current Belmont student and Miss Tennessee USA 2010 Tucker Nichol Perry was also featured in the issue. Click here to see the entire list.
Clark Featured in Nashville City Paper
Belmont men’s basketball sophomore Ian Clark (Memphis, Tenn.) is the subject of a feature story in the Nashville City Paper. The 2010 CollegeInsider.com Freshman Mid Major All-American and Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year was profiled by NCP college basketball writer Jerome Boettcher. Click here to read the article
Clark and the Bruins opened practice this past Friday. Belmont opens the season Nov. 9, hosting Northern State in the Don Meyer Classic on ESPNU. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Belmont PRSSA Recognized At National Conference
The Belmont Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America received a national chapter award and two national student awards Monday night at the 2010 PRSSA National Conference in Washington, D.C. Belmont’s chapter was one of seven chapters nationally to receive a Star Chapter Award, which recognizes chapter performance in 10 categories including ethics advocacy and community service. This is only the second time this award has been given, and the second time Belmont has received it.
“I was extremely proud of our chapter to be recognized for these prestigious awards during the national conference,” said Katie Siklosi, a sophomore and the vice president of the chapter. “We are continually looking for ways to better our chapter and being here to learn and being commended for our achievements was a great experience.”
Sarah Norton, immediate past president of the Belmont Chapter of PRSSA, received the National President’s Citation and the PRSSA Gold Key award. The National President’s Citation recognizes Norton for her leadership and service to the PRSSA organization at the local and national level. The Gold Key is the highest individual honor given to PRSSA members and recognizes those students who display outstanding academic excellence in public relations and leadership qualities in PRSSA. Belmont graduate Sara Pecchia also received a Gold Key award.
“Belmont students and faculty are leaders in public relations and are gaining national recognition for the program here,” added Dr. Bonnie Riechert, director of the Belmont’s public relations program.
Representing Belmont at the conference were chapter officers Norton, Siklosi and Joseph Norris, as well as junior Allison Durfee, Riechert and instructor Susan Barnes. During the conference, Riechert and Barnes attended the induction dinner for the Public Relations Society of America College of Fellows, where Barnes was recognized for financial sponsorship and professional mentoring.
One of 299 chapters nationally, the Belmont Chapter of PRSSA was chartered in 2005 and has received previous national awards for Ethics Advocacy, Chapter Development and Outstanding Relationship with its sponsoring professional chapter, Nashville PRSA.
Murphy, Reno Achieve Certified Collegiate Retailer Designation
Catherine Murphy, Manager of the Belmont Bookstore, and Matt Reno, Assistant Store Manager and Textbook Buyer, have become Certified Collegiate Retailers.
According to the National Association of College Stores, “achieving the Certified Collegiate Retailer designation demonstrates to your colleagues, your campus community and yourself that you possess the necessary knowledge to successfully manage a college store and effectively provide expertise on collegiate retailing issues. It shows that you are among the leaders setting the tone and direction for the college store industry.”
To obtain certification, retailers must take a 200-question exam covering all areas of collegiate retail. Catherine and Matt had to read 17 books to prepare. Only 97 people worldwide are Certified Collegiate Retailers. There are only 2 others in Tennessee.
In addition to her CCR designation, Murphy was named Tennessee Association of College Stores’ Store Person of the Year for the second year in a row. Murphy was chosen among all bookstore employees across the state.
Slay Appears on Panel, Publishes Articles
Cheryl L. Slay (CEMB) appeared as a panelist Sept. 30 for the International Black Film Festival of Nashville addressing the topic: “Avoiding the Legal Pitfalls of the Film Industry.” She also authored “Meet the New Internet: Cause for Concern or Celebration for the Entertainment Industry?” an article about net neutrality, which was published in the September MEIEA e-zine. Additionally, The Hawaii International Conference on Arts & Humanities has accepted Cheryl L. Slay’s research proposal titled “The Music Business Professional as Artist.” The submission underwent peer review and was selected for presentation during the January conference.
Jairo Prado Community Mural Unveiled
On October 11, the community mural led by artist Jario Prado was unveiled to an audience of eager onlookers. Many of those in attendance had worked on the project either by painting, sketching or supporting the project. The mural will serve as a backdrop for the 2010 School of Humanities Symposium. The 8’ by 16’ collective mural represents the theme of the symposium: Giving Shape to Airy Nothings: Inventing Communities, Creating Identities. The Prado art exhibit and mural project would not be possible without the financial support of the Tennessee Arts Commission and the College of Arts & Sciences at Belmont University. Click here to see more photos from the unveiling.
