Belmont University recently launched the Belmont Bike Share Program – Belmont Bikes – as the latest campus-wide initiative to reduce the university’s carbon footprint. With the help of Halcyon Bike Shop, owned by a Belmont alumnus, the University has refurbished 10 bicycles which are now available to students, faculty and staff at no cost.
According to a recent USA Today article, there are only about 90 colleges and universities across the country who currently offer some type of campus bike program. Belmont joins with the city of Nashville in its introduction of the first free public bike rental program in the state of Tennessee – Bike Share Nashville.
The entire bike share program was researched and written by recent Belmont graduate Anna Higginbotham, a non-traditional adult student who pursued this project for an eco-justice class. Higginbotham said, “My hope is that the Belmont Bikes program will encourage riders to experience Belmont University and Nashville in a new way and to see the benefits of environmental stewardship while having fun and being active.”
The bikes are available for check out at Belmont’s Beaman Student Life Center between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and can be checked out one day at a time. They are all different makes, models and sizes, and riders may take the bikes anywhere in the city.
Belmont Launches Bike Share Program
College of Health Sciences to Host Mobile Healthcare Technology Summit
A panel of healthcare experts is poised to come together on Belmont’s campus on September 30 for the Mobile Healthcare Technology Summit. Industry leaders in attendance plan to explore how mobile healthcare technology impacts healthcare design, clinical practice and the overall future of healthcare.
“Hosting this panel at Belmont is an honor,” said Dr. Beth Hallmark, director of Simulation for the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Science & Nursing. “We want to be seen as leaders in healthcare education; this simply reinforces our already prominent place in the community.”
Members of the panel include Joyce Sensmeier, vice president of healthcare information and management systems society at HIMSS—the largest U.S. not-for-profit healthcare association focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology—and Scott Cebula, former CIO for Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif., president of Cebula IT Consulting, among many others. Panelists plan to examine the issues and opportunities that exist in establishing best practices, addressing legal implications and maximizing impact on patient safety and staff efficiencies.
Faculty to Present at 2010 International Lilly Conference
Several faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences will be presenting along with other Belmont University faculty at the 30th Annual International Lilly Conference on College Teaching at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in November.
Annette Sisson (English) will be co-presenting with Paul Gatrell (Theatre and Dance) on November 21. The title of their presentation is “Enacting ‘Deep Learning’: Rubrics, Reflection, and Collaboration in an Experiential Learning Community.”
Pete Giordano (Psychological Science) will be co-presenting with Mike Pinter (Mathematics) on November 20 and the title of their presentation is “Ethics in Teaching: From Case Examples to Classroom Practice.”
Bonnie Smith (English) will be co-presenting with Kristine LaLonde (Honors) and Steven Simpler (Religion) November 20 on the topic “Teaching Teamwork: An Innovative Approach to Creating Meaningful Team Projects.”
Bennett, Storey Participate at Associated Press Conference
Sybril Bennett and Thom Storey will be participating in the Associated Press Managing Editors two-day NewsTrain workshop and conference for professional journalists and educators Sept. 23-24 at the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center in Nashville.
Speech and Debate Team Places High in First Tournament
Belmont’s Speech and Debate Team just returned from its first tournament of the year at Tennessee State University. Out of the teams breaking to quarterfinals, four of the eight teams were from Belmont. Other universities attending included Valdosta State University, Arkansas State University, Miami University of Ohio, Carson-Newman College and Murray State University.
Tim Smith & Emilie Lico – 2nd place
Matthew Roberts & Lisa Sekscinski – semi-finalists
Eric Schoen & Bethany Miller – quarter-finalists
Sash Blevins & Kate Tully – quarter-finalists
Bethany Miller – 3rd place tournament speaker
Belmont – 1st place overall debate team
Individual Events:
There were 12 universities competing in the individual events tournament including five schools ranked in the top 10 at the national IE tournaments last year. Despite the toughest competition in the nation, Belmont still had some great awards:
Eric Schoen, Impromptu Speaking – 7th place
Anna Carroll, Poetry Interpretation – Top Novice
Media Studies Students Attend Luncheon at Tennessee Residence
Twenty media studies students accompanied faculty members Susan Barnes, Dorren Robinson and Thom Storey to Andrea Conte’s First Lady’s Series luncheon on Sept. 22. The luncheon was held at the Conservation Hall at the Tennessee Residence. The Media Studies Department co-sponsored the event titled “Media’s Changing Role: Feeding the 24-Hour News Monster,” with keynote speaker Christi Paul, an anchor at CNN Headline News.
Political Science Students to Attend United States Air Force Academy Conference
Political science seniors Ateia Howard and Peter Kachnycz have been chosen to attend the United States Air Force Academy Assembly’s 2010 conference from October 19-22 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The symposium brings together approximately 75 students from more than 50 universities across North America for a meaningful, proactive debate on current national and international issues. The theme of the conference is “In Defense of Freedom: Protection of Human Rights at Home and Abroad.”
Belmont’s Entrepreneurship Program Gains National Top 20 Ranking
From over 2,000 schools surveyed by The Princeton Review for Entrepreneur magazine, Belmont University was recognized as having one of the top entrepreneurship programs in the country. Belmont ranked 18th in the undergraduate category of the survey, the only Tennessee program to be included. The eighth annual ranking reveals the nation’s top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate programs for entrepreneurship. Belmont’s ranking can be seen at www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges.
Dr. Jeff Cornwall, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, said, “I continue to be amazed by the entrepreneurial spirit of our students. It is their success being recognized by these awards. We need this generation of entrepreneurs to help us revitalize our economy and reignite the free market.”
Dr. Pat Raines, dean of the College of Business Administration and interim provost, added, “Once again, everyone at Belmont University is thrilled that our entrepreneurship program is listed among the Top 25 in the country by Entrepreneur magazine and the Princeton Review. The curriculum our experienced faculty deliver provides our students with the skills needed to start businesses in the virtual economy or the global economy. Opportunities for interacting in the community with local entrepreneurs, competing in business plan competitions and getting involved in our student-run businesses or Hatchery system foster the hands-on emphasis of our programs.”
Belmont’s entrepreneurship program was evaluated based on key criteria in the areas of teaching entrepreneurship business fundamentals in the classroom, staffing departments with successful entrepreneurs, excellence in mentorship, providing experiential or entrepreneurial opportunities outside of the classroom, as well as non-traditional, distinguishable aspects of their programs.
Tarr Named A-Sun Player of the Week
Sophomore Brandon Tarr earned Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors after leading the Belmont men’s soccer team to a 2-0 weekend and the Mafiaoza’s Invitational tournament title. Tarr, last season’s A-Sun Freshman of the Year, received his first conference honor of the year after scoring three goals and adding one assist in Belmont’s wins over Centenary and Gardner-Webb last weekend. The forward scored one goal and added one assist in the Bruins’ 5-2 victory over the Gents on Friday. He then came back with both BU goals, including the game-winner, in a 2-1 win over Gardner-Webb on Sunday. Click here for more on this story.
Alumni Honored at ASCAP Country Music Awards
Several Belmont alumni were honored this week at the 2010 ASCAP Country Music Awards celebration including Rob Blackledge, Canaan Smith, Hillary Lindsey, Chris Young, Ben Vaughn, Jeremy Stover, Frank Rogers, Dann Huff, Carla Wallace, Jess Cates, Ashley Gorley, Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley and Don Poythress. Click here for more on this story.
