On March 26, adjunct English instructors Wyeth Burgess and Charmion Gustke travelled to the English Studies Symposium “English 2.0: Discoveries and Recoveries” hosted by Tennessee Tech University. Dr. Burgess spoke on “Heroes, Hellions and Hags: Harnessing the Power of Celebrity in the Composition Classroom,” in a session titled “It’s All About the Students,” and Dr. Gustke’s paper, “’It is either me or the horse’: The Empire of the South in Edna Ferber’s Giant” was in the “Taboo”-themed session.
Belmont Students Present Research at Alpha Chi National Honor Society Super-Regional Convention
Eight students from Belmont University presented research papers at the Alpha Chi National Honor Society Convention at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, Ark., April 3-4. Faculty advisors Rachel Rigsby and Jonathan Thorndike also attended the convention. The annual Alpha Chi convention is organized around student presentations by juniors and seniors from their respective chapters. Convention attendees also visited the Clinton Presidential Center and the Heifer International World Headquarters.
Membership in Alpha Chi is the highest academic honor awarded by Belmont University. Its members are invited based on their academic standing in the top 10% of the junior and senior classes within any academic major. Belmont has had an active chapter of Alpha Chi for over 25 years. Dr. Sarah Ann Stewart (Mathematics) is the current sponsor, and Dr. Rachel Rigsby (Chemistry) is the assistant sponsor. Dr. Jonathan Thorndike is Region III Secretary-Treasurer. Alpha Chi Region III includes the colleges and universities with chapters in Alabama, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
The convention’s keynote speaker was Carlotta Walls Lanier, who made history in September 1957 when, at age 14, she became the youngest of nine students to integrate Little Rock Central High School. The students became known around the world as the “Little Rock Nine” and changed the face of American education forever. Conventioneers received a copy of Lanier’s book, A Mighty Long Way.
Belmont student presentations included:
– In the health sciences section, Julie Malkowski presented her research on “The Search for an End to Aging.”
– In the music section, Lindsay Thompson presented her research on “Music and the Brain.” She discussed what happens inside a listener’s head when he or she listens to music and how certain people are predisposed to be skilled at music due to brain information processing.
– Also in the music section, Allison Simmons discussed “Extending the Piano: Beyond the Black and White.”
– In anthropology and sociology, Amanda Danley presented research on “In Search of the Sacred Cosmos.” This senior thesis explores the contemporary application of Emile Durkheim’s sacred-profane dichotomy in a narrative context. Amanda’s research was based primarily on the theories of Durkheim and Peter Berger, as well as a case study she conducted on rituals within fraternal organizations.
– Also in anthropology and sociology, Jill Johnson discussed “The Death Penalty and Its Abolition Movement as Analyzed Through the Theories of Foucault and Durkheim.” Foucault approaches the death penalty as a manifestation of both power and knowledge being held by the elite. Durkheim, however, sees the death penalty as a function of society that improves social solidarity and reinforcement of the “conscience collective.”
– In the Business Section, Laura Haupt presented “A Man of Vision.”
– Also in the business section, Lauren Cooper discussed “A New Kind of Pirate.”
– In the religion section, Anny Knight presented her creative essay titled “I Found God in a Textbook.”
Al-Shamma Publishes Book on Sarah Ruhl
Jim Al-Shamma, adjunct professor of theatre, has published a book on Sarah Ruhl, titled Ruhl in an Hour, as part of Smith and Kraus’s new series, Playwrights in an Hour. Each volume provides an introduction to one of 27 playwrights. For more information about the book and series, please visit http://www.smithandkraus.com.
Belmont Alum Tom Eades Officiates National Championship Game
Belmont alumnus Tom Eades (’77) was one of three officials to call Monday night’s National Championship game between Duke and Butler. Eades, who served on an officiating crew with John Cahill and Ted Valentine, has now worked two Final Fours.
A native of Central City, Ky., Eades was a three-year letterwinner for Belmont Basketball from 1974-76, before electing not to play his senior season. Eades earned a degree in Business Administration from Belmont in 1977. Click here for more on this story.
Grant, Gill Provide ‘Insider’s View’ of Music, Faith, Family
One of the most well-known and influential couples in the music business visited Belmont University today to discuss their experiences within the industry as well as their thoughts on life, faith and artistry. Amy Grant and Vince Gill delighted a packed Massey Performing Arts Center with their conversation as part of the Curb College’s ongoing “Insider’s View” series, hosted by Harry Chapman. This event was co-sponsored by the Office of Spiritual Development.
Grant and Gill, who celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary in March, opened the morning discussing their Belmont connections. Grant’s first music demos, at age 17, were recorded at Belmont by then-student and current famed producer Brown Bannister. Those demos were then played for a Word Records music executive, leading to Grant’s first record contract. Gill’s connections, on the other hand, came through Belmont Athletics and his long-term friendship with men’s basketball coach Rick Byrd.
Most of the morning’s conversation, however, revolved around the couple’s thoughts on artistry and faith. “Amy and I had very different upbringings,” Gill said. “She played mostly in churches on Wednesday nights and Sundays, and I played mostly in the beer joints. Come to find out 35-40 years later that we were playing to the same people.”
Chapman asked the couple how they had managed such lengthy careers in the business. “Longevity is based on a lot of things, but it’s greatness that keeps people like James Taylor or Bonnie Raitt sticking around for 30 years. I know first hand that there are people parking my car who can play me under the table.”
Grant added that she and Gill both suspect they have already passed the peaks of their career, and that they often share a phrase that helps keep them grounded and focused: “Gracious on the way up, gracious on the way down.” She added, “When you love music, you just do it whenever you can… Music shouldn’t be exclusive.”
Gill said that at this point he’s not counting on sales or accolades to justify his career, but rather is pushing himself to make the best music he can and enjoy the process. “If you can let go of the results, you’ll find great peace in your music. Whether it sells 10 million copies or 10, none of the notes have changed. I’m willing to let music be in the moment.”
Gill and Grant each shared a song with the audience. Grant, whose new album Somewhere Down the Road released last week, offered “Find What You’re Looking For,” while Gill sang a song called “Red Words,” inspired by his wife’s strong faith.
Grant said, “I tell my kids that when you experience the Great Other reaching toward you, don’t miss the chance to respond. Years ago I realized that the best things in my life happened outside my plan. Maker of the Universe, feel free to inject your creativity into my plan.” Click here for more photos from the event. Click here to watch the event.
Amy Grant has sold more than 30 million albums and won six Grammy Awards as well as numerous Dove Awards. She has had 17 Top-40 hit songs as well as a string of Contemporary Christian hits. Vince Gill has sold more than 26 million albums and has earned 18 Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year twice. Gill is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has received 19 Grammys.
Van Hatten-Granath Exhibits Works at Tennessee Art Commission Gallery
Teresa Van Hatten-Granath, associate professor of art, currently has an exhibition at the Tennessee Art Commission Gallery (March 4-April 23). Van Hatten-Granath has been making alternative process photographic work for over 14 years. Most recently she was awarded the Tennessee Arts Commission FY2010 Individual Artist Fellowship in Media. In this solo show she embarks on the world of 3-D featuring natural and found objects, photography and art of sewing to produce books which “depicts events from my past.” Even though her previous body of work has focused almost exclusive on photography, Van Hatten-Granath states that she sews almost every day, and these altered books are the result of the incorporation of these two mediums. Admission is free.
Belmont Partners with Foundation for Noise! Camp
Belmont University is partnering with the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation to bring NOISE! Music Camp to Nashville
July 18-28. Students aged 15-17 throughout the U.S. with a passion for music who are interested in making a career within the music industry are encouraged to apply for the camp at www.heart.muzak.com. Applications must be returned by April 2, 2010.
The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation helps students channel their passion for music into real world opportunities by providing educational programs for teens on all aspects of the music business. Heart & Soul was established in 1998 by Muzak, a leading provider of business, music, and other sensory branding services that believes in the power of music education to change and better lives. The foundation, which seeks to support and redefine music education, grants over $100,000 annually to school music programs around the country. Studies have shown that schools that have music programs have significantly higher graduation rates than those without programs – 90 percent as compared to 73 percent, and students with band or orchestra experience attend college at a rate twice the national average.
Thompson Featured in Digital Drummer
Chester Thompson, adjunct instructor in the School of Music, is featured on the cover of the April 2010 issue of Digital Drummer magazine. At Belmont, Thompson teaches applied drum classes and directs Jazz Small Group 1. A School of Music alumnus, he was also this year’s recipient of the Curtain Call award.
Psychology Students and Faculty Attend EPA Convention
Psychology students and faculty recently attended the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) convention in New York March 4-7. The EPA’s sole purpose is to advance the science and profession through the dissemination of professional information about the field of Psychology. EPA achieves this goal by conducting its annual meeting where the members of EPA present the latest advances in professional and scientific work to their colleagues. The Belmont students were able to present their findings from research studies conducted over the past year. Faculty in attendance were Drs. Lonnie Yandell, Seraphine Shen-Miller and Linda Jones. Students in attendance were Ken Parrish, Ben McGlothlin, Jessica Heacock, Anna Claire Bowen, Meredith Graves and Irieon Walker.
Massey School Study Abroad Trip Featured in Korean Publication
The Massey School was featured in a news publication in Seoul, Korea, following their recent study abroad trip. Led by Dr. Sean Yoo and accompanied by Dr. Jeff Overby, the 10 students who participated made up the first MBA class to study abroad in Korea. The article discussed the sister city partnership between Gwangjin and Nashville, a brief description of Belmont, and details regarding their trip.
The article highlighted the Belmont students’ visit Gwangjin Gu City Hall to discuss how to improve exchanges between Nashville and Gwangjin in schools, families and employees. When ten high school students from Gwangjin Gu visited Nashville in January 2010, professors Yoo and Overby hosted them on the Belmont campus.
