Several members of the Belmont University Wind Ensemble were selected to perform as members of the Tennessee Music Educator’s Association Conference All-Collegiate Band on April 15 as part of the annual TNMEA conference. The students rehearsed throughout the day on Wed., April 14 and performed a feature concert during the opening general session at the Nashville Convention Center. Students worked with guest conductor, Andrew Boysen, Director of Bands at the University of New Hampshire. Membership was comprised of students from colleges and universities throughout Tennessee. Participating students were Eric Taylor-saxophone; Matt Rhea-saxophone; Jonathan Murrah-trumpet; Scott Hearn-trombone; Wes Crenshaw-trombone; Cassie Swiney-percussion; Tim Reitnouer-tuba; Callie Compton-bassoon; Mary Harl-clarinet; Allison Berwald-flute and Tara Kloostra-horn.
Wind Ensemble Members Perform at Conference
Van Hatten-Granath Featured in Huffington Post
Teresa Van Hatten-Granath, associate professor of art, was recently featured as one of the “Ten Anti-Plastic Heroes” by the Huffington Post for her work as the Green Bag Lady. Click here to read the article.
Belmont Greek Organizations Raise $9,000 During Greek Week
Belmont’s Greek organizations raised more than $9,000 during Greek Week from April 5-11. Greek Week included several fundraising opportunities benefitting the Make-a-Wish Foundation, including a bake sale, a Cold Stone Creamery sale and the annual Greek Sing. The eight organizations partnered with Residence Life for the “Change a Life” change drive. The drive continued until the culmination of Greek week on April 11 at Belmont’s annual Greek Sing production.
The Greeks gave $6,000 to sponsor a local child, Hunter Bernhardt (above), through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Hunter, age 5, has been battling Burkitt’s Lymphoma for a year. Because of Belmont’s efforts, Hunter will attend the grand opening of the Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. Hunter learned that his wish came true on April 21, at his Harry Potter-themed wish reveal party on Belmont’s campus. Students dressed up as Harry Potter characters to surprise Hunter. Click here to view WKRN News 2’s coverage of this story.
The remaining $3,000 will be donated to The Oasis Center, a Nashville organization dedicated to helping young people overcome challenges in their lives. Last year, Greek Week raised more than $4,000. Due to an overwhelming response from Greek chapters, Belmont Residence Life and the Nashville community, this year’s $6,000 goal was reached early in the week.
Greek Week started off with a blast from the past on April 5 as members from all of the fraternities and sororities on campus competed in a ’90s Nickelodeon-themed trivia game. Players were challenged to remember the beloved characters from their childhoods. The fun continued the next night with the glow in the dark games. The Nickelodeon theme continued on April 8 with Nick at Nite-themed games on the South Lawn. On April 9, the Greeks held a faulty appreciation breakfast and their annual Greek Olympics, which were modeled after the Nickelodeon show “Guts.” Challenges include a tug-of-war, egg toss and pyramid-building. Greek Week closed on April 11 with the Greek Sing, and all proceeds went to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Dr. Liotta-Kleinfeld to be Inducted into AOTA Roster of Fellows
Dr. Lorry Liotta-Kleinfeld will be inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Roster of Fellows at the 2010 AOTA conference in Orlando, Fla., on May 1. The Roster of Fellows recognizes occupational therapist members of the AOTA, who with their knowledge and expertise, have made a significant contribution to the continuing education and professional development of members of the association. Dr. Kleinfeld’s award is in recognition for advancing occupational therapy education.
This prestigious honor has been awarded to less than 1 percent of practicing occupational therapists since its inception in the 1960s.
Norton Receives AT&T Advertising Solutions Scholarship in Public Relations
Belmont University junior Sarah Elizabeth Norton was named in a ceremony yesterday as the fourth recipient of the AT&T Advertising Solutions Scholarship in Public Relations (formerly known as the AT&T Real Yellow Pages Scholarship in Public Relations). AT&T Advertising Solutions is supporting Belmont University’s public relations program with a five-year scholarship commitment, with the inaugural award given in 2007. The $2,500 prize is presented annually each spring to the public relations major who demonstrates academic excellence, campus service and professionalism. Applicants must also write an essay that effectively responds to the question, “What role should public relations play in corporate social responsibility?”
AT&T Vice President Kenny Blackburn said, “We are very proud of our long-time association with Belmont University and our sponsorship of this prestigious award. Congratulations to Sarah and her family for her outstanding performance and contributions to the university and the community.”
Norton said, “I have tried to learn as much as a I can as a public relations student through my classes and internships and I’m so glad that AT&T recognized me for that. Their support of our program has been great.”
Hailing from Jacksonville, Fla., Norton is majoring in public relations with a minor in journalism while also participating in the Honors program. She has an anticipated graduation date of May 2011. An active leader on campus, Norton has served as president for two years of the Belmont chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). She has also been a member of the university’s Bruin Recruiters and the Beaman Leadership Team as well as served as an Intramural Student Coordinator and Chief Student Justice. In addition, she has held internships on and off campus in the areas of editorial writing, marketing and event management. She has previously received the Altschul Champions for PRSSA Outstanding Internship Award, Belmont’s Hale Second Year Leadership Award and the PRSSA Presidential Service Award.
Thom Storey, the chair of Belmont’s media studies department, wrote in his recommendation, “Sarah is an excellent student and role model, particularly for Public Relations majors and minors. She is a servant leader and a problem solver. I feel she could pick just about any career path and succeed.”
Marty and Betty Dickens Host Event for International Students
Belmont University Board of Trustees Chair Marty Dickens and his wife Betty (pictured at right with Fulbright student Marcus Mueller from Dresden, Germany) hosted the International Student Association to their home last Friday night for a cookout. The couple is “sponsoring “ two students at Belmont from Moldova and have a high interest in international students and helping them to feel welcome at Belmont and in Nashville. Twenty students attended Friday night’s event.
Director International Student Services Kathy Skinner said, “Marty and Betty Dickens truly understand that welcoming international students into Belmont and our community enriches American and international students and helps begin a dialog of friendship and understanding of each other.”
Cusic Helps Unveil “Silver Screen Cowboy” Postage Stamps
Don Cusic, Professor of Music Business, was recently at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City for the unveiling of the new postage stamps honoring silver screen cowboys Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Tom Mix and William Hart. Cusic served as a consultant during the development of the stamps. Cusic’s biography of Gene Autry has just been released in paperback.
Belmont Celebrates Earth Day with ‘Hope for Creation’ Simulcast, Other Events
Belmont student will play self-penned song ‘Tribute to a Tree’ on live broadcast
On Wed., April 21 at 6:30 p.m., Belmont University will participate in the “Hope for Creation” simulcast, a live international broadcast to churches, campuses and other organizations to celebrate Earth Day and explore the biblical vision for care of the planet. The simulcast includes the presentation of a short film titled Hope for Creation and a conversation about global consequence hosted by Dr. Matthew Sleeth, executive director of Blessed Earth, a non-profit organization dedicated to creation care. Belmont student Adam Marks will sing an original song, “Tribute to a Tree,” as part of the broadcast. The song can be heard on Marks’ Web site, www.adammarksmusic.com.
Marks, a native of Johnstown, Pa., said, “The number of people in support of Blessed Earth’s message of ‘hope for creation’ pretty much speaks for itself, and I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to participate in such an historic event.”
As part of the celebration, Belmont’s Our Natural Environment student organization will also be screening the National Wildlife Federation’s documentary Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming. The webcast highlights colleges with green jobs programs, game day recycling, community gardens and carbon neutrality initiatives.
Allison Berwald, president of Our Natural Environment, said, “I think it will be great to combine the spiritual significance of environmental stewardship that will be discussed in the simulcast by Dr. Matthew Sleeth with ideas about specific actions students can take.”
Additional campus events planned in conjunction with Earth Day include lectures on mountaintop removal and the King Corn documentary, a fundraiser for the Nature Conservancy’s project to protect Duck River, a visit to a recycling center and a canoe cleanup of the Harpeth River.
Harms Receives Prestigious Community Service Award
Belmont University senior Tim Harms has received the 2010 Harold Love Outstanding Community Involvement Award. This notable distinction is awarded annually by the State of Tennessee Higher Education Commission to five students and five faculty or staff members in higher education in Tennessee to honor significant public service.
Harms is a double-major in finance and accounting and has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. He is the president of Belmont’s nationally recognized Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team, which was recently named SIFE USA Regional Champions for the fifth consecutive year. Harms was one of six Belmont SIFE students who presented at the competition and will again join the Belmont team when they advance to the SIFE USA National Exposition May 11-13 in Minneapolis.
Harms mentors at-risk African-American students in Metro Davidson County high schools, teaching them financial literacy and helping with ACT preparation. He also leads a business ethics essay competition in more than 15 local high schools.
Volman Participates in Local ‘Dancing’ Benefit for Safe Haven
Mark Volman, CEMB faculty member and founding member of The Turtles, was paired April 9 with a professional dancer for the “Dancing for Safe Haven Family Shelter” benefit event. Acclaimed musician, producer and former host of TV’s “Prime Time Country” Gary Chapman and Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004, served as emcees and were joined by a cast of judges. Local stars were paired with professional dancers to dazzle the community with their dancing talents. Safe Haven Family Shelter partnered with Studio 1406 in East Nashville to serve as the dance studio hosting the rehearsals.
The garnered funds will provide shelter and transitional services to homeless families with children, empowering them to achieve lasting self-sufficiency. Click here for additional information on the event.
