Pete Giordano (Psychology) has written an article for the Brentwood Home Page titled, “Making the Most of College.” Click here to read the article.
Griffith Interviewed on ‘Inside Politics’
Nathan Griffith (Political Science) was interviewed on Dec 11 by Pat Nolan on a political show for NewsChannel5+ called “Inside Politics. Click here to view the episode.
Parry Receives Research Grant
Pam Parry, associate professor of journalism, received a grant from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Foundation to conduct research at the presidential library in Abilene, Kansas. The research is for her dissertation, “Re-chiseling Mount Rushmore: Eisenhower’s Use of Public Relations as Political Strategy.” Parry is working on her doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Her two areas of specialization are media history and public relations.
Reed Wins Miss Memphis Pageant
Belmont freshman Ashley Reed, from Germantown, took the title of 2010 Miss Memphis during the Miss Memphis Pageants held Nov. 28 at St. Mary’s Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center. Reed will soon begin preparations for the Miss Tennessee Pageant in June and will spend the year as an ambassador for the city of Memphis where she will promote her platform “Promoting Community Service Among Today’s Youth.”
Belmont to Hold Winter Commencement Friday
Belmont University will hold its Winter 2009 Commencement ceremony on Fri., Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Curb Event Center. The university will award 356 bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Dr. Robert C. Fisher, president of the University, will preside over the event and present the graduates with their degrees as well as provide commencement remarks. Bachelor of Arts candidate Brandon Maxwell, a double major in management and Christian leadership, will offer the Student Reflection for the ceremony. Bachelor of Arts candidate Heather Pierce, a political science major, will read Scripture. President and Mrs. Fisher will host a reception for the graduates and their guests at the conclusion of commencement in Belmont’s Beaman Student Life Center.
Biology professors, Students Study Local Wetlands
Belmont biology professors Drs. Steve Murphree, Darlene Panvini and John Niedzwiecki enjoy being outdoors and slogging around in mud so the trio jumped at the chance to study a wetland on the Nissan North America campus in Franklin, Tennessee. David Withers, staff zoologist with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Natural Heritage, had suggested the Belmont field biologists to Chris Fleming, a senior project scientist with BDY Environmental who had overseen work to develop the wetland.
After visiting the wetland in July 2009, the professors submitted a grant proposal to Nissan for equipment to work with Belmont biology students to monitor the flora and fauna for the next few years and create lists of the species observed. Rob Traynham, Nissan’s director of corporate services, has funded the grant and assisted in arranging access to the wetland for Belmont faculty and students. An ecology class led by Panvini visited the wetland in October to learn plant sampling protocols and explore concepts related to biodiversity assessment. Future visits will involve Belmont students and faculty inventorying vertebrate and macroinvertebrate animals, photographing flora and fauna for educational use, and raising awareness of the ecological importance of wetlands.
In addition to class visits, biology and environmental science majors will find the wetland to be a valuable resource for undergraduate research projects. Belmont students often explore local wooded areas, cedar glades, and streams during labs; the Biology professors expect that exposing students to another habitat type in the Nashville area will also increase students’ appreciation and awe of the natural world. Nissan’s employees will also benefit from this partnership through a planned educational kiosk and boardwalk in the area.
Madison Academy Retires Kerron Johnson Jersey
Belmont freshman guard Kerron Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.) had his No. 3 jersey retired by Madison Academy. Johnson, who delivered clutch plays down the stretch in wins over Mercer and Middle Tennessee as part of Belmont’s six-game winning streak, was on hand for the jersey retirement ceremony Monday night.
Diverse Learners Class Participates in Invention Convention
Dr. Michele Farmer, assistant professor of education, and students from her Diverse Learners class were involved in judging K-6 entries for the Invention Convention at Rose Park Middle School on Dec. 4. The convention is held once every four years for Nashville Public School students who submitted an invention and are enrolled in the ENCORE program. The program is designed to extend academic learning, expand problem-solving skills and create opportunities for interpersonal communication for children who are intellectually gifted and academically talented. Finalists from each grade level were honored at the Invention Convention award ceremony.
Pinter Speaks at Nashville Women’s Book Association
Dr. Robbie Pinter, professor of English, was the guest speaker at the Nashville Women’s Book Association in November. She spoke on “The Balancing Act: Writing, Teaching and Community.”
Murray Receives Grant for The Way We Ate
Dr. Douglas Murray, professor of English, received a grant from the Belmont Center for Social Entrepreneuriship and Service-Learning to cover the cost of publishing The Way We Ate, a compilation of food reminiscences of residents of two local residences for senior citizens: the I.W. Gernert Homes and Morningside at Belmont. These food oral histories were compiled by students in two sections of Belmont’s First-Year Seminar.
