5,393 students registered for university’s fall 2009 semester
Belmont University is welcoming a record-breaking number of students to its first day of classes today with a fall 2009 enrollment of 5,393. The growth marks an increase of 7.9 percent from last year and a rise of 81 percent since 2000 when the school enrolled 2,976 students. The Belmont student body currently consists of 1,005 graduate students and 4,388 undergraduates, representing record enrollment in both categories.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Belmont’s continued growth is a reflection of the impressive academic reputation this university is garnering across the nation, a fact that was evident in the recent U.S. News & World Report rankings. Students see Belmont as a source for an academically challenging education that will empower them to engage and transform the world. That mission—and Belmont’s ability to meet it—are drawing the best and the brightest to this campus.”
In the annual U.S. News & World Report ranking of America’s best colleges and universities, Belmont was cited most as a Top School to Watch and was ranked 7th in the South in the “Best Universities – Masters” category, the highest ranking for the university to date. Once again, Belmont was also the highest ranked university in Tennessee in this category and was also praised for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and the strength of its general education programs. The rankings are based on several quality indicators including student retention rates, graduation rates, student-faculty ratios and scores on college entrance exams.
This year’s incoming freshman class represents 45 states and eight foreign countries. The university received a record number of applications, more than 3,200. The average ACT score for the 2009-10 freshman class is 26. Thirty-five percent of new freshmen at Belmont were in the top 10 percent of their graduating class, and 67 percent were in the top quarter. This year’s freshman class of 995 students held an average un-weighted cumulative high school GPA of 3.53, with 5.6 percent graduating as either valedictorians (42) or salutatorians (14).
In addition to the well-qualified freshman class, Belmont’s graduate programs are growing in size and diversity. The School of Pharmacy welcomed its second class of 75 doctoral students this fall, and the New Teacher Project—a partnership between Belmont and Metro Schools—saw nearly 100 Masters of Education candidates begin coursework this summer.
Belmont Breaks Enrollment Record… Again
Williams Appointed to ISC Board of Governors
Dr. Susan Williams, professor of management, has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the International Storytelling Center (ISC). As an organization, ISC is associated with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and is committed to teaching leaders and managers how to tap into the power of storytelling to enhance leadership, management and service. Professor Williams was selected based on the combination of her background, experience and passion and the fit with ISC’s mission. Her three-year term of office began with the August 2009 meeting.
CEMB Faculty, SESAC Execs Explore Ways to Co-Educate
Last week at the SESAC main office, Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business faculty and SESAC executives discussed collaborative approaches to challenges facing education and the entertainment industry. Parties shared respective histories and areas of concern before opening conversation for creative input. Two topics of discussion revolved around Belmont supplying feedback on SESAC’s online music business education tool and SESAC execs visiting Belmont classes to give students a real world perspective on the industry today. Belmont faculty’s trip down Music Row is the first action of an initiative to promote an ongoing conversation between campus and the Nashville entertainment community.
“We are grateful for our relationship with SESAC,” said Curb College Strategic Programs Director Sarah Cates. “Belmont has wonderful industry partners. In a spirit of continued learning and finding new ways for us to serve the entertainment community, this session was part of an ongoing initiative for Belmont’s faculty to engage the industry. We have an exceptional faculty that really distinguishes us from other entertainment education programs. We recognize the need to learn from our industry, and at the same time believe, by taking an active part, our faculty will make significant contributions to this dialogue.”
Tim Fink, SESAC associate vice-president of writer/publisher relations, added, “It was a pleasure to spend time with some of Belmont University’s faculty members and learn more details about the many exciting events and educational initiatives taking place at Belmont. SESAC and Belmont have always enjoyed a great working relationship, and we look forward to joining forces on many productive events in the future.”
Anderson Publishes Philosophy Book
Philosophy Professor Dr. Mark Anderson recently published Pure: Modernity, Philosophy, and the One, an experimental work of philosophy in which the author aspires to think his way back to a “premodern” worldview derived from the philosophical tradition of Platonism. The book was published by Sophia Perennis and is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Watkins Presents Paper in Spain
Dr. Cynthia Watkins, associate professor of education, presented a paper titled “Using Case Study Methodology in Higher Education to Enhance the Understanding of Differences” at the 11th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Special Education held at Universitat d’Alacant in Alicante, Spain, July15.
Pinter Presents Poster
Dr. Mike Pinter, professor in the mathematics and computer science department, presented a poster titled “Encouraging Mathematical Problem-Solving the First Day of Class” as part of the First Day of Class Activities poster session at the annual national Mathematical Association of America Mathfest meeting in Portland, Ore., Aug. 6-8.
Hobbs Develops Equipment Innovations for Amputees
Dr. Chad Hobbs, an August 2009 Physical Therapy graduate, received a Special Recognition award last week for his work in developing equipment innovations for amputees. As part of his clinical education experience, Hobbs worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Amputee Center in Washington, D.C., where he created a glove for an amputee who had lost a portion of his hand and elliptical foot plates for lower extremity amputees.
In his recognition at the School of Physical Therapy Hooding Ceremony, Professor and Associate Dean of Physical Therapy Dr. John Halle introduced Hobbs, noting, “As an inventor and entrepreneur, he exhibits a collaborative and humble spirit that facilitates working with other health care providers and patients. He has developed collaborative devices with two clinical instructors, a faculty member and with patients. He has eight products that are in the final stages for marketing and four more products in development. Additionally, he has taken his products and combined them with existing health care products to develop a company that can meet patients’ needs with ‘one stop shopping’ at a reduced cost.”
Jellissen Publishes Article in Journal
Dr. Susan Jellissen, assistant professor of political science, recently had an article published (with Fred Gottheil, University of Illiniois) titled “Marx and Engels: In Praise of Globalization” in the journal Contributions to Political Economy (June 2009).
Belmont Rises to No. 7 in U.S. News & World Report Ranking, Highest in Tennessee
School also honored as one of top two schools nationwide for ‘leading the pack in improvements and innovative changes’
For the first time in its history, Belmont University breaks the Top 10 ranking in the Best Universities Master’s level South category from U.S. News & World Report’s annual analysis of America’s Best Colleges. Soaring to No. 7 in the 2010 edition, Belmont was also honored for the second year in a row as one of the top two schools nationwide for “leading the pack in improvements and innovative changes.”
Belmont ascended four spots from its ranking in the 2009 issue of 11, joining other Top 10 institutions such as Rollins College, Elon University, James Madison University, The Citadel and Stetson University. In addition, Belmont landed a ranking of third in its category for its strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, one of only 80 colleges and universities nationwide to be honored by its peers for this aspect of academic life. Furthermore, three components of Belmont’s nationally recognized and innovative general education program were identified as “outstanding examples of academic programs that are commonly linked to student success”; Belmont’s First-Year Experience, Learning Communities, and Senior Capstone were all featured as “stellar examples” and demonstrate Belmont’s ongoing commitment to engage students in key issues affecting their lives.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “What a day for Belmont! To be recognized so highly and in so many categories is a true compliment to our entire university, particularly our dedicated and gifted faculty. I’ve long known that Belmont University was providing a first-rate education to its growing student body, but it’s incredibly rewarding to be recognized by our peers for those accomplishments. Our faculty and co-curricular programming are providing students with the education and resources they need to complete the Belmont mission, empowering men and women ‘to engage and transform the world.’ Seven is the perfect number—until we reach six!”
Belmont Awarded $188,000 Grant to Enhance International Business Education
Belmont University’s College of Business Administration (COBA) was recently awarded more than $188,000 in federal grant monies to enhance international business education at Belmont University and to sponsor international business and trade activities in Nashville.
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the State of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the Nashville Export Assistance Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce supported the grant efforts. Belmont will use the grant to partner with these organizations to present seminars and workshops on various international topics to the greater Nashville business community along with support for international business research and analysis.
The Title VI Grant was made through the Business and International Education (BIE) Program of the U.S Department of Education. The grant proposal, titled “Collaborating to Equip Belmont and Nashville for the Dynamic Global Economy,” received BIE funding over a two-year period which began August 1.
The grant and proposed initiatives are spearheaded by Dr. Jeffrey Overby, director of international business programs and associate professor of marketing at Belmont University. “This is certainly a great honor for Belmont University,” Overby said. “However, it is even more significant that it will allow us to foster a stronger international outlook among students, faculty and the greater Nashville community. Thinking internationally is no longer an option in today’s business environment; it is a necessity.”
Dave Berryman, chairman of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s International Business Council, said, “The Nashville area has a strong worldwide reputation for music; now we need to build the region’s reputation as an international destination for business. The grant that Belmont has received will go a long way in making this possible.”
