Lynette Rives wrapped up her stellar collegiate career in June at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, becoming the first Belmont athlete, male or female, to compete at the elite meet in program history. As was the case throughout the postseason, the Clarksville, Tenn., native was seeded in the fourth and final heat of the 200m. Among the sprinters she competed against in her heat were Olympic medalist Allyson Felix and bronze medalist at the 2007 World Championships Carmelita Jeter. Rives went on to finish 20th overall with a time of 23.71 (3.4) in the staggeringly deep and accomplished field. Click here for more on this story.
40/40 Trip Receives Press Coverage in Philadelphia
Drs. Ken Spring and Andi Stepnick (Sociology) and 10 students are finishing up their 9,300+ mile trip across the country for the “40/40: Rediscovering America” trip, a first-of-its-kind, study-at-home journey in which the class sought answers on what it means to be an American. Earlier this week, the class was profiled in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Click here to read the piece.
The group arrived in Washington, D.C. on Thursday with just four cities remaining: Williamsburg, Va.; Charleston, S.C.; St. Augustine, Fla. and Montgomery, Ala. Click here to read student blogs and see photos of their journey.
Sturgis, Students Contribute to Book
Dr. Amy Sturgis, adjunct professor in the University College’s liberal studies program, is publishing a book next month that she co-edited titled The Intersection of Fantasy and Native America: From H.P. Lovecraft to Leslie Marmon Silko. The book features a collection of essays by an international, interdisciplinary and multi-ethnic group of scholars, most of whom are seasoned professors. However, a few students also contributed to the book, University College graduate Grace Monk and current liberal studies major Tripper Ryder, who represented the only undergraduate contributor. Click here to read more about the book.
Renfroe Signs Pro Basketball Contract
Former Belmont University men’s basketball player Alex Renfroe has signed a professional contract to play for Latvia VEF Riga. Renfroe, a local product from Hume Fogg High School and an NAIA All-American at Trevecca Nazarene before coming to Belmont, blossomed into one of the most exciting and productive point guards in the nation. After helping the Bruins to signature victories over Cincinnati and Alabama in 2007-08, Renfroe burst on the national scene in the 2008 NCAA Tournament against three-time National Champion Duke. Click here for more on this story.
Monahan Named to Elison Project Board
Dr. Diane Monahan, assistant professor in communication studies, was recently named as a board member of The Elison Project, a nonprofit organization that provides financial grants for the purpose of assisting in the adoptions of special needs children from China.
Murphree Gives Insect Presentation
Dr. Steve Murphree (Biology) gave an invited presentation on Mon., June 29 titled “Insects of the Night: a Summer Nocturne” at the Head of the Sequatchie Valley State Park southeast of Crossville. Click here for more information on the event.
DeVries Receives Best Paper Award
Dr. Del DeVries, assistant professor of accounting and information systems, received the Best Paper Award at the AIS Educator Conference in Colorado Springs in June. The paper, “Ethical Implications of Using Human Resources Information Systems for Cost Management Decisions,” is co-authored with Dr. Harold Roth from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The paper describes a common business situation where management is engaged in cost analysis and decision making. In the case scenario, the company has extensive data in a human resources information system to support analysis of employee health care costs. Management must decide how to cut medical insurance costs. Students are asked to identify the ethical issues and to evaluate the relevant decision making factors. The information system data availability situation requires consideration of job demands, regulatory requirements and ethical issues relating to honesty, fairness, objectivity and responsibility.
Golfers Earn National Academic Honors
Three Belmont women’s golfers, Lauren Oeser, Laura Dyson, and Kelly Maguigan have been named to the 2008-2009 National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American Scholar Team . This marks the fourth straight season that Belmont has had a women’s golfer named to this prestigious team. The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team are some of the most stringent of all college athletics. Oeser, Dyson, and Maguigan are the only three Atlantic Sun Conference golfers to be given this honor for the 2008-2009 season. Click here for more on this story.
Two Belmont men’s golfers, Danny Amundson and Scott O’Brien, were named Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-American Scholars as the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) announced its 2009 honorees. Amundson and O’Brien were among 108 Division I golfers to earn the honor. Click here for more on this story.
United Methodist Men Hold National Gathering at Belmont
The 2009 tenth national gathering of United Methodist Men is being held July 9-12 at Belmont University.
“We are excited to welcome the UM Men to the Belmont campus,” Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said. “Their rich tradition of faith, fellowship and community fits perfectly at Belmont, which has been the site of Christian education since 1890. Anytime we can welcome esteemed groups to campus with values similar to Belmont’s, we are honored to do so.”
The Rev. David Adams, top staff executive of the General Commission on UM Men, the agency that plans the event, is a graduate of Belmont. “It is an honor and privilege to partner with Belmont University for our 10th National Gathering of UM Men,” said Adams. “The beauty of the campus and close proximity of the facilities are ideal for this event.”
Alexander Named to Top Coaches List
Belmont University men’s basketball associate head coach Casey Alexander has been ranked among the top Mid Major assistant coaches in the nation, according to CollegeInsider.com. Alexander, who enters his 15th season as a trusted member of head coach Rick Byrd’s staff, was ranked No. 6 in a list of the Top 25 Mid Major assistant coaches. Click here for more on this story.
