Dr. Jason Weibel, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, recently won a Research Opportunity Award (ROA) from the National Science Foundation in the amount of $20,000. As a part of the NSF-wide Research at Undergraduate Institutions program, ROAs enable faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions to pursue research as visiting scientists with NSF-supported investigators at other institutions. Weibel will be a visiting scientist at the California Institute of Technology this summer collaborating with former mentors, Professors Yuk L. Yung and Geoffrey A. Blake, on an NSF project titled: “Isotopic Composition of Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Dioxide.” The NSF funding enables Weibel to continue research in which he was immersed while at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech immediately prior to his joining the Belmont faculty in 2006.
Weibel Wins Research Opportunity Award from National Science Foundation
Hare Named A-Sun Male Student-Athlete of the Year
Belmont University senior Justin Hare was named Atlantic Sun Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year, the league announced Wednesday. The recognition serves as culmination of one of the most decorated careers in Belmont University and Atlantic Sun Conference history. For more on this story, click here.
Cornwall Interview Published, Blog Featured on New Site
Dr. Jeff Cornwall, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, was recently interviewed for an article in MyBusiness magazine titled “Mission Possible: Social entrepreneurs balance bottom lines with a desire to make a difference.” Click here to read the article online.
In addition, Cornwall’s blog “The Entrepreneurial Mind” has secured a new relationship with the International Council of Small Business (ICSB) as part of ICSB’s new Web site. Founded in 1955, ICSB was the first international membership organization to promote the growth and development of small businesses worldwide. Cornwall is the first featured blogger on the site.
Rives, Weaver Named to Track & Field All-Region Team
Belmont University track and field student-athletes Lynette Rives (Clarksville, Tenn.) and Lauren Weaver (Nashville, Tenn.) have been named to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Mideast Region Team. For Rives and Weaver, it represents worthy distinction following two of the most impressive individual seasons in program history. Click here for the full story.
Local Media Get First Look at Debate08 Plans
Representatives from the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) arrived on campus early yesterday morning to conduct an information session and walking tour for about two dozen members of the local media in anticipation of the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate in Belmont’s Curb Event Center. An overview of the site was provided, and media were able to ask questions of the CPD regarding the Oct. 7 debate logistics.
The debate is expected to attract more than 2,500 members of the media to Nashville, along with the candidates’ campaign staff and supporters, and will be viewed by millions worldwide. Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher welcomed the media to campus and discussed the vital role they would play in translating the debate to a watching world.
Fisher also emphasized that the debate will provide a significant opportunity to showcase Belmont and Middle Tennessee to a mass audience. The university is currently planning a number of activities and special events for the days immediately surrounding the debate to give visiting media a glimpse of what makes Middle Tennessee special. Belmont is also working to schedule community viewing parties for the debate locally as well as to encourage additional locations around the state.
According to CPD representatives, the live audience in the Debate Hall will consist primarily of undecided voters chosen by the Gallup organization. The only media allowed in the Debate Hall itself on Oct. 7 will be members of the five networks that are part of the White House media pool and C-SPAN.
All other credentialed media will be stationed in the Media Filing Center, a 25,000 square foot tent that will be built on the Belmont soccer field prior to the event. The Media Filing Center will also be the location of Spin Alley, where candidate representatives will interact with the press at the conclusion of the debate.
Student-Athletes Reach New Heights in Claiming Record 6th Conference Honor
MACON, GA. – – For the sixth time in its seven year history as an Atlantic Sun Conference member institution Belmont University has earned the conference’s All-Academic Trophy, the league office announced Friday.
Click here for the complete story.
Reynolds Wins Award at Art Show
Randall Reynolds, director of Technology Services, recently won the Eugenia Tennessee Batts Memorial award for a painting in the 43rd Central South Art Exhibition National Show. The show was juried by Dawn Whitelaw, a nationally recognized arts and instructor. The show runs from May 1-June 27 at the Tennessee Art League, 808 Broadway, Nashville. At right is a photo of the winning piece, which is titled “Reflections on 9/11.”
Giorgianni Appears as Guest on Live Radio Program
Dr. Salvatore Giorgianni, assistant professor of Pharmacy and director of experiential education and development in the School of Pharmacy, was a guest on the hour-long live radio talk show “The Divorced Father’s Network” broadcast on station KSCO in California. Giorgianni, who is an advisor to non-profit organization The Men’s Health Network, was invited to talk about the various emotional and physical health and wellness issues divorced men and their families may face. During the live call-in sections of the broadcast, topics addressed included a discussion on cultural barriers men face in obtaining and advocating for their own health, how divorced fathers can engage in healthy role modeling for their children and tips to cope with emotionally laden periodic visits with children.
Belmont Announces Honorary Host Committee for Town Hall Presidential Debate
Belmont University announced today the formation of the Honorary Host Committee for the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate made up of distinguished individuals with national, state and local stature. Marty Dickens, chairman of the Belmont Board of Trustees and retired president of AT&T, serves as chair of the honorary host committee and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Chairman of Curb Records Mike Curb are the committee’s honorary chairs.
“We are grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support so many distinguished Nashvillians and Tennesseans have shown to Belmont University as we prepare for our role as host site of the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate in October,” Dickens said. “While this is certainly a momentous occasion for Belmont, it is the first presidential debate to be held in the state of Tennessee and something all Tennesseans can be proud of.”
Members of the committee include former and current Tennessee and United States Senators and Congressmen, business leaders, music industry executives, recording artists and philanthropists. (Click the “more” button below for a complete list of the Honorary Host Committee members.)
“This diverse, talented group of people represents the very best of all that Tennessee has to offer and exemplifies the volunteer spirit of our state,” Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said. “I am grateful to Marty for his leadership in organizing this respected committee. Their roles as committed civic and community activists have, in many cases, opened doors to make the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate at Belmont possible. Lending their name and support to this historical event for Belmont, Nashville and Tennessee ensures that the spotlight shining on all of us that night will last long after the debate is over.”
The Honorary Host Committee reflects Belmont’s commitment to ensuring the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate is memorable for Belmont students, as well as residents of Nashville and the State of Tennessee. The university has dedicated the 2008-09 academic year to celebrating the themes of the American political process and democracy. More than 50 programs are lined up for Belmont students and the community, including guest speakers such as documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and New York Times bestselling author David McCullough. Other activities include theatre and music productions celebrating the freedom of expression and city-wide voter registration drives and events for college students throughout Nashville to engage them in what will surely be an historical presidential election.
Visit www.belmontdebate08.com for the latest updates and news surrounding the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate.
Dansby Travels to Africa with Athletes in Action
Belmont University men’s basketball student-athlete Shane Dansby (Pegram, Tenn.) has been selected to tour Africa as a member of Athletes In Action (AIA). Dansby will travel with Athletes in Action to Mali and Senegal May 26 through June 7 to compete in a four nation tournament hosted by the Malian basketball federation.
A rising senior, Dansby earned Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP and Second Team All-Atlantic Sun honors this past season in helping Belmont Basketball to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
For more on this story, click here.
