Dr. Joan Lind, an assistant professor of mathematics, has been teaching a topics course this semester devoted to an undergraduate research project in mathematics. Seven students have participated in this experience, and they presented their research at the regional Mathematical Association of America conference last month. Dr. Lind was recently awarded a grant from the Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics (CURM) at Brigham Young University (BYU). CURM is funded by BYU and a grant from the National Science Foundation. This grant will enable Dr. Lind to continue the undergraduate research project with her students. The CURM mini-grant awards the faculty member $5,000 for a course release. Also, two students, Sarah Claiborne and Cat Simpson, will each receive $2,000 for their year’s work.
Physics Students Celebrate Pi Day
Pi Day (π) was celebrated on March 14 by the Society of Physics Students (SPS) club with a fundraiser “πi a Professor.” SPS has a new chapter on the Belmont campus, and the students are helping raise money for this club. In the photo, Dr. Scott Hawley, the club’s faculty advisor, is in the center of the photo surrounded by Physics students.
Debate Team Hauls in Numerous Awards
The Belmont Debate team has nearly finished its 2007-2008 season, and with one national tournament left to attend, the season has been filled with awards. Most recently, the debate program was ranked 36th in the nation out of the 245 ranked teams, and in early March Belmont hosted the National Christian College Forensics Invitational (the national speech/debate tournament for Christian colleges). Specific awards from this tournament included:
DEBATE
George Shifflett/Renee Reyle: 2nd place overall debate team
Sarah Friederich: 6th place overall open debate speaker
Price Rainer: 14th overall open debate speaker
Wesley Rainer: 1st place overall speaker JV debate division
Caroline Tenenbaum: 11th place overall speaker JV debate division
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
Impromptu Speaking: Tabitha Metcalf (semi-finalist), Melanie Bengtson (4th place)
Faith Literature: Tabitha Metcalf (5th place)
Novice Faith Literature: Kelli Mehlhaf (5th place)
Extemporaneous Speaking: Price Rainer (2nd place), Melanie Bengtson (1st place)
Novice Extemporaneous Speaking: Wesley Rainer (5th place), Caroline Tenenbaum (4th place)
Persuasive Speaking: George Shifflett (2nd place)
Dramatic Interpretation: George Shifflett (3rd place)
O’Brien Scores Medal at MSU Spring Invitational
Sophomore Scott O’Brien (Brookings, S.D.) delivered the highlight of the spring golf season Tuesday, earning individual medalist honors as Belmont University men’s golf placed fifth at the MSU Spring Invitational. O’Brien entered Tuesday’s final round three strokes off the pace after carding rounds of 69 and 71 Monday. But the 6,858 yard Par 72 Greystone Golf Course layout was a much sterner test Tuesday with winds gusting to 25 miles per hour. As the overnight leaders fell back, O’Brien remained sharp and steady. His final round of one under par 71 proved good enough for first place at 211 (-5).
Students Join First Res Life Alternative Spring Break Trip
Over Spring Break six students participated in the first annual Residence Life-sponsored Alternative Spring Break trip. Instead of basking in the warm Florida sun or going snow skiing in Colorado, they traveled to Statesville, N.C. to help Habitat for Humanity build a three bedroom, two bath home for a deserving family. The new homeowner will move in with her daughter and use the home to provide foster care. Among the Belmont students on the trip were Annalise Emerick, Britney Monroe, Brittany Hodges, Lindsay Barnes, Nicole Pearce and Wes Burkhart, who all spent the week swinging hammers, installing drywall, attaching exterior siding and adding a wooden deck.
Hare, Peeples to Play in Music City All-Star Classic
Belmont Basketball senior Justin Hare (Cleveland, Tenn.) and junior Will Peeples (Little Rock, Ark.) have been selected to play in the inaugural Music City All-Star Classic hosted by Tennessee State University. The game is scheduled to be played Sat., April 19 at 5 p.m. Central in TSU’s Gentry Center. Belmont University head athletic trainer Paul Malloy will also be participating.
The Music City All-Star Classic will feature the top college basketball seniors in the state of Tennessee, welcoming players from Belmont, the University of Tennessee, Memphis, Vanderbilt, Austin Peay, Tennessee State, Lipscomb, Tennessee-Martin, Trevecca and Cumberland. Festivities will kick-off with a three-point contest and a slam-dunk contest, followed by the game. Events are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and discounted with a student I.D. Contact Tennessee State Athletics for more information.
Sophomore Matt Lee to Perform for Pope
Sophomore Matt Lee, a music business major and student worker in the Office of Alumni, will be performing with his band Full Armor next week for Pope Benedict XVI in New York City. Full Armor was chosen from more than 150 bands that auditioned for the slot and will perform three songs in front of an anticipated crowd of 20,000 at the Pope’s Youth Rally on April 19. Other performers that day include Kelly Clarkson and Third Day. Lee, who plays the violin, said the band formed two years ago to play for a weekly teen mass at a Catholic church in a suburb of New York, and Full Armor’s second album is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.
Click here to read more on the story from a local newspaper. Click here to visit the band’s Web site.
‘Best of the Best’ Concert Honors Mulloy Legacy
Last Saturday, the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business presented its annual Best of the Best Showcase, which included a special celebration of the life and legacy of former faculty member and alumnus Bob Mulloy. Known for his passion for students and his dedication to Belmont University, Mulloy was the vision and drive behind Belmont’s renowned music business program.
The evening included a moving video tribute, a song dedication from notable Belmont alumnus Gordon Kennedy and the presentation of a $25,000 check to fund an endowed scholarship in Mulloy’s honor. Students pursuing careers in the music business and entertainment industries will be eligible to receive assistance to pursue their goals, and those selected will hold the distinguished title of “Mulloy Scholar.” In addition, Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher announced the establishment of the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence, an annual award to be given to an individual who has achieved a level of excellence in the music business and entertainment industries with notable service to Belmont University and the Nashville community. Both awards will have inaugural presentations in 2009.
As always, Best of the Best also highlighted some of Belmont’s remarkable student talent with performances from winners of past CEMB showcases and writers’ nights playing before a packed house. Showcase winners who performed included Alvin Love (Urban/Pop), Jordan Kyle (Christian), Shea Raye (Country), Lorien (Rock) and Stephanie Lambring (Cover). In addition, ASCAP Writers’ Night Winners presented their original compositions: Joshua Eric Wright, Andrew Mallanik, Troy Akers, Matt Dragstrem, Greg Bates and Nathan Klages.
For information on how to contribute to the Mulloy Endowed Scholarship, email mulloyscholarship@mail.belmont.edu.
Wofford Publishes Article in Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Dr. Linda Wofford, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, published an article titled “Systematic Review of Childhood Obesity Prevention” in the February 2008 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, the refereed official publication of the Society of Pediatric Nurses. This work is an outgrowth of Dr. Wofford’s capstone project for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Kentucky, which she successfully defended on March 24.
Rick Byrd Signs Contract Extension
Belmont University and head men’s basketball coach Rick Byrd have agreed to a five-year contract extension, Belmont Director of Athletics Mike Strickland announced today.
Byrd, who with 541 career victories is one of 15 active Division-I men’s basketball coaches with 500 or more career victories, was named 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year. This past season, the Knoxville, Tenn. native directed the Bruins to an NCAA era-best 25 wins and a memorable near-upset of three-time national champion Duke in the NCAA Tournament.
Moreover, Byrd led Belmont to its third consecutive Atlantic Sun Championship – becoming the first program in league history in earn three straight bids to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bruins ended the season ranked 16th in the final Mid-Major Poll of 2008 on CollegeInsider.com.
On Mar. 12, Byrd was also selected as one of 10 finalists for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year award, given annually to a Division I head coach who best represents the high standards of the coaching profession: Winning with integrity.
A 2004 NAIA Hall of Fame inductee for his service in leading the Bruin program, Byrd also received the Dr. James Naismith National Sportsmanship Award in 1994.
But of even greater satisfaction to Byrd than his sparkling coaching record is the unparalleled academic success of his student-athletes. Since Belmont joined the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2001-02, Belmont Basketball has had 67 players earn Academic All-Conference honors – far and away the league standard. Moreover, each of the program’s three leading scorers of its NCAA era – Wes Burtner, Justin Hare, and Adam Mark – earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors and were named Atlantic Sun Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year.
“Any and every success that our basketball program has enjoyed, credit must begin with Rick Byrd,” Strickland said. “Coach Byrd stands for all that is good in college athletics; challenging, teaching, and inspiring his players. This is an exciting time of growth and achievement for our program, and we could not imagine anyone else on the sidelines for Belmont.”
Byrd is the winningest active men’s basketball coach in the Atlantic Sun Conference and the state of Tennessee.
As per university policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
