The Belmont School of Music presented the 16th Annual Commercial Music Showcase Mon., Feb. 4 in Massey Concert Hall. The free, one-hour concert featured the best solo performers, arrangers, instrumentalists, background vocalists and crew in the Commercial Music Program.
Senior Mary Maples made her second appearance in the Commercial Music Showcase. The Cookeville, Tennessee native will receive her degree in Commercial Music with a Music Business emphasis in May. Mary’s performance focused on classic and modern R&B: Aretha Franklin’s “Until You Come Back to Me,” Chaka Khan’s “Your Love Is All I Know” and Amy Winehouse’s “Tears Dry on Their Own.”
Prestonsburg, Kentucky native Kory Caudill is a senior Commercial Music Major with a Piano Performance emphasis. He performed Bruce Hornsby’s “Spider Fingers,” traditional hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and Stephen Still’s “Love the One You’re With” and received a standing ovation.
Commercial Music Showcase Features Best of Music Program
Bryant, Cox Elected TIRSA Leaders
Angie Bryant, director of the Beaman Student Life Center, was elected as the State Director for the Tennessee Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (TIRSA) this past January at the annual TIRSA conference. This two-year position oversees the state chapter within the national organization and represents the state at national and regional conferences. As State Director, Bryant will also provide TIRSA professional and student members with opportunities for professional growth and development, networking and additional program enhancement opportunities through annual conferences, state tournaments and other activities.
In addition, Caroline Cox, graduate assistant for Group Fitness at the Beaman Student Life Center, was elected as the Student State Representative for Tennessee. As student rep, Cox will play an important role in the success of the student membership within TIRSA and NIRSA and will represent the state at conferences. Cox follows another BSLC graduate assistant, Daniel Lawrence, as his year of service comes to an end.
Kaemmer Presented Individual Arts Award
Fiddler David Kaemmer (’00) was recently presented the Individual Arts Award by the Sierra Vista Arts and Humanities Commission in Arizona for his work benefiting fiddle players everywhere with an annual fall fiddle contest. The mission of the commission is to promote “a cultural climate which stimulates arts and arts education, fosters cultural events, encourages local arts organizations and furthers programs for creating an esthetic environment.”
Tompkins to Be Inducted into Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame
Al Tompkins, Broadcast/Online Group Leader at the Poynter Institute and an advisory board member for Belmont’s New Century Journalism program, will be inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame on April 1. The seven new honorees will join 153 other journalists inducted into the Hall of Fame since its 1981 inception. Tompkins will be speaking in LCVA 117 at 10 a.m. on Mon., Feb. 25 on the topic “If Everybody Has YouTube, Why Do We Need Journalism?”
Hensley Appointed Director at Marriott Marquis
Alumnus Keith Hensley (’88) was appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta’s largest hotel. The 24-year industry veteran will oversee development and execution of all marketing initiatives for the hotel, which debuts the results of a $138 million dollar renovation this summer. Hensley, who holds a BBA in Hotel Management from Belmont, was formerly the Director of Sales & Marketing for Marriott Hotels & Resorts in Memphis.
Message from Dr. Fisher Regarding Union University
As I’m sure you all know, our friends at Union University were hit by a devastating tornado last evening that has destroyed much of the campus housing and damaged several academic buildings. Thankfully, no lives were lost and injuries appear to not be life-threatening. There will be a host of people and organizations that rise up to be a part of Union’s recovery and it is our intention that Belmont will be one of those organizations.
We envision that the recovery needs will be both immediate and long-term. Several of our leaders met with me today and we are developing an assistance plan that we will offer. We have already invited President Dockery to tell us what we can do. Several of our leaders have been in contact with their counterparts at Union with offers to help. We are seeking contact with the TBC Emergency Response Team to learn how we will be able to partner with them in this tragedy. Trustee Jon Roebuck has offered the Woodmont Bus for transportation. I am sincerely touched by the spirit that is being expressed. VP for Spiritual Development, Dr. Todd Lake, and the Campus Ministry Team along with the Dean of the School of Religion, Dr. Darrell Gwaltney, are coordinating our campus-wide efforts to participate in this recovery.
We send this message to not only let you know what we are doing (as several of you have inquired) but to also invite your ideas and best thinking as to what else we might be able to do. Please don’t hesitate to make suggestions to Dr. Todd Lake at laket@mail.belmont.edu or Dr. Darrell Gwaltney at gwaltneyd@mail.belmont.edu, and we will see that all of your ideas receive attention.
We often feel helpless when confronted with such devastation and feel as if there is nothing we can do. I hope we will push past that response to realize that there is always some helpful action that we can take if we are willing. Please pray for the people of Union University along with all the others that were impacted by these storms.
Bob Fisher
Belmont Names New Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
Belmont University has named Dr. Bryce Sullivan the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Sullivan currently serves as chair of the Department of Psychology and Director of the interdisciplinary Gerontology Program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). He will begin his new position at Belmont June 2, 2008.
“I am very excited to be joining the Belmont community,” Sullivan said. “The College of Arts and Sciences presents an unparalleled opportunity due to its centrality to the university’s vision of bringing together the best of liberal arts and professional education. Through cooperation with other units on campus, the college plays a crucial role in providing a challenging educational experience that liberates students from a shortsighted focus on the here and now. I plan to work with the faculty and staff in all programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to ensure that Belmont’s students have the finest educational opportunities possible. My goal is to help foster an intellectually rich learning environment that is built on Belmont’s history of preparing students to transform the world.”
Belmont Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander said, “Dr. Sullivan possesses an exceptional record as a scholar, teacher and university leader. He brings to this position extraordinary energy and a bold vision for the Arts and Sciences, which are at the heart of every great university. We are delighted that leaders of Bryce’s caliber continue to join Belmont University’s academic leadership, and we all look forward to working with him.”
During Sullivan’s seven years as SIUE’s Psychology Department Chair, the department enjoyed a period of increased growth and prominence, with a 36 percent enrollment increase while the tenure-track faculty increased in strength by 37 percent. Research productivity also increased 120 percent for peer-reviewed articles and 300 percent for conference papers under Sullivan’s leadership. In 2006, based on the department’s Senior Capstone, Sullivan crafted the submission that led to his department and the university receiving the Council for Higher Education Accreditation Award for Institutional Progress in Student Learning Outcomes, the only academic department to receive this national award in the inaugural year of its existence.
School of Pharmacy Holds Successful First Admissions Day
The Belmont University School of Pharmacy (BUSOP) reached another milestone in its development last Friday with the school’s first Admissions Interview Day. According to Dr. Elinor Chumney, BUSOP’s assistant dean for Student Affairs, the high level of interest in the Belmont Doctor of Pharmacy degree program was evidenced in the fact that prospective students came from eight states as well as across Tennessee. There were also three Belmont undergraduate students in this group of interviewees. Dr. Chumney said, “We are so happy with the response to our program. All of the prospective students and families that came to visit with us last Friday were quite impressed with the academic reputation of Belmont University as well as its warmth, charm and Christian community.” The School of Pharmacy will hold four additional interview days for its fall 2008 inaugural class over the next several months. Belmont students who are interested in careers in pharmacy and the Doctor of Pharmacy graduate program may obtain additional information about the program and this high-demand professional career by talking with any of the faculty at the School of Pharmacy office, which is located in Inman 202.
EMERGE Features Prominent Authors Sweet and Jones
EMERGE, a week long experience meant to inspire and encourage the Belmont Community in corporate and individual faith journeys, kicked off Monday with a convocation seminar with noted author/speaker Dr. Leonard Sweet. A professor and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Theological School at New Jersey’s Drew University, Sweet spoke on the topic “Being the Good News vs. Imposing Your Own Views.” His most recent book is The Gospel According to Starbucks.
Intended to challenge individuals to “Reflect, Refocus and Be Renewed,” EMERGE also featured sessions with doctoral fellow and author Tony Jones, national coordinator of the Emergent Village (www.emergentvillage.com). In discussing “Spiritual Practices for the 21st Century,” Jones noted that the Western/American church views the notion of “sin” as a list of rules and laws to be followed rather than the more traditional, orthodox perspective of sin as a chronic condition without an easy cure. “I think it’s a mistake for us to believe that some sort of radical conversion will cure a tendency toward sin. It doesn’t. There’s no magic pill.”
Jones argued that spiritual formation requires consistent exercise and discipline, in the same manner as training for an athletic event or music performance. “It takes repeated practice, over and over again. Look at the history of the church—our forefathers have developed patterns and rhythms in their lives to bring them closer to God.”
Jones is the author of Cultivating Authentic Community, Creating Holistic Connections, The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life, The Most Difficult Journey You’ll Ever Make: The Pilgrim’s Progress and You Converted Me: The Confessions of St. Augustine.
Junior Entrepreneurship Major Competes for Two National Prizes
Junior entrepreneurship major Andy Tabar—a native of Cleveland, Ohio—is a semifinalist in two national business start-up contests, IdeaBlob.com and the Fifth Annual Spirit of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (S.E.E.D.). Tabar is garnering notice for his company Bizooki Inc., which has created web site tools that enable niche social networking. Bizooki works with developers and clients domestically and globally helping organizations to connect with their customer base online. It can alternatively be used for secure, online document sharing.
Tabar said, “Participating at S.E.E.D. in March, in addition to regional interest that Bizooki has received, is a good place to be for the growth plan that’s in place. This is the real world experience we are all looking for. My business is no exception. Belmont’s entrepreneurship program has provided me with the know-how and tools to create value and grow a venture. That, along with my experience and commitment, is a winning combination. I will continue to expand Bizooki post May 2009 graduation, building upon operations in the U.S. and globally.”
Dr. Jeff Cornwall, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, said, “Andy is a great example of the type of student we are seeing come into our program. He came with a business and has used all of the resources we offer to build, grow and improve his business.”
Tabar is one of 10 national semifinalist ventures chosen to attend the Fifth Annual S.E.E.D. National Collegiate Venture Forum March 14-15 at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California. Other semifinalists hail from such institutions as Emory University, Harvard University, University of Florida, Westmont College and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Each year, S.E.E.D. helps top collegiate ventures secure capital funding. S.E.E.D. completes preliminary due diligence on dozens of business plans submitted by the December deadline, then invites the most promising ventures to present their business plans to a world-class panel of evaluators, early-stage investors, and product development and market-industry specialists.
Launched by Advanta in September 2007, the Ideablob.com Web community has narrowed its January contestants down to the final eight, of which Tabar is the youngest entry. Ideablob.com is where entrepreneurs and small business owners can share and grow their business ideas–and have a chance to win $10,000 towards fulfilling them. Eligible individuals submit their business idea to ideablob.com, and based on votes from the ideablob.com online community–which includes other innovators as well as friends, family, colleagues, associates, teachers and mentors–one idea every month will win $10,000. January entrants may re-submit ideas for February and subsequent months.
