Dr. Eric H. Hobson, associate dean for Academic Affairs in the School of Pharmacy, was the featured speaker at the Jan. 3 Winter Faculty Retreat for the University of the Incarnate Word School of Pharmacy in San Antonio, Texas. He led three multi-hour workshops: “Active learning in large classes,” “Classroom Assessment Techniques: Monitoring the Pulse of Student Learning” and “Summative assessment: crafting higher-level tests.”
Paisley Credits Belmont in New Magazine Feature
In a recent article in ASCAP’s Playback magazine, country artist and Belmont alumnus Brad Paisley credits Belmont for helping him establish connections in the music business that led to his current success. To read the full article, click here.
Alumni Finish Strong on ‘Next Great American Band’
Two bands with Belmont connections finished in the Top 3 on FOX TV’s “Next Great American Band” reality competition. Most of the members of Denver & the Mile High Orchestra, which came in third place, are Belmont School of Music alumni, and sax player Chris Gregg is the son of School of Music’s Robert and Sharon Gregg. Also, Robb Houston, frontman for Nashville-based band Sixwire, which won second place in the competition, is a 1985 Music Business grad. Congratulations to both bands! For more information, visit http://www.denvermho.com and www.sixwire.com.
Cornwall Quoted in US News and World Report
Jeff Cornwall, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, was recently quoted in the December issue of Entrepreneur magazine in an article titled “Breaking the Fall: Is your industry in big trouble? Don’t despair—just look for new ways to grow.” The article was also picked up by US News and World Report. Click here to read the full story.
Thompson Honored by Sabian
Sabian Ltd., a manufacturer of cymbals and percussion instruments, recently honored Belmont School of Music adjunct instructor Chester Thompson with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 32nd Annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). In a ceremony held in Columbus, Ohio, Thompson, along with fellow recipients Gary Cook and Ian Wright, was presented with his award and commemorated with a speech from Sabian personnel. One of the world’s most successful drummers, Thompson made his initial mark with counterculture icon Frank Zappa and fusion pioneers Weather Report before enjoying his lengthy tenure with Phil Collins and Genesis. In addition to teaching at Belmont, Thompson is also a busy session player for many major recording artists. For more information, visit www.sabian.com.
Magruder Published in Science Journal
Dr. Robert Magruder, chair of the Chemistry and Physics department, recently had two papers published in the Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids. They were titled “Review of some experiments in the 50 year saga of the E’ center and suggestions for future research” and “The effect of Ti and O on the optical properties and microstructure of Ag nanocrystals formed in silica by sequential ion implantation.”
Vorndick, Students Engineer Session for BBC Documentary
Last spring Music Business Adjunct Instructor and Belmont alumnus Bil Vorndick served as the recording engineer for a session at RCA Studio B for Phil Cunningham, a Scottish singer/songwriter. The session was filmed for inclusion in a BBC documentary that featured Cunningham as he toured the U.S. recording songs in several cities. Four Belmont students assisted on the session: Brenton Stanley, Jacob Murry, Nicholas Spezia and Wes Langlois.
Alumna Smith Joins USO Holiday Tour
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen of the U.S. Navy, will soon embark on an eight-day, seven-country USO holiday tour with a prominent Belmont alumna in tow. Joining Admiral Mullen as his special guests are Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams, Grammy Award-winning comedian Lewis Black, multi-platinum recording artist Kid Rock, seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan and 2006 Belmont graduate and Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith.
“This trip represents a great way for us to honor and thank the brave men and women serving our nation in harm’s way over the holidays,” said Admiral Mullen. “It’s just another example of not only how much the USO and these fine entertainers care, but also a testament to how much America cares about the troops. I’m honored to be associated with it.”
Alexander Serves as Keynote for Academic Excellence Symposium
Dr. Joe Alexander, Associate Dean of The Massey Graduate School, served as keynote speaker for the University of the West Academic Excellence Symposium in Rosemead, California on Dec. 6. Alexander’s presentation was titled, “Academic Excellence in the 21st Century: Lessons Learned within a Baldrige-Based Business College.”
York Appointed to Local Charity Board
Dr. Grady “Stan” York, Assistant Professor of Management, has been appointed to the House Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville. Dr. York joined the Belmont College of Business Administration and Massey Graduate School full-time earlier this fall and specializes in the areas of strategic management and operations management. His initial board appointment with the Ronald McDonald House is for a three-year term, beginning in January 2008.
