Rev. Dr. John Polkinghorne, president emeritus of Queen’s College at Cambridge University in England and author of 15 books on the connections between physics and faith, will be offering two lectures on campus this week: Tues. Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Beaman Room A and on Wed., Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. in the Neely Dining Room.
Polkinghorne is a mathematical physicist and Anglican priest whose treatment of theology as a natural science invigorated the search for interface between science and religion and made him a leading figure in this emerging field. Dr. Polkinghorne resigned a prestigious position as Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Cambridge in 1979 to pursue theological studies, becoming a priest in 1982. His approach to the fundamentals of Christian orthodoxy creation, using the habits of a rigorous scientific mind, have brought him international recognition as a unique voice for understanding the Bible as well as evolving doctrine.
His best-known books include The Faith of a Physicist, based on Polkinghorne’s Gifford Lectures which defend the rationality of the Nicene Creed phrase by phrase; Belief in God in an Age of Science, which defends critical realism as the proper philosophical attitude in both science and theology; and his recent work Quantum Physics and Theology: An Unexpected Kinship. In 1997, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for distinguished service to science, religion, learning and medical ethics.
On Tuesday, Polkinghorne will present “Interpreting Quantum Theory” for the Vaughn Science Lecture, which is designed to highlight science research and its ramifications for the general public as well as science majors. For Wednesday morning’s convocation, his topic will be “The Friendship of Science and Religion.”
For more information, visit http://www.polkinghorne.net/.
Knighted Physicist/Priest to Offer Vaughn Science Lecture
Alumni to Perform at Country Music Hall of Fame
Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business alumni Meagan Taylor (’03) and Josh Coleman (’06) will perform Sat., Nov. 10, at 3 p.m. in the Ford Theater at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The concert represents the closing program in the Hall of Fame’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Historic RCA Studio B, a legendary studio on Music Row that is currently co-managed by Belmont and the Hall of Fame.
Coleman, pianist and grandson of Hall of Fame member Floyd Cramer, and Taylor, guitarist and great-niece of Hall of Famer Chet Atkins, will perform songs from their most recent album, Revival, which was recorded at RCA Studio B. The duo will also discuss their heritage and comment on the experience of recording in a renowned studio. Following the performance, they will sign autographs in the Museum Store. For more information, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame web site.
Webster Speaks at Trevecca on Pharmacy Careers
On Mon., Nov. 5, Dr. Andy Webster, chair and professor in the department of pharmaceutical sciences, gave an invited presentation on “Careers in the Pharmaceutical Sciences” at Trevecca Nazarene University. The event was attended by about 75 students interested in an education in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences.
Williams Appointed to Center for Performance Excellence Judges Panel
Susan Williams, professor of management in the Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business, has been appointed to the 2007 Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE) Panel of Judges. Every year, the Panel of Judges plays an integral role in the TNCPE Awards Program, recognizing organizations that demonstrate excellence in business operations and results.
As a member of the Panel of Judges, Williams is responsible for validating the integrity of the TNCPE awards process and determining the award level for each applicant. The Panel is composed of experts selected from all sectors including business, industry, education and health care organizations, professional and trade associations and government. Judges are all well versed in the principles of continuous improvement and performance excellence principles. More than 1,000 organizations have participated in and benefited from the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence Awards program.
Professors Noted for Best Teaching Case Award
Belmont Professors Mark Schenkel and Jeff Cornwall along with Chris Gray from USASBE (United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship) were just notified that their instructional case, “The Bun Lady,” has been recognized by the International Small Business Journal for “Best Teaching Case Award.” The professors will be recognized at the upcoming 2008 USASBE international meeting in San Antonio.
School of Humanities to Host ‘Transforming Travel’ Symposium
Belmont’s School of Humanities will be hosting its Sixth Annual Fall Humanities Symposium next week, featuring guest lectures and special events all built around the topic, “Transforming Travel: Rewriting the World as We Know It.” Running Sun., Nov. 11 through Mon., Nov. 19, the symposium will focus on the ways in which travel literature and narratives transform our world.
A range of events and readings will be offered from experts in the field of travel writing. A few highlights include the following:
Vanderbilt University’s Dr. Molly Miller, a geologist, will be speaking on Mon., Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. on her research in Antarctica in her talk, “Life and (Cold) Hard Times in Antarctica: Mixing Science and Travel while Unraveling the Frozen Continent’s Climatic and Ecological History.”
Alexa Smith, formerly of the Presbyterian News Service, will offer her perspective on the challenges of reporting on religious communities isolated in areas of international conflict in her Tues., Nov. 13 lecture at 3:30 p.m. on “The Struggle for Authenticity in a Conflict Zone: Transforming Subject, Reader and Writer.”
Tony D’Souza, freelance journalist and award winning author of Whiteman, will speak on Wed., Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. on his experiences in Central America and his involvement in the Eric Volz trial, in his talk ““From Mariscos to Mariachis to a Murder Trial: How a Central American Freelance Jaunt Became a Literary and Legal Nightmare.”
Brice Minnigh—a Belmont alumnus, freelance travel journalist, extreme adventurer, Fulbright scholar and co-author of The Rough Guide to Taiwan—will speak on Thurs., Nov. 15 at 3:30 p.m. on “Passion and Profession: The Art of Making the Two Meet Through Adventure Travel Writing and Photography.”
Dr. Margaret Doody, renowned scholar and novelist from the University of Notre Dame, will speak on Thurs., Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. on the place of Venice in the Western imagination in her talk “The Traveler in Venice: Moving through Space, Time, and Change.”
The kick-off event takes Sunday evening, Nov. 11, with a reading of travel-related writing by members of the Belmont community. Other highlights include a reception Wednesday for the symposium speakers, a Humorous Travel Essay Competition and a Writing Workshop focused on freelance/travel-related writing.
For additional information and a complete listing of all events in this year’s symposium, visit the online program at www.belmont.edu/english/humanities_symposium.
DMHO Makes Top Ten on ‘Next Great American Band’
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, a local band consisting of a number of Belmont alumni, made it into the Top 10 last week on new Fox television show “Next Great American Band.” The big band performed original song “All Night” and Elton John cover “I’m Still Standin’” on Friday evening’s show, and this week’s episode, which will air Fri., Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Central, will feature the songs of Billy Joel. Viewer voting will occur for two hours, from 8-10 p.m. Central, immediately following the conclusion of the broadcast. For more information, visit the DMHO Web site at www.denvermho.com.
Junior PR Major Wins Bridgestone Americas Scholarship
Emily Telford, a junior public relations major, was recently awarded the $2,500 Bridgestone Americas Public Affairs Scholarship, an annual award given by the Nashville-based company to a student who demonstrates academic excellence, campus service and professionalism.
Telford, who also is earning a double minor in journalism and philosophy, has maintained a 3.77 grade point average while being an active campus leader. She is the president of Belmont’s PRSSA Chapter and the former secretary and current volunteer for Bruin Recruiters, the student recruitment team at Belmont University. In addition to her campus service, she has had internships at Schmidt Relations, PassAlong Networks and National Renal Alliance.
“I am honored to receive the scholarship,” Telford said. “I am very passionate about working in the PR field, and I am so proud of the growth of our program at Belmont. Succeeding in my PR classes and developing our student organization, PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America), has been the most gratifying part of my college education, and to be rewarded with a scholarship is beyond reimbursement for all my hard work.”
Nursing Students, Health Services Provide Free Flu Shots for Edgehill
Belmont University and Kayne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church partnered this weekend to provide a free family flu shot clinic at the Easley Community Center in Rose Park, giving 94 vaccines at the Easley Community Center and to residents of I.W. Gernert Homes.
“Belmont has a great history of volunteerism in the community,” said Belmont Health Services Director Katy Wilson. “It was a logical and important step to add a health care dimension to that. My hope is that this effort will be the first in a long line of partnerships with the Edgehill community.”
Dr. Jason Rogers, the university’s vice president for administration and university counsel, added, “Belmont students, faculty and staff are already involved in a number of projects in the Edgehill community, but we are always looking for opportunities to further our service-learning initiatives and to be the best neighbors we can be. Hopefully, this event will go a long way toward keeping our community healthy this winter.”
Kayne Avenue Missionary Baptist brought food, games and balloons to the event to help distract participants, including numerous children, from anxiety about the needles. Vincent K. Campbell, senior pastor, said, “One of the things I like about this is that Belmont and the church are helping people overcome the barriers that prevent them from receiving services. This is a perfect example of how churches and non-profit institutions can partner together to do good for our community.”
Alvin Love Wins Urban/Pop Showcase
The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business Showcase Council rose to the challenge of bringing the best of Belmont to the stage on Sat., Oct. 27 in the university’s Curb Event Center. The Urban/Pop Showcase entertained the 1500+ crowd with stompin’ and steppin’ and musical musings from Steve Moakler, Alvin Love, Stephen Fryrear and Brett McLaughlin.
Taking home the prized title of “winner” was Detroit, Mich. native Alvin Love. Some of Love’s talents include dancing, singing, songwriting and choreography. As winner of the Urban/Pop Showcase, Love will perform again in April at the 2008 Best of the Best event.
Sophomore Music Business major and student producer Ross Marshall thought the production was “absolutely phenomenal… I seriously could not have asked for a better staff, crew or show. For my first time around, I thought it went amazingly well and that everyone involved had a great time.”
