12/01/2011 - Belmont Vision

www.belmontvision.com The student newspaper of Belmont University Vol. 60, No. 4 December 1, 2011

Page 2
The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Fact: Students drink, use drugs
Belmont, like most colleges, shows increase in substance violations
By Dena Adams
Staff Writer
When a student comes to Belmont, it’s made clear —
through Towering Traditions, the Bruin Guide, residence
directors and others — that the university prohibits both use
and possession of drugs and alcohol on campus.
Anyone caught violating those rules faces repercussions,
both on campus and also, in some cases, by Metro Police.
“There’s some teeth to our policies about alcohol and
drugs for a reason,” Vince Diller, Belmont’s assistant dean
of students, said. “We don’t want to be soft on that.”
These teeth can be shown through disciplinary actions.
For drug violations, suspension likely will be the penalty,
said Neil Jammerson, coordinator of student contact and
academic integrity.
The disciplinary actions are coming more often; as
Belmont grows, so have its drug and alcohol violations.
According to the Campus Security annual report, in
2009, 35 students faced penalties for alcohol violations,
and in 2010, there were 61, a 42 percent increase. The drug
violations on campus are even steeper, as 2010 violations
were four times higher than the year before that.
Jammerson said he believes that violations have
increased in number because enrollment numbers are
up. Belmont’s student population increased from 5,293
for the 2009-10 academic year to 5,936 for 2010-11, a 9.1
percent jump. The number continues to rise, with more
than 6,300 students enrolled in September. Just last month,
two Maddox residents were arrested by Metro Police and
charged with several drug-related offenses.
Diller agreed that greater numbers could create greater
problems in some areas.
“There’s more bodies that can potentially create some
poor decision-making,” he said, and he also speculated that
people are potentially feeling more empowered to report
violations.
“It’s important that everyone feels safe in this environment
but also feel empowered to call them [violations] in.
Let us know; help us enforce it,” Diller said,
Belmont senior Johnny Rush, who came to Belmont in
2008, said has seen firsthand the changes in the student
population.
“I remember when I came here the first time there were
certain parties at, if you smelled pot, the party was shut
down and it was instantly taken care of,” Rush said. “Now
it’s everywhere. I think it’s just the culture of the world
changing. It’s a lot more acceptable in society now, whereas
when I first came here it wasn’t as acceptable.”
Rush, a music business student, said he has seen his
share of alcohol and drug incidents.
Before attending Belmont, Rush had been in and out of
rehab as a teenager. The first time he was intoxicated was at
11, and he began to drink and smoke marijuana regularly at
12 or 13. These drugs quickly escalated to PCP and cocaine.
His drinking took a backseat to his other drugs of choice. At
15, he went to rehab and relapsed several times before going
through a summer’s treatment in Georgia.
Rush said he stayed sober nearly five years. He moved
to Nashville and enrolled at Belmont, but then he turned 21
and started to drink again, legally, but perhaps not wisely,
given his history of addiction.
This relapse didn’t come about by just a quick error in
judgment. Rush said it was a decision he considered before
he chose to drink and he even talked to a counselor.
“When I turned 21 and I all of a sudden I had no limits,
I was like a kid in a candy store,” he said. “I didn’t know
how to pour a normal drink and I didn’t know what tolerance
was. There was like a real learning process of how to
drink like an adult. Not go overboard and, for a lack of a
word, be a s--- show every time. It was learning how to be
social and not use it as an escape when life gets stressful.”
Rush, now 24, can’t speculate yet on how his choice
might ultimately play out. He agrees with some of the
administrators who acknowledge that there is alcohol use on
campus, despite the rules, but that it may not be as great a
problem as it is at larger schools.
No one disagrees that the number of students using and
abusing alcohol is probably below the the national average.
However, there are different viewpoints on how the issues
are addressed.
One of the main ways Belmont addresses alcohol and
drugs is through prevention. Belmont’s main source of
prevention is AlcoholEdu, Diller explained.
“AlcoholEdu is one of the best practices in higher education
in educating the baseline awareness on what alcohol
issues are out there,” he said. “Every student is required to
take it and we rely pretty significantly on that base. So, for
example, if someone does come across one of the lines we
can refer back to it.”
Recent graduate Caitlin O’Leary disagrees.
“I think it’s a good idea in theory however, I don’t think
in practices it actually prevents anything. In my opinion,
people aren’t going to base their decisions to drink or not on
AlcoholEdu,” she said.
The National Institutes of Health gave high marks to
AlcoholEdu in its success in helping to reduce harmful
drinking among college freshmen. However, the NIH said
the results of a study published in September issue of the
American Journal of Preventive Medicine might not be
long-lived.
Dr. Mallie Paschall and colleagues conducted randomized
trial of incoming freshmen at 30 public and private
American universities. Some students took AlcoholEdu
while others took part in whatever other programs their
schools offered.
Researchers also tracked 90 students from each school
who took periodic surveys on use of alcohol, number of
drinks per event and binge drinking frequency.
According to the NIAA, “The researchers found that
students who took the online course reported significantly
reduced alcohol use and binge drinking during the fall
semester, compared with control students. These beneficial
effects, however, did not persist into the spring semester.”
Paschall, in his report, concluded, “Lack of course
effects in the following spring suggests that, by itself, the
course may be insufficient to sustain effects over time, or
perhaps that its benefit is eventually overcome by students’
exposure to alcohol and peer drinking behavior.”
Diller said that when prevention efforts have failed and
individuals go on to using substances and perhaps developing
an addiction, Belmont has limited resources.
“Those concerns are way beyond what we should try
to help internally when people are truly addicted, physiologically
and emotionally,” Diller said. “Anywhere on the
continuum, we know that folks need to plug in on a therapeutic
source that’s greater than what we offer in house.
“We have counselors that can work in psychiatric facilities,
but we’re not a psychiatric facility. We are here for the
daily and life stuff that can hamper your academic progress.”
Diller said that there isn’t a current need for a 12-step
program tied to Alcoholics Anonymous on campus, even
though they’re not uncommon on campuses — Vanderbilt
has a longstanding meeting.
Rush also said that from his observation, there isn’t
necessarily a need for Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics
Anonymous group on campus, although “it wouldn’t hurt,”
he said.
“I guess I don’t know that many people who have said, ‘I
want to quit drinking’ or ‘I have a problem,’” Rush said. “I
think also the problem is that the typical excuse is, ‘It’s not
alcoholism until you’re out of college.’ I think people kind
of a turn a blind eye to the people that do have a problem
and it almost won’t be as obvious until after they graduate.”
Many men, women at risk for HIV/AIDS
By Annalise Kraus
Staff Writer
On June 5, 1981, doctors in Los Angeles
first reported a disease that eventually and
fundamentally changed the world: HIV/
AIDS.
Now, 30 years later, scientists have tried
to understand HIV/AIDS and the resulting
pandemic as the virus continues to surpass
the capabilities of the human immune
system. But consistent research, policy
changes and activist movements bring hope
for the estimated 1.1 million Americans and
nearly 34 million people worldwide living
with the disease.
Even though HIV/AIDS is not curable,
it has evolved into something much more
manageable, said Katy Wilson, director of
Belmont Health Services.
“One of the big things about HIV is it is
no longer a death sentence. It’s actually a
chronic illness,” she said.
Even with this progress, there is still
room for concern.
One out of five Americans who are
infected with HIV don’t know it, according
to aids.gov. While the disease, in the early
years, was found to be disproportionately
high among sexually active gay men, the
new cases today — 56,000 diagnoses in the
U.S. this year — are in heterosexual men
and women, and the highest percentage of
those are in the 20-24 age group.
There are advances in drug combinations
that can stall the onset of AIDS for years,
but without awareness, testing and early
treatment, the outcome is no less deadly
than it was three decades ago.
World AIDS Day – Dec. 1 – is now
observed in 190 countries. This is the 24th
year of the awareness effort that reaches
tens of millions on several continents.
As national awareness of HIV/AIDS
has increased, Wilson and the Health
Services staff are doing their part to keep
Belmont students educated so they can have
resources to deal with concerns about HIV/
AIDS or any sexually transmitted disease.
Wilson said Health Services has always
offered any kind of routine testing for HIV
and other STDs. A student can call and
make a confidential appointment.
“That would be the case in any primary
care clinic and especially in a college
setting,” Wilson said.
Since Health Services is now capable of
electronically accessing medical records,
even more confidentiality is possible.
The clinic can also refer students to
other places in town such as the local
health department, comprehensive care
centers, or other walk-in clinics where
students can receive even more anonymity,
she said.
In the 37 years Wilson has been in the
health field, she has seen a change in how
much information is available regarding
HIV/AIDS. With the Internet, much of that
information can be misleading.
“Sometimes websites will look very
official and they aren’t at all,” she said.
People can get the wrong information,
so if they question their health, they are
encouraged to come to Health Services,
have a private conversation and let someone
with training help them make decisions, she
added.
Health Services also offer sources on its
website to direct students to credible sites
by the American Health Association and the
Centers for Disease Control when seeking
health-related information.
Although the amount of information,
both accurate and inaccurate, has increased,
Wilson feels the proportion of students
How much do college students today
know about HIV/AIDS? For the
results of a survey on campus, see
belmontvision.com.
seeking information has not changed.
“People are always seeking information
about things they may not understand, or
not know how to deal with,” she said. “We
try to give students, and the employees that
we see as well, up-to-date, evidence-based
studies, places they can go for additional
information. If they need to be referred, we
try to refer them to someone whose reputation
we are familiar with, et cetera.”
In addition to an annual health fair,
Health Services provides several health
information events every year, as well as
group and individual sessions and appointments.
In the past, they have hosted a
variety of seminars regarding HIV/AIDS.
Whether it is through Belmont Health
Services or other local outlets, knowledge
about HIV/AIDS is available to create a
more aware college environment.

The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Page 3
Mobile Market travels
to city’s ‘food deserts’
By Brian Wilson
Editor
Matthew Cross stops his Vanderbilt Plant Operations
truck and parks it in the middle of a public housing complex
in Edgehill, trailer in tow.
It’s a dark, quiet and rainy Sunday afternoon. It’s likely
to be a slow sales day, even for the weekend shift.
Cross opens and enters the trailer from the back,
checking to see if the shelves are stable and setting produce
and canned goods back into place after a bumpy ride. He
takes out a box of receipts, some newly donated bags, and
the all-important credit card machine, now capable of taking
EBT food stamps. After setting up some tables and chairs
outside, he is ready.
The Nashville Mobile Market is open for business.
The Mobile Market, on the road since February, sells
fresh produce and other healthy foods. It operates four days
a week, and has stops in the north, south and east areas of
the city, including two stops in Edgehill, the city’s most
prevalent food desert, according to a Vanderbilt study.
Cross, a Vanderbilt senior and director of operations for
the Mobile Market program, has been involved nearly since
its beginning, when Vanderbilt medical student Robbie Patel
saw this specific need of the Edgehill community while he
was working at a local clinic. The area he saw was a food
desert, full of convenience stores and gas stations with
sodas and snack food, but two miles from the nearest major
supermarket, a Kroger store on Franklin Pike.
“In these communities that we’re targeting … our
purpose is to provide a sustainable source of food,” Cross
said. The aim is to lower financial barriers by keeping
prices near wholesale or lower than Kroger, and to reduce
transportation costs that come with taking a bus or driving.
“By doing that, we are able to provide a grocery store so
people can buy food, put food on the table, and be able to
live healthy active lives,” Cross said.
The group, while providing fresh and healthy food
options, also tries to provide customer education about
healthy eating and living. At most stops, food educators
and recipe books are available to give customers information
about how to use their food purchases, said Neil Issar,
director of public relations for the market.
“Just because it’s healthy doesn’t mean it can’t taste
as good or be as diverse as what they’re getting from the
convenience stores that litter the area,” he said.
Blocks away from these convenience stores, the rainy
day made a usually slow shift even more drawn-out.
A hard-of-hearing woman, after having Cross write
down how much money she owed, made the first purchase of
the day, one apple.
A snack, Cross speculated.
As the afternoon went by, a number of local customers
walked through the 28-foot trailer, buying everything
By Jessica Adkins
Staff Writer
Kelsey Kinsel sees experience as a catalyst
for action.
“Throughout history, if you look at
anybody who has really impacted the
world, it all starts from something that they
personally experience,” she said.
For Kinsel, now a freshman at Belmont,
that experience happened in her sophomore
year of high school, when she lost two of her
friends to suicide.
“That really affected me,” she said. So,
she decided to try her best to ensure that
suicide wouldn’t happen again.
Kinsel, then 16, had noticed other antisuicide
campaigns weren’t reaching out to
teens through education systems, so she
started her own nonprofit that would. She
called it Salvation City, with the mission to
educate students about counseling options
for depression and stress, and about warning
signs to look for in friends who may be
from eggs and yogurt to produce and canned goods.
One customer, who has multiple sclerosis, buys
chili to try with her macaroni and tomatoes.
“Without the market, I have to go on my motorized
scooter [to get food],” she said.
Another customer, Gladys Benton, goes to the
Mobile Market’s Edgehill stop when she gets the
chance, even though she lives in walking distance of a
local grocery store.
“But they don’t have as much stuff as you all have,
and it’s not as reasonable. So I enjoy meeting the
market,” she said.
After this run of customers ended, Cross put some
money into the cash box, and got a bag ready for his
own shopping. Before he left Nashville for Memphis
for Thanksgiving break, his parents wanted him to
grab some produce.
“It’s great. I don’t even have to go to a grocery
store,” he said.
In its first year, the market has already gained
surprising success. From day to day, business is profitable
and expandable for the non-profit group, who plan
to become an official 501(c)(3) in the near future. The
movement has also generated support and interest in
and out of Music City.
“People called us and said they wanted help setting
up their own version of the Mobile Market,” Cross
said. “We thought about it a lot and said ‘Yeah, definitely.’”
Additional markets are currently being planned
in six or seven additional cities, including Memphis,
Dallas and Atlanta.
Midway through this recent afternoon in Nashville,
however, help was on the way for Cross and the
Mobile Market. Belmont senior Michael Cirelli came
to volunteer for the rest of the shift.
Cirelli learned about the program through a junior
cornerstone class. Before volunteering, he wasn’t aware of
the needs of the community only blocks from campus.
“You kind of live in the Belmont bubble,” he said. “It’s a
good opportunity to get out there and get your mind open ...
to make a difference.”
Making a difference and providing a reasonable solution,
while practical, is not the end goal for the group. Ideally, the
group would like to hire employees and eventually send the
truck and trailer out into Nashville six days a week.
But Cross said that in the future he wants the market’s
last stop to be one most groups strive to avoid.
“Long term, we hope that the market isn’t needed
anymore,” he said. “We hope that five years from now,
there’s an active grocery store here that can provide more
diversity of products, different foods, and can be here long
term because that’s what the community wants and that’s
suicidal.
Her ultimate goal is to distribute these
materials nationwide to inspire positivity
and community in every high school in the
United States.
“I know that’s ambitious, but you have
to dream big, and you have to have faith that
one vision can turn into something that can
really, really affect people, and eventually
change the world,” she said.
And ending suicide would certainly
change the world. It is the third leading
cause of death in young people between 10
and 24, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Suicide takes
approximately 4,400 lives each year.
So, Kinsel said, everyone has been
affected by suicide in some way, but suicide
is still generally regarded as a taboo subject.
Salvation City aims to combat this by
opening these issues for discussion.
“If [teens] can read about suicide prevention
in different media outlets then they
might feel comfortable if they’re struggling
to reach out for help,” Kinsel said.
Last month, Kinsel has released the
Salvation City HOPE Compilation CD, with
10 uplifting songs by 10 different artists.
She hopes to sell the CDs to raise money to
distribute the suicide prevention resources.
Salvation City is also holding a HOPE
poster campaign. Supporters can purchase
a poster and photograph themselves with it,
in order to help the nonprofit share its motto:
“Let your HOPE shine.” Kinsel hopes this
will promote the message that everyone is
capable of sharing hope and influencing
others positively.
Some musicians and bands have already
taken photos with posters to support Salvation
City. BMX star Mark Hoffman, actress
Marcia Cross, and singer Colbie Caillat are
just a few of the stars who have expressed
interest in supporting Salvation City
The door is open and the sign is
out, letting passersby in Edgehill
know that the Mobile Market is
ready for business. The market
travels to different areas of
Nashville that have been labeled
“food deserts” because of residents’
lack of access to grocery
stores and other options for
getting healthy, affordable food.
Volunteers help customers and
set up fresh produce and other
healthy foods for customers to
choose from.
PHOTOS by Brian Wilson
what they really need.
“We never wanted it to be a permanent solution to food
deserts.”
Issar echoed Cross’ feeling.
“If these areas have that label of food desert erased,
we’ll no longer be needed but it means we’ll have done our
job as well,” Issar said.
For now, though, Cross was done just for the day.
“It’s about that time,” he said, as the early winter sunset
began to darken the sky.
In a matter of minutes, Cross and Cirelli put the tables
and chairs back into the trailer.
Before they were fully closed, a mother and daughter
walked up, hoping they were still open. A couple of minutes
later, they left the trailer, arms full of food.
It’s a sight supporters of the market would like to see
again.
Freshman recognized for nonprofit work
throughout its growth.
In addition, the project has already
gotten great publicity by outlets like MTV
and the Tennessean. Kinsel was also a
Reader’s Choice finalist for Glamour Magazine’s
2011 Woman of the Year.
“It was great just being able to share my
story and to share my heart for the cause,
knowing that it was going to reach thousands
of people,” Kinsel said of the media
attention.
Salvation City is going through the
process to file as an official nonprofit, which
is still in its opening phases. But with such
publicity and support from big names,
Kelsey believes the nonprofit is growing
quickly because it’s such a relatable cause.
“It just shows how one idea from a
16-year-old girl in Las Vegas has turned
into something that’s reaching teens from
all across the country,” she said. “It’s been
wonderful.”

Page 4 The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Q&A: Lea Marie
By Annalise Kraus
Staff Writer
Belmont sophomore Lea Marie Golde is one of the most
buzz worthy musical acts on campus. With such a mixed
following of admirers, analysts and onlookers offering both
support and criticism, the sophomore songwriting major’s
popularity—and posters—cannot be ignored.
Golde, more widely known as Lea Marie, had the first
show in Curb Café history where mandatory wristbands had
to be given out to manage the crowd at her October show,
according to event coordinator Emilija Clark. This was her
third show in the Curb Café, and students began to arrive at
more than two hours early to see it. During the show, there
were more people outside watching through the glass than
inside the venue, Lea Marie’s manager Richard Swor said.
Lea Marie already has produced an 11-original song CD
as well as a DVD with six original music videos. A third
album, “Undercover Lover,” is in the works with a January
2012 release date.
“I would say [my style] is definitely pop. I’m a cross
between Lady Gaga and Madonna. But I like to call it,
‘MaGaga’ because it describes perfectly what I do,” Lea
Marie said.
Last month, Vision multimedia editor Annalise Kraus sat
down with this singer/songwriter to find out more about the
artist behind the popular Curb Café shows.
How did songwriting become a passion of yours?
I come from a very musical family. Somebody was
always playing the piano, the violin or singing. A bunch
of my cousins also went to Julliard. There was always
music in my home. I decided I wanted to get serious
about playing the piano when I was 8 years old, and
the first four chords my piano teacher gave me, I wrote
a song. I’ve been writing for over a decade now, and
I’ve taken many songwriting classes. I actually went
to the Kauai Music Festival and places all over the
United States for songwriting workshops. I would say
songwriting is something that kind of came naturally
to me. I don’t know why, I just started writing and it’s
become a part of me. It’s like songwriting would be the
sun with all the planets revolving around it. Songwriting
is the center of my universe.
It sounds like you’re really involved in producing your own
music. What is your favorite part?
I think it’s really exciting when I have the melody in
my head and I finally get to hear what it’s like with the
piano. Also I love when I’m in production of a song, the
element that just pushes it over that edge when you’re
like, ‘Wow! It’s really produced now.’ To actually hear the
vision you have in your head out on the loudspeakers.
There’s nothing I enjoy more than hearing a song that I
just wrote, fully produced. It’s like the glory moment, it’s
so exciting and I can’t wait for other people to hear it. I
also love a live audience and interacting with them.
What or who is your inspiration for writing, producing and
performing music?
There are so many artists that have influenced me
throughout the years. I really love Billy Joel, Elton John,
Carole King, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell. They’re all
wonderful artists. I also am inspired by Britney Spears,
Madonna, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, all the people that are in
that juggernaut. I would say I take a little bit from other
artists, but I also bring a lot of originality and uniqueness
to the table in my artistry and through my writing. I am
a pop artist and that’s what I do, so I want to also wear
something that expresses who I think I am as an artist.
In addition to writing music for your own performances,
you are also hoping to add writing music for TV and film to
your repertoire. How did that start?
The first movie I ever saw that I came home really
inspired about was “Pirates of the Caribbean.” I went
home right away and wrote a song about it. I also wrote
a song after I saw the film, “Enchanted,” and more
recently “Twilight.” I then realized that I could write for
TV and film, so I got a bunch of those songs together
and I submit them online through various websites.
They could either play the song in the actual movie or
they could put it in the
soundtrack. So, hopefully,
that’s something I will be able
to get into in my future.
You auditioned for “American
Idol” in August 2008 and your
audition was broadcast on the
opening night of the season.
What was the experience like?
It was great. I auditioned
when I was 16 and I was
actually in Nashville for a
songwriting workshop at the
time. They had already had
the San Diego auditions, so I
decided to fly out to Arizona
and try out. I brought my
songwriting book with me—
which had about 200 songs
in it—and I presented it to
Kara DioGuardi on the panel.
She flipped through it and
told me that for someone who
has so much material, I was
obviously very dedicated and
should keep it up. She was
very encouraging. I was the
first person, actually, to go
on the show as a songwriter
first and a singer second. ...
The audition was a wonderful
experience. I released an
album a few months later and
the exposure from “American
Idol” boosted the number of
views on my website.
You wanted not only to have
a musical career, but also
to continue your education
after high school. How did
you decide to pursue your
academic career at Belmont?
I knew I wanted to be a
songwriting major and there
are only a few schools in the
United States that have a
songwriting major. There’s
Berklee and Belmont, so
there weren’t too many
choices, but I chose Belmont
because it is in Music City and there are so many
opportunities here. It’s a very songwriter-oriented town, I
would say, and I was really drawn to that.
Being a student in addition to pursuing a musical career,
how do you balance the two?
Because I am a full-time, year-round student, I go to
school over the summers doing full semesters in addition
to full semesters during the regular school year. All of
my traveling is to Los Angeles for shooting music videos
and performing in other places than Nashville. I usually
travel over spring and Christmas breaks. I would say I
do a lot of juggling. Usually during the week I mainly
focus on schoolwork, but I try to do one thing for my
musical career every day. It could be writing a new song,
or submitting a song for film and television. Then usually
over the weekends I will work on my songwriting.
Has all the hard work you’ve put into your music paid off in
any recognition or awards?
When I was 15 years old, I submitted my demo to
“Music Connection” magazine. It was a 3-song demo
and I wanted to see what the response would be. They
called me at the end of the year, and they told me, of
all the demos that were submitted that year, I ended up
having the No. 1 pop demo of 2007. I was very happy
Photo courtesy of Lea Marie Golde
Pop singer and songwriter Lea Marie Golde, a sophomore at Belmont, is continuing to draw a
full house for her shows in Curb Cafe.
For more from our interview with Lea Marie
log onto the belmontvision.com for exclusive
interview and piano performance footage.
about that, so I finished up working on that demo and
then released it as an album.
Like any artists, there are those who really enjoy the
music you produce, but there are also those who don’t like
it. Knowing there may be some people in the crowd that
don’t necessary like your music, how do you still have the
confidence to get up and perform?
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
If you’re going to be in this industry, you know that
everybody has an opinion. There are so many people that
have written me wonderful letters, so why even focus on
the negativity when there’s so much support?
Other than Belmont’s Curb Café, where else do you
perform?
I perform at the Hotel Indigo. They have a wonderful
red piano that I love. I also have performed at The
Listening Room. If it’s a more acoustic venue, I will
do a “Lea Marie Unplugged Night” with my keyboard,
with maybe a violinist and a cellist. If it’s more of a pop
venue, which I perform at most of the time, I’ll bring my
dancers and my pop tracks and put on a real show. I
also have performances in 18+ clubs around Nashville in
the works.
What do you do in your free time, any hobbies?
I love to swim. I actually used to be a competitive
swimmer. I love painting. I used to do a lot of oil
painting. I also love going to musicals.

ideas
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The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Time is right to raise your voice
a&e
The end is near.
According to the logic inside my head, it’s a statement
that doesn’t need to wait until next year’s Mayan maybeapocalypse.
After this edition is published, the last of the
semester, logic tells me it’s time to kick back, focus on
finals, and start looking ahead to Christmas break. After
last year, though, I know better than to lose my focus and
voice at this point.
One year ago this month, as classes were ending and
exams were about to begin, I got a call from Pierce Greenberg,
then Vision sports editor. That call set the tone for
the semester at the Vision and around Belmont: Lisa Howe,
the women’s soccer head coach, had been dismissed from
her post days after coming out as a lesbian to her team.
The exit – to clarify, both Howe and Belmont officially call
her departure a mutual agreement – was something the
school should have seen coming after it broke ties with the
Tennessee Baptist Convention.
Now don’t get me wrong. No one could have predicted
the way things fell out during that first December week
when Lisa Howe left Belmont. No one could have predicted
the flood of media coverage from hundreds of media outlets,
the hectic press conference after days of university silence,
the student demonstrations, and the eventual change in the
employee nondiscrimination policy that came the following
sports
January. But a controversy like
this, one that would further define
the new direction Belmont would
and could take, was going to
happen sooner or later.
Since Belmont left its official
connection to the TBC,
the university has moved away
from denominational theology.
Indeed, the university’s persona
has seemed to sway on a tightrope
as it tried to balance a conservative
Christian tradition with more
moderate or liberal leanings from
much of the Belmont community.
These feelings have also been
shown in the expansion of the
campus, graduate programs, and
the student body in general, even
though Belmont makes its still
fairly small size a selling point.
While this balancing act may
bring a number of temporary benefits and allow a variety of
views to be expressed and discussed, this is not a place the
university can stay forever. Whether through Lisa Howe’s
Brian Wilson
exit, the hiring of Alberto Gonzales, or
something we as a community haven’t seen
yet, the university still must find a way to
define itself as a school keen on expansion
yet still holding fast to its Christian roots.
That means we probably haven’t seen the
last of the controversies. With each one of
them though, Belmont will start to figure
out who it is and where it will go for the
near future.
This era of transition also provides a
major opportunity. We, as a student body,
have as a role bigger than ever, and one that
has one of the greatest chances to impact
this school for a long time. Whether we
all agree on these issues or not, we have
a voice, a voice that can and should be
listened to.
Let’s use it.
Vision editor Brian Wilson is a junior
journalism major.
Can U.S. leap small buildings in single bound?
Two large thugs enter a store. With guns waving, they
yell out their demands.
A feeble elderly woman cries out in fear as the criminals
point their weapons at her
shaking body.
No phones to use to call the
police. No surveillance system
Autumn Allison
fitness
to identify the intruders.
It seems like all hope is lost
for the theft victims.
That is until the disturbance
reaches mild-mannered Clark
Kent.
At the precise moment,
Kent disappears into a telephone
booth only to reappear
as the famous blue and red clad
Superman.
His appearance is perfectly
timed to save the day and take
down the bad guys. Once again,
Superman’s efforts have created
a better world in which those
without his level of powers can
safely reside.
Thus we learn that good
overcomes evil. It’s in every fairy tale and kids’ movie. The
good guy always wins. He’s always right. And that’s what
we’ve been told, so that’s what we believe.
Maybe it’s a continuation of childhood myths or maybe
it’s just the long history of being a top dog superpower, but
the U.S. seems to be attempting a rebirth of the glory days
by trying to recapture this iconic superhero
status. In other words, America has
a Superman complex.
Just take a look at the “military
operations” our country has been
involved in with the past 15 years. Libya,
Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Liberia,
Sierra Leon, Kuwait, Somalia, Pakistan,
Georgia and Lebanon just to name a few.
(Seriously, check out a military operation
timeline if you don’t believe me.)
While the level of involvement
varies from operation to operation,
each conflict involved the United States
extending some for of military aid.
Sometimes the aid went to preventing
terrorism, others to helping the government
in power to crush rebellions.
By providing aid, the United
States is effectively collecting a group
of like-minded governments, bent on
providing a clearer stance against the
dark side or at least, collectively hashing
out trading standards.
Both NATO and United Nations could be called the
Justice League for the real-world counterpart of the superhero
ideal.
My curiosity over the public’s feelings towards the
United States’ increasing foreign involvement led me to the
pages of a history discussion panel. Besides wading through
blatant errors in both writing and historic facts, the number
of good will opinions toward the subject was exactly what I
had been expecting.
Moral obligations and “America’s position as a world
leader” were two of the leading points mentioned in probably
85 percent of the posts.
Surprising? No.
Go back to childhood myths and remember playtime.
Everyone wanted to be the good guy; it was a sign of
dislike or punishment if you were forced to be the villain.
This has become a defining trait in numerous social interactions
for the not so-young crowd.
Our personal connection to being a part of the United
States skews our thinking. As citizens of the United States,
the previously mentioned debaters are merely demonstrating
a societal need to be in the right, to be the hero in every
circumstance.
And what better way to do it than through timely rescues
and a display of “Boy Scout” morals; after all, who doesn’t
want to be Superman?
Autumn Allison, Vision managing editor, is a sophomore
journalism major.
The Student Newspaper of Belmont University
1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville TN 37212
Phone: 615.460.6433
E-mail: vision@belmontvision.com
Editor: Brian Wilson
Managing Editor: Autumn Allison
Multimedia Editor: Annalise Kraus
Faculty Adviser: Linda Quigley
Online/Graphics Adviser: Angela Smith

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Page 6 The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Tunes and traditions
Vision
A Belmon
By Julia Baynor
STAFF WRITER
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Some Christmas songs are good. Some are really, really bad.
And some family traditions are really, really good. And some,
well, maybe they don’t need to be repeated enough to become
traditions. But, for better or worse, Vision editors give you the
tunes and traditions that make Christmas a season to remember.
Autumn Allison
SONG:
While most people prefer cheesy, love inducing songs to fi ll their
homes with holiday cheer, I take another route. Nothing gets me
into the spirit better than the whiny lyrics of “I Want a Hippopotamus
for Christ- mas” by 10-year-old Gayla Peevey. Some
have tried – most notably the Three
Stooges – but none can capture the pure
joy of wishing for a “hippo hero” that
Peevey does. How can you not like a
song where a child says, “Don’t want a
doll, no dinky Tinker Toy”? You can’t.
It’s impossible and scientifi cally proven
– somewhere. So for Christmas cheer
and a song guaranteed to engrave
itself into your mind, remember, “Only
a
hippopotamus will do.”
TRADITION:
Every single year, the three kids (a term applied loosely in my
house) sit down and each of us opens a single gift on Christmas
Eve. PJs. fl annel, silky, and even nightgowns for the little one are
all possibilities but never footie pajamas for some reason. After we
all feign surprise, dutifully all of us disappear to our rooms to reappear
clad in our new Christmas jammies to watch “Elf” and eat the
cookies that remain after my 7-year-old sister has designated the
choice ones for Santa.
Jessica Adkins
SONG:
My heaven on earth would be my
three dogs at my feet, a steaming
Mochahontas in my hands, my
darling curled up on the opposite
end of the couch, and “Baby,
It’s Cold Outside” playing gently
over a crackling fi re. No song
melts my heart quite like this
classic, especially the rendition
by Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone. These crooners have very
different voices, but they blend together like vanilla ice cream and
hot apple pie. Perfection.
TRADITION:
My family watches “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” almost every
year. Not the creepy new one with Jim Carrey, but the older cartoon
version. My mom loves that movie so much, so it’s a great way
to sit down as a family and enjoy a timeless favorite. But we don’t
have too many steady traditions. Each year is unique, because
we’re completely unpredictable in the most excellent ways. As long
as I’m with them, it’s a very merry Christmas indeed.
Annalise Kraus
SONG:
“Angels We Have Heard On
High.” I adore this song, mostly
because I am always so proud of
myself for getting all of those O’s
out in one breath: “Glo-o-o-o-o-oo-o-o-o-o--ri-a.”
Maybe “Carol of
the Bells” can be my other favorite
once I learn all the words.
TRADITION (MAYBE NOT):
One thing I will always remember
is the year my family’s perfect
Christmas tree became a Charlie
Brown Christmas tree. With the
tree tied down to the roof of our
car, we headed home, but we
soon heard the earth-shattering
sound of our tree rolling off into the middle of the highway. After
the tree spent some time rolling in traffi c, we fi nally retrieved what
was left. Good grief!
Brian Wilson
SONG:
This year, I’ve decided to go off the
wall with my favorite Christmas song.
Though the lyrically-minded part of
me is starting the disowning process
as we speak, my favorite song this
season is a Matt Wertz instrumental
cover of “Christmas Time is Here.”
The song, originating from Vince
Guaraldi’s original score in “A Charlie
Brown Christmas,” is subtle, without
a sign of cheesy lyrics – or hippos.
It’s that low-key sound, however, that connects listene
season, and allows their own memories to be placed i
For me, old Christmases of the past come back, and
there’s more to this season that meets the eye.
TRADITION:
My most steady Christmas tradition in my family is on
revolves around music – at least my mother’s infatuat
Christmas albums. As my family drives home from Th
every year, it never fails. There will be Christmas mus
last until the 25th. There will always be the classics –
Crosby album gets fair play during the season. Countr
get priority too, with albums from Emmylou Harris and
family on repeat. This year though, maybe I should try
different, something to bring her to the 21st century w
day musical tastes. Votes for the Biebster, anyone?
Dustin Stout
SONG:
A friend recently described how Michael Bublé’s new
album — aptly called “Christmas” — makes him wan
chocolate all over himself. Despite the odd thought (a
tial third-degree burns), I must admit I wholeheartedly
Bublé’s timeless vocals that provide a perfect bit of no
some of the most timeless holiday hymns. One cut in
“White Christmas,” is especially reminiscent and rand
reminders of Tim Allen’s ‘90s classic, “The Santa Clau
who doesn’t want to remember Scott Calvin and those
elves? Plus, Shania Twain is featured on the ditty. The
to get you in the mood for Christmas – and maybe eve
chocolate bath, too.
TRADITION:
When it comes to Christmas traditions in
my family, the one thing that stands out
in my mind is just that: my family – that
and my papaw’s rummage for his false
teeth to help him chew our customary
Christmas turkey. Anyway, for as long
as I can remember, I have memories
of making the rounds to the abodes of
grandparents, aunts, uncles and fi rst–,
second– and third–cousins. And
then, there’s Christmas morning with
Mama, Daddy and my two brothers. I
couldn’t imagine the holidays without my crazy but
limitlessly loveable Southern family.

The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Page 7
s of Christmas
t Vision Top 10 list of holiday proportions
ristmas: For 27 years, the historic town of
has given Christmas-lovers the opportuck
in time to experience Charles Dickens’
ic, “A Christmas Carol.” More than 250
take to the streets in 19th-century garb on
g out scenes from the story, dancing, singing
passers-by. There are restaurants and adoreverywhere,
giving people the perfect opporinute
holiday shopping. Gifts aside, Dickens
ives people the chance to walk around and
y atmosphere. Vendors selling Victorian fare
y legs, kettle corn, roasted nuts, sugar plums),
et musicians, and the event’s annual staple,
spins familiar Christmas carols on glass
able full of glasses, half empty and half full.
Him’s Christmas album, “A Very She
as.” This step only requires listening to
el’s voice crooning “Blue Christmas” as you
hristmas Carol” by the fire (for fire making
o. 5). No further elaboration needed. (P.S.
ooey Deschanel is now single. Please try and
es.)
ber of ridiculous, heartwarming
ies and try not to cry from the crippling
f the Claymation classics — namely,
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” but if you must, “Little
Drummer Boy” — “Home Alone” and its sequel, “National
Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “A Charlie Brown
Christmas,” any disambiguation of “A Christmas Carol” and
most importantly, “A Christmas Story.”
4. ICE!, returns for another year of awesome sculpture with
a DreamWorks theme, focusing on characters from Dream-
Works’ “Madagascar.” The exhibit, created from more than
2 million pounds of ice, includes sculptures of our favorite
DreamWorks characters, and more importantly, giant ice
slides. Need I say more? ICE! Featuring DreamWorks’ Merry
Madagascar runs from Nov. 18-Jan. 3.
5. Get a Yule log: When I was a kid, I had no idea what a “Yule
log” was. It was a concept that was never explained to me.
Thankfully, God created Wikipedia for people whose parents
neglect to teach this awesome and majestic tradition. A Yule
log is not only “a large log formerly put on the hearth on
Christmas Eve as the foundation of the fire,” according to
Merriam-Webster. It can also refer to a giant chocolate cake.
So really, the options are endless. Start an epic bonfire with
your own personal Yule log. Put it in your fireplace, or if you
don’t have a fireplace, find one to put it in. Or, make a chocolate
cake. A clear win-win situation.
6. Opryland Hotel Christmas Lights: Every year, the Opryland
Hotel puts up so many Christmas lights I’m willing to
bet you can see it from space. While this isn’t exactly an
official “event,” going to see the lights is a perfect Christmastime
activity nevertheless. Opryland is fun to roam around
in anyway, but during the holidays the hotel aims to impress
and doesn’t spare any expense with the giant Christmas trees,
thousands upon thousands of twinkling lights and the occasional
Santa Claus wandering about.
7. Decorate. Everything. Put up a tree (even if it’s a sad Charlie
Brown tree), throw up lights on every available surface and
strew about bags upon bags of candy canes. And don’t forget
the glitter.
8. Treat yourself to your very own “Ugly Christmas
Sweater’.” Over the last few years, there has been spike
in the popularity of what people usually refer to as “ugly
Christmas sweaters.” These knitted gems are at the tippity
top of the fashion tree in holiday wear. You can typically find
one of these babies at your local Goodwill, on eBay (18,289
already listed on Thanksgiving Day) or even better: in your
grandma’s closet. You don’t want to be caught dead drinking
a hot chocolate without one.
9. Go Christmas shopping at Green Hills: Or DON’T.
Enough said.
10. Enjoy the break while it lasts: No school, constant infusions
of candy and awesome food, plus crazy amounts of sleep.
Nothing is better. Happy Holidays, folks.
Bundy hosts Christmas at Belmont
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By Dustin Stout
STAFF WRITER
Country singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and
Tony-nominated Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy
wants the world to know something: She’s a work
in progress.
“When I stop learning or I stop feeling challenged,
I have to do something else,” she said.
“As long as I’m continuing to learn from my work
experiences, I’m on the right path.”
And the next stop on Bundy’s path is Belmont.
The performer, who describes herself as “360
degrees of entertainment,” will host the upcoming
“Christmas at Belmont” celebration, which this
year will return to the Schermerhorn Symphony
Center.
The holiday concert will broadcast on PBS
and feature Bundy’s collaborations with a mass
600-student choir, University Symphony Orchestra,
Belmont Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, Musical
Theatre, Jazz Ensemble and Bluegrass Ensemble.
“Having Laura Bell Bundy as host of
‘Christmas at Belmont’ is a tremendous coup for
the event,” Dr. Cynthia Curtis, dean of the College
of Visual and Performing Arts, said in a press
release. “She … serves as an outstanding musical
role model for our students.”
And that’s why Bundy is most excited to host
this year’s event: to have the opportunity to work
with some of Belmont’s most talented students.
“I am a big supporter of education in arts and
young people following their dreams,” she said.
“To be able to work with Belmont and work with
young people who are on the precipice of figuring
out who they are as artists…I’m excited to be apart
of that.”
A lover of Christmas music and the holiday
season in general, Bundy’s gig as host of
“Christmas at Belmont” is one in a long line of
varied jobs for the all-around performer.
“There’s a divine timing in everything,” she
said. “I do believe, in a weird way, that one project
leads to another.”
Several projects on the small screen and on
Broadway helped her land the role that would bring
her national attention and a Tony nomination. That
career-defining role was Elle Woods in Broadway’s
“Legally Blonde.”
The Tony-nominated role, Bundy said, prepared
her for where her journey would take her next:
country music.
But Bundy was on the road to Music City long
before she landed roles on Broadway. In fact,
Bundy’s beginnings were in country music. Her
family surrounded her with the music growing up.
“After I did ‘Legally Blonde,’ I decided to move
to Nashville because I wanted to finally pursue my
dream of doing country music,” she said. “For so
long, I had been very split, giving the acting opportunities
first choice over music.
In the end, it was the right decision, though.
HEAR THE BELLS (AND MORE)
Broadway star and country singer Laura
Bell Bundy will perform a new Christmas
tune when she hosts “Christmas
at Belmont.” The special will air on PBS
stations nationwide beginning Dec. 22.
Bundy also has new music set for an early
2012 release.
“I’m glad I did because I wasn’t a fully realized
musician at that time,” Bundy said. “I wasn’t a
songwriter at that time. I needed more life experience.
I wasn’t a fully realized performer. My
theatre experience helped me to become a better
performer of my own music.”
That music would come to fruition in her
2010 Mercury Records debut release “Achin’ and
Shakin’,” a two-part album of up-tempo contemporary
country music and slowed-down traditional
sounds.
“If Tammy Wynette hooked up with Dusty
Springfield, that would be ‘Achin’ and Shakin’.’ It
has like an old, soulful 60s sound,” she said, “but it
also had this torchy country thing as well. It’s just
what I like.”
Bundy also likes comedy, which her fans see
play out in “Cooter County,” a website portraying a
made-up “twisted small town” that is home to her
characters Shocantelle Brown, Euneeda Biscuit and
many more.
“I needed to start ‘Cooter County,’ or I would
have needed to go somewhere for multiple personality
disorder. I would have to get treatment or start
taking medication. I don’t know which. But I have
this world living inside my head,” she said.
Bundy hopes to put all of her talents to use one
day in what she calls a “one-woman Grand Ole
Opry.” It’s what she’s striving for, she says. And
she won’t have it any other way.
“I choose to entertain you. And I can’t entertain
you properly singing my music unless I’m
moving at the same time or emoting at the same
time,” she said. “If you look at performers, like
Tina Turner, James Brown or Dolly Parton...
They’re singers. They have a great sense of humor,
a swagger. They can dance. They are not just oneor
two-dimensional performers.”
For Belmont performers, Bundy’s advice is to
boldly pursue your dreams.
“Fifty percent of it is getting over your fears,”
she said. “Whatever it is, scare yourself. That’s
what it’s about. I believe when you can scare yourself,
you’re not afraid to be in the moment.”

a&e
Top 5 Albums on iTunes
1. Mylo Xyloto – Coldplay
2. Christmas – Michael Buble
3. Talk that Talk - Rihanna
4. Take Care – Drake
5. Here and Now – Nickelback
The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
‘Gravy and the Biscuits’ for 25,000
By Kyle Dee Johnson
Staff Writer
Before coming to Belmont, future roommates
Grady Wenrich and Sam Gidley
knew they both were interested in music,
but had not yet had the thought of forming
a band.
As incoming freshmen, the two Maddox
Hall residents began recording tracks before
meeting John Paterini, a singer/songwriter
across the hall.
“Sam played drums, I played bass and
did the whole rapping thing,” Wenrich said.
“We heard John’s voice and asked him if
he wanted to sing and play in the group.
He plays guitar too, so it just kind of…
ports
worked,”
Blending styles of soul, funk, hip
hop, and pop, the band began writing a
couple songs in their dorm room, but not
before creating a memorable name based
off Wenrich’s first name: Gravy and the
Biscuits.
“We’ll usually write a guitar or bass part
and pick a topic, then Grady will write some
verses off of that,” Paterini said.
Their first hit, “Butter,” a song about
finding one’s own unique creativity, became
well-known after the band created a music
video to it and posted the video on YouTube.
Before they knew it, the video had received
10,000, then 15,000, then 20,000 views. As
of now, the video has more than 25,000 hits.
“We thought it was crazy at first, but
we’ve just got to keep it going,” Wenrich
said.
And the attention hasn’t stopped with
“That Sunset,” has had more
than 14,000 hits.
The band is quick to show
appreciation to those who
helped make their music and
videos popular.
“We had Good Music All
Day help us out,” Paterini said.
“It’s the No. 1 college music
blog for trafficking music
every day. We were posted on
the homepage.”
On its website, Good Music
All Day describes the band as
having “swag rhythms, sexy
lyrics, funky horns, more soul
than momma’s kitchen and a
beat that if you can’t groove to
– you should see a doctor.”
The initial success of the
videos led the band to record
and release a seven-song EP
titled “Soul Food.” All seven
tracks are available for free
download on both gravyandthebiscuits.com,
and on
goodmusicallday.com.
For many Belmont
students, “Soul Food” provides
a much-needed break to the
stressors of academic life.
Sydney Shadrix, a sophomore featured
in the video for “That Sunset,” calls the
group a “chill, Californian, catchy” band.
Those three characteristics have been key to
attracting listeners, she said.
Because of their widespread popularity
among college students, Gravy and the
itness
just one song. The group’s second video,
Photo Courtesy of Gravy and the Biscuits
After only months together as a band, Gravy and the Biscuits have become a campus success, gaining tens of
thousands of hits through YouTube and music blogs.
Biscuits will tour many parts of the United
States.
“We’ve already got a few shows planned
at a couple colleges already – Kansas State,
a festival at Colorado College and some
other colleges around the area,” Gidley said.
“We’re just trying to play as much as we can
since we’re around each other 24 hours a
day, basically.”
While the three balance their upstart
group with their lives as Belmont students,
their goal is to keep people interested in the
music they make.
“We’re just trying to keep more people
listening by continuing to release singles
and videos,” Wenrich said.
Ainsley Britain has ‘Heart of Hope’
By Autumn Allison
Managing Editor
Listen to the Music
Ainsley Britain’s “Heart of Hope” is on
sale on iTunes for $6 or you can purchase
a hard copy directly from her for $10.
Check out ainsleybritain.com for more
information on the EP.
From an idea to paper to the recording studio.
This process may seem all too familiar for many Belmont musicians. But for Ainsley
Britain, a junior mass communications transfer from LSU, the process is all too new.
On Sept. 17, Britain released her first, and maybe last, EP with one idea in mind: having
a “Heart of Hope.”
Instead of releasing the
“Heart of Hope” EP for selfpromotion,
Britain’s dabbling
in music creation was geared
toward providing funds for the
Louisiana-based non-profit Hearts
of Hope, which just so happens to
be run by Britain’s real-life hero –
her mother, Jill Dugass.
“I watched my mom just be
sick over not getting donations,
reduced to stress over trying to
run a safe haven. … That’s what’s
wrong with the world, if a non-profit can’t keep going because of lack of donations,” Britain
said.
Hearts of Hope operates as a center that assists sexually abused children, teenagers and
adults as they recover from emotional and physical trauma. The programs include a Children’s
Advocacy Center, Sexual Assault Nurses and Rape Crisis Center.
“We are one of three in the nation, as far as we know, that houses all three programs in
one,” Dugass said. “It allows us to be with the victim survivor from the beginning ER trip
to the end of the process.”
Growing up surrounded by the pain experienced by victims of sexual abuse, Britain
developed a soft spot for the cause, but it was the statistics that really pushed her to the
recording studio.
Organizations like Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Abuse and Rape Abuse &
Incest National Network (RAINN) have estimated one in three females and one in five
males have been sexual abused by the time they are 16. A lack of reporting prevents a
definitive figure, and some estimate approximately nine out of 10 incidents go unreported.
“When I heard the stats, I thought ‘this is freaking scary,’” Britain said. “That’s when I
decided to do something … but I needed something to give in return for donations so that’s
where the EP came in.”
Numerous hours and talents had a hand in the creation of the EP and title track music
video, including old friend and current country chart topper, Hunter Hayes.
“[I have] no idea how it came together. Everyone just sat down and things fell into
place,” Britain said.
The six-song EP contains five original songs, four of which were co-written with Hayes.
Britain performed each of them during the EP release party — her first and perhaps her
only show.
“ I’m terrified of the stage, but I’m working on it,” Britain said.
But she’s not ruling out anything. “Heart of Hope” was released Sept. 17, and now
Britain is looking for her next project.
“Ultimately, I would like to do a different album for a different non-profit,” she said. “It
gets me out of the spotlight and provides them with something they can sell forever. That
would be ideal but it depends on getting everything to work out like with ‘Heart of Hope.’”
Britain is fully aware that her plans to change genres to fit a non-profit’s demographic
will limit her marketability, but making money is not the goal. She sees it as her chance to
be “the voice of the children,” just like her mother.

The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Page 9
Oklahoma Outfit wants to get on the map
By Olivia Christian
Staff Writer
Oklahoma Outfit has a history —a really
short history.
Their performance at this year’s Rock
Showcase put them on the radar of many
Belmont students, but there’s another story
behind their performance. Technically, the
group’s first gig was the audition to be in the
showcase.
Besides the tryout, which allowed them to
play alongside bigger Belmont names, they’ve
played two house shows and the Showcase
itself. So far, that’s it for the four-piece rock
‘n’ roll band that includes Hank Born on
guitar and lead vocals, Calvin Knowles on the
bass, Peter Jenkins on a second guitar, and
Josh Kleppin on the drums.
“The timeline for us has been accelerated.
Some bands sit in a garage for four
months before they have their first show – we
had to throw songs in we had never really
practiced.” – Josh Kleppin
hometown of Tulsa, Okla., Born and Jenkins
played a sixth-grade talent show together, and
Born also played alongside Knowles in a high
school jazz band.
“We’re trying to progressively add to our
vocabulary.” – Hank Born
It’s important to the members that their
sound is consistently developing through the
shows they play, their practices, and through
their influences. Oklahoma Outfit’s sound
encompasses a variety of tastes and influence
in its early stages, and it can’t yet be pinned to
a single genre. The band’s warm, basementstyle
tracks are catchy, to say the least, and
have caught the attention of many Belmont
students.
“So far, we have attempted to write some
songs with contrasting styles, but common
musicianship will keep them cohesive.” –
Calvin Knowles
facebook.com/OklahomaOutfit
Oklahoma Outfit gets up on the roof. Band members shown are, according to the group’s
Facebook page, Peter Jenkins, Calvin Knowles, Hank Born, Josh Kleppin and Hank's Beard.
Oklahoma Outfit is catching up with its
growing reputation with a slot at Exit/In for
the Belmont Bands Benefit Child Soldiers
showcase on Dec. 6. Plans are under way for
their first EP to be released this winter.
“The energy of playing a live show, the
energy of a crowd – that can bring melodies
to me, and adaptations to songs.” – Peter
Jenkins
Even though Oklahoma Outfit is a new
band, its members have a history. Most of
them performed together in some way long
before the fruition of the band itself. In their
As musicians with a fairly common taste
in music and individual formal training,
the musicianship is already there – band
members say they’ve never really had an
inefficient practice. Born and Knowles are
the songwriters of the group, and their talent
for it is obvious when Born’s soulful voice
growls them into the microphone.
“I think I speak for all of us when I say
I’ve just kind of been in and out of different
kinds of music in terms of what I listen to. We
wanted to create something, but didn’t want
anything too binding. – Hank Born
A picture is worth ... a Conan exhibit
By Julia Baynor
Staff Writer
When sophomore Lindsey Button found an email from
late-night host Conan O’Brien’s “Team Coco” in her inbox
late one night, no one was more surprised than she was.
The request was even more astonishing.
Team Coco asked for a portrait of O’Brien Button had
done in high school art class more
than a year ago, to be shown at the
Time Warner Center in New York
City, the skyscraper home of CNN
studios and on “Conan,” the flamehaired
talk show host’s nightly
show.
“I remember the first time I
actually watched Conan,” Button
said. “I was 12 years old, and I
stayed up late one night with my
sister. We saw him do his string
dance, and we were like, ‘This
guy is hilarious!’ We’re both huge
fans.”
When a portrait project on a
figure in popular culture came
up in her high school art class,
Button knew exactly who to do.
She made the portrait of O’Brien
out of construction paper, drawing
it first and then cutting different
shapes to form his well-known
pasty features. She got an “A” on
the project and put it to the back of
her mind.
Her work stayed there until
O’Brien exited “The Tonight Show”
only months after being promoted to
the NBC cornerstone program. After his departure, support
from his fans poured into every outlet available. Since
Button had painted her portrait only a few months before,
Button’s portrait of Conan O’ Brien was in the
Time Warner Center in New York from Oct. 24-
Nov. 3.
she was one of the first fans to respond.
“The first time I sent a picture of the piece in to Team
Coco was when ‘I’m with Coco’ started. They started up
a Flickr page before he even had his website and started
asking people to send in their art,” Button said. “I thought,
‘Well hey, I have this picture.’”
Button’s portrait was one of the
first entries in an online collection
that grew to nearly 1,000 pieces. Of
these, Button’s portrait was chosen
as one of 50 to hang in the Time
Warner Center as
part of the “COCO
MoCA: The Museum
of Conan Art” show.
Her piece was shown
along with more than
50 others when a
week of New York
City-based episodes
of O’Brien’s talk
show began to air.
O’Brien viewed
the COCO MoCA
gallery while visiting
New York City, and
glimpses of Button’s
piece showed up in
videos on CNN as
well as on his TBS
program.
Button isn’t an art
major, but as an English
major, she’s considered
other ways she might
work with O’Brien.
“ I love comedy, and I have a huge respect
for comedy,” she said. “I’ve thought about
interning for him, and there was a time when I wanted to
do television writing, but now I’m not sure how much I’d
wanna do that.”
Even if she’s not penning his latest jokes –she’s more
interested in writing novels– Button remains a big fan of
O’ Brien and his show, saying the newest incarnation is the
best yet.
“There’s no talk-show host that inspires the kind of
creativity that Conan does,” she said.
For Button, this creativity has taken a whole new
meaning.

Page 10 The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Jilian Linklater
The “Beat ‘N’ Track” this month showcases the songwriting
strength of sophomore Jilian Linklater. The 19-yearold
songwriting major first turned to piano, pen and paper
in times of heartache, and the songs that resulted on the
other side of the pain taught her some of life’s little lessons.
A few years later, in her freshman year at Belmont, the the
seasoned songstress awed audiences at two separate ASCAP
Writers’ Nights. After securing top honors, she earned a
performance spot at the 2011 Best of the Best Showcase. But
Dustin Stout learned all the hype doesn’t cloud the vision
of this Michigan native. For her, it’s all about one thing: the
song.
Talk about the fi rst time you wrote a song. What’s the name
of the song? What’s it about?
The first song I wrote was called “I Don’t Need You
Anymore” when I was 15, and if the title doesn’t give it
away, it was a very dramatic song about a boy who broke
my heart. So original, I know. Though the song isn’t one
of my best, I still remember exactly why I sat down to
write it, and that’s really what was important to me. I
sat down and wrote it because I felt like it would be a
good way to put it behind me and get something positive
out of the situation. I never really intended for anyone to
hear any of my songs at all. I just started writing to feel
better.
Talk a little more about that. How does songwriting lift
your spirits?
I played music and wrote songs to make me happy
and to cope with whatever was going on in my life—even
if I just got frustrated with someone. I remember getting
in fights with my mom about stupid stuff. She would say,
“Okay, Jilian, go away and go play guitar or something. It
will make you chill out a little.”
Is songwriting something you were always interested in, or
did you start by accident?
I wouldn’t really call it an accident, but I didn’t really
start playing around with songwriting until my midteens—which
is kind of later than most, I think. I always
had played piano, and it made me happy to play music
in general. But songwriting came along later.
How would you describe your style? Is there a common
theme that you tend to cover in your songs?
My songwriting style varies, but for the most part, I
usually just describe my music as acoustic pop or singer/
songwriter. As for a common theme, I mostly write about
real-life situations—whether it be in my life or a friend’s
or family member’s.
When you write a song, do you think about performing it in
front of other people and what they will think?
For me initially in the songwriting process, I never
even considered the listener. Songwriting will always first
and foremost be something I do because it makes me
happy and helps me cope, but there are times when the
listener comes into account. A song could make perfect
sense to me, but it could leave the listener completely
lost. What good is a song if you can’t get some sort of
message across?
You’ve performed at two of the Curb College’s ASCAP
Writers’ Nights and even got to perform at last spring’s
Best of the Best Showcase. Talk about how it felt to get
such an honor and to be recognized so positively for your
music. How does it feel to perform your songs in front of so
many people?
To be honest, when I applied for the ASCAP Writers’
Night, I didn’t think I had any chance of getting it.
Everyone writes at Belmont. So being picked twice – and
as the winner last year – was so awesome. I was jumping
out of my skin. And the showcase was crazy fun! I
remember walking off the stage after playing my song
looking at my violinist and percussionist. We all three
were saying, “Yes! That was so fun! Let’s do it again!”
We were so pumped. It was such a fun night.
That’s great. Getting to play at a showcase as a songwriter
is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But when it comes to
writing and performing, do you prefer one more than the
other?
I would have to choose writing over performing.
Though performing can be a rush, like at the showcase,
it all just comes back to the song for me. I’ve said it
a lot, but I love songwriting because it makes me feel
happy! The performing part isn’t as big of a factor
in that. Sure, I would still play music. But without
songwriting, music wouldn’t be as big of a part of me.
Speaking of the music that’s a part of you, your EP is
called “The Back Door EP.” What inspired that name?
The name “The Back Door EP” is credited to my
roommate Emily Clark. It came from one of the songs on
the EP called “Familia.” That song is just about growing
up and family and coming home again which described
the period of my life very well. So I thought that grabbing
a line from that song would be relevant for the time I was
releasing it. Plus, it’s got a nice ring to it.
I heard your EP was recorded in a dorm room. Is that true,
and if so, talk about that experience. Is it everything you
thought it would be?
Yes, it sure was recorded in a dorm room. My good
friend Tyler Newkirk introduced me to Chris Royer,
an audio engineering major, at the beginning of my
freshman year, he and said he would be down to record
some stuff. It just snowballed from there. The dorm
room recording was super fun but challenging. There
were space constraints and visitation hours we had to
work around, but we made it happen. Chris made his
wardrobe into a booth with carpet and blankets draped
over the side. It was lovely. I sang right to all his clothes.
One song that’s not on your EP is called “Make Me.” I
heard you perform it at the most recent ASCAP Writers’
Night, and from that moment on, I was a Jilian Linklater
fan. Now, this isn’t your typical love song. Talk about why
you wrote “Make Me” and what the song’s about.
I wrote “Make Me” just this past summer. I actually
found a little piece of paper with the idea for the song
written on it in my dresser. I must have just scribbled it
down a while ago and forgotten about it. But the song
is about wanting to have your heart broken, which is the
opposite of most songs you hear. But this song is about
someone who has never been in love or feels incapable
of love, and it seems that maybe a heartbreak is the only
way that person can realize they are in love or can be in
love.
I always say there’s no greater thing than to feel the words
of a song more than you even hear them. Your songs do
that and strike such a chord with people who are listening.
Why do you think that is?
Well, I’d hope that the reason for that is that they can
relate and feel the genuineness of the words they are
hearing.
I hear you are a sucker for country music. In fact, you
even have a song called “Country Song” on your YouTube
channel. Talk about what you hope people feel when they
hear this song.
I do love me some country music. The funny thing
about “Country Song” is every single thing in the song
is true. I didn’t just sit down and say, “Hey I’m going
to throw a bunch of country music clichés in a song.”
I sat down and wrote about my night, and it happened
to sound like a country song! The whole attitude
behind country music is that it’s real people and real
experiences, so I hope that comes across in this song.
It defi nitely does. Well, you’ve recorded and released an
EP. You’ve won an ASCAP Writers’ Night and gotten to
perform at last year’s Best of the Best Showcase in front of
all of Belmont. What’s next for Jilian Linklater?
As of right now, I am just writing as much as I can.
And hopefully, in the future those songs will land me a
publishing deal. That’s really what I have my eyes set on
right now. But ultimately—if I want to be really cliché—I
want to be happy doing what I love, with people that I
love. Maybe If I’m lucky, the two will go hand in hand.

sports
The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Women’s basketball get first win of the season
After opening the season with a five-game losing streak, the
Bruins women’s basketball team got a win with a 69-59 victory
over the Indiana State Sycamores Nov. 27. The Bruins came
back from an early second-half deficit with an 11-4 run to cement
the lead. Conference play opens Dec. 1, and the women’s
team has four more home games scheduled before the new
year.
Teams wrap up fall season
fitness
By Matt Matoh
Staff Writer
As the semester ends, seven Belmont teams have wrapped up their fall seasons. Many
of the squads and individuals had strong, even record-breaking seasons. In this article, the
Vision has recapped the records and accomplishments for every Belmont team that took the
field (or course, or court) this semester.
Men’s Soccer
The Belmont men’s soccer
All photos courtesy of Belmont Athletics/Glen Gregory
team wrapped up a mediocre
season in November with a 7-9-2
record and seventh-place finish
in the Atlantic Sun.
The Bruins’ season was highlighted
with strong play from
junior and first team all-conference
member Brandon Tarr,
who led the team with 10 goals,
and sophomore second team all
conference member Nico Olsak,
who was second on the team
with four goals and led the team
with eight assists.
During the season, Tarr also
became the all-time leading goal
Junior forward Brandon Tarr set all-time program marks
and point scorer in the history of
in goals and points in men’s soccer.
Belmont men’s soccer program.
The Bruins also got major contributions from junior goal keeper Lou Manning, who
was twice named defensive player of the week in the Atlantic Sun and was tied for first in
the conference with 90 saves. Although the season certainly did not end the way the Bruins
and head coach Earle Davidson had hoped, Belmont returns many of its key contributors
for next season. The team ‘s conference has not been announced. Other Belmont sports will
move to the Ohio Valley Conference, which doesn’t include soccer.
Women’s Soccer
The Belmont women’s soccer team had a season of streaks this fall, finishing the year
with an 8-8-1 record before losing to North Florida in the opening round of the conference
tournament.
Seniors Dani Stolt and Gretchen Sutch, who finished the season with three goals apiece,
led the Bruins in their first season at Rose Park. Sutch and sophomore goalie Nicole Berner
were named to the all-conference second team, and freshman Alison Alcott was named to
the conference all-freshman team.
First-year head coach Heather Henson will lose seven seniors next season, including
four of the six leading scorers for the Bruins.
Senior Kelly Maguigan, left, had a 78.4
average in three events this season.
Women’s Golf
The fall season for the women’s golf team
had a number of successes, including three Top
5 finishes in the five tournaments they competed
in.
Junior Janet Steen and senior Kelly Maguigan
led the way for the Bruins, and each was
recognized during the season as an Atlantic Sun
Women’s Golfer of the Week.
Steen, Maguigan and freshman Sydney
Hudson led in scoring averages for the Bruins
this fall season, as all three had average scores
below 80. The Bruins, led by head coach Lisa
Bradford, will open the spring season Feb. 19 at
the Birmingham-Southern Invitational.
Men’s Golf
With four new freshmen on the men’s golf
team, the first half of the team’s season started
slowly for the Bruins, who finished anywhere
from third to 14 th in the five tournaments they played in.
Freshman Ted Moon led the team with a 73.3 average and was the only member of the
Bruins to post two Top 10 individual scores, finishing fifth in the Murray State Invitational
and sixth in the Austin Peay Intercollegiate.
Sophomore Ben Simpson and junior Elliott Wickenden also played in most matches for
the Bruins. Both are averaging a 73.7 score for the season. The Bruins’ spring season will
kick off March 5 at the Samford Intercollegiate in Birmingham, Ala.
Men’s Cross-Country
Belmont’s men’s crosscountry
completed the season
with a 10 th -place finish at the
NCAA Southern Regional in
Tuscaloosa, Ala., in November.
This year’s cross-country
team finished fifth or better
in three tournaments and also
featured a host of new faces,
including three new freshmen
on the nine-player team.
Junior and new transfer Matt
Miller was the most consistent
runner for the Bruins, posting
the best individual time for the
team in each event.
Reigning Atlantic-Sun
Freshman of the Year Erick
Kigen and sophomore Josh
Helton also had consistently
strong results in each of the five
meets throughout the season.
The entire team is projected to
return for next season.
Women’s Cross-Country
The women’s cross-country team finished one of its more impressive seasons in recent
memory this fall, landing in the Top 10 in every event they competed in, including a firstplace
finish at the Evansville Invitational in October.
Many players contributed
to the Bruins’ success,
including A-Sun Freshman
of the Year Mia Elbon,
senior Caitlin Standifer,
and Nicole and Kimberly
Muldowney.
The Bruins wrapped up
the season with a 10 th -place
finish in the NCAA South
Regional, the last meet for
seniors Standifer, Hannah
Cavicchio and Kaitlyn
Eberhardt.
Volleyball
After a 2-5 start for the
2011 season, the Bruins
came back strong. After
winning 18 of their last 21
matches, the Bruins tied for
first place in the Atlantic-
Sun and advanced to the
conference championship
for the second time in four
years.
Junior Matt Miller led the men’s cross-country team in his
first season at Belmont, having the Bruins’ best times in
every event.
Freshman MIa Elbon started her cross-country career out by
logging the Bruins’ best time in both the conference and regional
meets, and she was named Atlantic Sun Freshman of
the Year.
The highlight of the season was a four-set win at home over rival Lipscomb, ending
the Lady Bisons’ 44-match conference win streak that lasted three years. Throughout the
season, senior hitter Maggie Johnson, the Atlantic Sun co-player of the year, anchored the
Bruins.
But Johnson was far from being the only standout on the team. This year’s squad
featured five all-conference selections, including first-team selections Johnson, Hannah
Miranda and Jamie Lundstrom. Sophomore Jen Myer also set an NCAA record for service
aces in a match and leads the nation in aces per game.
Head coach Deane Webb received Coach of the Year honors in the conference as well.

Page 12 The Belmont Vision, December 1, 2011
Bruins in
shape for
academic
rule changes
By Katie Greene
STAFF WRITER
While many Belmont fans recognize
the Bruins’ performance on the field, many
people don’t know how well Belmont
athletes perform in the classroom.
For Spring 2011, Belmont studentathletes
boasted a 3.318 grade point
average, the highest since Belmont joined
the ranks of Division I athletics in 1997.
Men’s basketball, women’s golf, and men’s
and women’s soccer were all recognized
on the NCAA Academic Progress Rate
Public Recognition list for standing in the
academic top 10 percent of their respective
sports.
While these numbers are major elements
of Belmont’s athletic program, they have
potential to have a large effect as Belmont
transitions from the Atlantic Sun Conference
to the Ohio Valley Conference.
This summer, the NCAA raised its standards
for APR from 900 to 930. The change
is proving to be problematic for several
teams across the country. The new standards
could drastically alter the landscape
in college sports, as teams that consistently
fall short will be ineligible for the postseason.
The NCAA calculates the rate as a
rolling four-year figure, taking into account
all of the points that student-athletes could
potentially earn for remaining in school and
staying academically eligible for that term.
Penalties for not reaching APR criteria
begin with a public warning letter the first
year, scholarship restrictions and shortened
practice time the second year, loss of
postseason completion the third year, and
restricted NCAA membership status the
fourth year.
Belmont athletics is cautious to predict
what could happen because of them, said
Greg Sage, director of media relations.
“Belmont University is proud of its
record of achievement and high standing
in the NCAA’s Academic Performance
Program, both in Academic Progress Rate
and Graduation Success Rate,” Sage said in
a statement. “Recent rule changes adopted
by the NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors
regarding eligibility for postseason
competition have been well publicized,
but the impact of those changes – in men’s
basketball or otherwise – remains to be
seen.”
With this change, many major and
mid-major programs will have to alter their
academic status quo, especially in men’s
basketball. Defending national champion
Connecticut will most likely be ineligible to
compete in the 2013 NCAA men’s basketball
tournament due to a sub-par APR. Had
the change been implemented earlier in the
year, big name schools Ohio State, Kansas
State, Purdue and Syracuse would have been
ineligible for the tournament as well.
While this change will not be in full
effect until 2016, it presents a scenario
where a Belmont team could still earn an
NCAA tournament bid even if it didn’t
win the conference title. Five out of eleven
current OVC member institutions have
an APR under 930 for men’s basketball.
Belmont, on the other hand, boasts a 995
APR.
In nearly every other sport Belmont
offers, each team’s latest APR score would
be in the top half of the OVC.
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