Belmont University facts for kids
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Former names
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Belmont College for Young Women (1890–1913) Ward–Belmont College (1913–1951) Belmont College (1951–1991) |
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| Motto | "Purpose Character Wisdom" |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1890 |
| Accreditation | SACS |
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Religious affiliation
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Christian (nondenominational) |
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Academic affiliations
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NASAD NAICU |
| Endowment | $356.8 million (2022) |
| President | L. Gregory Jones |
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Academic staff
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534 Full-time and 401 Part-time (2023) |
| Students | 8,910 (Fall 2022) |
| Undergraduates | 7,384 |
| Postgraduates | 1,526 |
| Location |
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Tennessee
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United States
36°07′59″N 86°47′38″W / 36.133°N 86.794°W |
| Campus | Urban, 75 acres (30 ha) |
| Newspaper | Belmont Vision |
| Colors | Blue and red |
| Nickname | Bruins |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I – MVC |
| Mascot | Bruiser the Bruin |
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Belmont (Acklen Hall)
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| Location | Belmont Blvd. Nashville, Tennessee |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architect | William Strickland |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000816 |
| Added to NRHP | May 6, 1971 |
Belmont University is a private Christian university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It started as a college for young women in 1890. It was founded by two schoolteachers, Ida Hood and Susan Heron. The school became Belmont College in 1951 and then Belmont University in 1991. Today, nearly 9,000 students from all over the world attend Belmont. The university describes itself as a "Christ-centered, student-focused community."
Contents
History of Belmont University
Belmont University began as the Belmont Women's College in 1890. It was founded by Susan Ledley Heron and Ida Emily Hood. The college was built on the land of the Belmont Mansion. This mansion was originally built by Joseph and Adelicia Acklen.
In 1913, the Belmont Women's College joined with Ward Seminary. It was then called Ward—Belmont College. This new college had both a junior college and a high school for women. The Belmont Mansion is still part of the university campus. It is cared for by a group called the Belmont Mansion Association. You can visit the mansion to see its old art and furniture. The water tower, gardens, and statues from the Acklen era are also part of the campus. In 1991, the school officially became Belmont University.
In 2020, the university received an award from the Japanese Foreign Minister. This award was for helping to improve understanding between Japan and the US.
Nashville's First Radio Station
Nashville's very first radio station started broadcasting in May 1922. A high school student named John "Jack" DeWitt Jr. set up a small transmitter at Belmont. The station was called WDAA. Dr. C. E. Crosland, who worked at the college, saw how useful a radio station could be for advertising. On April 18, 1922, WDAA broadcast the first music program in Nashville. People could hear the broadcast from up to 200 miles away.
Belmont's Christian Identity
In 1951, the Tennessee Baptist Convention bought Ward–Belmont College. The college was having money problems. The convention then started Belmont College as a school for both boys and girls. R. Kelly White was chosen as its first president. In 1959, Herbert Gabhart became president. Under his leadership, Belmont became officially recognized as a college. The number of students grew a lot, and the college started a music business program. Bill Troutt became president in 1982. In 1991, the school changed its name to Belmont University.
In 2007, Belmont University decided to become a Christian university without ties to any specific church group. This meant it would no longer be officially connected to the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Belmont agreed to pay the convention money over many years. The university wanted to keep its Christian values but be open to all Christian traditions.
Belmont in the 2000s
In 2010, Belmont University faced some protests. This happened after a women's soccer coach left her job. Students and others spoke up, leading to changes in Nashville. In January 2011, Belmont's president announced that the university would add "sexual orientation" to its non-discrimination policies. This meant the university would not treat people unfairly based on their sexual orientation. In February 2011, Belmont also officially recognized a student group that supported gay students.
In 2018, Belmont University took over the O'More College of Design. In 2019, Belmont split its College of Visual and Performing Arts into two separate colleges. One focused on music, theater, and dance. The other, the O'More College, focused on architecture, art, and design.
In 2021, Belmont University merged with Watkins College of Art, Design & Film. This merger helped expand Belmont's art programs. Belmont sold the former Watkins College campus. The money from the sale helps fund scholarships for art students.
Students and alumni also raised concerns about Belmont's connections to a company called CoreCivic. This company is involved in operating correctional facilities. Students asked the university to end any financial ties to this company. Some people connected to CoreCivic had served on Belmont's Board of Trustees. By April 2021, a CoreCivic CEO who was on the board had completed his term and was no longer a member.
University Presidents
- L. Gregory Jones (2021–present)
- Robert Fisher (2000–2021)
- Bill Troutt (1982–2000)
- Herbert Gabhart (1959–1982)
- R. Kelly White (1951–1959)
Academics and Learning
Belmont University offers many different study programs. Students can earn bachelor's degrees in over 130 subjects. There are also 29 master's programs and eight doctoral programs. Belmont works with other local universities and hospitals to help train nurses and health care workers. Journalism students at Belmont have gained experience working at major news and entertainment companies.
University Rankings
| USNWR National University | 220 (tie) of 394 |
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| Washington Monthly National University | 367 of 442 |
In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report college rankings, Belmont was ranked among the top national universities.
Music and Entertainment Programs
Belmont's Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business (CEMB) is very well-known. Its teachers include authors, performers, lawyers, and record label executives. Mike Curb, who the college is named after, is a famous music producer and executive.
A key part of the program is its internship opportunities. Hundreds of students each year get to work in the music industry. They intern at record labels, management companies, and recording studios in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles.
Belmont has three professional recording studios on campus. It also owns Ocean Way Nashville, a famous recording studio. Famous artists like Dave Matthews and Sheryl Crow have recorded there. Students also use these studios for their projects. Ocean Way Nashville has recorded music for many projects, including the score for the popular game The Last of Us.
Colleges and Schools
- College of Education
- College of Law
- College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
- College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
- College of Sciences & Mathematics
- College of Music & Performing Arts
- Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing
- Interdisciplinary Studies & Global Education
- Jack C. Massey College of Business
- Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business (CEMB)
- O'More College of Architecture & Design
- Thomas F. Frist Jr., College of Medicine
- Watkins College of Art
University Campuses
Main Campus in Nashville
Belmont's main campus is in a city area near Nashville's Midtown. It is close to several neighborhoods and commercial areas.
In 2006, Belmont opened the Gordon E. Inman Center. This building houses the College of Health Sciences and Nursing. It has special labs with "Sim Man" mannequins. These mannequins can respond like real patients, helping nursing students practice.
The Curb Event Center is a large arena on campus. It can hold 5,000 people. It is used for basketball games, concerts, and other events. The 2008 and 2020 Presidential Debates were held here.
In 2015, the university opened the R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center. This building is home to the Curb College and has dining areas.
Other Campuses
- Williamson Center: This campus is in Franklin, Tennessee. It opened in 2015 for adult education and business meetings.
- Los Angeles (Belmont West): This campus is in Los Angeles, California.
- New York City (Belmont East): This campus is in New York City.
Student Life at Belmont
Belmont University has over 190 student groups. These include the Student Government Association and groups for different interests.
Service Corps is the largest student group. It focuses on volunteer work within the music industry. Only students in the Mike Curb College can join.
Belmont also has Greek organizations, which are fraternities and sororities. About 13% of undergraduate students are part of these groups.
The university has a large music program with many musical groups. There are 15 singing groups and 23 instrument groups. There are also three student-run a cappella groups. The Pitchmen, one of these groups, won first place at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Finals in 2023.
Belmont has a student newspaper called The Vision. It is published every month.
Places to See
On Campus Attractions
- Belmont Mansion
- The Bell Tower – This tower has a special set of bells called a carillon. It was one of the first in Tennessee.
- Curb Event Center
Off Campus Facilities
- E.S. Rose Park – This park is owned by Metro Nashville Parks. Belmont University uses it for sports like baseball, soccer, softball, and track.
Sports and Athletics
Belmont is part of the NCAA Division I for sports. It is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. The men's soccer team is in the Horizon League.
In the mid-1990s, Belmont changed its sports nickname to the "Bruins". Before that, the mascot was the Rebels. The name "Bruins" comes from an old Dutch fable.
Belmont student-athletes are also good at academics. They have won awards for having high grade-point averages. For example, in 2015, Belmont won the OVC's Institutional Academic Achievement Award for the fourth year in a row.
Presidential Debates
Belmont University has been chosen to host important national events. In 2008, Belmont hosted one of the Presidential election debates. In 2019, the Commission on Presidential Debates again chose Belmont to host the final presidential debate for the 2020 election.
Famous Alumni
Notable Faculty
- Alberto Gonzales: He was a former United States Attorney General. He teaches law at Belmont.
- Mark Volman: He was a founding member of the music group The Turtles. He is a professor of entertainment industry studies.
- Alan Shacklock: He is a music producer. He is a professor of audio engineering technology.
