campus news

Belmont leads Eastern Kentucky 50-32 at the half at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, February 11, 2021.

MEN’S BASKETBALL IMPRESSES WITH 26-4 SEASON, CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Belmont’s Men’s Basketball team didn’t let the challenges of a difficult year slow them down this season.

After starting out 3-1, Belmont set a new OVC record by rattling off 21 consecutive victories and securing the program’s 12th regular season conference championship in 16 years. 

Dr. Bill Bates

Dean of Medicine Appointed

Dr. Bill Bates, M.D. was appointed the founding dean of Belmont’s recently announced College of Medicine. The founder of digiChart and professor at Meharry Medical College, Dr. Bates brings with him a wealth of knowledge in medicine and medical education.

A Year of Impact

The Store, a nonprofit grocery store founded by alumnus Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley, reached its one-year anniversary in March and was recognized for serving more than 1 million meals.

Dr. Fisher accepting the Certificate of Commendation

Promotion of Friendship

Belmont was the only American university this year to receive the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Certificate of Commendation, presented by the Consul-General of Japan, Ms. Kayoko Fukushima. Belmont received the recognition for its commitment to promoting Japan and strengthening mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. 

O'More modeling the clothes from this semester's project.

Online Runway

O’More students showcased a variety of clothing design collections this year via an online documentary video, produced by 2015 alumna Shelby Goldsmith. The virtual fashion show also highlighted a partnership with Goodwill that challenged students to create sustainable fashion by sourcing materials from Goodwill retail outlets. 

Large Theater Upgrades to Johnson Center and Curb Coillege at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, February 19, 2021.

Avid Entertainment Fans

The Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business recently invested more than $2 million in technology upgrades to give its students an unmatched advantage in acquiring skills. Enhancements included a new Avid S6™ control surface offering a full 128 channel Atmos mix and an upgraded central media server with 1.6 Petabytes of storage. 

Stations of the Cross display at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, February 22, 2021.

LENTEN REFLECTION

The Office of Spiritual Development invited the campus community to experience 14 Stations of the Cross and related Gospel passages that were placed in the Bunch Library atrium surrounding the Frederick Hart Christ Rising statue as part of the University’s reflection on Lent. 

Baseball against Lipscomb at Rose Park at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, April 6, 2021.

GRAND SLAM COACH

Dave Jarvis, the 24-year captain of Belmont Baseball, achieved a significant milestone this semester when doubleheader wins over Murray State helped claim his 664th win to become the winningest coach in program history. 

Homecoming Bears at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, February 12, 2021.

HOMECOMING AT HOME

Belmont celebrated 2021 “Homecoming at Home” festivities this year in February, offering remote events that allowed students, faculty, staff and alumni to participate in a Virtual Polar Bear 5K Challenge, a Pop-Up Scavenger Hunt, and the annual “Build-a-Bruin” competition. 

A student painting from the Watkins College of Art

ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS CREATED FROM SALE OF WATKINS CAMPUS

Belmont recently closed on the sale of the former Watkins College of Art property for $22.5 million with the net funds from the sale creating an endowment to provide scholarships for students in Belmont’s Watkins College of Art.

Pat Johnson, Bill DeLoache, Dr. Fisher, Scott Corley, Marko Illic, Somer Henry and Mauricio Antun cut the ribbon during the ceremony opening Belmont's new rooftop tennis facility at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, March 10, 2021.

TENNIS TEAMS SHINE AS THEY FIND PERMANENT HOME BACK ON CAMPUS

Tennis competition returned to campus this spring as the University cut the ribbon on a new six-court facility atop the recently completed South Garage. Belmont’s NCAA Division I men’s and women’s tennis teams have played at nearby Centennial Sportsplex for the last several years. 

Recent alumna Denisha Dalton and junior Keegan Ferrell

This is 'The Voice'

Recent alumna Denisha Dalton and junior Keegan Ferrell showed off their singing chops on this spring’s season of “The Voice,” impressing the judges and representing Belmont well as they competed on the show. 

Law students on hooding day.

ACING THE TEST

Belmont Law was one of only three schools in the nation to have an ultimate bar passage rate of 100 percent for the graduating class of 2018 (pictured), according to the American Bar Association. 

56th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on April 18, 2021

RETURNING TO THE OPRY STAGE

School of Music students and alumni returned to the Opry stage for the second consecutive appearance on the annual Academy of Country Music Awards, supplying backup vocals to co-host Mickey Guyton’s performance of “Hold On.” 

Graduation in Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, April 23, 2021.

TURN YOUR TASSELS

Belmont held a series of four spring commencement ceremonies in April, celebrating the graduation of 1,328 students with 999 bachelors, 106 masters and 223 doctoral degrees conferred.