IMPORTANT NOTE: These are the archived stories for Belmont News & Achievements prior to June 26, 2023. To see current stories, click here.

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Belmont’s Scholarship Program Extends to All MNPS-Zoned High Schools

Cara Baker Davis
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Belmont’s Scholarship Program Extends to All MNPS-Zoned High Schools

Belmont University’s Bell Tower Scholars, the centerpiece scholarship program for our Bridges to Belmont initiative, announces its expansion to all 12 zoned Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) high schools in the fall of 2023.

The addition of Cane Ridge and Antioch high schools follows a significant expansion this fall to include 50 students across Metro Nashville high schools.

“Belmont’s generosity in making full-ride scholarships available to MNPS graduates never fails to put a smile on our faces, and we’re thrilled to be able to say that graduates of all 12 of our zoned high schools are eligible,” MNPS Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle said. “It’s an incredible commitment to our young people and a smart investment in their success.” 

The Bell Tower Scholars program was designed to provide high-achieving, high-need students from Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) full-ride access to a Belmont University education. Since its launch in 2013, the initiative has grown with the support of Belmont alumnus and Belmont Board of Trustees Chair Milton Johnson and his wife Denice, who created a $10 million endowment to support the initiative in 2015. 

The charter class included 27 students from four schools and now includes 143 scholars who collectively hold an average 3.01 GPA. Many of these are active student leaders holding executive board or chair leadership positions in several organizations, including the Black Student Association, Greek Life, HOPE Council, Student Government Association, Hispanic Student Association, Belmont Engineering & Robotics, Bruin Recruiters and more. To date, Belmont’s investment in MNPS students through the Bell Tower Scholars pathway exceeds $34 million.

Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones said, “We are thrilled to continue the trajectory of hope we have with the Bell Tower initiative. We believe that by expanding this program, we expand our capacity for being part of generational change among our most deserving neighbors. These proven problem solvers and leaders of character will address the challenges of today and tomorrow, and it’s our honor to support them throughout their higher education experience.” 

The Bell Tower Scholars program reflects an intentional step on the part of Belmont’s administration to enhance the University’s cultural and ethnic diversity while also continuing efforts to provide higher education to students in Davidson County. Scholars, many of whom are first-generation college students, each are awarded a full four-year scholarship that covers tuition, room, board, required fees and books (from state and federal grants as well as Belmont scholarship funds.) Throughout their higher education experience, they also are given academic support and peer mentors.

The program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a 20 ACT score, though Belmont is also continuing to operate as test-optional for admissions. Priority is given to first-generation, Federal Pell Grant eligible applicants. Interested students are encouraged to contact their high school guidance counselors for information on how to be considered.

To learn about ways to support this initiative, please contact Belmont’s Office of Development at 615-460-5517.

Belmont Psychology, Songwriting, Audio Students Visit Strawberry Field

Haley Charlton
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Belmont Psychology, Songwriting, Audio Students Visit Strawberry Field

Since 1934, Liverpool’s Strawberry Field has been operated by The Salvation Army. It was on the grounds that a young John Lennon, before his Beatles fame, often came to play, reflect and escape the post-War streets of Woolton. Those days on the grounds shaped him and would later inspire his work as an adult in the Beatles, including the famous song, “Strawberry Fields Forever.” 

In July 2022, Belmont Songwriting and Audio Engineering Technology (AET) students joined Linda Jones’s Psychology class on a visit to Strawberry Field. The students heard testimonials from current participants in the Steps to Work program at the hub. Director of the Month in London Program Dr. Maggie Monteverde arranged the trip to Strawberry Field with Salvation Army consultant Ginette Goulston-Lincoln.

As the custodians of this precious heritage, the Salvation Army mission at Strawberry Field is now threefold: first, to provide sustainable employment opportunities for young people with learning difficulties. The new hub offers training, skills and work placement to provide real employment prospects. As part of this program, participants and their families are offered support, time to socialize, develop aspirations and help to break down barriers so they can achieve their fullest potential.

students at Strawberry Fields

Second: to open the gates to the public for the very first time as a way to provide additional funding to sustain their mission. And third, to provide a Christian Community of spiritual exploration, retreat and pastoral care so that visitors can take time to rest and refresh.

Songwriting and AET students joined hub team member Joe Doogan to sing the song “Imagine” in front of the original gates in the park.

The Practicum in London program primarily involves meeting with music industry executives based in London (this year, publisher manager Melanie Redmond) to receive writing prompts.

Belmont Instructor Drew Ramsey’s Songwriting students then create songs and work with AET Lecturer Alan Shacklock’s class to generate recordings to pitch back to the executives for feedback. This year for the first time, Dr. David Schreiber’s music business students were tasked to handle administration on the student songs and some marketing work.

To further expand this new partnership next year, songwriting students will write original songs inspired by the Salvation Army mission at Strawberry Field and perform them live in the park on their visit.

Belmont University Dedicates, Opens Newest Residence Hall–Caldwell Hall

Julia Couch
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Belmont University Dedicates, Opens Newest Residence Hall–Caldwell Hall

Belmont University today dedicated its newest and largest residence building, welcoming students for the 2022-2023 school year. Caldwell Hall joins Belmont’s residential village on the southeast side of campus, created with the completion of Tall Hall in 2018. Providing scenic views of the Nashville skyline, Caldwell Hall will house 606 upperclassmen students growing Belmont’s capacity for residential students to more than 60%.

The building primarily features four-bedroom units, along with single studios and two-to-six-bedroom units, all with private bedrooms. Increased amenities include flexible basement space, practice rooms, a fitness center, a two-story lobby featuring study and gathering areas, laundry room and two exterior courtyards. The $98 million project by longstanding University partners R.C. Matthews and ESa is built with the same high-performance environmental standards as other Belmont projects.

“We are delighted to provide even more space for undergraduate students to live on campus, a thriving community within our great city of Nashville,” said Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones. “As our students engage in purposeful learning and discovery here at Belmont, buildings like Caldwell Hall enable more than the convenience of living close to their classroom. The friendships students foster and the community they build here will support the development of who they are and who they are becoming.”

At 268,000 square feet, Caldwell Hall is Belmont’s largest residence hall, demonstrating the University’s continued commitment to providing students with a residential, liberal arts education. Caldwell Hall adds to the more than 4,300 residential spaces Belmont has built on campus in the past several years through the construction of 11 residence halls as part of more than $1 billion invested in new construction, renovations and property acquisitions.

“It is certainly another great day in the history of Belmont University as we dedicate and open Caldwell Hall,” said Milton Johnson, alumnus and Chairman of the Belmont Board of Trustees. “This building offers extensive amenities that will provide meaningful living and learning experiences for students as they learn their purpose, develop in character and grow in wisdom. We look forward to welcoming students in a few weeks and to the connections and conversations that will come to life within these walls.”

Milton Johnson, Chairman of the Board, Taylor Ruscitti, Jordan Cooper, Dr. Greg Jones, Avery Anklet and Dr. Tamika Williams cut the ribbon during the Caldwell Hall Ribbon Cutting ceremony at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, August 11, 2022.

Other projects currently under construction include the new Jack. C. Massey Center and the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine, slated to open in the fall of 2023 and 2024 respectively. The Jack. C. Massey Center on 15th Ave. South will house the recently launched Belmont Data Collaborative, the Cone Center for Entrepreneurship and the Transformational Innovation Hub along with classrooms and collaborative workstations for students and faculty. The Center will also be home to a new Welcome Center for the University and house its Admissions Team, becoming the University’s new front door.

The Frist College of Medicine will feature a 200,000 square foot facility with a state-of-the-art, 50,000 square foot Simulation Center, one of the most comprehensive in the nation. Fitting seamlessly within Belmont’s health care corridor, Frist College of Medicine will create a fully interdisciplinary educational experience, allowing students in Belmont’s existing health care programs to interact with student doctors and work as a team, just as they would within the health care delivery system they will enter as professionals.

Two Belmont Psychology Students Receive Grants for Fall Research Studies

Haley Charlton
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Two Belmont Psychology Students Receive Grants for Fall Research Studies

Belmont psychology students Wesley Stuart and Khalil Dabdoub were recently awarded prestigious Psi Chi Undergraduate Research Grants. Psi Chi, the International Honors Society for Psychology, receives numerous undergraduate grant proposals each term and both Belmont students’ projects were awarded $1,500 to fund their independent research studies for the Fall semester.

Stuart’s project, “How Disgust in Germ Averse Individuals Biases Avoidance Decision-Making” will look at how the disgust emotion makes us more wary of “germy” things in our world. Stuart is particularly interested in how stress regulates our avoidance of germs so he will be measuring salivary stress hormones and physiological markers of stress in participants. Stuart is a psychology major with a minor in worship arts. His faculty research advisor is Dr. Timothy Schoenfeld.

Dabdoub’s project, “Investigating the Effects of Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise on Cognitive Performance and Endorphin Release” will examine a commonly-held belief that brief exercise improves our mental functioning in real time. He will test aerobic and anaerobic forms of exercise to see their improvements on cognitive skills. He is particularly interested in how our body’s endorphins regulate these improvements. Dabdoub is a double-major in psychological science and exercise science with a minor in business administration. His faculty research advisor is Dr. Michael Oliver.

Watkins College of Art at Belmont University Named Top 50 Illustration School in the Nation, No. 1 in Tennessee by Animation Career Review

Emma Johansson
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Watkins College of Art at Belmont University Named Top 50 Illustration School in the Nation, No. 1 in Tennessee by Animation Career Review

After considering nearly 150 schools across the US, the Animation Career Review named Watkins College of Art at Belmont University a Top 50 illustration school, coming in at No. 43 nationally, No. 7 in the South and No. 1 in the state of Tennessee. This honor is decided based on academic reputation, employment data, admission selectivity, depth and breadth of the program, value as it relates to tuition/indebtedness and graduation rate.

Watkins College of Art merged with Belmont University in 2020, originally existing as a separate institution established in Nashville in 1885. The school is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Art Education, Studio Art, Illustration, Photography, Design Communications and Experiential Design, Bachelor of Arts degrees in Art, Photography, and Art History, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in the Visual Arts as well as minors in Art History, Design Communications, Painting, Photography and Studio Art.

Dan Brawner, associate professor of design & illustration, says the honor is meaningful because “it puts a spotlight on our program, recognizes years of strong student work and reflects a dedicated faculty who are deeply immersed in the wider creative community.”

Belmont University’s studio-based Illustration program provides a multidisciplinary and entrepreneurial-focused education, so students are equipped for success in whichever path they choose- whether it be as an animator, art director, educator, graphic novelist, character designer, children’s book illustrator or any other occupation within this growing field. Graduates of Watkins have an extensive understanding of visual literacy, typography, conceptual and technical development, advertising illustration, art licensing and surface design, book illustration and sequential art, character design and development, and editorial illustration.  

“Our professors bring a breadth of experience to the classroom, challenging students and encouraging work that is on par with the best students in the country,” Brawner continued. “Extraordinary alumni accomplishments are proof that a career in illustration is not pie in the sky stuff.” He hopes to continue creating valuable opportunities for Watkins students, increase enrollment for the College of Art, add illustration faculty and grow their reputation.

The Animation Career Review is an online resource for people aspiring to work in animation, game design, graphic design, digital art and related fields. Launched in 2011, they strive to provide the most accurate and relevant information for prospective illustration students to use as a starting point in the college search process. Over the past eleven years, Animation Career Review has generated over 14 million unique visitors, an average of over 1.2 million per year.

The full rankings can be found here.

Belmont Undergraduate Students Spend Summer 2022 Immersed in Research Projects

Haley Charlton
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Belmont Undergraduate Students Spend Summer 2022 Immersed in Research Projects

Belmont’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in the Sciences (SURFS) offers the opportunity for selected students at all levels to work on a focused, summer research project.

Click the story below to read about the projects that took place during Summer 2022.

SURFS 2022

Belmont Community for Diverse Faculty and Staff Members Present at ATE Conference

Haley Charlton
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Belmont Community for Diverse Faculty and Staff Members Present at ATE Conference

On July 31, Dr. Darcie Finch from Belmont’s College of Education, Dr. AdriAnne Sternberg from Belmont’s Division of Student Formation, and Dr. Anthony Blash from Belmont’s College of Pharmacy continued conversations around the impact of Belmont’s recently dedicated Freedom Plaza with members and guests of the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE).  

The ATE focuses on equity, leadership and advocacy for all teacher educators and learners. As participants in Belmont’s Community for Diverse Faculty and Staff (BCDFS), Finch, Sternberg and Blash engaged the larger community in discussions around inclusion, diversity and equity to emphasize Belmont’s strategic priority of helping reweave the social fabric.

With the ATE’s focus and Belmont’s commitment, the stage was set for rich opportunities for learning and reflection during the summer conference.

The BCDFS is an organization that was created in 2021 to serve Belmont’s diverse faculty and staff by providing a network of professionals that support each other through mentoring, research collaborations, teaching and social networking.

For more information or to join BCDFS, please contact Dr. Tiffinie Zellars at tiffinie.zellars@belmont.edu.

Belmont University’s Strategic Leadership in Education Ph.D. Earns Full Accreditation

Julia Couch
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Belmont University’s Strategic Leadership in Education Ph.D. Earns Full Accreditation

The newly launched Strategic Leadership in Education (SLE) Ph.D. at Belmont University has received full accreditation status through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Belmont’s accrediting body. Housed in the College of Education, the program’s core courses are multidisciplinary and rooted in educational leadership theory and literature. Students will have the opportunity to select one of three concentrations in educational leadership, management and entrepreneurship, or faith and justice leadership.

“Helping communities flourish starts with education. Our new Ph.D. program is a tangible example of Belmont championing life abundant for our neighbors as we equip future leaders in education to make the world a better place. We are thrilled to receive this news and welcome our inaugural class this fall,” said Dean of the College of Education Dr. Jim McIntyre.

The program, which is offered predominantly online, will provide educational leaders with the tools they need to successfully confront the many organizational, political, fiscal and instructional challenges faced in today’s educational settings. Research-based and leadership-focused coursework will prepare students for advanced leadership and management roles in PreK-12 schools and districts, adult and higher education institutions, education-oriented foundations, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and government.

The SLE program is designed to accommodate working professionals, requiring 60 credit hours that can be completed part-time within four years. The hybrid schedule offers courses primarily online that are supplemented with one required three-day, on-campus session each semester.

Countless challenges impact students, families and communities, and SLE graduates will be well equipped to work towards solving complex problems within education. Unlike other programs in the nation, this doctoral program will set graduates up for success as both senior leaders in education-oriented organizations and as scholars in the field of educational leadership.

Doug Howard, Dean of Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, Announces Retirement

April Hefner
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Doug Howard, Dean of Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, Announces Retirement

Doug Howard, a longtime music industry executive, recently announced his retirement as dean of Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, effective Aug. 31. Howard, who has held the role of dean since January 2015, is a proud Belmont alumnus and a shining example of the entertainment industry success the Curb College fosters. 

Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones said, “This news is certainly bittersweet. Doug Howard has always represented this University well as an alum, serving as a transformational leader during his decades in the music business. For the past seven years, he brought that same passion, energy and creativity to developing students who can forge their own paths in a variety of entertainment and media ventures. I’m grateful for his service and his leadership and wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement.” 

The former senior vice president of A&R for Lyric Street Records/Walt Disney Company, Howard graduated from Belmont College in 1979 before receiving an MBA from Vanderbilt University and JD from the George Washington University School of Law in Washington, D.C. His history in the Nashville music scene began as a song plugger and studio manager for the Welk Music Group. Following law school, Howard served as vice president and general manager for PolyGram Music Publishing for five years before becoming the senior vice president of A&R for Disney owned Lyric Street Records. In addition, he served as senior vice president and general manager for Disney Music Publishing/Nashville.

His tenure as Curb College dean has been marked by the college’s significant growth, a deepening of industry connections, the opening of a state-of-the-art facility and consistent national acclaim. Through the generosity of Mike and Linda Curb and the Curb Family Foundation, the presence of the Curb College has continued to grow on Nashville’s famed Music Row through facilities like the Quonset Hut and Columbia Studio A (34 Music Square East). Thanks to an in kind Curb Family Foundation donation, these historic spaces—the birthplace of countless legendary hits from artists such Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and more—now serve as a resource and inspiration for a new generation of industry leaders. Music production and audio engineering students are able to gain hands-on experience in the classic recording studios, and the 34 Music Square East facility also houses Curb College’s renowned songwriter program, which is celebrating its 15th year. 

Consistently recognized by Billboard and Variety as one of the top schools in the country for music business and film studies, the Curb College has grown from just under 2,000 students to more than 2,500 during Howard’s tenure, while moving into the $87 million Milton & Denice Johnson Center. The building boasts $3.6 million in technology resources and specialized equipment to serve students majoring in Curb College fields: audio engineering technology, creative & entertainment industries, emerging media, film & TV writing, journalism, media production, music business, songwriting, motion pictures and publishing. Of particular note, the facility is equipped with Dolby Atmos Rendering Unit (Dolby RMU) that allows faculty to teach the process of creating and compiling movies in full Dolby Digital, 7.1 and the Atmos DCP formats. Belmont’s Motion Pictures program was the first university-based film program in the country capable of not only showing commercial films, but also teaching the process of developing and producing theater-ready films in the Atmos format. 

“Since I first walked across campus in the fall of 1975 to interview with music business program founder Bob Mulloy, I have loved Belmont, and I will always love Belmont,” Howard said. “While I’m excited and ready for this next phase of life, I must express how grateful I am for the support I received from Belmont’s senior leaders and share my sincere appreciation for the great work of our amazing faculty and staff. Their combined efforts have allowed the Curb College to provide world-class programs for our students and to build upon the strong foundation created by Mr. Mulloy and so many others across the university.” 

Howard will continue to maintain his Belmont ties by returning to serve as a member of the Curb College Advisory Board this fall.

Belmont Interim Provost Dr. David Gregory added, “As dean of the Curb College, Doug has continuously demonstrated his commitment to our students by providing them exceptional learning experiences in and out of the classroom. He achieved this through tireless support of his faculty and staff, while his deep connections and strong reputation in the industry opened doors to tremendous opportunities for the entire college. I’m thankful to call him a colleague and friend. The good news for us is this isn’t a goodbye—rather, we’re grateful his impact will still be felt through his contributions to the Curb College Advisory Board.” 

Dr. Sarita Stewart, associate professor of creative & entertainment industries, has agreed to serve as the interim dean for the Curb College as Belmont launches a national search this fall for Howard’s successor.

Physical Therapy Faculty, Students, Alumni Raise Future Service Dog for Someone in Need

Julia Couch
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Physical Therapy Faculty, Students, Alumni Raise Future Service Dog for Someone in Need

This summer, a team of Belmont physical therapists helped raise a yellow Labrador retriever puppy for a local service dog organization. The team of puppy raisers began working with the future service dog at eight weeks old. Throughout the summer, they trained the puppy on basic commands and house training and introduced her to as many new people and places as possible.

The team of physical therapists included Belmont alumna Dr. Amanda Stephens (‘20), Associate Professor Dr. Christi Williams, alumna Dr. Ashley O’Brien (‘20) and current student Emily Haddox. They were joined by local physical therapists Holly Cauthen from Vanderbilt Pi Beta Phi and Susan Rohleder.

Williams includes service animals in her physical therapy curriculum at Belmont and hopes to increase that material in the future. “Service dogs are something that all health care providers need to learn more about. It’s becoming very common now and understanding rights of access is so important,” said Williams. “From a physical therapy standpoint, we work with patients all the time who have disabilities. Knowing more about service dogs can help us as providers teach patients about how dogs can assist them in managing their disability and gaining more independence.”

After the puppy reached four months old, she transitioned to a prison training program and is being trained throughout the week by inmates. On the weekends, the puppy goes out into the community with other volunteers to further develop skills in various environments and with various people. The puppy training program lasts nearly two years. In the final stages of training–between 14 and 20 months–the puppy will be trained to assist with greater mobility and medical alert tasks, such as retrieving medications, operating a public restroom and household tasks.

Working with a team of students and health care providers offered an even greater benefit to the puppy, as she was exposed to so many more people and places, said Williams. “It’s incredibly rewarding and also an unbelievable amount of work. The dog has to be with someone around the clock and you can’t leave them home in a crate. It takes a team of people,” she explained.

Once the puppy is matched, she will be trained for scent and behavior responses for the person she’s matched with. Specialized training continues for four to six months with the dog graduating around 20 months old.

For more information about how you can get involved with a service dog organization, contact Dr. Williams at christi.williams@belmont.edu.

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