Two-day celebration will feature speakers, musical guests, service opportunities, Nashville tours, inauguration ceremony and more
Nearly six months into his new role, Dr. Greg Jones will officially be inaugurated as Belmont University’s newest President during a two-day celebration held on Belmont’s campus Nov. 4-5. Dr. Jones’ official inauguration ceremony will be held on Friday, November 5 at 2:30 p.m.
The celebration’s theme, Let Hope Abound, encompasses Jones’ first 100+ days at Belmont and the vision he has set for his inaugural year. Created around his commitment to five ways of being: Hope Inspiring, Character Forming, Future Shaping, Community Engaging and Bridge Building, the theme exemplifies Jones’ approach to leading Belmont into the coming years.
“My focus over the past six months has been on hope, a sense of hope rooted in God and his promises,” Jones said. “And with the challenges we have collectively faced over the last 18 months, there is no question that our world is in need of a significant sense of rejuvenation, peace and hope. At Belmont, we are channeling that sense in all we do—every action, behavior, thought, word and deed. It’s who we are, and Susan and I are excited to officially begin our time on Belmont’s campus with a celebration that’s rooted in these very ideas.”
The events begin on Thursday, Nov. 4 in the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and include:
- 8:00-9:15 a.m. — The Role of Higher Education in Engaging and Building Communities Discussion
- Panel event featuring area university leaders including Dr. Daniel Diermeier (Vanderbilt University), Dr. Vann Newkirk (Fisk University), Dr. Shanna Jackson (Nashville State Community College) and Dr. Candice McQueen (Lipscomb University) on the role of colleges and universities in their local communities. Moderated by USA Today Network/Tennessean Opinion & Engagement Editor David Plazas.
- 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Addressing our Community’s Health Care Challenges Discussion
- A panel of health care experts moderated by Senator Bill Frist and featuring President & CEO at Siloam Health Dr. Morgan Wills, Senior Director of Health Policy and Advocacy Kinika Young, Chair of Internal Medicine at Meharry Medical College Dr. Millard Collins, CEO of Russell Street Ventures Brad Smith and Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Diversity at the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University Dr. Karen Lewis will discuss ways to address health care disparities and inequities in our community.
Friday’s events (all held in the Fisher Center except Dr. Jones’ official inauguration ceremony) include:
- 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. — Character, Purpose and the Entrepreneurial Mindset Panel
- Discussion will feature leaders from philanthropic foundations including Jim Rahn (Kern Family Foundation), Heather Dill (John Templeton Foundation) and Clay Robbins (Lilly Endowment)
- 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.— Promoting an Entrepreneurial Spirit Panel
- A conversation between Dr. Jones, Global Leader of Strategy and Leadership at PwC Dr. Blair Sheppard, Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors and Jumpstart Nova Mr. Marcus Whitney and Dean of the Jack C. Massey College of Business Dr. Sarah Gardial on what it takes to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit to drive innovation and change.
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. — The Power of Faith in Reweaving the Social Fabric
- President Jones and former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam discuss the role faith can play in healing a divided world
- 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.— Upon This Mountain Inaugural Chapel
- Rev. Susan Pendleton Jones will bring a message of hope at this Chapel, preceding the official inauguration ceremony.
- 1:45 – 2:15 p.m — Inaugural Carillon Concert
- The Joneses son-in-law Joey Fala, an accomplished organist, will host a worship experience on the Bell Tower Carillon before Dr. Jones’ inauguration ceremony.
- 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. — Official Inauguration Ceremony: “Let Hope Abound—With All the Saints”
- The official ceremony, held in the Curb Event Center, will offer guests a worshipful, hopeful experience as Dr. Jones is formally inaugurated as President of Belmont University.
An invitation-only Inauguration Celebration held at the Grand Hyatt will close the week’s events. For a full list of events, click here.
“The entire Belmont community is delighted to officially welcome Dr. Greg Jones and his wife Susan to campus as President and First Lady through this multi-day inauguration cerebration,” said Belmont Board of Trustees Chairman Milton Johnson. “Since Greg’s first day on campus, his vision for this institution has been on display. He and Susan are dedicated to furthering Belmont’s work as a Christ-centered institution focused on training future leaders who are eager to make the world a better place.”
The majority of the celebration’s events are open to the entire Belmont community with the exception of the Gala, which is invitation-only, and Thursday’s “Night of Hope Inspiring Stories,” which is completely reserved.
For more information on Dr. Jones and his wife, Rev. Susan Pendleton Jones, click here.
