Will teach undergrads as Distinguished Visiting Professor of History and Politics
Belmont University undergrads are going to be scrambling today to add another class to their course schedules upon hearing the news that Nashville Mayor Karl Dean will be joining the University’s faculty this fall as Distinguished Visiting Professor of History and Politics. Following two successful terms as Nashville’s Mayor, helping to garner Music City a new and fitting “It City” moniker, Dean will leave office in late September and will assume his duties at Belmont in mid-October. His public service commitment will continue as he joins the ranks of higher education to share his expertise and insights with Belmont students.
Retired president of BellSouth/AT&T-Tennessee Marty Dickens recognizes better than most the contributions Dean will bring to the University as he worked tirelessly alongside the Mayor to make the Music City Center a reality and also serves as chair of Belmont’s Board of Trustees. “This is indeed another great day in the life of Belmont University,” Dickens said. “I can think of nothing more exciting than our students having the opportunity to learn from Karl Dean. Mayor Dean brings a wealth of experience in his understanding of how government works and how to operate within the associated politics to get things done ethically and with integrity in the best interest of the citizens being served. He has been an outstanding mayor of Nashville and he will be an outstanding addition to Belmont University.”
“I’m deeply honored to be asked to join the faculty here at Belmont,” Mayor Dean said. “The opportunity to work with our city’s, state’s and nation’s future leaders is a responsibility that I take very seriously. I’m looking forward to talking to students about some of the things that I believe have made Nashville such a strong city.”
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher noted, “Mayor Dean’s service to our city is extraordinary, and the leadership he has shown in taking Nashville to the next level reflects the innovative, entrepreneurial, creative spirit we want to model for our students at Belmont. Having someone of his experience join our faculty is an incredible coup, and having someone of his character and friendship to this institution partner with us on educating the next generation of leaders is a rare opportunity.”
Karl Dean is the sixth mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. He was elected on Sept. 11, 2007 and was re-elected on Aug. 4, 2011. Mayor Dean’s priorities are improving schools, making neighborhoods safer and bringing more and better jobs to Nashville. He also works to sustain and improve Nashville’s high quality of life through numerous initiatives that promote health, sustainability and volunteerism.
Mayor Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990, a post he was re-elected to in 1994 and 1998. Mayor Dean served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Mayor Dean completed the program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard in 1999.
