Belmont University: An Introduction

Introduction

Campus & Buildings

Belmont’s vision is to be a premier teaching university bringing together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a consistently caring Christian environment. Fundamental to that vision are faculty who bring immeasurable life experience and knowledge to share with students on a historic campus that thrives in one of the most popular cities in the Southeast.

A comprehensive university grounded in liberal arts, Belmont enrolls 3,600 students. It is the second largest private college or university in Tennessee and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence. In addition to undergraduate degrees in approximately 57 major areas of study, the university offers master’s degrees in accountancy, business administration, education, English, music, nursing, and occupational therapy and a doctoral degree in physical therapy. For more information regarding graduate studies, see The Belmont University Graduate Bulletin.

The beautiful Nashville campus reflects a long, rich history that dates back to the 19th century, when the grounds were known as Adelicia Acklen’s Belle Monte estate. The antebellum mansion remains and is flanked by university buildings that were erected a century apart. On the way to a class that prepares them for the 21st century, students enjoy Victorian gardens, statuary and gazebos that serve as reminders of a treasured past.

Women’s schools preceding the current comprehensive institution of higher learning include the original Belmont College (1890-1913) and Ward-Belmont (1913-1951). In 1951, the Tennessee Baptist Convention founded the second Belmont College (1951-1991) with an initial coeducational enrollment of 136 students. Soon after celebrating 100 years of education on the same campus, the institution became a university in 1991 — culminating a decade of dramatic growth and progress.

In addition to the many different countries represented in the student body, Belmont University attracts students from almost every state in the United States. The mass of concentrated talent on Belmont’s campus is celebrated when students achieve and faculty committed to teaching are recognized. At Belmont, the education process is ongoing for faculty and administration, as well as students. The institution is committed to listening and learning from everyone. The students of today are helping shape the way students tomorrow will be educated.

Belmont University continues on a journey of continuing improvement that assures students who choose to learn and grow in this unique place that they are receiving absolutely the best educational experience possible.

Each Belmont student, graduate, faculty member and staff member is making a difference in their world. The university continues to teach people to make a positive, meaningful difference. The success of Belmont’s efforts is grounded in giving students consistent care and attention in a Christian environment. The thinly veiled barrier to a better world is at the heart of the university’s vision to provide a foundation of liberal arts with an emphasis on professional education. The world desired for Belmont students is a better place because they live the difference between just knowing and using real knowledge to make progressive changes.