Brad Paisley, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Richard ‘Dick’ Miller Receive Honorary Doctorates at 2026 Commencement

University celebrates distinguished achievement across music, film, architecture, philanthropy and service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 11, 2026) — Belmont University awarded three distinguished individuals with honorary Doctor of the University degrees during its spring 2026 commencement ceremonies held Friday, May 8 at the Curb Event Center. University President Dr. Greg Jones presided over four commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday and presented the honorary degrees at two of them, collectively recognizing more than 1,950 candidates for degrees, including 1,390 bachelor's, 276 master's and 291 doctoral candidates. 

Since 1962, American colleges and universities have honored exceptional individuals with honorary degrees, acknowledging scholarly, creative and professional achievements across a range of fields. 

"These three extraordinary individuals represent the very best of what Belmont hopes to inspire in its graduates: a life marked by excellence, generosity and a commitment to something larger than themselves,” said University President Greg Jones. “We bestow this honor with great care, recognizing it as the highest accolade the University offers. On behalf of our entire Belmont community, it is a profound privilege to celebrate Brad, Kim and Dick for the lasting impact they have made on our institution, Nashville and the world." 

Brad Paisley, a 1995 Belmont alumnus with a degree in music business, has established himself as one of country music's most accomplished artists. Over the course of his career, he has earned three Grammy Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards and 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, among numerous other honors. A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001, Paisley has written 21 of his 24 No. 1 hits and in 2008 became the first artist to achieve 10 consecutive Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 singles. His music has amassed more than 4.6 billion career streams. Paisley has long maintained a deep connection to his alma mater, establishing the Brad Paisley Endowed Scholarship in 2012, which has supported more than 70 Belmont students studying in the Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. 

Kimberly Williams-Paisley is an acclaimed actress and New York Times bestselling author widely recognized for her role in the “Father of the Bride” franchise and her current role on  "9-1-1: Nashville" and host of “Farmer Wants A Wife.” A member of the Belmont University Board of Trustees since 2022, she has been an active advocate for the University and its students. Together with her husband, she co-founded The Store, a free, referral-based nonprofit grocery store that began on Belmont's campus and recently expanded to a second location at TriStar Centennial Medical Center, further extending its reach to serve low-income individuals and families across the Nashville area. Since opening in 2020, The Store has served more than 1.5 million meals and expanded its wraparound services — including legal aid, financial counseling and nutritional education — in partnership with Belmont. 

"Thank you, Belmont, for what you do. This town has been shaped by Belmont as much as anything, and we are so proud to have a charity that is in partnership with this university," Paisley said during the ceremony. "I encourage all of you to come back, volunteer, be a part of The Store, and let's make Nashville — and the world — a better place." 

Williams-Paisley echoed the sentiment, adding, "The Store would not be what it is without Belmont's support. We have over 1,400 households now, serving almost 4,000 people in the Nashville community, and we could not do it without Belmont. I have so much respect for the compassion I see in your hearts, for the ways you are working to make this town and this country a better place. It's an honor to be in this community with you." 

Richard “Dick” Miller is chairman emeritus of Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. (ESa), Nashville's largest architecture firm, with a portfolio spanning 48 states and 16 countries. A veteran architect, lecturer and author with more than five decades of experience, Miller joined ESa in 1967 and served as president for 44 years. Under his leadership, the firm became known for both its architectural excellence and its culture of humility, integrity and servant leadership. Named one of the nation’s “25 most influential in healthcare design” by Healthcare Design magazine, his work includes landmark projects such as Nashville’s AT&T Tower, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Mayo Clinic’s first newly built hospital in Phoenix. ESa has played a significant role in shaping much of Belmont’s modern campus. Miller’s connection to the University is also reflected in the professionals he mentored, including David Minnigan, who went on to serve as Belmont’s architect in residence and credits Miller with influencing both his career and character. Dick and his wife, Shar, have been longtime supporters of Belmont Athletics and recently endowed a chair in the O'More College of Architecture and Design. Miller is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. 

Through their careers and their character, this year's honorary degree recipients join a distinguished group of individuals whose achievements and service have made a lasting mark on their professions and communities. In honoring Brad, Kim and Dick, Belmont reaffirms its commitment to recognizing leadership that inspires, work that endures and generosity that transforms. 

About Belmont University 

Located near the heart of thriving Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University consists of nearly 9,000 students who come from every state and 33 countries. The University is nationally recognized for its innovative approach as well as its commitment to undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report). As a Christ-centered, student-focused community, Belmont’s mission is to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character and wisdom who possess a transformational mindset and are eager and equipped to make the world a better place. With more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master’s programs and eight doctoral degrees, Belmont University aims to be the leading Christ-centered university in the world, producing leaders who will radically champion the pursuit of life abundant for all people. For more information, visit http://www.belmont.edu. 

Media Contact 

Julia Copeland, director of PR & content

julia.copeland@belmont.edu

615.460.6178