History of Belmont University in Timeline

Belmont University is a private Christian university located in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded as Belmont Women's College in 1890, it became Belmont College in 1951 and achieved university status in 1991. Although it severed ties with the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 2007, Belmont maintains a Christ-centered focus. The university currently enrolls nearly 9,000 students representing diverse backgrounds from across the United States and internationally.

1913: Merger with Ward Seminary

In 1913, Belmont Women's College merged with Ward Seminary, becoming Ward—Belmont College, which included both a junior college and a college-prep school for women.

April 18, 1922: First Music Program Broadcast in Nashville

On April 18, 1922, Belmont's WDAA program marked the first time a music program was broadcast in Nashville, reaching an audience within 150 to 200 miles of the school.

May 1922: First Radio Station in Nashville

In May 1922, the first radio station in Nashville, WDAA, went on air after a high school student installed a transmitter at Belmont, realizing the advertising potential to the college of a radio station.

March 1951: Belmont College Established

In March 1951, the Tennessee Baptist Convention established the co-educational Belmont College after buying Ward–Belmont College. R. Kelly White was selected as president.

1951: Belmont College Incorporated

In 1951, Belmont Women's College was incorporated as Belmont College.

1959: Belmont College Accredited

In 1959, Herbert Gabhart succeeded White, and Belmont College was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

1966: Massey Graduate School of Business Discussed

As early as 1966, Belmont's Massey Graduate School of Business was discussed, although it was founded later.

1982: Bill Troutt Becomes President

In 1982, Bill Troutt became the president of Belmont. At 32, he was the youngest college president in the nation.

1983: Funding for Corrections Corporation of America

In 1983, Tennessee businessman Jack C. Massey provided initial funding to begin Corrections Corporation of America, along with Thomas Beasley.

1986: Massey Graduate School of Business Founded

In 1986, Belmont's Massey Graduate School of Business was founded.

1991: Name Change to Belmont University

In 1991, Belmont College changed its name to Belmont University.

1991: Belmont College Becomes Belmont University

In 1991, Belmont College transitioned and officially became Belmont University.

1996: The Beltones Ranked #8 Since 1996

In 2020, The A Cappella Archive ranked The Beltones at #8 amongst all ICCA-competing groups since 1996.

2001: Purchase of Ocean Way Nashville

In 2001, Belmont purchased Ocean Way Nashville, which has recorded thousands of tracks, including the score for "The Last of Us".

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November 2005: TBC Shifts Financial Support

In November 2005, the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) announced it wanted to shift its financial support to Union University and Carson-Newman College, leading Belmont to seek alternative funding.

April 7, 2006: TBC Seeks to Oust Board

On April 7, 2006, the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) sought to oust the existing Belmont board of trustees and replace it with one consisting entirely of Southern Baptists, amenable to ongoing TBC control.

June 2006: Opening of the Gordon E. Inman Center

In June 2006, Belmont opened the $18 million Gordon E. Inman Center, which houses the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing and features learning labs equipped with Sim Man mannequins.

September 29, 2006: TBC Files Lawsuit Against Belmont

On September 29, 2006, after settlement talks failed, the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board filed a lawsuit against Belmont seeking the return of approximately $58 million.

2006: CMT Awards at Curb Event Center

In 2006, Belmont's Curb Event Center hosted the CMT Awards.

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November 19, 2007: Belmont Chosen to Host Debate

On November 19, 2007, Belmont University was selected by The Commission on Presidential Debates from a pool of sixteen finalists to host one of the three Presidential election debates.

2007: Belmont University Cuts Ties with Tennessee Baptist Convention

In 2007, Belmont University officially cut its ties with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, though it continues to identify as a "Christ-centered, student-focused community".

2007: Severed Ties with Tennessee Baptist Convention

In 2007, Belmont severed its ties with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, announcing its transition to a Christian university without denominational affiliations and agreeing to pay $1 million immediately and $250,000 annually for the next forty years.

2007: CMT Awards at Curb Event Center

In 2007, Belmont's Curb Event Center hosted the CMT Awards.

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October 7, 2008: Presidential Debate Hosted

On October 7, 2008, Belmont University hosted one of the three Presidential election debates after being selected in 2007.

2008: CMT Awards and Presidential Debate at Curb Event Center

In 2008, Belmont's Curb Event Center hosted both the CMT Awards and the 2008 Presidential Debate.

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December 2010: Controversy over Women's Soccer Coach

In December 2010, Belmont University became a focal point for anti-discrimination protests following the alleged dismissal of women's soccer coach Lisa Howe after she announced she was having children with her same-sex partner.

January 2011: Citywide Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Passed

In January 2011, the events surrounding Lisa Howe's dismissal led to a citywide anti-discrimination ordinance being passed by the Nashville City Council.

January 26, 2011: Sexual Orientation Added to Non-Discrimination Policies

On January 26, 2011, President Bob Fisher announced that Belmont University had added sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policies.

February 27, 2011: Recognition of Gay Student Organization

On February 27, 2011, Belmont University officially recognized the gay student organization Bridge Builders for the first time, following a period of controversy and discussion.

2011: Atlantic Sun Conference Academic Trophy

In 2011, Belmont student-athletes won the Atlantic Sun Conference Academic Trophy for the eighth time in ten years, with 76.32 percent of the student-athletes achieving at least a 3.0 grade-point average.

July 1, 2012: Atlantic Sun Conference Membership Ends

Until July 1, 2012, Belmont had been a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, a non-football conference.

2012: Ohio Valley Conference Academic Achievement Award

In 2012, Belmont student-athletes won the Ohio Valley Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award for the first time after joining the conference the previous year.

2014: Men's Soccer Joins Horizon League

Belmont's men's soccer team was most recently an independent before joining the Horizon League effective with the 2014 season.

2014: The Beltones Placed 4th at ICCA Finals

In 2014, The Beltones placed 4th at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Finals.

2015: Opening of the R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center

In 2015, Belmont opened the R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center, housing the Curb College, Department of Media Studies, Motion Pictures, and Harrington Place Dining.

2015: OVC's Institutional Academic Achievement Award

In 2015, Belmont received the OVC's Institutional Academic Achievement Award for the 4th straight year.

February 2018: Belmont University Takes Ownership of O'More College of Design

In February 2018, Belmont University took ownership of the O'More College of Design.

2018: CoreCivic CEO Joins Board of Trustees

In 2018, Damon Hininger, CEO of CoreCivic, joined the Belmont University Board of Trustees, leading to student and alumni petitions for his removal.

March 6, 2019: College of Visual and Performing Arts Separated

On March 6, 2019, Belmont University announced that its College of Visual and Performing Arts would be separated into two distinct colleges: the College of Music and Performing Arts and the O'More College of Architecture, Art and Design.

2019: Belmont Selected for 2020 Debate

In 2019, the Commission on Presidential Debates chose Belmont University to host the final presidential debate in the 2020 election.

July 2020: Students and Alumni Draw Attention to CoreCivic Relationship

In July 2020, a group of Belmont University students and alumni began to draw attention to the university's longstanding relationship with CoreCivic and asked the school to divest from any financial ties to for-profit prisons.

December 1, 2020: Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation

On December 1, 2020, Belmont University was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for their contributions to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the US.

2020: Final Presidential Debate Hosted

In 2020, Belmont University hosted the final presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, after being selected in 2019.

2020: The Pitchmen Qualified for ICCA Finals

In 2020, The Pitchmen qualified for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Finals, but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2021: Damon Hininger No Longer on Board

As of April 2021, Damon Hininger was no longer a member of the Belmont University Board of Trustees, having completed his allowed number of terms.

May 2021: Sale of Watkins College Campus

In May 2021, Belmont sold the former Watkins College campus for $22.5 million, and the university states that those funds will underwrite scholarships for students of the visual arts.

September 28, 2021: Belmont Joins Missouri Valley Conference

On September 28, 2021, Belmont announced that it would become a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, beginning in the Fall of 2022.

2022: Belmont Joins Missouri Valley Conference

Belmont began its membership with the Missouri Valley Conference in the Fall of 2022.

April 2023: The Pitchmen Won 1st Place at ICCA Finals

In April 2023, The Pitchmen won 1st place at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Finals, securing their first championship.