THANKS TO A NEW FULL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FROM Belmont University, 26 Metro Nashville high school seniors will receive the opportunity to attend college for the next four years. The Bridges to Belmont program is designed to enroll high potential, local students who may not have previously been able to consider Belmont as an option. The pilot Bridges program consists of 13 students each from Maplewood and Stratford High Schools. Belmont University President Bob Fisher said, “We believe every young person has potential for great success with the biggest challenge often being simply the absence of opportunity. This is Belmont’s attempt to step up and provide that opportunity to high potential students here in Nashville. Of all the projects we’ve undertaken in the past decade, I can’t think of any that make me more proud to be at Belmont.”
26 Metro Nashville
STUDENTS RECEIVE FULL
SCHOLARSHIPS to
BELMONT
As a participant in the “Bridges to Belmont” program, all of the students’ expenses—tuition, room, board, required fees and books— that are not covered by state or federal grant resources will be provided via scholarships from Belmont. Nominated by their principals, the high school seniors selected as charter Bridge Scholars came to campus in May to sign a proclamation welcoming them to the University and to begin their college careers with a family orientation session. In addition to providing full scholarships, the program will focus on creating a learning and service environment to empower students’ personal passion to meet the needs of the world. Bridge students will live and work on campus the summer prior to enrollment while attending an intensive institute that will allow them to take full advantage of the opportunities the college environment will offer. Bridges to Belmont is the result of a deliberate effort on the part of Belmont’s administration to engage inner-city students with the University. Belmont senior leaders along with University enrollment and academic officers have met extensively with Nashville principals and admission counselors to establish the foundations for the program. n
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CIRCLE MAGAZINE