Circle Magazine Fall 2017

BELMONT UNIVERSITY | CIRCLE MAGAZINE FALL 2017

eclipsed b e l m o nt c o m m u n i t y m e s m e r i z e d b y o n c e - i n - a - l i f e t i m e e v e nt .

FALL 2017

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FIRST

LOOK

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FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Musical theatre students delighted audiences in November with the Tony Award-winning musical set in Imperial Russia.

FROM THE PRESIDENT There’s an often overlooked group of men and women who are central to the ongoing vitality of Belmont University: the Board of Trust. Long ago our Board members recognized that “good” was the enemy of “great,” and these community leaders were determined to challenge the status quo in order for Belmont to become one of America’s great universities. Since then, our enrollment, physical campus and academic offerings have all experienced astonishing growth as the Board fostered efforts to enhance quality and focus on student success.

Beyond guiding our growth, these individuals have committed their time, resources and finances to making Belmont a better institution year after year. From attending campus events and leading Bible studies to donating for mission funds and supporting scholarships, Belmont’s Board members are embracing our mission to help students engage with and transform the world. Thanks to their leadership and dedication, Belmont University is truly one of the great modern stories in higher education. I am exceedingly grateful to each of them for their support and their impact on the lives of thousands of Belmont students and alumni.

Best Regards,

Robert C. Fisher, president

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION President Bob Fisher

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From the President

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In the Shadow of the Moon

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50 Years...and Counting

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Topping Out ‘Tall Hall’

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Belmont State of Mind

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Mad Science

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Being Belmont

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Making the Whole World Sing

Vice President of Development and External Relations Perry Moulds

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Campus News

Vice President of Spiritual Development Todd Lake

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We Believe

ON THE COVER: Thousands of campus and community members congregated on the Lawn for the Aug. 21 total eclipse.

Provost Thomas Burns Vice President/Chief of Staff Susan West Vice President of Finance and Operations Steve Lasley Vice President of Administration and University Counsel Jason Rogers

Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Paula Gill

MAGAZINE Managing Editor April Hefner (M.A. ’07) Designers Hilary Griffith, Sarah Hobbs Anna Howard, Natalie Smith (B.F.A. ’08)

(Left) Dr. Fisher with Bridges to Belmont Endowed Scholarship Fund donors Milton and Denice Johnson. Milton Johnson, CEO of HCA, also serves on Belmont’s Board of Trust. (Below) Board Chair Marty Dickens enjoyed the recent topping out ceremony for “Tall Hall.”

University Photographer Sam Simpkins Contributing Photographers Taylor Beck (B.B.A., ’20) Brad Moore/B. Moore Visuals Karl Moore Contributing Writers Hope Buckner (B.S. ’12, M.Ed. ‘17) Sophie Rogers (B.S. ’18) Greg Sage Circle magazine is published biannually for alumni and friends of Belmont University.

Editorial content, graphic production, printing and distribution are coordinated by the Offices of Communications and University Marketing & Public Relations. Address changes and alumni notes should be directed to the Office of Alumni Relations. Third-class bulk postage is paid at the U.S. Post Office, Nashville, TN. Direct inquiries and comments regarding Circle magazine content to: Belmont University Office of Communications/Circle magazine 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212 615.460.6641 or circlemag@belmont.edu Belmont University is a Christian community.

The university faculty, administration and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. As a community seeking to uphold Christian standards of morality, ethics and conduct, Belmont University holds high expectations of each person who chooses to join the community. Belmont University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service or sexual orientation. Inquiries or complaints concerning the application of these policies to students should be directed to the Dean of Students, Beaman Student Life Center Suite 200, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212, deanofstudents@belmont.edu or 615.460.6407.

/belmontuniversity /belmontuniv /belmontu /belmontu

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in the

shadow of t h e m o o n

T h e F a l l 2 0 1 7 s e m e st e r k i c k e d o f f w i t h a o n c e - i n - a - l i f e t i m e e v e nt a s N a s h v i l l e — a n d B e l m o nt — w e r e i n t h e p at h o f t o ta l i t y f o r t h e A u g u st 2 1 e c l i p s e .

More than 6,000 free solar eclipse glasses were handed out at Belmont Aug. 21 as droves of students, faculty, staff and family members descended upon the campus Lawn to experience the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse with the University community.

For new transfer student Crystal Rose, the eclipse was her first event on campus. “It was a humbling, breathtaking experience, and it was beautiful to see so many people celebrating together.”

A total solar eclipse—when the moon passes in front of the sun in such a way as to completely block light to

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the earth—doesn’t occur every day.

In fact, the last time Nashville was in what’s referenced as the “path of totality” of a solar eclipse was July 29, 1478. However, from 1:27–1:29 p.m. on Aug. 21, Nashville went completely dark as the path of the eclipse cut across the mid-state.

College of Science and Mathematics Dean Dr. Thom Spence said, “This is an incredibly exciting event and truly represents something most of us will never have the opportunity to see again. Partial eclipses are cool, but the visuals and experience of a total eclipse is unlike anything else.”

Approximately 100 high school students came to Belmont for science lectures and to join the campus watch party, while a number of faculty were interviewed by local and national media covering the eclipse, discussing everything from the historical and scientific impact to the best way to photograph the phenomenon.

And the next solar eclipse? While partial eclipses are more common and several states will get a view of a total solar eclipse in 2024, Nashville won’t be in the “path of totality” again until 2566. •

SPRING FALL 2017

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YEARS...

AND COUNTING Thanks to Betty Wiseman, the University is celebrating 50 years in women's sports in 2017–18 and reuniting one of the first female basketball teams in the region.

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PIONEERS. TRAILBLAZERS. BELMONT LEGENDS. When 23-year-old Betty Wiseman entered then-President Herbert Gabhart’s office in the late 1960s and pleaded for a women’s basketball program, he not only approved her idea, he put her in charge. But it was clear that this team—the first college women’s sports team in the Southeast—would have an uphill battle as there was little funding to support them. Nevertheless, Wiseman created a team and scheduled games 50 years ago, launching a women’s basketball program that today competes among the best of NCAA Division I and opening a new door of opportunity for many female athletes.

The women from that first team returned to campus this fall and led a panel for current students to recount their adventures from those early years. Wiseman recalled how the team was granted the last practice slot in the gym so the young women had to trudge to late-night practices, in which they wore only long sweatpants as campus rules prohibited them from wearing shorts. “We were behind on everything else, but we had an opportunity,” she said.

She and original team members Mattie Spicer Yokley, Alfreta Peterson Johnson, Cinda Haddon, Sherry Chandler-Cunningham and Dianna Burton Lewis interacted with one another as if no time had passed. They described their relationship with the team, Wiseman and Belmont as an extension of family. “You don’t get any better than Belmont,” said Yokley. “There is no place on the planet like this school.”

In their closing remarks, the ladies spoke directly to current team members in attendance, a group that’s won two back-to-back conference championships. “You live the dream, you are the dream. We look to you, be the best you can be,” said Haddon.

Johnson reminded the current Bruins that, “Everything you experience in life, you can take it and grow from it, or you can take it and wallow in it, but as long as you know who you are and whose you are, these things don’t touch you.”

Belmont’s 50th Anniversary of Women in Sport celebration will be highlighted by a reunion weekend Jan. 26–27, 2018. For more information, visit BelmontBruins.com/50th. •

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T O P P I N G O U T ‘ TA L L H A L L’ Ten months after breaking ground, Belmont contractors lifted the north gable in place on a new residence hall that will be the largest on campus.

The view from the top is simply outstanding.

Though Belmont’s newest—and largest—residence hall won’t be open for student housing until August 2018, many guests at October’s “topping out” ceremony were allowed a quick trip to the top floor of the structure to catch a glimpse of the tremendous bird’s-eye perspective it offers of downtown Nashville.

During the event itself, Belmont contractors lifted the north gable in place on the new residence, “Tall Hall,” which sits between 12 South and 15th Avenue. The $80 million complex will house 611 upperclassmen in total and will include a fitness studio on the ground level to provide workout opportunities close to students’ homes. In addition, a large park-like green space is being added beside Tall Hall between Dickens, Horrell, Russell and Thrailkill Halls.

The area will feature a flowing stream, a small pond, seating spots and a green recreational space.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “As part of our commitment to studentcenteredness, we want to offer on-campus living spaces for more of our students in order to enhance their learning opportunities in and out of the classroom. This new hall will further the robust Residence Life experience Belmont can offer while also helping more members of our community stay in a safe and affordable location near the center of our dynamic and rapidly expanding city.”

Approximately 55 percent of Belmont’s undergraduate population currently lives on campus, and the new hall will increase residential spaces from approximately 3,500 currently to more than 4,100 spots.

The new facility will feature both suite and apartment-style room options. In addition, Belmont continues its commitment to sustainable buildings with this project, as this is expected to be the fourth campus building to achieve LEED certification. •

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With the University’s third annual Diversity Week, Belmont introduced a new initiative focused on inclusive excellence.

An extension of the ongoing work of Belmont’s Welcome Home Diversity Council, the University launched a new initiative this semester, The Belmont State of Mind, centered around transparency, authenticity, intentionality and awareness. The Belmont State of Mind, which encompasses all of campus’s diversity and inclusion efforts, is focused on enhancing and embedding a culture of inclusive excellence across campus for all faculty, staff and students.

Welcome Home Diversity Council Chair and Vice President/Chief of Staff Dr. Susan West said, “We are eager to provide many opportunities for our faculty, staff and students to engage in important dialogue, experiences and training related to diversity and inclusion. We understand that it’s our differences that make us who we are, and as a community of faith, we have a responsibility to love and respect all people who live and work on our campus. It’s the ‘Belmont State of Mind.’ It’s just who we are.”

One of the first events under the Belmont State of Mind umbrella this fall was the University’s third annual Diversity Week, a celebration that included more than 20 events across campus. Belmont’s Black Student Association hosted a Corners of Campus panel on Monday in which student leaders discussed their experiences on campus as individuals and as

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members and representatives of their organizations. A “Privilege Walk” in the Curb Event Center on Tuesday evening provided a meaningful opportunity for more than 100 students, faculty and staff to engage in dialogue surrounding privilege, individually and as a group. Outside facilitators guided participants through a silent activity that cultivated awareness and highlighted critical self-reflection.

The University’s Chinese Cultural Club hosted the Chinese Moon Festival Celebration on Wednesday in honor of the second largest cultural celebration in China. Meanwhile, the remainder of the week included a panel discussion and screening of the newly released film, “Marshall,” a discussion on the intersectionality between Christian faith and hospitality, a presentation highlighting the history of Aztec dance, Real Talk sessions and the Stone Soup Cook-Off where faculty and staff celebrated the end of the week together, tasting dishes that honored each other’s heritage. Additionally, more than 100 opportunities to serve diverse populations in the Nashville area were provided through Diversity Week’s Side by Side Service Initiative. •

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Mad Science BELMONT’S SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP IN THE SCIENCES (SURFS) PROGRAM RECENTLY COMPLETED ITS THIRD YEAR, AS 24 STUDENTS FROM A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES DEVOTED THEIR SUMMER TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. Belmont University’s vision statement aims “to be a leader among teaching universities,” and annual rankings along with graduating student surveys indicate that faculty are more than living up to that goal. What may be surprising to some, however, is the degree to which Belmont students are also being given hands-on research opportunities.

Now in its 3rd year, Belmont’s SURFS Program hosted 24 students across campus this summer in a variety of disciplines. Started by Chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department Dr. Robert Magruder in 2015, the SURFS program engages students early in their collegiate career and provides participants with housing and a stipend while they work alongside faculty members to complete important research.

When Dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics Dr. Thom Spence came to Belmont three years ago, he noticed that the University’s Summer Scholars program encouraged juniors and seniors to spend their summers on campus engaging in research. Seeing a need to involve younger students in these same experiences, he worked alongside Magruder to create the SURFS programming. Spence said, “By targeting early career students, we are able to allow all students the opportunity to experience meaningful research—an opportunity that can be transformative for their education.”

This year students engaged in a variety of projects whose “real world” implications are immense. From cell isolation for illness treatment to comparing the sound differences between old and new guitars to “working from the inside out” to treat cancer cells and understand how medication dosages effect performance, SURFS participants conducted research that could have a significant impact on science.

Junior neuroscience and pre-med major Crystal Lemus, an Honors student, chose to study microfluidics and cell isolation, hoping to gain insight into better treatment options and early detection for infectious diseases or cancer. Having no previous experience with this topic, Lemus said she chose the project intentionally. “Being the curious person that I am, I decided to venture out to the unknown and try to find answers to things not previously known,” she said. “The entire point of conducting research and being vulnerable before the scientific process is to allow yourself to acquire knowledge along the way.” •

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PHOTO BY ATTIC FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

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BEING

BELMONT

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BRUINS DOWN ’DORES The men’s basketball season got off to a hot start with a 69-60 victory over the neighboring Vanderbilt Commodores in a record-setting sell-out attendance in the Curb Event Center.

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On its 10th anniversary, Belmont’s pioneering songwriting program celebrates a decade of alumni and student success stories.

Songwriting chair James Isaac Elliott said, “What makes this program successful are three key elements: the caliber of award-winning songwriters who teach our students, the challenging and innovative curriculum we offer and the industry partners who come alongside us in developing the next generation of great writers.”

Ten years after launching one of the nation’s first undergraduate songwriting majors, Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business is celebrating the pioneering program’s phenomenal success to date and its 260 current majors.

A Sept. 27 celebration of the program featured comments from Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame members Pat Alger and Tom Douglas as well as performances from Devin Dawson, a recent alumnus of the program, along with current students Anna Vaus

and Jake Rogers. In addition, Curb College Dean Doug Howard presented Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher with a custom Martin 000-15M acoustic solid mahogany guitar to commemorate the songwriting program’s first 10 years, and Warner Music established a Belmont sonwriting scholarship in Dawson’s honor.

In just the first decade, Belmont songwriting is already making its mark with graduates finding success in a wide variety of fields and genres. For example, 2017 Grammy Award winner Emily Weisband has had cuts recorded by Hillary Scott, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and Lady Antebellum, among others, while Warner Music Nashville artist Devin Dawson is enjoying the success of his first hit single, “All On Me,” following recent tour dates with Maren Morris, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Chase Lawrence, lead singer of pop band COIN, co-wrote the band’s charting single “Talk Too Much," while acoustic pop singer/songwriter Megan Davis is forging her own way with millions of followers on YouTube and Spotify. Other graduates are finding success in Southern rock, alternative, country, EDM and worship music while still others are making inroads with careers in TV/film song placements or their own start-up technology businesses to support musicians.

Howard concluded, “Every segment of the music industry can trace its success back to songwriters and their amazing songs without which we would have nothing.” • FALL 2017

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CAMPUS

NEWS

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CAMPUS NEWS

WARD-BELMONT LUNCHEON

BELMONT REACHES RECORD-BREAKING ENROLLMENT, EARNS TOP 5 REGIONAL RANKING For the ninth consecutive year, Belmont again achieved a Top 10 regional ranking with the release of U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 edition of America’s Best Colleges, earning the No. 5 spot and remaining the highest ranked university in Tennessee in the Southern Colleges category. This news came on the heels of the University’s announcement of its largest enrollment yet— an impressive 8,080 students, nearly triple the enrollment in 2000.

Alumna from the Ward-Belmont era visited the Belmont Mansion in October for a luncheon and celebration of their time on campus.

COACH BYRD GARNERS NATIONAL ACCLAIM Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Byrd was recognized as one of America’s Most Inspiring Coaches by Parade Magazine and also the subject of a major feature in USA Today.

Belmont was also lauded for the tenth year in a row for its commitment to making innovative improvements campus wide, landing second on the Most Innovative Schools in the South list. The University was also recognized for its strong commitment to undergraduate teaching as a best college for veterans, among others.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “These rankings provide benchmarks that are helpful to us as we work to provide programs that equip our students to go out and make a positive impact in the world. While it is rewarding to see Belmont reach a higher ranking overall, it is especially gratifying to be recognized by our peers for excelling in areas that promote strong outcomes for our students. As a student-centered university, this is at the heart of what we aim to achieve.”

TONY WINNER RETURNS FOR RECITAL Tony Award-winning Levi Kreis returned to campus this semester for his senior recital, the final requirement to complete the degree he began years ago.

2018 GUBERNATORIAL DEBATES Belmont will once again step to the forefront in 2018 as the site for a Tennessee gubernatorial forum and several debates.

CAMPUS NEWS GIVING VOICE TO HISTORY Internationally-acclaimed and New York Times best-selling author Ruta Sepetys encouraged Belmont to “give voice” to people lost in history when she recently spoke on campus.

MORE PRACTICE ROOMS ARE HERE! A renovation of the Hitch Building was recently completed to include practice rooms and rehearsal space for music students.

JULIA MICHAELS, KEITH URBAN INSPIRE MUSIC BUSINESS STUDENTS Republic recording artist Julia Michaels was a guest speaker for Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business students in October, offering stories from her career along with performing a few songs for a packed house in the Johnson Theater.

Michaels was joined by her manager and Belmont alumna Beka Tischker (2000, music business) for a Q&A, and her good friend Keith Urban also came by the event for a surprise duet of Michaels’ hit song “Issues.”

Tischker commented on the importance of mentoring other women and always keeping her focus on what is best for her clients, like Michaels, who she believes “…says things that people want to say, but don’t have the courage to.”

ATHLETES AND ACADEMICS For the 14th time in the last 16 years, Belmont Athletics claimed its conference’s academic crown, with the 2016–17 trophy marking the fifth year in a row in the OVC.

BELMONT’S U.S. ATTORNEY Former Belmont Law Professor Donald Cochran was recently confirmed as the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Michaels added, “I find that I feel better when people sing with me. It’s a really humbling thing when people sing with you and relate to your words… Don’t be apologetic. You’re here for a reason and your words matter.”

Michaels has solidified herself as an in-demand songwriter, co-writing a string of Billboard Hot 100 hits including Justin Bieber’s “Sorry,” Selena Gomez’s “Good for You” (feat. A$AP Rocky), Hailee Steinfeld’s “Love Myself,” and more. “Issues” peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and was certified double-platinum.

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CAMPUS NEWS

CUPCAKE CRAVING

RICHARD SHADINGER PREPARES FOR RETIREMENT, SHOWCASES HIS ‘FAVORITE THINGS’ Dr. Richard Shadinger, professor in the School of Music and Belmont’s long-time carillonneur, will be retiring this May. Shadinger has been playing Belmont’s famous bells, a campus and neighborhood staple, since the carillon system returned to campus in 1986. To kick off his final year on campus, Shadinger hosted a concert full of his ‘favorite things’ on the carillon in September.

Candace Nelson, founder and pastry chef of national chain Sprinkles Cupcakes, shared her professional journey and offered advice to Belmont’s rising entrepreneurs this fall.

BELMONT CELEBRATES WOMEN IN SCIENCE The Department of Chemistry and Physics hosted a community-wide symposium in November to celebrate Marie Curie’s 150th birthday and the legacy of women in science.

Located in Belmont’s Bell Tower, the 43-bell carillon is one of only 180 across the country and is played by hand multiple times each week. It’s seen many impressive memories and sights including annual Christmas concerts, marriage proposals and even its own rendition of the Star Wars theme song.

A pianist originally, Shadinger learned to play the carillon for Belmont—having never even seen one before. He showed immediate interest in the system and has taken an extreme liking to the instrument, traveling to conferences, attending weekly lessons for years and even taking a sabbatical to further his skills.

BASEBALL PLAYER EARNS TOP NATIONAL AWARD Baseball alumnus Nick Egli received the 2017 Gregg Olson Award, a recognition given to honor players who have raised the level of their game through hard work and determination.

Brad Moore/B. Moore Visuals

BELMONT RECOGNIZED FOR ‘BUILDING BRIDGES’ In honor of the University’s commitment to helping new Americans throughout Nashville, Belmont was honored with Siloam Health’s inaugural Bridge Builders Award.

CAMPUS NEWS FROM BRUINS TO RED CLAWS Men’s basketball’s all-time leading scorer Evan Bradds recently landed a coaching job as an assistant with the Maine Red Claws, the G League team for the Boston Celtics.

STUDENTS STUDY-AWAY Belmont USA expanded its nationally-based study-away options to now include the Oregon Extension, an immersion in nature and sustainability.

C-SPAN BUS ON CAMPUS The C-Span Bus, an interactive learning lab on wheels, visited Belmont as part of its “50 Capitals Tour” to teach students and teachers about delivering unbiased news.

TENNESSEE HEALTH CARE HALL OF FAME INDUCTS SIX LEGENDS The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inducted six health care legends from across the state at a campus ceremony this fall. Hosted by former weekend news anchor and current Senior Counsel at Finn Partners John Seigenthaler, the Hall of Fame’s ceremony recognizes and honors the pioneers and current leaders who have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals.

Created by Belmont University and Belmont’s McWhorter Society with the support of the Nashville Health Care Council, a Founding Partner, the Hall of Fame’s 2017 class included former U.S. Senator and Majority Leader Bill Frist, who founded the Vanderbilt Transplant Center and nonprofit Hope Through Healing Hands. Other inductees included Dorothy Lavinia Brown, the first African-American female surgeon in the south and Tennessee House of Representatives and General Assembly member; General Care and Surgical Care Affiliates Founder Joel Gordon; former CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center Harry Jacobson; Nobel Prize in Chemistry recipient Stanford Moore; and the first Director and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Hospital Donald Pinkel.

The annual event brought more than 600 health care leaders from around the state to campus and raised more than $250,000 for scholarship endowments for Belmont students.

FALL FOLLIES 2017 Student writers and actors showcased their talent at this year’s Fall Follies, Belmont’s annual sketch comedy show.

DR. FRIST shares a laugh with 2016

Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Henry Foster, Jr.

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CAMPUS NEWS

‘WONDER’ WRITER

STUDENTS CELEBRATE MUSIC WITH SENIORS, WRITE SONGS BASED ON THEIR LIVES

“These six songs didn’t exist 24 hours ago,” Belmont Songwriting Lecturer James Tealy said. “They only existed as seeds and dreams in your story… and now they’re songs. Isn’t that a beautiful thing?”

Senior songwriting and music business major Emily Falvey sat on a piano bench and readied her fingers. She began singing to a group of senior citizen home residents eager to hear the story she told through her words—but it wasn’t her story she was telling. As part of Make Music Nashville, Falvey and a group of her songwriting classmates visited two senior citizen facilities to interview residents. After learning more about their stories, the songwriters wrote and performed original pieces, inspired by the lives of their new friends.

“This was an amazing opportunity to connect with wise people, learn meaningful lessons and gain inspiration from them. These are friends I hope to keep for years to come,” Falvey said. Her time with one resident inspired her original piece, “Colorful.” Telling the story of a woman who has “walked a million miles, with a thousand more to go,” Falvey was inspired by the ways color has consistently found its way through her subject’s story—even in the jacket she donned during the interview.

“Wonder Woman” screenwriter Allen Heinberg visited Belmont this semester to share stories about the “warrior of love” he developed for the recent box office hit.

LUMOS SCHOLAR PRACTICES NURSING IN TANZANIA Belmont graduate Karah Waters spent weeks in Tanzania as a Lumos Scholar studying health care and working as a nurse at a local hospital.

STRONG BAR RESULTS…AGAIN Belmont Law graduates again posted strong scores on the July 2017 bar exam, surpassing the state’s average pass rate for first-time test takers.

TRAIN LIKE A PREDATOR Trainers from the Stanley Cup finalists Nashville Predators visited campus this fall to assist students with training techniques and fitness goals.

HALF-WAY TO OUR GOAL!

When Belmont set the We Believe campaign goal at a lofty $300 million, the largest in University history, reaching that summit seemed far away and difficult to comprehend. But as of this fall, the climb has kicked into high gear as donors contributed amounts large and small to bring the campaign to its halfway point: more than $150 million!

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “I am so grateful for the thousands of men and women, as well as corporate and foundation partners, who are showing such tremendous belief in the mission of Belmont University.

This campaign is strengthening our ability to offer a world class education by attracting top faculty, enhancing student experiences, creating mission opportunities, supporting athletics and expanding student research.

Most importantly, this campaign is positioning us to aid more qualified students in achieving a Belmont education, regardless of their financial circumstances.�

We Believe is a comprehensive fundraising campaign intended to raise and invest a total of $300 million by 2020 to support five University priorities: scholarships, endowed faculty positions, missions, athletic funding and annual giving.

Your gift makes a

DIFFERENCE.

“There are no words that can express how valuable the opportunity to attend Belmont is to me, and I cannot imagine my life otherwise. It is individuals like [my scholarship donor] that inspire the next generation and give us hope in the kindness of the world.”

JORDAN DUNN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS/MARKETING MAJOR CLASS OF 2019

$300,000,000

12,461

Total donors to the We Believe campaign

93

New endowed scholarships created

$200,000,000

$151,317,565

2,794

Students awarded endowed scholarships since campaign began

9,239

$100,000,000

New individual donors to the campaign

$7,604,262

In gifts eligible for University match

GIVE NOW Now is a great time to join the We Believe campaign. You are invited to make a 2017 year-end gift to Belmont University today at BELMONT.EDU/GIVE. For more ways to give or to learn more about our campaign, please visit WEBELIEVE.BELMONT.EDU or call 615.460.5517.

I M P O R T A N T U P C O M I N G D AT E S

National PBS airing of

“Christmas at Belmont” with Sheryl Crow. Check local listings for times.

BELMONT.EDU

JAN. 4:

FEB. 19–24:

Men’s & Women’s Basketball OVC Home Openers*

Come home to Belmont to celebrate Homecoming Week 2018

MAY 4–5: Baccalaureate, President’s

Commencement Reception and Commencement

*Visit BelmontBruins.com for tickets and more information.

COM-17959 COM-16151

DEC. 22: