Belmont students and faculty at Bonnaroo. (TJ Samuels) Bonnaroo, Nashville’s biggest music festival, has been canceled for next year, leaving Belmont’s Bonnaroo U to find ways to adapt. The festival was canceled so the farmgrounds can recover from heavy rainstorms, said Bonnaroo U officials in an Instagram post on Aug. 21. “That land’s been hit pretty hard… So, it’s probably a good time for them to rethink the direction. I know whatever the case might be, based on our relati

Sign above a door to Betty's Market. (Olivia Abernathy) Betty’s Market, Belmont’s on-campus marketplace, won a Gold Award in the “Retail Sales: Marketplace of the Year” category from a national organization that oversees university dining. Located in Wiseman Hall, Betty’s Market opened last year, serving as an option for students who don’t want to eat in the dining hall and don’t have time to run out to a grocery store. It sells snacks and drinks in addition to pantry staple

​ The first It Must Be Wednesday of the semester. (Alex Zock) A recurring Belmont favorite began today with the first It Must Be Wednesday of the 2026-2027 school year. It Must Be Wednesday gives freshmen to graduate students a chance to mingle with each other, with student organizations, and Nashville local businesses. “I love the free coffee, but I just like to meet like all the vendors,” said Belmont senior Suzanna Porter. She said she uses the event to expand her networ

Dolly Parton speaking at Belmont University. (Bree Fabbie) Country music’s sweetheart, Dolly Parton, died at the age of 80. She left an impact on the world through her music, philanthropy and her larger-than-life personality. “Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that will shape lives for generations to come,” President Greg Jones said in a statement. “Through her talent, generosity and unwavering belief in others, she inspired people around the world to dream bigger and live

The salad bar in Harrington Place Dining Hall. (Olivia Abernathy) Belmont University spent the summer renovating Harrington Place Dining Hall, and the new look includes longer tables, a more open floor plan and a UCook station. “A lot of people don't like the consolidated tables, but I'm all for making new friends,” said sophomore Edward Smith. “I've met 95% of my friends in the caf, and I don't think that's going to change. I think it's cool whatever they want to do, as long

Former Curb College dean Brittany Schaffer. (From a press release on cmaworld.com) The former dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, Brittany Schaffer, will begin transitioning into her new role as CEO of the Country Music Association on Sept. 8. “Country Music meets people where they are, and it changes lives every day. That starts with songwriters and artists and everyone who carries this music to fans around the world. Serving them is the honor

Belmont's College of Medicine. (Provided by Belmont University) Belmont's Frist College of Medicine has been placed on probation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and will remain on preliminary accreditation. "The LCME determined that the College is not currently in full compliance with certain accreditation standards and has placed the program on probation while those issues are addressed," said Belmont in a statement emailed to the Vision on Aug. 14. Belmont dec

Belmont's unveiled this year's theme at the opening convocation. (Ava Burns) Belmont President Greg Jones challenged all 9,026 students, the largest student body in the school’s history, to unleash hospitality with love. “My hope for you and my invitation to all of us is, let's see ourselves as porters opening doors and welcoming people and being welcomed, finding opportunities to receive and offer hospitality,” said Jones at the opening convocation on Wednesday. The univers

Belmont Vision Multimedia. (Zach Watkins) After a week of preparation and competition, Makalyn Heaslett and Charlotte Witt, both representatives of Nashville, were crowned Miss Tennessee and Miss Tennessee Teen respectively. The Fisher Center hosted the Miss Tennessee and Miss Tennessee Teen pageant for the second year in a row from June 18-20. Heaslett received over $15,000 in scholarship money, a place in America’s 250 parade in Pennsylvania and the opportunity to represen

Mobile Credentials are now available on both smartphones and smartwatches. (Posted on Instagram by @belmontu) Belmont officially launched mobile credentials for Belmont students and faculty on June 1 to bring more sustainability, convenience and security to campus. “We’re making the student experience a lot more seamless and convenient because we don’t have to have the burden of physically carrying around a card,” said Shumaila Gilani, a 2026 graduate. While mobile crede

Belmont Vision Multimedia. (Zach Watkins) A dismissed College of Medicine student is suing Belmont University and an anatomy professor for allegedly refusing to honor her accommodations and for unwelcome sexual advances, according to a federal lawsuit. Ilyana Ilieva filed a $5.5 million lawsuit alleging that Belmont did not follow the Americans with Disabilities Act and that professor of anatomy Dr. Ryan Splittgerber “used his position as a professor with authority over her t

At the bright and early hour of 7:30 a.m., one Belmont student gave up extra sleep and the first morning of Easter break with loved ones for a family he’d never met. With a phone wedged in between his shoulder and cheek, junior Jacob Bealle grasped a thick strap and pulled a shiny, sky-blue Cirrus SR 22 Turbo into the orange cast of morning sunlight. The sun just made its full appearance above the hangars at John C. Tune Airport, and already, his plane rolled onto the

Belmont Vision Multimedia. (Zach Watkins) Five vehicles were broken into in the Curb Garage during the climax of the storm Monday night, as part of a larger pattern of vehicle break-ins across Nashville. “The safety of our campus community is our highest priority, and that includes keeping you informed of significant security concerns when they arise,” said Campus Security in a campus-wide email sent on Thursday. Security cameras found that the first suspect is “a male

University President Greg Jones at the State of the University address. (Olivia Abernathy) Belmont is currently facing financial challenges, but officials are optimistic for the future with new plans in place to conserve money. “Belmont is extremely well-positioned to navigate stormy waters, but if we’re going to navigate them, we have to be clear-eyed,” said Josh Yates, executive vice president for strategy and innovation at the annual State of the University address Wedne

SPARK banner hanging outside of McWhorter Hall. (Georgina America) From live Shakespeare performances on the lawn to graduate thesis presentations at the Janet Ayers Academic Center, students from across Belmont’s campus showcased their work at SPARK Day. “Our amazing students do incredible work throughout the year, oftentimes having projects that culminate at the end of the semester. We created spark last year as a way for students to have that chance to showcase their w

State Rep. Andy Ogles answering questions and debating politics with students. (Haley Ramsey A heated discussion broke out between state Rep. Andy Ogles and several students at a WELLCore event hosted by College Republicans on Monday morning, leading Chief of Campus Security Mark Labbé to intervene. Even before the event, the classroom reached capacity with eager students holding signs in protest, leaving even more students outside trying to get in. College Republicans hoste

The Fall Follies in Patton B13. (Abby Thomas)  If you smell laundry detergent, you’re in the right place.          In the dingy, fluorescent basement of Patton Hall at Belmont University, you can find the Fall Follies sketch comedy and improv group, rehearsing for two hours every Monday and Wednesday night. Though they may begin rehearsal by smashing rainbow confetti-filled eggs on each other’s heads, the Follies take their work seriously. New Follie Luke Anderson smashing a

Finley White, Lori Baker and Ella Bat-Ami. (Provided by Lisa Donahoo) Two Belmont students are working for foster care reform through community involvement and legislative action. “As a Christ-centered university, we are called to care for vulnerable children,” said sophomore Finley White, who works with Belmont Innovation Labs as a social entrepreneurship fellow. Finley White and freshman Ella Bat-Ami are both channeling their personal experiences in foster care to impr

Belmont Vision Multimedia. (Zach Watkins) Former men’s head basketball coach Casey Alexander was the university’s highest-paid employee in 2024 with a salary of nearly $1.59 million, according to Belmont’s tax filing, which was made available on Wednesday. “Belmont aims to provide competitive compensation for every employee, providing salaries in line with market rates for a given role,” said April Hefner, associate vice president of marketing and communications at Belmont.

Maya Johnson poses with Athletes Unlimited Softball League golden ticket. (Nick Rampe) Maya Johnson's stellar career will continue after Belmont. The Bruins' ace was presented with a golden ticket from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, ensuring that she will be selected in the league's draft on May 4. "It's something that, when you're a little girl, you grow up dreaming of," Johnson said. "And then for it to actually happen, I'm still a little bit lost for words." Johns