Mark Volman, Former Professor and Turtle Dies at 78

Volman receiving a gold record award in 2019, courtesy @curbcollege Instagram

Mark Volman, co-founder of the Turtles and former Belmont professor died Friday and left behind a legacy at the university with the song "Happy Together.” 

Volman, known as Professor Flo by his students, taught at Belmont from 2005-2019. He was coordinator for Belmont’s Entertainment Industry Studies Program and a professor of entertainment studies.  

As the co-founder of The Turtles, Volman had a successful music career creating albums in the 1960s and 1970s, including the No. 1 hit “Happy Together,” a song played at every Belmont home basketball game.  

When the song plays in the Curb Event Center, students wrap their arms tightly around each other and start swaying together and singing. 

“It just brings people together, you all like sports, you’re all there to watch the same team win, it’s just a way to get people to meet each other,” said Emma Jones, senior in the Motivational Organization of Belmont. 

Volman’s passion for teaching extended beyond the classroom, allowing students to travel on the road with him for the Happy Together Tour to gain experience in production and the entertainment industry.  

“He’s someone I definitely looked up to in how he interacted with everyone around him,” Belmont professor Nathan Adam said.  

Not only did he inspire professors and coworkers around him, but his joy carried into how he lived his life. 

“He just loved people. His hit song literally defined his life. He was happier together being with other people who were passionate about music and creating. That was him. That was Mark,” Adam said.  

Volman’s devotion for the people around him also contributed to his act of guiding students.  

“Mark dedicated himself to teaching and mentoring the next generation of music industry professionals,” Curb College Dean Brittany Schaffer said. “He challenged students to think critically about the business of entertainment while also encouraging them to find joy in the creative process.” 

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This article was written by Emily Garver