Welcome back returning Belmont students, and welcome incoming freshmen.
You are part of the largest student body Belmont has ever had – about 7,000 students. But it’s not just in students that Belmont has grown.
The university has added new food and drink options, buildings and more parking while we were away.
New dining options have also opened for students and faculty. Belmont Dining Services has added three new campus eateries this semester. The Curb Café is now home to Chick-fil-A. Students will be able to enjoy heaven in a fried chicken sandwich, nuggets and waffle fries Monday through Saturday.
Dining Services has also opened a We Proudly Brew Starbucks Coffee outlet and Sandella’s Flatbread Café. Students will be able to use Bruin Bucks at all three locations, however the Starbucks outlet will be unable to accept gift cards at this time.
“The additions of these restaurants on campus are in direct response to students’ requests. We are sure Chick-fil-A, Sandella’s and Starbucks will meet their needs and draw neighbors to campus to enjoy Belmont’s growth,” said Kyle Grover, the director of dining services, said in a written statement.
Belmont’s dining hall will continue to be open until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 7:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Returning students are also optimistic about the new dining choices on campus.
“It’s definitely a step up. I’m really glad we were able to get some new dining options, especially the Chick-fil-A,” said returning sophomore Noah Karman.
In addition to the new food options, Belmont welcomed its newest academic building, Wedgewood Academic Center. The 186,000-square-foot building, Belmont’s largest building to date, will house the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Sciences and Mathematics and the College of Theology and Christian Ministry.
“This building is designed for daily interdisciplinary collaborations, and it provides classrooms and laboratories that not only represent the latest thinking in academic spaces but will also greatly enhance hands-on experiential learning,” said President Dr. Fisher in a written statement.
The academic center will also be home to Belmont’s new chapel, which seats 300 and hosts services every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in addition to special events throughout the year.
The new building also addresses Belmont’s parking issues, as the five-floor garage underneath WAC will be able to fit 430 vehicles.
Belmont also opened its newest residence hall, Two Oaks Hall, in August. Two Oaks, the largest of Belmont’s 12 dorms, will house 418 upperclassmen. The development of Two Oaks included an expansion to Thrailkill Hall’s garage.
Belmont saw rapid expansion this summer, and plenty more is expected this fall and into next semester.