Nretrospect: Belmont University

Before Belmont University became one of the nation’s most acclaimed music business schools, its property was already rich in history. 

In 1889 — way before there was such a thing as country stardom or Music Row — Susan L. Heron and Ida B. Hood founded a women’s college on what was then the Belle Monte estate. The two Philadelphian principals sought to foster an environment that empowered female students to lead purposeful lives through intellectual, cultural and social learning. 

Despite the dilapidated conditions of the property, the resilient historic Bell Tower — now the university’s iconic symbol — encouraged Susan and Ida to move forward. They opened Belmont College for Young Women in 1890. By 1951, the school had developed into a coeducational, four-year institution called Belmont College, and it became Belmont University in 1991. 

Since then, the school has established a number of new programs. In 2003, songwriter, producer and record company owner Mike Curb established Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, paving the way for generations of young entertainment professionals to pursue the field. 

Today, Belmont University enrolls nearly 9,000 students from across the world and is recognized globally for its state-of-the-art academic programs.