Belmont University, despite its historical connections to Tennessee conservatives and Republican figures, has recently faced scrutiny from the Trump administration and its supporters. The university has long been intertwined with the GOP; for example, Governor Bill Lee has had ties to its board, and the former U.S. Attorney General under George W. Bush served as the Law School Dean. Moreover, the school of medicine is named after prominent Republican leaders like Bill Frist.
This backdrop makes recent criticisms from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem and Republican U.S. Representative Andy Ogles particularly surprising. Noem claims that Belmont is “an obstacle to federal immigration law.”
Lee Beaman, a board member and known conservative donor, has been associated with Ogles, who urged the U.S. Department of Education to investigate universities for their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which he argues might violate Trump’s executive order. Should those funds be identified as supporting DEI initiatives, Ogles suggests they should be revoked.
Both conservative media outlets have released videos capturing staff discussions about the inclusion program and potential undocumented students, leading to broader condemnations around Belmont and immigration issues. Such rhetoric has put Belmont at odds with Trump’s allies, even as it highlights that undocumented students are achieving academically and gaining admission to prestigious institutions.
Since Trump’s election, Ogles has sought inquiries into various organizations linked to Nashville, including requesting an investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell about reporting procedures regarding federal immigration agents. Interestingly, he’s been silent about the relatively modest campaign fundraising of just $53,000 this year, which raises its own questions.
Ogles recently remarked that Belmont is “injecting anti-gospel Dei into the curriculum,” asserting that preserving Christian education in central Tennessee is “unnegotiable.” He did not respond to requests for comments.
The changing landscape of Belmont
Governor Lee has been involved with Belmont since 2011, and although he graduated from Auburn University, his influence is noted through various connections. Comparison to Belmont’s past reveals a significant shift—forty years ago, it was significantly smaller and linked closely with the Tennessee Baptist Conference, which managed the university and monitored student attendance in chapels.
Enrollment is now around 9,000, and while chapel attendance is not mandatory anymore, it is still available to students opting for spiritual engagement. After severing ties with the Tennessee Baptist Conference in 2007, Belmont agreed to a settlement that allowed for a broader governance structure inclusive of non-Christian members.
The university has evolved considerably. Its culture is more aligned with Nashville’s arts scene and has transitioned into a more diverse educational institution, creating a modern campus with significant investments in facilities. The opening of the Curb Event Center in 2003 marked a pivotal change, as the university moved towards NCAA competition and stepped away from its Confederate past.
Looking ahead, Belmont now offers robust programs in law and medicine alongside a renowned music business program that connects students with valuable internships. While some foundational figures remain tied to the university, Belmont’s identity continues to shift, balancing its historical roots with contemporary educational demands.
New policies, such as allowing alcoholic beverages at select events, signal further change within the university’s liberalization, contrasting sharply with its conservative beginnings. Belmont is reportedly committed to inclusivity and actively recruits diverse student populations, yet it has remained largely tight-lipped regarding the recent controversies.
(Editor’s note: The reporter here has personal ties to Belmont, having played basketball there in the mid-80s and continuing to support the program.)
