Russellville native enrolls in Belmont University’s largest class yet

Maleia Gist, a Russellville native, enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., this semester as part of the university’s largest class yet.

The school kicked off its fall 2018 semester with a record-breaking enrollment number as the university welcomed 8,318 students to campus, nearly triple the enrollment in 2000 and marking a 65 percent increase in the past decade alone. This marks Belmont’s 18th consecutive year of record enrollment.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “August is always an incredible month at Belmont, as each year our upperclassmen create a Move-In weekend experience like no other, cheering their new peers as they and their families first arrive to campus for the fall semester.

“I cheer along with them as we are honored that more and more students choose Belmont for their education and that the quality of each incoming class continues to rise – this year seeing an average ACT composite score of 27. Our students are selecting Belmont because they want to be challenged by rigorous academics, taught by dedicated faculty and transformed by an education that will empower them to make a difference in their communities.”

This year’s incoming freshman class hails from 48 states and nine countries, with 74 percent of the class originating from outside of Tennessee. The new students made their presence known throughout Nashville during orientation as more than 2,100 freshmen and transfers participated in the annual SERVE event, which allows students to engage in community service at nonprofit sites around the city.

Belmont’s student body currently consists of 6,730 undergraduate students and 1,588 pursuing graduate/professional paths.