Transformational gift from Cordia Harrington to establish new center for entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation
Belmont University today announced a $10 million lead gift from entrepreneur, business leader and Belmont Trustee and Vice Chair Cordia Harrington to establish The CORD – Powerhouse. The gift supports construction of this new four-story, 29,000-square-foot, student-focused facility designed as a dedicated campus space to foster creativity, character and innovation. This latest investment builds on Harrington’s legacy of supporting student spaces on campus, including Harrington Place Dining in the Johnson Center, which was named in her honor in 2016.
"We are profoundly grateful for Cordia's extraordinary gift," said University President Dr. Greg Jones. "Her investment reflects her deep commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in higher education. The CORD embodies our vision to reshape higher education, remove barriers between disciplines and create possibilities for our students to work collaboratively in unprecedented ways. This will be a transformative gathering space for students."
The CORD will serve as a signature interdisciplinary space at the center of Belmont's campus, intentionally connecting the University's entertainment corridor, academic spaces, student formation areas and health care hub. The state-of-the-art facility will feature multiple spaces for student collaboration and creativity, including:
- A performance venue showcasing student talent both on stage and behind the scenes
- Dining outlet designed to build community and foster conversation
- Collaboration space for students in creative disciplines including film and animation
- Advanced recording capabilities throughout the facility, extending Music Row's presence onto campus
“As an entrepreneur, I know that innovation happens when creative minds come together in inspiring spaces," said Cordia Harrington. "The CORD will be that catalyst at Belmont; a place where students can collaborate, create and transform their biggest dreams into reality. This isn't just about building a facility; it's about creating an ecosystem where the next generation of leaders from across disciplines can develop the entrepreneurial mindset and innovative spirit needed to make a real difference in our world.”
The building's distinctive design embodies Belmont's commitment to traditioned innovation, with one entrance facing the historic quad and another looking toward the University's newest facilities on Belmont's lawn. This represents the Institution's dedication to honoring its heritage while embracing a dynamic and transformative innovative future.
The CORD will serve as a creative incubator and maker space where students from all disciplines can collaborate to solve real-world problems, gain hands-on experience with industry partners, and leverage emerging technologies like augmented and virtual realities and artificial intelligence to drive transformation. The facility will be equipped with advanced broadcast technology to connect people around the world, including a content capture space visible to passersby.
Beyond the initial impact on campus facilities, Harrington's gift is designed for lasting influence on students' lives and will support the existing Harrington Scholarship for International Studies and Student Missions Fund, expanding opportunities for future generations of Belmont students.
Known affectionately as "The Bun Lady," Harrington is the founder and CEO of CROWN Bakeries, a Nashville-based enterprise that has grown into one of the nation's leading commercial bakery operations. Starting with just $587 to launch her first business venture in real estate, she built a remarkable career that included owning McDonald's franchises before founding Tennessee Bun Company, now CROWN Bakeries, in 1996. With her husband Tom and children –– Beth Westjohn, Aaron Wilkinson and Belmont alumni Ryan Wilkinson and Tyler Wilkinson –– the bakery expanded. In 2019, Arbor Capital invested to grow CROWN. Today, the bakery employs more than 2,700 associates in nine facilities, exemplifying the kind of entrepreneurial success story The CORD aims to inspire in future generations of Belmont students.
The building will be built behind the Foutch Alumni House in the footprint of Belmont’s former mechanical building which powered campus for many years, inspiring its “Powerhouse” name.
Construction will begin in spring 2025 with target completion by August 2026. Located next door to Potter Hall, this project will require the University’s Indigenous Garden to move to a new site – discussions for potential locations and timeline for that move are anticipated to occur soon.