Belmont University Awards Trisha Yearwood, Hillary Lindsey Honorary Doctorates At 2025 Spring Commencement

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Pictured (L-R): Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones, Trisha Yearwood, Hillary Lindsey, Belmont Board of Trustees Chairman Milton Johnson and Belmont Curb College Dean Brittany Schaffer. Photo: Sam Simpkins

Belmont University awarded Trisha Yearwood, Hillary Lindsey and two leading entrepreneurs with honorary Doctor of the University degrees during its 2025 Spring Commencement ceremonies May 2-3 at the Curb Event Center.

President Dr. Greg Jones presided over the events and presented the honorary degrees at the ceremonies, which recognized the graduation of 2,016 students, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates.

“These four extraordinary individuals exemplify what Belmont seeks to instill in its graduates,” said President Jones during the ceremonies. “We bestow this prestigious award with great discernment, recognizing it as the highest accolade the University offers. On behalf of our entire Belmont community, it is with great honor that we recognize these leaders who continue to make a tremendous impact through their commitment to faith, service and excellence in their respective fields.”

A Belmont alumna who graduated in 1986 with a degree in music business, Yearwood has been a singer, author, chef and entrepreneur for over three decades. In 1991 she became the first female country artist to have a debut single reach No. 1 with “She’s in Love with the Boy.” With 15 studio albums and over 15 million records sold, she has received multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM Awards, been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and has stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Nashville Music City Walk of Fame. She is also a New York Times bestselling cookbook author, Emmy-winning host of Trisha’s Southern Kitchen on Food Network, and philanthropist supporting Habitat for Humanity, breast cancer research and animal welfare through her charity, Dottie’s Yard.

“When I think about all of the things that allowed me to have that first song go to number one, and to get a record deal, and to get to tour the world and do all the things that I’ve been able to do in the 34 years of my career, I can’t thank Belmont enough for all of the things along the way,” said Yearwood receiving her honorary doctorate.

Hillary Lindsey, a Belmont alumna and award-winning songwriter, has had songs recorded by artists in both country and pop. Her career includes 28 No. 1 country singles, three Grammy awards, and CMA Song of the Year honors. She is well known for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and has been inducted into both the Nashville and National Songwriters Hall of Fame, one of only 400 songwriters in the National Hall of Fame and one of just a few from the country genre.

Dr. Kim Tan, a trained chemist, businessman, entrepreneur and innovative leader focused on social impact through creative business strategies, and Michael Bontrager, founder of Chatham Financial, the largest independent global financial derivatives advisory services and technology firm, also received honorary Doctor of the University degrees during the ceremony.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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