Doug Howard Announces Retirement as Dean of Curb’s School of Entertainment and Music Business

Doug Howard, a longtime music industry executive, recently announced his resignation as dean of Belmont University. Mike Curb School of Entertainment and Music Business, effective August 31. Howard, who has served as dean since January 2015, is a proud Belmont alumnus and a shining example of the success of the entertainment industry that has curbed the college’s brilliance.

Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones said: “The news is certainly mixed. Doug Howard has represented the University as an alumnus, serving as a transformational leader in his decades-long music business. For the past seven years, he has brought the same enthusiasm, energy and creativity to students who have been able to carve their own paths in a variety of entertainment and media ventures. I thank him for his service and leadership and wish him a well-deserved retirement Everything went well.”

A former senior vice president of A&R at Lyric Street Records/Walt Disney Company, Howard graduated from Belmont College in 1979, followed by an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a JD from George Washington University School of Law in Washington, DC. His History in Nashville Music Scene started as a song plug-in and studio manager for Welk Music Group. After law school, Howard worked for five years as vice president and general manager of Polygram Music Publishing Company before becoming senior vice president of A&R at Lyric Street Records, which is owned by Disney. In addition, he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Music Publishing Company/Nashville.

His tenure as Dean of Curb College has been marked by the college’s remarkable growth, deepening industry links, the opening of state-of-the-art facilities and consistent national acclaim.Through the generosity of Mike and Linda Curb and the Curb Family Foundation, Curb Academy’s presence continues on Nashville’s famed Music Row through programs such as Quincet Lodge and Columbia Studio A (34 East Music Square). Thanks to in-kind donations from the Curb Family Foundation, these historic spaces—Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Buddy Hawley, and countless other artists The birthplace of legendary works – now a new resource and inspiration. A generation of industry leaders.Music production and audio engineering students gain hands-on experience in a classic recording studio, and the 34 Music Square East facility also features Curb College’s renowned Songwriter Programwhich is celebrating its 15th^th year.

Consistently recognized by Billboard and Variety as one of America’s top schools for music business and film studies, Curb College grew from less than 2,000 students to over 2,500 during Howard’s tenure while entering the $87 million Milton & Denice Johnson Center. The building houses $3.6 million in technical resources and professional equipment to serve Curb College students: Audio Engineering Technology, Creative and Entertainment Industries, Emerging Media, Film and Television Writing, Journalism, Media Production, Music Business, Songwriting, Film and Publishing.Of particular note, the facility is equipped with a Dolby Atmos Rendering Unit (Dolby RMU), which enables teachers to Atmospheric DCP Format. Belmont’s Film Program is the country’s first university-based film program capable of not only screening commercial films, but also teaching the process of developing and producing theatrical films in the Atmos format.

“I’ve loved Belmont since I first walked across campus to interview Bob Mulloy, founder of the Music Business Program, in the fall of 1975, and I’ll always love Belmont,” Howard said. “While I am excited and ready for the next phase of my life, I must express my gratitude for the support of senior leadership at Belmont and my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful faculty for their outstanding work. Their combined efforts Enables Curb College to provide our students with a world-class program and build on the solid foundation Mr. Mulloy and many others across the school have created.”

Howard will continue his relationship with Belmont, returning this fall to serve as a member of the Containment Academy Advisory Board.

Dr. David Gregory, Interim Provost of Belmont, added: “As Dean of Curb College, Doug continues to demonstrate his commitment to his students by providing them with an exceptional learning experience both inside and outside the classroom. He has achieved this through the tireless support of his faculty and staff. One goal, and his deep connections and strong reputation in the industry have opened up tremendous opportunities for the entire Academy. I am grateful to call him a colleague and friend. The good news for us is that this is not a goodbye – rather, we It is grateful that his influence will still be felt through his contributions to the Curb College Advisory Board.”

Dr. Sarita Stewart, associate professor of creative and entertainment industries, has agreed to serve as Curb College’s interim dean, as Belmont conducts a nationwide search for Howard’s successor this fall.