Photo caption: Belmont students and staff, front row. Back row, building co-owner Jonathon Jarvis and Debby Rainey, UWGN Regional Manager, Community Impact – Williamson, Hickman & Dickson
United Way of Greater Nashville (UWGN) announces partnership with Belmont University O’More College of Architecture and Design to begin re-design work in support of a future non-profit childcare facility in Hickman County.
The students in the Interior Design department are trained for these “adaptive re-use” projects and are fully focused on re-design and renovation of an existing structure.
Belmont University students will be re-designing and drafting architectural renderings of The Duck Pond, a future nonprofit childcare facility in Hickman County.
The need for architectural drawings is part of the required process related to approving the location for use as a childcare facility, which was once a skating rink. The collaboration will be instrumental in moving the project into the next phase.
As part of this semester’s class project, Belmont students and faculty conducted their first site visit on September 2, 2025, at 2656 Hwy 48 North in Nunnelly, Tennessee.
The completion of the childcare facility will positively impact Hickman County. The facility will initially accommodate 50 children with hopes of almost doubling capacity over time.
“We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to serve the Hickman County community. Smartly designed spaces are fundamental for living and working well. Our students are eager to come up with solutions that not only fulfill a need, but also foster development, support the parents and caregivers, and create spaces for thriving,” said Kelly Gore, IDEC Department Chair, Interior Design O’More College of Architecture & Design.
“At Belmont, we believe in the transformative power of educational partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits. This collaboration with United Way and our Interior Design students is a beautiful example of how creativity, compassion and purpose can come together to serve families in Hickman County. We’re proud to help shape spaces that foster flourishing for children and their communities,” said Dr. L. Gregory Jones, President, Belmont University.
“Partnerships like this are what make real change possible. The Belmont students’ creativity and expertise will help bring the vision of a nonprofit childcare center in Hickman County to life—and it’s a great example of what we can accomplish when our community works together,” said UWGN President and CEO Erica Mitchell.