Belmont University announced it had landed a $10 million donation to support the construction of a new building in the center of campus.
Why it matters: Belmont’s status as a fundraising powerhouse is unquestioned. The latest influx of money will continue the evolution of the university’s ever-expanding campus.
State of play: Entrepreneur and Belmont trustee Cordia Harrington donated. She said she wanted to help create a space where students from different disciplines could collaborate.
“As an entrepreneur, I know that innovation happens when creative minds come together in inspiring spaces,” she said.
Zoom in: The new four-story, 29,000-square-foot building will be dedicated to space for community building and student projects.
There will be a performance venue, dining, and collaboration space for students who specialize in film, animation, and recording.
Construction will begin next spring.
Harrington, the founder and CEO of Crown Bakeries, has previously donated to create student spaces at Belmont.
Harrington is a prominent entrepreneur and business leader in the baking industry. She founded and CEO of Crown Bakeries (formerly The Bakery Companies), a highly automated, high-speed baking company producing over 15 million baked goods daily. Nicknamed “the Bun Lady,” Harrington founded the company in 1996, which has since grown to generate over $100 million in annual revenue.
Harrington’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1981 when she founded Concept One Realtors, an award-winning real estate and construction company. She later sold this business to Coldwell Bankers in 1989.
In 1989, Harrington graduated from McDonald’s Hamburger University and purchased her first McDonald’s franchise. She built two additional McDonald’s restaurants and incorporated a Greyhound Bus franchise, significantly boosting her restaurant sales.
Harrington founded The Bakery Companies (now Crown Bakeries) in 1996. The company has grown to include four plants with multiple bakery lines, serving elite customers in the United States, South America, and the Caribbean.
Leadership Roles and Board Memberships
Harrington has held numerous leadership positions and board memberships, including:
Chair of the American Bakers Association (ABA)
Board member of Belmont University
International Chair of the Chief Executives Organization (CEO)
Board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Nashville Branch (2008-2013)
Board member of Zoes Kitchen (NYSE: ZOES)
Harrington has received several prestigious awards for her entrepreneurial success and leadership:
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2015 award in the Southeast Program for the Manufacturing & Distribution category.
Lifetime Achievement Award as Most Admired CEO 2016.
Named one of the Top 50 Fastest woman-owned Woman-Owned Businesses.
Recognized as number 16 of the 25 Top Women Business Builders by FAST Company.
Harrington attended Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas. She has also received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the University of Arkansas.
Cordia Harrington’s success story exemplifies her entrepreneurial spirit, innovative approach to business, and commitment to excellence in the baking industry.