O’More College of Design

SUMMARY

O’More College of Design was a specialised private design college located in Franklin, Tennessee, United States, that offered Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in disciplines such as fashion design, fashion merchandising, interior design and graphic design. In February 2018, the institution merged with Belmont University to become the O’More School (or College) of Design within Belmont University’s structure. The college was known for its small scale, personalised instruction, industry connections, and a strong track record of graduates entering design-related careers.

HISTORY

The institution traces its origin to 1970, when Eloise Pitts O’More, herself a trained artist and designer, established what was then called the O’More School of Interior Architecture and Design in her home in Franklin, Tennessee. Classes initially took place in her own residence on Main Street. The aim was to cultivate a specialised, design-focused institution rather than a general liberal arts college. By 1980, growth in student numbers and programme scope necessitated a move. The college relocated to a more spacious campus at 423 South Margin Street, a site which included the historical Abbey Leix Mansion, which became the administration building. Eloise O’More also lived in that mansion until her death in 2002.  The mansion itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Over the decades, the college introduced and refined its Bachelor of Fine Arts curricula in fashion design, merchandising, interior design, and graphic design. It developed a modest enrolment (approximately 200 students) and aimed for close faculty-student engagement. The institution also fostered industry advisory committees to keep its programmes aligned with professional practices. Even before the full merger, O’More had collaborative links with Belmont University: for example, in earlier years, students could take general education courses via Belmont, and some Belmont students could enrol in O’More’s design or historic preservation courses. Over time, Belmont and O’More deepened ties, making eventual integration more feasible.

In February 2018, O’More formally merged into Belmont University’s academic structure, becoming the O’More School (or College) of Design (later renamed “O’More College of Architecture & Design”) within Belmont. As part of the merging process, the design programmes were relocated to Belmont’s Nashville campus, and the Franklin campus property was eventually sold or repurposed by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.

After the merger, the college added new design programmes, including architecture (the first architecture undergraduate degree in Middle Tennessee). Facilities were refurbished (e.g. Hitch Hall) to support design technology, studio spaces, and maker tools (3D printers, laser cutters, industry software) for students. The college also maintained and expanded the legacy of small class sizes and mentorship focused teaching. In 2020, O’More celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of design education, both under its independent existence and integrated into Belmont.

VISION

Eloise Pitts O’More envisioned the college as more than just a school teaching decoration or superficial aesthetics; she sought to cultivate a deep understanding of design as a transformative discipline. Throughout her earlier life, O’More had studied in Paris and New York, gaining exposure to high standards of art and fashion, and she wished to bring some of that cosmopolitan sensibility into the rural Tennessee setting. She believed that designers should be well rounded — not only skilled in technique and style, but grounded in awareness of architecture, lighting, textiles, restoration, and the broader cultural and spatial context. Her curriculum plans reflected this holistic ethos: students in the early years were exposed to multiple domains of design, not pigeonholed too soon. Moreover, O’More’s vision included building an institution where mentorship and personal attention would guide creative growth.

JOB INTEGRATION RATE

Historically, O’More College of Design had a reputation for strong job placement outcomes in design-adjacent careers. In 2018, the college reported a job placement or employment rate of around 90 % for its graduates. After merger with Belmont, the broader Belmont University career outcomes metrics provide some insight: the Belmont “First Destination Rate” reports that 97 % of all graduates (across disciplines) were employed, pursuing further education, enlisting in military service, or engaged in volunteer work within six months of graduation. For the O’More College of Architecture & Design unit specifically, Belmont reports that 100 % of its graduates were in one of those categories within six months (i.e. employed or pursuing further education).

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Over its independent history and within Belmont, O’More has earned recognition in several ways. Around 2018, O’More’s fashion programme reported being ranked among the Top 10 in the Southern United States by Fashion-Schools.org. Further, Belmont’s O’More College is listed among the top fashion design schools nationally (Top 35) by some rankings. The institution’s contributions in design education have been celebrated during its 50th anniversary, highlighting faculty, alumni and student works over decades in a “50 Days of Design” campaign. Additionally, O’More maintains competitive internal awards such as the Albert Hadley Endowed Award, which funds summer internships in New York City for qualified interior design or art students, honouring distinguished designer Albert Hadley.