A Letter from the President
A one-of-a-kind experience It’s not every day that you get an opportunity to sit down with a U.S. President, let alone share that moment with alumni, donors and members of the Lipscomb community. The evening was both electric and profound as former President George W. Bush spoke at the premiere of the university’s Imagine program, Feb. 29, in Allen Arena. Imagine is an annual event established to recognize Lipscomb’s associate level donors and to bring world-renowned leaders to Nashville to address topics of local and global importance. The event was designed to seek understanding of the world through the eyes of someone who has had significant impact on it. Thinking globally, there are very few people who have been “the most powerful person in the world.” Of our past presidents, all of whom we would be pleased to host, two are limited by their health and one is focused on his wife’s run for the office. It was a great honor to have President Bush join us and help launch Imagine. The program was in an interview-style format, with this university president asking questions to the former President of the United States. The weight of the moment hit me when we took our seats on stage, and President Bush looked me in the eye, ready to engage in our hour-long dialogue. I was interviewing a man who had served as the leader of the free world for eight years…and there were more than 2,100 people in the audience watching! It was a dynamic journey in word and thought.
President Bush shared stories from his life, political career, family and his faith. He answered questions about his work fighting AIDS in Africa and the millions of lives saved. He spoke poignantly about functioning as comforter in chief for the nation following 9/11 and for soldiers who were severely injured, or the families of those who lost their lives, in Iraq or Afghanistan, because of his decisions as commander in chief. A few days following the event, I received a letter from President Bush thanking us for hosting him on campus and complimenting the university. And referencing his occasional refusal to answer some questions and a few other quips, he explained, “The needling is a sign of affection.” We were pleased with the success of the premiere Imagine program, which in addition to an evening of stimulating conversation, represented more than $3.6 million for the university. We look forward to continuing the annual program and hosting leaders who will share with us their work in making the world a better place.
L. Randolph Lowry President
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