Lipscomb Now Summer 2019 by Lipscomb University

The Magazine for Alumni and Friends

summer 2019

Vol. 14 No.1

LIPSCOMBLEADS A FAITH-DRIVEN, FORWARD-THINKING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES pg.4

Cover: One of the many benchmark moments of the 2018-19 school year was the January launch of LipscombLEADS at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where the Lipscomb University choruses, accompanied by the Nashville Symphony, performed for the finale. Above: In November when a Pepperdine University student became the victim of a mass shooter and the Pepperdine campus itself was threatened by a wildfire, Lipscomb students gathered in Bison Square to pray for safety and comfort for those at their sister school.

The Magazine for Alumni and Friends summer 2019 Vol. 14 No.1

Departments 3 …….. A Letter from the President 19 …… Lipscomb News 58……. A Word from Alumni Relations 60 ……Class Notes

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LipscombLEADS A faith-driven, forward-thinking campaign Lipscomb University has a rich history, marked by tremendous

growth, notable success and numerous accolades. That only matters, however, if it results in the raising up of students to learn differently and lead uniquely through knowing Christ.

LipscombLEADS is about attracting the best and brightest

students and creating more opportunities for more students to

experience Lipscomb. It’s about equipping our faculty and staff to be the best in the country. It’s about connecting with our alumni across the country and around the world, and it’s about you.

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LipscombLEADS fuels growth in 2018 The generosity of donors has already enhanced Lipscomb’s campus, including improvements in visual arts, health sciences and student dining completed in fall 2018.

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Historic season ends in Madison Square Garden The men’s basketball team had a season for the ages that ended in the NIT championship game in New York City on April 4.

Senior Vice President of Strategy Susan Galbreath Editor Kim Chaudoin Senior Managing Editor Janel Shoun-Smith Writers Kim Chaudoin Mary Kate Grant Anna Moseley Janel Shoun-Smith Photography Saul Buda Kristi Jones Meagan Jordan Lipscomb Athletics

Designers Zach Bowen Emily Kinney Will Mason Produced by the Office of Public Relations & Communications. Lipscomb Now is published two times a year by Lipscomb University®. Go to lipscombnow.com to read more. Postmaster: Send changes of address to Lipscomb Now, Alumni Office Lipscomb University One University Park Drive Nashville, Tennessee 37204-3951 ©2019 Lipscomb University. All Rights Reserved.

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The Shape of the future is now Lipscomb students today are helping to fight terrorism, combat

cancer, eliminate bullying and defend against cyberattacks in labs and classrooms across campus every day.

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Lipscomb animation rooted in Disney pioneers With four former and current Disney animators on faculty,

Lipscomb’s animation program offers students a truly unique opportunity to learn from the masters.

One of the many benchmark moments of the 2018-19 school year was the January launch of LipscombLEADS at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where the Lipscomb University choruses, accompanied by the Nashville Symphony, performed for the finale.

A Letter from the President

WHY DO GOOD THINGS HAPPEN? I am pleased to present this issue of Lipscomb Now. It is filled with stories of the people, programs and progress of Lipscomb University. There are many good things—exceptional things—to recognize this year and I encourage you to read about those that are highlighted in this publication. I hope it will bring you the same pride I have for Lipscomb and more important, the great joy of recognizing His hand as the source of abundant blessings. Since becoming the president of Lipscomb in 2005, I have enjoyed the closing of an academic year as a time of reflection. Each year we have been blessed with significant achievements and this year was no exception. In fact, it was one of the best years of this administration and in the history of the school. As I thought deeper about what transpired this year I pondered, why do good things happen? In art, small brush strokes or paint dots on canvas can form a masterpiece when in the hands of a skillful artist. The Lipscomb administration, faculty and staff are some of the top professionals in their fields who work diligently to make a difference in the lives of students and the broader communities we serve, but this year was more than the culmination of their good work. I believe it was God’s hand that masterfully brought together people and resources to create this extraordinary year. How else do you explain the numerous record-breaking successes of our students and the faculty and coaches who led them? Not only was this the fourth consecutive year a

Lipscomb student was awarded a Fulbright, it surpassed all others with five students receiving a Fulbright award in this one year. This fall, Lipscomb’s 27-month PA program launched with a cohort of 35 students, from more than 800 applicants. In athletics, five Bisons teams won their ASUN conference season: men’s and women’s soccer (both advanced to compete in the NCAA tournament), women’s cross country, women’s softball and men’s basketball. Men’s basketball made school history by advancing to the NIT championship game vs. Texas at Madison Square Garden. Other benchmark moments included the LipscombLEADS initiative that progressed in the first 100 days of its public phase to more than 44,000 donors who have contributed $206 million toward its $250 million goal, and an unsurpassed fundraising year thanks to the terrific support of Lipscomb donors. Is it coincidence that so much was achieved in one year? Maybe. Was it the result of great efforts of committed people? Perhaps. Or was it God’s hand and His mission? Most certainly. Like individual elements of art, we are made better together through His design. Blessings,

L. Randolph Lowry President

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LIPSCOMBLEADS A FAITH-DRIVEN, FORWARD-THINKING CAMPAIGN. Lipscomb was founded with leadership that outlasted its leaders. It grew through a vision bolder than the leaders’ lifespans. Our vision today is still that of our original founders: to “stand in the front ranks of great educational institutions of the world” by building a premier national Christian university in the 21st century.

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Lipscomb University has a rich history. In recent years, that history has included tremendous growth coupled with notable success and numerous accolades. That only matters, however, if those things result in the raising up of students to learn differently and lead uniquely through knowing Christ. LipscombLEADS is about raising the bar to create even more excellent academics, to create an unmatched experience for our students, to put in place a sophisticated business model that ensures a solid foundation and sustainability for the future. As we embark on this journey to make Lipscomb a premier national Christian university, we hope you will join us, because we can’t make it happen without people like you.

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From the stage of Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, John Lowry, senior vice president for advancement, declared that the leadership Lipscomb aspires to is the model of leadership given to us by Jesus.

TWO DAYS OF MUSIC AND INSPIRATION LipscombLEADS launches biggest campaign in university history with evening at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, campus celebration

In January, Lipscomb hosted hundreds of donors and friends at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center and held a campus wide celebration in a packed Allen Arena to invite the entire Lipscomb community worldwide to join LipscombLEADS, the culmination of an 11-year initiative to build Lipscomb University and Lipscomb Academy into a premier national Christian university in the 21st century. The goal of LipscombLEADS is to enter the year 2021 with $250 million to invest in broadening Lipscomb’s reach to the community, the economy, health care, spiritual health and many

other aspects of our world. These two events launched the public phase of LipscombLEADS, which has already raised $206 million through the generosity of more than 43,500 donors. The celebratory night featured the Nashville Symphony performing an original work by one of Lipscomb’s newest faculty—Ben Blasko, director of instrumental studies, who was also selected as the conductor of the Grammywinning orchestra for the event. The program was filled with examples of how Lipscomb University serves through building a best-in-class academic

program, producing professionals of competence and character and advancing a model of leadership grounded in service and inspired by faith. Lipscomb’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences was particularly highlighted as Matt Murphy, a fourth year pharmacy student described his one-on-one work with pharmacy faculty for three years to analyze and synthesize drugs; Klarissa Jackson, assistant professor and researcher in the pharmaceutical labs, described her work with the breast cancer drug lapatinib; and Deanna Smith, CEO of Sarah Cannon, shared her passion for patients

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David Lipscomb wanted us to create people who are competent and who have character, but he wanted us to also be known for service.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;President L. Randolph Lowry

(Above and to right) The on-campus community celebrated the launch of LipscombLEADS in Allen Arena with Lou the Bison rappelling from the rafters and confetti cannons.

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The Lipscomb community at-large celebrated at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center (at left), where Lipscomb Director of Instrumental Studies Ben Blasko conducted the Nashville Symphony during the event (below), including one of his own original compositions. Klarissa Jackson

Selvana Rouman

and how the institute was the first facility to give a dose of lapatinib to a cancer patient in Nashville. “Who knows, maybe one day you will find yourself taking a pill that can trace its roots back to Lipscomb,” Murphy told the crowd. “I am so thrilled that Lipscomb has joined the fight,” said Smith. “It will most definitely take all of us, working together, fighting cancer together, to eradicate this disease.” In an example of how Lipscomb transforms lives, Selvana Rouman, a senior in management and international business, shared how she has been able to overcome gender, religious bias and economic obstacles by her family coming to America and then her enrollment at Lipscomb.

“I was able to build a life that combined professionalism and Christian faith at the same time,” she said. Four days later, the on-campus celebration featured music by Lipscomb’s commercial music majors and Lipscomb Academy singers, confetti cannons and the mascot, Lou the Bison, rappelling from the rafters. The on-campus event, included two important pledges of support for LipscombLEADS from Lipscomb’s Faculty Senate, pledging to provide 2,500 hours of student mentoring, and from the Student Government Association, pledging students to carry out 200,000 hours of service to the community. “The leadership that we aspire to is a model of leadership that was given to us by Jesus,” John Lowry, senior vice

president for advancement, announced from the stage. “It is a model that is born in faith and love. It is a model that is focused on others and it’s a model that plays out in service. This is the essence of LipscombLEADS of which you all are an important part.” Among the activities at the on-campus event was the announcement of the establishment of the Pfeffer Graduate School of Business, named in recognition of Pam and Phil Pfeffer, CEO-inresidence for the College of Business and former president of Random House and chairman of the board and CEO of Nashville’s Ingram Distribution Group (for more details on the Pfeffer Graduate School of business, go to page 12).

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FROM EXCELLENCE TO EMINENCE Harnessing resources to build and sustain a future

In 2011, Lipscomb University was on the cusp of moving from being an excellent university to taking on a leadership role in academics, faith-building and developing students engaged in their community and on a global scale.

of Higher Education, and organizations from Bloomberg BusinessWeek to Kiplinger’s to the National Council on Teacher Quality have bestowed national rankings based on various academic and operational criteria.

• After significant investments in the sciences, global programs and new facilities;

These outcomes are a result of devoted work by the campus community and immense support from donors, but there is more work to do. It’s time to move from emergence to eminence.

• After boosting enrollment and expanding access for all potential students; and • After building community connectivity and servanthood in Nashville, Lipscomb is now seen as an emerging national institution in higher education. Lipscomb was recently named one of the top 10 fastest growing institutions of the last decade according to the Chronicle

A ‘BEST-INCLASS’ ACADEMIC PROGRAM Taking on the mantle of regional, national and even global influence, means ensuring the resources to provide a “best in class” academic program. To be the “best in class,” Lipscomb must attract the best students from all walks of life. In

“Lipscomb is now seen as an emerging national institution.”

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order to compete for those top students today and in the future, Lipscomb’s goal is to double the annual dollars spent from endowed scholarship funds for need-based financial aid to students. This increased aid, will be paired with various enhancements to Lipscomb’s rigorous academic program that have proven to not only attract top students but to also build a community of nationally recognized scholars, teachers and researchers: • Investments toward building tomorrow’s learning environment on the existing Green Hills campus; • Expanding Lipscomb’s global campus, with new and enhanced international learning experiences built upon the success of our new campus in Florence, Italy;

LipscombLEADS is already building tomorrow’s learning environment today at the Green Hills campus, with new facilities, technology and equipment for engineering, Cutline business, health sciences and other programs.

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Student donor contributes to world-changing concept It doesn’t take a lot to be a leader. A giving heart and a servant’s hands and feet are all Leah Jacobs (pictured right), a junior mechanical engineering major at Lipscomb, has to offer right now. But that’s enough to help one of Lipscomb’s innovative academic programs continue to lead the conversation nationally on social enterprise, business ventures that seek to solve societal problems through selling a product or service. A crucial differentiator when it comes to the Lipscomb student experience is our student missions program. LipscombLEADS will invest in creating a more robust and sustainable missions program.

• Strategic technology improvements for a multi-model distance education delivery system, creating a next-generation campus that extends across Middle Tennessee or even around the globe; and • Accelerating the university’s civic engagement work, through programs like Leadership Tennessee, to find solutions to society’s challenges through thought leadership, community engagement, service, strategic initiatives and respectful dialogue. Lipscomb’s community of scholars is already receiving national recognition and involving hundreds of students in life-changing research projects on a daily basis (see page 38 for more details). Investor participation in LipscombLEADS will allow students to lead and serve in Nashville, across the nation, and beyond, influencing fields as diverse as space science, engineering, medicine, business, ministry, music and education.

TRANSFORMING STUDENTS The college experience at Lipscomb is about more than a career. It is about transforming students into leaders equipped to contribute in countless ways across the country and around the world. The LipscombLEADS initiative strives to provide students today and tomorrow with a transformative experience shaped through personal service, a supportive and caring environment, and life-changing relationships. To foster that experience, Lipscomb will work: • Invest in building a 21st century campus including student residence options and top-flight intercollegiate athletic programs; and • Invest into a more robust and sustainable missions program. Read on through the following pages to see how Lipscomb University is not only well on its way to achieving these goals, but also how supporters and investors are helping the university grow into the eminent institution the world needs today.

Such ventures are spreading across the nation, and one of the pioneers of the concept, Rob Touchstone (’97), founder of The Well Coffeehouse in Nashville, came to Lipscomb in 2015 to create the Center for Business As Mission at Lipscomb, allowing students to create and learn real business and real impact simultaneously through an academic minor. In her required Bible course, Jacobs was taught by Touchstone, who brought in guest speakers from one of the organizations his BAM students have worked with in Jamaica: Deaf Can, a school and coffee shop that supports the career development and life enrichment of deaf students. Jacobs has an aunt who lost her hearing and has watched her sometimes struggle with employment and independence. “The whole BAM concept struck a chord with me,” said Jacobs. “It was really cool what they were doing, showing the deaf that they can do whatever they set their mind to. I believe in the concept that professor Touchstone taught us: ‘Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime; teach a man to run a fishing company, you feed the entire village for a lifetime’.” So Jacobs decided to donate her own money, and persuaded her mother to do the same, to donate $1,000 specifically to fund the BAM program’s new fellowship, a program for undergraduates to delve deeper into Business As Mission through mentoring, service learning, experiential learning and global learning experiences in addition to academic courses.

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WHEN A BUILDING IS MORE THAN A BUILDING George Shinn Event Center will continue Lipscomb’s rise in academic reputation and credibility

When Aedan Peterson (pictured below) sat across from long-time Disney animator Tom Bancroft at the age of 10, and saw Bancroft draw Mickey Mouse on the paper tablecloth in crayon, he knew he wanted to do just that someday. And now Peterson is well on his way, a sophomore studying animation in Lipscomb’s 4-year-old program (see page 52 for more details), run by Bancroft, and having already worked on movie animation, book illustrations and environmental layouts for a Nashville animation studio. Peterson would not be experiencing the artistic and professional growth he is, without the expansion of Lipscomb’s arts programs in the past four years, encompassing new fields in the entertainment market (contemporary music, cinematic arts and animation), adding new equipment

and growing enrollment rapidly in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts, the fastest-growing college at Lipscomb in that time frame. One of the most visible evidences of the college’s past growth and its future potential for arts students is currently under construction adjacent to the Ezell Center: the George Shinn Event Center, made possible by a LipscombLEADS gift of $15 million from George Shinn, the former owner of the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets. The two-story, 33,000-square-foot facility is expected to be complete in August and will serve as a performance arts hub for the city of Nashville, capable of hosting 180,000 visitors each year. The center will host not only performances by Lipscomb students, but also high-profile

guest artists of interest to the community at-large, receptions, corporate events and dinners. The event center will also expand the academic rigor and reach of programs in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts. “We are daring to dream to be a college that can create professional content for the marketplace,” said CEA Dean Mike Fernandez at a December topping off ceremony for the milestone building. “Within this building, we are creating CEA Studios, where we will utilize the best talents of our staff, faculty and students to create TV shows, EPs and LPs, and all sorts of content.” In addition, the event center will bring new innovations for Lipscomb’s recruiting leaders. A new welcome center will greet prospective students and their families, offering an experiential space that “gives newcomers a great understanding of our Lipscomb DNA,” said Byron Lewis, vice president for enrollment management. The welcome center is expected to include a presentation space and exhibits on Lipscomb’s history, academics, campus life, career placement and the benefits of education in the city of Nashville. The immense support from LipscombLEADS donors, have made new facilities such as the George Shinn Event Center a reality all over campus (see page 16 for the latest enhancements).

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The George Shinn Event Center will house a Creativity Center where faculty, students and industry partners can meet, brainstorm, problem-solve and create meaningful content for the marketplace

LIPSCOMBLEADS In Bison Square students as well as President L. Randolph Lowry, pictured here, wrote thank you notes to investors during the first ever Day of Giving, and 130 students gave financial gifts to the LipscombLEADS campaign.

FIRST DAY OF GIVING EXCEEDS DONOR GOAL FIVE TIMES OVER 2,700+ investors give more than $542,000

On Lipscomb’s first Day of Giving, on March 12, expectations were exceeded five times over as 2,741 contributors gave funds to support Lipscomb students and various programs on campus including missions, athletics and individual colleges. The first Day of Giving was established as part of the ongoing LipscombLEADS fundraising campaign, announced on Jan. 27. Anonymous contributors challenged the university to obtain investment from 500 people in 24 hours. If Lipscomb met the goal, the couple would direct their $100,000 gift to student scholarships. The goal was met by mid-morning, and individual investors, as well as additional matching donors, continued to pour in throughout the day, resulting in a final total of $542,162, including the original challenge donation. The Day of Giving resulted in more individual gifts received in a single day than at any time in Lipscomb’s history. It was another memorable event of the LipscombLEADS campaign, the

$250 million fundraising initiative that launched at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center and in Allen Arena in January. With the Day of Giving, LipscombLEADS moved on to engage a wider range of contributors to provide funds for the purpose of improving the student experience at Lipscomb.

During the Day of Giving, more than 130 students made gifts and many others participated by writing thank you notes to donors and posting photos on social media.

In preparing for the Day of Giving, Lipscomb officials surveyed and studied similar universities that have held similar days of giving. That research led to establishing the 500-donor, $100,000 goal, which was greatly exceeded.

Lipscomb Academy had over 450 investors, raising $32,107 to impact 25 programs at the two-year-olds to 12th grade campus.

“While it was fun to watch challenges and matches be put forth by people in our Lipscomb community to encourage others to give, I also appreciate the importance of the day,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry. “Beyond the funds received in this one day, the individuals who were reached and chose to engage with our community were inspiring. These new and rekindled relationships will benefit the university for years to come.”

Alumni donors ranged from the Class of 1950 to the Class of 2019. Contributors hailed from 37 states and seven countries.

As part of a special Day of Giving challenge, the College of Business, the college that ended the day with the most investors, received an additional $10,000 gift, and the men’s soccer program, the athletic team with the most investors, received an additional $2,500 gift. Other programs that benefited from the Day of Giving were student missions programs, with more than 135 contributors raising more than $40,000; the athletics program had more than 500 contributors who raised more than $64,000; and the College of Business had more than 250 investors who raised more than $63,000.

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LONGTIME LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS INVESTS TO ESTABLISH PFEFFER GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Pam and Phil Pfeffer, CEO-in-residence and inspirational role model for Lipscomb students, invest in the business students

As part of the $250 million LipscombLEADS campaign initiative, Pam and Phil Pfeffer, Nashville business leaders and philanthropists, have made a significant investment in the Lipscomb College of Business to establish the Pfeffer Graduate School of Business. The announcement of their investment came as part of the on-campus campaign launch celebration held in a packed Allen Arena in January. Pam and Phil Pfeffer believe strongly in the power of education and have invested their time and resources to support it in numerous ways. Phil Pfeffer, president and

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CEO of Treemont Capital Inc. and former chairman of the board and CEO of the Ingram Distribution Group Inc., serves as an adjunct graduate business professor and CEO-in-residence in Lipscomb’s business college and has been part of numerous international travel study courses through the college. “We are grateful that Phil and Pam Pfeffer claim Lipscomb University and its business program through the sharing of their time and financial resources. They are making a tremendous impact every day on

the lives of Lipscomb business students, and we are thankful for their investment,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry. Under Pfeffer’s leadership, total revenue of the Ingram Distribution Group Inc. grew from $36 million to $12 billion. Previously, Pfeffer served as president and CEO of Random House Inc., the world’s largest English-language general trade book publisher. He now serves as chairman of the board of directors of Nashville company Essex

College of Business Dean Ray Eldridge (left), thanked Pam and Phil Pfeffer (right), for their gift establishing the Pfeffer Graduate School of Business, before the crowd at the on-campus kick-off celebration for LipscombLEADS.

Phil Pfeffer’s gift to the College of Business was inspired by his interaction with Lipscomb’s students, including this travel study opportunity he led in Israel, where students learned about the start-up culture and took advantage of its rich biblical history.

Technology Group and on the board of Casual Furniture Repair and Sales in St. Petersburg, Fla. He also serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

including the Master of Accountancy, Master of Business Administration, Master of Health Administration and Master of Management programs.

“Phil is one of the most well-respected businessmen and entrepreneurs in Nashville. He has led some of Nashville’s most successful companies and is still involved with cutting edge business ventures. He is an inspirational role model for our students. Being able to spend time with someone of the caliber of Phil is a rare opportunity for any aspiring young business leader,” said Ray Eldridge, dean of the College of Business.

“Pam and I have been impressed by the caliber and character of Lipscomb students. There is something about them—their desire to be successful and their work ethic. Lipscomb students really stand out,” said Pfeffer, who, in 2011, was the recipient of the Lipscomb Center for Entrepreneurship’s inaugural “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award.

“Pam and Phil Pfeffer are not just investors in our College of Business, but they are also a part of our college family. We are grateful for their passion for what we are doing to develop young business leaders who will follow the values and virtues of Jesus and take them into the workplace.”

“We also value the university’s outstanding student-serving faculty and staff.” Pam Pfeffer added, “We value what is being done at Lipscomb, and we value that the university is an intentional faith-based institution of learning. We want these reasons to be known to all so others can appreciate this magical place called Lipscomb.”

The Pfeffer Graduate School of Business houses all graduate business studies

“I learned more about being a leader in a week by watching Phil than

I have in years and years,” said Matt Forsthoff, a Lipscomb MBA student who attended a trip to Israel led by Phil Pfeffer. “His genuine concern and encouragement for each of us was inspiring. He was always interested in getting to know us better and finding ways to serve and support us.” The Pfeffers’ gift is the latest investment in Lipscomb’s College of Business. In April 2018, the university received a $23 million gift destined for a new facility for the College of Business and to support business programs, faculty and students, among other initiatives. Lipscomb’s College of Business is one of the fastest growing in the university, with more than 650 undergraduate and graduate students and 16 undergraduate and four graduate programs, touting a 97 percent overall job placement rate for 2017 and thousands of alumni around the world. It has been recognized nationally as a leader in business education.

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LARGEST CAPITAL INVESTMENT EVER BRINGS 21ST CENTURY LEARNING TO LIPSCOMB ACADEMY Brewer campus improvements will house new programs and more than 55,000 square feet of new learning and community space

The Lipscomb University Board of Trustees has approved the first phase of the largest capital investment in Lipscomb Academy’s history, expected to be $25 million, to fund new initiatives to expand the school’s programming and facilities over the coming years. The planned enhancements will bring to the lower campus a 21st century learning commons that fosters collaboration, use of technology for research and applicable creativity as well as designated classroom and therapy space for education of students with special needs. “There are many factors that go into choosing the right school for a

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student, and these significant enhancements to our campus facilities and programs allow us to enhance our unique learning environment with new opportunities to maximize the giftedness of our current and future students,” said Greg Glenn, head of school. The $6.5 million initial investment in the facility expansion at the lower school, which currently includes ages 2 through fourth grade, is the first phase of a multi-phase project and includes 22,000 square feet of new construction and 1,500 square feet of renovated space, said Glenn.

This phase of expansion, at Granny White Pike and Harding, will include marquee spaces, including a new student dining hall and kitchen, and the state-of-the-art learning commons, with an innovative collaborative hub that offers students technology-rich research stations, flexible furnishings, collaborative instructional spaces, inviting reading areas, access to library materials and creative makerspace materials among other features. Construction is expected to start in spring 2019.

The first phase of a planned expansion of the lower school Brewer campus will include a state-of-the-art learning commons, an innovative collaborative hub with technologyrich research stations, flexible furnishings, collaborative instructional spaces, reading areas, access to library materials and creative makerspace materials.

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Passion for investing in the lives of young people drive Griffiths Investing in the future of young people at Lipscomb Academy is close to the hearts of Jim and Pam Griffith. Earlier this academic year, the Griffiths made the lead gift in the upcoming expansion project at the Lipscomb Academy Brewer campus that will provide facilities to house a new special needs program at the lower school. The inspiration for this gift? Their 4-year-old grandson Solomon James Rodan, better known as Solly. The complete expansion plan, to be carried out over several phases, will provide more than 55,000 square feet of new learning and community space at the lower school Brewer campus.

These new facilities will also provide classroom and therapy space for a new program that provides specific education and support services for students with special needs at Lipscomb Academy’s lower school. “We believe providing access to a Lipscomb Academy experience for students with special needs is an extension of our mission,” said Jonathan Sheahen, head of the lower school. “We are continually looking for ways to live out our Christian mission and provide educational opportunities that align with who we are and who we are called to be. The goal for students in the special needs program will be similar to all students at Lipscomb Academy—to help them achieve their academic, social and emotional potential.” The special needs program will launch in fall 2019. And while this program will have its own learning space at the lower school that provides the access, flexibility, sensory accommodations and safety needed to ensure a successful educational experience

for students, students in the special needs program will be as fully integrated as possible in appropriate grade-level classrooms, chapel, recess and lunch periods. Construction of this dedicated learning space is included in the spring 2019 expansion. The timeline for additional project phases will be determined over the coming months. Once all construction phases are complete, the current plans for the $25 million project call for more than 55,000 square feet of new space and more than 12,000 square feet of renovated space at the lower school, including additional classrooms and a gym. If you are interested in supporting Lipscomb Academy’s growth through the LipscombLEADS campaign, contact Casey Farris at casey.farris@lipscomb.edu or 615.966.5051.

At birth, Solly suffered three massive strokes, and at the age of one, he was diagnosed with triplegic cerebral palsy. Since his birth on Oct. 9, 2014, the Rodan family has been on a journey. As Solly’s mom, Camie Griffith Rodan, has talked with families of special needs children in the Nashville area, she recognized a real need to serve children like Solly once they reach the time to begin elementary school. “There seemed no better place than Lipscomb to step up and include children with special needs within its mission,” said Rodan. Three of Solly’s cousins attended Lipscomb Academy. Eli and Emma Weber are currently students and their brother, Reid, graduated from the academy in 2014 and the university in 2018. Solly’s aunt, Jennifer Weber, is on faculty in Lipscomb University’s School of Nursing. His uncle, Josh, is a former academy middle school faculty member and coach. His grandfather, Jim, is a member of Lipscomb’s Board of Trustees, and his grandmother, Pam, is active in fundraising for Mustang athletics. “We wanted our grandson to be able to go to a school in a loving environment that has the values that Lipscomb engenders,” said Jim Griffith. “We are grandparents who invest in our grandchildren. We have been amazingly blessed, and what drives us is that we believe we are called to give back in ways that create opportunities for young people particularly those with special needs.”

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STUDENTS, FACULTY BENEFIT FROM NEW IMPROVEMENTS FUELED BY GROWTH IN 2018 Health sciences, visual art, campus dining enhanced

This school year Lipscomb students are benefitting from more art exhibit space than they have ever had before; a brand new anatomy lab allowing for hands-on practice in health science; designated classroom and gathering space to build community among honors students; and to top it off, an outdoor patio dining area for gathering around new fire pits. While the George Shinn Event Center began to sprout from the ground this past summer, the campus saw many other enhancements to student life and academic rigor completed in 2018 including a top-to-bottom renovation of the 23,500-square-foot James D. Hughes Center to house all health science programs in one space.

Hughes Center now a health science hub The new School of Physician Assistant Studies (launched this past fall), the Department of Nutrition and Kinesiology and the vice provost’s office for health care programs, are now all

located in one building, the Hughes Center, which is located between two other health-focused facilities: the Nursing and Health Science Center and the Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center. Hughes, once the home of Lipscomb’s art and engineering programs, has been renovated to house all faculty offices, three classrooms and four spacious labs: the anatomy lab for all health science programs, the nutrition foods lab and kinesiology’s cardiology and strength and conditioning labs. The anatomy lab is large enough to allow every PA student hands-on dissection with one cadaver for every five students, a ratio far above most other physician assistant programs, said Stephen Heffington, program director of the PA school. The lab also includes an overhead camera and a handheld camera, both with wireless links to six 65-

inch TV screens throughout the lab so students can see and compare dissections and demonstrations. The foods lab features six cooking and prep stations, allowing up to 24 students to use the space at one time, said Autumn Marshall, chair of the nutrition and kinesiology department. Each station features stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and enough space for each student group to maneuver. The foods lab is used by nutrition majors, sports nutrition dietetic interns who serve Lipscomb’s athletics department, students who take Basic Foods as a science and math elective and students enrolled in the cooking skills course of the IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The James D. Hughes Center was renovated to house the physician assistant, nutrition and kinesiology programs, creating a “med row” of three buildings on the north side of campus, all devoted to the health sciences.

The Hutcheson Gallery was relocated to Beaman Library and the square footage expanded, providing the art program with the most public exhibit space it has ever had.

Two new treadmills; a spirometry system to test lung function; two weight racks; leg press, leg extension and lateral pulldown machines and a full set of adjustable dumbbells, have been added to the extensive equipment the human performance labs already had available for students to use in their research studies, said Ruth Henry, vice chair of kinesiology and nutrition. “The consolidation of the health science programs and faculty in the Hughes Center is part of a strategic plan which creates expanded resources and collaboration for growth,” said Roger Davis, vice provost for health affairs. “With faculty from multiple disciplines in closer proximity, the potential for the sharing of lectures, practice laboratories, classrooms and research facilities is greater. It also provides synergy for broader faculty interaction and collaboration to enhance interprofessional education opportunities, the lynchpin for progressive models of health science education. “With the Hughes Center, an environment has been created for significant new permanent laboratory space, and concentration of these assets contributes to a more efficient and costeffective process for education,” he said.

Hutcheson Art Gallery expanded and relocated The Hutcheson Art Gallery, previously located in the Hughes Center, has been moved to the Beaman Library and expanded in size. The gallery includes an open space for receptions and 130 feet of well-lit wall space, said Cliff EanesTierney, associate professor in the visual arts department. “This is the best iteration of the Hutcheson Gallery in its history,” he said. “We have a nice open floor plan, and its location in Beaman is an advantage since it allows better access for students, employees and visitors.”

Outdoor dining transformed The outside patio of Lipscomb’s dining hall in the Bennett Campus Center has undergone a transformation with a new, paverstyle floor; a sail-style canopy; outdoor furniture that can be used throughout the year and fire pits among other features.

The space had occasionally been used by diners on a nice fall or spring day, but it is now designed to be a comfortable outdoor destination for students throughout most of the year, said Wolcott Fary, general manager of Lipscomb Dining Services–Sodexo.

Honors College House welcomes 600 honors students The Honors College, which has grown from 200 to 600 students in the past few years, now has a designated home. The on-campus 2,600-square-foot house boasts office space for the director and staff, a classroom for designated honors classes, a study or conference room and common space inside and out for the students to gather and hold events, as well as a full kitchen for monthly meals. “This new house represents not only the numerical growth in the Honors College, but the quality of students who are attracted to Lipscomb because of our strong honors community and high expectations,” said Paul Prill, director of the Honors College.

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LIPSCOMBLEADS

IMPACTING OUR WORLD Through a solid foundation

Students choose Lipscomb because they believe it is the best place to grow in knowledge and faith and to prepare for a lifetime of exemplary leadership and service. To build a solid foundation for generations to come, LipscombLEADS will continue to increase the value of the permanent endowment to support students, faculty and programs alike.

The result of this endowment growth is investment in faculty development and research, in ways to enhance their reputation, scholarship, teaching and spiritual influence. Supporting this endowment is investing in a dynamic curriculum that is responsive to emerging needs in the marketplace while being rooted in the liberal arts. Supporting this endowment is making an impact in the world we all live in.

BECOME A LEADER TO MORE THAN 5,000 STUDENTS. The path of success is filled with Lipscomb leaders like you. Help lead the way for future Lipscomb leaders by giving today. PROVIDE IMMEDIATE HELP We are daily sustained by contributions to the Lipscomb Fund.. Those donations have an immediate impact. They help us sustain essential programs and rapidly launch initiatives for growth. Immediate donations can also be made to support Lipscomb Academy and Athletics. lipscomb.edu/gift

ENSURE THE FUTURE Planned giving, whether through a current or estate gift, helps to ensure the future of Lipscomb and all our students, while at the same time creating substantial benefits for you and your family. lipscomb.edu/giving/gift-planning

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“When students have what they need to learn, their life’s work is your best outcome.”

ACADEMICS

LIPSCOMB ONLINE MAKES EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE AROUND THE WORLD Now students have more options for earning a Lipscomb undergraduate or graduate degree through Lipscomb Online, housed in the College of Professional Studies, because of a significant university commitment to expand this program. “At Lipscomb Online we offer students the opportunity to earn the same high-quality academic degrees they would get on our campus, but with the flexibility to fit their busy lives,” said Nina Morel, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “Through a unique mix of innovative learning methods and strong support from academic coaches and one-on-one relationships with faculty coaches, we help students develop their own personalized learning plans, paced so it works for them.” Lipscomb Online offers undergraduate programs in business leadership, data analysis, entertainment management, psychology, RN-toBSN, strategic leadership, technology management and integrated studies; graduate programs in business leadership, competency-based design, global leadership, performance coaching, strategic leadership and sustainability. Lipscomb University also offers a variety of graduate education programs and a Doctorate of Education degree in online and hybrid delivery formats. In each of the Lipscomb Online programs, students have the advantage of the university’s competency-based education program that awards up to 30 college credits for specific skills and abilities they have learned in their careers through the CORE Competency Assessment Center.

Lipscomb Online offers two formats for students, FLEXPace, allowing students to take as many hours as they can in a six-month period, and SetPace, a traditional, per-semester hour cost that is 50 percent less than taking courses on-campus.

“There are a number of options available to students,” said Ted Meyers, associate dean of admissions and enrollment services in the College of Professional Studies. “Lipscomb’s approach is unique because of its competencybased education component. Combine that with our online program and students find a flexible option at Lipscomb that helps them accomplish their educational goals in a way that is tailored to meet their needs more than a traditional online program. This program is a benefit to the ‘new normal’ adult who has a busy life.” Lipscomb Online offers two formats for students: FlexPACE and SetPACE. FlexPACE is a subscription-based program through which students can take as many hours as they can complete in a six-month period. SetPace is a traditional online approach with a per-semester hour cost, that is a 50 percent discount from Lipscomb’s daystudent tuition rate. Last year, the first Lipscomb Online graduates celebrated the completion of their educational journeys. Ryan Lawson (’18) is a senior network engineer at Dollar General Corporation, a husband, a father of two young children and a newly commissioned officer in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

“It allowed me the flexibility to work at my own pace.” “I chose the program because it allowed me the flexibility I needed to work at my own pace while being in multiple places all over the country,” Lawson says. “During my time in the program I was twice placed on Temporary Duty Assignment with the military, far away from Tennessee. So I managed a full-time role as a network engineer, I was assigned as the Officer in Charge of the 1-181st Field Artillery Battalion and juggled the role of being a father and husband. Yet I was still able to work with my professors to accomplish my goal and complete my degree.”

Learn more about Lipscomb Online by logging on to lipscomb.edu/online.

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LIPSCOMB NEWS In a study of enrollment data from 2006 to 2016, the Chronicle of Higher Education named Lipscomb as the sixth-fastest growing private doctoral universities in the nation.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

CHRONICLE OF HIGHER ED NAMES LIPSCOMB ONE OF THE FASTESTGROWING UNIVERSITIES IN THE NATION

Lipscomb has the fifth-highest graduation (’10, MAcc ’10), a CPA in the internal audit Lipscomb University is one of the fastest- rate for veteran students, 89 percent, in the department of Hospital Corporation of America. nation. The retention rate for veteran students growing private doctoral universities in “Every year, I am excited to recruit accounting is 85 percent, which has increased from a 42 the nation according to a report released students from Lipscomb because I know they are percent rate three years ago. by the Chronicle of Higher Education. professional, have excellent communication and For the rankings, Military Times analyzes In a study of enrollment data from teamwork skills, and are well-prepared to begin a variety of data including 2017 enrollment data, their careers.” fall 2006 through fall 2016, Lipscomb veterans center and services, policy agreements, was the fastest-growing private doctoral U.S. News ranks engineering college: For the GI Bill gap coverage, student-to-faculty ratio, university in Tennessee and the sixthfirst time, Lipscomb’s undergraduate engineering accreditation, retention rate, graduation rate and program has been ranked a top 100 program in the fastest growing in the nation with an enrollment growth of 80.6 percent during student loan default rate. country in the annual U.S. News & World Report’s “This recognition is a measure of the that time period. “2019 America’s Guide to Colleges.” strategic focus we have had on retention— This record growth for the university The engineering college has produced 35 building a campus community that serves the is especially significant as it came during graduates in 2018, 85 percent of which passed the needs of these students—and on seeing our the nation’s most significant economic Fundamentals of Engineering exam to be licensed, students through to graduation and helping downturn since the Great Depression. well above the national average. them reach their educational goals,” said Chad Lipscomb’s enrollment growth ranked Lipscomb University was also ranked as an A+ above that of Carnegie Mellon University, Staggs, former director of veteran services. School for B Students and No. 105 on the Student Top-ranked accounting program: The Columbia University and the University Debt Load at Graduation list in the national 2019 College Factual rankings listed the of Southern California, which were also universities category. College of Business’ accounting program as Poets&Quants ranks College of Business included on the Chronicle’s ranking. the top program in Tennessee and among nationally: The 2018 Poets&Quants for Undergrads In addition to rapid enrollment list of Best Undergraduate Business Schools ranked growth from 2006-2016, Lipscomb added, the top 10 percent in the nation. This is the second year the accounting program has been Lipscomb’s College of Business within the top 100 during that time period, more than 150 named the top program in Tennessee. business schools in the nation. Poets&Quants is graduate and undergraduate programs The Department of Accounting also earned the leading online publication for undergraduate and more than 200 new faculty. The business education news. university’s minority enrollment increased a ranking of 14th in the nation and No. 1 in the state of Tennessee for the second consecutive This ranking involves a comprehensive review more than 350 percent, and more than year for Best Accounting Programs for Veterans. of undergraduate programs across the country $100 million was invested in new facilities Lipscomb’s undergraduate accounting examining admissions standards, the student and renovations during that time. Nationally ranked veterans program has produced a job placement rate of experience and employment outcomes. It is program: The Military Times’ Best 97 percent for the 2017-18 school year. affirmation of the direction of the college and for Vets: Colleges 2019 rankings named “Both the quality and value of Lipscomb its pattern of innovation and engagement, said Lipscomb’s No. 13 in the nation and the University’s accounting program are College of Business Dean Ray Eldridge. top program in Tennessee for veteran exceptional, and it is no surprise that the Lipscomb’s College of Business has produced a and military student service and rates of program is consistently ranked among job placement rate among its undergraduates of 97 academic achievement. the top in Tennessee,” said Ashley Rice percent for the 2017-18 school year.

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LIPSCOMB NEWS

ACADEMICS

NEW HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, HOSPITALITY PROGRAMS MEET WORKFORCE NEEDS

Lipscomb University has announced two new programs designed to meet the specific workforce needs of the city of Nashville: health care administration and hospitality management. Lipscomb’s Master of Health Administration program, planned for a fall 2019 launch, is designed to meet the growing workforce needs in the health care industry in Nashville and nationwide with a curriculum that is intentionally integrated, interactive and immersive. Courses will be offered in a hybrid of in-person and online format and may be completed in six semesters. The program was developed by the College of Business in collaboration with an executive advisory board comprised of 17 industry executives including senior leaders of hospitals and various health agencies as well as experts in information technology, data science, finance, operations, human resources and clinical services.

“The health care industry is the single-largest sector contributing to wage growth in the Nashville region, supporting over $26.9 billion in labor income annually,” said Hayley Hovious, president of the Nashville Health Care Council. “Lipscomb University is a great partner as they continually look to develop innovative programs that will meet the needs of the community.” Lipscomb’s hospitality management program will be one of the few in the country to offer a multidisciplinary approach to hospitality education. The undergraduate program will launch in fall 2019 and is currently accepting students.

Through a collaboration of the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, the integrated program, grounded in a liberal arts degree, will provide students a foundation in business practices; an in-depth study of entertainment disciplines, industry practices and production; knowledge in food and beverage; and skills in event planning. Initially, it will offer an undergraduate degree with plans already under way for graduate degrees and professional certificates focused in four areas of emphasis: lodging, food and beverage, tourism and entertainment. Nashville’s tourism and hospitality industry generates close to $6 billion annually in the Middle Tennessee region with more than seven years of record-breaking growth. It is the secondlargest industry in Nashville with projections for it to continue to be a leading industry. Butch Spyridon, president and CEO

of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., said Lipscomb’s new program is much-needed in the region. “This program could not come at a better time for our industry,” said Spyridon. “We look forward to working with Lipscomb to help create the best program possible. This announcement is a win for Lipscomb and a win for Nashville’s hospitality industry.”

ATHLETICS

CROSS COUNTRY REACHES NCAA SOUTH REGIONAL

The Lipscomb cross country squad closed out its season on a strong note in November as the Bisons took on the NCAA South Region Championships in Tallahassee, Florida. The women’s squad placed an ASUN-best 10th overall with a total of 240 points.

The Lady Bisons were led by an All-Region performance from junior Courtney Brenner, fresh of the dual honors of ASUN Individual Champion and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Brenner finished 19th overall out of 208 runners with a time of 21:09.4 in the 6K, the second-best mark of any ASUN participant. The men finished 14th with a total of 346 points, the second-highest mark of any ASUN program, placing them in between fellow Tennessee schools Vanderbilt and Memphis in the standings.

The Bisons were paced by sophomore

Silas Griffith. Griffith finished 38th out of

172 runners with a 32:35.7 mark in the 10K, the second-best mark for an ASUN runner. For the seventh time in the last eight seasons, the Lipscomb women’s cross country team took home the ASUN Championship.

LIPSCOMB NEWS

ACADEMICS

LIPSCOMB FIRST UNIVERSITY TO OFFER FILM STUDENTS CINEMATIC VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY

Students in Lipscomb’s undergraduate and graduate film programs now have a cinematic virtual reality opportunity that no other film student in the country currently has. The George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts is the first university in the nation to purchase the Positron Voyager®, the first chair designed specifically for fully immersive cinematic virtual reality. In addition to Lipscomb, other permanent locations for the chair include Disney StudioLab, Universal, Dreamworks and the MK2 VR center in Paris. Installed in Lipscomb’s Bill and Dot Mullican Studio in November, the new technology provides budding filmmakers a unique opportunity to experience the sensation of movement combined with an immersive cinematic experience.

“This is the latest technology in cinematic storytelling and it gives our students the opportunity to experience it firsthand as they are developing their skills and approach to their craft,” said Steve Taylor, director of Lipscomb’s School of Theatre and Cinematics Arts. “It will also prepare them for what’s next in the industry. The Positron Voyager is the first chair designed specifically for fully immersive cinematic virtual reality.

“The Positron Voyager® is the first time I’ve experienced VR as a director’s medium,” Taylor said. “This allows us to tell a story in VR with a beginning, middle and end. The chair offers storytellers precise control, as it rotates and tilts to direct the viewer’s field of vision while providing a remarkably realistic sense of movement.” Along with the chair, the School of Theatre and Cinematics Arts has purchased 360-degree cameras that students will use to produce content, such as a VR campus tour, Taylor said. The VR technology will be incorporated into the undergraduate and graduate curriculum through courses in producing, storyboarding, production and technology research. Positron CEO Jeffrey Travis met with a group of film students who were among Lipscomb’s first to test-drive the Voyager. “This offers these students a very hands-on vision of what cinematic VR looks and feels like,” said Travis. “To me it’s giving them a mini-screening room for cinematic VR in a way that you would not be able to get with a VR headset. I hope it will inspire some young filmmakers who really want to embrace this medium.” Travis said that while a number of colleges across the nation are using VR for research, only a few have started to incorporate VR into their film programs, and no other college has made an investment into the type of immersive VR technology the Positron Voyager® provides.

STUDENT SUCCESS

2018 FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR STUDYING IN GERMANY

Hannah Minor (’17), an English and German major, became Lipscomb’s seventh Fulbright scholar to be selected by the international program in the past 12 years. The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, places U.S. scholars in schools or universities overseas, improving foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States while enhancing the scholar’s own language skills and knowledge of the host country. Minor, from Kennewick, Washington, began her 10-month stint as a teaching assistant in Germany this past fall. Like many of Lipscomb’s Fulbright scholars, Minor is an alumni of the semester-long Lipscomb in Vienna program. She was also a member of the English honor society Sigma Tau Delta, served as secretary and philanthropy chair of the social club Alpha Zeta, was a member of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Student Advisory Council and was secretary of You’re Not Alone, an on-campus social advocacy group. She participated in the annual Student Scholars Symposium and at the Southern Literary Festival student competition where she was awarded second place for her essay on Mark Twain’s “The Awful German Language.” Lipscomb currently has set a new record with five students and two alumni selected as semi-finalists for a 2019 Fulbright award. Editor’s Note: As of press time, we were notified that

five of the seven applicants were awarded Fulbrights for

2019. See more in the next issue of Lipscomb Now. 22

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Margot Lee Shetterly, author of Hidden Figures, was the keynote speaker for the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering’s daylong celebration to celebrate National Engineers Week.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

HIDDEN FIGURES AUTHOR FEATURED AT LANDISS LECTURE, STEM EDUCATION DAY

Everyone from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to the Nashville Public Library, from the author of Hidden Figures to NASA came together in February for the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering’s daylong celebration of STEM education for National Engineers Week. In partnership with the Department of English and Modern Languages and the Landiss Lecture Series, the engineering college coordinated a full day of activities for more than 500 local middle school children, including a panel session with Hidden Figures author Margot Lee Shetterly and hands-on science activities carried out by 50 scientists in six mobile labs from Oak Ridge. In addition, students had their choice of 26 sessions focused on science and arts topics such as binary code, mathematical magic, erasure poetry, creative narrative writing and the civil rights era. Lipscomb’s theatre department presented scenes from its recent production of Silent Sky, about women breaking the gender barrier in astronomy in the 1920s; a NASA educator came from the Marshall Space Flight Center to teach a class; and the engineering college held numerous seminars ranging from roller coasters to wind-powered vehicles. During the school day, Shetterly, whose 2016 historical book told the true story of the African-American, female “human computers,” who began working at the NASA laboratory at Langley, Virginia, in the 1950s, spoke to the Nashville middle schoolers along with two local African American woman engineers.

That evening, she spoke to the community at the annual Landiss Lecture, a program to bring outstanding writers to the Lipscomb campus. In her talk, Shetterly discussed the popular appeal of Hidden Figures, which has been translated into 17 languages and been adapted into an Oscarnominated film. In today’s “fractured times,” we as a society need a story of hope, she said. “The history behind Hidden Figures shows us what is possible when we push people with the

brightest lights to step out of the shadows. No matter who they are or where they are from. It is an inherently optimistic story,” Shetterly said. “It shows what we could do when we think of innovation as something that applies to people as much as it applies to processes and problems. “These women and their story are evidence that even in fractured times like these, when so many of us see ourselves as incompatibly different from our neighbor, colleagues and fellow citizens, that we can still see some things the same way,” she said. “That there might be a glimmer of hope for that other mission: the American dream.”

More than 500 Nashville middle school students enjoyed STEM seminars on campus, hosted by the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering.

LIPSCOMB NEWS

LEADERSHIP

HIGHER EDUCATION VETERAN APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT LIFE Al Sturgeon, former dean of students and dean of graduate programs at Pepperdine University School of Law, has been appointed Lipscomb’s new vice president of student life. Sturgeon began his new position on March 18. Al Sturgeon, new vice president of student life, wants to create a In his new role, Sturgeon will oversee community of love and respect for all of the student life functions outside the all students. classroom which include: campus ministry, chapel, student activities, campus security, veteran services, residence life, intercultural development, freshmen orientation, He began his career as a high campus recreation, intramurals and the Career Development Center among other school teacher and coach in Arkansas. responsibilities. A native of Arkansas, “A tremendous amount of a student’s intellectual, spiritual and social formation is Sturgeon has a Bachelor of shaped by his or her experiences as a citizen Science degree in education from the University of Arkansas and of a larger university community. Integral a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine to that experience is the work of the Office University School of Law. of Student Life, which plays a critical Sturgeon and his wife, Jody, also a role in the lives of our students and in the veteran of higher education, have daily operation of this community,” said two grown daughters, Erica and Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry. Hillary. “Dr. Sturgeon has a unique expertise that “I have long admired and enhances the strong foundation we have benefited from the good work built over the last decade. His vision and leadership will help us serve our students in at Lipscomb University and am thankful for the opportunity to new and innovative ways.” serve. Lipscomb has a profound Most recently having served as history and a bright future, and preaching minister at the University I am excited to join this special Church of Christ in Malibu, California, community,” said Sturgeon. “As Sturgeon is a seasoned higher education a student life professional it is veteran and has served in a variety of roles a privilege to partner with the at Pepperdine that give him a unique faculty in student development perspective for his work at Lipscomb and cultivate a community of love University. He served as a professor in the and respect for all students. It is law school, director of academic success, critical to me that every student is assistant dean for student life, dean of heard, respected and loved.” students and dean of graduate programs.

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GROW TH

$130 MILLION BOND OFFERING FUELS FUTURE CAMPUS GROWTH

Lipscomb is planning boldly for its future growth with a recent bond offering. On March 19, Lipscomb, which has a BBB stable investment grade credit rating, issued approximately $130 million of bonds, in part to build or renovate existing residential housing, academic buildings and other facilities. In addition a portion of the bond will be used to refinance existing obligations. The new facilities reflect Lipscomb’s rising enrollment, which has nearly doubled within the past decade and now totals more than 4,600 at the university and approximately 1,200 at Lipscomb Academy. “This was the largest and most strategic financing in Lipscomb’s history,” said Marty Kittrell, alumnus and treasurer of Lipscomb’s Board of Trustees. “It extended maturities, converted all of our floating rate debt to fixed rates, refinanced (allowing us to purchase) most of our leased real estate and, finally, provides capital for projects over the next three plus years.” “The internal team performed superbly and our advisors, legal and financial, were outstanding,” he continued. “Total demand for the bonds exceeded $1 billion, allowing us to attain excellent pricing. While we had some favorable market conditions, I believe that divine providence was at work, helping achieve this outcome.” This was the second bond offering in university history. In 2016, Lipscomb University’s first public bond offering of $63 million was also very well received, and the proceeds were used to help fund projects such as Bison Hall, the Fields Engineering Center and the George Shinn Event Center as well as other investments.

LIPSCOMB NEWS

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WINS LARGEST GRANT IN HISTORY TO TRAIN PRINCIPALS The College of Education, ranked one of the top in the nation for teacher preparation, has been awarded a $2.49 million grant, the largest in Lipscomb’s history, from the Kern Family Foundation to develop an innovative leadership development program for principals focused on character, academic excellence and business acumen in the rising generation of leaders. The Kern Family Foundation is an organization that invests in systemic change to enrich American lives through forming good character, providing quality education, instilling an entrepreneurial mindset and rediscovering the value of work. Lipscomb’s Reimagining Principal Preparation program will be a unique approach to K-12 leadership training incorporating character education, leadership development, business acumen and conflict management among other key components. After a year of development, the program will launch in fall 2019. The initial focus of the program is to reach Tennessee schools and districts that do not have existing resources to develop internal leadership programs. The five-year Kern grant will support scholarships for attendees of the Reimagining Principal Preparation program as well as resources to develop the program. “We hope to create a culture change,” said Deborah Boyd, dean of Lipscomb’s College of Education. “One that will drive high quality academic outcomes and whole child development through preparing leaders at the highest levels. The strength of schools can determine the strength of

communities, and effective school leaders are central to that.” Lance Forman, a former Metro Nashville Public Schools principal and director of educational leadership at the College of Education, is leading the curriculum development for this new program. “This grant gives us the opportunity to reimagine our leadership program to better equip educators to manage realworld demands they face as school leaders,” said Forman. “This will also help us develop a network across the state, including in more rural areas, to help those schools and districts build an internal leadership pipeline. I am particularly pleased that through this grant we will be able to offer scholarships to those who might not be able to access these resources otherwise.” Forman said Lipscomb’s College of Education is already partnering with seven districts in Southwest and South Central Tennessee and plans to serve more districts throughout the state.

Tennessee’s former First Lady Crissy Haslam (below) is the third recipient of Lipscomb’s Innovator in Education Award. Other awardees include former Tennessee Commissioner of Education and Lipscomb College of Education Dean Candice McQueen and President of the Ayers Foundation Janet Ayers.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

INNOVATOR IN EDUCATION AWARD HONORS CRISSY HASLAM

Tennessee’s former First Lady Crissy Haslam was honored as the 2018 Innovator in Education by Lipscomb University’s College of Education for her work in encouraging parent engagement in education and reading proficiency for children. Haslam was honored at a special breakfast at the Country Music Hall of Fame in October, where she received a biography of her life illustrated by children from across Tennessee. Since 2011 when her husband, Bill, was elected to his first term as governor, Haslam has focused on her priorities in education and reading and has delivered this message through the First Lady’s READ20 Book Club, encouraging families to read together for 20 minutes each day. “I believe all children can learn,” Haslam said. “All children deserve a chance at success in school and in life. And my hope is that children in Tennessee will have that chance.” Haslam frequently travels the state with the Governor’s Books From Birth Foundation in support of Tennessee’s Imagination Library, as well as lending her voice to the Tennessee Department of Education’s Read to Be Ready literacy campaign. Lipscomb’s Innovator in Education Award, recognizes leaders who have transformed education working from a foundation of Christian faith.

LIPSCOMB NEWS

Business, pharmacy, health science and computing students will especially benefit from the new Center for Analytics & Informatics, a program designed to infuse data analytics knowledge throughout the university curriculum.

ACADEMICS

NEW CENTER FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS TO INTEGRATE DATA STUDIES ACROSS UNIVERSITY A new Center for Analytics & Informatics Consulting, giving him a unique has been established to integrate the study industry-centric view in to how of data analytics throughout academic analytics are applied and used. programs spanning a variety of disciplines. Arthur said the center will The center works to better equip the next also focus on integrating cuttinggeneration of data-driven professionals in edge academic research with any industry or career field. industry best practices and will The center is a collaboration sponsor and support research among three of the university’s colleges: projects of its constituents. It will business, where the center is housed, also be a place where the work pharmacy & health sciences and being done in analytics across computing & technology. campus can be coordinated “Analytics is what businesses run on,” “to leverage the university’s said Ray Eldridge, dean of Lipscomb’s collaborative culture” and to College of Business. “By infusing this into encourage additional joint-efforts. the curriculum throughout the university, The center will also offer meetings Lipscomb University is preparing its and seminars throughout the year students to be the best of the best.” for working professionals. Analytics is a multidimensional The center does not offer field that uses mathematics, statistics, academic degree programs but predictive modeling and machine provides guidance to colleges across learning techniques to find meaningful the university in how to integrate patterns and knowledge in recorded data. the study of analytics into their Lipscomb’s new Center for Analytics existing academic programs; the & Informatics will prepare students to development of new courses, produce the analytics as well as to apply it minors, majors and in their career fields. graduate programs; The center will be directed by and will serve as a Jacob Arthur (’08), assistant professor of coordination point information security and analytics. Arthur for courses offered also serves as the partner over security that include this and technology services for Formos discipline.

LEADERSHIP

PADEN NAMED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

As part of a restructuring of leadership at the university, Matt Paden, Lipscomb’s chief of staff and assistant to the president, has been named senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement. Paden will oversee the areas of student life, enrollment management and athletics, working alongside the leadership in those areas. He will also continue in his role as chief of staff to President L. Randolph Lowry. Over the last two years, Matt has specifically worked as the liaison from the president’s office to the areas of enrollment, athletics and student life, and is currently serving as the interim vice president of student life. At his previous institution, Lubbock Christian University, Matt held leadership positions in each of the three areas named above. He holds a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from LCU. In addition to this role, Paden regularly teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related to the subjects of leadership and organizational change in the Lipscomb Colleges of Business and Professional Studies.

Matt Paden

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LIPSCOMB NEWS

David Elrod

LEADERSHIP AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

PA PROGRAM GRANTED PROVISIONAL ACCREDITATION

The physician assistant program has been granted provisional accreditation by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. It is the second physician assistant program in Middle Tennessee to achieve such accreditation. When the application period began in the fall, Lipscomb’s 27-month PA program drew more than 800 applications for 35 spots in its first cohort. Lipscomb began classes in September for its first enrolled students, which come from 24 universities in 19 states. Physician assistants must graduate from an ARC-PA accredited program in order to sit for their national licensing exam to practice. The accreditation standards examine university resources and support, faculty resources, curriculum development and student support services. Having been established within an existing health sciences college, Lipscomb’s PA program has access to numerous resources already used for other health science disciplines and to clinical partnerships already strong through other programs. “Thanks to Lipscomb’s existing clinical partnerships in Middle Tennessee, we have more than 160 preceptors already signed up to work with our PA students,” said Dr. Stephen Heffington, director of the PA school. In addition, new construction to be completed late this summer has provided two dedicated classrooms, faculty offices and a gross anatomy cadaver lab in the James D. Hughes Center, located in the nexus of Lipscomb’s health sciences facilities on the north side of campus.

AEROSPACE EXPERT RETURNS HOME TO LEAD COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING For the last 37 years, David Elrod (’77), has had his mind on things above … way above… as a leader and innovator in aerospace technology. Now Elrod is focusing on things a little closer to home. On Aug. 1, Elrod began his newest mission as dean of Lipscomb’s Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering. Elrod is an engineer who has invested the majority of his career with Jacobs Technology, a global provider of services including engineering, architecture, construction, operations and maintenance across the aerospace and defense markets. In his various roles at Jacobs, Elrod has led thousands of employees and secured billions of dollars in contracts and managed nationally critical test operations. He held various managerial and executive positions at Jacobs culminating in his most recent role as division vice president of business development and technical fellow. Throughout his career, he has managed design activities related to wind tunnels, hypersonic propulsion test units, space chambers and related electrical and control systems. He has interfaced with the United States Air Force, NASA, commercial and international aerospace customers and the National Nuclear Security Administration. He has also led operation and

sustainment of the world’s largest complex of flight simulation test facilities. Elrod also has a long lineage connected to Lipscomb. “I grew up in a family that had been enriched over four generations by Lipscomb,” he said. From his grandfather and in-laws to his sister and wife, Elrod’s family have either graduated from Lipscomb or been members of the faculty, including Bob Kerce, Dawn Whitelaw and Lacey Elrod, and now his wife Linda Elrod, who became an assistant professor of physician assistant studies at the beginning of this school year. “I see the work of Lipscomb’s program as ensuring that future engineers are grounded with a faith-based value system and the ability to engage in complex issues with civility and respect – bringing solutions that matter in a world replete with challenges,” said Elrod.

To see the full story about Elrod’s appointment and his relationship with Lipscomb go to bit.ly/ElrodEngineering.

These students, working in the newest on-campus anatomy lab, are among the first in Lipscomb’s physician assistant program, which has been awarded provisional accreditation.

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LIPSCOMB NEWS

LIPSCOMB ACADEMY

SUPER BOWL WINNING QUARTERBACK, VETERAN COACH AND ADMINISTRATOR AMONG NEW LEADERS IN MUSTANG ATHLETICS

Ryan Bouch

Brad Coon

Mike Roller

Michelle York

The 2018-19 school year has brought to Lipscomb Academy significant changes in athletics leadership with four new hires bound to positively impact the K-12 school for years into the future. Veteran coach and athletics administrator and former Ole Miss volleyball player Michelle York, has been named the Academy’s new athletic director. Formerly athletic director at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis, Indiana, York begins her work at Lipscomb this June. Her appointment follows the May retirement of Mike Roller, associate head of school for athletics. His departure concludes a 34-year career at the school, during which time he served as the academy’s athletic director, head coach of the varsity boys’ basketball team, head coach of the boys’ tennis team and director of admissions for a number of years. York has served as director of athletics at Heritage Christian School for the last seven years and as assistant athletic director for five years prior to that. In this role she oversees 18 high school sports, 17 middle school sports and over 100 coaches. During her tenure as athletic director, York led Heritage Christian into a new conference and managed an athletics program that produced exceptional athletes, including McDonald’s All-Americans and a number of student athletes who were successful at the collegiate level, and several state championships. Additionally, York directed the implementation of a major $1.2 million athletics facilities plan that Heritage is in

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NFL veteran and ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer was hired as the head coach of Lipscomb Academy’s football program this past January.

the process of implementing. NFL veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer was named head coach of Lipscomb Academy’s football program in January. A Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Dilfer was also an ESPN analyst for nearly a decade. The 14-year NFL veteran played for five teams during his career, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. Dilfer led the Ravens to a 34-7 victory over the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. As a young adult, Dilfer made the decision to trust in Christ at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp, and today he is still involved in FCA and travels across the country speaking to youth about his life’s journey and his walk with Christ. “My family and I... believe that God has led us specifically to this community at this time,” said Dilfer. “The commitment Lipscomb Academy is making to build a premier football program is humbling and energizing but most importantly it’s foundation is in building players into servants of Christ.” Former professional baseball player and Lipscomb University Assistant Baseball Coach Brad Coon is the new leader of the academy’s baseball program and head coach of the high school varsity baseball program.

Coon played professional baseball for eight years in the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays organizations. He has more than 15 years of playing and coaching experience. “One important goal of mine is to help the players understand the value of being selfless and impacting others,” Coon said. “As a team, we will visit and help programs that are less fortunate. By doing camps, supplying them with extra equipment and sharing the Word of God, we can have a major impact on the lives of others.” Coon has spent the last five years as an assistant coach for Lipscomb University Head Baseball Coach Jeff Forehand. Ryan Bouch, a former British semiprofessional coach and player, has been named Lipscomb Academy’s new varsity boys soccer coach. Bouch’s playing and coaching career spans more than 25 years at the international level. He has also served in fitness training roles for multiple teams with a specialty in developing tactics and formations. “I will encourage our students to keep God first in their lives and to surrender to Him. To build a successful program, you need the foundation blocks set in stone. This starts with God,” said Bouch.

LIPSCOMB NEWS

ACADEMICS

FORMER STATE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER NAMED DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AT LIPSCOMB

Former Tennessee State Education Commissioner Candice McQueen (’96) has been named a distinguished professor of education at Lipscomb University and an executive-in-residence at Lipscomb Academy. McQueen is the chief executive officer of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, a national nonprofit that elevates and supports educator talent. As CEO, McQueen travels across the country working with states, districts and universities to better support leader and teacher effectiveness as they push toward better outcomes. “Working directly with students, aspiring teachers and faculty is one of the most impactful roles a person can hold, and I am honored by this appointment at Lipscomb,” McQueen said. As part of her distinguished faculty appointment at Lipscomb, McQueen will teach and speak periodically as her schedule permits, and provide consulting to Lipscomb Academy. Activities she may carry out on campus include training faculty, evaluating processes and helping the Academy move toward its Vision 2028 goals. McQueen previously served as the state’s commissioner of education, 2015-2019,

for former Governor Bill Haslam. She focused her efforts on raising academic standards; measuring and reporting student improvement; and holding students, teachers, schools and districts accountable for the results. A record number of students are now taking and earning credit for early college course work and then going to college, and McQueen’s tenure saw the highest graduation rates and ACT scores in the state’s history. Under her leadership, Tennessee earned its first “A” rating for its standards and the rigor of its annual student assessment after receiving an “F” rating a decade ago. Before joining Haslam’s administration, the Tennessee native was an award-winning teacher; then Lipscomb University faculty member, department chair, dean of the College of Education as of 2008 and senior vice president as of 2013. During McQueen’s tenure as dean, from 2008 to 2015, Lipscomb became one of the highest-rated teacher preparation programs in Tennessee and the nation. McQueen doubled the size and reach of the college’s graduate programs with new master’s degrees and certificates, the university’s first education doctoral program, and additional online and off-campus offerings.

LIPSCOMB ACADEMY

GLOBAL LEARNING TRAVEL COURSES EXPAND CLASSROOM FOR LIPSCOMB ACADEMY STUDENTS After almost a decade of continued growth in providing global experiences for its students, Lipscomb Academy is taking significant steps this year to offer students new global opportunities for academic credit: a three-week study abroad course in Florence, Italy, and a 10day travel course to Shenzhen, China. The foreign language department has taken students on language and cultural experience trips each year for the past decade, said Jesse Savage, dean of academics. In addition, “In the last six years, we have gone from one mission trip a year with about a dozen students participating to eight trips with more than 100 students involved, approaching about 25 percent of our high school student body,” he said.. Building on its relationship with Lipscomb University’s Global Learning program, the academy will send 12 students to Florence in July to earn academic credits in global perspective and Bible, Savage said. Students will stay at the Lipscomb-owned villa in Florence and will visit other cities, including Rome, Pisa, Venice and Cinque Terre. Also this summer, the academy will expand a sister school relationship with Haiwang School in Shenzhen, China, by sending students to Hong Kong and Shenzhen for 10 days, where they will study to earn academic credit in social studies. “We want to prepare our students for the world they are walking into, which is much smaller than it used to be,” Savage said. “Whether it is through missions, serving or their future jobs, there is a significant chance our students will find themselves in an entirely different culture at some point in their lives.” Candice McQueen, CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching and former Tennessee education commissioner, has been named a distinguished professor and executive-in-residence at Lipscomb.

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The Lipscomb Scene 01 Lipscomb’s social clubs’ annual Rush Fair 2018 featured Sigma lota Delta’s traditional car smashing out on Bison Square. 02 The School of Music holds numerous concerts by student ensembles each year. This ensemble is the jazz ensemble, performing in December and directed by Denny Jiosa. 03 Bachelor of Ugliness Andrew Nelson and

Miss Lipscomb Leslie Garcia were honored during Homecoming 2018.

04 The office of Intercultural Development’s Fall Fiesta celebrates Latino culture during Hispanic Heritage Month. 05 Lipscomb mascot LU Bison and cheerleaders 01

brought some spirit to Bison Square during the Family Weekend and block party.

06 For King and Country performed for students at The Gathering, the weekly all-undergraduate chapel service in Allen Arena. 07 In October, the Office of Residential Life sponsored Scare in the Square, a trick-ortreating family bonfire night on Bison Square for Halloween. 08 Beaman Library hosted a visit by therapy dogs on the fall study day, when students are often stressed by forthcoming final exams. 09 Stompfest is held in November, when social clubs and student groups compete with original step routines. Pi Delta, the winners of Stompfest 2018, are performing here. 10 Ellie Holcomb (pictured) and her husband Drew Holcomb were surprise guest performers at Lighting of the Green in December.

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BIG GAME

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BISON ATHLETICS

Bisons make history in the Big Apple with NIT championship run The Lipscomb men’s basketball team carried its season as far as it could go.

When the Bisons began their journey on Nov. 6

at home with a decisive win against Sewanee few would

game winning streak earlier in the year—the longest in Division I program history—and compiled 19-straight wins against ASUN competition.

The 2018-19 season was the third consecutive

have imagined the season would end on April 4 in the

20-win season, including a program best 28-9 record

New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

the Bisons received votes for the AP top 25. Lipscomb

National Invitation Tournament championship game in To reach the most fabled of basketball arenas in the

country and a national championship game, the Bisons

had a season that will be remembered for years to come. Following on the heels of last year’s first-ever

NCAA appearance, Lipscomb was the pre-season pick

to win the ASUN conference tournament and return to the NCAA tournament for a second consecutive year. The Bisons started the season out strong with

significant wins over Texas Christian University,

Southern Methodist University, Middle Tennessee State University, Navy and Vermont with valiant efforts at the University of Louisville and Clemson University.

During the 2018-19 season, the Bisons were ranked

in several statistical categories including eighth in the

country with a +14.8 scoring margin and ninth in scoring

offense and assists per game (17.4). Lipscomb also ranked

(NCAA era), and for the first time in university history, was consistently the talk of sports analysts, media and fans across the country throughout the season. The

team earned numerous honors along the way including

Garrison Mathews, senior, being named ASUN Player of the Year and former Bison coach Casey Alexander being named ASUN Coach of the Year. The regular

season ended with the Bisons earning a share of the

ASUN regular season title and hosting three rounds of the ASUN conference tournament.

However, the Bisons’ season took an unexpected

turn when they lost at home March 10 in the ASUN tournament championship in a hard-fought battle

against conference newcomer Liberty University, ending Lipscomb’s dreams of a return trip to the NCAA men’s basketball national tournament.

In the week that followed that loss, Lipscomb’s

among the nation’s best in total assists (11th), defensive

basketball program was the topic of national conversation

goal percentage (24th) and turnovers forced (25th).

Selection Sunday—the Bisons did not receive an at-large

rebounds per game (16th), free throws made (21st), field In the ASUN, Lipscomb ranked top-3 in

19 different statistical categories. They led the

league in points, points per game, field goals per game, 3-point percentage, free throws

per game, defensive rebounds per game, rebounding margin, assists per game,

steals per game, opponents field goal percentage and opponents 3-point

percentage. The Bisons set a singleseason DI program record for

ASUN winning percentage at .875, were on an 11-

about the possibility of an at-large bid. On March 17—

bid to the NCAA tournament but did accept a bid to the National Invitation Tournament. The Bisons set out to

prepare for postseason play and set their sights firmly on getting to the finals in New York City in April.

The No. 5-seeded Bisons found the state of North

Carolina to be their NIT good luck charm as they

headed east to take on three consecutive opponents

from the Tar Heel state. After a wild game, the Bisons defeated Davidson 89-81, notching the program’s first NCAA-era postseason win.

Four days later, Lipscomb took on top-seeded

University of North Carolina-Greensboro turning a one-

Continued on page 35

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The nation watched as the Bisons made a historic stampede to NIT finals This season Lipscomb basketball has been the topic of national chatter and has put its stake in the ground as a nationally recognized and highly competitive midmajor basketball program. The nation was watching as the Bisons proudly represented our school in the NIT. Through the Bisons’ postseason, March 10-April 7, Lipscomb’s men’s basketball team was featured in local and national television media nearly 1,000 times with a total viewership of more than 95 million viewers. More than 1,350 print and online articles appeared with a reach of 1.5 billion views. Engagement with Lipscomb University’s official social media channels skyrocketed during this time period, and in the Nashville area a series of billboards, radio and television ads as well as yard signs and banners helped to capitalize on this moment when the sports world was watching. On championship game day, Lipscomb received numerous messages of support from Nashville Mayor David Briley, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, the Nashville Predators, the Tennessee Titans, former student Thomas Rhett and many more. Perhaps most importantly, the Bisons also made an impression on those who did not know anything about the university prior to the team’s appearance in the NIT tournament. This message (at right) was sent to Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry the morning after the Bisons lost to Texas in the championship game. The author, John Collins, and his wife, Jo, live in Madison, Alabama. He sent this email on April 5 as a daily devotional that he shared with his friends and colleagues. It is an example of the lasting impact the Lipscomb University men’s basketball team had across the country this season. 34

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I’m a Bison fan now... From: John Collins Date: April 5, 2019 at 6:49:43 AM CDT Subject: Fwd: Daily Devotional for April 5, 2019 Today’s lesson is especially pertinent because it reminded me of something very cool I saw last night. Here’s what I mean...

Okay, I admit it....college basketball at tournament time is my favorite. So much so, that I even watch the NIT

with fascination. This year has been no exception....The Tide, Xavier (with the kid Hankins from Ferris State), NC State, and Wichita State (you all know how much I like their mascot Wushock)...you name it, I’ve watched it.

But as the tournament has unfolded, the real story has been Lipscomb University. A small Christian school out of

Nashville, they’ve played great basketball at different levels throughout the years. But this year was especially good..

earning them a berth in the tourney....where they proceeded to beat Davidson, UNCG, NC State and Wichita State to get to the finals.

That brings us to last night. A true Cinderella Story...the little school from Nashville taking on Texas (yes, that

Texas) at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the championship. Bright lights...big city...the opportunity

of a lifetime...the stuff they make movies about. Unfortunately, this movie didn’t end well...unless you watched till the

very end. Texas was simply bigger, stronger and faster...all that and the fact they shot the lights out from 3 point land... leading to an 18 point defeat.

But that’s where this story gets really good. As you might imagine, the cameras focused on their seniors who tearfully

hugged each other...and the fans who gave the players standing ovations as they walked off the court for the last time.

As the game ended the Texas coach was interviewed, then the cameras panned to mid-court where the team had formed a prayer circle around the MSG logo at mid-court. Yes, I know that lots of teams pray after games....but this time the camera stayed on the circled team as one of their players delivered a passionate word of prayer.

So where am I going here? Easy game. It was no coincidence whatsoever that an unknown school was in the NIT

finals. It was no coincidence that this team openly was sharing their faith in what many see as the most decadent city in the U.S., and it was certainly no coincidence that the man holding the camera stayed with them long enough to make sure the world watching knew what was going on.

Yes, the players will always wish they had played better. But finishing up strong...are you kidding me. Talk about

kids using the platform to build the Kingdom...double amen to that. Needless to say, I’m a Bison fan now...

BISON ATHLETICS

point deficit late in the first half into a convincing

Every basketball player grows up dreaming

86-69 beat down.

of winning a big game in Madison Square

road in arguably one of the toughest—and loudest

basketball team did just that.

Next up for Lipscomb was NC State on the

—gyms in the country to play in. The Bisons came

Garden, and on that night the Lipscomb men’s The Bisons mounted a late second-half

away with a 94-93 win in a thrilling, back-and-forth

comeback in the NIT semifinals to take down

Mathews hit big shot after big shot all night for the

34 points. After a 14-0 run to close out the

heavyweight battle for a spot in the NIT semifinals. Bisons, pouring in a program DI record 44 points, but it was junior point guard Kenny Cooper who came through with the two biggest shots of the

night, scoring the final five points including the

game-winning floater with 1.7 seconds remaining. With the win, Lipscomb earned a trip to

Madison Square Garden to take on No. 6-seed Wichita State.

“It was an awesome win for our program,”

said Alexander. “I’m completely proud of guys

that hung in there, guys that got us off to great

Wichita State 71-64 off the back of Mathews’ win, Lipscomb earned a spot in the NIT

Championship game, a first in ASUN history. The win also gave the Bisons more road wins, 14, than any other team in the nation this season.

“It is difficult for me to express how thankful

I am to be able to be in this position,” Mathews

said. “To have won a game here and to be in the

championship with my team is something I will

never forget. It is awesome to be able to do it with my best friends.”

Lipscomb extended its season to the very

starts and guys that finished it up for us. That last

last possible day as they advanced to the NIT

to play through, and coming from behind—these

University of Texas team. The Bisons fell 81-66,

four or five minutes with the noise, what we had guys made plays.

“We’re a good team. We’ve won big road

games already. We have a lot of experience and

finals on April 4 in the Garden against a tough ending a memorable tournament run and a historic season (29-8).

Senior Rob Marberry carried the Bisons’

every time they came over to the huddle they

offense early on, notching the team’s first six

a coach can say or do about that; that’s these guys

in his final game for Lipscomb. Although

thought they were going to win. There’s not much believing in what they’re doing and performing

when their number is called and getting the result that we wanted. I’m really proud.”

Three days later, the Bisons were on a plane

points. He finished with a team-high 17 points the Bisons fell short of winning the national championship, losing the game was not the saddest aspect for the Bisons.

“My real message to (the team) was the

headed to the Big Apple to play in one of the

absolute only thing to be sad about is that it’s

city that never sleeps the Bison faithful turned out

game. We thought we could win the game. We’re

most famous venues in the country. And in the

en masse to cheer on the Bisons. A contingent of fans gathered for a pre-game pep rally, sponsored by Lipscomb’s Alumni Relations Office, and

hundreds of alumni from New York City and

across the country along with Lipscomb faculty, staff, students, former Bison players and friends packed the house to celebrate this milestone in

over. That’s it. We had an expectation to win the disappointed we didn’t win the game. We’re

disappointed we didn’t play better but the only

thing to be sad about is this team doesn’t have any more days together, and you know, but we have to finish it up—because we maxed out pretty well,” said Alexander.

Seniors Marberry, Mathews, Nate Moran,

Lipscomb basketball history.

Matt Rose and Eli Pepper played their final

met for the first time on the hardwood in the

stint with the Bisons. The senior class finishes

The Bisons and No. 6 seed Wichita State

NIT semifinals on April 2 in a nationally televised game on ESPN. It also aired nationally on Westwood One radio.

games in the Purple and Gold after a memorable with the most wins for a career and in a single season in the program’s Division I era.

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BRACKET BUSTERS Determination, togetherness guide Lipscomb soccer teams to new heights in NCAA tournaments By Russell Vannozzi Student Writer, Lipscomb Athletics

2018 was a year to remember for the Lipscomb soccer programs. Both the men’s and women’s teams won ASUN regular season titles and ASUN tournament titles before pulling upsets in the NCAA tournament. The women topped Mississippi State in thrilling fashion before falling to No. 9 Duke, while the men took down No. 25 Washington and No. 9 Central Florida before dropping a heartbreaking Sweet Sixteen contest at No. 3 Kentucky. Each of the previously mentioned schools had more established soccer tradition,

bigger facilities, larger fan followings and higher-ranked recruits than Lipscomb. So, how were the Bisons able to slay Goliaths? Through a unique combination of determination and togetherness that took years of trial and error to build. “We have something that money cannot buy,” Lipscomb men’s soccer Coach Charles Morrow said. “We’re at a school where the [players] are able to be around each other so much. They see each other throughout the day. They eat together. That lends itself to creating this culture that’s a lot closer than at other places.” For Coach Kevin O’Brien and the women’s team, it was about not getting caught up in the wins and losses. The Lady Bisons dropped three consecutive ASUN

tournament title matches from 2015 to 2017. The 2017 defeat—a 3-2 home loss to Florida

Gulf Coast University in double overtime— was particularly crushing. O’Brien was adamant that the repeat championship losses didn’t have to define the team’s future. They could work harder, grow closer together and finally get over the hump. His words paid off in the long run. “When they showed up in January (2018), they were motivated,” he said. “They wanted to make the NCAA tournament and said they were going to work hard to achieve that. And that’s what they did.” The Lady Bisons cleaned house at the ASUN awards banquet. Olivia Doak was Lipscomb’s top scoring threat with nine goals and nine assists, and she was named

BISON ATHLETICS

the ASUN Player of the Year. Logan McFadden nabbed Defender of the Year Honors, while senior Kate Mason was named Keeper of the Year after making 105 saves and producing nine clean sheets. On the men’s side, Morrow and his players built their team culture around three pillars: brotherhood, passion and excellence. Those guiding principles helped the Bisons come together in a way they had not in previous seasons. “It’s something that the guys have owned and it’s meaningful for them,” Morrow said. “It sort of a code that they live by. Having that identity has really helped on a daily basis.” Morrow said that Lipscomb’s community atmosphere has rubbed off on his team in a good way, and he believes that’s something that gives all the Bison teams an edge. That comraderie helped the men’s squad weather a 1-7 start to the 2018 season. Many teams might have considered that a rebuilding year, but the Bisons didn’t let the rough patch trickle into conference play. Five of their first seven losses were by just one goal, and three were decided in overtime. Six freshmen played significant minutes as Morrow tried to compensate for the loss of 10 seniors from a 2017 Lipscomb team that reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. “One-goal losses can really destroy morale,” Morrow said. “I thought it was really important that we try to keep morale high and keep things fun while we were learning through that [losing streak].” The Bisons eventually won ten of their final 13 games before their magic ran out in the Sweet Sixteen at Lexington, Kentucky. Senior captain Logan Paynter, a former walk-on, led the way with 10 goals and three assists for the year. He was named ASUN Player of the Year and finished his career as the program’s all-time leading scorer. Goalkeeper Chris Zappia was also instrumental in Lipscomb’s NCAA tournament run. He made 23 saves over the three tournament matches and allowed just 1.13 goals per game all season. Both coaches said their 2018 successes have already helped, and will continue to help, their recruiting efforts. The influx of new talent is necessary for each team to continue their ascent in the college soccer ranks.

“You have the opportunity to integrate faith and sport at Lipscomb in a way that you can’t almost anywhere else in the country,” O’Brien said. “That’s part of what makes it special. That’s why we’re getting kids who want to be in this environment.” Both Lipscomb soccer teams overcame difficult moments and losses. Both teams won ASUN tournament titles and NCAA tournament games. And both served as the other’s biggest cheerleader through it all. “We were piggy-backing off each other’s success in a really neat way,” O’Brien said. “A bunch of the girls are buddies with the guys and vice versa. We love being able to support each other and lift each other up.”

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THE SHAPE OF THE FUTURE IS NOW “Research informs teaching, and if you want to provide cutting-edge teaching, you have to be involved in research.” -W. Craig Bledsoe, Lipscomb Provost

Every day on the Lipscomb University campus, just what you would expect goes on in classrooms on campus: students studying, listening, taking tests and discussing issues. But then there are the things you wouldn’t expect going on in our classrooms as well: students fighting terrorism, developing new drugs for cancer, figuring out how to make our cell phones even smaller, understanding DNA, fighting bullying, defending against cyberattacks.

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And they aren’t just learning how to do these things in their future careers. They are doing these things now, every day, as Lipscomb faculty carry out scientific research in practically every discipline and invite students into the process. In the past 10 years, a continuously growing, enhanced focus on research at Lipscomb has paid off in big dividends, including an R3 Carnegie designation, a U.S. News and World Report categorization as a national university, growing numbers of grants from state organizations, private foundations and corporations and $5.4 million and counting in federally funded research, community engagement, human service and educational access grants. But that’s just how the research going on at Lipscomb benefits the university. Hundreds of projects carried out each semester will help us drive on safer roads and combat the national opioid epidemic. They help improve test scores in Tennessee school districts and enhance the bottom line of Nashville businesses. They help fight the war on terror and the fight against cancer. The foundation Lipscomb built, starting more than a decade ago, is standing firm as the university builds a stronger reputation in the national scientific community, stronger academic credentials within colleges, a stronger faculty with impressive research backgrounds and stronger financial resources to continue making a difference for our world in the future.

LIPSCOMBLEADS Lipscomb University has long been known as a university that gets its pre-med students into medical school, and McFarland’s halls have long included faculty with nationally known research resumes, such as J. Ridley Stroop. But Lipscomb’s latest focus on incorporating more research into its academics can be traced to a few key decisions over a decade ago that eventually led to the campuswide research fervor on campus today.

Lipscomb lifer searches for ‘more of the story’ in her own campus lab Rachel Crouch (’08, Pharm.D. ’12) always wants to know more of the story. “Research gives me the opportunity to analyze questions I have and try to figure out the rest of the story,” said Crouch, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Lipscomb since November 2017. This fall, Lipscomb’s newest pharmacy researcher set up her own lab in Lipscomb’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center to turn her curiosity toward an enzyme called aldehyde oxidase. She wants to understand more about this enzyme’s role in metabolizing certain drugs, as this information could improve success rates in the discovery and development of new drugs. How the body processes a drug has a big influence on how effective the drug can be at treating illness, she said. “Some of the drugs I am working with made it all the way into clinical trials, and at that stage they realized that the drugs were being metabolized in the body so fast that they would not have time to take effect. As a result, the drugs failed out of clinical trials,” she said. “By that time, a lot of money and time had gone into developing these drugs. So that’s an example of why pharmacokinetics (including drug metabolism, her area of study) is so important.” Crouch’s inquisitive nature was crafted almost entirely by Lipscomb teachers, professors and

mentors. She attended Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University, where her first interest in research was piqued by participating in a research project by chemistry Chair and Professor Kent Clinger. Then she entered Lipscomb’s Pharm.D. program and nurtured her desire to answer questions by becoming one of the first students in Lipscomb’s College of Pharmacy Summer Research Program and became the first to take advantage of the Pharm.D.-to-Ph.D. Pathway Program to transition to Vanderbilt University to earn a Ph.D. As part of the summer program, she worked in a Lipscomb lab one summer and in a Vanderbilt lab the next summer, and was able to cut about a year off her Ph.D. study time at Vanderbilt. Her research of pharmacokinetics began in her fourth year of pharmacy school when she rotated in a drug metabolism lab at Vanderbilt. Crouch has been published in academic journals, presented her research at a conference in Germany and was invited to a Gordon Research Conference on Drug Metabolism in New Hampshire. Four additional Lipscomb students have participated in the pathway program, with one to begin Vanderbilt later this year and another who opted to obtain her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina.

2007

2008

2009

2010

The Langford-Yates Endowment for the Advancement of Science was established. Up to four undergraduates per year conduct research such as using CRISPR to edit genes.

The College of Pharmacy, Lipscomb’s first doctoral program, inducts its first class and establishes a pathway for students to delve into research.

The first six students were selected for the Pharmaceutical Sciences Summer Research Program, a 10-week research internship to work on researching new and existing drug therapies.

The Doctor of Education program began. The college partners with more than 60 organizations in Middle Tennessee to carry out up to 30 dissertation projects at one time.

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LIPSCOMBLEADS

Bringing real world experience to business research Lindsay Dillingham (’05) has lived what she studies and teaches firsthand. Before entering academia, she was on the front lines of the financial markets at Merrill Lynch during the 2008 downturn. “We had people paying the firm six figures to advise them on their stock portfolios, and then they would call up and say, ‘I talked to my neighbor down the street; I can’t take the stress; I want to sell everything!’” she said. “This was such a terrible investment strategy! But I found their reactions fascinating. People don’t realize how emotional investing can be.” So when she made the move to graduate school she wanted to study investment behavior and began studying the effectiveness of inoculation theory on the behavior of consumers. In short: if you tell an investor (or any consumer) about the bad points as well as the good points, can you somewhat immunize them to the negatives (such as a falling stock market) and change their behavior for the positive (such as riding out the storm and keeping the investments). Now she has published her findings that a two-sided message can be an effective way to keep investors invested in the Journal of Applied Communication Research and has applied inoculation theory to other industries such as tourism and health care. She has published other studies in the Annals of Tourism Research and the Corporate Reputation Review, making her one of the active researchers among a highly motivated faculty within the College of Business. The 25-person business faculty have all stepped up their research game since 2014, when they all agreed to pursue a higher accreditation standard from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Lindsay Dillingham, assistant professor of marketing, brings her career experience at Merrill Lynch to bear on her research studies, which often involve students in her marketing classes.

To achieve that standard, in practice, 40 percent of faculty must have two to three scholarly articles published in a peer-reviewed academic journal over a five-year time period. All other faculty must also have intellectual contributions in a variety of ways. The college has made strides toward the goal, with all faculty increasing their scholarly writing and presentations, some winning awards, one editing an academic journal and many publishing case studies. Student research has been emphasized through traditional methods and through the requirement that students create their own start-up business, said Dean Ray Eldridge. “Because we are a practitioner’s business school, where most of our graduates go to work, not immediately to graduate school, much of our research is application-based, very practitioner-oriented,” said Eldridge. “So while a lot of people think of research as being new knowledge, we specialize in applied research that often works to advance the art of teaching or to apply theory or best practices to business operations.”

2012

2011 The Doctor of Ministry began. Student research has created a peer-learning environment between faculty and students and a mutual reception to learning.

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Lipscomb established the School of Computing & Informatics (which was later became a college). Since that time, the college faculty has published more than 50 research articles.

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences established the first Student Scholars Symposium. Participation has grown from 48 to 311 students in 2018.

2013 The 15,000-square-foot Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, opened. The new facility provided 15,000 square feet of space and resources for College of Pharmacy faculty.

LIPSCOMBLEADS

Engineering professors work to make state’s roads safer Tennesseans may all be driving a little safer in the future thanks to two projects the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering is conducting for the Tennessee Department of Transportation this year. Two engineering professors were awarded a total of $380,000 to carry out two projects designed to enhance the state’s highways: determining the efficiency and environmental impact of the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Interstates 24 and 65 and figuring out the best test to use to create a balanced asphalt mix for roadways. These grants are two of the three pure research grants awarded in 2018 to the engineering college, which is not only growing in enrollment, but in aspiration as well, said engineering Dean David Elrod. “As the college was establishing itself, we had a group of pioneering faculty who came to Lipscomb to build a great engineering program, but research was not really their interest,” noted Elrod. “Today, we have a new era of young faculty who have come wanting to continue their research activity that they had done in graduate school.” The engineering faculty who conduct research strive to involve undergraduate students in their projects as student involvement not only attracts high-quality faculty but also potential engineering students, Elrod said.

“We are taking these projects on because it keeps us engaged with our professional colleagues, because our communities need insight into these problems and because they establish the credibility of the faculty here. It makes us more effective teachers in the classroom because we are modeling to our students the very things we do in our professional work lives,” said Mark McDonald, professor of practice in civil engineering.

Todd Lynn (right), associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, works with a student in a class involving concrete mixtures. Lynn recently won a state grant to study the properties of asphalt concrete mixes used on state roads.

And so, McDonald and Todd Lynn, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, are working with engineering students and other faculty from Lipscomb to analytically model the highway system and survey public attitudes about HOV lanes and current regulation and enforcement. The modeling will contribute to the understanding of how carpool demand will shift as a result of enhanced enforcement. In a second project, they will be assessing various tests for asphalt concrete mixes. With too little binder, asphalt tends to have fatigue cracking problems, but asphalt concrete mixes with too much binder tend to be too susceptible to permanent deformation, said Lynn.

2014 The College of Business faculty agree “to go for it” and pursue accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a significant step up in regards to research.

“In this project we will be running tests on standard TDOT mixes that have been used in the field for a long time. We want to examine their standard mixes of various types so that we can understand the relationship between test results and long term performance,” said Lynn.

2015 Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Klarissa Jackson receives Lipscomb’s largest research grant in history, a $660,000 NIH grant to research a more effective treatment option for breast cancer patients.

Thanks in large part to the student research done by education and Bible doctoral students, Lipscomb was declared a doctoral research university by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.

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Student Arsany Abouda and Assistant Professor Klarissa Jackson work to study the effects of the anti-cancer drug lapatinib.

Molding the scientists of the future In the sciences, a faculty mentorship can mean the difference between a stalled or a successful career. Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Klarissa Jackson understands that well, as she thrived under her own faculty mentor Sidney Nelson at the University of Washington. Upon his death in 2011, she became devoted to continuing his study of the effects of the anti-cancer drug lapatinib on the liver in his memory. So in October 2014, when she received Lipscomb’s largest federallyfunded research grant to date to study factors that may contribute to the drug’s adverse effects on patients, she wanted to pass on the valuable aspects of a mentoring relationship to her own Lipscomb students.

“Mentors guide you in your path for career development,” Jackson said. “In the laboratory setting, the faculty mentor gives you a research project and guides you in that project, one-on-one, with consistent contact week-to-week or even day-to-day to facilitate your growth and development. The mentor should model the scientific process for you and show you the type of scientist you can be in the future.” Arsany Abouda, a molecular biology junior originally from Egypt, began working with Jackson in Lipscomb’s Summer Pharmacy Research program after his freshman year. This was an excellent opportunity for Abouda, as many of the students in the Summer Research Program are at the graduate level.

“Even though research was a challenge for The $660,000 grant from the National me, she was supportive and encouraging Institutes of Health provides her with in her one-on-one mentoring of all lab dedicated time to devote to the research, techniques. I love how she explains to me to train student research assistants the reasons behind doing each lab, before and to travel to scientific conferences, we go to the laboratory and get our resulting in valuable knowledge and hands wet,” said Abouda. connections that she has passed on to Lipscomb students. She has involved 12 “Our mentoring relationship isn’t just students throughout the research project. about getting the research work done.

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She cares about me understanding the material and applying it to my intended career more than just doing the laboratory work itself,” he said. “I remember many times where Dr. Jackson took hours of her time explaining to me difficult material about our research that I had no clue about. “She changed the way I look at myself because of how much she encouraged and supported me throughout my research work. She has made me keep pushing myself further and taught me not to compare how smart I am with any other student, but rather how competitive I can be with all college students in the U.S.” Since joining Jackson’s lab in 2017, Abouda has been awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and he received a travel award to present his research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is also a coauthor on a journal article publication as a result of his work along with other students in the lab.

LIPSCOMBLEADS

Faculty bring scholarship to the page A recent survey of the faculty found that at least 28 faculty members have authored 58 books while teaching at Lipscomb. Types of works university-wide range from historical fiction to biography, from textbooks and lab manuals to academic treatises.

Books published by faculty members in other departments include:

Among the most prolific of Lipscomb’s academic departments in terms of books published is history, politics and philosophy:

• Myths America Lives By: White Supremacy and the Stories that Give Us Meaning, by Richard Hughes, scholar-in-residence in the College of Bible.

• Caleb Clanton, a designated university research professor and winner of the 2013 Lester McAllister Prize for best published resource on StoneCampbell history, has published three works including his most recent book, “Restoration & Philosophy: New Philosophical Engagements with the StoneCampbell Tradition.” • Tim Johnson, a designated university research professor and recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on the Mexican-American War, has already authored seven books about the Mexican-American and Civil Wars in America and recently published an eighth book, For Duty and Honor: Tennessee’s Mexican-American War Experience. • In 2017, Susan Haynes, assistant professor of political science, drew on research she had been conducting since 2009 to publish Chinese Nuclear Proliferation: How Global Politics Is Transforming China’s Weapons Buildup and Modernization.

2016

• Going the Distance: The Life and Works of W.P. Kinsella, by Willie Steele, professor of English.

• InterGenerate: Transforming Churches through Intergenerational Ministry, by Holly Allen, professor in the Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Science. • The Original Millennial: Lessons in Leadership for the Millennial Generation, by Aerial Ellis, instructor in the Department of Communication and Journalism. • Bohemian Gospel, The Devil’s Bible, Book of the Just by Dana Chamblee Carpenter, associate professor of English. • Hannah Visits Nana in the Nursing Home by Chelsia Harris, associate professor of nursing and associate executive director of nursing for degree development. • The Mermaid Who Wanted to Fly by Tom Bancroft, artist-in-residence and founder of the animation program.

2018

Six new labs in the McFarland Science Center opened to provide updated learning environments for students and opened space for faculty and students to pursue research.

The Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering, was awarded its first pure research grant from an external agency, a $200,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Stephanie WeedenWright, professor of practice in electrical and computer engineering, was awarded Lipscomb’s second federallyfunded research grant.

Today the foundation built to promote research by faculty is paying off with more grant money flowing into the university than ever before. Between 2014 and 2019, Lipscomb obtained $5.4 million in federally funded grants for not just research, but also for community engagement, human services and educational access grants. “Our faculty want to be at a research university. Faculty have been taught to be researchers and they want to do that and share that experience with their students. Our development department is overwhelmed with faculty wanting to apply for research dollars,” said W. Craig Bledsoe, provost. “Research informs teaching, and if you want to provide cutting-edge teaching, you have to be involved in research.”

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434

106 FACU LTY HAVE HAD

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438

ARTICLES P U BLISHE D I N PEER-RE VIE WED JOU R NALS* UNDER GRAD UAT E STU D ENTS PA RTICIPAT ING IN THE STUDEN T SCHOLAR S SY MP OSIU M INCREASED F R OM :

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$432,634

of institutional funds were devoted to research activities in 2017-18 fiscal year

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*Since the 2014-15 academic year **During their tenure at Lipscomb All stats are based on the survey of 87 percent of the 285 full-time faculty and deans.

LIPSCOMBLEADS

Computer research works to solve society’s ‘bugs’ When the average person thinks of an “IT guy” (or girl), he or she probably associates them with rebooting desktops, maintaining a network or setting up a new app. But actually the next generation of IT professionals at Lipscomb is preparing to become far more integrally involved in every crucial system in our society by using their computing skills to address some of society’s weightiest problems: public safety, fighting terrorism, mapping genes related to cancer, predicting pandemics or bolstering cybersecurity, among other things. Thais Minet (’18), the College of Computing & Technology’s Outstanding Senior of the Year, was already using computers to help scientists and physicians understand the genetic mechanisms underlying human disease even before he graduated in December. Minet, from Sammamish, Washington, worked as a research assistant for Quingguo Wang, associate professor of computational sciences, working to develop ways that RNA sequencing samples from different sources can be compared accurately, which would allow scientists to merge data from separate RNA databases. Minet gained experience presenting the results at the Lipscomb Student Scholars Symposium, winning a Best Poster honor. He also co-authored a paper with Wang on the topic, which has been published at Nature.com, experiences that have prepared him to target the top graduate schools in the nation. “The research experiences I have had with Dr. Wang have been fantastic learning experiences which directly contributed to a 2018 summer software engineer internship at Amazon and allowed me to pursue the

graduate programs I am most interested in,” said Minet. He is just one example of a computing student who has benefitted from faculty’s involvement in research projects. Twenty-three undergraduate and 15 graduate computing students made presentations at Lipscomb’s 2018 scholars symposium, and all graduate students are required to carry out a practicum, overseen by some of the college’s most prolific research scholars, like Alan Cantrell, who has carried out his own research to determine if a particular computer game engine could be used to demonstrate how people evacuate a crisis situation like a fire. “When considering a research project, the first thing we ask ourselves is, ‘Is there a social responsibility component?’” said college Dean Fortune Mhlanga. “We are not doing research for the sake of research, but to supplement and complement our mission. Consistent with our overall vision and mission, our research mission is to develop and deploy impactful and sociallyresponsible scientific knowledge and practical technologies that empower society to improve the quality of life.” Such research projects infuse Lipscomb’s computing classrooms with exercises to boost critical thinking, prepare students for the future of computing and help them see the value of all their areas of study: math, biology, physics and psychology, among others. “Students are working to create realworld solutions, which often means developing new computer applications using advanced math and science to build computerized solutions that are socially responsible,” he said.

Quingguo Wang, associate professor of computational sciences, and recent student Thais Minet, worked together on Wang’s latest research on RNA sequencing samples.

Lipscomb has received* research grants from numerous agencies including these: • Vanderbilt University Medical Center • National Institutes of Health • Tennessee Department of Health • Nashville Public Education Foundation • Vanderbilt University • Tennessee Department of Transportation • National Science Foundation • Community Pharmacy Foundation These successes in research grants have led to almost $4.7 million in federally funded community engagement, human service and educational access grants* from these agencies: • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services • National Endowment for the Humanities • U.S. Department of Education • National Science Foundation *Since the 2014-15 school year lipscombnow.com

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INVESTING 101 Lipscomb alumni pay back ‘Dr. G’ during his bout with cancer in 2018 On March 3, 2018, Chair of Biology Kent Gallaher discovered he suffered from renal carcinoma: kidney cancer.

the hospital to pray and keep watch with his family during the surgery, coordinating a prayer vigil in front of McFarland to take place during the surgery, gathering to cook him dinner on his first night home from the hospital and providing apparel, inspirational books and gift cards, among other gift

On Tuesday March 6, 2018, former Dean of Student Life Scott McDowell lead a prayer for Gallaher in Lipscomb’s weekly chapel service. Over the course of the next 12 hours, “Dr. G,” as he is lovingly called by Lipscomb students, received almost 300 contacts on social media from friends, family, church family and former and current students… many, many students.

The outpouring of alumni and student encouragement was “overwhelming,” Gallaher said, but it was also decades in the making. Gallaher has taught at Lipscomb for 18 years and has spent a portion of every day “investing” in the community of students at Lipscomb.

He received hand-written letters from alumni all over the nation and world. One alumnus, a surgeon, flew from New Jersey just to sit with his family during Gallaher’s surgery, which occurred less than a week after his diagnosis. Another alumna, now a nurse, rallied her fellow alums to collect inspirational Bible verses which were sewn into a “cancer blanket,” with the motivational message, “Losing is not in my DNA.” Current students also showered encouragement on Gallaher, gathering at

And years before that, Gallaher learned the value of such investment when he experienced the benefits himself as an “emotionally guarded and spiritually broken” transfer student at Lipscomb in the 1980s. One month to the day after his cancer diagnosis, Gallaher was at the podium at Lipscomb’s weekly chapel service, bringing the message to students that “you can’t wait until you need it to invest in your community.” Read on to see Dr. G’s story in his own words taken from that April 2018 chapel speech and an annual talk he gives for prospective students and their families.

EXCERPTS FROM THE ANNUAL PRESIDENTIAL WEEKEND SPEECH There’s a lot of “stuff ” that can get in the way of your healthy social/emotional/spiritual development. I came to Lipscomb in the 1980’s. I was a 24-year-old transfer student, who had previously been dismissed from another Christian college when I was 20. So for several years I had lived a difficult life. When I arrived at Lipscomb I was hardened, emotionally guarded and spiritually broken. But I met people at Lipscomb whom God used to change my life. Professors who gently began the process of softening me and who invested their lives in my recovery. Men and women who showed me how to live as a mature Christian should. They became my mentors. Several of them have now passed away, but I can tell you that their fingerprints are on my life. Their influence can be seen in my marriage, how I parented my children and in my choice of career. Those godly people will be part of my life for the rest of my life. It’s a beautiful thing really. At Lipscomb you are surrounded by men and women who have made the conscious decision to minister

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in higher education. We have chosen to be at this place, at this time, because we know that someone like you might need to know someone like us. You see at Lipscomb, it’s really all about relationships. Mentoring manifests itself in some of the most personal and memorable moments in life. I could tell you about all of the students that I’ve lead to Christ over a 22-year career. Or about a couple named Brandon and Savannah whose wedding I officiated in May. Or of the international students that my wife and I have fostered from places like Brazil, Madagascar, Scotland, Rwanda and the Czech Republic. Or of the students I’ve mentored in research and with whom I have travelled the world. Or of the social club for which I serve as faculty sponsor. The bottom line is this: I have discovered that authentic mentoring relationships are time consuming, sometimes uncomfortable and often involve personal sacrifices, but the payoff is beyond compare! You see, when that day comes—when my career is over and I reflect on whether I did anything significant with my life—that’s when they will come to me. I will see their faces in my mind’s eye. All those former students that I’ve mentored, not just in science, but in life. They will be my evidence of a life well lived in service to my God.

EXCERPTS FROM THE APRIL 2018 CHAPEL SPEECH I have thought a lot about what it means to belong to a community. What I have learned through this last month, is that God shows up through the kindness

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of his people. There are lots of passages in Scripture that I grew up with, that you probably grew up with, that are so familiar: I Thessalonians 5:11, “Encourage one another, and build one another up;” Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ;” and I Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift. Employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” If God has put something in you, then you use it as a manifestation of God’s grace in the life of someone else. The Tuesday after I received my diagnosis, my good friend Scott McDowell came in here and led this group in prayer for me. Then campus life put out that they were going to have a prayer meeting for me on the Thursday morning of my surgery. When the news that I had cancer hit social media, I can tell you that over a 12-hour period that day I was contacted by almost 300 people. Some were my church family, some were my personal family, but the vast majority were students. Some of you in this room. I’ve literally taught thousands of kids. I have hundreds of former students who are doctors, dentists and pharmacists. The encouragement that I began to receive was overwhelming. I know what it feels like to belong to a community. And then the letters. The personal letters from places all over the country, from New Jersey, Ohio, Minnesota, Oregon, California, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, and around the world from Japan, China, the UK, Spain and Madagascar. All of them saying the same thing: You made a difference in my life. And if you need anything. If you need me to fly from New Jersey and sit with your

family? I’m on a plane. That was one of my former students who is now a head and neck surgeon in New Jersey. You need me to come from Lubbock, Texas, and take care of your family? I’ll be there tomorrow. God shows up through the kindness of his people. That’s what I’ve been living the past month. So what’s the lesson? You can’t wait until you need it to invest into community. Being part of a community, belonging to a community is a conscious decision. It is a choice. Let me encourage you today to start investing in your community. Every morning I come to the university at 6:30 a.m.; I make coffee for the department; I read a psalm. I reach up on my computer monitor and take off a prayer list; I have 41 names. And I finish that prayer every day the same way: “God show me the student that needs you the most today. Give me the courage to approach that student. Give me the wisdom to minister to that student. Help me to love them sacrificially.” I try to invest in my community every day, and any love I have shown you, or all those other hundreds of people who were my students who are working now, it came back to me this last month a thousand-fold. Let me just encourage you to actively look for ways to be a blessing to somebody’s life today. Shake the numbness off and actively look for ways to be a blessing every day. And then when it is your turn (and this was so hard for me), set the pride aside and receive the blessing when it’s your turn. The most beautiful thing in the world folks is to love and be loved. Let’s do that!

Hear Kent Gallaher’s complete April 2018 chapel speech, online at http://bit.ly/DrGGathering.

Education alumnus Gerron Hurt earned two masters in 2018 One at Lipscomb, and one on MasterChef Lipscomb University student and Lumination reporter Sara Jones contributed to this report.

For Gerron Hurt, a 25-year old teacher at Nashville’s LEAD Academy High School, 2018 was a year of celebration. First he enjoyed a graduation celebration when he earned his Master of Education from Lipscomb in May. Then in September he enjoyed a nationally televised celebration when he won the Fox reality show cooking competition MasterChef. Hurt, an English teacher at LEAD for more than three years, won a $250,000 prize and is working to use some of his

Photo submitted by FOX.

winnings to begin a culinary program for students at LEAD, a Nashville public charter school designated for low income students.

to be extremely organized to earn a master’s and be on a reality show and go right back to teaching at LEAD, so his organizational skills are really good.”

Not only did Hurt earn his master’s from Lipscomb and an ELL (English Language Learning) certificate this past May, but he did it while filming the Season 9 episodes of MasterChef, which took him away from campus for several weeks to film the show in Los Angeles.

No doubt. On the episodes leading up to the finals, Hurt was required to make three chocolate desserts at one time as well as prepare a three-course meal of risotto, salmon and sticky toffee pudding, all in one time period.

“I gave him the syllabus and all the assignments ahead of time, and he had the textbook,” said Jeanne Fain, a professor of education at Lipscomb who came to know Hurt well. “You have

Throughout the show, Hurt, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, drew on his roots to create innovative versions of Southern staples. For the finale menu, Hurt did a spin on Nashville hot chicken to create a “Nashville hot quail”

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Photo submitted by FOX.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Athletics

appetizer, a version of shrimp and grits with prawns for the entrée and an amaretto chess pie for dessert. Hurt began cooking around the age of 5, he said. “Growing up, I was always interested in what my Mom was cooking because I loved to eat,” said Hurt. “My mom would say, ‘Come into this kitchen because I don’t want you to be waiting on a woman to cook your meal!’” As he grew older, Hurt loved to watch cooking shows on the Food Network and shows featuring the MasterChef host Gordon Ramsay, international chef and restauranteur. In 2013, Hurt’s mother passed away, an event that impacted him greatly both spiritually and in his culinary journey.

has a partnership with Lipscomb for master’s-level course work.

him, and he focused on the support he received from his friends and family.

Hurt said he appreciates his time at “I am about food that speaks to the soul Lipscomb for the relevant tools he and food that is influenced by family,” received and strong foundation it provided. Hurt said. “Lipscomb’s program really, really prepared me to be able to truly accommodate my In addition to the culinary program at ELL students and differentiate my lesson LEAD, Hurt also plans to travel the plans accordingly,” said Hurt. world learning about food cuisine and to possibly establish a food truck or a Hurt is quite popular at LEAD Academy pop-up restaurant in Nashville. He will High School, he says, because in addition also participate in Camp MasterChef, an to filling his students’ heads with a good immersive summer camp the show holds grasp of language and writing, he also for kids ages 8-16. fills their tummies with good food on a regular basis. “I cook all the time for Hurt said he feels he was fairly represented as who he really is on MasterChef, and Fain agrees.

“I am about food that speaks to the soul and food that is influenced by family.”

“I have always been a religious person, but it wasn’t until my mother’s death that I truly established a one-on-one relationship with God,” Hurt said. “Losing my mom made me challenge what God had in store for my life, but going to church and constantly talking to God allowed me to rekindle my faith and to put all of my trust in Him. Without the Lord, none of my accomplishments would be possible! I owe it all to Him!” He attended Western Kentucky University for his undergraduate degree and then came to Nashville as part of the Nashville Teacher Residency program, which recruits and trains recent college graduates to become math and English teachers in Nashville’s low-income public middle and high schools. The residency program

my students, and they are so grateful for every meal I cook for them. I make a buffalo chicken dish that they beg for every week,” he said. “Throughout the season, Gerron displayed the drive and characteristics we so often ask of one another and, especially, our students,” said LEAD Academy’s CEO Dwayne Tucker. “He was courageous in trying out for the show in the first place. He was committed, disciplined and selfreliant in his approach to the competition and the way in which he talked about his students and his passion for them was the very definition of serving others.” Hurt still recalls the intimidation he felt cooking for chef Ramsay. In order to get past his fears, he reminded himself that Ramsay was a regular person, just like

“He is so amazing! Before he went, I had a chance to pray with him, because he was really nervous. He gave me this big bear hug,” said Fain. “He is so genuine. That is really who he is (on the show). They haven’t edited him or framed him in a different way.”

As an educator, Fain is excited that Hurt has had the opportunity to represent a positive attitude toward learning, she said. “He has demonstrated really well what it is like to take constructive feedback positively and learn from it,” she said. “He is a great example of what a lifelong learner looks like. He has learned from everything and doesn’t let criticism beat him up, but instead really tries hard not to make the same mistake. He’s a really great example for our students.”

To see the original, longer version of this article go to bit.ly/HurtMasterChef.

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Tom Bancroft

m a r g o r p n o i t Anima h t i w y t l u c a f s e r featu s t o o r y e n s i D deep iest Place If Disneyland is the “Happ ™ of families, on Earth” for millions y is surely then Lipscomb Universit th for the happiest place on ear s. tor budding anima mation, Since the earliest days of ani neers in Disney artists have been pio tive ways the field developing innova

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audiences to deliver entertainment to st beloved mo the of e while creating som ing giv is characters. Now, Lipscomb s eer car students who want to pursue ortunity to in animation a unique opp e been on the learn from artists who hav ll as other we front lines at Disney, as production houses.

oft brought Four years ago Tom Bancr ’s George a vision to life for Lipscomb nt & me tain Shinn College of Enter ic dem aca the Arts to offer a unique ts who want program to prepare studen tion. What he to pursue careers in anima ere faculty wh has created is a program former and and guest lecturers include Big Idea current Disney animators,

Illustration credit Tom Bancroft.

John Pomeroy

r Production artists and numerous othe core its at has industry-proven leaders and a faith-based perspective. It is a very specialized program that an approaches animation education with es infusion of fundamental art techniqu such as perspective, figure drawing, film elements and movement. And, the t program has grown quickly from eigh to ago s freshmen when it began four year more than 22 freshmen this past fall. “I am very pleased with where we are today,” says Bancroft. “We have gone I further in a short period of time than that out is d wor The thought possible. y Lipscomb is a place to seriously stud ts artis animation from some of the best in the industry. I think we are the only ey program in the world to have four Disn

characters for animation, video games, comic books and cartooning and are required textbooks at many art schools around the world. Because of the popularity of these books, Bancroft has been hired to , design hundreds of characters for film well as TV, and video game productions n as speak at art schools and animatio in as well as on nati the studios around t crof Ban . Rica Italy, Canada and Costa rds, Awa has been nominated for Annie ed presented by the International Animat rds, Film Association; and Reuben Awa ist toon Car l presented by the Nationa F. Society. He has spoken at the John Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was awarded an entr y into the Chicago Children’s Film

“Lipscomb is very fortunate to have faculty who are ‘academic artists,’ who in are industry proven, actively working the field and have a passion to teaching the next generation of artists,” he said. “Bringing these experts to campus adds tremendous value to a student’s educational experience not only for the also knowledge and insight they gain but they ns ectio conn with the networking and make with these professionals.” has Fellow Disney veteran John Pomeroy ed mbl asse t crof been part of the faculty Ban He . since the beginning of the program can identify with students who have was a animation dreams. From the time he for ator anim an be boy, Pomeroy wanted to Walt Disney when he grew up.

Festival.

artists on faculty!”

“I love what I do with my many day jobs in animation designing For more than 25 years Bancroft has characters for film and TV, and been creating animated shorts, films but I’ve always wanted to give h features in the animation industry. Muc back to the next generation of t of that time was spent working for Wal artists and animators,” he admits. Disney Feature Animation, where he “Working with Lipscomb is ts was animator on four animated shor taking that desire to the next ty and eight feature films including Beau level for me. We are preparing and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, our students to be industryPocahontas, Mulan and Brother Bear. ready and to be able to create entertainment for the world that heart He left Disney in 2000 to follow his will equal what is produced by and help Big Idea Productions, creators the best studios in the country.” of the popular VeggieTales animated h: series, create its first feature film, Jona also he e ther ile A Veggietales Movie. Wh 2D directed and co-created the popular res. animated video series Larryboy Adventu , as He is right at home in the classroom for book he has literally written the text budding animators. n His popular character design instructio ity onal Pers books, Creating Characters with and Character Mentor have become the most recognized books on designing

dio r Dis ney anim atio n stu Joh n Mu ske r, 40- yea of The Litt le Mer ma id r cto dire coand n vet era stu den ts in 201 8. and Mo ana , spe aks to

Industry leading faculty

Bancroft says he believes it is important for students in the animation program to learn from professionals who are also active practitioners like him.

of Lips com b’s Tom Ban cro ft, foun der For mor e than 25 yea rs sho rts, film s and ated anim ting crea n bee anim atio n pro gram , has Ani mat ion. ture Fea ey Disn t rs at Wal feat ures , incl udin g his yea

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Aaron Blaise, Disney animator for 21 years, provided perspective and advice to students on campus and in the classroom in 2018.

In September 1966, a 15-year-old Pomeroy took his first portfolio to Disney Studios. He did not get past the front gate because the studio was not hiring at the time. Pomeroy continued to build his portfolio and refine his technique. In 1972, he resubmitted his portfolio and he was met with a better response, except for one designer named Milt Kahl, one of Disney’s famed “Nine Old Men,” the core

“We are preparing students to be industryready and to create entertainment that will equal that produced by the best studios in the country.” animators at Walt Disney Productions who created some of Disney’s most famous works including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Kahl told Pomeroy that his “perspective was off.”

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“I was broken-hearted. I went back to ArtCenter College and took a perspective class,” Pomeroy recalls. In January 1973, he once again took his portfolio to Disney Studios. This time he was accepted into the training program. His dream officially came true when he began work at the studio on Feb. 7, 1973.

Once in the program, Pomeroy found himself under the tutelage of six of the Nine Old Men, whom he affectionately refers to as “the kingpins of Disney animators,” including Eric Larson, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, with whom he worked particularly closely. Pomeroy’s first screen credit as an animator was Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Too. He went on to work on the character of Penny in The Rescuers. About that time, Pomeroy met Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, also new animators at Disney. The trio worked on Pete’s Dragon, which was their first experience in combining animated and live elements. On Sept. 13, 1979, Pomeroy, Bluth, Goldman and several other Disney animators left the company to form Don Bluth Productions. They produced The Secret of NIMH in 1982 and partnered with Stephen Spielberg on his first animated venture to produce the hit An American Tail and then The Land Before Time. He returned to Disney to become the supervising animator on Pocahontas, where he led a crew to create the character of John Smith. He worked on

Fantasia 2000, Milo Thatch on Atlantis: The Lost Empire,Treasure Planet and The Tigger Movie. After 11 years back at Disney, Pomeroy became a “free agent,” working on projects for various studios and Disney. For the last five years, he has worked for Disney Television Animation as an offsite contractor. His current project is the series Fancy Nancy. This past July, Pomeroy celebrated the release of the book Walt’s Imagination: The Life of Walt Disney, which he illustrated. Lipscomb’s Hutcheson Gallery held an exhibit of the book illustrations and a reception and book signing honoring Pomeroy this past fall. It is a capstone in a career that has more than lived up to that young boy’s dream many years ago. “From the moment I became an animator, there were people coming to me to help them with their drawings, so I’ve been informally teaching for a really long time,” he admits. “There is a very deep need to pass on what has been given to me to the new generation of animation artists.

“I realized that I could dedicate my talent and my art to Him,” he says. “The Lord just began pulling me into more responsive roles using my art ability and talent for Kingdom purposes. Getting to be on faculty at a Christian institution like Lipscomb is such a great opportunity.” Lipscomb’s animation faculty also includes former Disney artist Jim Elston, whose projects include Mulan, Tarzan, The Emperor’s New Groove and Lilo and Stitch. In addition to teaching concept development at Lipscomb, Elston actively works with Christian Broadcast Network, Orange/Rethink Group Inc. and Phil Vischer Enterprises/JellyTelly Entertainment. Tim Hodge, a voice actor, story artist and animator, is also part of the Disney fraternity on the Lipscomb faculty. His projects included Mulan, John Henry, Brother Bear, Pocahontas and Lion King. He is currently at Big Idea Entertainment, where he has worked on numerous VeggieTales productions including Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie and The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything.

Each year, Bancroft brings in a series of artists to hold workshops and to share their experiences with students. Recent guests have included: • Aaron Blaise, Disney animator for 21 years whose credits include Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan and Brother Bear; • John Musker, a 40-year Disney animation studio veteran, who codirected and co-wrote seven features: The Great Mouse Detective, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, Treasure Planet, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana; and • American Dad writer Jordan Blum and Supervising Director Brent Woods, also known for his work on Family Guy and King of the Hill.

Industry ready graduates This May the program celebrates its first graduates who have been part of the program since day one.

“It’s great to be at this phase in the development of the program,” said Bancroft. “Seeing the students’ journey come to fruition and hit this milestone and to know they are prepared to find jobs and are excited about being launched…seeing the growth in our students is cool!” “When I was young, all I cared about was climbing the ladder,” he recalls. “Then you get halfway through life and you feel empty instead of being thankful or fulfilled. I don’t want them to miss those moments.” Lipscomb animation students have already developed an app and have secured internships where they are animating an XBox game for Microsoft, among other projects, said Bancroft. “We are just getting started at Lipscomb with the animation program, and it’s only going to get better,” he says.

To see For more information on the animation program, visit art.lipscomb. edu. To read more about the animation faculty visit http://bit.ly/PomeroyDisney.

Lipscomb held an October exhibit of illustrations by John Pomeroy (left), one of the founding faculty in Lipscomb’s animation program. Pomeroy’s book, Walt’s Imagination: The Life of Walt Disney, includes his illustrations (right) of Walt Disney’s life and work.

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Alumni

Education alumnus encourages kids to get LIT with reading Nashville teacher Jarred Amato empowers readers everywhere Jarred Amato (’18) had quite a busy year in 2016. He was teaching high school English at Nashville’s Maplewood High School, pursuing an Ed.D. at Lipscomb and founding a nationwide grassroots literacy movement known as Project LIT Community, all at the same time. Put simply, Project LIT Community works to empower readers everywhere. The organization, which functions as a diverse, inclusive network of educators and learners, does so by hosting book drives and book clubs, stocking schools with culturally relevant books and discussing literature in a way that promotes critical thought. Ultimately, Amato explained, Project LIT Community was designed to celebrate reading and equip students to foster change in their communities.

and his student founders, who were high school sophomores at the time of the project’s inception and never thought it would grow beyond a classroom project.

teachers who signed up that first summer were taking a chance in applying to join this community that didn’t really exist yet,” he explained.

“Simply increasing book access without focusing on the quality of the books or increasing excitement about reading isn’t going to solve the problem. The goal is to create a community of lifelong readers at all levels and bring people together for conversations about books,” said Amato.

“Project LIT was born out of the classroom—it began as a school project with a group of passionate students who are still leading our organization now,” said Amato. “As we shared our work on social media, fellow teachers across the country were following along on our journey. By the end of the year, other schools began to reach out to see how they could join us.”

Now, with over 570 chapters in 46 states (with additional chapters in Canada and the United Kingdom), it has become clear that Project LIT Community can be adapted globally, and the organization is continually growing larger. In fact, Amato estimates that he receives between five and 15 new applications via their public Google form each week.

Amato, who has taught at Maplewood High School since 2015, has been recognized nationally for his efforts in creating a movement that began with a goal of eliminating book deserts in Nashville and across the country. The widespread attention the movement has received has come as a surprise to Amato

After receiving several inquiries about how learning communities could participate in the work being done at Maplewood High School, Amato created a way for others to sign up and become part of Project LIT. “In the summer of 2017, teachers were joining us before we knew whether it could actually work in other places. I believed it could, but

Although it was founded in a high school, Project LIT Community no longer includes only high schoolers and has now stretched to accommodate students as young as elementary-age. There are chapters in public and private schools in urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods: all parts of the same community.

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Alumni

All of the students and teachers who take part in Project LIT are actively involved in the organization’s processes. Each of the selections for the organization’s book club are nominated by chapters across the country and chosen by a panel of teachers. The 201819 Project LIT book club list included 12 books in the middle school tier, 13 books in the high school tier, and combined with the 2017-18 selections, over 40 titles that have been recommended by students and educators who have read, reviewed and related to the books.

Amato largely attributes the movement’s success to its voluntary foundation.

Books on Project LIT Community’s calendar this year include Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime,” Dashka Slater’s “The 57 Bus,” and Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give,” which was recently adapted to a film that received critical acclaim. Amato and his students at Maplewood went to see the film together on a field trip, one example of an activity any Project LIT chapter could do to encourage reading and discussion.

“The number one goal is to build readers, but also leaders,” he said. “Empowering our students to be leaders in our schools and in our communities and helping them to develop the skills that they can use throughout their life and in college is what Project LIT is about. I facilitate behind the scenes, but really, our community is run by students like Chelsea and David and Rodrea and TJ.”

“Every book on our list was selected with the goal of making reading more enjoyable and more purposeful,” said Amato. “Many of our titles have social justice themes, and we love that connections can be made across books, but the idea is that all of our Project LIT books affirm our students, their identities and their experiences.”

“With Project LIT, we’ve built a community that supports and inspires one another. We’ve realized that we’re not alone, that there are a lot of people across the country who believe in doing something different to get students excited about books.” Amato continued, “Nothing is mandated; there are no metrics you have to turn in at the end of the year. We’re all just passionate, and I think that’s why it works.

Amato began his Ed.D. in 2015, the same year he began teaching at Maplewood, after realizing his desire to have a wider impact on the educational community. “I knew I wanted to grow personally and professionally, and I knew Lipscomb believed in investing in their students as people,” said Amato on his choice to continue his education.

He certainly chose the right timing to pursue his degree: within a year of beginning the program, he was laying the groundwork for Project LIT. “I found myself growing naturally through the program. I remember sitting in classes where my two worlds overlapped: I was building my vision and strategic plan for Project LIT Community for assignments in the Ed.D. program. It all came together really nicely.” Amato has spoken at several Lipscombhosted events, including the Fortify conference which was held by Lipscomb’s Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation in September. The Project LIT Community also sponsored a student discussion on campus when award-winning children’s book author Jason Reynolds spoke on the Lipscomb campus in April. “Of all the communities in Nashville, I feel like the Lipscomb team has been leading the way for literacy work, not only with Project LIT but in general, so I feel very blessed to have the support of the university,” Amato said. For more information about how you can support Project LIT Community, visit bitly. com/projectlitcomm, follow on Twitter at @projectlitcomm, and contact them at projectlitcommunity@gmail.com.

Project Lit founder Jarred Amato and members of the Project Lit chapter at Nashville’s Maplewood High School, where Amato teaches.

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FIVE WAYS TO HELP LIPSCOMB LEAD THE NEXT GENERATION TO IMPACTFUL CAREERS AND LIVES

Hello Fellow Bisons,

’t comb your life wouldn ps Li t ou th wi at th ow You kn epared Lipscomb professor pr a be ay M e. m sa e th be ors to a ways that opened do and challenged you in a mission ght possible. Perhaps ou th r ve ne u yo n tio voca God and to a relationship with on trip opened your eyes that special someone et m u yo be ay M n. re his child came your spouse! campus who later be mb, you hadn’t been for Lipsco it if y, or st e th r ve te Wha u are today. wouldn’t be where yo d effort your time, support an So imagine the impact now generation of Bisons could have on the next b. The ing attending Lipscom er id ns co or at g yin e stud sons, so check out th Bi re tu fu by ed ap sh world will be y. shape that future toda lp he n ca u yo ys wa e top fiv

Phil Ellenburg lumni Relations Vice President for A LipscombAlumni

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Share your Lipscomb pride!

Feeling social? Let everyone know how proud you are to be a Bison by liking our Facebook page or following us on Twitter or Instagram.

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@LipscombAlumni @LipscombGOLD @LipscombLBAC

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Experience the Lipscomb spirit. Alumni Relations has scheduled one of its busiest years to date, making 2019 the perfect opportunity to connect with other Lipscomb alumni through networking, professional development and school spirit events. Contact alumni@lipscomb.edu to find events in your area.

Serve beside your fellow Bisons.

Students past knew that “beautiful day” meant no classes and a day of fun in the sun. Students today know “Service Day” means no classes and a day of volunteering in Nashville.

In 2019 alumni know that spring’s “Alumni Days of Service” means joining their fellow Lipscomb graduates to serve in their own communities. In March alumni served in nursing homes and public schools and through food distribution throughout the South.

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To get involved in service with fellow alumni contact Rhonda Minton at rhonda.minton@lipscomb.edu.

Give to your passion. Perhaps it was a special relationship with a faculty mentor, or maybe those long days and nights spent rehearsing for Singarama. For every Lipscomb graduate there is at least one special experience that shaped the values and passion you hold today. So here’s an opportunity to give to your passion. Donations to Lipscomb can be designated for any particular program or for any particular project (and, yes, you can even give to Singarama). Find “Give a gift” at lipscomb.edu/giving where you can designate your gift your way.

Be part of the GOLD Network.

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GoBisons

Starting a new chapter of life doesn’t mean giving up your connections to your alma mater. The first decade after graduation is a time of tremendous change. Alumni Relations has connections to tens of thousands of Lipscomb Bisons and extensive resources on campus, so let us use our connections and experience for you. Contact alumni@lipscomb.edu to learn more about the GOLD Network (Graduates of the Last Decade).

@LipscombALU @LipscombYoungAlumni

Lipscomb Alumni University LinkedIn Group

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BISON NOTES

Class Notes

1965 Craven Crowell of Knoxville, Tenn., retired from chairmanship of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

At lipscomb.edu/classnotes see the latest, post an update, share a photo, especially if it is your reunion year. For Bisons who have joined Golden Circle—that’s 50+ years since graduation—every year is a reunion year. 1956

Thomas Perry of Incline Village, Nev., is a teacher at Incline High School.

Rod and Brenda Rutherford (’64) live in

Powell, Tenn., where he is a retired minister. The Rutherfords have been involved with mission work in Zambia and Australia.

Looking back…

Janavee McDoniel (’56), of Tuckerman, Arkansas, celebrated more than her marriage to Richard Craig (’56), of Jacksonville, Florida, on June 10, 1956. She also celebrated the completion of her senior project in Lipscomb’s home economics program: her own wedding dress!

“If I had been able to draw, I could have been a designer, because I was always adding to, or taking away from, basic patterns,” said Jan, who now resides in Nashville with husband, Richard. For around $30, Jan bought the pattern and materials: taffeta, net and lace. She remembers Lipscomb professor Margaret Carter helping her sew the buttons and hoops up the back of the dress, a frustrating procedure, she said. Once complete, her creation was featured in the 1956 David Lipscomb College Bulletin, which featured the Department of Home Economics. Upon graduation, the couple moved to Jacksonville and subsequently lived in Atlanta for 47 years, before moving to Nashville to be near their grandchildren, all of whom attended Lipscomb Academy and some of whom graduated from Lipscomb University. 60

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June 2018 as principal from MountJuliet High School after serving 14 years with the school.

1968 Jim Allen of Destin, Fla., is founder and

Alumna created her own wedding dress for senior class project

With the upcoming nuptials pending that spring, Jan pondered ways she could afford an elegant, beautiful dress on the big day. As she had already designed a dress as one of her class projects, she decided to design and sew her own wedding dress as a money-saving technique.

1966 Mel Brown of Hermitage, Tenn., retired in

Wilma Campbell McQueen of Lake

Leelanau, Mich., retired from the board of the Leelanau Republican Women’s Club after serving nearly 20 years as an officer and/or board member. She still serves on the executive board of the Leelanau County Republican Party and is an elected precinct delegate. She and her husband Ralph celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Oct. 19, 2018.

1957 Billy Ables of Richardson, Texas, is retired from Raytheon Corporation.

1959 Dr. R. Wilburn Clouse of Madison,

Tenn., is Vanderbilt University professor emeritus, president and founder of the Clouse-Elrod Foundation Inc. and visiting research professor with Womack Education Leadership at Middle Tennessee State University. Clouse recently was appointed to two national boards: The Middle Tennessee State University National Alumni Association Board and the board of directors for Isaac Litton High School Alumni Association.

1962 Richard H. Martin of Toney, Ala., is a

professor of criminal justice and homeland security at Mercer University.

C. Bruce White of Franklin, Tenn.,

celebrated 60 years in ministry in June. He preached for churches in five states and spoke at many Christian lectureships. He made mission trips to six foreign countries and taught at Lipscomb University for five years. He retired from the Madison church of Christ pulpit in 2008 but continues to teach classes at the Madison church.

1963 David Parker of Nashville is an attorney at David Young Parker P.C.

1964

Conn Hamlett

of Joelton released John Lee Johnson: Into the Pits of Hell, the fifth book of the John Lee Johnson series.

operating partner of Meritage Private Equity. He and his wife Linda (’70) are 2018 Lipscomb Honors Award winners, the highest honor conferred upon Lipscomb alumni. Jim Allen served on the Lipscomb University Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2017.

Jon and Jenifer Spivey Hosch live in

Crowley, Texas. He is an early college and high school teacher with Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences, and she teaches kindergarten at JR Stevens Elementary.

Stanley Jackson of Brockville, Ontario, is retired from the City of Ottawa in Ontario.

Steve McCaslin of Adairsville, Ga., retired in February 2018 after preaching more than 45 years and doing mission work in the Philippines.

Jerry Trousdale of Murfreesboro is

an author and director of International Ministries for New Generations.

1969 Sylvia Barr Badis of Pleasant Plain, Ohio, is a supervisor of Mid-Western Children’s Home Independent Living Center.

1970 George Laws of Louisville, Ky., is a loan

specialist with the Veterans Administration.

1971 Tom Haddock of Cumming, Ga., is regional director for Haystac Inc.

Paul Keckley of Nashville is managing editor of The Keckley Report.

Robert L. Weaver of Johnson City, Tenn., is a partner in Robert L. Weaver CPA PLLC.

1972 Patricia Shearry Bethel of Chattanooga, Tenn., is a PMO project manager with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

1973 Steve Groom of Nashville is an attorney

with Neal & Harwell. Groom is a 2018 Lipscomb Honors Award winner, the highest honor conferred upon Lipscomb alumni.

1976 James Netterville of Nashville is the

director of head and neck surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Netterville is a 2018 Lipscomb Honors Award winner, the highest honor conferred upon Lipscomb alumni.

1979 Mark McGee (MA ’17) of Shelbyville,

Tenn., was named Best Feature Writer in Division IV of the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Writing Contest in summer 2018.

BISON NOTES

1980 Lois Elkins Cole of Nashville is a math teacher at Brentwood Middle School.

Kenneth Fieth of Nashville is an archivist with Metropolitan Nashville Government.

1981 Ramona Rhodes of Nashville recently was

named president of Centerstone Foundation. Rhodes has 29 years of experience in behavioral health care fundraising and marketing. She previously served as the nonprofit’s executive vice president of marketing and chief operating officer of the foundation and has been with Centerstone since 1989.

1982 Carmel Chaffin Cordero of Knoxville, Tenn., is a teacher with Knox County Schools.

2018 Lipscomb Honors recipients

1983 Cindi Bradley of Owens Cross, Ala., is the HR assistant for ZF Technologies.

1984 Daniel Clayton of Nashville received

At a special dinner during Homecoming, Lipscomb University’s Office of Alumni Relations recognized the 2018 recipients of the Lipscomb Honors Award, the highest honor conferred on Lipscomb alumni. The award recognizes the inspiring ways Lipscomb alumni are making a profound impact in the world. This year’s honorees are (left to right, as pictured):

Fred Davis of Lebanon is an optometric

Jim (’68) and Linda (Shackleford) Allen (’70) of Destin, Florida.

recertification from National Board of Trial Advocacy as a civil trial advocate.

physician with Lebanon Eye Clinic.

Jim Allen, founder and operating partner of Meritage Private Equity as well as a veteran communications industry executive for 40 years, served as vice president for business affairs at Lipscomb and on the Board of Trustees from 1998-2017. Linda Allen is a member of the Associated Women for Lipscomb. The Allens funded construction of the Allen Bell Tower in memory of their late son, Michael, and gave one of the largest gifts in university history toward the construction of Allen Arena.

Karen Green Frost of White House is a photographer with Karen Green’s Photo Journey.

1985 Daniel Walker of Decherd is assistant

vice president and commercial relationship manager at FirstVision Bank’s Franklin County office.

1986 Lisa Ammons Chambers of Mount Juliet, Tenn., is a broker with Benchmark Realty LLC.

Joy Woodhouse Hart of Pottstown, Pa.,

is learning support coordinator of Coventry Christian Schools.

1988

Mark Lackey of Birmingham, Ala., announced the Centaur Records release of “Fairy Tale,” an album of original solo and chamber music paired with electronic remixes, in November.

1991 Maggie Mason of Chapmansboro was

named 2017-2018 District Wide High School Teacher of the Year for Cheatham County School District.

1993 Nancy Denning-Martin of Nashville

is president and chief executive officer of Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the co-founder and board chair for Transformation Nashville.

Steve Groom (’73), of Nashville, is an attorney with Neal & Harwell. He has practiced law for more than 38 years, spent 11 years in execu-

Brian Pitts of Brecksville, Ohio, recently was promoted to corporate vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Lubrizol Corporation.

1994 Lori Crownover and Karl Kahley were

married in Sewanee on Oct. 7, 2017. Lori teaches at Tusculum Elementary School, and Karl is a respiratory therapist. They live in Nashville.

Shane Hooper of Saltillo, Miss., took office May 8 as president of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for Mississippi public colleges and universities. He was first appointed to the college board in 2012.

Chris Lee of Franklin is publisher of VandySports.com.

tive and general counsel roles with SunTrust Banks and spent more than 16 years with CoreCivic. Groom has been on the Board of Advisors and the adjunct faculty of Lipscomb’s Institute for Conflict Management since the program’s inception in 2006. In addition, Groom has served as executive-in-residence for the Business as Mission program.

MarQo Patton (MED ’12, EDD ’17) is an alumnus of the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers and has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the White House and the historic Ryman Auditorium. An educator for more than eight years, Patton is one of the founding music business instructors at PearlCohn Entertainment Magnet High

School, home of the first student-run record label. Through Jusreall Music Group, Patton offers consultation and vocal coaching to independent artists who seek self-publishing and creative development.

James Netterville (’76), of Nash-

ville, director of head and neck surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is an international leading authority of treating head and neck cancer and is one of the world’s experts in the treatment of skull base tumors. Netterville attended Lipscomb from elementary school through college. In addition, he has made 25 global health education and surgical mission trips around the world and 15 humanitarian missions in Central America.

Melissa Prichard Lester of Birmingham, Ala., has been named managing editor of Victoria magazine.

1995 Jeremy Locke of Mount Juliet is a finance business partner for Risk & Analytics with Willis Towers Watson.

1996 Jason Havens of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is senior counsel and vice chair of nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations team at Holland & Knight LLP.

1997 Bret Morris (MDIV ’18) and Summer

Morris (MDIV ’18) live in Arlington, Texas, where he is worship and communications minister with North Davis Church of Christ.

2000 Kerry Meacham of Wheaton, Ill., is vice president of sales and marketing for Bush Hog.

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BISON NOTES

2001 Steven Bonner (MA ’02, MDIV ’04)

of Franklin, Tenn., is assistant dean of undergraduate Bible in the Lipscomb \ University College of Bible and Ministry.

Franchel Daniel Shorkey of Plano, Texas, is an associate with Bowman and Brooke LLP.

of their son Gary Randal Harrell III. Megan and Ryan Mitchell of Knoxville,

Tenn., announce the April 6, 2018, birth of son Cyrus James Mitchell.

2007

2002 Nathan and Shana Conner Prichard (’03) live in Gallatin, Tenn., where he is senior consultant and project manager for Fast Slow Motion.

2004 Jenny Ashby Barker (’04) of Nashville is a vice president at Reed Public Relations.

Lipscomb community mourns the loss of longtime Bible professor Harvey Floyd He was a man of humble stature and a quiet nature, but Harvey Floyd had a powerful impact on generations of Lipscomb University students. The Lipscomb community mourns the loss of Floyd, who died Aug. 7, 2018, at the age of 87. A native of Grenada, Mississippi, Floyd was legendary for his Greek, Holy Spirit and Romans classes among others. He earned a B.A. degree from Lipscomb, his M.A. in Bible at Harding School of Theology and his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University in classical Greek. While a student at Lipscomb he was named Bachelor of Ugliness and his future wife, Virginia Austin, was crowned Miss Lipscomb during the same year. They both graduated on June 1, 1953. They were married four days later. He began teaching at Lipscomb University in 1955 and taught until 2010. As a Lipscomb faculty member, Floyd has been recognized with the John William Baker Award in 1984; Outstanding Teacher Awards in 1981, 1987 and 1998 and the permanent notation “Outstanding Teacher” by his name in the college catalog. “In a time when we generally lacked the language and the willingness to talk about the Spirit, Dr. Floyd’s book and classes on the Holy Spirit began to help us break through that narrow silence,” Leonard Allen, dean of the College of Bible & Ministry, said. “It helped open the door to a fuller and more sound doctrine of the Holy Spirit.”

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summer 2019

Carina (Heim) Fox (MED ’09) and

Matthew Fox announce the March 29, 2018, birth of son, Ezekiel James.

Terah Turner Pring (’04) of Smyrna, Tenn., is an educator with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

2005 Amy Bryant of Lyles received Outstanding Faculty of the Year at Nashville State Community College in spring 2018.

Tenielle Smith Buchanan (EDD ’13)

of Lebanon, Tenn., is a faculty member at Western Governors University.

for the company.

AJ Baggott of Hendersonville, Tenn., recently was named chief operations officer for RJ Young. He previously served as chief financial officer

Kimberly Jones Rivera of Baltimore,

Md., is legal practice assistant with Nemphos Braue LLC.

2008 Caitlyn Embrey of Summertown, Tenn., is girls’ basketball coach for the Lady Eagles at Summertown High School.

Stacy Santellan (MACC) of Farmers

Branch, Texas, is controller for the Hockaday School.

Kristen Albert Troglione (MBA) of

Louisville, Ky., is area manager for Packsize.

Patrick Chappell of Nashville is the college

Ann Mullins (MA ’10) of Franklin, Tenn.,

Drew and Christine (Gipson) Jacobs

Joseph and Carly Woodfin live in

Kimberly Sowell Holt of Memphis is a

2009 Annette Billings of Nashville is a medical

and young adult minister at Otter Creek Church.

(’06) of Huntsville, Ala., announce the June. 6, 2018, birth of daughter Sydney Olivia.

registered dietician.

is the associate director of athletics at Father Ryan High School

Chattanooga, Tenn., where he is associate rector for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. laboratory scientist III and microbiology lab instructor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Kari Luecke (MED ’09) of Brentwood,

Tenn., is an educational technologist with University School of Nashville. She served on the Metro Nashville Public Schools Interdisciplinary Council as the tech lead for K-12, and she continues her partnership with the Nashville Technology Council.

Will (PHARMD ’12) and Erin (PHARMD ’12) McEarl of Hixson, Tenn., announce the Aug. 717, 2017, birth of their daughter Blakely Rose.

Amber Bradley (MS ’15) and her husband Matthew of Spring Hill announce the March 22, 2018, birth of their daughter Abigail Jane. Emily Moss Johnson of Paducah, Ky., is

2006 Daniel Crosby of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is a

licensed professional counselor with Branches Counseling Center.

a labor and delivery nurse at Baptist Health Paducah.

(MACC) of Hendersonville, Tenn., announce the Aug. 9, 2018, birth of son Jackson Cash.

Weston and Daley (Hilburn) Perry of

Memphis, Tenn., announce the Sept 12, 2018, birth of daughter Rooney Bea. Daley is alumni support and project manager for The Collegiate School of Memphis.

Randal and Ashley (Smith) Harrell of

Nashville, announce the Nov. 27, 2017, birth

Cale and Ashley (Davis) Rice

BISON NOTES

Amie A. Vague, an associate with Lightfoot, Franklin & White in Birmingham, Ala., has been named to the 2018 class of the Birmingham Bar Association’s Future Leaders Forum. The forum aims to cultivate leaders among a group of motivated attorneys who have been in practice for three to eight years.

2010 Allen Bolden is a principal with HB Medical Real Estate.

Jon and Kristin Sindorf Baese (’07, MED ’13) of Nashville announce the May 26, 2018, birth of twin sons Rowan David and Otto Robert.

2018 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Lipscomb University honored its 2018 Athletics Hall of Fame class at a special luncheon during Homecoming. This year’s inductees are (left to right, as pictured): Lee (LA ’05) and Sarah Leidereiter Flatt

Brent McNutt (Baseball), 19891992, finished his illustrious career with a .388 batting average, a .467 on-base percentage, 33 home runs, 107 RBI, 88 walks, 76 stolen bases and 192 runs scored. He is the only player in program history to hit over .400 in multiple seasons. He was named All-Conference, All-District and honorable mention All-American in his time as a Bison.

(MBA) of Nashville announce the July 13, 2018, birth of son Benedikt Fowler Flatt.

Dorian Harrison (MED) of Smyrna, Tenn., graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is an assistant professor of education and director of clinical practice at Belmont University.

Judy Fabling (MHR) of Brentwood, Tenn., is managing director with Healthcare Talent Consulting Group LLC

April Herrington (MBA ’14) of Tampa,

Wade Tomlinson (Men’s Basketball), 1986-1990, led the Bisons to 139 wins in his four years. He ranks 11th on the all-time scoring chart for the Bisons with 1,792 points. In each season as a Bison, Tomlinson helped guide Lipscomb to a No. 1 ranking in the NAIA.

Fla., is senior financial analyst for Newmark Knight Frank.

Caroline Mullins of Nashville is director

of marketing and advertising at Lipscomb University. She and Reggie Mullins were married on July 14, 2018.

Danielle Nichols Pedigo (MA ’16) of Hendersonville, Tenn., is a recruiting specialist for Lyft.

2011

Wes Wilkerson (Baseball), 19972000, batted .339 with 259 hits, 47 doubles, 38 homers and 213 RBI

Elizabeth Humphrey

(PHARMD ’15) and her husband Ethan of Columbia announce the March 31, 2018, birth of their daughter Emily Joy.

while scoring 189 runs. He ranks second in Bison baseball history in career home runs and RBIs. He was named First Team NAIA All-American in 2000.

Emily Pleasant High (Women’s Basketball), 1993-97, in 143 career games she scored 1,484 points and grabbed 617 rebounds while making 42% of her field goals attempts. She led the Lady Bisons to the NAIA National Championship game (1993-94), NAIA Final Four (199495 and 1995-96), and the NAIA Sweet Sixteen (1996-97).

Lynn Griffith (Coach), 1980-2001, served Lipscomb Athletics for nearly 40 years as a coach and educator, including serving as tennis head coach for 21 years (1980-2001) and cross country coach from 1994-99. He compiled a 365-270 tennis match record and guided his teams to three Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference championships. He was voted TranSouth Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1997.

Sarah Marcrom McKamey

Marcus Bodie (Men’s Basketball),

(Women’s Basketball), 1993-97, scored 1,461 points and collected 384 rebounds in 132 career games. She holds the program’s single-season 3-point percentage record after making 48 percent of her long ball

2012 Sydney Ball (MBA ’14) of Nashville is the regional business development manager for First Citizens National Bank.

1986-1990, was a key member in helping the Bisons win 139 games in four years. He recorded the most steals in college basketball history (440) and he holds the program record for steals in a game (10).

Stacia Cooper of Lavergne, Tenn., is an accountant with Aramark.

Chris Gobble of Chattanooga, Tenn.,

is senior director of public policy for the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce.

Rebecca Dopp (MA ’15) of Hendersonville, Tenn., is executive director of E-Waste Solutions.

attempts in 1995-96. She was named All-Conference and third team NAIA All-American (1995-96).

Scott Hurd (MS) of Nashville is a regional sales manager with Careline Medical Products.

lipscombnow.com

BISON NOTES

MarQuo Patton (MED, EDD ’17) of

Nashville is a musical performer, vocal coach and one of the founding music business instructors at Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School. Patton is a 2018 Lipscomb Honors Award winner, the highest honor conferred upon our alumni Lipscomb alumni.

Martin Penny (MS) of Nashville was

named vice president for Cooley Public Strategies.

Looking Back…

Lipscomb’s youngest residence hall turned 50 in 2018 Fifty years seems pretty young compared to the age of many of Lipscomb’s campus buildings, but that doesn’t mean the High Rise Residence Hall lacks history. Jim Thomas (’69), longtime Lipscomb communications professor and advisor to the president, remembers that High Rise was “like a luxury hotel” for him and the other first-time residents after living in Elam Hall, which was due for a renovation at the time. Current High Rise Residence Hall Director Mike Smith (’82) said that the atmosphere may have mellowed a little—“Before the internet and video games there used to be a lot more mischief,” he said—but the kinship that High Rise residents remember is still evident today in the eight-story hall, which received its own renovation in 2015. “We do the best that we can to make it a great place to live,” said Smith.That means movie marathons, grilling on the porch and many objects thrown out of those high windows. As well as more somber moments: like the men of High Rise gathered in the lobby to watch America’s first draft lottery for Vietnam or gathered on the roof to see fires sparked after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., recalled Ken Durham (’70), Lipscomb’s Chair of Preaching and a 1968 resident of High Rise. Despite 50 years having passed, the ground around High Rise is still littered with objects dropped from the rooms. Some things may never change.

lipscomb now |

summer 2019

2015 Ashton (PHARMD ’15) and Devon

Bushong (PHARMD ’15) of Nashville

announce the Sept. 24, 2018, birth of their daughter Amelia Brooke on Sept. 24, 2018.

Mamy Harisoa Claudia Raharimanana

of Madagascar, is director of Lycée Privé “La Pépite d’Or” Antaninandro.

Arizona Wells Smith of McEwen is a

registered nurse for Horizon Medical Center.

Dawn Bell-Fears Stone (MA) of

Tiffany Strevel (MED) of Murfreesboro,

Tenn., is principal of Black Fox Elementary.

Joshua

(PHARMD) and Joelle Yates (’14) of Hopkinsville, Ky., (entered as from Hopkinsville, Ky.) announce the Sept. 22, 2018, birth of their daughter Parker Lynn.

Clarksville, Tenn., is a manager with Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry.

Hunter Wolfe of Brentwood is an office

assistant for Wolfe & Travis Electric Inc.

2013 Rebecca Austin and Christopher

Hendon (MAcc ’11) of Nashville were married March 24, 2018.

Lauren Chandler and Joe Keeton were

married Aug. 18, 2018. The couple lives in Little Rock, Ark., where she is a nurse at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary.

Jamie S. Dent (MA) of

Nashville is the administrative services manager with the Tennessee Department of Health Communicable and Environmental Disease and Emergency Preparedness.

Brandon Sandrell of College Grove,

Tenn., is a detective with the Franklin Police Department.

Maria Urban Tiege (PHARMD) of Franklin, Tenn., is a pharmacist with Network Pharmacy.

2016 Jacques Boyd (MA) of Nashville is owner of R & Sons Bonding Company LLC.

Nathan Burton (MBA) of Nashville

received NashvilleBusiness.net’s 100 Leading African Americans 2018 Award in February 2018.

Calvin Canada is a network engineer with CISCO in Dallas, Texas.

Nathan Elmore (MBA) of Louisville, Ky., is a marketing research analyst for Texas Roadhouse.

Cameron Hendley (MS) of Fort Worth, Texas, is a predictive analyst with Buxton.

Charles Lanman (MS) of Chattanooga,

Tenn., founded HealthCodes DNA LLC, a health and wellness DNA analysis company that launched in spring 2018.

2014 Holly Meadows Baird (MBA) of Joelton,

Tenn., is a workplace strategist for Milepost Consulting.

Todd Brachey (MBA ’16) of Gallatin,

Tenn., is controller for Sumner Medical Group PLLC.

Earl Henderson of Dallas, Texas, is an associate with Haynes and Boone LLP.

Johnny Roscoe of Athens, Ala., is

president of M & M Companies LLC.

Tanner (LA ’11) and Catherine Lillicrap (EXNS) of Brentwood, Tenn., were married on July 28, 2018, in Nashville.

BISON NOTES

Jaime Pawlitschek of Nashville works for

DaVita in the IT people services department.

2017 Sarah Byrd Humphreys of Franklin, Tenn., is assistant camp coordinator at Cheekwood.

Kurt Jones (EDD) of Franklin, Tenn., is a principal at Fairview High School.

SeungJin Lee

of Clarksville, Tenn., has joined Gresham, Smith and Partners as a structural engineer intern in the firm’s health care market.

Grace Mestad of Nashville is a public relations coordinator for Ramsey Solutions.

Olivia Sartain of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and

Reese Lusk of Nashville were married Dec. 22, 2017.

In Memoriam

2018 Haley Hedrick Hallmark (Ed.S.) of

Summertown, Tenn., is a teacher with Maury County Public Schools.

We want your notes!

Rhyan Henry of Franklin, Tenn., is staffing

coordinator for Atlas Management Corporation.

Please send news of weddings, births, deaths; new jobs and promotions; academics and professional degrees; church and community service activities; awards and achievements; and changes of address to Class Notes Editor, Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204.

Lindsay Nance of Brentwood, Tenn., is a

reporter, videographer and editor for WSMV Channel 4 news.

Hunter Maerz of Nashville is a youth

minister with Cheap Hill Church of Christ in Chapmansboro, Tenn.,.

Monet’ Shell (MMFT) of Nashville is in private

Email: classnotes@lipscomb.edu; Online: lipscomb.edu/classnotes .

practice as a psychotherapist at A Safe Place.

Savannah Summers of Brentwood, Tenn., is an administrative assistant with HarperCollins Christian Publishers.

Catherine Stutzner (MS) of Nashville is owner and president of Positive Therapy.

Dr. Burton P. Grant of Nashville died June

1966 Mary Claire Heffington of Antioch, Tenn.,

Robert Edwin Kendrick of Nashville died

1968 Dianne Gary Reid of Decatur, Ga., died

1955 James Simrell Woodroof of Searcy, Ark.,

Richard E. Cochran Jr. of Franklin, Tenn.,

1956 Roy A. Davis Jr. of McMinnville, Tenn.,

1971 Carl E. Tomes of Nashville died June 18,

1937 Jean Forrester Dugger of Nashville died

Randall Nile Yearwood of Nashville died

1972 Kathleen Cope Epperson of West

1939 Schumann Arden Brewer of Franklin,

1958 Williams James Oliver of Old Hickory,

1976 Samuel Edward Yinger of Franklin,

Freda Clayton Acuff of Nashville died

1960 John Edward Mansfield of Nashville died

1943 Sue McMahan McIntosh of Nashville died

1961 Dr. David Houston Martin of Nashville

1943 Annice Payne Blackman of Franklin,

Edward Jordan Gross of Nashville died

1948 Clarence Calvin Dailey of Brentwood,

1963 Lewis Lesueur Kash of Spring, Texas, died

1950 Billy Hugh Branch of Roanoke, Va., died

1964 Amy Yearwood Wright of Brentwood,

1952 Charles Earnest McKinney of Franklin,

1965 Ann McKnight Whitworth of Nashville

1953 Doyle Shrygly Gaw of Brentwood, Tenn.,

Marvin Mitchell Watkins of Beaumont,

We publish news of the passing of Bisons as we learn of it. Share your news of loved ones lost at lipscomb.edu/classnotes or submit obituaries and photos for possible publication in print to the Office of Alumni Relations.

30, 2018.

Feb. 24, 2018.

died March 22, 2018.

died March 31, 2018.

July 31, 2018.

Tenn., died Feb. 9, 2018.

Sept. 23, 2018.

Sept. 6, 2018.

Tenn., died May 13, 2018.

Tenn., died Feb. 11, 2018. Sept. 16, 2018.

Tenn., died Feb. 12, 2018. died April 14, 2018.

July 31, 2018.

Tenn., died March 1, 2018. Sept. 4, 2018.

died Feb. 5, 2018.

March 19, 2018.

March 24, 2018.

Tenn., died July 11, 2018.

died Feb. 9, 2018.

died Aug. 1, 2018.

June 23, 2018.

died Oct. 11, 2018. 2018.

Bloomfield, Mich., died April 23.

Tenn., died Aug. 1, 2018. He is survived by his wife Lilah (’76), a retired teacher at Lipscomb Academy for 39 years; and his daughters Christine Jones (’09, LA ’01) and Lisa Johnson (PHARM ’14, LA ’08).

1977 Gary Lee Bouldin of Franklin, Tenn., died May 23, 2018.

1978 Daniel Leroy Carmon of Hartselle, Ala., died July 10, 2018.

1979 Tresa Riley Carter of Henderson, Tenn., died Jan. 17, 2018

1985 Luanne Burden Bell of Clarksville, Tenn., died June 23, 2018.

2012 Dr. Amy N. Barton of Antioch, Tenn., died Feb. 5, 2018.

Texas, died May 4, 2018.

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