President Randy Lowry announced today that Scott McDowell, Lipscomb’s senior vice president of student life, is moving to Abilene Christian University to serve as its new vice president of student life.
McDowell is a Kittanning, Penn., native who has an undergraduate degree in Bible from Freed-Hardeman University, a master’s degree in religion from Lipscomb University and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Azusa Pacific University.
He served at Lipscomb for more than 25 years. In 2014, he was selected to serve as Lipscomb’s senior vice president of student life.
President Randy Lowry released a letter to Lipscomb faculty concerning McDowell’s departure.
“We congratulate Scott on this appointment and, while we will miss his dedicated work at Lipscomb, we know that he will be an effective leader at ACU and will continue to make an impact on the lives of young people,” Lowry said.
Lowry pointed to Lipscomb’s growing national “reputation” as reason for McDowell’s move:
“As Lipscomb’s reputation continues to grow nationally, it is the reality that other institutions will increasingly look to our people to lead them,” Lowry said. “That is to be expected because it is our people, their vision, creativity and effectiveness that has made Lipscomb one of the fastest-growing and most innovative independent universities in our region. We do not cherish the moments when such occurs, but we share in the excitement when new opportunities are offered to those for whom we have great regard.”
According to Lowry’s statement, Dr. Jim Thomas will serve as the interim senior vice president of student life. A “national search” will be conducted to find McDowell’s successor.