Although still a student himself, Louis Nelms is taking on the role of director of student involvement in his year of transition to being part of Lipscomb’s staff.
Nelms replaces Garner Goode, who is now the director of sales and marketing for Lipscomb Athletics. As part of his new role, Nelms oversees Lipscomb in Motion, which is designed to provide students with opportunities for friendship and fun on campus.
“Right now I am in a weird time with transitioning from student to faculty,” Nelms said. “I’m in both worlds at once.”
Nelms takes this role in “both worlds” as giving him an edge.
“I am younger and can relate well to students,” he said, adding that his goal with LIM is “building on relationships I already have and starting new ones.”
Nelms said he is reformatting LIM to accommodate the spontaneity of students on campus and is hoping to direct students to more activities outside of the classroom.
“I want more advertising in a less professional way,” Nelms said after bragging about putting Ninja Turtles in one of his recent emails.
Nelms said he wants his emails to feel casual and inviting and, most importantly, like they are coming from a fellow student.
As for fun this year, Nelms has some new events he would like to unveil, as well as some past events he intends to resurrect.
“I am most excited about dodgeball and about showing The Dark Knight Rises when it is released,” he said.
Nelms said one new thing is that LIM will begin hosting college football game days, starting with Alabama versus Michigan this Saturday, Sept. 1.
As for resurrecting events, Nelms said LIM will bring back something from a few years ago called “Bowling and Bond.”
“We rent out Dave & Busters’ bowling alley and watch James Bond movies,” Nelms explained.
Nelms said he has plans for an online calendar, with easy access for students, that has all of his events as well as events for social clubs, athletics, campus ministry and other groups on campus.
Based on LIM’s tentative schedule for the fall, Nelms said students can plan for dodgeball in early November and “Bowling and Bond” sometime in mid-November.
Nelms encouraged new students to participate in on-campus activities.
“My advice for freshmen would be to find something to be involved in on campus,” Nelms said. “Memories in college don’t happen in class. Join a club, sports team, debate—just get in something that gets you outside the classroom.”
Nelms said he’ll be happy to make himself available to students. His office is in the lobby of Johnson Hall to the left when entering from the front doors.
“If anyone needs anything, I am happy to help.”