To many, one of life’s most precious moments may be a new life coming into the world, indicating a new beginning.
At the President’s Convocation Tuesday morning in Allen Arena, Lipscomb University President Randy Lowry brought his four-week-old grandson on stage as an example of the start of a new journey.
“I want you to look at this child for a moment — four weeks into this world with an entire lifetime ahead of him,” Lowry said. “He has a world of new opportunities, and I want you to remember this sense, this picture, this moment, because you do too.”
Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing Deby Samuels said that Convocation is about personal endings and beginnings.
“Today can be the beginning of a new chapter in your life regardless of what you brought to it, but only as long as you’re not re-reading the whole chapter,” Samuels said. “It’s been said that no one can go back and make a brand new start, but anyone can start now and make a brand new ending.”
Convocation’s message focused on the celebration of the past 10 years of success, ringing in the start of the 125th academic year, with faculty dressed in traditional academic regalia, a parade of flags and music by the Nashville Pipes and Drums.
Nan Gurley, advisory board member and founder of Lipscomb Theatre, was featured in a video that showcased Lipscomb’s achievements over the past decade.
Among those were three new colleges the University has founded.
One of the newest college additions includes the College of Entertainment & the Arts, which holds the cinematic arts, music, visual arts and theatre programs. The College of Computing and Technology was also recognized as a new college for it’s focus in computer science, management, health care, information security and technology. Also new to Lipscomb is the College of Leadership & Public Service, which is home to students who wish to pursue careers in law, public service, non-profit management, corporate social justice and government, for example.
Through each of Lipscomb’s colleges, Lowry noted that students have opportunity to be a part of a bigger picture.
“You have the opportunity to grow — you have the opportunity to develop intellectually and emotionally and spiritually,” Lowry said. “You have the opportunity to bring a new sense of discipline — a new sense of commitment to your studies this year. You have the opportunity to serve with tremendous generosity and you have the opportunity to find your place in God’s wonderful story.”
Along with the growth in colleges, Lipscomb has also been in the process of expanding and renovating parts of campus.
The men’s residence hall High Rise underwent a major renovation this summer, including a complete lobby redesign, upgraded HVAC system, new lighting, power and plumbing, more common areas and new finishes and furnishings.
And just across campus, the McFarland Science Center renovation is in progress, with plans to open for the spring semester. The $8.5 million dollar progrject will house six new laboratories for organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and human anatomy and physiology.
Lowry said that the new facilities and colleges are all a part of a new beginning.
“Every year is a new beginning, and it’s time for us to think about celebrating the new as we enter into this 125th year of this university,” Lowry said.
Story by Erin Turner and Stephanie Schiraldi
Photos by Turner