A record number of graduates, a 1950s pop icon who rewrote the Lipscomb alma mater and Yellow Ribbon scholars who sacrificed so much were among the highlights Saturday when Lipscomb students were celebrated in the commencement ceremonies in Allen Arena.
That icon, Pat Boone, introduced his “new” version of Lipscomb’s alma mater. He led that special part of the ceremony during which over 400 undergraduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and jubilant friends and families joined in the celebration.
Boone, the original author of Lipscomb’s alma mater, recently made a few changes to the lyrics, but the melody remained the same. He described how he and Don Henley created the original song that he “rebooted” to make more modern this year.
“I listened to some of the other college alma maters, and they’re impressive, and some are fight songs, and based on my experience here, and knowing what Lipscomb is about, I felt it needed to have an anthem quality,” Boone said. “It needed to have a spiritual quality, because that’s who we are.
“Not many colleges around this great United States can say that.”
Backed up by four Lipscomb students, Boone led the audience in the updated alma mater.
Like others who were toasted during the commencement exercises, Boone worked extra hard to attend the school where his spirituality was nurtured. Long before he became a Hollywood mainstay and resident of Beverly Hills, Boone and his brother worked through the summers so that they could afford going to Lipscomb Academy.
His reasoning, likely echoed by all the graduates who were at saluted during the ceremony, was he wanted an education in a Christian context. Boone’s spirituality was evident to the school’s leaders who urged him to pursue a career in preaching.
“I was influenced by my role models here — teachers who were teaching me important things – living Christian lives.
“I wasn’t even planning to be an entertainer – I had dreams [and] aspirations that seemed impossible.”
Lipscomb University President Randy Lowry said that – much like Boone – there are some students who had to work harder to get the excellent education.
Graduate Aram Sherwani from Kurdistan, Iraq was recognized as an example of this dedication.
“During his time at Lipscomb, I would guess that his experience was different than yours, because he worked full time as a housekeeper in our Ezell center,” Lowry said.
“And so you may have seen him vacuuming the carpet or emptying the trash, and perhaps not even knowing that he was a student in your class.”
Lowry also recognized all first-generation students, and one in particular — graduate Hanna Yaynshet.
“This young woman is an immigrant from Ethiopia, so I would guess she was studying in her second or third language in a different country, in a different place, and yet she came to be a part of [this] class, not only passionate about athletics but also about service.”
Lowry celebrated volleyball player Jordan Huston for her stick-to-it nature and the leadership she displayed when called upon.
“Four years ago a young woman joined our intercollegiate volleyball team, and for four years — while an enthusiastic player – [she] didn’t play very much,” Lowry said.
“That wasn’t until the second half of this season. All of a sudden the setter was injured and someone had to step in. And she did, leading the team just like a quarterback would lead in football, leading her team to a 5-1 record for the end of the season in the Atlantic Sun championship.”
As the president’s charge came to a close, a special recognition was made to a courageous type of student, those who served their country — many seeing combat in the Middle Eastern wars — before the university’s Yellow Ribbon program brought them to campus.
Sam Schoenheit, for example, suffered such serious injuries in a wartime accident that it took him a special type of drive to get past that trauma and begin his life as a Lipscomb student.
“It was doubtful he would ever get back to this country, and when he did he had to learn everything over,” Lowry said. “He had to learn how to talk and how to walk, and do all the things we take for granted so that he could be at Lipscomb University and continue his life.”
Audience applause saluted all of the students who, like Schoenheit, served their country proudly and then with the help of the Yellow Ribbon program began anew as members of the Bisons’ family.
Harry Kellum, a 1952 graduate of Lipscomb and first African-American to graduate from the college, is a living example of the school’s evolution that Lowry spoke about. Kellum never had the opportunity to participate in commencement in 1968. On Saturday he waited his turn to walk across the stage and receive his diploma.
Lowry said that as Lipscomb is constantly making changes to its community, each student has made a special mark in the history of the school.
“You have chosen something that will affect, and form and influence your life, and as you leave, your life is part of it and it is part of you,” Lowry said.
Special guest Boone earlier defined that special influence by telling the class of 2015 what he still carries with him long after he left school after a single year to become a musical superstar. It’s the same influence he felt when he wrote both versions of the stirring alma mater.
“I learned He can open doors and create opportunities no other earthly manager can do,” Boone said, offering this advice: “Make God your agent. Let Him guide your life.”
Video by Stephanie Schiraldi
Photo gallery by Erin Turner