by Kathryn Farris | Jun 2, 2021 | BREAKING NEWS, News, News Slider
A private-plane crash in Rutherford County on Saturday claimed the lives of seven passengers, including that of Gwen Shamblin Lara, named Lipscomb’s Christian Business Leader of the Year two decades ago. Lara was known for founding the Weigh Down faith-based weight-loss program in 1986. Three Lipscomb Academy alumni were on board as well, according to Pat Price, Lipscomb archives specialist: Lara’s son-in-law Brandon Hannah (2000), Jennifer Johnston Martin (1988) and Jessica Solomon Walters (2000). The other three victims were Lara’s husband, Joe; Martin’s husband, David; and Walters’ husband, Jonathan. All seven were leaders of the Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood. The plane crashed into Percy Priest Lake late Saturday morning. By Monday, recovery crews had pulled remains of the seven and both engines from the waters. Gwen Shamblin Lara, ex-wife of David Shamblin, was named as Lipscomb’s Christian Business Leader of the year in 1998. Shamblin Theatre, adjacent to the Bennett Campus Center, is named for the family. “The Weigh Down Workshop is more ministry than industry,” said former Lipscomb President Stephen F. Flatt at the 1998 ceremony, according to her website. “The phenomenal success of the Weigh Down Workshop is attributable to the direct blessing of God and Gwen’s prudent stewardship of the abilities and talents He has given her.” The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the cause of the crash. It is expected to take a couple of weeks to conclude the preliminary investigation, but the NTSB’s complete examination and conclusions usually take up to two years. Photo by Larry McCormack courtesy of Main Street...
by Maria Morales | Mar 13, 2019 | News Slider
Lipscomb hosted its first “Day of Giving’on Tuesday in an effort to reach 500 donors in 24 hours so that an anonymous donor would match it with a $100,000 gift. But by 8 a.m., Lipscomb had already surpassed this goal, eventually reaching 2,741 donors, raising $542,164 by the end of the day. To help bring in the donations, Lipscomb set up multiple stations throughout Bison Square where people could give, say thanks and/or pray. In addition, the day included games, food and a photo booth. “Lipscomb Leads” is the initiative behind the event. Stephanie Carroll, assistant vice president for annual giving, said she thinks it’s important to bring the community together to donate. “[Day of Giving] is about working together and is a way to energize our community,” Carroll said. Carrol also said that she thinks surpassing the initial goal of 500 donors is encouraging others to donate funds to any department. Most of the donors were Lipscomb’s alumni. However, Lipscomb also asked students to donate. Rebecca Bennie, who graduated eight years ago from Lipscomb, is now the donor relations coordinator of Lipscomb Leads. “It’s really encouraging to see the Lipscomb community come and donate,” Bennie said. “It’s been mindblowing in the best possible way, and it’s great that is going to the students.” Anna Caroline Rowland, a graduate student working in the Office of Advancement, said that she was glad Lipscomb offered a station where students could thank donors by writing thank you notes. “It’s been cool to see alumni who have graduated in the past 20+ years who are still investing in Lipscomb and giving back,” Rowland said. Rowland...
by Crystal Davis | Mar 2, 2011 | News Slider
“In Donors We Trust” was the theme of Tuition Freedom Day 2011. The Event was hosted for the first time by Lipscomb and sponsored by the Student Philanthropy Council. Assistant Director of Annual Giving Sonja Hayes was on-hand at the event to spill all the juicy details about Tuition Freedom Day 2011. “Tuition Freedom Day is meant to bring awareness to students about what private gifts can do for the school,” Hayes said. “We really want students to pay it forward.” Senior law, justice and society major Conrad Beauchamp shouted for joy at the day’s celebration. “Thank you for supporting broke kids like me!” said Beauchamp. Hayes said this day has been set aside for students to write thank you notes to those donors who have given over $6 million this year to Lipscomb University. Donations made by anonymous donors, parents and friends of the university cover about 30 percent of each student’s educational costs per school year. Members of the Student Philanthropy Council helped to run the event. The chair of the council and president of the Student Government Association Jackson Sprayberry, council member Bryce Davidson and theatre major Carter Martin were among the first group. They all took the time to explain the benefits these donations had for all students to each person as they walked in the Bennett Campus Center. Just before 10:35 a.m. three freshman, Angie Harding, Jasmine Booker and Jasmine Gales snatched up the last three small t-shirts leaving only one 2XL t-shirt for the taking. The event was held in the lobby of the Bennett Campus Center from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m....
