by Emily Snell | Nov 1, 2012 | Uncategorized
After working on campus 38 years and serving in more than a dozen positions, Dr. Jim Thomas said he still has the same focus: helping students graduate from college. Thomas said his experiences in different jobs on campus help him understand how to get students to Lipscomb, how to keep them here and how to help them pay for their education. “I do truly believe they’re a huge help here,” he said of some of his former roles. “I think all of that history and background converges to give me an understanding of how they all link together.” “I think I’m someone who believes in what they’re trying to do,” he said. “I’m passionate about students graduating from college. I am so absolutely driven to helping college students graduate, but they’ve got to be a partner with me in that.” Thomas, who currently acts as executive assistant to the president, graduated from Lipscomb in 1969. After completing three years in the military, he began teaching at the university in 1974. Thomas said, of his jobs at Lipscomb, being chair of the speech communication department was one of the most enjoyable. “Probably that was one of my favorite jobs, if you want to know the truth,” he said. “I thought as department chair you had a greater opportunity to influence students’ lives and the curriculum to help them develop.” “My heart has always been on the teaching side,” he explained. “I just think that’s why you get into higher education—to help the students learn and grow and develop their talents to the fullest extent that they can.” Thomas spent one...
by Bridgette Begle | Oct 26, 2012 | News Slider
In a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the building for the new Nursing and Health Sciences Center was dedicated to the administration, faculty and students by President Lowry and five other men and women on Thursday, Oct. 25. Nursing students, faculty and members of the surrounding community gathered to witness more physical growth on the Lipscomb campus. The dedication ceremony lasted 45 minutes, followed by another segment of tours and a small reception. Roger Davis, dean of the College of Pharmacy, opened the ceremony, offering, “This is not just about a building; it’s about so much more. It is about the vision of the students.” “Today we celebrate the work of last year,” President Lowry said, giving many thanks to those involved during the process. The new building would not have been possible without the work of so many, he said. After the Lipscomb Academy concert chorus sang I Can Tell the World, Lowry and Davis, along with David Scobey (chair of the Lipscomb University Board of Trustees), Beth Youngblood (executive associate dean and professor of nursing), Josh Hardeman (president of the Student Nursing Association) and Rachel Pugh (service coordinator for the Student Nursing Association) cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the newly dedicated building. The facility consists of a 16-bed simulation center, 19 mannequins, a 14-bed assessment skills lab and spacious classrooms. “It really has the feel of a true hospital unit,” Youngblood said in an article on the university’s website. Clint Rider, a senior nursing student from Greenbrier, Tenn., gave special thanks from the nursing students as a whole. Rider’s senior class will have collaborated with Vanderbilt in their...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 29, 2012 | News Slider
University President Randy Lowry announced a few noteworthy campus-wide developments during yesterday’s annual President’s Convocation ceremony. Following a welcome by Phil Ellenburg, general counsel of the university, and a devotional service led by Dr. Darwin Mason of the Schrader Lane Church of Christ, Dr. Beth Youngblood, executive associate dean and professor of nursing, gave the crowd the year’s academic charge, challenging all with a “call to excellence.” Lowry soon followed, beginning his address with a moment of silence in honor of Matt Deery, the sophomore who died in a car accident in August. Lowry also announced that 35 new faculty members have been added to the campus, as well as a record number of students for the semester – including records set for freshmen enrollment, as well as graduate students, nursing students, Yellow Ribbon students and National Merit scholars. Outside of the new renovations to the Student Activities Center, McQuiddy gym and the Elam dormitory, Lowry announced future plans for further campus renovations that are set to begin in October. A new health and sciences lab facility will be placed by the Hughes Center, new renovations will be made to the square (including the installation of the fountain/baptistery that the campus community has been talking about for months), and much to the delight of students – who went wild with applause after the announcement – the university will pave the way for 110 new parking spots. The still unnamed nursing building is also set to open its doors at some point this fall. The high school football field will also have a new, NCAA-approved track....
by Michael Fox | Aug 27, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Track and field standout Matt Deery was remembered Thursday, Aug. 23, as a good teammate and friend who had an infectious smile and impacted the lives of everyone around him. Teammate and roommate Nelson Scott said Deery enjoyed brightening the lives of others.The Lipscomb community gathered in Collins Alumni Auditorium to celebrate the life of Deery, who died Aug. 1 as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Upper Nazareth Township, Pa. He was honored by his teammates, coaches and university administrators during the service. “With his heartfelt smile and his kind words, Matt could make anyone’s day. He loved doing that,” said Scott. President L. Randolph Lowry told the friends, teammates, family members and others gathered for the service that they will not be alone in their time of need. “This is about a community. We will walk this journey with you,” he said. Deery, who would have been a sophomore this fall, was the ideal teammate. “He was loved and respected by everyone on the team. He pursued excellence with a passion. But he was humble and as concerned with his teammates as he was with himself,” said Bill Taylor, Lipscomb’s track and field head coach. “And, he was as tough as they come. He represented the type of athlete that we try to recruit and the people who make up this team.” The Phillipsburg, N.J., native became the first track and field athlete in Lipscomb history to earn second-team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honors at the conference indoor championship this past season with a second-place pole vault of 4.55m (14’11”). He also won a...
by Emily Snell | May 6, 2012 | News Slider
Allen Arena was packed full with friends and family of the more than 630 students who crossed the stage to receive their diplomas Saturday, May 5 at the spring commencement, which was marked by several notable events. The arena was so full of graduates and guests that many members of the audience were left standing, and others overflowed into Collins Alumni Auditorium where the ceremony was broadcast live. Tennessee Speaker of the House, Beth Harwell, named Lipscomb’s 2012 Alumnus of the Year, shared a few words at the ceremony. She graduated from Lipscomb in 1978. Harwell said she could remember feeling both happy and nervous at her own graduation and wanted to offer words of affirmation to the students. “I will just give you this assurance,” she said, “David Lipscomb University has prepared you well for leadership—leadership in your homes, in your church, in business, in professions and in the community at large. So, I urge you to remember the principles that you’ve learned here at David Lipscomb University because they will serve you well in life.” University President Randy Lowry spoke briefly after the presentation of hoods and diplomas. He said he had four things he hoped for those in the graduating class. “I hope that you take a love of learning with you,” he said. “I hope that you’ll have forever a sense of belonging here… I hope you will be committed to service… It wouldn’t surprise you that we hope you take with you a sense of faith. “We love you,” he concluded. “We thank you for all you have done for us. We look forward now,...
