by Kathryn Farris | Aug 23, 2021 | News, News Slider
Dr. Candice McQueen describes her return to Lipscomb as “very satisfying.” Her appointment to succeed Randy Lowry as president of the university brings her back to the campus where she has served as an academic leader as senior vice president and dean of the university’s College of Education. McQueen’s leadership at the school goes back to her student days when she was on the Quest Team, Lipscomb’s student-led orientation group, and also served as the first student coordinator of Singarama, the university’s annual student song-and-dance competition. As of September, McQueen will be tackling a new role at Lipscomb, that of the president. “When I was at Lipscomb, I was very involved, and so I enjoyed leadership roles and certainly roles that were focused on university things, but I can’t say that I’ve probably ever sat down and said ‘Oh, I see myself as the president,’” said McQueen in an interview with Lumination Network. “When you’re involved in leadership, you’re involved in doing things on the campus that you love. That should be a testament that you never know what might happen and certainly that was my case.” McQueen’s past is a stark contrast to that of current President Randy Lowry, who came to Lipscomb as a law professor from Pepperdine University in California. McQueen said she believes her experiences at Lipscomb give her a deep understanding of the university’s reputation. “Being from Nashville and being from Tennessee gives me the perspective of knowing what Lipscomb has been to this community,” she said. “I’m going to listen and learn in my first year and hope to connect what I think...
by Stephanie Schiraldi | Mar 12, 2015 | News Slider
Students have a new friend in class in the McFarland Science Center — the sound of a drill. Construction crews are working on an addition on the west side of the original building. The project is part of the Lipscomb:Next campaign, an initiative to invest $125 million in the university by its 125th anniversary in 2016. The $8.5 million addition will include six new laboratories for organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and human anatomy and physiology. Despite a few setbacks, Mike Engelman, director of campus construction, said construction is about to start moving swiftly. “This week we are preparing to pour the concrete on the basement slab,” Engelman said. “After that slab is complete, we will start the next level and should really start seeing this building move quick as long as the weather cooperates.” The construction has drawn quite a few noise complaints from both students and professors in the process, though. Kent Gallaher, chair of the department of biology, said the noise originated after the construction company found a layer of rock settling on top of a layer of mud, which had to be removed. “The solution was a hammer through the rock layer to stabilize the foundation,” Gallaher said. “This was very, very noisy work that required a huge bulldozer-sized jack hammer.” Brittany Elmore, a junior elementary education major from Mt. Juliet, said that some of her professors have had to wait for the noise to stop before they could continue teaching. “It was so loud that no one could hear,” Elmore said. “It’s definitely hard to focus and is distracting sometimes, but it really hasn’t bothered me as much...
by Erin Turner | Dec 19, 2014 | News Slider
Two interim deans have been appointed for the College of Education and the College of Professional Studies. Deborah Boyd, associate dean and director of graduate studies for the College of Education, will be filling the vacancy of Candice McQueen, who was appointed as Tennessee’s new commissioner of education on Wednesday. As a national search is underway for McQueen’s successor, Boyd will lead the College of Education and Lipscomb’s Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning and Innovation. Nina Morel, associate dean of the College of Professional Studies, will be serving as interim dean for that college, after Charla Long’s departure. Morel also leads the College of Professional Studies’ integrated studies and adult degree programs. In an email sent to faculty and staff, Lipscomb Provost Craig Bledsoe said that both Long and McQueen have led their respective colleges well. “They have established strong leadership teams that have helped put feet to their vision and will continue the impactful work of these colleges,” Bledsoe wrote. Although Long and McQueen have left, Bledsoe is certain the new interim deans will lead the colleges in the right direction. “When considering individuals to fill the role of interim dean we did not have to look far to find administrators to provide outstanding leadership during this period of transition while national searches are underway for permanent leadership for these colleges. “We look forward to working with Dr. Morel and Dr. Boyd as they share their expertise, vision and leadership with these colleges and with our university.” Photos courtesy...
by Erin Turner | Dec 17, 2014 | News Slider
When Gov. Bill Haslam began his search for a new education commissioner, he turned to Lipscomb University Senior Vice President Candice McQueen. Haslam announced Wednesday that McQueen will join his cabinet as commissioner of the Department of Education. “She has taught in a classroom, so she brings both the experience of being a teacher and of preparing teachers to teach,” Haslam said in making his announcement. “I am grateful for her willingness to serve in this role, and I know she’ll do a great job as we continue our efforts to provide a quality education for all Tennessee students.” McQueen has served as dean of the College of Education at Lipscomb since 2008, while also serving on the excutive leadership team as senior vice president. Since she has served as the dean, Lipscomb’s College of Education has grown by 54 percent, and 15 new graduate programs have been created. Her work as a leader in the College of Education has been recognized at state and national levels for teacher-preparation design and teacher-candidate outcomes. Even before McQueen joined Lipscomb in 2001, she taught in elementary and middle schools. “I have spent most of my career focused on developing and supporting educators to help our students succeed, and I look forward to bringing that experience and perspective to the important work of leading the Department of Education,” McQueen said according to Haslam’s press release. Now that McQueen will join Haslam’s cabinet, Lipscomb will announce the appointment of an interim dean in the next few days. But McQueen has already assembled a team of leadership within the College of Education who will be able to continue...
by Colleen Casner | Aug 27, 2014 | News Slider
University president Randy Lowry announced a six-year, $375 million investment during the President’s Convocation on Tuesday. A large amount of the money will go towards improvements in residence halls and parking, in addition to creating new programs, renovating and building facilities, providing scholarships, investing in the school’s endowment and creating a mobile medical clinic. “It’s not about the money,” Lowry said. “It’s about a group of people who feel God’s calling to create a unique academy and university that will bless the students who come and bless the community in which we reside.” Lowry listed the many honors Lipscomb has achieved this past year, such as Lipscomb’s recognition as one of 249 Colleges of Distinction and the 13th best Christian college in the United States by Christian Universities Online. Also recognized were the the College of Education’s ranking as second in the nation for teacher preparation, and the athletic department’s winning the Atlantic Sun academic trophy, an honor given to the best academic performance among student athletes in the A-Sun Conference. Lowry emphasized Lipscomb’s role in serving the larger Nashville community. “Beyond the buildings is the recognition that this university wants to be engaged in its community and carry out its Christian call in dramatic and impactful ways,” Lowry said. “I don’t want us to be known just as a community that is engaged. I want us to be known as a community that is having impact on the community in profound ways.” Carousel photo and gallery by Erin Turner Created with Admarket’s...
