by Jayme Foltz | Mar 1, 2022 | News, News Slider
The celebration of the inauguration of Dr. Candice McQueen as Lipscomb’s 18th president will take three days, beginning March 28. And it will be something of a star-studded affair, with show biz legend Pat Boone, a Lipscomb alum, leading the performance of the alma mater, which he composed. Boone was a singing sensation in the 1950s, with No. 1 pop hits including “Ain’t That a Shame” in 1955 and April Love in 1957. He also starred in many movies, including 1959’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” as well as appeared frequently on various TV series. Inauguration week was a plan in the making from the moment McQueen took office as the university’s first female president at the beginning of the school year. Dr. Walt Leaver III, vice president of university relations, was appointed to oversee the committees tasked with carrying out the three-day celebration.. “We had all kinds of ideas about who we could bring in and what we could do and places we could go,” Leaver said. “When we finally got down to what we could actually handle, we started putting together a plan, and we’ll know five weeks from now how it’s gonna work.” Leaver said that the president envisioned the event as a festival for the community that is also consistent with the theme to “Be a Light.” The event will open with a unique symposium that explores “How to Be a Light in Today’s World” through presentations and panel discussions focused on fields such as business, entertainment and healthcare. McQueen will take the stage in Allen Arena on the second day of the...
by Lumination Staff | Sep 13, 2021 | Galleries, News Slider
The Lipscomb Community gathered early Monday morning to memorialize lives lost on September 11, 2001. Students, faculty and new President Candice McQueen placed flags 2,977 flags (one for each life lost in the 9/11 attack) throughout Bison Square. Gallery by Abigail Kopp and Jack Roper. Memorial flags on campus. Photo by Jack...
by Camryn Given | Sep 6, 2021 | COVID-19, News Slider
President Randy Lowry doesn’t exactly remember his first day at Lipscomb. He does remember sitting in his office for the first week or two and not thinking there was much to be done. Now, 16 years later, as he prepares to end his time as Lipscomb’s president, he no longer has to wonder, “What am I supposed to be doing?” “Eventually, we figured that out and the pace picked up,” Lowry told Lumination Network. “Once the pace picked up, it hasn’t paused since then.” Lowry said there were a lot of emotions he associated with his coming to Lipscomb, including hopefulness for what he could accomplish. “This Christian college, which is a sister school to Pepperdine where I was coming from, really could and should be the leading university in our church fellowship,” said Lowry. “I was filled with anticipation, very excited and complemented to be here.” Now, as Lowry steps down as president at midnight tonight and assumes the role of chancellor, he says he’s looking forward to taking a break. He added for context that most university presidents only serve six years. “After 16 years, if we’re being really honest with ourselves, we’re probably more exhausted than we know. And so I’m going to sleep for the first 10 days,” he said with a laugh. Lowry said that in the next few months he’ll be taking a working sabbatical in which he wants to take piano lessons, which he hasn’t done since high school. He also said he plans on spending a lot of time with his nine grandchildren, all of whom have been born during his...
by Abigail Kopp | Aug 31, 2021 | News
With the tolling of the bell, Tuesday’s Presidential Convocation officially marked the start of the 2021-2022 school year, with outgoing President Randy Lowry and his successor Dr. Candice McQueen both looking toward the future. McQueen said she formed three phrases to help everyone navigate through this academic year together. The first is “being a light,” she said. That starts by learning and growing in Christ, whether it be through plugging in at the Gathering, breakouts, classes, discussions with friends or even at your local church, McQueen said. “Being a light will force us to put away our selfish ways and demands that we actually put a spotlight on [Jesus] and others,” she said. Then comes “bringing your best,” she said, noting that means to reach out for others who cannot do for themselves. She said the community members must be prepared to encourage others, while also holding themselves accountable to a high bar. “Bringing your best requires forethought, intention and discipline—it does not just happen,” Finally, she said it is a matter of beginning the process. “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step,” she said, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Although no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start now and make a brand-new ending,” she said. A highlight from the event was the presentation of the Kopio Award, given to Dr. Carl McKelvey. McKelvey, the executive vice president of the Center for Spiritual Renewal, has been a part of the Lipscomb community for nearly 70 years (recently celebrating his 90th birthday)....
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...
