Lowry announces investment, six-year plan at convocation

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...

2012 President’s Convocation ushers in new academic year

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....