by Erin Turner | May 3, 2015 | News Slider
A record number of graduates, a 1950s pop icon who rewrote the Lipscomb alma mater and Yellow Ribbon scholars who sacrificed so much were among the highlights Saturday when Lipscomb students were celebrated in the commencement ceremonies in Allen Arena. That icon, Pat Boone, introduced his “new” version of Lipscomb’s alma mater. He led that special part of the ceremony during which over 400 undergraduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and jubilant friends and families joined in the celebration. Boone, the original author of Lipscomb’s alma mater, recently made a few changes to the lyrics, but the melody remained the same. He described how he and Don Henley created the original song that he “rebooted” to make more modern this year. “I listened to some of the other college alma maters, and they’re impressive, and some are fight songs,
and based on my experience here, and knowing what Lipscomb is about, I felt it needed to have an anthem quality,” Boone said. “It needed to have a spiritual quality, because that’s who we are. “Not many colleges around this great United States can say that.” Backed up by four Lipscomb students, Boone led the audience in the updated alma mater. Like others who were toasted during the commencement exercises, Boone worked extra hard to attend the school where his spirituality was nurtured. Long before he became a Hollywood mainstay and resident of Beverly Hills, Boone and his brother worked through the summers so that they could afford going to Lipscomb Academy. His reasoning, likely echoed by all the graduates who were at saluted during the ceremony, was he wanted an education in a Christian context....
by Michael Fox | Dec 20, 2012 | Uncategorized
Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon program has blessed a lot of military lives since it began in 2009. The program started off with 20 military veterans and now has reached to over 150. One student, Sam Schoenheit, shared his story, inspiring the lives of many here at Lipscomb. Schoenheit attended basic training in summer 2003. At the Marine Corps boot camp, he was indoctrinated into the Marine Recon — the Marine Corps’ most elite fighting force. Schoenheit served two combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. While conducting operations in Afghanistan, he was wounded on duty when a bullet fragmented into his brain. “I stayed in the fight for about 45 minutes before I took one,” Schoenheit recalled. “I woke up in Bethesda Naval hospital with a full right side stroke, and that’s when I realized that my journey to recover was going to be a long ways away.” While unconscious, former President George W. Bush personally awarded Schoenheit the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his combat services. Schoneheit’s recovery has been miraculous, and he is continuing to progress. “My only missing piece is the right hand hasn’t come back yet,” Schoenheit said. “The shoulder movement and stiffness in my forearm … just awkward and clumsy.” We thank Schoenheit for his services, and we are blessed that he chose to be a Bison. For more of Schoenheit’s story, watch this video by Monaih Sam....
by Bridgette Begle | Sep 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
For someone who eventually wants to get into historical restoration, Andrew Norman seems to be a part of history himself, after serving two tours in Iraq as a corporal in the Marines. Norman, a member of Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon program, began his service in October 2005. He said he has always known that he was drawn to the military but did not specifically know the Marines was his future destination. At 25, Norman is one of the younger members of Yellow Ribbon, which enables veterans who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001, to obtain an undergraduate degree with discounted or free tuition. “I love the Yellow Ribbon program,” he said. “Without it, I would not be going to an institution as prestigious as this.” The small community at Lipscomb is something Norman said he really appreciates. “The friendly atmosphere cannot be found in most other schools.” A Nashville-area native, Norman said his family is an important support system for him. “My parents are big supporters in everything,” he said. Norman said his younger sister Nicole, an Austin Peay graduate, plays a big role in helping him through his schooling. He said she is always there for him in his “why am I doing this?” moments. His whole life, Norman said he has had a passion for history. After graduating, Norman intends to go to graduate school and pursue a career in historical restoration. “I’m not gonna get rich in that field, so it shows you my like for it,” he said. Although school may seem like a struggle to Norman sometimes, he has overcome much bigger obstacles...
by Bridgette Begle | Sep 11, 2012 | News Slider
In remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, the Lipscomb community hosted a special event to honor the victims and the heroes of the tragic terrorist attacks 11 years ago. Tuesday morning the Allen Bell Tower became a place of observance and remembrance. Lipscomb students and staff, as well as the surrounding community, gathered to recall the events of that day and pray for those affected and for the future of America. At the conclusion of the service, the bells tolled 11 times at 7:46 a.m., representing the time when the first plane flew into the north tower of the World Trade Center. “We are grateful for the changing fortunes of our lives. We know all comfort and consolation comes from you,” said Randy Bostic, who led the group in prayer before the bells chimed. “Let the heroes of this event be an example of courage, and let us apply it to our life with you.” Jim Humphrey, assistant dean of students and director of veteran services who retired from service last November after 22 years, organized the event. Humphrey said he wanted it to take place at a convenient time for those with 8 a.m. classes, which happened to line up with the original time of disaster. Humphrey led the group in reflecting on the events that forever marked Sept. 11, and then a moment of silence followed. The 16-minute ceremony was meant to be emotionally light but significant in its meaning, he said. “These aren’t just numbers, but real people who died,” Humphrey said, referring to the 3,000 people who lost their lives that day. “To me, it’s almost...
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,...
