Lipscomb University

Last updated
Lipscomb University
Lipscomb Seal.svg
Former name
Nashville Bible School (1891–1918)
David Lipscomb College (1918–1988)
Motto"The Truth Shall Make You Free" – John 8:32
Type Private university
Established1891;133 years ago (1891)
Religious affiliation
Churches of Christ
Endowment $97.5 million (2022) [1]
Chairman Richard G. Cowart [2]
President Candice McQueen
Provost Jennifer W. Shewmaker [3]
Academic staff
238 (Full-time) & 298 (Part-time) [4]
Students4,704 (Fall 2022) [4]
Undergraduates 2,955 (Fall 2022) [4]
Postgraduates 1,749 (Fall 2022) [4]
Location,
U.S.
CampusSuburban, 113 acres (46 ha)
Colors    Purple & gold [5]
Nickname Bisons
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IA-Sun
MascotLU the Bison
Website www.lipscomb.edu
Lipscomb Logo.svg

Lipscomb University is a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The campus is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville; it also maintains one satellite location called "Spark" in Downtown Nashville to serve the business community. [6] Total student enrollment for the fall 2022 semester was 4,704, which included 2,955 undergraduate students and 1,749 graduate students.

Contents

History

Lipscomb University was founded in 1891 by David Lipscomb and James A. Harding. The campus grounds consist predominantly of the former estate of David Lipscomb, who donated it to the school. The school was always intended to function as a Christian liberal arts institution. It is still affiliated with the Churches of Christ and a seminary is part of the university.

In an early catalog, the founders expressed their views about providing a liberal education that included Christian underpinning:

We purpose to present in the way of a liberal education as extensive a curriculum as can be found in any school, college, or university in the land, and at the same time to thoroughly drill its students in the Bible, the divine source of wisdom and goodness. It was not our design to make professional preachers, but to train males and females, young and old, all who might become members of the school, for the greatest usefulness in life. Each student is left to choose his own calling.

James A. Harding, Course Catalog, 1896–97

Several prominent Church of Christ ministers received at least a portion of their higher education here (see Notable alumni below). The university remains thoroughly affiliated in the Churches of Christ: Potential full-time, undergraduate faculty must prove their membership in a Church of Christ before being hired. [7]

Its original name was the Nashville Bible School, which was changed to David Lipscomb College, then to Lipscomb University. Lipscomb graduated its first senior class in 1948, leaving behind the name of junior college forever. In 1954, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools granted Lipscomb its first accreditation. [8] In 1988, Lipscomb attained Level III (master's degree-granting) status and became known as Lipscomb University.[ citation needed ]

Some academic buildings were built with tax-exempt municipal bonds, and, because Lipscomb is a Christian school, this led to an extended lawsuit on the basis of whether or not a private religious institution is allowed to use public bonds. This case was debated for many years and ultimately made it to the Supreme Court. [9] [ better source needed ]

In September 2020, Lipscomb announced that it would be merging with the Austin Graduate School of Theology in Austin, Texas. The merger would become official in January 2021, with Lipscomb managing all of AGST's affairs and expanding their course offerings. Later, AGST folded due to financial troubles. [10]

Presidents

David Lipscomb (1831-1917) co-founded the Nashville Bible School in 1891. DavidLipscomb.jpg
David Lipscomb (1831–1917) co-founded the Nashville Bible School in 1891.

There have been 14 superintendents or presidents of Lipscomb over 18 administrations.

The Nashville Bible School was co-founded in 1891 by college founders David Lipscomb and James A. Harding. David Lipscomb never served as president, but as chairman of the board of trustees. James A. Harding served as the school's first superintendent.

Academic rankings
National
U.S. News & World Report [13] 212 of 443
Washington Monthly [14] 416 of 442

Campus

The Allen Bell Tower WTN EVula 152.jpg
The Allen Bell Tower


Bison Square WTN EVula 153.jpg
Bison Square

The James D. Hughes Center houses all the university's health-science programs and the physician assistant program. The Nursing and Health Sciences Center next door houses the graduate College of Nursing. [15]

Lipscomb has announced plans for a new College of Business building and a new performing arts center. [16]

Student life

Immaculee Ilibagiza (left), survivor of the Rwandan genocide, at the Christian Scholars' Conference in 2012. 2012-06-09 Ilibagiza + Ramsey at Lipscomb.jpg
Immaculée Ilibagiza (left), survivor of the Rwandan genocide, at the Christian Scholars' Conference in 2012.

Lipscomb does not have fraternities and sororities. Rather, it has social clubs, which are local and unique to Lipscomb University and are not part of any national Greek system. [17]

The Babbler is the defunct student newspaper and was published weekly during the spring and fall semesters. The title of the publication came from Acts 17:18 which in part says "What does this babbler have to say?" [18] The Backlog is the school's yearbook and is published annually. The Lumination Network, the school's converged student media outlet, replaced the weekly Babbler and is tied heavily with the academic program of the Department of Communication and Journalism. [19] "Lumination Network is Lipscomb University’s official student news service." [20] An independent student newsletter, the Lipscomb Underground, provided unfiltered student opinion for the campus. [21] The LU originally ran from 1994 to 2008, resurfacing in 2016, and persisting on Twitter until 2018. The name Lipscomb Underground comes from the musical Les Misérables which in part says "Make for the sewers, go underground!" [22]

An example of the bison painted by students by Collins Alumni Auditorium. WTN EVula 146.jpg
An example of the bison painted by students by Collins Alumni Auditorium.

Student body

As of 2023, Lipscomb University had 39% male students and 61% female students. [23]

Athletics

Lipscomb Bisons logo Lipscomb athletics wordmark.svg
Lipscomb Bisons logo

Lipscomb athletic teams are the Bisons. The university is a member of the Division I level of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the ASUN Conference.[ citation needed ]

Lipscomb competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.[ citation needed ]

The university has an ongoing sports rivalry with Belmont University, just 3 miles (4.8 km) down the road from Lipscomb. Traditionally, basketball games between the two schools are called the "Battle of the Boulevard". In 2006, the rivalry reached a new level when Belmont and Lipscomb advanced to the finals of the Atlantic Sun tournament at the Memorial Center in Johnson City, Tennessee, with the winner earning its first-ever bid to the NCAA tournament. Belmont won 74–69 in overtime. [24] Lipscomb was invited to the National Invitation Tournament as the regular-season conference champion, "the program's first-ever post-season appearance." [25] [26]

In 2019, Lipscomb made the NIT basketball finals, falling to the Texas Longhorns. [27]

Notable alumni

Academia

Athletics

Medicine

Music and arts

Politics

Religion

Other

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmont University</span> Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee, US

Belmont University is a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee. Descended from Belmont Women's College, founded in 1890 by schoolteachers Ida Hood and Susan Heron, the institution was incorporated in 1951 as Belmont College.

Ward–Belmont College was a women's college located in Nashville, Tennessee. It formed from the merger of the Ward Seminary for Young Ladies andBelmont College for Young Women in 1913. The college was located on the grounds of the Belmont Mansion, the antebellum estate of Adelicia Hayes Franklin Acklen Cheatham. It was the first junior college in the South to receive full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The college was sold for financial reasons in 1951. Its grounds were used to create Belmont College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Lipscomb</span> Leader, American Restoration Movement (1831–1917)

David Lipscomb was a minister, editor, and educator in the American Restoration Movement and one of the leaders of that movement, which, by 1906, had formalized a division into the Church of Christ and the Christian Church. James A. Harding and David Lipscomb founded the Nashville Bible School, now known as Lipscomb University in honor of the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tolbert Fanning</span>

Tolbert Fanning was one of the most influential leaders of what came to be called the American Restoration Movement. Born in what would later become Cannon County, Tennessee. He was man of many talents in both religion and agriculture: preacher, college founder and professor, journalist, writer, and editor. For his era he was considered an innovative farmer writing and co-editing magazines, Agriculturalist from 1840-1845 and the Naturalist from 1846-1850. His greatest influence was as much from his successful publications The Christian Review and Gospel Advocate, as much as from his circuit preaching. The most influential publication he founded, Gospel Advocate, inspired a former Franklin college student, David Lipscomb, who would follow Fanning as its editor. Fanning’s magazine provided a platform for purveying views and opinions relating to doctrine and church practice. It was through this influence that led to the 1906 identification of the Church of Christ as a distinct religious body, 33 years after Fanning's death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batsell Baxter</span>

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Nicholas Brodie Hardeman was an educator, debater, and a gospel preacher in the Churches of Christ. Along with Arvy G. Freed, Hardeman in 1907 co-founded what became Freed-Hardeman University, first known as the National Teachers Normal and Business College, or NTN&BC, in Henderson, Tennessee. In 1919, the institution was renamed Freed-Hardeman College. In 1990, it acquired university status. From 1925 to 1950, Hardeman was the president of Freed-Hardeman. He was an avid horse enthusiast, having participated in Tennessee Walking Horse competitions as an owner, rider, and a judge.

Ira Lutts North was a preacher and author within the Churches of Christ.

Grover Cleveland Brewer (1884–1956) was a leader in the Churches of Christ in the US. He was said to be "among the giants of the brotherhood".

Charles Richard Brewer (1890–1971) was an American professor, preacher, poet, and leader for the churches of Christ. Born near Gimlet Creek in Giles County, Tennessee, Brewer's career included many publications, television and radio shows, and a reputation for biblical learning. He died due to injuries resulting from a car crash. His funeral in Nashville was attended by some 3,000 people. Brewer was named "Speaker of the Year" in his final year and eventually a "Lipscomb Legend" by the university. He was scheduled to speak at Pepperdine University in April of his last year, where he was to receive the school's annual Most Distinguished Service Award. A belltower on the campus of Lipscomb University in 1935 was dedicated to his memory.

Rubel Shelly is an author, minister, and professor at Lipscomb University. He is the former president of Rochester College.

L. Randolph Lowry III, also known as Randy Lowry, is an American academic administrator. He was the President of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee from 2005 to 2021.

The Lipscomb Bisons men's basketball team is the men's basketball team that represents Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, United States in NCAA Division I. The school's team currently competes in the ASUN Conference. Previously, the Bisons played men's basketball in NCAA Division II and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Bisons made their first ever trip to the NCAA Division I tournament in school history in 2018, when they defeated Florida Gulf Coast in the 2018 ASUN men's basketball tournament. In 2019, Lipscomb made history by becoming the first team in ASUN history to make it to the National Invitation Tournament Final.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyntoia Brown</span> American author and speaker (born 1988)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">H. Leo Boles</span> American preacher and academic administrator

H. Leo Boles was an American preacher and academic administrator. He was a minister of the Churches of Christ and the president of David Lipscomb College. He was the author of several books.

E. H. Ijams was an American minister of the Churches of Christ and academic administrator. He was the president of Lipscomb University from 1934 to 1943, and the author of several books.

Adam Sonn is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for the Lipscomb Bisons and Belmont Bruins. Sonn was selected as the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year with the Bruins in 2003. He played professionally in Belgium, France, South Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden and Spain. Sonn became a high school basketball coach after his retirement from playing.

References

  1. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22". National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. 2023. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. "Lipscomb taps attorney as board of trustees chair". May 2023.
  3. "Higher ed veteran Jennifer Shewmaker appointed Lipscomb University's chief academic officer". Lipscomb University. June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "College Navigator - Lipscomb University". nces.ed.gov.
  5. Lipscomb University Brand Identity Guide and Stylebook (PDF). January 1, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  6. Sichko, Adam (May 5, 2016). "Downtown's newest tenant: 125-year-old university with ambition to grow". Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  7. "What it means to work at Lipscomb – Human Resources". Lipscomb University. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  8. "Institution Details". Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  9. Industrial Development Board of Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County v. Harry E. Steele, et al.,537U.S.1188(2003).
  10. "Austin Graduate School of Theology, Lipscomb University announce merger". Lipscomb University. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Dr. H. Leo Boles, Churchman, Dies" . The Tennessean. February 8, 1946. p. 9. Retrieved October 4, 2018 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Ex-Lipscomb President E. H. Ijams Services Set" . The Tennessean. July 16, 1982. p. 30. Retrieved October 5, 2018 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "2024-2025 Best National Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report . September 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  14. "2024 National University Rankings". Washington Monthly . August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  15. "Health science programs consolidated into renovated Hughes Center |". www.lipscomb.edu. January 31, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  16. "LIPSCOMBLEADS is largest giving campaign in institutional history, $250 million goal |". www.lipscomb.edu. January 31, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  17. "Social Clubs". Lipscomb University. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  18. "About The Babbler". Lipscomb.edu. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
  19. "Lumination" . Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  20. "Lumination Network". Lumination Network. Lipscomb University. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  21. "The Lipscomb Underground". The Lipscomb Underground. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  22. "The History of the Lipscomb Underground". The Lipscomb Underground. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  23. "Lipscomb University Student Life". US News and World Report. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  24. "Belmont 74–69 Lipscomb (Mar 4, 2006) Game Recap".[ dead link ]
  25. the program's first-ever post-season appearance
  26. "Bisons traveling NIT road to el Paso". March 12, 2006.
  27. Bacharach, Erik. "Lipscomb's run in the NIT ends with loss to Texas in championship game". The Tennessean.
  28. "Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame bio". Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  29. "Edwin Trevathan, M.D., M.P.H. | Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health". www.vumc.org. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  30. Mallory Gafas and Tina Burnside (January 7, 2019). "Cyntoia Brown is granted clemency after killing man who bought her for sex". CNN.
  31. "Jackson National Life CEO returns to Nashville roots". The Tennessean. July 7, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.

36°06′21″N86°47′51″W / 36.1058°N 86.7976°W / 36.1058; -86.7976