Lifelong Learning Lipscomb University

We firmly believe the old adage: “You are never too old to learn something new.”

Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, the Lifelong Learning program offers people of retirement and semi-retirement age an opportunity to expand knowledge and explore new ideas in an informal, non-competitive environment.

Learning occurs in a pleasant social atmosphere in classes with your peers—without exams, grades or credit hours! Plus, no previous educational requirement is needed. Select one or more of the courses offered, and engage in the ongoing work of learning.

Registration for Spring 2025 opens Jan. 6!

Spring 2025 Session

The frequency of Lifelong Learning courses for Spring 2025 ranges from five to 10 sessions. Class formats are either in-person only, hybrid (in-person and Zoom) or Zoom only. Check the Class Offerings page for specific details. Two video-only courses that each consist of five sessions are also available in on-demand format. Links will be provided for viewing the video-only courses and any Zoom courses before classes start. Also, check out the Special Gatherings page for details about one-day learning experiences that are separate from regular courses.

Class Location

Unless otherwise specified, all in-person classes and Special Gatherings "lunch and learn" events will meet at Longview Mansion, located at 811 Caldwell Lane in Nashville, Tennessee. Free parking is available on-site at Longview Mansion. Details for the two field trips are located in their respective event description.
We look forward to seeing you in the spring!

Spring 2025 Kick-off Reception:
January 28, 2-3:30 PM CT

Join fellow Lifelong Learners on Jan. 28 at Longview Mansion, located at 811 Caldwell Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, for the Spring 2025 Semester Kick-Off Reception! Learn more about the upcoming semester of classes for Lifelong Learners! Enjoy refreshments as we meet and hear from the professors.

No charge to attend, but registration is required by Jan. 23. Free parking is available on site.

Registration opens Jan. 6, and link is coming soon!

View the Spring 2025 Classes

Lifelong Learning Faculty

Mary Nelle Chumley (’53)

Mary Nelle Chumley’s unbroken legacy of volunteerism at Lipscomb began when she and her husband returned to the university in 1958 after a period during which he taught in Indiana. In those days at small colleges, faculty had wide-ranging responsibilities beyond the classroom.

Eric Davis

Eric Davis is the director of programs for young adults at Crossroads Campus, where he oversees all aspects of the programs, including job training, affordable housing and support services. Davis has dedicated his life and career to giving back to the system that once supported him.

Jackie Edwards-Henry

Jackie Edwards-Henry is professor emeritus of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at Mississippi State University, where she also served as coordinator of Group Piano for more than 20 years. She has also served as an adjunct collaborative pianist at Lipscomb University since October 2023.

Sarah Faulk

Senior Piano Major

David French (’91)

David French is a columnist for The New York Times. A graduate of Harvard Law School, David was previously a senior editor at The Dispatch and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. He is a former constitutional litigator and a past president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

Sarah Gibson

Director, Center for Digital Media Ethics; Director and Professor, School of Communication, Lipscomb University

Katlyn Green

Katlyn Green is a gerontologist in the Nashville area. She is currently an Elder Care Coordinator with Johnson McGinnis Eldercare Law where she guides clients through a Life Care Plan.

Kem Hinton

Kem Hinton is an architect, urban designer, historian, LEED professional, and visual artist. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tennessee (Torchbearer Award) and his Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Ruth Henry

Ruth Henry came to Lipscomb in 1992 as a teacher and employee wellness director. She attended Lipscomb from kindergarten through college, receiving a B.S. degree in 1974. Henry teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, specializing in Biostatistics and Applied Exercise Physiology.

Bill Hirschman

Bill Hirschman is a portfolio manager for Brown Advisory in the Nashville office. Over a 30-year career in the capital markets, Bill has worked with families, foundations and companies to deliver first-rate investment performance and the highest level of investment acumen and advice

Michael Kaminski MD, FAAN

Michael Kaminski MD, FAAN is a retired clinical neurologist with certification in Internal Medicine, Neurology (ABPN) and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) and previously added qualifications in Vascular Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology.

Alex Loyd (’83)

Alex Loyd is the New York Times bestselling author of The Healing Code, The Love Code, and The Memory Code, the first book ever published on Memory Engineering, an emerging science.

Janet McMahan (’75)

Janet McMahan has worked as a professional pianist since she was 16 years old. She's also worked as a writer, performing artist and producer of music, audiobooks and dramatic works.

Rob McRay

Rob McRay is an adjunct instructor in Bible at Lipscomb University. He has served for more than 30 years as the senior minister for congregations in Nashville, Houston and Milwaukee, and currently serves as an interim minister with Interim Ministry Partners.

Howard Miller

Howard Miller joined the history faculty at Lipscomb in 2012. He is a widely published social historian with a specialty in the history of Islamic Spain.

Mattie Ree Neal

Mattie Ree Neal is a Nashville based artist. Mattie trained primarily with her father, Michael Shane Neal (’91) and his mentor, the late renowned artist Everett Raymond Kinstler. Mattie was recently on the 2024 faculty at the Portrait Society of America conference. She is currently the Artist in Residence at Lipscomb University.

Michael Shane Neal (’91)

Michael Shane Neal is a distinguished American portrait artist known for his exceptional skill in traditional oil painting and his ability to capture the essence and character of his subjects.

William Petrie, MD

Geriatric Psychiatrist, Professor Emeritus at Vanderbilt Medical School

Paul Prill

Paul Prill taught at Lipscomb for 42 years, and he served as director of the Honors College for the last 22 of those. He was also the minister of the Acklen Avenue Church of Christ from 1981-2011.

Linda Peek Schacht (’72)

Linda Peek Schacht has advised government, business and nonprofit leaders on communication and strategy for over 40 years. A veteran of the Carter White House press office, she has held the top communication positions for a national Presidential campaign, USA Today, the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate and the Senate Democratic Policy Committee.

Willie Steele (’95)

Willie Steele grew up in Ohio before completing his undergraduate degree (English and Speech Communication) from Lipscomb University where he ran cross country and track. He stayed in Tennessee to coach and complete his M.A. in English from Middle Tennessee State University.

Megan Woodall

Megan Woodall has been serving as our animal care and adoptions manager since 2023. She transitioned into animal rescue from the zookeeping field after caring for carnivores for about eight years.

Lifelong Learning