Faculty - Lifelong Learning
Meet the faculty behind Lifelong Learning
Mary Nelle Chumley (’53)
Lipscomb Alumna and Special Event Hostess
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. As art department chair, her husband was responsible for decorating everything from Board meetings to dorm lobbies to Homecoming, and she was in the middle of—or out in front of—these extracurricular assignments. A gifted floral arranger, Chumley quickly became recognized as the campus event decorator. But she contributed far more: for many years, she was the de facto showrunner for Homecoming, coaching participants on their roles and managing this and other events.
Following her husband John’s untimely death in 1986, Chumley single-handedly created all of the floral arrangements for every on-campus event through the year 2000. She continues to create arrangements for several departments on campus, particularly the School of Music and College of Pharmacy—she volunteers her time to prepare all of the arrangements for its white coat ceremony—and has served the university in this way for five presidential administrations.
As a young faculty spouse, she was concerned that students who could not afford to live on campus would choose not to attend Lipscomb at all. The couple opened their home, just a block away from campus, for many of these students to have a place to live. She saw the impact on and appreciation of these students, and as a founding member of the Associated Women for Lipscomb in the early 1980s, advocated for scholarships to be the central benefit of the nascent organization.
It was Chumley’s idea to use Avalon, university founder David Lipscomb’s historic, on-campus home, as a bed and breakfast or meeting space for campus visitors. Her vision was to use the proceeds to endow the Associated Women for Lipscomb (AWL)-Centennial Scholarship. The administration granted that request and invested in restoring Avalon to its original configuration and modest, country splendor. Chumley began serving as scheduler, host and caterer—roles in which she continues to serve more than 45 years later. She and others volunteered their time in every role — including cooking meals for the visitors — so all of the proceeds would go to the scholarship. A campus publication from 2001 stated more than $23,000 was raised that year alone from activities at Avalon. Today, nearly $414,000 has been generated for the Centennial Scholarship endowment principal. In the past 20 years, more than 600 scholarships have been awarded from the AWL-Centennial Scholarship fund.
The success of the AWL-Centennial Scholarship led them to endow additional scholarships, and satellite AWL chapters also adopted scholarships as their primary focus. In the same 20-year period, a total of 1,627 AWL scholarships have been awarded. Because of their appreciation for her vision and service, AWL established the Associated Women for Lipscomb–Mary Nelle Hutcheson Chumley Endowed Scholarship in 2015.
In 2006, Chumley was named the university’s “Alumnus of the Year,” an honor she shared with her husband Charles Chumley (’39), a 1991 “Alumnus of the Year” honoree. Married in 1990, the Chumleys served Lipscomb together until his death in 2004.
In recent years, Chumley has immersed herself in serving the university’s alumni relations office, particularly with the Lifelong Learning and senior alumni programs. She is described as “a third staff member” and “a life saver” by the professionals in those programs. She is happy to do the “small things” that have a big impact in constituent services, such as meticulously reproducing yearbook photos of 50-year class reunion attendees, setting up registration areas, greeting guests, coordinating events, and general office work.
Eric Davis
Director of Programs for Young Adults, Crossroad Campus
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.
His journey through the foster care system, youth homelessness and poverty provides him with a unique, deeply personal perspective on these critical issues.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in supervision and management. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) with a minor in trauma.
Jackie Edwards-Henry
Professor Emeritus of Piano, Mississippi State University; Adjunct Instructor/Collaborative Pianist, Lipscomb University
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.
She holds a Ph.D. in piano pedagogy from The University of Oklahoma, B.S. and M.M. degrees in performance and pedagogy from William Jewell College and The University of Illinois, and pursued additional piano study in Bordeaux, France as the recipient of a Rotary Scholarship.
She first received group piano training at the age of 19, as a freshman at William Jewell College, by Richard Chronister, co-author of Keyboard Arts piano method and former director of the National Conference on Piano Pedagogy. She taught children’s group piano classes using the Keyboard Arts method from 1979-82 in the Lydia Lovan Community Music School at William Jewell. She served as a graduate assistant in group piano at The University of Illinois (1984-85), supervised by Dr. James Lyke, and The University of Oklahoma (1989-91), supervised by Dr. E. L. Lancaster. Both of her supervisors are authors of popular texts for group piano (Keyboard Musicianship and Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults, respectively).
In 1986, between her master’s and doctoral degrees, Dr. Edwards received certification in the Yamaha Music Education System and taught adult group electronic keyboard classes for Jenkins Music Company, Kansas City, MO (1986-89). To augment and enhance independent and group piano teaching, she pursued levels 1 and 2 training in Dalcroze Eurhythmics at DePaul University in 2003 and did additional training in 2010 at the Lucy Moses School in New York City. As a result, Dr. Edwards regularly uses Dalcroze techniques with students in private lessons and classes.
In addition to teaching and coordinating group piano classes for college students, Dr. Edwards regularly offered beginning piano classes for adult hobbyists. And because group piano teaching was an area of specialization, she regularly used level one adult hobbyist piano classes as the intern teaching component for the undergraduate Introduction to Piano Pedagogy course.
Dr. Edwards remains committed to teaching piano to adult hobbyists. She serves as Chair of the Committee on Teaching Adults for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. Additionally, she received a grant from the National Piano Foundation to do training in Recreational Music Making at the 2024 MTNA Convention held in Atlanta. To utilize her recent training and long-standing group piano expertise, she would like to offer a beginning adult piano class at Lipscomb University on the day she accompanies vocal students. This would have the added benefit of serving Lipscomb with a new area of outreach, and possibly give undergraduate piano majors an opportunity to learn about group piano teaching and gain some hands-on experience assisting in classes.
David French (’91)
Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy, Lipscomb University College of Leadership & Public Policy
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.
David is a New York Times bestselling author, and his most recent book is “Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation.”
David is a former major in the United States Army Reserve and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Sarah Gibson
Director, Center for Digital Media Ethics; Director and Professor, Lipscomb University School of Communication
Professor Sarah Gibson is an educator and media professional from Abilene, Texas. She is a graduate of Abilene Christian University where she obtained her B.S. in Electronic Media, and the University of North Texas, earning her MFA in Radio, Television and Film. Her specialization in documentary filmmaking at North Texas led to her involvement in six award-winning films and one interactive project.
As a storyteller and filmmaker, Gibson founded her own media production company at the age of 21 alongside her husband. Initially, the company carved its niche in high-quality photography, video, audio, and live production services. Over time, it blossomed into an entity creating engaging video and interactive content for children on YouTube as well as creating a Christian Rock radio countdown show that was internationally syndicated.
In 2012, Gibson was honored with the Broadcast Education Association’s Best of Festival King Foundation Award for her work on the interactive documentary "Steve Taylor’s Digital Clone."
Her expertise spans documentary production, video editing, new media production, design thinking, podcasting, and interactive storytelling. She's also adept in data and investigative journalism, web, and app development. Gibson is a published First Amendment scholar and a passionate podcaster, hosting the popular series "Mommy Needs a Moment." She is currently working on a documentary film about her mother’s career as a trailblazer in electronic music. Her commitment to storytelling extends to the use of diverse media forms to weave compelling narratives. As an educator, she has guided her students to produce numerous award-winning projects.
Katlyn Green
Gerontologist and Elder Care Coordinator, Johnson McGinnis Eldercare Law
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.
Her experience spans the developmental stages of aging, education for Medicare and Medicaid, wellness, transition care, progressing to and through end of life, bereavement and grief.
Katlyn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Freed-Hardeman University; a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Kentucky University; and a Master of Business Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Her specialties include work as a certified senior advisor (CSA) ®, a certified senior occupancy specialist (COS), a certified end-of-life doula (EOLD) as well as field work (practicum, internships, student teaching and clinical training) in senior housing, chaplaincy, grief counseling, end-of-life care, hospice service, funeral implementation, family mediation, aging development and social work.
Ruth Henry (’74)
B.S. Elementary Education, Lipscomb University (1974); M.S. Wellness and Fitness, Middle Tennessee State University (1992); D.A. Human Performance, Middle Tennessee State University (2000
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. She earned the M.S. from Middle Tennessee State University in 1992, and completed the Doctor of Arts degree at MTSU in August 2000 with the initial year of doctoral study at Vanderbilt University.
Henry teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, specializing in Biostatistics and Applied Exercise Physiology. She is certified by American College of Sports Medicine as a Certified Exercise Physiologist, and by the Yoga Alliance. She is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, SHAPE America, and Tennessee Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance where she served as newsletter editor for 20 years.
She has served as a reviewer for the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences, as a member of the wellness advisory board for Faith Family Medical Center, and as board member for Nashville Corporate Challenge. On campus, she serves as chair of the Academic Integrity Committee, and as a member of the Health Professions Advisory Committee and the General Education Council.
At Lipscomb, Henry has been awarded Outstanding SALT Faculty, Outstanding Advisor, Outstanding Teacher, and the Baker Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was also named University Teacher of the Year Award by TAHPERD and received TAHPERD’s Honor Award. Henry's professional interests are applied exercise physiology and adult fitness, in which she has published papers and presented at regional and national conferences.
Henry currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology. She is married to Phil Henry, an elder at Hillsboro Church of Christ; as a couple, they serve as pre-marriage mentors to engaged couples. They have three adult children and nine grandchildren. Henry enjoys exercise, hiking, teaching, reading, and spending time with grandchildren.
Kem Hinton
Architect, Urban Designer, Historian, LEED Professional and Visual Artist
Kem Hinton 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.
Kem was co-founder of Tuck-Hinton Architects in 1984, and during his 35-year career was responsible for the design of churches, private homes, educational facilities, theaters, museums, parks, and memorials. Kem’s most known accomplishments are the Tennessee Bicentennial Mall, “Civil Rights Room” and “Votes for Women Room” (both in the Nashville Public Library), Tennessee World War II Memorial, and Tennessee State Library & Archives.
In 2019, Kem established a sole-practitioner studio. He is a frequent lecturer and author, and his recent book is Tennessee’s Bicentennial Mall, a 180-page hardback publication.
Kem is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He received the AIA Tennessee 2019 “William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award,” and in 2021 was appointed to the Tennessee Historical Commission. He lives with wife Marilyn in their LEED Platinum Home, the first in Williamson County. They have one grown son, T.J., Ph.D.
Bill Hirschman
Portfolio manager for Brown Advisory in Nashville
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. Bill also seeks to serve his community through numerous endeavors and non-profit board affiliations. He’s a board member of the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center, and advisory board member of Friends of Warner Park, and a volunteer rowing coach at Montgomery Bell Academy. He received a Bachelor of Arts in economics at Washington & Lee University.
Michael Kaminski
Retired Clinical Neurologist
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. Longstanding areas of interest have included peripheral nerve disease and ALS, stroke and multiple sclerosis. In the last decade he focused his practice on dementia and cognitive neurology. Related areas of expertise have included patient safety in neurology and end-of-life care.
Dr. Kaminski has a longstanding interest in neurology education and previously directed a clinical elective in neurology for Vanderbilt third-year internal nedicine residents. He continues to teach neurology for residents at Centennial and Skyline Medical Centers.
Alex Loyd (’83)
New York Times bestselling author of “The Healing Code, The Love Code, and The Memory Code"
Dr. Alex Loyd has been in business for over 25 years. He’s been featured on top networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS. He has also been acclaimed in USA Today, Time, People and Oprah Magazine. He 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.
Loyd has an earned Ph.D. in psychology and an ND doctorate in naturopathic medicine. He did mainstream private practice counseling for eight years after master’s and Ph.D. graduate school at Tennessee State University in Nashville. He was ordained as a minister in 1992 by the Hixson (now Clearcreek) Church of Christ, and worked fulltime as a youth and counseling minister for 10 years out of undergraduate. Earned Bachelor of Science in ministry from Lipscomb University in 1983.
Along with his endorsements, Loyd has over 4,000 five-star Amazon reviews. He has received praise and endorsements from Dr. Josh Axe, Mark Victor Hansen, Jordan Ruben, JJ virgin, Dr. Ben Johnson and Dr. Bradley Nelson. The Healing Code is now backed by 26 university double-blind studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Two other independent university studies concluded that Loyd’s interventions work better for mental and emotional issues than the current most popular counseling and therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
Loyd started in his basement with little money and no advertising. Today, according to twoof the top New York Publishers—Random House and Hachette—Loyd is now the largest emotional wellbeing practice in the world. He reaches 50 states and 184 countries by actively sharing his secrets. He is a New York Times bestselling author with #1 national bestseller in seven countries and top 10 national bestseller in 22 other countries. He’s also published in 40 countries and 30 languages.
Most recently, Loyd created a life coaching program and trained a multitude of professional coaches. After dedicating decades of his life exclusively to private practice, it’s been over 25 years since he’s publicly coached. He’s now focused on his dream—giving back to the world and serving the Kingdom of God.
Loyd lives with his wife of 38 years Hope in Franklin, Tennessee. They have two sons Harry and George Loyd, who both graduated from Lipscomb University.
Janet McMahan (’75)
Lipscomb Alumna, Performing Artist, Writer and Producer
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.
Her first love has always been volunteering as a musician and singer for retirement centers, skilled nursing facilities, homeless shelters and similar venues. She began volunteering at age 12 when the school librarian invited her to sing at Lakeshore/Wedgewood. It has been a passion of hers since.
As a musician and singer, Janet has performed on the Grand Ole Opry, toured the United States and abroad as Roy Orbison's keyboard player and played for hundreds of society gigs, weddings, parties and every kind of function imaginable. She’s worked in the studio as a keyboard player, vocalist and vocal contractor on recordings for numerous artists including Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Steve Winwood, Shirley Jones, John Denver, Sandi Patti, Kathie Lee Gifford, Michael Crawford and many others.
She’s performed on jingles for McDonald's, Target, General Tire and many other regional and local commercials and also has written and produced for Simon and Schuster, LifeWay, McGraw-Hill, Word, Gibson Publishing, Thomas Nelson, Sparrow, Brentwood/Benson and Sesame Street Records.
She has written and produced Grammy and Dove Award winning projects. Janet has had more than 1,500 songs published and in print and over 75 published children's musicals which she has written and/or collaborated. Several of her dramatic musical works (words, music and book) have been recognized by the Dramatists Guild "Off Off Broadway."
With her collaborator, Janet wrote the musical adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing" for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival in Summer 2012, and it’s being licensed for worldwide distribution.
Her songs have been featured on 20/20, 60 Minutes, Robert Schuller Hour of Power and the Billy Graham Crusade, and they have been recorded by artists including Big Bird, Sandi Patti, Sonny James and Lynn Anderson. She has received the ASCAP Award for 21 years in a row, and she was one of nine participants selected for ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in NYC. Janet has acted in radio and television commercials as well as numerous live theatrical performances. She is a member of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and the Dramatists Guild of America.
Rob McRay
Adjunct Instructor in College of Bible & Ministry at Lipscomb University
Rob McRay received his B.A. from Abilene Christian University and his M.A. in Biblical studies from Wheaton College, and did further graduate study in the Ancient Mediterranean World at the University of Chicago. Rob 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
Professor of History, Politics & Philosophy at Lipscomb University
Dr. 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. He earned a doctorate in medieval studies from Yale University with a dissertation about the legal practices of the Mozarabs, the Arabic-speaking Christians of medieval Toledo.
Prior to coming to Lipscomb, Professor Miller taught history and religion at Cornell College, Pepperdine University and California State University, Chico. His writings include works on the history of the Arabic language, Christopher Marlowe’s play Tamburlaine, and other aspects of medieval and early modern culture.
At his food history blog, An Eccentric Culinary History, http://eccentricculinary.com, he’s explored topics as diverse as the history of sushi in America, Chilean cuisine and the development of chicken and waffles.
Mattie Ree Neal (’20)
Artist in Residence at Lipscomb University; Lipscomb Academy Alumna
Mattie Ree Neal is a Nashville based artist. Mattie trained primarily with her father Michael Shane Neal and his mentor, renowned artist Everett Raymond Kinstler, and traveled to seek instruction directly from living master artists all over the world. She recently established a studio on the grounds of her home where she paints commissioned portraits, landscape, and still live paintings, and teaches art to students of all ages. Mattie also lives part time in Manhattan and teaches with Drawing New York in Gramercy, at Warehouse 521 in Nashville, and was recently on the 2024 faculty at the Portrait Society of America conference. She is currently the Artist in Residence at Lipscomb University.
Mattie graduated high school from Lipscomb Academy where she was chosen as Fine Arts Student of the Year in 2020. Mattie received the 2020 Scholastic American Visions Award for Painting with a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York. She also won the 2019 and 2020 Congressional Art Competitions for the 5th District of Tennessee. Her winning painting was on display for two years in the U. S. Capitol. Also in 2020, Mattie received an honorable mention in the Art Renewal Center Salon, a finalist in the Portrait Society of America’s Members Only Competition, and was featured in International Artist Magazine in an article entitled “Creating New Paths for the Future Generation.” She was also featured in the Tennessean newspaper in an article entitled “A Rare Honor: Nashville Dad and Teen Daughter Both Have Art in US Capitol.”
Mattie Ree is taking commissions and has most recently been included in the Select 50 of the 2023 Portrait Society of America International Competition. Her piece was juried into the top 100 of 3,075 entries. Mattie is a member of the Portrait Society of America and the Salmagundi Club. She has a piece in the collection of The Players Club of New York. Last fall Mattie was chosen by the MET Museum's copyist program to take part in a nine-week study where she painted in the gallery.
Mattie Ree plans to continue to pursue her passion for art and is dedicated to growing and making painting and drawing her life’s career.
Michael Shane Neal (’91)
Distinguished American Portrait Artist
Michael Shane Neal (’91)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. Neal has built an international reputation for his realistic and emotive portraits, often focusing on notable figures, including politicians, military leaders and cultural icons. His artistic style is heavily influenced by the techniques of the Old Masters, emphasizing the use of light, shadow, and rich color palettes to create depth and lifelike portraits. Neal is an influential figure in the art community, celebrated for his commitment to the craft of portraiture and his ability to tell compelling stories through his paintings.
Since beginning a fulltime career as an artist at the age of 21, Neal has completed more than 600 commissioned portraits on display around the world. His public, private, and institutional portraits include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, seven U.S. Presidential Cabinet members, former President George H.W. Bush, 9th Baronet and Laird of Luss, Scotland Sir Malcolm Colquhoun, four former U.S. Ambassadors to France, seven U.S. Senators including Majority Leaders Robert C. Byrd and Bill Frist, more than a dozen Federal Judges including Chief Judge Anthony Scirica, actors such as Morgan Freeman and Jimmy Fallon, numerous heads of Universities, and four U.S. Governors. In 2020 his portrait of Congressman John Lewis was acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Receiving his B.A. from Lipscomb University, Neal also studied at the Santa Fe Institute of Fine Arts, The Scottsdale Artist School, Lyme Academy of Art, and was a protégé of one of America’s most celebrated figurative and portrait painter, Everett Raymond Kinstler. Neal’s studio in the historic National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, just off Park Avenue in Manhattan, was formerly occupied by Kinstler and his teacher before him, Frank Vincent DuMond. DuMond not only taught Kinstler, but also Georgia O’Keeffe, Norman Rockwell, and James Montgomery Flagg. Neal is only the third artist to occupy the space in over 100 years.
Neal has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the Lotos Award of Distinction for the Arts and the Grand Prize Award from the Portrait Society of America. Neal’s work has been featured in publications such as American Artist, International Artist, The Artist’s Magazine, Art News, New York Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur. His portraits are housed in various public and private collections, including prestigious institutions such as the United States Capitol, Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, and the Pentagon.
Neal is the chairman of the board of the Portrait Society of America. He also serves on the board of directors of the Norman Rockwell Museum’s National Council and the Andrew Jackson Foundation. He previously served on the board of the American Patrons for the National Library and Galleries of Scotland (APNLGS) and the Executive Board of Trustees for Cheekwood Museum of Art. He is a member of the Allied Artists of New York, the Artist Fellowship of New York, the Salmagundi Club of New York, the Lotos Club of New York, the Century Association of New York, the Players Club of New York, the Sloane Club of London, and an Exhibiting Artist member of the National Arts Club in New York, among others.
In addition to his work as a portrait artist, Neal has also been dedicated to teaching and mentoring aspiring artists for more than 30 years. He conducts workshops and lectures, sharing his expertise in traditional painting techniques and portraiture.
Neal, the father of two daughters, also enjoys church and community outreach, golf, plein-air painting, travel, and reading with a particular interest in history.
Neal’s current commissions include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Perot, Jr., former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, and former U.S. Ambassador to France Jane Hartley.
William Petrie
Geriatric Psychiatrist, Professor Emeritus at Vanderbilt Medical School
Dr. William Petrie is professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and directs the outpatient geriatric psychiatry clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He has had clinical and research interests in drug treatment of Alzheimer's disease including investigational treatments. His clinical interests and activity includes psychiatric aspects of Parkinson's disease, the use of clozapine in elderly patients, and impulse disorders in neurodegenerative illnesses, and psychopharmacologic interventions in the elderly.
Paul Prill
Retired Lipscomb University Professor, Certified Master Gardener of Davidson County and Certified Tennessee Naturalist
Paul 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.
After retirement at the end of 2020, he became a Master Gardener and joined Wild Ones (a nonprofit committed to native plants), and he serves on the board of the local chapter as the secretary. In October, 2023, he earned a Certificate in Native Plants from the Tennessee Valley chapter of Wild Ones, and in May, 2024, he was certified as a Tennessee Naturalist. His yard was featured on the Nashville Public Television program “Volunteer Gardener” in summer 2024.
Linda Peek Schacht
Retired Lipscomb University Faculty; Founding Director, Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership; and Former Senior Fellow, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
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. She is a former vice president for global communications and public affairs strategy for The Coca-Cola Company and senior fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
As founding director of Lipscomb’s Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership, she created programs that reflect her lifelong commitment to developing leaders who serve the common good. She is a frequent commentator and author on leadership, politics and government. As a board member of the International Women's Media Foundation and Athena International, Linda has worked to advance women’s leadership around the globe. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum and the Women Business Collaborative advisory council. She also is a recipient of the NBJ Women of Influence Trailblazer award, the Athena Award and the YWCA's Academy of Women of Achievement.
Willie Steele (’95)
Professor of English, Lipscomb University; Co-Editor: NINE: A Journal of Baseball History & Culture
Willie Steele grew up in Ohio before completing his undergraduate degree in 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. In between teaching and coaching stints at Cascade College in Portland, Oregon, Steele completed his Ph.D. in Literature and Criticism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He also taught at Oklahoma Christian University before returning to Lipscomb in 2015.
Steele is the editor of NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture and has authored two books, "A Member of the Local Nine: Baseball and Identity in the Fiction of W.P Kinsella" and "Going the Distance: The Life and Works of W.P. Kinsella." Willie is a regular presenter at the Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture and at the NINE Spring Training Conference.
He is married to Heather and has two daughters. In his free time, he works on perfecting his knuckleball with the hopes of being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Megan Woodall
Animal Care and Adoptions Manager, Crossroads Campus
Megan Woodall has been serving as animal care and adoptions manager at Crossroads Campus since 2023. She transitioned into animal rescue from the zookeeping field after caring for carnivores for about eight years. Woodall enjoys utilizing her skills with exotics to teach our program participants how to build positive and trusting relationships with our adoptable pets. Her passion to advocate for both young adults and animals in need helps her engage our supporters and find our pets the best forever homes.