2011 Convocation features athletic accomplishments, Yellow Ribbon students

Janel Shoun | 

Lipscomb University celebrated the start of its 121st year with the formal Convocation ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 30, in Allen Arena. 

Thousands of undergraduate and K-12 students gathered in the arena along with faculty in academic regalia and doctorate of pharmacy students to begin the 2011-12 school year with a look back at this past year’s accomplishments and a look forward to the success to come.
 
During his annual address, Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry highlighted the university’s athletic accomplishments, the College of Pharmacy (now boasting a complete student body after four years of enrollment) and the 110 military veterans attending Lipscomb on Yellow Ribbon scholarships and Post-9/11 GI Bill funds.
 
 
 
Lowry’s speech also recognized:
  • The 28 new faculty on campus this fall. The new professors come from seven states and have degrees from 18 different universities;
  • The fourth class of student pharmacists, which brings the number of College of Pharmacy students to 301 and completes the student body; and
  • Lipscomb’s class of 26 students from Madagascar, who will be completing their final year of college this year. Despite hardship in their nation since 2008, they have continued to study at Lipscomb over the past three years thanks to the generosity of many in the Lipscomb community.
Convocation also featured a video about the renovation of Fanning Hall, and a video about the various athletic achievements – from NCAA tournament appearances to all-conference honors – achieved by Lipscomb athletes last year. Overall, more than 75 percent of Lipscomb athletes achieved a 3.0 GPA or greater in the last school year, announced athletics director Philip Hutcheson.
 
 
 
Charla Long, Dean of the New College of Professional Studies, established this summer, presented the academic charge, urging students to “seek to be light and salt in the world that needs you so very much.”
 
Newly hired Vice President for Church Services Scott Sager read students the scripture of the wise man and the foolish man, urging students to listen to “their own foundation expert – Jesus.”
 
And officially installed David Lipscomb Middle School Principal Lisa Bruce urged students to “not just show up for class, but to resolve to be present."
 
“Be an active learner… engage your fellow students… and accept a challenge that empowers you,” she said.
 
Middle School Principal Lisa Bruce Convocation 2011
 
 
Several board members were also involved in the ceremony. Outgoing board chair Hilton Dean was honored with gifts from the university and the David Lipscomb Campus School student bodies. New board member Gen. (Ret.) John A. Bradley led a prayer, and 92-year-old lifetime board member Bryan Crisman, led the closing prayer.
 
 
Board Member Gen. (Ret.) John A.  Bradley Life Board Member Bryan Crisman