ALL reaches million dollar endowment goal
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A.L.L. celebrates 25th anniversary and fulfillment of $1M scholarship goal
To see photo feature click here.The Davidson/Williamson County chapter of the Associated Ladies for Lipscomb (A.L.L.) chose the perfect setting to celebrate 25th years of service at Lipscomb University and announce the growth of the
Lipscomb University First Lady Rhonda Lowry announced the endowment news at the special event.
"I come with a happy heart full of joy tonight as I tell you that the Associated Ladies for Lipscomb celebrate its 25 year history with the announcement that we have reached an endowment of $1,040,675. And, just because we've reached this goal, it's not the end. It's the end of the beginning. We want to build on this amazing heritage. A.L.L. has given away more than $1.5 million in scholarships. That's more than our endowment! What a glorious time to be a part of this wonderful Lipscomb group," said Lowry.
To begin the day of the gala, the A.L.L. board members hosted an appreciation brunch at the Schermerhorn for the sponsors for the event. As she enjoyed the brunch, Reba Keener, current board member and founding director of A.L.L., reflected on the beginnings of the scholarship fund.
“Bro. Willard Collins had the foresight to see that Lipscomb needed this ladies’ organization. I was working as a development officer at the time, and he asked me to help establish A.L.L. I launched 26 chapters throughout the South which worked to raise money for scholarships for students in their area. We decided that in addition to funding scholarships for current students, we needed to establish an endowed scholarship fund which will benefit students for generations to come,” said Keener. “It’s an honor to be here now to see the fund reach its $1 million goal and to see the next generation of woman accepting leadership roles with A.L.L. and carrying on the tradition.”
Current co-presidents Kimberly Bean (’87) and Cayce Terry (’92) and incoming president Leanne Hall (’92) do hope to carry on the tradition of providing a Christian education to those who may not be able to achieve that without financial assistance.
“I have been a member of A.L.L. since around 1996,” Hall states. “I have gotten to see the positive impact the A.L.L. scholarships have had on the students who receive them and couldn’t have come to Lipscomb otherwise. Our organization is about much more than luncheons and teas and galas. It’s all about supporting Christian education.”
Bean added, “In my role, I want to encourage people from my class and later classes to give back now at this point in their life. It’s never too early in your life to give back to help support our students. As A.L.L. board members, we have given to the fund we are asking people to support. We believe in this cause.”
“We are grateful to those who have donated, who have given to Lipscomb University to support Christian education. I’m glad we could host this gala to celebrate the growth of our scholarship fund and fellowship with so many people who believe in continuing the tradition,” Terry said.
Robbie Davis, past A.L.L. president, has supported the organization for many years through donations and service. “So many young people in need want a Christian education. They are so deserving, and it is a pleasure to be able to support the efforts to continue to grow a strong scholarship fund which benefits so many people.”
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Hooper enjoyed the opportunity to support the gala event. Dr. Hooper, professor emeritus at Lipscomb, served as chair for the department of history for over thirty years. His wife, Bonnie, served for many years with the Associated Women for Harding in Searcy, Ark., during the time her late husband served as a board member for Harding University.
“I have had a wonderful experience here at Lipscomb. These are wonderful ladies who are dedicated to their cause of growing the scholarship fund. Joining A.L.L. has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with other women in Nashville and create Lipscomb ties,” said Bonnie Hooper.