'Awakening the Spirit' theme of President Lowry's inaugural speech
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Delegates from more than 80 colleges and universities as well as faculty of Lipscomb University and David Lipscomb Campus School participated in the ceremony, which featured charges from Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, Mike Adams, president of the University of Georgia; Prentice Meador Jr., senior minister at Prestoncrest Church of Christ in Dallas; Bob Wood, managing partner at Boult Cummings Conners and Berry; Val Prill, Dean of Lipscomb’s College of Arts and Humanities; Randi Johnson, president of the Lipscomb student government association; and Larry Bridgesmith, friend of the Lowry family and partner at Waller, Lansden, Dortch and Davis. During the ceremony, Hilton Dean, chairman of the Lipscomb University Board of Trustees, officially invested Lowry as the president of Lipscomb.
“There is a spirit of renewal and a spirit of awakening here at Lipscomb. Awakenings can be invigorating,” said Lowry.
In his speech, Lowry noted five main areas in which he believes Lipscomb should focus during this time of awakening. The first area is the spirit of faith as it relates to learning.
“We should all constantly be asking and seeking answers to those significant questions of how what we are teaching impacts our faith. Students should be able to spend time learning how the subjects they are learning matter in light of their faith,” said Lowry.
Lowry’s second area of focus is in an awakening in the spirit of inquiry. “The entire Lipscomb community should spend time asking inspiring questions that will lead to meaningful conversations with useful answers,” he said. Third, Lowry mentioned the spirit of community being awakened. He said that the importance in our community is to find unity with one another. His fourth focus was on the spirit of connection. “In a world that is connected, we need to be connected to it,” said Lowry.
“It is easy to be here and be comfortable doing what we’re doing,” Lowry said. “But we do not need to be isolated. We have something important to say, knowledge to share. This city is our campus and this world is our classroom.”
Finally, Lowry mentioned a need to be awakened in the spirit of service. Last week, during spring break more than 600 Lipscomb students, faculty and staff participated in mission trips, spending Spring Break serving others instead of being served. “This service needs to continue to be awakened as we share the important message we have with those we serve,” he said.
Lowry succeeds Dr. Steve Flatt who stepped down as president last summer to accept a position with National HealthCare Corporation in
L. Randolph Lowry III formally took office as
“Awakening the Spirit” was the theme of Lowry’s inaugural address.