Bennett presented with first "Torch Award"
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| Lipscomb University President Stephen F. Flatt presents the university''s first "Torch Award" to Word B. Bennett, a life member of the university's Board of Trustees and former chair. |
Word B. Bennett was honored for his "distinguished service to the university" and for "embodying the spirit of Christ in every endeavor - in family, church, business and community," said Lipscomb President Stephen F. Flatt.
"Four administrations at Lipscomb have benefited from his quiet wisdom, his openness to new ideas, his studiousness and loyalty," Flatt said.
Bennett joined the Lipscomb board of directors in 1967 and served as board chair during the Harold Hazelip administration.
"As chair, he led our board into a more effective and productive structure, which has had a significant impact on the function of the board and the direction and progress of the university," Flatt said. "He understands the values of hard work and humility, characteristics he brings to every endeavor."
Bennett earned a degree from Lipscomb in 1936, and holds the master's degree in chemistry from Vanderbilt. He served the UST Co. for more than 40 years, retiring as senior vice president for research and development.
A Nashville native, Bennett is a life member of the Lipscomb Board of Trustees and has served the Donelson (Tenn.) church of Christ as an elder since 1964.
"He is studious, well read, and well traveled," Flatt said. "He is extremely generous. His gift of $500,000 in stock in 1984 was the largest liquid gift the university had received at that time, and he continues to be very generous with his alma mater today. He loves the arts, he loves his family, and above all, he loves his Lord."
Bennett and his wife, Lera, live in the Donelson area and have four children, all of whom attended the university. Three earned bachelor's degrees at Lipscomb. The Bennetts also have 12 grandchildren.
The "Torch Award" was presented during Founders' Day activities today at Lipscomb, marking the 111th anniversary of the school's opening on Oct. 5, 1891 as the Nashville Bible School. The school was renamed David Lipscomb College, in memory of one of its founders, in 1918, and Lipscomb University in 1988.
The award is designed to be Lipscomb's highest honor, recognizing individuals characterized by distinguished service to the university and lives built on the spiritual and leadership values central to the university's mission, Flatt said.
The award is derived from the torch symbol that we use to represent the university. The flame on top represents the university's spiritual imperative, and the three columns suggested in the base reflect the university's heritage of academic excellence, Flatt said.
"It is a visual statement that we understand our purpose in your lives, which is to light the way for your future - spiritually, academically, socially and physically. This institutional role is built on the foundation of the servant spirit that characterized Jesus' ministry," Flatt told students gathered for the event.
When the school opened for its first session in 1891, only nine students were enrolled in classes taught by three faculty members. Today, Lipscomb University educates more than 4,100 students from pre-kindergarten through graduate school. Lipscomb offers more than 100 programs in nearly 50 major fields of study.