Lipscomb University has again been chosen as one of the top destinations of the "best and brightest" graduating this year from middle Tennessee high schools.
Among private institutions of higher learning, Lipscomb was second only to Vanderbilt University as the favorite choice among mid-state valedictorians and salutatorians graduating this year, according to The Tennessean, Nashville's morning daily newspaper.
"Year in and year out, the best and brightest from mid-state schools make Lipscomb one of their top two choices among private institutions of higher education. We believe this speaks volumes about how they perceive the value of our unique integration of academic excellence with Christian faith and practice," said Dr. Steve Flatt, president of Lipscomb University.
The Tennessean reported in its June 3 editions that 25 percent of this year's top students are interested in medicine as a career. Other top choices, in order of preference: business, engineering, science, education, journalism/communications, humanities, technology, social work/psychology, and politics/government.
Among the top midstate students planning to come to Lipscomb, engineering and medicine lead the list, followed closely by business, education and humanities. Other choices include political science, law, and psychology.
"These results suggest that the addition of our new Raymond B. Jones School of Engineering is already having a dramatic impact on college selection, just as we expected," said Flatt. "We believe our new journalism major will have the same impact for future communication students and will take its place among the other traditionally strong, highly attractive programs we offer."
Of issues ranked as "extremely important" to this year's students, "doing what you love" was chosen by 89 percent. "Religion" was second at 68 percent followed by owning a home (63 percent) and marriage (62 percent). Students ranked owning their own businesses, working for a large company, living in their hometown, and fame as least important concerns, according to The Tennessean.
"I think everyone should find these students' responses to be encouraging when we think of the future of our nation," Flatt said. "There's a lot of talk today about the 'real world.' The real world is the one God created, and students who seek relationship with Him while developing the abilities He has given them will be best prepared to be our next generation of leaders. There's no better place to develop in both ways than Lipscomb."
Students listed as planning to enroll at Lipscomb, their high schools and career interests: William Buster Ramey, co-valedictorian, Sycamore High School, English; Kelly Marie Russell, co-valedictorian, Sycamore, undecided; Emily Powers, salutatorian, Coffee County Central, political science/communication; Benjamin J. Ness, co-valedictorian, Lighthouse Christian, electrical engineering; Randi Johnson, valedictorian, Overton, medicine; Tiffany Pate, co-valedictorian, Franklin County, psychology; Tara Truett, salutatorian, Hickman County, education; Karen Long, co-valedictorian, McEwen, computer engineering; Jonathan Thomas Jones, salutatorian, Lewis County, pharmacy; Auburn O'Neal, co-valedictorian, Greenbrier, art; Stephen Russ Clendenin, co-valedictorian, LaVergne, premedicine; Jessica Leigh Heiser, valedictorian, Middle Tennessee Christian, dietetics; Elizabeth Watts, co-valectorian, Oakland, engineering; Jaclyn Cradduck, co-valedictorian, Riverdale, accounting; Amy Hamilton, co-valedictorian, Gallatin, pre-law; Lindsi Elise Mayfield, valedictorian, Warren County, business/marketing; Amy Castrovinci, salutatorian, Mount Juliet Christian, elementary education.