Faculty and staff recognized for excellence, achievements at annual celebration
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Lipscomb University faculty and staff gathered on Thursday, April 24 in the George Shinn Center to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of the 2024-25 academic year.
“It is always a special time when we can all come together — and particularly when we are celebrating the achievements of our faculty and staff,” Lipscomb President Candice McQueen said to the standing-room-only crowd. “As I look across this room today, I see the faces of men and women who each bring unique gifts to the Lipscomb community … who work diligently every day to serve students … who go the extra mile … and are committed to providing transformative experiences for our students. I see godly men and women who reflect our core values daily and are passionate about living out our mission.”
“I am thankful not only for who you are but for your enthusiastic support of this university. One of our core values and something I’ve also challenged this community to do is to bring our best every day, to strive to be excellent in all we do, holding ourselves accountable to a high bar and working every single day to meet it because our students deserve our best. Thank you for the many ways you have invested in the lives of our students and have brought your best day in and day out. Today, we have the pleasure of recognizing several of you for exceptional achievements over the past year.”
Awards and recognition include:
Summer Grants
- Zachary Droll, assistant professor of kinesiology, College of Health Sciences
- John Lewis, McClure Professor of Faith & Science and professor of biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Autumn Maxwell, assistant professor of social work, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Emily Mofield, assistant clinical professor of education, College of Education
- Marc Schwerdt, associate professor of political science, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Sabbaticals
Those awarded a semester sabbatical during the next academic year include:
- Nina Morel, professor of leadership development, College of Business
- Steve Opoku-Duah, Langford Professor of Chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Outstanding Teacher Awards
Outstanding teacher awards are given each spring to three full-time faculty members. Nominations are taken from department chairs and the student Academic Advisory Councils for each college. Nominees are selected from each college and three award recipients are voted on by faculty and the senior class.
- Brandi Kellett, associate professor of English and chair of the Department of English & Modern Languages, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Josh Owens, assistant professor of biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Bart Liddle, associate professor of management, College of Business
Mary Morris Award
The Mary Morris Award for Exemplary Service to Society was established in memory of Mary Morris, faculty member in the College of Education and founder and director of the Center for Character Development at Lipscomb. This award is given to a member of the Lipscomb community who exhibits a spirit of volunteerism, engages in meaningful civic activities in the community that help spread God's light, demonstrates a commitment to Christian missions wherever they may be, advocates for Lipscomb University and exhibits vision in creating new avenues to expand Christian principles in unconventional ways.
- Mary Nelle Chumley, longtime cherished Lipscomb friend and volunteer
Faculty Excellence Awards
Four years ago, Dick Cowart, chair of the Lipscomb University Board of Trustees, and his wife Becky established the Faculty Excellence Awards in honor of his mother, who was a teacher. The six award areas include business, healthcare, humanities & the arts, STEM and theology & ministry.
- Cowart Faculty Excellence Award in Education: Sarah Duncan, associate professor, College of Education
- Cowart Faculty Excellence Award in Business: Andy Borchers, professor of management, College of Business
- Cowart Faculty Excellence Award in Healthcare: Nancy Hunt, associate professor of nutrition, College of Health Sciences
- Cowart Faculty Excellence Award in STEM: Susan Hammond, chair and associate professor of computer science, Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering
- Clevenger Family Endowed Faculty Excellence Award in Theology and Ministry: Deron Smith, assistant professor and Batsell Barrett Baxter Chair of Pastoral Leadership, College of Bible & Ministry
- Bledsoe Faculty Excellence Award in Humanities & the Arts: Laura Encalade, executive director for the School of Public Policy and assistant professor of public policy, College of Leadership & Public Service
John William Baker Summer Fellowship Award
The John William Baker Summer Fellowship Award is made possible annually by Dr. Alton and Mary Baker, in appreciation of the quality education that Dr. Baker received while enrolled as an undergraduate student at Lipscomb. This $5,000 award is to be used for research that will contribute to the advancement of academic excellence and is to be awarded to a professor manifesting excellence in the classroom.
- Brandi Kellett, associate professor of English and chair of the Department of English & Modern Languages, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Laine Travel Award
The David Laine Memorial Travel Allowance is made possible by a gift from Dr. Alton and Mary Baker, in memory of Dr. Baker’s classmate David Laine. The Laine Award provides a $5,000 stipend and a full summer teaching salary to support additional study in the recipient’s discipline. The Laine Award is chosen each year from submitted faculty proposals by a selection committee made up of previous recipients of the Laine and Baker awards.
- Kelly Kidder, associate professor of French, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Outstanding Staff Awards
The staff members presented with these awards have excelled in the performance of their duties and their personification of Lipscomb’s core values.
- Marguerite Smith, assistant director of admission events and student management, Office of Undergraduate Admission
- Caleb Miller, senior manager for student success for the School of Public Policy, College of Leadership & Public Service
- Nanci Carter, director of academic technology and operations, Registrar's Office
President's Staff Awards
Making a debut at this year’s recognition program were several new staff awards.
Barnabas Award. This award is given to a staff member who intentionally and consistently encourages and mentors their peers. Jordan McDonald, director of Spiritual Formation, Office of Student Life
Student Flourishing Award. The recipient of this award is someone whose work in the last year has significantly impacted or improved the student experience. Asa Bailey, director of housing and residence life and residence hall director of Johnson Hall, Office of Student Life
Horizon Award. This award is given to a Lipscomb staff member whose passion for Christian education is a bright promise for the future and someone who has 1-5 years of service at Lipscomb. Corey Shannon, assistant director of student success and wellbeing, Office of Student Life
Leadership Award. This award is given to someone who leads their team with vision and excellence, and whose team makes a big impact on our campus. Haley Davis, assistant vice president for events
Bison Herd Award. This award is given collectively to a team that demonstrates successful collaboration as they serve our campus community. Lipscomb’s Giving Day Team: Stephanie Carroll, Bethany Perala, Stacy Blackston and Rhonda Minton
Making Fans Award. This award is given to someone who represents Lipscomb with excellence both on and off campus, connects with external stakeholders, and shares the Bison spirit with individuals and groups by engaging both on and off campus. Stacy Blackston, director of parent engagement, Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement
Spirit of Lipscomb Award. As you know, the Spirit of Lipscomb Award is given to a person on our campus whose demonstration of our Core Values has made an indelible mark on our campus. Matt Rehbein, director of institutional research
President’s Excellence Award. This award is given to someone who brings their best every single day, and consistently goes the extra mile to make Lipscomb the best we can be. Catherine Terry, director of institutional effectiveness and SACSCOC liaison, Office of the Provost
Award recipients were invited to a luncheon in their honor following the recognition ceremony.
— Photos by Kristi Jones