Graduation Spotlight: Reckard finds purpose through engineering, faith at Lipscomb

Kim Chaudoin  |  04/18/2025

When Jessamine Reckard arrived at Lipscomb University four years ago, she knew she wanted a career that would make a difference. What she didn’t know was how deeply her time at Lipscomb — in classrooms, mission fields and personal conversations — would transform her life.

This May, the Knoxville native will graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering in the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering and a heart more committed than ever to living out her faith through service.

“I went into engineering to help people and make a difference,” said Reckard, who is a member of Pi Delta social club. “At Lipscomb, I found a one-of-a-kind opportunity to do that through the Peugeot Center for Engineering Service in Developing Communities. It’s been one of the most impactful parts of my entire college experience.”

Through the Peugeot Center, Reckard participated in international mission projects every year, using her skills to serve communities across the globe. Her freshman year, she traveled to Malawi to help install solar power systems at an orphanage experiencing daily blackouts. Sophomore year took her to Honduras, where her team brought solar energy to a school library. Junior and senior years led her to Guatemala, working on a water distribution project — a senior capstone effort that tied her academic training directly to community impact.

Through the Peugeot Center, Reckard participated in international mission projects every year, using her skills to serve communities across the globe. Her freshman year, she traveled to Malawi to help install solar power systems at an orphanage experiencing daily blackouts. Sophomore year took her to Honduras, where her team brought solar energy to a school library. Junior and senior years led her to Guatemala, working on a water distribution project — a senior capstone effort that tied her academic training directly to community impact.

“These trips have developed my passion for serving because they have really showed me what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” said Reckard. “I've learned to extend beyond what is just comfortable to go and serve other people, and in turn they also serve me and I walk away changed. These trips have shown me what it means to take faith and works and put them together to serve a big God, and that my profession really can be used to serve others.”

Reckard said Lipscomb’s engineering program stood out not just for the global service opportunities, but for the personal investment faculty made in her development as both an engineer and a person.

“One of the best parts about Lipscomb is how well you get to know your professors,” she said. “They didn’t just know my name — they believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself, and they pushed me to be a better person. That kind of encouragement made all the difference.”

Two professors particularly had on impact on Reckard during her time at Lipscomb — David Elrod, dean of the college, and Kirsten Dodson, associate professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

“Both Dr. Dodson and Dr. Elrod have deeply shaped who I am as a person while I’ve been at Lipscomb,” she said. “But, Dr. Elrod in particular does so much for the engineering student body.  I have never seen someone so passionately dedicated his whole being to living as Christ does the way he does. He gives so much of his time mentoring students, building micro homes with freshmen, leading mission trips and truly getting to know every student personally. He deeply cares about people in a way that is rare, and he has been so inspiring to me and shown me how I want to love people. I think he is a huge part of everyone's experience here because of how much he cares and how much he does.”

She also enjoyed getting to know students at every level of their college experience, allowing Rechard to develop deep relationships.

“One of my close friends was a mechanical engineer a year above me, and not only was she one of my close friends but she had already gone through every experience I went through,” Reckard explained. “I was able to talk to her about what I was going through because she already lived it. Her guidance made a huge difference to me. She told me that, ‘You’re not alone on this journey. The world needs engineers like you.’ That is a beautiful thing that most women engineers get at Lipscomb is being able to develop those relationships.”

Beyond academics, Lipscomb also deepened Reckard’s faith.

“Lipscomb has shaped my faith because it challenged me to step outside of my bubble and see what the real world looks like … and that your faith probably will change, and it should. Through the Peugeot Center is where I really had my faith deepend because it showed me what the love of God looks like,” she said. “After every trip I have walked away changed and my faith was stronger, but this past year in Guatemala my faith took an even deeper change. I got to have a lot of deep conversations with one of my team leaders who graduated last year and talk about biblical wisdom.”

“This trip made me realize that I wanted to live a more fruitful life and I have worked towards it,” Reckard continued. “If you want better things, you have to work for it. It does not just happen.”

That focus has already borne fruit in Reckard’s next chapter. After graduation, she will join Smith Seckman Reid, a leading engineering firm in Nashville, as a plumbing engineer-in-training (EIT). The role — one she hadn't initially expected — now feels like a perfect fit.

“During my first interview, I realized how much the company’s values aligned with mine — their commitment to mentoring, community service and personal growth really resonated with me,” Reckard said. “There have been so many little ‘coincidences’ that made it clear this is where God wants me to be next.”

Looking back, Reckard has advice for future engineering students, especially young women who might hesitate to pursue the field.

“Just do it. Don’t let fear of failure hold you back,” she encouraged. “Failure isn’t the end — it’s where real learning begins. Engineering isn’t just math and physics; it’s creativity, collaboration and making a real impact. You are not defined by your gender. You have just as much brilliance and grit as anyone else.”

As she prepares to cross the stage in May, Reckard is grateful for the community, the challenges, and the calling that Lipscomb helped her discover.

“I came to Lipscomb wanting to serve others. I’m leaving ready to do that in ways I never even imagined,” she said. “Lipscomb shaped who I am — not just as an engineer, but as a follower of Christ, ready to make a difference.”