Graduation Spotlight: Shewmaker’s six-year Lipscomb journey begins on softball diamond, ends with master’s degree
Kim Chaudoin |
Elise Shewmaker’s time at Lipscomb University is a unique journey that spanned two degrees, five years on the softball field and a deepening of both her professional skills and personal faith.
The Lexington, Kentucky, native graduated in May with a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship (MSDI), marking the completion of her sixth year at Lipscomb. A stand out infielder for the Bison softball team, Shewmaker completed her undergraduate degree in dietetics at Lipscomb in 2023 and stayed to pursue her master’s while competing in her final season of eligibility.
“I was very interested in staying at Lipscomb to complete my master’s as I had already formed a great relationship with the professors,” said Shewmaker. “It was an opportunity that I could not turn down to finish out my collegiate eligibility while pursuing my graduate degree. The hybrid option definitely helped me balance both. Although, even in undergrad and with the classes that I took in person my first year in the MSDI program, my professors and coaches were very understanding in helping me be able to do both.”
That hybrid format in her first year of graduate school allowed Shewmaker to manage a demanding schedule — one that included travel, training and competing in 48 games during the 2024 season. That year, she led the team in doubles and slugging percentage and tied for the team high in RBIs. In her five-year career, Shewmaker was a versatile and consistent contributor, finishing with 132 starts and a .400 slugging percentage in her final season, all while being named to the 2023-24 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
But Shewmaker’s impact extended far beyond the softball diamond.
As a graduate student, she pursued a concentration in health promotion and wellness, completing her internship with Nashville Nutrition Partners. Though initially drawn to sports nutrition, Shewmaker felt called to explore broader opportunities in the field, a decision she said pushed her outside of her comfort zone in the best way.
“Going in my first year of grad school, I had my mind set on a sports nutrition concentration. After a lot of praying and good conversations with those around me I decided to switch to a health and wellness concentration to see what else is out there that I might really love,” she explained. “When you’re a student-athlete, jobs and shadowing experiences can be hard to come by. Because of this, I didn’t have many opportunities to explore jobs besides those in sports nutrition. Choosing that concentration was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but it was the best decision I could have made. This opened a whole new world for me.”
Now preparing to begin her professional career as a registered dietitian in the Nashville area, Shewmaker has a specific goal in mind: working with individuals with intellectual disabilities to support their nutrition needs.
“Lipscomb has prepared me in more ways than I could have imagined when I stepped on campus as a freshman,” she said. “I have grown in so many areas, and it has allowed me to feel confident as I move on to the next part of my journey.”
While a student, Shewmaker participated in two mission trips to Baja, Mexico,
Faith has been a central part of that journey. Raised in a Christian home and a graduate of a Christian high school, Shewmaker said her time at Lipscomb deepened her relationship with God in profound ways.
“Lipscomb has truly helped deepen my relationship with the Lord. I grew up going to church and also attended high school at a Christian school in Kentucky,” she shared. “I have always considered myself a Christian since I was a little girl, but I never experienced God in the ways that I have since being at Lipscomb. During my time here, I was able to go on two mission trips to Baja, Mexico, with the softball team. I am very excited to say that I am also going back to Mexico with part of the current softball team this August.”
Reflecting on her time as both an athlete and a student, Shewmaker is grateful for the relationships and support systems that shaped her.
“My experience at Lipscomb has been nothing short of amazing. I definitely thank the Lord that He led me here,” she said. “I’m leaving here with an incredible family of people who have supported me through all the good times and some tough hardships. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for Lipscomb and all the people who helped me get to where I am — professors, coaches, teammates, friends and staff. They’ve helped shape me into who I am today.”