Hammond named campus school interim director
Kim Chaudoin |
Hammond fills the vacancy left by Dr. Keith Nikolaus, who resigned as director of DLCS to return to the classroom. Nikolaus, who has served as director since 1997, will join the faculty of Lipscomb University’s Department of Education.
“Dr. Nikolaus has provided capable and caring leadership to thousands of campus school students, parents and faculty for eleven years. We are grateful for his service in this role, which has provided a wealth of experiences that will be useful as he now begins to educate the next generation of teachers, ” said Lowry.
“I am pleased that Dr. Hammond has accepted this interim position and am confident that his years of experience in the field of education at the K-12 and university levels will provide a period of transition in which the campus school will continue to grow and move forward. During the coming school year, we will conduct a nation-wide search for a new director and will develop a strategic plan for the school that will strengthen and continue its leadership position.”
A career educator, Hammond has served as dean of Lipscomb University’s College of Education and Professional Studies for the past five years. He joined the Lipscomb faculty in 2001 as professor of education, director of teacher education and chair of the department of education. From 1990-2001, Hammond served as executive principal at Overton High School, which is part of the Metro Nashville Public School system. Prior to that assignment, Hammond was assistant principal at Overton from 1978-89, assistant principal at McMurray Junior High School (Nashville) from 1972-78 and mathematics teacher at Apollo Junior High School (Nashville) from 1968-72. He holds a Ph.D. in educational administration from George Peabody College, a master of science from Middle Tennessee State University and a bachelor of arts from Lipscomb University.
“The opportunity to serve as the interim director of David Lipscomb Campus School is an exciting development in my tenure at the university. In working to train new teachers and school administrators for the past seven years, I continually seek ways to remain connected to Pre-K-12 schools, and understand the ever-changing environment in which teachers and administrators work. Being able to contribute to a learning community with such a strong heritage of academic excellence in a Christian context is indeed an honor and privilege,’” said Hammond.
“I will work closely with administrators and teachers in providing stability and support to an outstanding group of educators. Knowing so many of them as students, colleagues and friends will be a wonderful asset. Additionally, my association with many parents and students in the Lipscomb family and knowing their level of support and commitment to the school gives me great confidence that this will be a terrific year.”
Lowry has appointed Dr. Jim Thomas, executive assistant to the president, to chair the search committee for a permanent successor. He has also appointed a steering committee to develop a strategic plan for the campus school.
“The goal for this process of developing a strategic plan for David Lipscomb Campus School is to continue to make our educational offering one that is relevant and that strengthens our leadership position in K-12 education. Lipscomb is the largest private K-12 school in Middle Tennessee and is more than 117 years old. Parents, students, alumni, faculty and others from the Lipscomb community will have the opportunity to have input in this planning process as we look to the future of this great school,” said Lowry.
Founded in 1891, David Lipscomb Campus School is a college preparatory Christian school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Its enrollment of more than 1,400 students makes DLCS the largest private school in Middle Tennessee. DLCS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the National Christian School Association and is affiliated with Lipscomb University.