IDEAL program celebrates second commencement
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
The enthusiasm was contagious as more than 225 students, faculty, parents, administrator and friends packed Lipscomb’s Stowe Hall May 6 to celebrate the IDEAL program’s second commencement.
On that day, eight students with developmental and intellectual disabilities received certificates in career exploration studies as the second cohort to complete Lipscomb’s IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program. Those awarded certificates in the ceremony were Joshua Mark Ahlberg, Matthew Allen Branch, Alanna Elyse Johnson, Taegan Elaine Martin, Conner James Mirt, Shayla Diane Osbourne, Jenna Elizabeth Staehling and Ronald Zachary Sutton.
“Today, while giving God the glory, we celebrate your abilities – your ability to make each moment a little brighter with your smiles, your ability to make each day more cheerful with your laughter, your ability to teach all of us about faith, hope and courage, and your ability to remind each of us of all that is good in life,” Rob Touchstone, director of missional entrepreneurship in the College of Business, said in his faculty message to the students.
IDEAL is a two-year certificate program housed in the College of Education, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, designed to encourage and support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college as their peers do. Launched in January 2014, the IDEAL program includes academic and skill-building classes, exercise sessions, daily internships, leisure time and a daily study period. The initial cohort included three students.
Tennessee Commissioner of Education Candice McQueen, former dean of Lipscomb’s College of Education who helped launch the IDEAL program, gave the charge to the students.
“The IDEAL program is very close to my heart. Helping to start this program as the dean of the College of Education at the time, was actually one of the best things we did, and you are a testament to that,” said McQueen. “I am so glad that today, there is space for students sitting here right now before me to continue to reach their fullest potential and to become life-long learners and leaders in all areas that they impact.”
McQueen said that her biggest goal while at Lipscomb and in her role as commissioner is to make college “within reach for every young person.”
“Throughout your time in IDEAL you continued to develop not just your knowledge, but character and values that will guide you throughout your life,” McQueen told the eight students. “You have learned how to persevere in the face of unpredictable circumstances and new situations. You have learned the value of hard work, made new friends, and have been teammates to each other and to those across campus. You have become leaders and most importantly, you have learned to laugh and not take yourself so seriously.”
“Remember, after today,” she continued, “no one can take away your education, it is the very best investment you can make. So keep going. I’m so proud of you, and God bless you.”
Lipscomb University President L. Randolph Lowry encouraged the students to welcome change and trying new things.
“You can’t be who you need to be if you remain where you are,” said Lowry. “All of you came from somewhere before this, all of you entered into the scary and somewhat challenging world of a university community, all of you invested your heart and your soul and your mind into that, and because you did that, you have become something you weren’t before.”
“So its time once again to leave the wonders of this university, the relationships at some level and the daily activities and go where you are called to go next,” he continued. “And we have the confidence that as you go, you will take the spirit of Lipscomb with you and you will in your life be blessed by it and you will in turn bless others as well. But I want you to remember that you will always be a part of Lipscomb. I want you to know and feel that always.”
IDEAL students are paired with traditional Lipscomb students, who serve as peer mentors. Andrew Jordan, a social work major from Memphis who graduated in May, was part of Lipscomb’s Best Buddies program, as well as a volunteer peer mentor, student coach and the 2016 clinical social work intern for the IDEAL program. He also shared thoughts with the students.
“All of you have had a big part of my life here at Lipscomb. You have all found different niches here on campus and have all been able to give to campus in different ways,” said Jordan. “It’s been so great to watch you all become a part of the student body and I truly believe you all have made Lipscomb a better place.”
“Students, your potential is off the charts,” he continued. “You are going to do great things, and I cannot wait for you to come back and tell me about all of the great things you have accomplished.”
In December, the IDEAL program’s first cohort marked a new milestone for Lipscomb University when its first students in the university’s IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program received certificates indicating they have mastered certain life and job skills.
Students in Lipscomb’s IDEAL program enroll in two traditional university classes per semester based on their interests and career goals, such as art, theater, music, science, computers, nutrition, health, education, early childhood studies or Bible. The IDEAL program staff members collaborate with university faculty to identify any necessary accommodations to the course material. The goal of the IDEAL program is for students to complete the program with improved independent social, communication and vocational skills and to be prepared to work in a job setting.
As part of the program, students hold internships both on and off campus, two in the first year on campus and two in the second year off campus, that may include a variety of tasks including clerical work or any job allowing the students to practice vocational skills matching their career goals. Students are placed in off-campus internships in their second year of the program, including Fleet Feet Nashville, Warner Parks, Divine Art Café and Nashville Food Project.
Last fall, Lipscomb University’s educational program for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities received a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education through its Model Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) initiative.
Lipscomb was one of only 25 universities in the nation to receive a TPSID grant. Other institutions awarded a grant this year include the University of Alabama, Syracuse University, Ohio State University, Appalachian State University and Vanderbilt University among others. The $1.6 million grant Lipscomb received will help support and expand services in the College of Education’s IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program.
For more information about the IDEAL program, click here.
— Photos by Kristi Jones