Latest LIPSCOMBLEADS contribution funds Pfeffer Graduate School of Business
As the confetti settled onto the floor of Allen Arena, students, faculty and staff in their crisp white T-shirts celebrated the on-campus launch on Thursday for the LIPSCOMBLEADS $250 million campaign, including the latest contribution by Phil Pfeffer, CEO-in-residence for Lipscomb University’s College of Business.
Anna Moseley |
As the confetti settled onto the floor of Allen Arena, students, faculty and staff in their crisp white T-shirts celebrated the on-campus launch on Thursday, Jan. 31, of the LIPSCOMBLEADS $250 million campaign, including the latest contribution by Phil Pfeffer, CEO-in-residence for Lipscomb University’s College of Business.
The entire on-campus Lipscomb community was invited to the arena to celebrate the beginning of the public phase of a campaign, which has already raised $186 million.
Among the activities at the event was the announcement of the establishment of the Pfeffer Graduate School of Business, named after Pfeffer, a respected business leader who has won the praise of Lipscomb’s MBA students as an adjunct professor.
“(Pam Pfeffer and Phil) are not just investors in our college of business, but they are a part of our college as a family,” said Ray Eldridge, dean of the College of Business. “The college of business’ mission is to develop business leaders to embrace the values and virtues of Jesus, and Pam and Phil, that is exactly who you are.”
Phil and Pam Pfeffer (center) receive a gift in honor of their donation from Ray Eldridge, dean of the College of Business, (left) and L. Randolph Lowry, President of Lipscomb University (right.)
Pfeffer served as president of Random House, the world’s largest book publisher, and chairman of the board and CEO of Nashville’s Ingram Distribution Group, the world’s largest distributor of books, entertainment content and micro-computer products. Pfeffer and his wife, Pam, now run Treemont Capital, a private investment and equity firm.
Pfeffer has taught Lipscomb courses in economics, strategy, supply chain management and financial reporting. He has also traveled with graduate business students to Thailand, The United Arab Emirates, China and Israel.
Pfeffer’s gift is part of LIPSCOMBLEADS, a $250 million comprehensive campaign devoted to shaping Lipscomb into the premier Christian university in the nation.
During the Thursday launch event, featuring music by Lipscomb students and LU the Bison rappelling onto the arena floor, John Lowry, senior vice president for development and external affairs, explained the importance of LIPSCOMBLEADS and the intentional purpose of this campaign.
“As we think about leadership in the context of this campaign, I want you to think about something far deeper,” said Lowry. “The leadership that we aspire to is a model of leadership that was given to us by Jesus. It is a model that is born in faith and love. It is a model that is focused on others and it’s a model that plays out in service. This is the essence of LipscombLEADS of which you all are an important part.”
In recognition of this essential campaign goal, faculty at Lipscomb University and at Lipscomb Academy pledged to mentor 2,500 students, and students pledged to devote 200,000 hours of service to the community.
Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry shared key areas the campaign will benefit: student scholarships, the endowment, academic growth and $50 million for campus renovations and improvements including new parking and dorm renovations.
Donors do not want to be called “donors,” but rather “supporters,” he told the gathered students.
“Wherever the gift is, behind it is an army of people who are investing in you,” he said. “God has blessed us richly. We have tens of thousands of people changing this world one gift at a time. We have a front row seat to see what God will do, touching their hearts and inspiring their generosity, allowing them to be a part of this mission because they believe in you.”
Other lead gifts in the LipscombLEADS campaign have included a $23 million pledge for a new College of Business building and for enhancement of business programs and two pledges totaling $20 million to build the Boone Family Center for the Performing Arts and the 33,000-square-foot George Shinn Event Center (now under construction.)
A $23 million LIPSCOMBLEADS donation will fund this new home for the College of Business, which will also include the Pfeffer Graduate School of Business, funded by donor Phil Pfeffer.
If you would like to donate or learn more about LipscombLEADS, log onto lipscomb.edu/leads.