Lighting of the Green brings holiday cheer to the Lipscomb community for 20 years
Annual tradition has become a beloved tradition in the Lipscomb family and Nashville community
Kim Chaudoin |
Amy Grant brings her special musical guests to campus each year for Lighting of the Green.
The Lipscomb University community ushered in the holiday season as more than 3,000 people gathered in front of Allen Bell Tower for the 20th annual Lighting of the Green on a crisp, cold Dec. 3.
Hosted by beloved Nashville entertainer Amy Grant, the event has become a traditional start to the Christmas season for the Lipscomb family and the greater Nashville community.
The festivities began with the Merry Marketplace, a collection of holiday vendors in support of scholarships through the Associated Women for Lipscomb. Families enjoyed free photos with Santa, while the highlight of the evening
Joining Grant this year were special guests Vince Gill, The Arcadian Wild, Dave’s Highway, Lipscomb ensembles Sanctuary and Gospel Choir, and a combined choir of students from Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University. The night concluded with the lighting of the university’s Christmas tree in the quad.
One family traveled from as far away as Seattle, Washington, for this year's festivities to be part of what has become a beloved Lipscomb tradition which has drawn attendees from across the country over the years. For some, the tradition has been passed down, with children who once attended the event with their parents or performed in the chorus at the concert now bringing their own children to experience the joy of the season at Lipscomb.
Members of Lipscomb's Gospel Choir.
Daves Highway
The Arcadian Wild
Vince Gill
Over the last 20 years, the holiday concert has featured a number of popular entertainers including Michael W. Smith, Jordan Smith, Brenda Lee, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Lennon & Maisy from the hit ABC show “Nashville,” Vince Gill, Danny Gokey, Nicole C. Mullen, Mandisa, Melinda Doolittle, CeCe Winans, Point of Grace, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Buddy Greene, Ruth McGinnis, Cody Fry, Jon and Valerie Guerra, David Phelps, Guy Penrod, Dave’s Highway and the Annie Moses Band.
Alyssa Andrews, 2024 Amy Grant Scholarship recipient
Amy Grant Scholarship
In addition to giving the gift of music to the community, one of the lasting impacts of Lighting of the Green is inspiring and encouraging music students to pursue their education and career aspirations through the Amy Grant Scholarship. The scholarship was established in 2014 by anonymous donors to honor Grant’s influence and leadership.
At the concert, Alyssa Andrews, a junior worship arts major from Trumbull, Connecticut, was named this year’s recipient of the scholarship. Andrews was a member of the 2024 Quest Team and has been involved across the Lipscomb campus as she’s led worship in The Gathering and in countless chapel services and student-led devotionals.
“Alyssa’s powerful voice and depth of spirit have had an impact not only on the School of Music but across campus. Like Amy, she is a light to all she meets and an inspiration in all she does,” said Randy Gill, professor in Lipscomb’s School of Music.
READ MORE: Amy Grant Scholarship inspires music students, lasting legacy of Lighting of the Green
Kopio Award
Lipscomb President Candice McQueen surprised Grant near the end of the evening by honoring her with a special recognition — a Kopio Award. The highest non-academic award bestowed at Lipscomb is the Kopio Award. The Kopio Award name comes from a transliteration of a Greek word that is used to describe a person who, as we read in Colossians 1:29, “labors to the point of complete exhaustion for the glory of God.”
“Lipscomb established the Kopio Awards to honor those individuals who give of themselves in this manner in service to God and the community,” said McQueen. “This award is not bestowed often, and tonight, I can think of no one more deserving of this award than you. I am thankful for the tremendous impact you have made on the lives of untold numbers of people around the world through your music, career and service, and I am thankful for all that you have done for the Lipscomb community.”
Lipscomb President Candice McQueen
The 2024 tree lighters planned the first Lighting of the Green. From left to right, Joe Ivey, Randy Lowry, Walt Leaver and Amy Grant.
Lighting of the Green
The evening concluded with the traditional lighting of a Christmas tree in the Lipscomb University quad along Belmont Boulevard. To mark the 20th anniversary of the event, McQueen invited four individuals who were instrumental in planning the first Lighting of the Green to help light the green.
This year’s tree lighters were Grant; Randy Lowry, who served as Lipscomb’s president from 2005-2021; Joe Ivey, who recently retired from Lipscomb after serving as senior vice president of advancement from 2005-2010 and as a faculty member in the College of Business for about 15 years; and Walt Leaver, who served as vice president of university relations for 28 years and last year transitioned to the role of special advisor to the president.
Lighting of the Green 2024 sponsors include FirstBank, American Constructors, CO Christian & Sons, One Digital, Solomon Builders, Herring Technology, Lee Company, All-American Pest Control, Sentry, Shepherd Financial, Don Kennedy Roofing Company, Regent Homes, Cigna Healthcare, Crown Paving, TIAA, Rose Hill Flowers and Curated Events.
— Photos by Kristi Jones