Lipscomb expands Yellow Ribbon Program to include MBA tuition

The Lipscomb University College of Business announced this week that it is now offering a tuition-free Master of Business Administration (MBA) to military veterans eligible through the Yellow Ribbon Program, a benefit of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill that provides college tuition, a housing stipend and money for books.

 

In fall 2009, Lipscomb began offering free undergraduate tuition, and discounts on certain graduate programs, to qualified military veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Currently, 31 veterans are enrolled and receiving free undergraduate educations from the university.

 

This week, on the heels of Operation Yellow Ribbon, a fund-raising concert and a daylong symposium on issues facing returning veterans, the university announced the expansion of its tuition program to cover the full cost of an MBA.

 

 The total value of a Lipscomb MBA provided to the veterans is more than $31,000. That amount includes all books and fees. Applications for the free MBA are now being accepted for the fall 2010 semester.

 

David Hughes, Lipscomb’s veterans liaison and a retired captain in the Army, said he has seen a great deal of interest among veterans in earning an MBA.

 

“Of course, an MBA is among the most popular degrees today because it is so respected and demanded within the business world,” Hughes noted. “With the current economic challenges veterans face upon returning from military service, the opportunity to earn an MBA degree will greatly enhance their marketability when pursuing a career.

 

“Lipscomb’s commitment to provide free tuition for an MBA will not only benefit the veterans themselves, but it will infuse Middle Tennessee’s business market with a group of well-educated, highly qualified, proven leaders ready to take on any challenge.”

 

The Lipscomb MBA offers evening classes with one-year and two-year tracks. Courses are taught in eight-week terms, and allows for new enrollments in August and January of each year. The program offers emphases in accounting, conflict management, finance, health care management, leadership, non-profit management, sports management and sustainability. There is also a customized option available for students.

 

“At Lipscomb’s College of Business we believe that doing business right is always the right way to do business,” said Mike Kendrick, the College’s associate dean of graduate business programs and a Vietnam veteran who used the GI Bill to complete his bachelors and graduate degrees. “That idea is incorporated throughout our graduate program and it falls right in line with the world view of the noble men and women who volunteer to serve our nation in the military. Military veterans will enhance our program through their unique perspective and will add a positive dimension to the experience our graduates bring to their workplaces.” 

 

To receive benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program, veterans must: :

 

For more information on the MBA program, contact Emily Landsell at 615.966.5284. For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Program, contact David Hughes at 615.966.5176.

 

One of the ways our country recognizes the service of our military is with the post 9/11 G.I. bill that provides the equivalent of a state university tuition to qualifying military. Since 2009, Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program has paid the difference between what is provided by that benefit and the cost of a Lipscomb undergraduate education so that it is free. Beginning in fall 2010, the university will pay the difference for a graduate MBA as well.

 

Lipscomb does this because for some veterans, after the combat experience, a smaller school is a better environment. Lipscomb offers that choice in a smaller, more personal arena along with an open faith-based environment where vets can deal with some of the very tough spiritual issues that can arise out of combat.

In addition to providing tuition, Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon program has held several events to promote camaraderie among veterans, such as Veteran’s Day dinner for veteran alumni, and event to promote awareness of issues facing military veterans, such as Operation Yellow Ribbon, a day-long symposium and fund-raising concert, featuring GEN. Tommy Franks (RET.), Charlie Daniels and Amy Grant, held on March 23, 2010.