Lowry named one of Nashville's most powerful leaders
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Lipscomb University president L. Randolph Lowry has been named one of Nashville’s most powerful leaders by the Nashville Business Journal.
Lowry, who has been president of Lipscomb since 2005, was part of the Nashville Business Journal’s inaugural Power 100 list of Nashville’s most influential people in business recently released by the publication.
“The list is the work of the NBJ newsroom,” said Lori Becker, NBJ editor-in-chief, in the list release. “With so much change in our city, we set out to take stock of who’s running Greater Nashville today, who’s wielding the most power with the greatest impact.”
Becker explained that the NBJ staff started with a large list of influencers in the area and then narrowed it down to the 100 most influential names.
“There were no rules or criteria,” she explained. “Instead, we asked ourselves questions like these: When the Nashville mayor needs something done, who gets the call? Whose influence extends beyond their own industry? Who’s using their money, their connections or their position to drive business in Music City?”
“To be a power player, you must be respected,” Becker continued. “You must be able to get things done, in the spotlight or in the shadows. You must know the right people. And you don’t have to be liked.”
Since Lowry took office as Lipscomb’s 17th president in September 2005, the university has grown significantly. This past fall, enrollment topped 4,600 for the first time in university history. Over the last decade enrollment has increased 86 percent. Nearly $200 million has been raised in two major fundraising campaigns, the institution’s annual budget has doubled, the number of academic programs offered has nearly tripled and six academic buildings have been added or expanded in addition to numerous other initiatives.
Under his watch, the university launched its first doctoral programs, opened Middle Tennessee’s first college of pharmacy, expanded its global learning program and has grown its education and business programs to recognized national leaders. He has also been invited by the White House to participate in several top-level summits on education and immigration.
Lowry has also grown the university’s outreach to the community with the launch of the Serving and Learning Together program, the opening of the Lipscomb Family Therapy Center that offers services to the community and by growing the institution’s annual Service Day program that involves more than a third of the university community. These efforts, along with mission programs and other initiatives, generate more than $6.6 million in service value for the university’s surrounding community through more than 200 community service organizations.
Among other Nashville leaders included on the NBJ Power 100 list were Martha Ingram, chairwoman emerita, Ingram Industries; Megan Barry, mayor of Nashville; Tony Giarratana, principal and founder, Giarratana Development LLC; Milton Johnson, CEO, HCA Holdings Inc.; Tom Cigarran, chairman and co-owner, Nashville Predators; Sarah Trahern, CEO, Country Music Association; Colin Reed, CEO, Ryman Hospitalities; Bill Frist, former U.S. Senator and founder of Aspire Health; José Muñoz, chairman, Nissan North America; Steve Buchanan, president, Opry Entertainment Group; Rene Soto, executive director, Conexion Americas; and Gary Garfield, president and CEO, Bridgestone Americas Inc.