Sarah Keith Gamble continues her journey at Lipscomb
Lacey Klotz |
Sarah Keith Gamble has a heart for Lipscomb.
A native of Jasper, Tennessee, a small town outside of Chattanooga, Gamble grew up hearing stories of Lipscomb University, a place where her mother found herself and her faith.
Gamble felt encouraged to follow in her mother’s footsteps, and as a student she immersed herself into the Lipscomb community - participating in events, Greek Life and studying social work with the Department of Human Services. Gamble finished college in a record time of three years and graduated from Lipscomb in 1970 with plans to further her education with a master’s degree in psychology from Middle Tennessee State University.
In 1972, Gamble received an unexpected phone call from Carl McKelvey, vice president of administrative affairs at Lipscomb, encouraging her to apply for the position of head resident of Johnson Hall.
At age 22, Gamble joined the Lipscomb community once again as one of the youngest employees on staff. After about three years working this position, and with the help of McKelvey, Gamble was offered a new position and transitioned into the role of assistant dean of students. Within this role, Gamble helped to write job descriptions, organize retreats and assisted in establishing the foundation of Lipscomb’s Office of Campus Life.
Just over 40 years of working for Lipscomb University, Sarah Keith Gamble has not only dedicated her heart to its community, but has made a tremendous impact and lasting relationships with faculty, staff and especially the students.
“The community at Lipscomb is extremely unique and it has been such a blessing to work in an environment that practices social leadership,” Gamble said. “However, what has kept me working 
at Lipscomb all these years, and so in love with my job, is the student contact I have had throughout the years. College is such a unique time in an individual’s life and I love to be a part of it.”
Gamble has been a dynamic part of several programs and activities such as the campus life team, where she has been an integral part of ADVANCE (the university’s undergraduate orientation program), coordinating Spring service day and participating in the leadership team that coordinates Quest Week and New Student Express, the fall orientation programs for new undergraduate students, in addition to other activities.
“I’ve loved getting to be a part of the student orientation program at Lipscomb and pairing campus life with academics has created a lot of synergy on campus,” Gamble said. “Working with individuals such as Theresa Williams and Steve Prewitt throughout the years has been life-giving and as a team we have helped to develop a program to best prepare our students for their next four years Lipscomb - academically, spiritually and socially.”
In 1985, Gamble took over for Dennis Lloyd, retired English professor and dean of students, as head director of the highly popular student show – Singarama. Gamble participated in shows as a student at Lipscomb and after 30 years of being head director of Singarama, Gamble says she is intrigued at how the show is still such a vital part of student life today.
“The two things I love most about Singarama is the creative process and how anyone and everyone can participate,” Gamble said. “Lipscomb students are different in the sense that they accept and embrace people that are different than them, and I love the hard work that goes into these amazingly creative shows, and the joy that comes from the experience.”
In 2013, Gamble was presented a prestigious Kopio Award from President L. Randolph Lowry, saying “Sarah Keith has tirelessly served the Lipscomb community for years and has been a positive force in the lives of countless students. We thank her for her servant heart and for all that she foes to make a difference in this community and to our students."
Sam Smith, dean of student life, also recognized Gamble’s incredible presence on Lipscomb's campus and her ability to emulate Christ throughout her work by creating an outstanding female resident assistant award in her honor. Smith explained that for the past five years the Sarah Keith Gamble Award of Excellence has been given to female RA’s who have distinguished service in the tradition of Sarah Keith Gamble, a servant with the mind of Christ.
"When I am speaking with our female leaders on campus who want to serve and want to know what services looks like on our campus, I point them towards S.K.,” Smith said. “If they will put in the time, energy and love toward their work in the same way S.K. does, then I am confident our young leaders will make a difference in the lives of their peers."
Although Gamble has dedicated over 40 years of her life to Lipscomb University – her journey is not finished yet. 
On May 31, Gamble accepted Lipscomb University’s retirement incentive package, and with that decision she agreed to a new part-time consulting role at Lipscomb.
June 1 marked Gamble’s first official day as a student life consultant for the university where she will continue to work with the Advance/Quest orientation program that she helped to establish and will also assist Scott McDowell, senior vice president for student life, with other initiatives.
McDowell played a vital role in Gamble’s recent transition. McDowell has witnessed Gamble’s hard work, love and care come into fruition throughout the years, and looks forward to continue working with Gamble in her new role at Lipscomb.
“Sarah Keith Gamble has modeled the kind of generational impact our profession promises and that each of us aspire to,” McDowell said. “She has been a role model, mentor, friend and confidant for most of us and epitomizes the ethic of care we aim for and what it means to ‘be Lipscomb.’
“While we all know countless stories of the lives she has touched and the impact she has had, I am fully convinced that the true extent of S.K.'s work will not be known until eternity.”
A celebration honoring Sarah Keith Gamble’s impact at Lipscomb and announcement of her new consulting position will be held this fall.