Why We Give: Billy and Rebecca Long
Even though I was making presentations before Nobel prize winners I felt I had been prepared well.
Janel Shoun-Smith | 615.966.7078 |
Rebecca and Billy Long
When a student enters their chemistry class at McFarland Science Center, the possibility of spending the summer interning with NASA or working alongside world-renowned scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) probably isn’t at the forefront of their mind.
Dr. Billy W. Long (BA ’69) and his wife, Rebecca (Holmes) (BA ’72), fit that bill when they first came to the Lipscomb campus from their homes in Mississippi and Alabama, respectively. They would eventually find out, however, that the academic rigor and excellence of their Lipscomb education prepared them well for such prestigious posts.
Billy, a physician for 50 years, majored in biology during his time at Lipscomb. Meanwhile, his wife, Rebecca, earned a degree in biochemistry. Both started their post-baccalaureate careers in biochemical research in the laboratories at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.
A Nobel laureate scientist supervised the lab where Rebecca worked. Billy’s digestive disease research eventually led to an Ivy League professorship at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.
“The thing I found is that we both appreciated Lipscomb’s rigorous academic emphasis that took place, especially in the sciences,” remarks Rebecca. “Even though I was in a Nobel laureate’s lab, making presentations before Nobel prize winners, I felt I had been prepared well. I had spent time hands-on with cutting edge diagnostic equipment in Lipscomb’s labs.”
“My professors were so knowledgeable about their specialties, and they were just wonderful human beings who were leaders of the church,” she continued. “They were there for you all the time. In Maryland (at the NIH labs) it was us teaching assistants who did all the teaching and labs. At Lipscomb we got a lot of interaction with really well-trained professors, and that’s why we give to Lipscomb today. We want the university to continue such excellence.”
Billy, a member of the Lipscomb University Board of Trustees, said that biology professor Willis Owens (BA ’53) inspired him, a self-described “boy with a country education,” to pursue research.
“I worked with him on my first research project and that experience got me interested in research,” says Billy. After doing research in cardiology while earning his medical degree at the University of Mississippi, Long jumped at the chance to pursue clinical research at NIH. “I wanted to see how world-class people did research, and I wanted to see if I could do it.”
From that job, he moved on to gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, which led to his assistant professorship there.
The summer between her freshman and sophomore years, Rebecca worked as an intern at NASA in the labs of Wernher von Braun, known as the father of rocket science, in Huntsville, Alabama. Rebecca believes her internship was made possible by the chemistry and calculus classes she took at Lipscomb. It just so happened to be the summer of 1969: the summer when America first put a man on the moon.
After the completion of the Apollo 11 mission, Von Braun had copies of the famous photos the astronauts took on the moon printed from the original film as gifts to those working in his lab that summer. Rebecca still has the 8x10s she received, including the famous shot with the U.S. flag reflected in astronaut Neil Armstrong’s visor with the blue sphere of Earth in the background.
After her work at the NIH, Rebecca taught high school and college chemistry until choosing to focus on their family when the Longs returned to Billy’s home state of Mississippi to start his medical practice, G.I. Associates, in Jackson.
Now both retired, Rebecca and Billy focus their time on giving back to the community around them. Rebecca volunteers at Christians in Action, a nonprofit emergency shelter for abused and neglected children, where she has volunteered for 40 years. Meanwhile, Billy serves as the president of Sunnybrook Children’s Home, a nonprofit serving foster students and students who have aged out of the system. As part of the program, students live on campus and finish their education at community college while also learning life skills.
Students in chemistry lab
Billy and Rebecca Long have enjoyed seeing Lipscomb’s continued success in the sciences: the expansion of science labs, the addition of nursing and pharmacy schools. They know Lipscomb health science students are prepared spiritually as well as academically.
“The Lipscomb sciences has such a high percentage of people going to medical school and we are so proud of how they have maintained their quality and emphasis on excellence. We know our money is going where it ought to go,” says Billy.
As a result of the important role the Lipscomb has played in both their lives, the Longs have remained actively involved in the Lipscomb community. Billy joined the Lipscomb University Board of Trustees 12 years ago and they have had the opportunity to see how much has changed and how much has also remained the same.
“Today you look back and recognize that you have a great sense of knowledge of the Bible and faith due to the Lipscomb professors.” remarks Rebecca. She reflected on their experience attending a 2018 dinner held in honor of legendary Bible professor Harvey Floyd, who passed away a few months later.
“Floyd is one of those transformational professors because he taught you about grace. We donated money to the Bible department in his name. Lipscomb Bible professors let you see your own lives and how they can be transformed,” she said.
“The faculty are such good influences and people of faith. At Lipscomb you get a sense that what is important in life is being transmitted,” said Rebecca. “When you are a student, you don’t realize how much you absorb just by being at the feet of people who are so wise and knowledgeable of the Bible.”
“During difficult times in our life, the people who have supported us were friends from college days at Lipscomb,” said Billy. “We trust these friendships will continue and encourage others to contribute to Lipscomb also.