Growing up in the Church of Christ with a father who was a professor, Hobs Baldridge (’28) had some unique connections that helped him find a home at Lipscomb.
During his junior year of high school, Hobs came to Nashville for a campus visit and was invited to apply to Lipscomb’s Summer Scholars program, an 8-day residential learning experience where students can earn college credit and guaranteed acceptance to the university.
“That's really what set me on this decision, and I've kind of been locked in on Lipscomb ever since,” Hobs says.
Through Summer Scholars, Hobs took classes with Lipscomb professors and began building connections with the campus community before his senior year of high school in Texas. One of those professors was Dr. Jeff Cohu, executive director of Lipscomb’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, who is also the uncle of Hobs’ longtime best friend.
“Dr. Cohu is one of the people that reached out to me, and he offered to help me out however he could,” Hobs remembers. “I’m looking forward to having him as a professor again.”
Since his arrival on campus as a freshman, Hobs has gotten involved with the Lipscomb Navigators, attending a weekly Bible study and evangelism training with students from other campuses in Nashville. He has found a church home at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ and makes sure to attend Pancake Nights at Elam Hall and Wednesday Nights We Eat at High Rise Hall, featuring a late-night snack and live music. He’s also discovered a love for jazz music, attending Lipscomb student concerts and other performances in Music City.
The intentionality Hobs felt from members of the Lipscomb community solidified his college choice. “Lipscomb just felt familiar, like a good place that I would be proud to be part of and want to call home.”
“Lipscomb Felt So Much More Personal”
“Lipscomb felt so much more personal, which is something that I was definitely looking for. Because it’s a smaller university and everybody knows each other in a good way.
Getting to Know the Community
Exploring your neighborhood
Lipscomb is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville, which is about 10 minutes south of downtown. That means you can enjoy life in a charming neighborhood with convenient access to the diverse opportunities of a global city right down the street.
Experiencing Music City
When you live in a city filled with talented musicians, you should take advantage. Whether it’s a coffeehouse performance or a concert at a storied venue like Ryman Auditorium or The Bluebird Cafe, you’ll see a quality show. Even though Nashville is known for country music, Hobs discovered a love for jazz. “Any chance I get, I’ll go see live jazz music.”
Not doing it alone
Starting a new chapter in an unfamiliar place may seem intimidating, but you’ll be surrounded by a community of people who will help you find a home. Coming from Texas to Nashville, Hobs made that adjustment when he came to Lipscomb. “Coming from a super-small town outside of Waco, Nashville is really different in a good way.”
More Resources For Juniors