We continue to welcome a record-breaking number of students from around the world, all bringing a wide variety of academic, cultural, personal and social interests. It's important that you have a clear picture of what's needed to begin your Lipscomb experience. Entering an academic community is important and can be stressful, but don't worry. We're here to help. The orientation team is dedicated to serving you and easing this exciting transition. We can't wait to welcome you home!
Log into your Bison Portal to sign up for one of our New Student Orientation sessions!
Here, you will also be able to pay your enrollment and housing fees. Once you’ve completed both, you will receive instructions about receiving a room in one of our Residence Halls and a roommate.
New Student Orientation is a one-day onboarding experience designed specifically for first-time Lipscomb students and their guests. Here, you will learn about Student Life, get acquainted with campus, meet with faculty in your field of study, and connect with your peers.
All new students are required to attend one of the NSO sessions. Space is limited.
Session #1 - Friday, June 5th, 2026
Session #2 - Monday, June 8th, 2026
Session #3 - Friday, June 12th, 2026
Session #4 - Monday, June 15th, 2026
Each student is invited to bring up to two parents or guests with them to NSO.
As we near the summer, students will receive communications from our team at orientation [at] lipscomb.edu (orientation[at]lipscomb[dot]edu). Find all updates and information regarding schedules for NSO by checking your Lipscomb Student Email regularly! Find a tentative schedule below:
7:45 AM • Check-In Begins
8:45 AM - 11:00 AM • Morning Sessions
11:00 - 11:50 AM • Lunch
12:00 - 5:00 PM • Afternoon Sessions
For questions, please read the "Common Questions" tab below. To sign up, please visit your Bison Portal. For any additional questions, please contact your Admissions Counselor or orientation [at] lipscomb.edu (email our team).
QuestWeek (fall orientation) is required of all freshmen and transfers 21 and under (by Aug. 1). This is an intentional extension of your orientation experience and will engage you academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. You’ll get to meet other new students and, if you’re a residential student, begin getting accustomed to life in your residence hall.
Participating in the week will include attending required sessions, which are designed to help introduce you to campus resources that will continue to acclimate you to Lipscomb, as well as meeting other new students at our Engagement Sessions that will help you find community as you begin your first year as a Bison!
The QuestWeek Schedule will be released two weeks prior, so make sure to be checking your Lipscomb Email!
If you have questions, please contact your Admissions Counselor or orientation [at] lipscomb.edu (email our team).
Lipscomb Orientation also runs a parallel program for parents and guests during New Student Orientation. Those who participate will have the opportunity to meet university leaders, interact with other parents and guests, and attend a wide range of sessions including everything from financial aid to tips for the adjustment to college life.
To register for any of our orientation programs, students must first have been accepted for admission to the University and paid their enrollment fee. Each student is invited to bring up to two parents or guests. The first guest's attendance is included in the student's enrollment fees. The second guest will pay a $30 guest fee to cover costs and materials.
Please begin familiarizing yourself with local lodging accommodations. You can find a list of local accommodations that offer Lipscomb discounts and preferred rates at our hotel information page.
Spring New Student Orientation • TBD for Spring 2027
Spring New Student Orientation, also known as Spring NSO is a virtual onboarding experience designed specifically for first-time Lipscomb students. Whether you are transferring into Lipscomb, or are starting your higher education journey, you will learn about Life at Lipscomb, get acquainted with campus, and connect with your peers.
All new students are required to attend Spring NSO.
You will find all details regarding Spring New Student Orientation in your Lipscomb Email.
For questions, please read the "Common Questions" tab below. To sign up, please visit your Bison Portal. For any additional questions, please contact your Admissions Counselor or orientation [at] lipscomb.edu (email our team).
As we seek to integrate you into life on campus as a New Bison, we have a week of events planned for you, our newest Bisons, and all our returning students to kick off the Spring Semester.
The Winter Welcome Week Schedule will be released in late December, so keep your eye on your Lipscomb Email for more details!
If you have questions about Winter Welcome Week, feel free to orientation [at] lipscomb.edu (email our team).
What is the Quest Team?
The Quest Team is a group of peer leaders who have gone through a rigorous interview, selection and training process in order to prepare them to serve you throughout the entire summer as orientation leaders. They're here to walk students through the entire process from registering for classes to hanging out during QuestWeek. They've been where you are and are here to point you in the right direction so that you feel welcome in your new home at Lipscomb.
The 2025 Quest Team
Save-The-Date:
Fall 2026 New Student Orientation:
Session #1 - Friday, June 5th, 2026
Session #2 - Monday, June 8th, 2026
Session #3 - Friday, June 12th, 2026
Session #4 - Monday, June 15th, 2026
Fall Move-In Days:
Students will receive communications regarding Move In from their Residence Hall Director. This email will be sent to the student's Lipscomb email and will have important information, such as a link to sign up for a day/time to move in.
QuestWeek:
Tuesday, August 11th - Sunday, August 16th, 2026
Other Important Dates:
First Day of Classes - Monday, August 17th
Fall Break - October 9th
Bisons Weekend - To Be Announced
Thanksgiving Break - November 23rd-27th
Residence Halls close Nov. 21st @ 10 AM & reopen Nov. 28 @ 6 PM
University Study Day - Thursday, December 3rd
Final Exams - December 4th, 7th-10th
Christmas Break - December 14th-January 5th
Residence Halls close Dec. 11th @ 10 AM & reopen Jan. 4th @ 6 PM
Lipscomb A-to-Z:
ASC: Academic Success Center, your one-stop shop for all things regarding your academic success, including services like the Writing Studio, Peer Tutors, and more!
Battle of the Boulevard: a 67-year tradition where we battle it out on the basketball court each year with our arch-nemesis down the street to see who owns the Boulevard!
Breakouts: On Thursdays, you have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of spiritual formation experiences we like to call breakouts
CDC: Career Development Center, your one-stop shop for career exploration, resume help, networking opportunities, internship experience and the job search
The Gathering: Campus pauses at 10:55 a.m. every Tuesday to come together for a campus-wide chapel called the Gathering
OID: Office of Intercultural Development, build community through culture by being involved in programs, events and activities that empower and support Lipscomb's diverse community
RA: resident assistant, the trained student leader who acts as your primary contact while living in the residence halls who lives on your floor, coordinates activities and builds relationships to shape your on-campus experience
RHD: residence hall director, the full-time, live-in professional staff member who oversees your building and maintains a safe and welcoming residential community
SAB: Student Activities Board, a group of student interns responsible for planning and executing free events for the student body
SAC: student activities center, full of racquetball courts, a weight room, running or walking tracks, a spin studio and basketball courts (free with your student ID!)
Singarama: One of the Lipscomb's longest-standing traditions where students create mini-musicals with the hope of being crowned the sweepstakes winner
Stokes: an overflow parking lot located adjacent to campus, right across Belmont Blvd
The 2026 Quest Team
Brooke Autrey
Autrey is a junior K-5 Education & Special Education double major from Estill Springs, Tennessee.
Mason Baker
Baker is a junior Accounting major from Brentwood, Tennessee.
Maddox Bouldin
Bouldin is a sophomore Biology major from Eagleville, Tennessee.
Coleman Brown
Brown is a sophomore Marketing major from Cookeville, Tennessee.
William Brown
Brown is a junior Marketing and Management major from Franklin, Tennessee.
Gavin Cavender
Cavender is a junior Finance major from Cookeville, Tennessee.
Addi Church
Church is a junior Business and Law, Justice & Society double major from Franklin, Tennessee.
Abby Clark
Clark is a senior Accounting major from Manchester, Tennessee.
Lydia Cromwell
Cromwell is a sophomore Finance major from Brentwood, Tennessee.
Jonathan Edde
Edde is a senior Piano Performance major from Pleasant Shade, Tennessee.
Rachael Ferguson
Ferguson is a senior Early Childhood Education major from Nashville, Tennessee.
Keegan Gardner
Gardner is a junior Business Management and Finance major from Peoria, Illinois.
Gracious Gbla
Gbla is a junior Entrepreneurship major from Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Cora Gilbert
Gilbert is a sophomore Nursing major from Frankfort, Kentucky.
Cole Graves
Graves is a junior Molecular Biology major from Louisville, Kentucky.
Harper Guthrie
Guthrie is a junior Pre-Pharmacy Health Sciences major from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Je’Coria Hambrick
Hambrick is a senior Psychology major from Nashville, Tennessee.
Wes Hudson
Hudson is a sophomore Finance major from Cookeville, Tennessee.
Ivana Huffines
Huffines is a senior Molecular Biology major from Franklin, Kentucky.
Emma Kay Kennay
Kennay is a sophomore Health and Physical Education major from Rochelle, Illinois.
Andrew Lunt
Lunt is a sophomore Business Management major from Tallahassee, Florida.
Luke Martin
Martin is a senior Finance and Marketing major from Evans, Georgia.
Katie McGinnis
McGinnis is a sophomore Nursing major from Pike Road, Alabama.
Betsy Pack
Pack is a senior Nursing major from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Elena Parkhurst
Parkhurst is a junior Communication major from Memphis, Tennessee.
Oscar Pena
Pena is a sophomore Marketing major from Lebanon, Tennessee.
Charlotte Ran
Ran is a senior Dietetics major from Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Garrett Stephens
Stephens is a junior Accounting major from Paris, Tennessee
Jillian Utley
Utley is a senior Interdisciplinary Studies in Education major from Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Kainan Wyatt
Wyatt is a senior Data Analytics major from Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
7 Tips to Prepare for Life at Lipscomb
1. Spend time with family.
“I wish I would have really cherished the time I had with my family. You don’t really realize that you will not see them as often when you get to college, especially being far away from home.”
- Madisyn Rentz, ’24, Dietetics, Rockford, Minnesota
2. Get a plan for the semester.
“Take some time before you get here to map out and plan what’s important to you! Once school starts, you will have to pick up a lot of things related to academics and student life, so making sure you have a plan for self-care and spiritual investment will provide a lot of help in creating moments for rest.”
- Seth Meyer, ’24, Biochemistry, Mount Juliet, Tennessee
3. Connect with new students.
“I wish I would have reached out to more people who were coming to Lipscomb. Starting those conversations would have been super beneficial!” - Brady Bryson, ’25, Finance and Theology, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
“Don’t sweat Move-In Day and don’t overpack! A lot of times people bring too much stuff, so start with the necessities then go from there.”
- Abby Duesing, ’23, Nursing, South Holland, Illinois
5. Prepare your dorm room.
“The most useful things I brought for my dorm room were cleaning products and decor. Everything in life feels easier to handle if my living space is clean and homey!”
- Priscilla Obregon, ’23, Information Technology Management and Graphic Design, Nashville, Tennessee
“Don’t be afraid to explore new things! College is all about finding your interests and passions. Try everything once, then you’ll know if you like it or not.”
- Priscilla Obregon, ’23, Information Technology Management and Graphic Design, Nashville, Tennessee
7. Make a Nashville bucket list
“I would never get this type of stuff in my hometown, so I love having access to different experiences in Nashville.”
- Alexis Cole, ’22, Theology and Ministry, Bristol, Virginia
