Master of Health Administration program becomes first in Nashville to receive prestigious CAHME accreditation page 4
To develop business leaders who embrace the values and virtues of Jesus.
Our Mission OUR VALUES
Purposeful
“And David shepherded them with integrity of the heart; with skillful hands he led them.”
—Psalm 78:72
This past July, Ray Eldridge , dean of the Lipscomb University College of Business, announced that he will transition to the role of dean emeritus and return to a faculty appointment in early 2025. During Ray’s 10-year tenure as dean, the college has experienced tremendous enrollment growth, programming growth, AACSB International accreditation and consistent recognition as one of the top business schools in the nation and state.
Throughout this annual report, you will see references to the growth and advancement of the College of Business throughout Eldridge’s tenure as dean.
As we reflect on the extraordinary legacy of Dean Ray Eldridge, it is impossible to overstate the profound impact he has had on Lipscomb University and the College of Business. His tenure as dean has been defined by visionary leadership, a commitment to excellence and a genuine passion for the development of both the institution and its students.
I vividly remember having breakfast in Shanghai with Ray and Bart Liddle, where Ray shared his vision for the Lipscomb College of Business and the graduate school. He was deeply passionate about the progress made by the faculty, staff and students, and excited for the future, particularly the pursuit of AACSB accreditation. Ray presented the opportunity to endow the graduate school, an initiative my wife Pam, the Pfeffer Foundation and I were honored to support. Under his leadership, and with the hard work of the faculty, staff and administration, the college successfully achieved AACSB accreditation.
Dean Eldridge’s career prior to joining Lipscomb is a testament to his dedication and integrity. As a U.S. Army officer, he served with distinction, commanding soldiers and overseeing global military operations. His wealth of experience brought invaluable insight to his academic career, where he applied those same principles of leadership and strategic vision. From his time at Syracuse University and FreedHardeman University, where he served as dean of the College of Business, to his pivotal roles at Lipscomb, which began in 2008, Dean Eldridge has elevated every institution he has touched.
Under his guidance as dean since 2014, the Lipscomb University College of Business flourished, becoming one of the top business schools in the nation. His relentless pursuit of excellence led to significant achievements, including national rankings for both undergraduate and graduate programs, and the establishment of a culture of innovation and growth. His ability to inspire and motivate others has left an indelible mark on the faculty and students alike.
Dean Eldridge’s leadership extended beyond the classroom, as he served on numerous boards, contributed to national accreditation bodies and represented Lipscomb with distinction in the wider academic and business communities. His work has been recognized across the country, reflecting his deep commitment to the betterment of education and society.
As Ray Eldridge prepares to step down from the role of dean but to continue as a member of the faculty, we are left with a legacy of accomplishment, integrity and an enduring standard of excellence. His influence will continue to shape the College of Business for years to come, and we are profoundly grateful for his service, leadership and the lasting impact he has made on our community.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Dr. Philip M. Pfeffer CEO-in-Residence and Dean’s Board member, College of Business Board of Trustees, Lipscomb University
PURPOSEFUL OVER A DECADE
2,401 95%
Graduate Level Undergraduates 1,195 1206
COB Graduates since Fall 2014 or above COB Job Placement Rate since 2019
Lipscomb’s students, faculty and alumni are not just going to make an impact on the business world of the future, they are busy stamping their mark on the marketplace of today through start-ups, refining health care leaders, advising industries, advancing business education and more.
Behind every product, service or business is someone who once had a dream, took a risk and had the determination to turn his or her idea into a reality.
2024 marked 10 years since Lipscomb established the first Kittrell Pitch Competition, held by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, to provide those determined dreamers with a forum to gain experience and an opportunity to move their business dream forward.
The College of Business marked the competition’s 10-year anniversary by holding a celebratory dinner to honor Lipscomb Board of Trustees member Marty Kittrell (BS ’77), whose contributions have provided valuable, sometimes life-changing, monetary prizes for the winners of the competition for 10 years.
From the outset, the competition was created as an interdisciplinary opportunity for students of any major “to innovate, create and pitch their ideas,” said Jerry Stubblefield (MBA ’06), who served as entrepreneur-inresidence in 2014 when the Kittrell Pitch Competition was established.
At the Kittrell Pitch Competition, students make a ten-minute pitch of their business model to a panel of judges. Their presentations include an introduction of the management team, clear description of the product, problems solved by the product or service, customer segments, competitive analysis, unique value proposition and revenue streams, among other relevant information.
Traditionally, the panel of judges is made up of business professionals not associated with the university, and winners receive monetary prizes ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 at the spring finals. Over the past decade, the Kittrell Pitch Competition has awarded a total of $181,750 in prizes.
Kittrell funded the competition in honor of his father, William, a 1941 Lipscomb graduate. He has extensive career experience in a variety of industries with a focus on corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and security offerings, private equity and board practices.
“The students who participate are incredibly impressive in terms of their preparation, confidence and vision. I really believe that the Center for Entrepreneurship has made great strides and students who have an interest in business benefit from the ability to pitch their ideas.”
Marty Kittrell, speaking in 2014
Zarina Gumbatova (BA ’14, MM ’15, MBA ’18), received first place for her online business, Zarina Tova Boutique, selling unique handcrafted women’s accessories.
Two Kittrell pitch winners were named finalists in Launch Tennessee’s Statewide Venture Challenge: Ed Pack Global, a social enterprise backpack company, established by business student Luke Benda (BBA ’17) and other Lipscomb students, and The Little Cottage Bakery, a neighborhood bakery in Nolensville, Tennessee, established by Lillian Fisher (BBA ’16).
Second place finisher
Bradley Bruce (MHA ’21) is the coowner of All People Coffee, located in the historic Cleveland Park neighborhood of East Nashville with a mission to unify nearby neighbors.
Kittrell winner Miller made an even stronger showing at the TCU competition as his presentation on Isoko, a Rwandan coffee washing station and milling company, with Natalie Blickensderfer, senior, won second place in their flight, defeating Yale, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech and Ohio State universities.
Kittrell winner Benda was presented the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s NEXT Award for 2023 Emerging Entrepreneur for his tech start-up called Healing Innovations (see more on page 40).
Second place finisher in 2017, Hannah Kraebel (BBA ’18), became Lipscomb’s first student to win a national pitch competition, the Southeastern Entrepreneurship Competition. She also established her startup company, Kapped, selling airtight silicone lids for mugs.
First place finisher in 2021 Aidan Miller (BBA ’23) debuted Lipscomb in style at the international Texas Christian University (TCU) Values and Ventures Competition®, earning an honorable mention award worth $2,500 for his presentation, made with Matt Stuart (BBA ’23), on Kwizera Coffee, a vertically integrated coffee business based in Rwanda.
2022 Kittrell winners, Lila Mae Skidmore, junior, and her sister, Anna Belle (BA ’24), secured a top 10 position at the highly competitive TCU competition with their presentation on their business, Granola’d, launched in 2021 to sell gluten-free Granola of varying flavors.
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program achieved initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) in March, making it the first and only program in Nashville to receive this prestigious recognition.
Lipscomb joined an elite group of only 95 universities in the nation with CAHME-accredited MHA programs, including Baylor University, Johns Hopkins University, Texas A&M University, The Ohio State University, Trinity University, Tulane University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Xavier University.
Lipscomb’s program is one of only two CAHME-accredited programs in Tennessee and the only one in the state with AACSB and CAHME accreditations.
The CAHME-accreditation process is rigorous and comprehensive, focusing on program quality, curriculum content and faculty expertise.
The Lipscomb MHA features dynamic and innovative curriculum, expert faculty and hands-on experiences to give students a competitive edge. The program may be completed in two years and is designed for for early to mid-career professionals with an interest in a managerial track and for clinical professionals with any level of experience who desire an administrative role.
The program is offered in a hybrid format with one weekend each month in person, and the rest of the coursework
completed asynchronously online allowing students to continue working full-time. Other program features include professional immersion, visits to companies that cover the health care spectrum, engaging with leaders to address real-time challenges and a shortterm travel study trip to the Netherlands.
Launched in 2018, Lipscomb’s program was developed by Bart Liddle (BA ’94) in collaboration with an advisory board comprised of health care executives.
“From the very beginning we focused on building the MHA program with CAHME accreditation in mind,” explained Liddle. “With Nashville being considered by many to be the ‘health care capital’ of the country, it didn’t have a CAHME-accredited MHA program. That was the gap we sought to fill.”
“Being located in one of the nation’s leading health care cities, Lipscomb’s MHA program has close connections to many industry leaders in Nashville, which provides outstanding learning and professional opportunities for our students,” said Lesley Tomaszewski, director of the program. “Our advisory board of industry experts is engaged and dynamic, and our students are developing skills they can apply immediately on the job. Receiving CAHME accreditation is an affirmation of not only the quality of our program but its effectiveness, and we are thrilled about the tremendous impact this will have on our students.”
Allison Duke (MBA ’02) Senior Associate Dean & Professor of Management
Andy Borchers Professor of Management
Ashley Yarbrough Assistant Professor of Operations Management
Bart Liddle (BA ’94) Associate Professor of Management
Bonnie Brown Director of Accreditation, Assistant Professor of Accounting
Carol Lusk (MBA ’18) Assistant Professor of Management
Davis Brown (BBA ’17, MBA ’20) Instructor of Marketing, Director of Content Creation Studio
Donita Brown
Assistant Professor of Management, Lead Faculty for the Purposeful Business Initiative
Charles Frasier (BS ’66), esteemed former professor and accounting chair, mentor and friend to many, was recognized by the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) in March as the 2024 CPA of the Year as part of the TSCPApex Awards.
The CPA of the Year Award recognizes a CPA who has made outstanding contributions toward advancing the accounting profession.
“Your accomplishments reinforce the profession’s reputation for its commitment to the public good, and this award serves as recognition of the positive impacts resulting from your work. Congratulations on your achievement and thank you for the leadership and dedication you have provided to TSCPA and the profession,” wrote Kara N. Fitzgerald, TSCPA president and CEO.
Frasier joined the Lipscomb business faculty in 1971 and retired in 2018, though he has continued to serve as an adjunct professor over the last few years. He was named chair of the department of accounting in 1986.
He was also a partner in Frasier, Dean and Howard (now Cherry Bekaert) from 1975-2010. He holds the Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant and Master Teacher designations.
“Charles has had a tremendous impact on the lives of countless students and has done so with a quiet and humble spirit,” said Ray Eldridge. “This is a well-deserved award that brings great credit to Charles, the College of Business and Lipscomb University.”
The Charles E. Frasier Chair of Accounting was established in 2015 in Lipscomb’s College of Business by a group of Frasier’s former students who are now leaders in Nashville’s business community.
Accounting Program in Tennessee for three straight years — College Factual, 2019
Han-Sheng Chen
Associate Professor of Finance
Jacob Arthur (LA ’04, BS ’08, MAcc ’08)
Assistant Dean, School of Data Analytics & Technology,
For the first time, a Lipscomb University student has been selected to participate in the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Jimmie Smith Student Leadership Experience program.
Senior Alexa Tyree (BBA ’24), an accounting major from Akron, Ohio, was one of only five students from around the world chosen to participate in this highly selective program. Participants are selected each year from IMA Higher Education Endorsement Program member schools. Only 62 colleges in the U.S. are currently endorsed by the IMA, and 40 colleges are endorsed internationally.
Tyree participated in a series of meetings and activities that concluded in June with her attending the IMA’s Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. In preparation for the conference, Tyree worked alongside four other program participants to judge the Carl Menconi Ethics Case Competition. The winning case was published for use in college classrooms, where students can learn about ethical issues in the accounting and finance world.
At the conference, Tyree learned about the latest news and updates in the accounting and finance realms, networked with industry leaders and gained new connections for Lipscomb to share with current College of Business students.
Tyree is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi professional fraternity for which she has served as chapter secretary and vice president. She is an officer for Lipcomb’s IMA chapter, a member of Lipscomb’s Resident Assistant Council and a Student Center for Public Trust member. In addition, Tyree tutors students in various accounting courses.
Assistant Professor of Information Security & Analytics Best Accounting and Finance Programs in Tennessee — Niche.com, 2024
Jeff Cohu Associate Professor, Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Jeff Jewel Chair, Department of Accounting, Finance, & Economics, Professor of Finance
2024 CPA exam pass rate
Joe Ivey Professor of Management
Julio Rivas Professor of Finance
Laura Morrow (BS ’00, MBA ’02) Associate Professor of Management
Andy Borchers, J. Joseph and T. Couto (2023). Leadership Navigating Bankruptcy and Disruption at Oneida Limited. Journal of Case Studies
Andy Borchers and T. Couto (2024). Leadership in Transition. Journal of Case Studies
Andy Borchers (2024). Visualizing Global Supply Chains and the Impact of Disruptions in OSCM Classes. Journal of Business Administration Online
Bonnie Brown, Donita Brown and Nina Morel (Submitted August 2024). The Role of Religiosity in Developing Self-care Behaviors Through Coaching. Under review by Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research & Practice
Han-Sheng Chen, Susan C. Galbreath, Mark Jobe and Marcy Binkley, Allen Jinnette, Brandon Lanciloti, Karen Miller and Audrey Scarlata (2024). Attracting Accounting Talent—A Look at Benefit Packages in Tennessee. Tennessee CPA Journal
Tim Creel and Susan C. Galbreath (2024). PostCOVID Teaching Reflections and Take-a-Ways: The Keepers, Innovators and Losers. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice
Susan C. Galbreath and Charla S. Long (Submitted August 2024). Moving Accounting Curricula Toward a Competency-Based Education Model. The Accounting Educators’ Journal.
Susan C. Galbreath, Han-Sheng Chen and Mark Jobe (2023). A Historical Analysis of Accounting Salaries as a Key Factor in the Staffing Crisis. Journal of Business, Industry, and Economics
Nina Morel, Allison Duke and Donita Brown (2023). Developing Self-care Habits through a Hybrid Coaching Framework in Higher Education. International Coaching Psychology Review
Wlamir Xavier and Kallás, D. (2023). Development of Business Groups in Brazil: A Historical Overview. Revista Alcance (Reach Magazine)
Wlamir Xavier (2023). The Future of the Professoriate. Brazilian Administration Review
2023 American Accounting Association Conference on Teaching and Learning in Accounting, Denver, Colorado:
Tim Creel, Susan C. Galbreath and Marcy Binkley, “Adding ESG Exposure in an Existing Accounting Curricula.”
Susan C. Galbreath and Charla S. Long, “Competency-Based Education and How it Aligns with the CPA Evolution Model Curriculum and the Uniform CPA Examination® Blueprints.”
2023 American Accounting Association Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado:
Tim Creel, Susan C. Galbreath and Marcy Binkley, “Introducing ESG in Accounting Curricula Through Assignments in Existing Course.”
Susan C. Galbreath and Charla S. Long, “How the Uniform CPA Examination® Blueprints and the CPA Evolution Model Curriculum Move Accounting Curricula Toward a Competency-Based Education Model.”
2023 American Accounting Association, Spark Meeting, Virtual (June):
Tim Creel, Susan C. Galbreath and Marcy Binkley, “How to Include ESG in Your Accounting Courses by Revising Assignments.”
Susan C. Galbreath and Charla S. Long, “Aligning the CPA Evolution Model Curriculum and the Uniform CPA Examination® Blueprints with a CompetencyBased Education Framework.”
Han-Sheng Chen, Susan C. Galbreath and Mark Jobe, “A Historical Analysis of Accounting Salaries as a Key Factor in the Staffing Crisis.”
Andy Borchers (2023) “Sabbaticals and Christian Business Faculty.” Christian Business Faculty Association, Fall Meeting, Lakewood, Colorado.
Donita Brown and Beth Mangrum. (2024) “Purposeful Business Fellows.” Best Practices in Christian Higher Education. Abilene, Texas.
Carol Lusk (2024). “The Sacred and The Secular: The Impact of Gender and Religiosity on Leadership.” Christian Scholars’ Conference, Houston, Texas.
Carol Lusk (2024). “The Sacred and the Secular: The Impact of Gender and Religiosity on Leadership.” Management, Spirituality and Religion Colloquium, Academy of Management Research, Virtual.
Susan C. Galbreath (2023). “Creating a Strong Financial Plan Before Opening Excel;” “Putting the Financial Puzzle Together: First, Let’s Get the Edges in Place;” and “Prepare a Basic Pro Forma Income Statement for an Academic Program.” CBExchange, Amelia Island, Florida.
Susan C. Galbreath (2024). “ESG Next: Are You Ready? SEC: The New Kid on the ESG Block” Tennessee Environmental Network Show of the South, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Susan C. Galbreath (2024). “Including ESG in Accounting and Data Analytics Courses by Revising Existing Assignments.” American Accounting Association Sustainability, ESG, and Accounting: Implications for the Academy and the Profession, Washington, D.C.
Mark Jobe, Susan C. Galbreath, Han-Sheng Chen and Marcy Binkley, Allen Jinnette, Brandon Lanciloti, Karen Miller and Audrey Scarlata (2024). “A Review of Internships in Tennessee Accounting Firms.” Society of Business, Industry and Economics, Destin, Florida.
Nina Morel (2023). “Teaching What AI Cannot Yet Do: The Development of an Undergraduate Business Course in Managerial Coaching Skills.” MBAA International Conference, Chicago.
Wlamir Xavier (2024). “Scholarly Internationalization.” UERJ University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Wlamir Xavier (2024). “Empirical Applications of Organizations Theory.” UNESC University, Criciuma, Brazil.
Wlamir Xavier (2024). Invited panelist at the International Conference on Sustainability, Innovation & Society, Itajaí, Brazil.
Wlamir Xavier (2023). “Institutional Environment and Non-market Strategy Effects on International Expansion.” EIBA European International Business Academy Conference, Lisbon, Portugal.
Wlamir Xavier (2023). “Nonmarket Political Strategy Effects on EMNEs’ Foreign Location Choice.” AIB/MENA Academy of International Business—Middle East North Africa Chapter, Rabat, Morocco.
Rebecca Burcham
Lipscomb University’s 2023 Summer Research Grant
Carol Lusk
Grant from the Center for Faith and the Common Good and the Vice Provost Research Fund at Pepperdine University for dissertation research on “The Sacred and the Secular: The Impact of Religiosity and Gender on Leadership Attainment”
2024 Promising Dissertation Proposal Award from the Management, Spirituality and Religion, Academy of Management
Jeff Jewell
Lipscomb University’s 2024 Cowart Faculty Excellence Award in Business
Wlamir Xavier
Center For International Business Education and Research (CIBER) grant from Florida International University to join the Faculty Development Program in International Business in Ireland in 2024
Jacob Arthur
ISSA, Middle Tennessee Chapter
Member & Former Board Member, ISACA, Middle Tennessee Chapter
Member, ISC2, Middle Tennessee Chapter
Andy Borchers
Executive Director, Society for Case Research Editor, Journal of Critical Incidents
Publication Director, Christian Business Faculty Association
Taught the PhD Project on case writing for BIPOC faculty
Section Lead for Business and Economics, Christian Scholars’ Conference
Commission Member, Computer Accreditation Council of ABET
Associate editor, Information Resources
Management Journal
Lindsay L. Dillingham
Reviewer, Management Communication Quarterly, 2024 Reviewer, Southern Journal of Communication, 2023
Reviewer, Communication Reports, 2023
Ray Eldridge
Team Member, AACSB Accreditation
Peer Review Team
ACBSP Accreditation Mentor
Susan Galbreath
Member, Financial Executives International
Board Member At-Large, Tennessee Society of Accounting Educators
Member, Tennessee Society of CPAs
Member, American Accounting Association
Member, American Institute of CPAs
Mark Jobe
Board Member, Society of Business, Industry and Economics
Member, Tennessee Society of Accounting Educators
Member, Tennessee Society of CPAs
Member, American Accounting Association
Member, American Institute of CPAs
Perry Moore
Board of Governors Member and Chair of Long Term Planning Committee, IIA Nashville Chapter
Scholarship Committee, Tennessee Society of CPAs
Revision of state-specific ethics course, Tennessee Society of CPAs
Finance Committee, Advisory Board Member, Delta Mu Delta
CPE Standards Working Group Member, NASBA Member, ACBSP International Teaching Excellence Award Committee
Nina Morel
Tennessee Chapter conference planning, International Coach Federation
Wlamir Xavier
Chair for Editorial Board, Transnational Journal of Business
Conference Track Chair for IB Theory & Global Strategies, 2024 AIB/SE Conference Academy of International Business—Southeast U.S. Chapter, St. Louis, Missouri
Associate Editor of Revista Brasileira de Gestão de Negócios and the Brazilian Administration Review
Accreditation Evaluator, ACBSP
Chair, ACBSP Scholar-Practitioner Publications Committee
Ashley Yarbrough
Annual Smart Manufacturing Adoption
Study, Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems
Jacob Arthur
The Freedom Resource, Board Member
The Pathway Project, Board Member
Andy Borchers Leader, New Garden Church
Rebecca Burcham
Dean’s Board, Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Board of Directors, Nashville Humane Association
Board of Directors, Corinth Alcorn Animal Shelter
Advisory Board, Oktibbeha County Humane Society
Advisory Board, Old Friends Senior Pet Sanctuary
Creation Care Ministry Team, West End United Methodist Church
Ray Eldridge
Member, Franklin Civil War Historical Commission
Participant, Leadership Middle Tennessee
Participant, Leadership Franklin Tennessee
Mark Jobe
Elder, Veterans Parkway Church of Christ
Carol Lusk
Financial Budget Committee, Otter Creek Church of Christ
Perry Moore
Missions Deacon, Brentwood Hills Church of Christ
Member, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Care Crew
Leanne Smith
Board Member, The Rabbit Room
Producer, Gladness & Hunger podcast
Wlamir Xavier
Board Member and President, Delvin Downs Homeowner Association
Elder and Preacher at Viva Igreja Cristã
Faculty publication in peer-reviewed academic journals more than doubled from 2009 to 2024.
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles 2019-2024
In an effort to address the impact of the nationwide accountant shortage, three Lipscomb accounting and finance professors have banded together to both research and disseminate valuable local information to help the local accounting industry turnaround the staffing shortage.
With a goal to provide regional information that many small firms and sole practitioners may not have access to, the professors have collaborated on six publications and presentations exploring expectations and current standards for competitive salaries, internships and benefits packages.
Susan C. Galbreath, Han-Sheng Chen, and Mark Jobe, have published their analyses in Tennessee CPA Journal and the Journal of Business, Industry & Economics, two journals with a large professional audience. The group also presented at the regional American Accounting Association and the Society of Business, Industry & Economics conferences, and is working on further analyses to continue their goals.
Using Department of Labor salary statistics, the professors showed that over the past decade, accounting salaries in Tennessee have lost a great deal of ground with almost no increase in comparison to other industries, said Galbreath.
In addition, there are more requirements to get into the accounting field today, making it a less attractive option when the salaries do not pay more than other industries without those requirements, noted Jobe.
Jobe, Galbreath and Chen partnered with accounting colleagues from other institutions in Tennessee to carry out surveys of more than 100 accounting students and more than 480 alumni throughout the region.
The survey explored expectations on more than 50 factors such as work environment, retirement plans, paid time off, insurance, perks and salaries.
“It is consistent with both students and alumni that salary is still the most important financial factor, and both groups also expressed dissatisfaction with current salaries in their chosen career,” said Galbreath. “Other factors important to those surveyed were paid time off, insurance and work/life balance.”
In 2024, the professors turned their eye toward internships, which are a major tool within the industry to recruit new employees. They surveyed students about how many internships they take while in school, what semesters work best for them, how much they are paid and how the experience impacted their professional commitment.
The professors’ data shows that today’s accounting students prefer to engage in multiple internships, so they will be less likely to tie themselves down to a contract after their first internship.
Chen brought into the project a statistical model for measuring professional commitment of employees to their employer. Students with multiple internships showed more professional commitment but they also have higher salary expectations, a factor the group may look at more closely in the future.
In addition to her studies and preparation for her future career, Kara Williams, an accounting senior from Murfreesboro, has taken on the task to help her fellow students better prepare for their careers, especially in accounting.
As a Student Ambassador for the Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA), Williams partnered with the College of Business Career Connection team in fall 2023 to host two on-campus events for business students, luring them in with homemade hot chocolate bombs and cookies, while highlighting ways students can engage with the TSCPA’s offerings to prepare for their future, such as the TSCPA’s mock exam, networking opportunities and free membership.
Williams has taken full advantage of the organization’s valuable resources, including leadership opportunities, scholarships and networking with CPAs across Tennessee. She has reaped the benefits with five internships with firms such as Deloitte, Marcum LLP, LBMC and the State of Tennessee.
Leanne Smith (BA ’89, MBA ’09)
Associate Professor
Lesley E. Tomaszewski Director of MBA & MHA, Associate Professor
Lindsay Dillingham (BA ’05)
Associate Professor of Marketing
Mark Jobe
Associate Professor of Accountancy, Hilton & Sallie Dean Chair of Accountancy
Nina Morel (BA ’84)
Professor, Executive Director of Leadership Development & Coaching
Each year, College of Business faculty not only present at academic conferences and write articles published in academic journals, but they also serve as editors and gatekeepers for academic journals, making their mark on the trajectory of their academic discipline worldwide.
Involvement in producing academic journals is about more than advancing one’s own academic career, say these faculty. It’s about broadly sharing knowledge to enhance the scientific community and discovery as a whole.
Part of being a researcher is supporting the research of others, said Wlamir Xavier, associate editor of two journals: Revista Brasileira de Gestão de Negócios and the Brazilian Administration Review. It is not uncommon for any one issue he works on to feature about 30 articles representing scholarship produced by about 50 universities.
Various college faculty are making decisions daily about what articles are included in journals in their fields, who is assigned to review the works and a recommended approach to revisions and improvements. Editors also frequently attend academic conferences to network with their peers and scope out forthcoming research that would meet the criteria of their journals.
COB journal editors raise the college’s stature as part of a research institution by bringing broader recognition to the faculty and its strengths, said Andy Borchers, coeditor of the Journal of Critical Incidents, and publication director of the Christian Business Faculty Association, which publishes two journals.
“When we have faculty who work as editors, it encourages other faculty to become authors, so it helps build a culture of scholarship,” said Borchers. “Our teaching can be enriched by our experience with people at other institutions. Faculty members need to have a professional home outside of campus, a place they go year after year to publish, to present papers and to get ideas from others.”
In addition, serving as an editor is a built-in way to have access to the latest research to inform rigorous classroom instruction at Lipscomb.
“We are looking for timely business stories that are useful for teaching students,” said Borchers. “The Journal of Critical Incidents always includes a teaching note to reinforce the theory that we are trying to impart. The whole point is to teach business students from real-world examples.”
faculty serving in
Jacob Arthur
Peer Reviewer for Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting
Andy Borchers
Co-editor for Journal of Critical Incidents
Publication Director for Journal of Biblical Integration in Business and Christian Business Academy Review
Associate Editor for Information Resources Management Journal
Han-Sheng Chen
Peer Reviewer for Global Journal of Accounting & Finance
Lindsay Dillingham
Reviewer for Southern Journal of Communication, Communication Reports and Management Communication Quarterly
Susan Galbreath
Reviewer for Journal of Business, Industry & Economics
Jeff Jewell
Peer Reviewer for Global Journal of Accounting & Finance
Bart Liddle
Peer Reviewer for Health Care Management Review
Perry Moore
Reviewer for Journal of Critical Incidents
Julio Rivas
Peer Reviewer for Global Journal of Accounting & Finance
Peer Reviewer for Business Case Journal
Lesley Tomaszewski
Editorial Advisory Board for Open Health and GLOCALITY
Peer Reviewer for BMC Health Services Research, European Journal of Training and Development and European Journal of Womens’ Studies
Wlamir Xavier
Associate Editor for Revista Brasileira de Gestão de Negócios and Brazilian Administration Review
Chair of the Editorial Board of The Transnational Journal of Business
Perry
Moore
(LA
’77, BS ’81) Director, MAcc Program, Charles E. Frasier Chair of Accountancy
Ray Eldridge Dean
Rebecca Burcham
Chair, Management, Entrepreneurship & Marketing; Assistant Professor, Healthcare Management
Susan Coomer Galbreath
Professor of Accounting
Wlamir Xavier Professor of Finance
Courtney Hale (MBA ’10) likes to tell people: “I’m the most accidental entrepreneur you’ll ever meet!”
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have skills. In fact, he’s passing on to today’s youngsters all over the nation the finance skills that carried him beyond his family’s humble roots in Nashville through his social enterprise: Super Money Kids Co.
Students from elementary school to university-level are learning personal finance skills through the company’s age-specific curriculums including the Super Money Kid Bank, three bright, colorful boxes adorned with the cartoon “super kids” and designed to collect, designate and keep records of small change allocations for saving, spending and sharing.
Nashville-based Super Money has taken off since 2020, with a core group of 10 people responsible for bringing its programs to more than 25,000 students nationally who have saved more than $300,000, said Hale. In 2021, the nonprofit was featured nationally on the Ellen Show, and Hale received the NBJ’s 40 Under 40 Award, which recognizes the faces that will shape Nashville in the years to come.
After four years of working, networking and fundraising, Super Money now has a grant funding the provision of Super Money Teens programs to all of Nashville’s public high schools.
“I saw kids entering adulthood unprepared. The statistics facing young people weren’t favorable in terms of job stability and the affordability of housing,” he said. “We need to be a little more sophisticated in how we are preparing young people to become adults. That was an issue I wanted to tackle.”
Read more about Hale at lipscomb.edu/hale.
A case study co-authored by Andy Borchers and three faculty at Heritage Christian College in Accra, Ghana, is the latest outgrowth of Borcher’s spring 2023 sabbatical at the college.
“Is there Justice for Ghana’s Cocoa Farmers,” by Borchers, Victor Boadu, George Frimprong and Alexander Asmah, was published by Business Case Journal this fall.
During his sabbatical, Borchers taught cost accounting and ebusiness and worked with entrepreneurship efforts, including supporting the COB’s first-time mission trip for students to work with Heritage students on developing micro-businesses.
Also during the sabbatical, Borchers taught a faculty development session on how to write case studies and then collaborated with Boadu, Frimprong and Asmah to support Heritage’s goal to grow their academic scholarship.
The case study examines the factors that Ghana’s agriculture minister, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, had to consider in setting the government-regulated price paid to farmers for bags of cocoa in fall 2022. At the time the minister faced complaints from cocoa farmers that the price was too low, but he also faced government budget shortfalls. He had to balance the importance of cocoa to the Ghanaian economy with the needs of poor farmers, the environmental impact of cocoa farming on the land and the lack of supply chain integration.
In Ghana, there are some 800,000 small cocoa farms, often five acres or less. More than 90% of these farmers earn less than a living wage. The cocoa they produce goes to 12 major chocolate firms that have overwhelming power, leaving only 7 cents on the dollar for farmers.
This fall, the case study is also being used in two courses at Lipscomb: Sustainable Enterprise and African Politics.
“The case is a good one for a wide range of Lipscomb students,” said Borchers. “Political science students can see how the government is involved in the pricing and sale of a key product for the nation of Ghana, and sustainability students can study the impact of a key cash crop on the environment.
“Recent events in Ghana have led to reduced production and rising prices due to climate change. Students in multiple disciplines can study evolving changes in the cocoa supply chain from poor farmers to global markets to retailers to consumers.”
In May 2025, Lipscomb students in liberal arts, Bible and business are planning on traveling to Ghana for a Maymester study abroad term.
In 2023, the College of Business Alumni Board debuted an exclusive new event series, Nashville Now, designed to showcase the city’s newest businesses and venues. With more than 86 projects built in downtown Nashville in the past 10 years, there are plenty of exciting locations to feature.
Nashville Now is an after-hours networking opportunity providing unique access to new Nashville buildings while also hearing from the companies that built them. Events have been hosted at AllianceBernstein, Baker-Donelson and, most recently, Asurion.
College of Business alumnus Mike Sansom (BS ’90, MBA ’01), senior vice president and CFO for Asurion, invited fellow alumni to step inside the company’s new $285 million downtown headquarters in April. Asurion, North America’s largest provider of device support and protection services for the wireless communications industry, consolidated from multiple sites across Nashville to its Gulch hub in 2021.
College of Business alumni enjoyed networking while getting a sneak peek at the beautiful and innovative space that was strategically developed with both its employees and its customers in mind.
The headquarters includes, rooftop and open-air spaces, a customized kitchen and barista, dry-cleaner, rooms for prayer and for nursing mothers, a bike repair shop and workout facilities including massage services. Each floor of the building has a unique theme that adds to the aesthetic and is specifically designed to create calmness, interaction and productivity.
The College of Business has a vibrant and active alumni board. If you are interested in participating or learning more, contact beth.mangrum@lipscomb.edu.
In spring 2024, students in the Internet & Social Media Marketing class partnered with three small business owners as digital marketing consultants.
Paired together through the Nashville Business Incubation Center, the students provided relevant, feasible and actionable marketing ideas so that HMB Arthouse, Megmar Farms and Sonshines Sovereign Solutions could take their ideas and execute them on their own, said class instructor Davis Brown (BBA ’17, MBA ’20).
Over the course of the semester, students worked on designing a website and optimizing it for online searches based on keyword research, developed a Google business profile and ideas on how to get reviews, produced a professional video using the college’s Content Creation Studio and developed strategies for email marketing, digital advertising, social media marketing, content marketing and a mobile app.
At the end of the semester, students presented their deliverables and recommendations to the clients and also provided a detailed written proposal outlining their ideas.
“This connection offered a valuable opportunity to apply our knowledge and technical skills in digital media,” said student Odalis Garcia Cano, senior. “Implementing this knowledge and presenting the deliverables to the owner was very fulfilling as we shared ways to fuel the growth in her business.”
“I found the student presentations incredibly insightful and appreciated the diverse perspectives on marketing strategies,” said Haniyfa Branka, owner of HMB Arthouse, a mobile art studio that offers customers a way to host arts and crafts events in their home, office or other setting of their choice.
The students’ work had a significant impact on the small businesses, said Davis. “The amount of creativity and thought students put into each project was truly remarkable. They leveraged what they learned to benefit others and modeled what business as mission can look like.”
“Your students have been such a blessing to me professionally and personally! I would love to work with them again.”
Brandon Hamilton, owner of Sonshines Sovereign Solutions
Lipscomb University seniors Audra Hochgesang (BBA ’24) and Kyle Joaquin (BBA ’24) have been named among the top business students in the nation as 100 Best & Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors of 2024 by Poets&Quants for Undergrads. The Best & Brightest honors seniors who set the bar for their business school classmates.
Hochgesang, an accounting major from Huntingburg, Indiana, served as president of the Student Center for the Public Trust, co-chair of the Dean’s Student Leadership Council, a member of and treasurer for Delta Omega social club, a member of Delta Mu Delta, a Business as Mission Fellow, a Young Life Leader through which she mentored high school students and a student alumni ambassador. She also participated in the College of Business’s study abroad trips to Indonesia and Ghana, Africa. While at Lipscomb, Hochgesang completed internships at Deloitte, HCA Healthcare and CAPSTONE Business Advisors.
Joaquin, a finance major, has made the Provost’s List four times and the Honor Roll three times. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society, president of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, co-president of the Finance Club and Investment Team, American Marketing Association vice president of finance, National Society of Leadership and Success member and was a 2022 Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium first place poster competition winner.
The economy has been the big story of 2024, and College of Business faculty were called on throughout the 2023-2024 year to comment on multiple facets of the story, from household budgeting to an overview of the national economy.
NewsChannel5 hosted Rivas as a guest on OpenLine four times to discuss the national economy. He was also a guest on the network’s MorningLine and was interviewed for a story on the rising cost to attend NFL games. Rivas was also quoted by three national media outlets: the Scripps New Service published his advice on 401(k) accounts; WalletHub interviewed him about gas credit cards; and USA Today published his statements about cryptocurrency.
NewsChannel 5’s news team broadcast expert insight from Borchers on five issues throughout the year: supply chain vulnerability to crime; the auto workers’ strike; the Baltimore bridge collapse; Nashville’s Beacon Center lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Labor; and the dock workers’ strike. He was also a three-time guest on the channel’s OpenLine to discuss the auto workers strike, national labor issues in 2023 and the successful union vote at Tennessee’s Volkswagen plant. Finally, Borchers was called on by WSMV to provide insight on the shipping workers’ strike and by WZTV to discuss that strike and the impact of Hurricane Helene.
Chen was quoted in U.S. News and World Reports in a story about how to read and interpret stock charts.
WZTV brought Xavier into the studio for a live interview on how families can prepare for back-to-school budgeting and expenses, and WKRN had him as a studio guest to discuss trends in tipping and their impact on employees.
CREDIBLE OVER A DECADE
Poets&Quants for Undergrads
Named among 10 undergraduate business schools in the nation to watch 2020
Years ranked in the nation’s top 50
ranking in Tennessee for 7 of those 8 years
The College of Business’ impact on the marketplace has been recognized by various national organizations as well as through AACSB International accreditation, which highly values positive impact on the local marketplace.
The Kittrell Pitch Competition Competition holds its first final round. Many winners over the years go on to start their own companies and receive national honors for their innovative ideas.
MBA program is ranked among the best in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek rankings.
COB named one of ten undergraduate business schools in the nation to watch by Poets&Quants for Undergrads.
Master of Management launched, establishing a model of long-term directed work experience paired with coursework that would become a distinctive of various COB programs.
Pfeffer Graduate School of Business makes its debut ranking among the 2023-24 Best Graduate Schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The college reaffirms its ACBSP business and accounting accreditations.
Center for Analytics & Informatics launched.
Master of Health Administration launched.
Center for Entrepreneurship is reorganized under a new director to become the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, mentoring Lipscomb students in any major to develop and launch their own ventures.
Center for Data Analytics & Informatics elevated to the School of Data Analytics & Technology.
AACSB International accreditation awarded to the COB, making it a part of the less than six percent internationally to earn this prestigious endorsement.
Master of Health Administration earns Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education accreditation, making it the first and only such program in Nashville.
OVER THE DECADE…
The college went from an unranked institution to now being annually ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Reports, Poets&Quants for Undergrads and Niche.com.
More than 300 students completed long-term Directed Work Experiences, providing valuable service to well over 120 Middle Tennessee companies. 2018
From global learning to mock interviews, from leadership programs to guest lectures on the latest trends, Lipscomb’s current business students are equipped to make positive change in their future careers in every industry.
Sue Nokes Leadership Development Program funds fellowship to develop students who will make contributions to virtuous leadership in business.
Specially selected students gained a new opportunity in fall 2023 to nurture the values and virtues of Jesus within their business skills as they prepare to enter the business world.
The Aspire Fellows program is funded by visionary business leader Sue Nokes (DB), who is known for successfully transforming Fortune 100 companies to achieve breakthrough results, as well as transfixing Lipscomb students with her business acumen and approachable demeanor whenever she interacts with them at college events.
The goal of Aspire is to develop and support students who, through their character and development of skills, will make exceptional contributions to virtuous leadership in business.
Nokes, a member of the university’s Board of Trustees, had a long career as a top executive and change agent in Fortune 100 companies including T-Mobile, Walmart and Asurion.
At a 2023 gathering to officially debut the program, Nokes encouraged students to have an aspiration and a vision of what they want to be. “Values are so important. We are our values,” she said.
Being chosen as an Aspire Fellow is a special honor and experience for upcoming juniors who have a 3.5 GPA or above and who demonstrate the values and virtues of Jesus embraced by the College of Business: purpose, credibility, creativity, boldness and servanthood.
There were 11 juniors selected as 2023-2024 Aspire Fellows, including:
• Owen Booker, accounting major from Fairfax, Virginia
• Parker Brooks, marketing and Spanish double major from Manchester, Massachusetts
• Braeden Burrow, finance major from Bakersfield, California
• Lauren Jones, accounting major from Charlotte, North Carolina
• Kendal Matas, finance major from San Diego, California
• Lydia Smith, finance major from Oakton, Virginia
• Canon Smith, business management and marketing major from Searcy, Arkansas
• Phoebe Tellis, finance major from Franklin, Tennessee
• Kara Williams, accounting major from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
• Jade Zalenski, marketing major from Brentwood, Tennessee
“This is a really cool opportunity to take the values we talk about in the college and apply them in a real-world setting,” said Aspire Fellow Matas in September 2023. “I’m looking forward to the experiences I’ll have and the chance to get really close to my peers and mentors.”
The program includes two special Aspire sections of academic coursework. In the fall, Communication Skills for Managers, will equip students with the core competencies of listening, questioning, contributing, asking for feedback, delivering feedback, and organizing and leading effective meetings. Students will use these skills as they create and implement service projects and business site visits domestically and internationally.
In the spring, the International Business course helped students prepare for a May 2024 global learning trip with faculty and program coordinators Nina Morel (BA ’84) and Ashley Yarbrough.
The 2023 trip was to Spain (pictures at right), where students heard insights from Director General Javier Sierra Sopranis from Aresbank; Head of Marketing Marina Tepedino from LALIGA; Leticia Ramirez Martinez, Arturo De Los Reyes and Soledad Porrati from SAP in Madrid; Marjolaine Mandagot ffrom Oryx Impact; and officials at Simón Coll Xocolaters.
From discussions on small banking to international finance careers, from marketing strategies to driving impact and the deliciously immersive tour at a Spanish chocolatier, each of the companies offered profound perspectives and inspiration on how to stay aligned with values, to seek diverse cultural experiences and to understanding the motivations behind their leaders’ passions.
Aspire Fellows also participate in a mindfulness workshop and retreat to help them practice the skills of silence, patience and empathy with self and others by limiting distractions such as social media and spending time in meditation and prayer.
“I’m looking forward to gaining real-world business applications and connections in the U.S. and internationally and growing in the world of business,” said Aspire Fellow Kara Williams
Students also create a personal action plan in individual and small group coaching sessions to develop their knowledge of and skills in purpose, boldness, creativity, credibility and service.
For the third consecutive year, Lipscomb has placed students within the top 10 at one of the nation’s foremost undergraduate pitch competitions globally, the Texas Christian University Neeley School of Business Values and Ventures® Competition.
Lipscomb University’s Lila Mae Skidmore (right), junior, and her sister, Anna Belle (BA ’24) (left), secured the top 10 position in 2024
The highly competitive Values and Ventures competition draws participants from colleges and universities from around the world to pitch ideas for conscious capitalism ventures that make a profit while also solving a problem.
Representing Lipscomb through the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the Skidmore sisters placed above teams from prestigious universities including Yale, Iowa, Florida State, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Indiana, Iowa State and the host school, TCU.
The Skidmore sisters launched their business, Granola’d, in June 2021 as the pair began selling homemade gluten-free granola and today they sell online direct-to-consumer through its website as well as in several stores in the Middle Tennessee area.
The TCU Values and Ventures competition has a rigorous selection process. Out of 357 applications from universities worldwide this year, only 40 teams were invited to the semi-finals in Fort Worth.
Lipscomb has stood out not only for its consistency in performance but also for competing against significantly larger universities, becoming the only school from Tennessee to qualify for this event during this threeyear span, said Jeff Cohu, the center’s executive director.
The string of successes at the TCU Values and Ventures competition began in 2022 with students Aidan Miller (BBA ’23) and Matt Stewart (BBA ’23), followed by Miller and Natalie Blickensdefer, senior, in 2023, and now the Skidmores in 2024
COB finance students put their skills to the test in the annual Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Investment Challenge in April and came out on top, earning first place in this year’s competition.
The team outperformed 25 other universities across the state, demonstrating excellence in investment strategy and stock market analysis.
The winning team, composed of 56 students enrolled in fall 2022, fall 2023 and spring 2023 investment courses, achieved a stellar portfolio performance of 34.34% in 2023, notably outperforming the S&P 500 by 8.06%. This is the second victory for Lipscomb in this competition in the last four years with a previous first-place finish in 2020. Over the years, Lipscomb has consistently excelled in the TVA Investment Challenge, which began in 1998. Since joining the program in 2003, Lipscomb’s average annual returns have exceeded the S&P 500 by 2.41%, reflecting a consistent track record of outstanding performance.
The Investment Challenge Program, initiated by TVA with a trust fund of $1.9 million in 1998, allows students from universities throughout the Tennessee Valley to manage real investment portfolios. This hands-on experience is designed to cultivate the skills necessary for the students to excel in the competitive field of finance.
According to team co-coach Han-Sheng Chen, Lipscomb’s repeated success has garnered over $80,000 in performance bonuses from TVA, funds that have been reinvested into the college’s educational resources, such as Bloomberg terminals and travel opportunities for students to compete nationally.
In the spring, eight students: Brady Bryson, Natalie Blickensderfer, Kyle Joaquin (BBA ’24), Henry Wolfe, Phoebe Tellis, Jackson Roberts, Zachary Day and Ashley Gibbs, presented a review of the performance of the student-managed funds during the TVA conference in Nashville.
Students from various programs and majors in the College of Business made their mark at conferences and competitions across the nation in 2023-24.
Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization Global Pitch Competition
Tampa, Florida, November 2023
Nick Regas, Top 25 semi-finalist
Demitri Kemp, fourth place, and Reece Collie, fifth place, Venture Valley Video Game Competition
Institute of Management Accountants Student Leadership Conference
Detroit, Michigan, November 2023
Alexa Tyree, Cory Confer, Richard Xec Cuyuch, Janae Ingraham, Kelta Barnett, Braeden Burrow, Karolina Podryadchicova and Wessel Van Der Nest, attendees
Kennesaw State University Digital Marketing Competition
Kennesaw, Georgia, March 2024
Elise Bender, Natalie Blickensderfer, Claire Shank and Stacy Whitwell, third place
Nashville, February 2024
Kyle Joaquin, Henry Wolfe, Brady Bryson, Richard Cuyuch and Michelle Dancoisne, third place, “An Equity Analysis of Cracker Barrell”
Quinnipiac’s Global Asset Management
Education Forum
Inaugural appearance in the largest student-run financial conference in the world.
New York, March 2024
Kendal Matas, Alex Walentynowicz, Henry Wolfe and Kyle Joaquin, third place, Core Portfolio Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium
Chicago, Illinois, October 2023
Kyle Joaquin, Kendal Matas, Alex Walentynowicz, Braeden Burrow and Henry Wolfe, third place, “Review of Student Managed Funds for Tennessee Valley Authority Investment Challenge Program”
National Shore Sales Competition
Salisbury, MD, April 2024
Natalie Blickensderfer and Bethany Burkhardt, competitors, Perdue Farms salesperson role-play and speed-selling competitions
American Marketing Association’s International Collegiate Conference
New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2024
Evan Bestwick, Natalie Blickensderfer, Bethany Burkhardt, Luke Martin, Ramon Nunez Molina and John Ribeiro, first place, Design Marketing Lab Competition, and tenth place, Marketplace Simulations Competition
Luke Martin, finalist, and Natalie Blickensderfer, third place, Sales Competition
Natalie Blickensderfer and John Ribeiro, fourth place, Marketing Strategy Competition
Bethany Burkhardt, Luke Martin and Natalie Blickensderfer, finalists, Perfect Pitch Competition
Baylor University Collegiate Digital Marketing Competition
Waco, Texas, April 2024
Gerardo Amaya-Quinteros, Thomas Jenkins, John Ribeiro and Mateo Villegas, top 10
Murfreesboro, April 2024
Stacy Whitwell, Carson McCann and Kara Clark, attendees
Excellent
Made possible by contributions from alumnus and Board of Trustees member Marty Kittrell (BS ’77).
Matthew Vasquez, first place for Village
Sam Owens Pyle, second place for Olive + Leo
Dick Davis, third place for Kutima
2024 Clouse-Elrod Foundation Awards
Gerardo Amaya-Quinteros, Robert O. Clouse Innovation Award
Emily Stephens, Virgie Elrod Clouse Creativity Award
Scott McKenzie, Dr. Wil Clouse Eagle Award
Tractor Supply Regional Supply Chain Management Case Competition
Student teams from Lipscomb, Belmont University, Kentucky State University and Tuskegee University participated in this year’s competition.
Natalie Blickensderfer, Lee Eatman and Leighton McBryde, first place
This fall Lipscomb University launched a new Scholars Program, designed to offer incoming freshmen the opportunity to develop leadership skills and enrich their academic pursuits.
Through the program, freshmen experience unique learning opportunities with a focus on professional development, mentorship opportunities with university deans and administrators; and faith-centered, academic programming. The program provides students with a blend of enhanced academic rigor, real-world experience and personal growth.
Seven students pursuing majors in the College of Business were selected in August as the inaugural cohort of Swang Scholars. The program provides participants with an immersive educational experience enriched by engagement with industry leaders and a strong emphasis on practical application.
These scholars will serve on the Dean’s Student Leadership Council, will participate in networking events and leadership coaching and a global study grant. They will also have early access to career services and a guaranteed spot in the Aspire Program, a junior-level fellows program designed to enhance their academic and professional trajectories.
The inaugural Swang Scholars are Anya Barkley, Gavin Cavender, Garrett de Araujo Jorge, Marielle Guarin, Gracie Hogan, Jaden Rodriguez and Bonnie Thompson
“In today’s interconnected world, supply chain jobs have emerged as vital components of business success and economic stability. These jobs are crucial in their direct impact on efficiency and cost-effectiveness, enhancing customer satisfaction and helping businesses remain competitive.”
Ashley Yarbrough, Assistant Professor
Students with an interest in supply chain management had the opportunity to engage experts in the field at the 2024 Supply Chain Dinner Held at Char in Nashville.
The objective of the dinner is to connect students with supply chain professionals from across Nashville to introduce them to vast opportunities and excitement that a career in supply chain provides.
Guests included Mike Sansom (BS ’90, MBA ’01) of Asurion, Lucas Landis (BBA ’22) of Bon Secours Mercy Health, Madee Plant (BBA ’19) from Schneider Electric, and Clay Jackson (DB) from Tractor Supply Company. Each shared about their personal careers in supply chain as well as outlining the demand for competent, skilled professionals in the field.
Students Natalie Blickensdefer, senior; Lee Eatman, public relations, senior; and Leighton McBryde (BBA ’24) were recognized for their successful win of the annual Supply Chain Competition held at Tractor Supply Company, and student members were inducted into the Lipscomb chapter of Sigma Chi Mu Tau, a national supply chain fraternity.
In addition, it was announced that the Nashville Transportation Club has generously made available a $3,000 scholarship for eligible 2024-25 students interested in studying supply chain management.
According to Forbes, supply chain jobs make up over one-third of the U.S. economy. Between 2021 and 2031, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 28% job growth for logisticians— more than five times the average projected growth rate for all occupations (5%) during that period.
Students at the Supply Chain Dinner
The College of Business partnered with BTC Inc., the coordinators of the annual Bitcoin Conference, to host Bitcoin experts and thought leaders for a series of free evening lectures throughout the spring of 2024. The Bitcoin Lecture Series covered various topics ranging from economics and finance to philosophy and policy.
Lipscomb alumnus Sean Hagan (LA ’18, BA ’23), head of media at BTC, organized the event as a way “to build local excitement ahead of our Nashville Bitcoin Conference this past summer in a way that would provide a true learning opportunity for the next generation.”
Speakers included a computer engineer, coding educator and Bitcoin entrepreneur who goes by the name D++. The pioneer of PLEBNET, a community initiative aimed at advancing the adoption of Bitcoin’s Lightning Network globally, spoke on the topic “Bitcoin 101.” D++ focuses on educating and supporting individuals and organizations in adopting and utilizing Lightning technology to enhance Bitcoin’s scalability and usability.
Grant McCarty, co-founder of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, an organization focused on researching and advocating for Bitcoin-centric policies, spoke on “Bitcoin Policy and the Future of Regulation.”
The Bitcoin Policy Institute aims to inform and influence public policy by providing research, analysis and recommendations on how Bitcoin and related technologies can be integrated into and benefit various policy areas. McCarty’s role at the institute involves contributing to the understanding and development of policies that support
the growth and integration of Bitcoin in the broader economic and social landscape.
Jimmy Song, a well known Bitcoin developer, educator and entrepreneur, gave a talk titled “Thank God for Bitcoin.” Song has made significant contributions to Bitcoin’s development and is highly regarded for his educational endeavors in the field. He is the author of Thank God for Bitcoin: The Creation, Corruption and Redemption of Money . In this book, Song delves into the moral and ethical considerations surrounding money.
David Bailey, an early bitcoin adopter, entrepreneur and a prominent figure in the Bitcoin community, is the CEO of BTC Media, which operates Bitcoin Magazine and the annual Bitcoin Conference, as well as UTXO.
Demario Davis, a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints who has made a name for himself as an advocate for Bitcoin for its ability to help solve inequalities in society, spoke on the topic “Bitcoin for a Better America.” Davis is known for his skills and leadership off the field through his involvement in various community and charitable activities.
Josh Gaglio goes from Career Fair to full-time success
For Joshua Gaglio (BBA ’23), attending the College of Business’s fall Career Fair was a pivotal step toward launching his career.
As a finance major, Gaglio understood the importance of networking, but the fall Career Fair offered a valuable chance to connect directly with employers who were eager to recruit Lipscomb University business students.
Among those employers was Delek US Holdings, a diversified downstream energy company with assets in petroleum refining, logistics, asphalt, renewable fuels and convenience store retailing, headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. The company was offering finance opportunities.
“Delek had a great opportunity in the field I wanted, and it seemed like a great place to start my career,” says Gaglio.
Gaglio’s initial connection at the fair soon led to multiple interviews, a company tour and an offer to join Delek as an intern to turn into a full-time role in May 2024. However, Gaglio offered to “do one better” and started working fulltime in January 2024, immediately after his December 2023 graduation day.
Reflecting on his journey, Gaglio credits the College of Business for setting him up for success.
“As we all know, the whole reason for going to college is to set yourself up for a successful career. College is a great time to have fun, but the ideal experience is to play hard and work hard,” he said.
Gaglio shared that the Career Connection’s resume workshops and mock interviews, as well as his coursework, including Business Strategy with Joe Ivey, Data Analytics with Jacob Arthur and Investment Banking with Jeff Jewell, gave him the practical skills and confidence he needed to excel in his career.
Now at Delek, Gaglio is gaining valuable experience working with the SOX and ESG teams. He emphasizes that the Career Fair wasn’t just about landing a job—it was about opening doors.
“I had two internships and one full-time job come from three separate career fairs,” he said. His advice to other students:
“Come with an eager and hopeful mindset, and prepare like you need the job. The connections you make plant seeds—you never know what the next step in your career is.”
Suzanne Sager, associate dean of professional development engagement, was awarded the Lipscomb 2024 Student Flourishing Award, honoring a staff member whose work in the last year has significantly impacted or improved the student experience.
Building a future workforce with skillful hands and integrity of the heart
2,791
Job Placement Rate* Participants at Career Connection Events
Local Organizations Represented at Career Fairs
322
Student and Employer Meetings
Student Opportunities for Professional Development
*May, August and December 2023. Based on a 96% knowledge rate.
After years of imparting wisdom and business principles to countless students for nearly two decades, College of Business Professor Joe Ivey took the opportunity to deliver a final lesson to the Lipscomb University community before retiring this past spring.
Ivey delivered his “Last Lecture” to an audience of over 400 faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and family who came from near and far, with 100 more watching online, gathering in the George Shinn Center on April 30.
Several of his colleagues and former students from the College of Business paid tribute to his contributions prior to Ivey taking the stage for a final lecture. Ivey, who was on medical leave during the spring semester, officially retired from Lipscomb on June 1, leaving behind a legacy of hundreds of former students who carry the lessons he has imparted to them into organizations and communities around the world.
The main focus of Ivey’s speech was a “Strategy for Life,” which reflected his career-long focus on strategic thinking. Ivey shared his personal journey, his recent health challenges and his life purpose. As he reflected on this, he said he landed on what he believes his life’s purpose to be.
“My purpose in life is to contribute to the whole-life flourishing of those with whom I interact and to advance the Kingdom of Heaven in my sphere of influence,” he shared.
He examined his life’s purpose statement with the audience, he elaborated on four foundational concepts: contribute, interaction and influence, whole-life flourishing and the Kingdom of Heaven
He emphasized the importance of creating space in life to be present and to engage fully with others. He stressed the need to focus on what is uniquely up to individuals to do themselves and to delegate or release the rest, and Ivey encouraged the audience to practice self-giving love and service to others, enhancing their potential and embracing diversity.
Following the lecture, Lipscomb President Candice McQueen (BS ’96) made several special presentations as tokens of appreciation for Ivey’s 20 years of service and impact at the university. First, he was awarded the Kopio Award, Lipscomb’s highest non-academic award honoring those individuals who give of themselves in service to God and the community.
In addition, the Faculty Excellence Award in Business, established three years ago by Dick Cowart, chair of Lipscomb’s Board of Trustees, and his wife, Becky, was renamed the Joe Ivey Faculty Excellence Award for Business. It is awarded annually to a faculty member in the College of Business.
McQueen also announced that Ivey and his wife, Malinda, established the Ivey Endowed Scholarship in Strategy.
“With Joe’s background in advancement and more than 20 years in higher education, he understands the importance of investing in our students and in doing that in a way that will have an impact for many years,” said McQueen.
The Ivey Endowed Scholarship in Strategy will be awarded annually to a rising senior in the College of Business who demonstrates the greatest potential for strategy making and execution in their future career. Natalie Blickensdefer, finance and data analytics senior from Plano, Texas, was announced as the inaugural recipient.
Ivey served as senior vice president of advancement at Lipscomb from 2005-2010 and then joined the College of Business faculty in May 2010. During his tenure in the College of Business, he served as professor of management, executive director of the Lipscomb Center for Entrepreneurship and associate dean for graduate business programs, among other roles.
Prior to his work at Lipscomb Ivey served as president and chief executive officer of three companies, one of which was among the Fortune 500.
Learn more about Ivey, including a video of his “Last Lecture” at iveylastlecture.com.
More than 100 local professionals involved in preparing business communication students over the past 20 years.
Fall 2024 marks the 20th year mock interviews have been a central component of the College of Business’s Business Communication course. These interviews represent an experiential learning exercise that provides trifold benefits to students, local business professionals and the faculty.
Each year, students in the Business Communication course undergo three 20-minute, one-on-one interviews with participating industry professionals. The exercise involves about 60 students and 45 professionals each semester and Leanne Smith (BA ’89, MBA ’09) draws on a list of more than 100 regularly participating professionals in the Nashville and Franklin areas.
The interview is the capstone of a semester-long process that involves portfolio writing assignments such as a 90-day plan outlining academic (and personal) goals, a memo outlining professional attire appropriate for entry-level interviews in a corporate setting and an introductory email.
The students also create or brush up their elevator pitches and LinkedIn bios, discuss resumes, cover letters, reference pages and strong responses to common interview questions.
The annual mock interviews were originally established by Laura Morrow (BS ’00, MBA ’02), who taught business communication at that time, as an in-class exercise to give students an opportunity to practice their interviewing skills. Today they create an opportunity for strong alumni engagement. Professionals leave the event having broadened their networks and having contributed to the readiness of the next workplace generation. Students typically leave the event inspired and encouraged, and the interviews help Smith stay current in how workplace expectations may be evolving, she said.
“For two decades, participating students and local business professionals have emphatically been affirming the relevance of this experiential activity.”
Leanne Smith, Associate Professor
Twenty years of mock interviews have allowed the college to forge strong relationships with local businesses such as Tractor Supply Company, Caterpillar Financial, HCA, Ryman Hospitality, LBMC, Barge Design, Nissan, Bridgestone, several banks and accounting firms, Kyzen Corporation, Amsurg, Ramsey Solutions, Asurion, the City of Franklin, the Tennessee Titans, the Nashville Predators, UBS, Cummins, Vanderbilt and HealthStream among many others.
This past March, Smith presented a session at the Western Regional Association for Business Communication conference in Tucson, Arizona, on the benefits of including this experiential activity as a regular part of classroom activities.
Lipscomb’s future business leaders at both the graduate and undergraduate level have ample opportunity to gain the cross-culture knowledge and adaptability they need to make a difference in today’s global business world.
Perry Moore (LA ’77, BS ’81) and Mark Jobe led 17 incoming Master of Accountancy (MAcc) students on a trip to London along with Partner-inResidence Kevin Monroe (DB), former audit partner at Deloitte. The group visited five businesses, including Deloitte, EY and HCA’s London Bridge Hospital. They enjoyed cultural visits to Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath, the Tower of London and a walking tour around the old city that included the Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
In March 2024 Julio Rivas led a group of MBA students to visit Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. The trip offered valuable insights into how business is conducted in Latin America, while also providing a close look at how Argentina’s new presidential policies are impacting the economy. The group also explored the cities, especially their vibrant culinary scenes. A visit to TheDevBlock, a company specializing in services for U.S.-based clients in Montevideo, gave students a glimpse at a city emerging as a key IT hub in Latin America.
Lipscomb’s incoming MAcc students traveled to Dublin, Ireland, this past fall with Moore. The trip gave students an opportunity to explore a different global culture and experience its people and environment, while also serving as a melting pot for the cohort which includes students from many different backgrounds and undergraduate institutions. The group visited Crowe, the Chartered Accountants of Ireland, KPMG, Hibernia, Colectivo and IDA Ireland. Hibernia and Colectivo focused on sustainability, particularly in real estate development. IDA Ireland described Ireland’s efforts to attract foreign investment. The trip also included Kilkenny Castle and Glendalough.
The inaugural cohort of Aspire Fellows (see page 14) visited Spain, led by Nina Morel (BA ’84) and Bart Liddle (BA ’94). The group visited businesses such as: Aresbank, LALIGA, SAP, Simón Coll Xocolaters and Oryx Impact. Each company shared advice and wisdom on conducting international business, communicating cross-culturally, work-life balance strategies andembracing adaptability in a career.
Lesley Tomaszewski led MHA students on a trip to the Netherlands in May. The group visited health care facilities including Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis and Maasstad Ziekenhuis, insurance company Achmea, Erasmus University’s Health Policy and Management Department and EIT Health. During these visits, students toured the facilities and learned how Dutch citizens access care and the quality metrics used within Dutch health care systems.
Jeff Cohu and Alexandria Arnette (BBA ’17, MBA ’20) took a group of eight COB students to the areas of Tabacundo and Cayambe in Ecuador to conduct business-related mission work. Hosted by Hacienda of Hope (HoH), an organization which works to rescue children from abuse and neglect, and the related Hope Christian Academy (HCA), the students taught classes on entrepreneurship, economic thinking, business concepts and personal finance to 7th-12th-grade students, HoH and HCA staff and faculty, parents and approximately 80 students at local community college/ trade school. The group also toured the city of Quito, visiting the Middle of the Earth monument, and went into the rain forest to tour a chocolate factory in Mindo, to go ziplining and to rappel down a 190-foot waterfall.
Since 2007 the COB has led global learning opportunities in...
In fall 2023, the College of Business launched the Bison Business Closet, an initiative designed to help students present their best selves for professional endeavors. The closet offers a wide selection of business attire for students to check-out for networking events and job interviews. More than 40 students have taken advantage of the service since its creation.
Inspired by the vision of a student, Margaret Eden Hutchinson (BBA ’24), the Bison Business Closet was “created out of the desire to meet student needs and provide a solution to the reality that, when it comes to career success, first impressions do matter,” said Hutchinson.
In 2023, Hutchinson worked on the logo creation, initial closet layout and vision. In 2024, Hannah Lynn (BS ’20, MBA ’21), assistant director of professional development and engagement, and COB students and Career Connection workers Grace Guthrie, senior, and Carlee Zettergren, junior, brought Hutchinson’s vision to life.
Lynn collaborated with local contacts and organizations to gather more than 450 donated items, and the COB students managed the organization and design of the closet.
Since its launch, the Bison Business Closet has made a significant impact by providing a convenient, sustainable solution for students at no cost. This resource has equipped students with the confidence to participate in career fairs, networking events, interviews, presentations, and competitions knowing they are dressed for success.
The college is deeply grateful to all who have generously contributed to the Bison Business Closet’s success. Thank you for empowering our students to achieve their professional goals and put their best foot forward.
If you would like to donate new or gently used professional clothing, please contact Hannah Lynn at hannah.lynn@lipscomb.edu.
For the past decade, the experience of Lipscomb’s business students has been enhanced through executives-in-residence, expanded career services, enhanced academic programs and new partners.
ASPIRE and Directed Work Experience programs were created, providing undergraduates with long-term internships in local companies.
Nina Morel joins the COB to incorporate performance coaching into the college’s academic and professional development programs.
The Office of Student Support was founded to focus on COB students.
The Center for Career and Professional Development, called Career Connection, was launched, centralizing efforts to aid students in job search skills and characteristics employers value.
The first of eight executives-in-residence hired to give students access to real world experience and insight.
College of Business hosted its first student competition against other universities: the Tractor Supply Regional Supply Chain Management Case Competition.
Aspire Leadership Program and Swang Scholars enrichment programs established.
Students participated in 14 competitions in a variety of career fields, having grown from two competitions prior to AACSB accreditation.
Dean’s Student Leadership Council launched.
Supply chain management program refocused on business practices to positively impact the lives of customers and employees through environmental practices, social impact, integration of faith and innovation.
Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation gets new headquarters in a free-standing on-campus building.
Lipscomb’s students and faculty do more than advance their careers, they work each year to advance God’s Kingdom as well. Through service, rigorous study and a focus on how to make their secular work sacred, they pour integrity into the next generation, challenging them to think deeply about how to solve earthly problems with spiritual change in the marketplace.
Since 2012, College of Business faculty have contributed their expertise to Lipscomb students incarcerated in the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center (DJRC) through the Lipscomb Initiative for Education, or LIFE, program, which offers college credit through once-a-week classes taught onsite at the facility.
Since it began in 2007, the LIFE program has awarded 13 bachelor’s degrees, 27 associate degrees and eight master’s to what the program calls “inside students” at DJRC and, as of this past May, at Riverbend Maximum Security Institute.
College of Business faculty and students have been a large part of those successes, as traditional on-campus students, called “outside students,” travel to the DJRC facility weekly to study side-by-side with the inside students.
Both students—inside and outside—and faculty have been deeply impacted spiritually by the LIFE program, which has changed lives both inside and outside the prison.
“I will never forget the first night of that first class, when a student named Erica raised her hand and asked, ‘What is Facebook?’ It was my first experience in throwing everything I thought I knew about teaching out the window and attempting to start anew,” said Leanne Smith (BA ’89, MBA ’09), who regularly teaches the Business Communication course at DJRC. “No other teaching experience has stretched me and taught me more.”
“While you do have to modify things a bit, students overall are enthusiastic and work hard,” said Andy Borchers, who teaches the Operations and Supply Chain Management course for LIFE.
Some of the students in his class were working in a warehouse at the time and loved learning practical lessons that were immediately applicable.
Bart Liddle (BA ’94), taught an Entrepreneur’s Intro to Business class and “One of the highlights for me was witnessing the impact on the outside students,” he said.
Inside students often remark on how life-giving it is for them to have outside students come in, bringing with them “the joy of feeling normal,” he said. However, outside students are often as deeply impacted. They learn that the inside students are people who share all their same emotions, and they draw inspiration from what deep-thinking, hardworking, conscientious students they are.
Beth Mangrum (BA ’93, MACM ’22), was introduced to the LIFE program when she was invited to visit a LIFE class in 2017 to judge student presentations. When it was announced that a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree would be offered at DJRC and that there were spots for outside students to join, Mangrum signed up.
When she started coursework, “every presupposition I had about justice began to melt away,” she said. Thirty-six credit hours later, in December 2022, the master’s students would walk across the graduation stage all together.
“The accomplishment in the room was overwhelming,” says Mangrum, noting that the graduation was a moment of equality. “The goal was to educate women to offer pastoral care within the system through coursework in theology, psychology, conflict management and spiritual direction.”
Rob Touchstone (BA ’97, MDiv ’12), Director of the Center for Vocational Discovery, taught a Business as Mission course, which involved students designing their own missional businesses.
Touchstone experienced a full circle moment a few years later when one of his students who had been released joined the COB to work with Touchstone for a year as the assistant director of the BAM program—her first job post-incarceration.
Cyntoia Brown Long (AA ’15, BPS ’19) helped establish a Business Accelerator Program targeted to the formerly incarcerated during her tenure in the COB. “A donor awarded start-up capital and at least three businesses were launched out of it,” said Touchstone.
Brown also established her own company—The J Fam—borne from the vision she’d first outlined in Touchstone’s BAM class.
“Had you told me 20 years ago, when I began teaching in Lipscomb’s COB, that I would one day teach at the women’s prison, I would not have believed you. And yet, I now hail this experience as one of the pinnacles of my teaching career.”
Leanne Smith, Associate Professor
In July, high school students in CLA’s (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) internship program came to campus to learn about Lipscomb’s accounting curriculum and engagement opportunities.
CLA, the eighth largest accounting firm in the U.S., coordinates the summer internship program to help high school students get a head start in considering career options, understand the opportunities available in professional services and to work with real projects and clients before pursuing additional education.
This is the second year the COB has hosted the CLA intern college day. Faculty and staff treated the students to a campus tour, a resume-building workshop by Suzanne Sager, a session on mindfulness tools to help them be more effective in the workplace and a session on accounting degree plans.
The highlight of the day was participating in Perry Moore’s (LA ’77, BS ’81) award-winning Monopoly simulation to demonstrate the importance of accounting concepts in all aspects of business. “Several students returned from last year because they enjoyed the experience so much,” said Moore.
Nina Morel (BA ’84) led students through several mindfulness exercises they can use in the future to relax the parasympathetic nervous system and to “wake up” with more focus when they are tired. In addition to general well-being, research shows that being mindful improves concentration and organization, reduces anxiety and distraction, and improves decision-making and empathy, said Morel.
CLA’s nationwide internship program provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in accounting, tax, wealth management, digital and consulting services. The program, open to students between 16 and 18 years old, offers students experience on multiple projects including client service simulations and social media development.
Each semester, the COB hosts Lipscomb Academy fifthgraders in the Quest program, a program designed to help these elementary school children to be better able to answer the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
A dozen excited children gather in the Swang Center, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and The Well Coffeehouse for hands-on activities and experiences.
Students are teleported to Wall Street with the ticker-tape in the Financial Markets Lab and play a game to learn how the stock market works. A business meeting in the Swang conference room is simulated, complete with an agenda and guest speaker.
At the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation interactive brainstorming sessions occur, sparking creativity and problemsolving. At The Well Coffeehouse, students are introduced to missional business: the power of proceeds, sourcing, product quality and job production—as well as hot chocolate.
“It used to seem like fifth grade was a long way off from college, but actually the kids of today will be college students in the not-too-distant future. The College of Business gives them a valuable glimpse of what they might choose to pursue one day for a career. Experiences like Quest, coordinated with Lipscomb University as our partner, are what sets Lipscomb Academy apart from other schools in the area,” said Sarah Williamson, director of the Quest program, who has taught at the Academy since 2010.
As part of the Purposeful Business Initiative (PBI) launched in 2023, the Purposeful Business Fellows program was established in the fall of that year, providing a semester-long deep dive into the college’s five values and how to incorporate them into a successful career and business enterprise.
The fellows program goes beyond typical academic offerings to address the holistic development of students and to help them find purpose and meaning in their chosen field.
The first group of 15 went through the voluntary seven-seminar series in fall 2023, with one seminar devoted to each of the five values: purposeful, bold, credible, creative and serving. Each in-person seminar features guest speakers and is paired with homework thoughtfully crafted to help students create a meaningful foundation for their future business careers, said Donita Brown, lead faculty for the PBI.
Content from Brown’s podcast, The Management Minute, as well as strengthsbased coaching was incorporated into this fall’s sessions. Students, faculty and guests from local industries served as guest speakers.
Upon completion, students earn the Purposeful Business Fellows digital badge from Credly, a web platform that issues and verifies digital badges for learning, training, and certification providers.
“The Purposeful Business Fellows program has emerged as a transformative experience for students seeking to align their academic and professional pursuits with core values and virtues,” said Beth Mangrum (BA ’93, MACM ’22), co-director of the fellows program. “This opt-in program has already touched the lives of nearly 50 students, offering them a unique opportunity to build a strong foundation in their early college years that will serve as a compass throughout their academic journey and beyond.”
At its core, the Purposeful Business Fellows program aims to root students in the values and virtues, serving as a wellspring of strength and guidance when students face challenges later in their college careers or professional lives. By participating in this program, students are developing a moral and ethical framework that will inform their decision-making and leadership style in the business world.
Students are encouraged to view their future careers not just as means of financial success, but as opportunities for meaningful contribution to society and personal fulfillment, said Mangrum. Faculty mentors Brown and Mangrum serve as academic guides and as role models, demonstrating how faith and professional excellence can coexist and reinforce each other.
By voluntarily opting in, students bring a genuine interest in personal and professional growth, which creates a community of like-minded individuals who support and inspire each other throughout the semester.
Recognizing the importance of character formation alongside academic instruction, the College of Business is preparing students not just for careers, but for life.
Since 2015, students in the freshman-level Introduction to Business course have collectively profited more than $85,000 by establishing and running their own micro-businesses on campus. Profits earned by the student micro-businesses are often distributed as seed capital for under-served entrepreneurs across the globe or have also been given to local non-profits or humanitarian aid efforts.
This year, the student-run businesses showcased a wide range of products and services, including an energizing coffee alternative, ecofriendly laundry detergent, acai bowls, car detailing services, sugar scrubs, wax melts, fashion consulting services, hanging planters, gluten-free mug cakes, keychains, hats, flower arrangements, slime, dorm cleaning services, clothing and more.
Many groups were inspired to create products that expressed their faith, including Christian apparel, stickers, tote bags, jewelry and wristbands featuring verses and encouragement. Other groups created products to raise awareness for causes that were important to them, such as mental health advocacy and sustainable fashion.
Each assignment builds off the previous, gradually guiding students through the process of launching a business and introducing a product or service to market. Students learn valuable business skills, including strategy, marketing, sales, research, basic accounting, teamwork, communication and problem-solving.
“I’m so proud of the creativity our students displayed this year and how skillful they were in identifying market needs and finding innovative ways to meet them,” said the instructor Davis Brown (BBA ’17, MBA ’20).
“As a Lipscomb alumnus now serving as faculty, it was so rewarding to get the opportunity to co-teach this course and help provide current students with the same impactful experience of launching a micro-business that I had 10 years ago.”
Davis Brown, Instructor of Marketing
Miami University’s Center for L.I.F.E (Leading the Integration of Faith and Entrepreneurship) selected Lipscomb’s senior finance and data analytics major Natalie Blickensderfer of Plano, Texas, as one of seven undergraduates across the nation to attend the Christian Economic Forum’s Global Event in Quebec City, Canada, in July.
Blickensderfer attended, along with students from Calvin University, Cedarville University, Grove City College and Miami University, meeting and learning from faith-motivated business leaders and investors who are working to address a range of global issues from AI to food security.
This was the first year students were invited to attend, said Blickenderfer. The forum brings together global business leaders to help solve the world’s greatest problems, she said.
“As a student delegate, I heard from existing members, participated in small group breakouts and met amazing leaders. I was encouraged by everyone’s fervor for glorifying God through their work. I left feeling inspired to think bigger, more globally and with a more communal mindset,” she said.
Blickensderfer is one of the college’s most decorated students, with numerous prizes and awards from five competitions in just the past school year, including on the first-place team at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Investment Challenge; a strong showing at the international TCU Values and Ventures competition in 2023 and a selection as the inaugural recipient of the Ivey Endowed Scholarship in Strategy.
Some of the most special days in the College of Business are the days when COB Chapel is held. Four times a year students, faculty and staff are blessed to hear from speakers who have incorporated their faith into their business professions.
In 2023-2024, Mignon Francois (DB), CEO and founder of The Cupcake Collection, kicked off the fall semester “Back in Business” chapel by sharing her personal journey into the world of cupcakes that brought a message of joy to students. After her talk, students enjoyed lunch provided by Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint compliments of COB alumnus Pat Martin (BS ’96) as well as a cupcake truck courtesy of Francois.
In October, the campus welcomed Jan Harrison, an inspirational Bible teacher, speaker and author, who inspired students to think about their spiritual purpose and to stay connected and rooted in Jesus. She shared insight on how her faith was challenged after the sudden death of her 27-year-old son, James, while he was living and working in Africa and the many lessons she learned through that tragic experience.
Tad Edwards, chairman, CEO and president of Benjamin F. Edwards, was the featured guest at the February chapel. Edwards challenged all of us to be vulnerable, curious, courageous and tenacious; to find a mentor; and to listen more.
In April, Joshua Mundy, Pivot Technology School CEO/cofounder, spoke to students in COB Chapel. Based on his personal experiences and the obstacles he faced along the way, he reminded the audience that sometimes the storms in our lives guide us to the place God wanted us to be all along.
The Psalm 78:72 Scholarship, newly established by the College of Business Alumni Board, awarded its first four recipients in 2023-2024.
Anna Graff (BBA ’24), junior Grace Knetter, senior Kendal Matas and senior Mateo Villegas were the first students to receive the scholarship established in the fall of 2023 as a way to honor business students who exemplify the “skillful hands” and “integrity of the heart” that described King David in Psalm 78:72.
Graff, a management major from Nashville, was an active member of Raices, a student-led organization for Hispanic students; the Black Student Association; and the Civil Engagement & Advocacy Club, where she holds officer positions.
Post-graduation, Graff hopes to earn a master’s degree and possibly a doctorate before coming back to teach at Lipscomb. Additionally, she has a passion for immigrant rights and specifically those facing domestic abuse and hopes to develop a nonprofit to support those communities, either domestically or possibly in Colombia, where her mother is from.
Knetter is a management major from Cullman, Alabama, who is active both on and off campus. She is a full-time transfer student who balances her schoolwork along with her job as a marketing coordinator for an IT consulting company, and managing her own company, “Sufficient Grace Homestead,” a handcrafted natural skin care business.
She also volunteers as a doula serving pregnant college students in Nashville at Ella’s House and is an active member of “Talk to the Hand,” an on-campus club providing education and awareness of American Sign Language.
“I came into Lipscomb unsure if I could afford to make it to graduation. One of my very first chapels here, I stood in worship and prayed, ‘God, I won’t be able to afford this. If I’m going to finish here, it’s all in Your hands.’ I have been at Lipscomb less than three months, and it’s already been an incredibly shaping experience,” Knetter said when accepting her scholarship in October 2023.
Upon graduation, Knetter plans to get her master’s degree as a midwife nurse and open a nonprofit clinic or birth center.
Matas, a finance major, has excelled as president of Lipscomb’s investment team and finance club, interned at CapitalSpring and served her local church in Franklin. Her time at Lipscomb, shaped by the “business as mission” philosophy, has transformed her view of business as a platform for eternal impact.
Matas and Villegas were presented their scholarships at the first annual Illuminate: Living with Purpose conference in October 2024, which the College of Business helped coordinate.
Matas said her time at Lipscomb has reshaped how she views and works in business, “shifting my focus from personal benefit and a temporary world impact to how business can make an eternal impact.”
After graduation, Matas will pursue a career as a private equity analyst in Boston.
Villegas is a marketing major and international student who has balanced working 40 hours a week while excelling in his studies and staying actively involved in campus life and church. He represented Lipscomb at the National Collegiate Digital Marketing Championship, where his team placed in the top 10 nationally.
“The championship was incredibly inspiring to me because, even though we were competing against well-known schools, we were able to showcase our values as Lipscomb students and individuals, leaving a positive mark,” said Villegas. “At that moment, I realized that we are not too small to make a big impact. This experience inspired me to live my life without feeling less than others and to understand that I am capable of achieving goals that exceed people’s expectations.”
Villegas will pursue a marketing career and an MBA at Lipscomb after graduation this spring.
“This scholarship is a direct answer to prayer. When I opened the email informing me that I would be receiving it, I cried. Because of this scholarship, I can return for another semester and have more time for me to save up for future semesters.”
–Grace Knetter, scholarship recipient
Nearly 300 members of the Nashville community gathered at Lipscomb University’s George Shinn Center on Oct. 10 for the inaugural Illuminate: Living with Purpose conference. Attendees explored how faith can shape their professional lives through keynote sessions, breakout discussions and special presentations.
The Illuminate conference, built on the foundation of the College of Business’s former BAM 323 Conference, was elevated to a Presidential Signature Series event in 2024 and planning was led by the COB and the Center for Vocational Discovery in collaboration with colleges across campus.
Keynote speakers David Kinnaman, Jordan Raynor and Amy Sherman shared insights on how to integrate faith into everyday work. Their talks, alongside discipline-specific breakout sessions, challenged attendees to consider how their roles, from corporate executives to entry-level employees, could be infused with purpose and service.
Raynor, the bestselling author of The Sacredness of Secular Work and leader in the faith and work movement, highlighted the sacred nature of everyday work, noting, “It’s less about what you do professionally, but more about who you are while doing your work.” Raynor emphasized that Christians can bring the sacred into any workplace simply by being faithful and productive in their roles. Sherman, director of the Center on Faith in Communities at the Sagamore Institute and author of seven books and more than 100 articles in a variety of periodicals, introduced the concept of shalom in the workplace, encouraging attendees to love their neighbors through their work.
“When you ask how you can be a shalom-bringer, you find joy in your work,” Sherman said.
Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group and bestselling author of Faith For Exiles and unChristian, addressed the challenges of leadership in today’s fast-changing world. He encouraged attendees to take practical steps to put purpose at the center of their work and to mentor younger team members, helping them cope with anxiety and ambition.
Concurrent sessions on a variety of professional disciplines were offered including “Intentional Work Brings Restoration and Hope,” hosted by the College of Business.
The capstone of the Illuminate conference was a No Small Endeavor live performance featuring an interview with former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam discussing how his faith has shaped his work.
“Calling is where your talent and skills meet what the world needs,” said Haslam.
The event was made possible by Signature Sponsor, Coca-Cola Consolidated; Leader Sponsor, John Bouchard & Sons Co.; Investor Sponsors, Benjamin F. Edwards, Nan Smith, the Newton Institute and C-12; and Partner Sponsors, Harrington Publishing, Convene, Luke and Brooke Roush, and Joe and Mary Slawek.
“To make a secular workplace sacred only takes you as a believer walking through the door.”
Jordan Raynor, bestselling author of TheSacredness ofSecularWork
With emphases on the values of Jesus, community service, business carried out as spiritual mission and purposeful business operation, the past 10 years have only strengthened the COB’s deep commitment to teach Christian spirituality lived out in each graduates’ daily life.
College establishes its values: Purposeful, Bold, Credible, Creative and Serving.
First annual Business as Mission Colossians 3:23 Conference, called BAM 323, held to promote the business as mission approach to more than 300 attendees.
Rob Touchstone hired to develop and launch the Center for Business as Mission.
The first of five college-wide service projects was held, encouraging students to tutor school children at Cumberland Elementary School.
The Business as Mission Fellows program is created, equipping 40 students over the years to make a local and global impact.
The first of many business as mission global trips takes off for Jamaica. Over the years teams have gone to various countries including Kenya and Italy.
BAM program launches the Business Accelerator for Underestimated Entrepreneurs program.
College hosts the Christian Business Faculty Association Conference.
The Purposeful Business Initiative (PBI) launched to create a holistic approach to preparing all COB business students to become Psalms 78:72 professionals.
2023
First cohort of PBI Fellows complete the inaugural program.
Former BAM 323 Conference elevated to a Presidential Signature Series event and rebranded as Illuminate: Living With Purpose.
OVER THE DECADE…
COB Chapels became regularly scheduled events held each semester and coordinated with student life.
Lipscomb’s donors, partners and alumni had the future in their sights, as they provided generous financial and in-person support to the next generation of Lipscomb business graduates and business leaders in 2023-2024.
supporters
The word of the year for 2024 was “scholarships.” As the Alumni Advisory Board, the Dean’s Board and accounting alumni and supporters generously gave to establish several new scholarships and support funds for students on Giving Day 2024 in February.
Participants in a missional international business trip, students of strong character and students who need help paying for their CPA exam and prep materials all benefited from Giving Day contributions and fund-raising efforts that arose out of the annual event.
Over the past six years, the total raised on the annual Giving Day has increased from $37,752 in 2019 to $212,287 in 2024.
“We are very blessed to have such an energetic COB Alumni Board and alumni around the world. Their support is what makes it possible to offer the ‘extras’ that make our programs distinctive and enables us to be a leader in Christian business education,” said Ray Eldridge
Lipscomb’s accounting program has a standing tradition of producing some of the most sought-after accountants in the state. In just 24 hours, more than $41,000 was raised from contributors to support accounting programming and to provide assistance to students who need help paying their CPA exam and prep expenses.
“The financial support I received was quite important to my family as my wife, and I welcomed our first son into our lives just days before the start of the MAcc program,” said Juan David Barajas (MAcc ’24), a current Master of Accountancy student. “While we budgeted for the expenses related to the MAcc and the CPA exam, having the relief of much of the exam expenses defrayed allowed us to use that set-aside money for other expenses related to our son and even an unforeseen surgery later in the year.
“The financial assistance for the Becker study materials was incredibly impactful because, unlike most MAcc students, I was new to the accounting industry and did not have my study and exam expenses covered by an employer,” he said.
This year, the College of Business launched an international missional business trip to Ecuador, designed to give students real-world experience in a global setting. Funding from Giving Day was essential in making this transformative trip happen.
“Our group was blessed to live in a community with the children and staff of Hacienda of Hope Children’s Home while working daily with kids at the HOH Christian Academy,” said Jeff Cohu, who led the trip. “Our days were busy teaching business and entrepreneurship courses to 7th-12th-grade students while making lasting relationships with many of the children. I watched our students experience a great deal of personal spiritual growth during our time in Ecuador.”
Such trips are crucial to developing socially conscious business leaders who understand the global implications of their work.
“Looking ahead, the college is committed to fostering a culture of giving that empowers our students, strengthens our programs and enriches our community. Every contribution—big or small—can make a real difference,” said Beth Mangrum (BA ’93, MACM ’22).
“The College of Business extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Giving Day. Your support is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together,” she said. “Looking back over 2024, it’s clear just how much generosity can change lives within our college.”
PURPOSEFUL OVER A DECADE
$679,222
Six Years of Giving Days
For Jennifer Baldock (BA ’93) becoming a member of the Lipscomb COB Dean’s Board is all about paying it forward. Lipscomb laid the groundwork for her and her husband’s successful careers, and now contributing their time and expertise is the best way they can “give back… to enable Lipscomb to continue laying that groundwork for students in the future,” she said.
Read more below about one of Lipscomb’s many committed Dean’s Board members.
Chief Development Officer and General Counsel of Surgery Partners Inc.
Baldock, a Lipscomb graduate with an accounting and economics major and a German minor, is on the executive leadership team at Surgery Partners, one of the largest and fastest-growing surgical services businesses in the country, with more than 200 locations in 22 states, including ambulatory surgery centers, surgical hospitals, physician practices and urgent care facilities.
Baldock began her career in 1996 as an attorney at Holland & Knight (formerly Waller Lansden) in Nashville. She spent several years practicing corporate law before moving on to become in-house counsel for a couple of renal care companies before she found her way to Surgery Partners (formerly Symbion, Inc.), where she has been for almost 15 years now. Today she both practices law and oversees the development team, responsible for deploying at least $250 million of capital every year on new surgical locations.
Her husband Jud Baldock graduated from Lipscomb with a major in public relations and a minor in finance in 1992 and with a Master of Science in 2013
How did you become interested in serving on the COB Dean’s Board?
My time at, and my degree from, Lipscomb prepared me very well for law school and then for my career in the business world. I want to be a part of making sure that continues to be true for Lipscomb COB graduates. Lipscomb and its professors laid the groundwork for mine and Jud’s successful careers and we want to give back— through our time and contributions—to enable Lipscomb to continue laying that groundwork for students in the future.
How does your company and its projects impact Nashville today?
While Surgery Partners is a nationwide company, our headquarters are in Brentwood and we own and operate two surgery centers in the area in partnership with Vanderbilt Health: Vanderbilt Surgery Center Cool Springs and Spring Hill Surgery Center. What I am most proud of Surgery Partners for in its role in the Nashville community is, while not the largest company in the area by far, that we are consistently one of the highest contributors to the Nashville Heart Association through the Nashville Heart Walk.
Why did you decide to establish the Baldock Opportunity Scholarship in Accounting for Lipscomb’s business students?
Jud and I are very blessed to have successful careers, both of which were anchored by our degrees from Lipscomb— and mine specifically from the College of Business. We want to help others have the same foundation for their future.
We hope the recipients of our scholarship know that there are Lipscomb graduates who care about their future and want them to be successful first in their relationship with God and second in their life and careers.
Why is it important to you to be involved with the next generation of business professionals?
The business world needs professionals who are both well prepared in their fields and grounded in their faith so that they can be moral leaders through their jobs and companies going forward.
What do you gain from being on the Dean’s Board, personally or professionally?
I personally gain a lot of satisfaction in knowing that I am helping (even in a small way) to frame the College of Business and assure that it continues to be a premier business school in the future. From a professional perspective, it is always advantageous to spend time with and learn from other successful businesspeople.
Even as a political science major at Lipscomb, the College of Business played a major role in the life of Carrie Cowart-Johnson (BA ’19, MBA ’20) during her undergraduate studies: she studied abroad with the college’s previous Aspire Fellows program and worked with the college to start a speaker series revolving around Christian women in business. Today she hopes to be an example to Lipscomb students of someone who works to encourage those who care about public service to bring their career to the government and public service realm.
Read more below to learn about one of Lipscomb’s passionate Alumni Advisory Board members.
Project delivery specialist for Deloitte Consulting: Government and Public Service
Cowart-Johnson manages projects and carries out financial and resource management for large long-term projects, including TennCare: PERLSS, the State of Tennessee’s application that manages long-term services and support eligibility.
She came to this role in 2024 after having worked for the Tennessee General Assembly during her MBA studies at Lipscomb and serving as a Tennessee Governor’s Management Fellow for two years. She spent three more years with the State of Tennessee working on various enterprisewide initiatives, mostly in the shared service realm.
How do you think your professional experience brings value to the Alumni Board and passes on to create value for the Lipscomb students?
I often tell people that the government is not a business but it works best when it mimics one. I am proud to be an example of someone that recognizes that and feels very passionate about encouraging people who care about public service and what’s going on in their communities to bring their career to the government and public service realm.
What do you gain from being on the Alumni Advisory Board?
I love getting to engage with current students and alumni, the Lipscomb community is so supportive, and every time I meet a new Lipscomb student, alumni, staff or faculty member, I instantly feel a connection. Everyone you meet could play a part in your story so the bigger the community the better in my opinion.
Lipscomb is where I found myself, some of my best friends, my passion and my husband. I can’t remember a time Lipscomb wasn’t a part of my life. My entire family is involved with the institution to some degree and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
What are some of your experiences at Lipscomb in college that help you in your career today?
Internships and study abroad experiences! I interned at four different places throughout my time at Lipscomb, and each taught me so much. I also went on two mission trips and two study abroad experiences with Lipscomb, and will cherish those memories forever. Getting out of your comfort zone with an internship or by experiencing a new place pushes you to grow. Keeping that mentality makes you a well-rounded person.
How do you bring a semblance of those experiences to Lipscomb students through the Alumni Board?
I had fantastic mentors throughout my time at Lipscomb. Some were faculty, some were staff and some were community members Lipscomb connected me to. I hope by starting our new Alumni Board Coffee Club (an online portal, to launch in 2025, where current COB students can contact Alumni Board members to meet for coffee to get advice and ask questions) that students can find great relationships and maybe even mentors in our board members. Please reach out. We want to meet you!
making a mark in business
Corey King, KPMG partner, is passionate about the next generation of accounting leaders
Corey King (BS ’05), a former Bison basketball player from Selma, Alabama, is now an audit partner in the Charlotte office of global accounting firm KPMG, having worked with some of the company’s most prominent financial services clients over his 15-year career.
He credits Lipscomb and its accounting professors with helping him springboard to his current successful career, where he worked for a time at KPMG’s national office in New York City and has now earned an Executive Certificate in Advancing Sustainability from the New York University Stern Center for Sustainable Business.
King serves as the lead recruiting partner for the audit practice in the Charlotte office. He is passionate about identifying and mentoring the next generation of leaders in the accounting profession. In this role, he is a regular guest on college campuses, interacting with and providing guidance to students.
“Attending Lipscomb instilled in me the belief that nothing is more important than practicing our faith and developing our character,” said King. “I recognize that while I can strive to accomplish many great things, it is more important to consider what type of friend and family member I am, and what kind of citizen of the world I am becoming.”
Luke
When a friend was involved in a car accident, Lipscomb Business alumni Luke Benda (BBA ’17) and Braden Davidson (BS ’16, MM ’17) saw firsthand the challenges that patients face as they recover.
Motivated to develop solutions to enhance the recovery process, they co-founded Healing Innovations Inc., a Nashville tech start-up that focuses on the development and commercialization of technology that positively impacts the lives of people recovering from neurological injuries.
“We were on a mission to develop something that made sense within the U.S. health care system, and so we developed the Rise&Walk, which is a 3-in-1 neuro rehab station, kind of like a Swiss army knife for PTs,” said Benda.
It was an idea that a lot of people bought into. Most recently, Healing Innovations’ CEO Benda was honored with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s NEXT Award for 2023 Emerging Entrepreneur. Healing Innovations also won the Nashville Technology Council’s Tech Startup of the Year Award in 2021.
Beginning in 2018, the Rise&Walk, named after Jesus’ words in John 5, was created by a team who worked through the development process of ideation, prototyping, commercialization, FDA approval, team building and fundraising leading to a full commercial launch of the Rise&Walk in 2021.
Healing Innovations drew funding from a 2020 National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research Grant to develop the company’s proprietary robotic technology and a collaboration with the Veterans Health Administration Innovation Ecosystem Innovators Network, which serves as a catalyst to enable the discovery and spread of mission-driven health care innovation to advance care delivery for the veteran community.
The Rise&Walk is now in use in rehabilitation facilities across the country, in South Dakota, Washington, Texas, Georgia and New Hampshire, to name a few, and through nationwide providers of brain injury and spinal cord injury rehabilitation and care.
The technology is designed to allow for safe, efficient and effective walking and balance practice, as well as seated exercise, for individuals with neurological and mobility impairments.
The foundation of the company’s success goes back to the entrepreneurial spirit that Benda, originally from the Chicago area, has possessed since his childhood. He started a business in high school and another at Lipscomb, called Ed Pack Global, with the support of a community of peers and professors who invested in his success.
“The professors and students at Lipscomb created an environment that encouraged creative thinking and helped build the foundation necessary to launch Healing Innovations,” said Benda. “Joe Ivey, in particular, was a challenging professor who played a significant role in my development.”
Benda met Healing Innovations’ co-founder Davidson through Lipscomb social club Sigma Iota Delta. “We both ended up working for the same tech start-up right out of school, so that’s where we really started to get to know each other. That was the spark for launching our partnership,” said Benda.
Davidson is a third-generation Lipscomb student and one of six siblings to attend the university. He was attracted to the opportunity Lipscomb provided to build a network in Nashville even while still studying for his degree, he said.
“My undergraduate degree in kinesiology provided a foundation for what our company does medically,” he said, “while the master’s program provided me a really unique opportunity to earn valuable work experience while earning my degree. Without the master’s program, I wouldn’t be where I am today: able to directly impact people’s lives for the better while also personally benefiting from the challenge of starting and growing a business.”
Benda is still involved with Lipscomb’s College of Business through participation as a Kittrell Pitch Competition judge on occasion and a past member of the Alumni Advisory Board.
The College of Business developed a firm foundation for future success over the past decade through engaging alumni and contributors who place their money where it counts the most: facilities, student scholarships and enhancing academic programs.
Cisco Telepresence Center was completed, adding a high-tech learning environment for students.
The first of five professionalled advisory boards established for the college.
The Financial Markets Lab, featuring access to the Bloomberg Terminal software, opened for use.
The CHARGE!FORWARD crowd-funding campaign led by the Alumni Board raised more than $93,000 for the college.
Completion of major renovation of the Swang Business Center.
The Pfeffer Graduate School of Business was established thanks to significant investment by Pam and Phil Pfeffer (DB).
Lipscomb University held its first Giving Day, a social media fundraising campaign that has resulted in $679,222 contributed to the college over six years.
The technology-rich Data Analytics Lab was completed.
2023
Alumni Advisory Board establishes the Psalm 78:72 Scholarship.
OVER A DECADE…
COB supporters have provided more than $27 million in gifts, pledges, cash and planned gifts to the college since 2014, including funding for six faculty to earn their doctorates.
The Ray Eldridge Business Encouragement Scholarship was established by members of the Dean’s Advisory Board in honor of Eldridge’s contributions to the college and the university.
ALFONZO ALEXANDER (MBA ’08)
President and CEO, Alexander Success Group Inc.
JENNIFER BALDOCK (BA ’93)
EVP, Chief Administrative & Development Officer, Surgery Partners LLC
BILL BRENNAN
Mentor, Investor, Entrepreneur, Founder and/or Co-Founder of 10+ start-ups
JACQUELINE CAVNAR (MBA ’06)
Executive Director, Justice Industries
PATRICK CHAFFIN (BS ’96)
EVP of Asset Management, Ryman Hospitality Properties
ERNIE CLEVENGER (BA ’75)
Co-Founder, President and CTO, CareHere Lipscomb Board of Trustees
BARRY DEAN (BS ’76)
Retired Partner, Cherry Bekaert LLP
DALE DENNY (BS ’83)
Chief Financial Officer, John Bouchard & Sons
DAVID DINGLER
Health Care Connector, Health Care Strategies
Former CEO, Medical Reimbursements America LLC
MARK EZELL (LA ’78, BS ’82) Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
DAVID FISHER (Chair)
Managing Director, Benjamin F. Edwards
MIGNON FRANCOIS
CEO and Founder, The Cupcake Collection
TONY GIARRATANA
Principal, Giarratana Nashville Founder, Premier Parking of Tennessee
STEVE GROOM (BA ’73)
Managing Partner, Dedicated General Counsel PLLC
MARTY HERNDON
President & CEO, Snider Fleet Solutions
WINSTON JUSTICE
CEO, SageSprings Wealth Partners
Former NFL Player
DREW LOVE (BS ’07)
CEO, Wiremasters
KEVIN MONROE
Former Audit Partner, Deloitte Member of the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy
SUE NOKES
Former Executive Committee
Member and Global Customer Solutions SVP, Asurion
Former Chief Operating Officer, T-Mobile
Lipscomb Board of Trustees
BURTON NOWERS (BS ’79)
Retired CFO and Founder, AIM Healthcare
Retired President, Healing Hands International
PHILIP PFEFFER
Lipscomb Board of Trustees
President & CEO, Treemont Capital Inc.
LINDON ROBERTSON
Retired EVP & CFO, Azenta
Former Chief Auditor & VP of Finance, Japan, IBM
Alexandria Arnette (BBA ’17, MBA ’20)
Assistant Director and Operations Manager, Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Amy Westerman (BA ’94)
Executive Assistant to the Dean and Director of Administration, College of Business
Beth Mangrum (BA ’93, MACM ’22)
Alumni Fund and Event Director
GLEASON ROGERS (BBA ’10)
HR Director of Talent & Leadership Development, Tractor Supply Co.
JOHN RUTLEDGE (LA ’66)
Former President and CEO, American
Physician Partners
JOE SCARLETT
Chairman, Tractor Supply Company
Retired Founder, The Scarlett Family Foundation
ERNESTO SILVA
Former CEO, Coca-Cola FEMSA
JOE SLAWEK
Retired Chairman & CEO, FONA International Inc.
TIM SLEMP (MBA ’16)
CEO, USGI
Retired Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army, Special Forces Officer
DAVID SOLOMON (BS ’81)
Founder and Managing Director,
Meritage Private Equity Funds Lipscomb Board of Trustees
JODY VENKATESAN
Managing Member, Platinum Business Services
MARK WHITACRE
VP of Culture & Care & Executive Director, T-Factor Coca-Cola Consolidated
SYDNEY BALL (BBA ’12, MBA ’14) VP of Business Development, NFP Executive Benefits
STEVEN BROOKS (BS ’77)
President/CEO, Gray Matter Consulting
MATTHEW BROWN (BBA ’15, MAcc ’15)
Director of Financial Reporting, Shoals Technologies Group
CARRIE COWART-JOHNSON (BA ’19, MBA ’20)
Project Delivery Specialist, Deloitte Consulting: Government and Public Services
GARRETT DICKERSON (BBA ’10)
Market Director, Thrivent
GRANT EXLINE (BBA ’18, MBA ’19) (Vice Chair)
Global Category Manager–Marketing, JLL
RACHEL EXLINE (BBA ’19)
Licensed Real Estate Agent, Pilkerton Realtors
BENNIE HARRIS II (BBA ’20, MBA ’21)
Associate, Coker Group Healthcare Business Advisor
CHRISTOPHER HENDON (MAcc ’11)
Accounting Manager, Community Health Systems
GRAHAM KISER (BS ’17, MBA ’21)
Senior Business Intelligence and Insights Analyst, Jackson Financial Services
KYLE KRAEMER (BBA ’07 MBA ’11)
Assurance Director, PwC
ANDREW LEE (MBA ’21) Director of Facilities, Vanderbilt University Athletics
MARY GRACE MANCUSO (BBA ’21, MACC ’22)
Audit and Assurance Senior, Deloitte
MATTHEW MCCALL (MAcc ’14) (Chair) CFO, American Constructors Inc.
RYAN MYERS (BS ’05)
Assurance Partner Specializing in Manufacturing & Distribution, Aprio
ALEX RENFRO (BS ’10, MBA ’19) Director of Private Equity, OMNIA Partners
Hannah Lynn (BS ’20, MBA ’21)
Assistant Director, Professional Development and Engagement
Mayci Rawls
Program Coordinator, Student Services
Olivia Lusk (BS ’17, MBA ’23)
Assistant Director, Student Services
Suzanne Sager
Associate Dean, Professional Development & Engagement
PATRICK RUSSELL (MBA ’19)
Senior Director of Operations, SlickText
JENNIFER SELLERS (BA ’15, MM ’17)
AVP, Commercial Associate Bank of America
BOB SIRCY (BS ’74)
EVP, Southwestern Investment Group
REED SIRCY (LA ’10, BBA ’14)
Licensed Realtor, Bradford Real Estate LLC
JAKE THOMAS (BBA ’14)
Senior Financial Analyst, Amazon
CHANTA WILDER (MHA ’22)
Director of Operations and Compliance, The Next Door
SHELBY WOODS (BBA ’22)
Marketing Communications Specialist, Mitsubishi
JIM BLUE
Former Vice President, American Physician Partners
DANA BONAMINIO
Women’s Imaging National Subspecialty
Lead Breast Imager, Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Director of Breast Imaging, Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Center for Breast Health, Advanced Diagnostic Imaging/ Radiology Partners
MARK BROWN
Chief Operating Office, Nashville General Hospital
ALEX DAMPF (BBA ’10) President, Oakmont Benefits
CRAIG CORDOLA
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension
WES FOUNTAIN
Chief Financial Officer, HCA TriStar Division
DON GIBSON (MBA ’16)
Chief Medical Officer, Mercy Community Healthcare, Franklin
CHRIS HELM
Senior Director, Learning and Development, Compassus
TODD KAESTNER
EVP Corporate Development & President CCRC Division, Brookdale
Senior Living
PAUL KECKLEY (BA ’71)
Managing Editor, The Keckley Report
JIM LORDEMAN
Retired
TIM MANGRUM (BS ’90)
Medical Director of Saint Thomas
Medical Group, Chief Medical Officer of ADVANCED HEALTH, Saint Thomas Medical Group
JOHN MASON
Senior Vice President & CIO, Quorum Health
JARED MEGGS (MS ’11)
Founder & CEO, Prosody
DAPHNE PALAKIE (MHA ’21)
Senior Director, CereCore/HCA Healthcare
BRYCE SILLYMAN
Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar Health System
BOBBY STOKES
Retired, HCA
MAT WAITES
Retired, DaVita, The Little Clinic
CHANTA WILDER (MHA ’22)
Administrative Resident, LifePoint
Health
CHRISTI WITHERSPOON
Medical Director, Alegis Care, Heritage
Medical Associates
BILL WRIGHT
Senior Director, HCA Healthcare
RYAN ANDERSON
Finance (’24)
NATALIE BLICKENSDERFER
Finance and Data Analytics (’25)
REAGAN BOLT
Finance (’24)
GRACELYN BURRIS
Management Minor Accounting (’24)
BRAEDEN BURROW
Finance (’26)
COREY CONFER
Finance (’24)
LYDIA ELLIOTT
Business Management (’25)
ASHLEY GIBBS
Business Finance (’25)
COURTNEY GRABLE
Business Management and Exercise
Science (’25)
CAMPBELL HARTIGAN
Marketing (’26)
AUDRA HOCHGESANG
Business Management (’24)
CATHERINE MARSHALL
Business Management (’24)
CASEY MOBLEY
Business Management (’24)
AVA PEHRSON
Marketing (’26)
ALEX PIRVULESCU Finance (’26)
EMILY RICHERSON
Business Management (’26)
CLARA SAMUEL
Business Management (’24)
CLAIRE SHANK
Entrepreneurship and Management (’27)
STACY WHITWELL
Business Management (’27)
KARA WILLIAMS Accounting (’24)
WARREN WILSON Corporate Finance and Accounting (’24)
DENNIS ZECIC Finance (’25)
KENT CLEAVER (LA ’74, BS ’79) Executive Vice President, Pinnacle Bank
TOM GRAY Founder, Employee Pooling
MICHAEL DUNCAN (LA ’70) Retired CFO, HSD Holdings LLC
VIC ALEXANDER (BS ’82) Owner, KraftCPAs PLLC
DAN JORDAN (LA ’58) President, Jordan Properties Inc.
KELL HOLLAND (LA ’79, BS ’84)
Executive Vice President, Zander Insurance
GLENN MCGEHEE (BS ’90)
Principal and President, SouthStar
DEWAYNE SCOTT
Co-founder/President & CEO, TDS & Associates
Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
KEVIN MONROE
Partner-in-Residence; Former Audit Partner, Deloitte; Member of theTennessee State Board of Accountancy
SUE NOKES
Executive-in-Residence; Lipscomb Board of Trustees; Former Global Customer Solutions SVP, Asurion; Former COO, T-Mobile
BURT NOWERS (BS ’79)
Business as Mission Executive-inResidence; Former CFO and Founder, AIM Healthcare; Former President Healing Hands International
PHIL PFEFFFER
CEO-in-Residence; Lipscomb Board of Trustees; President and CEO, Treemont Capital; Former Chair and CEO, Ingram Distribution Group; Former CEO, Random House
GREG SANDFORT
CEO-in-Residence; Former CEO, Tractor Supply Company
ERNESTO SILVA
CEO-in-Residence; Former CEO, Coca Cola FEMSA
JOE SLAWEK
CEO-in-Residence; Chair and CEO, Slawek Family Holdings; Former Chair and CEO, FONA International
JOHN WEISSENSEEL
CFO-in-Residence; Former SVP and CFO, AllianceBernstein
HANNAH LYNN (BS ’20, MBA ’21) Professional Development & Communications Manager, College of Business
AMY WESTERMAN (BA ’94)
Executive Assistant to the Dean and Director of Administration, College of Business
JANEL SHOUN-SMITH (LA ’89)
Senior Publications Manager, Lipscomb University
This will be my last message for the annual Dean’s Report as I step down effective Jan. 1, and return to the classroom next fall as dean emeritus. I’ve been blessed to serve over 10 years as dean, and now move on to yet another mission. I am excited to see the new leadership and this great team continue to move forward and advance to become the leader in Christian business education.
I’ve always been motivated by a mission, both as an assignment and a religious calling. My first real mission began in high school, where I learned the value of an education. If the term existed back then, I would be a first-generation high school graduate. It was my football coach who steered me from enlisting in the military to attending The Citadel.
I thought I was prepared for The Citadel, but what a shock! The discipline and what many would now call hazing at that four-year leadership lab was extremely intense, but I learned the impact of both good and bad leadership and it prepared me well for my next mission: the U.S. Army.
After two decades of demanding pace of mission accomplishment, family separation and 17 moves, my family and I knew it was time to officially retire from military service and transition to my next mission with a full appreciation of the power of training and education.
Building teams and training soldiers was the world I lived in, so I thought I was prepared for my next mission in higher education at Syracuse University and later Freed Hardeman University. I quickly learned that universities have unique leadership structures and are comprised of faculty who are smart, welleducated and independent thinkers. Many warned me that the word “teams” may not be in academic vocabulary, but this is where the Lipscomb College of Business has been different.
What a team they are, with faculty and staff working side by side, centered on a common vision and mission. Their results over the past 10 years are incredible.
• 2,400 business students graduated with the aspiration and potential to be business leaders who embrace the values and virtues of Jesus.
• Becoming one of the 6% of the world’s business schools to earn the AACSB accreditation, a university goal since at least 1988.
• Routinely ranked nationally by major business school rankings: U.S. News & World Report, Poets&Quants for Undergrads, Niche.com, Christian Universities Online and Schools of Distinction.
• Creating the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation; the Center for Business as Mission (BAM); the BAM323 Conference; the Center for Career & Professional Development; a School for Data Analytics and Technology; a completed renovation of the Swang Business Center; and the Financial Markets Lab powered by Bloomberg.
We have also been blessed with so many friends, alumni and corporate relations that have enabled this team to achieve:
• A named graduate school: the Pfeffer Graduate School of Business.
• An active Alumni Advisory Board and their commitment to fund Psalms 78:72 scholarships.
• A prestigious Dean’s Advisory Board, and multiple CEOs- and Executives-in-Residence providing engagement and mentoring to our students.
• More than 120 Middle Tennessee companies benefitting from more than 300 students’ Directed Work Experiences within their walls.
• $27 million in gifts, pledges, cash and planned gifts to the college since 2014, including funding for six faculty to earn their doctorates.
• And this team’s commitment has led to annually being the first to achieve 100% participation in the annual employee giving campaign.
I’ve always said that one of the highest metrics we could obtain is a culture that enables and encourages any staff or faculty to be able to go sit down in another’s office and have a good conversation. We don’t always agree but we always work together.
I am very proud of what this college, alongside our friends, has accomplished. It is an honor to work with a team that loves God and loves students.
Now I am on my way to my next mission and will return to faculty. It is my goal that the accumulation of all I have learned from each previous mission can help our students achieve theirs. I thank God and ask God’s continual blessings on the college as it embraces a changing landscape and enters the next chapter of its important mission.
Ray Eldridge Dean, College of Business Pfeffer Graduate School of Business
At universities, we talk a lot about looking forward, working toward a better future and planning for sustainable success. We are always looking ahead.
But sometimes it is valuable to stop, take a breath and look back at the past. The College of Business is living out such a moment as the year turns from 2024 to 2025, and Dean Ray Eldridge steps down as dean of the college.
There is a lot to take note of in the 10 years since Eldridge became interim dean, and later dean of the college. He guided the College of Business faculty and staff to develop values that have defined the college’s path, with Eldridge at the helm, throughout the decade: purposeful, bold, credible, creative and serving.
It is certainly true that the College of Business has never shied away from taking on a challenge. Remaining bold and focused for more than a decade, the college achieved AACSB accreditation in 2022 and boldly set forth to take advantage of all that elite designation offers.
Students went from competing in two business practice competitions each year to 14, as Lipscomb was now being invited to sales, marketing, finance and entrepreneurial contests across the nation.
The college’s credibility as a respected and authoritative source of business education was reinforced in 2024 as the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) gave its stamp of approval to Lipscomb’s MHA program this past spring. In addition, Lipscomb’s 2024 accounting graduates continued to pass the CPA exam at a rate much higher than the national average.
Faculty and students’ creativity runs over the classroom walls as students take advantage of the Content Creation Studio to develop marketing campaigns for local businesses, students develop their own microbusinesses and pitch innovative new business ideas locally and nationally.
A spirit of service permeates the college, as faculty and staff volunteer to encourage young people’s career dreams in business through special events. Profits from student micro-businesses fund local charitable causes, and alumni have cooperated in the last two years to raise funds for and award scholarships to students who exemplify the “skillful hands” and “integrity of the heart” that described King David in Psalm 78:72.
That verse in Psalms has remained the guiding mission for the College of Business throughout Eldridge’s service as dean. It is the fuel behind the college’s purpose, lived out in purposeful programs such as the college’s chapel services; leadership programs such as the Aspire Fellows and the Swang Scholars; and the Purposeful Business Fellows program, providing a semester-long deep dive into the college’s five values and how to incorporate them into a successful career and business enterprise.
Looking back, it is easy to see the clear path that Eldridge and the College of Business community have built for the future. Staying true to its values and mission has brought growth, accolades and a firm foundation for future continued success for the college and for its students.
Dr. Candice McQueen President, Lipscomb University
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Recognized nationally as a leader in faith-based business education, the College of Business propels its graduates to change the world... in corporate life, in entrepreneurship and in innovative social enterprises that improve lives globally. Your investment empowers scholarships, cutting-edge programs and transformative experiences rooted in faith and excellence. It celebrates our “business as a mission” legacy of faithful adherence to eternal principles.
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