University News & Recognition
Commencement begins new journey for graduates commencement signifies the beginning
or start of something. In academic settings, it also marks the completion of an academic journey that leads to another chapter in students’ lives. In December the Lipscomb community celebrated the accomplishments of its students in three special ceremonies. On Dec. 19, the soon-to-be graduates and their families and friends gathered in full regalia to receive bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in Allen Arena. The university awarded 461 degrees to
In December, seven participants in the LIFE program at the Tennessee Prison for Women were awarded Associate of Arts degrees from Lipscomb in a graduation ceremony held in the prison gym.
students graduating in December. “Your lives are filled with stories, and we are proud to have walked with you on your journey,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry. “As you graduate today, you join the Bison Herd, made up of 35,000 graduates of Lipscomb University. No matter what happens in life, you will always be part of this community. We are proud of you, and we congratulate you.” On the day before commencement, seven women who are part of the Lipscomb LIFE (Lipscomb Initiative for Education) program at the Tennessee Prison for Women received Associate Degrees in a special commencement ceremony inside the prison. These women worked for seven years to complete their degree, taking one class at a time and meeting just once a week. Each of these nights, Lipscomb professors and traditional students traveled to TPW to join the inmates for class. “We are here to bear witness to you and to our
world that you are intelligent, compassionate, resourceful and intelligent scholars,” said Richard Goode, professor of history who founded the program in 2007. “It means everything in the world to me,” said Michelle Martin, TPW resident and LIFE program graduate. “All of my hope, and dreams I never thought I’d get to have, are realized today. No matter what life throws at you and no matter how far down you are. If you think you are dead in the grave. You can come back up. You can fight and claw and stand with your head held high.” The College of Education awarded its inaugural Certificates in Career Exploration Studies to the first students in the IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program, designed for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, two days prior to the traditional ceremony. After two years of study and experiential internships, A.T. Banks, Matthew Loveland and Rashaad Harrell walked across the stage of Stowe Hall to claim their certificates, which reflect the mastery of career, academic and independent living skills.
Rashaad Harrell, A.T. Banks and Matthew Loveland (l to r) received certificates of completion from the IDEAL program as part of three days of commencement ceremonies in December. 6
lipscomb now | Spring 2016
