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Harold Hazelip (’50), 92, who served as Lipscomb’s president from September 1986 to May 1997, passed away on Sept. 21. He will long be remembered for his gentle spirit, deep faith and tremendous influence.

From the earliest days of his ministry career that began in 1949 and a career in education that spanned three decades, Hazelip had a profound impact on the lives of thousands.

He became president of Lipscomb after serving 14 years as dean of the Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis. He retired from the presidency in 1997 and assumed the role of chancellor. He also served a three-month stint as interim president in summer 2005 and most recently served as president emeritus.

“We mourn the loss of someone who has had a tremendous impact on the Lipscomb community—from starting our study abroad program to adding academic accreditations to leading our first master’s degrees at Lipscomb. And, personally, Dr. Hazelip will always be ‘my president’ as I was blessed to be a Lipscomb student under his outstanding leadership,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen

“He led with quiet confidence and a strong vision for an academically advancing university. In my first year serving as Lipscomb president, he was a friend, a supporter and encourager. His wise words—whether speaking as a leader, a Bible teacher, a minister or a mentor—will forever be with me.”

As president, Hazelip was known for strengthening Lipscomb’s identity as a leading academic institution. He remained committed to the Christian values of the founders, and through his example, encouraged students, faculty and staff to deepen their involvement in service and mission.

During Hazelip’s tenure:

• David Lipscomb College became Lipscomb University and began offering master’s degrees for the first time in university history.

• The first semester-abroad program, Lipscomb in Vienna, was launched.

• Enrollment topped 2,500 for the first time in university history.

• Campus construction and renovation, totaling more than $20 million, included a campus-wide beautification program, a new library, the Student Activities Center, an addition to Swang Center, a new baseball/ tennis complex; an addition to Lipscomb Academy; and major renovations of Crisman Memorial Library, Burton Administration Building and McQuiddy Gym.

• A new emphasis was placed on service and mission opportunities. Short-term mission trips were added, and the missions program grew quickly.

• Minority enrollment more than doubled.

• Lipscomb was named one of the top ten liberal arts universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, and as one of the top ten “best values” in the same region.

In the late 1940s Hazelip became one of the first people from his rural Kentucky hometown to attend a Christian college. He earned his junior college diploma from Freed-Hardeman University in 1948 and his bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb in 1950. He earned the bachelor of divinity, a postgraduate degree, from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1958 and the Ph.D. in religion from the University of Iowa in 1967.

He preached for Churches of Christ in Kentucky, Iowa and Tennessee from 1949-1986 and preached by appointment while president at Lipscomb and in his retirement. He served as speaker for the Herald of Truth television series from 1971 through 1992. He is also the author of several books.

Hazelip is survived by his wife, Helen; two children; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family has asked that memorial donations be made to: Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203; Christian Community Services, P.O. Box 40741, Nashville, TN 37204; and Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204.

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In Memoriam

1933 Andrew Lynch of Fort Collins, Colorado, died Feb. 25.

1940 Herman Hall Stubblefield (Associate Degree) of Birmingham, Ala., died April 4.

1950 Marceline Haver (BS) of Atlanta, Ga., died Feb. 9.

1951 Nancy A Scruggs (BA) of Ooltewah, Tenn., died March 15.

1952 Mary Plummer (BS) of Antioch, Tenn., died March 20.

Sue Clark Stout (BS) of Franklin, Tenn., died April 15.

1954 Emma Brown (BA) died on Nov. 23. Brown was a retiree from the Lipscomb payroll office. Her son Larry Brown is a professor in the departments of theater, film and Bible.

Catherine G. Halsey (BA) of Hendersonville, Tenn., died Jan. 24.

Marion Rodgers Ogilvie (BS) of Franklin, Tenn., died June 8.

1956 Lytle Jones (BA) of Tampa, Fla., died June 1.

James Robert Sweeney (BA) of Gallatin, Tenn., died March 20.

1957 Walter Ray Glass (BS) of Malibu, Calif., died Jan. 22.

1958 Orene Brooks Breeden (BS), of Franklin, Tenn., died March 26.

Dr. Constance “Connie” Marie Fulmer (BA) of Malibu, Calif., died March 17.

Jacqueline Hester (BS) of Cumming, Ga., died Aug. 19.

Jackie Lee Wagnon Roberts (BS) of Tuscumbia, Ala., died May 26.

1960 John Hollingsworth (BA) of San Antonio, Texas, died Jan. 31.

Loy Walston Martin (BA), of Hendersonville, Tenn., died March 12.

Dot Lacroix Thompson (BA) of Marysville, Ohio, died Nov. 27, 2020.

1961 Kenneth Brent Snow (BA) of Ormond Beach, Fla., died March 21.

1962 Michael D. Anglin (BA) of Falls Church, Va., died Dec. 19, 2021.

Philip Coleman (BS) of Nashville died April 4.

Cora Hager Porter (BA) of Duluth, Ga., died Feb. 2.

William K. Toungette (BS) of Spring Hill, Tenn., died Sept. 3.

James Welch (BS) of McMinnville, Tenn., died July 30.

1963 Grady Edward “Eddie” Hendrix (BA) of Richmond, Va., died July 3.

Susan Russell Lassiter (BA) of Brentwood, Tennessee, died July 1.

1964 Ralph Guthrie (BS) of Jacksonville, Fla., died July 16.

1965 James Shannon Lawrence (BA) of LaVergne, Tenn., died April 19.

1966 Sarah “Sally” Hogan (BS) of Chattanooga, Tenn., died Feb. 4.

1967 Robert Paul Pigott (BA), of Marietta, Ga., died in April.

1968 Ben Farrell (BA) of Nashville died Aug. 10.

Gary Headrick (BA), of Cleveland, Miss., died Feb. 7.

Ralph Mabry (BA) of Franklin, Tenn., died Aug. 10.

Michael Dean Slate (BA) of Hermitage, Tenn., died July 24.

1969 Marsha Annette Tullis (BS) of Chattanooga, Tenn., died May 25.

1971 Robert L. “Bob” Weaver (BS) of Johnson City, Tenn., died May 23.

Joe Widick (BA) of Lebanon, Tenn., died May 27.