On any given day, the sound of footsteps and laughter echoes across the brick of Bison Square — the same place where generations of students have met for dinner, studied between classes, or lingered long after sunset. Decades ago, though, the heart of campus was nothing more than a muddy shortcut worn down by thousands of shoes. The student-built Bison Square — now considered the heart of Lipscomb’s social life — has celebrated its 45th anniversary this year. President Willard Collins smiles for a photo when Bison Square was completed (1981). The area exists thanks to the Lipscomb students of the 1970s and 1980s who helped make the square a reality. Bison Square was originally a vision of Lipscomb’s All Student Association, which believed the campus needed a space that could handle the heavy foot traffic. “The whole area was not paved; it was worn down because of all the traffic, and it got muddy and sloppy when it rained,” said Tim Parlow, a Lipscomb alum who attended from 1978 to 1982, the exact years of the project. “It had always been a natural gathering place, but once the square was built, you could almost always find people hanging out there.” The area (facing Johnson Hall) before Bennett Campus Center and the square in the 1950s. The first pitch for the campus beautification project came in 1978 from David Sampson, the student body president. Lipscomb legend Mark Ezell also played a major role when following through with the project. They were the people who proposed raising money. The student body held events like jog-a-thons, sold T-shirts and even donated their own money.“I do remember contributing a few dollars to the effort and the project generated a lot of excitement,” Parlow said. “I remember lots of students being involved, even if it was just contributing enough for a few bricks.” But inflation delayed construction in 1980. The university was short on funds, and money was still needed for brick, sand and electrical work. By that point, students had raised $47,000 — just $3,000 short of their goal. The Nashville community stepped in after being impressed by the students’ dedication. Some were even offered jobs by local companies that noticed their determination. Alumni also took time off from their schedules to join the students and see what was happening on campus. “I think it was so important because it was a student-driven project,” Partlow said. “It was conceived, organized and pulled off by students. This is what created a lot of the excitement around it.” Students were eager to see progress, and even laid most of the “bison brick” themselves. The project not only made the campus feel more like home but also built a legacy that would last for generations. “There was the pride factor that students had done this, which helped create more community on campus,” Partlow said. The space opened up more and students were often found doing devotionals together in the space. The trees provided shade on sunny days, and the benches that were added created space for people to sit, talk and people-watch. “It became the heartbeat of the campus,” said Partlow. Over the decades, the square continued to evolve. “The fountain was added in the last 20 years, with the baptistry added on in 2013,” said Larry Brown, professor in the College of Entertainment and the Arts . Today, Bison Square remains a backdrop for friendships, late-night conversations, baptisms, club events and quiet moments between classes. Lives continue to change in the same spot where students once placed bricks. After 45 years, the bricks of Bison Square still represent more than just sidewalks— they represent the foundation for the heart and soul of the Lipscomb community.
This afternoon, Mississippi State women’s soccer announced that Lipscomb women’s soccer Head Coach Kevin O’Brien would be coming to coach for the Bulldogs. O’Brien recently led the Bisons to their second consecutive ASUN Championship victory this season. He also took them back to the NCAA Tournament, where they beat Mississippi State 1-0 in the first round. O’Brien also won the ASUN Coach of the Year award for the 2025 season, making it his fifth career ASUN Coach of the Year. After 14 seasons coaching women’s soccer at Lipscomb, O’Brien is the winningest head coach in program history. He boasts more than 150 career victories, having reached that milestone this season. Lipscomb women’s soccer says that “O’Brien has elevated the Lady Bisons into the national conversation and established Lipscomb as one of the premier mid-major programs in NCAA Division I women’s soccer.” “Under O’Brien’s leadership, the Bisons have captured 12 ASUN championships in the past nine seasons, including five ASUN Tournament titles and seven ASUN Regular Season championships. He has guided the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances, solidifying Lipscomb as a consistent postseason contender,” says Lipscomb women’s soccer. Mississippi State referred to O’Brien as “a proven winner” in their announcement. O’Brien has brought much to Lipscomb’s team over the seasons, molding young women in their sport and their faith. He has coached 50+ All-Conference performers, 15 All-Freshmen honorees, 32 All-Academic selections, and 45 ASUN Players of the Week. He is among the top 50 winningest active coaches in NCAA Division I, with a career record of 155-81-37. In 2018, his staff earned one of the nation’s highest honors as the United Soccer Coaches South Region Staff of the Year. O’Brien will be Mississippi States’ women’s soccer’s eighth head coach in program history, and Lipscomb will begin their search for a new women’s soccer head coach.
As federal SNAP benefits remain limited, the conversation about food insecurity is growing. Dr. Autumn Marshall, chair of Lipscomb’s Department of Nutrition and a registered dietitian, said people underestimate how common food insecurity is on college campuses. “I was really surprised when I did some digging on this, that about 19% of college students experience some level of food insecurity,” Marshall said. “Typically, the ones who live on campus, that’s not a problem because they’re required to have a meal plan. But students who move off campus to save money or who are living at home may be experiencing food insecurity, especially if they’re not able to work as much because they’re in school.” This year, Lipscomb created the Nourish Nook, a small food resource space located in the Office of Student Success and Well-Being. It provides microwavable meals and snacks for students who don’t have easy access to food options. Students can take up to five items every two weeks, after completing a check-in form. “When you’re hungry, you can’t concentrate in class,” Marshall said. “And, you know, we’ve seen this in little kids. That was the whole reason for the creation of school lunch and school breakfast programs was to make sure that kids weren’t sitting in class, not able to pay attention because they’re so hungry. So this just kind of brings it up to the college level.” Marshall said the rising cost of groceries and limited time to work while in school creates barriers for many students who live off campus. Some juggle multiple jobs, and that reduces the time they have to study. “I’m sure that we do have students whose families have been on SNAP benefits,” she said. “They may be here on scholarship, but that means there’s no money left over for food. So that is complicated by the government shutdown and the limit to payments.” Marshall explained that SNAP benefits are based on the federal Thrifty Food Plan, which sets the lowest-cost model for feeding a household. “The thrifty food plan is supposed to be based on the Consumer Price Index, and it’s designed to provide adequate food for the least amount of money possible. So if you look at the Thrifty Food Plan, it will tell you this is the amount of money we’re going to give per week for a family of four. And then it will define the family of four as two adults and two children under the age of 18.” Lipscomb also participates in Swipe Out Hunger, a program run through Sodexo where students can donate unused meal swipes to peers who may not have enough meals. “It provides for students who can’t afford the biggest meal plan,” Marshall said. “Sodexo manages all of that and helps students who are in need get some extra meals.” Marshall said she sees a rising need both in Nashville and nationally. She volunteers regularly with Room in the Inn, where shelters and food pantries have been strained by increased demand. “If you are a college student experiencing food insecurity, please explore the options that are available through Student Life,” she said. “Education is key, and I don’t think a lot of people get the nutrition education they need.”
On any given day, the sound of footsteps and laughter echoes across the brick of Bison Square — the same place where generations of students have met for dinner, studied between classes, or lingered long after sunset. Decades ago, though, the heart of campus was nothing more than a muddy shortcut worn down by thousands of shoes. The student-built Bison Square — now considered the heart of Lipscomb’s social life — has celebrated its 45th anniversary this year. President Willard Collins smiles for a photo when Bison Square was completed (1981). The area exists thanks to the Lipscomb students of the 1970s and 1980s who helped make the square a reality. Bison Square was originally a vision of Lipscomb’s All Student Association, which believed the campus needed a space that could handle the heavy foot traffic. “The whole area was not paved; it was worn down because of all the traffic, and it got muddy and sloppy when it rained,” said Tim Parlow, a Lipscomb alum who attended from 1978 to 1982, the exact years of the project. “It had always been a natural gathering place, but once the square was built, you could almost always find people hanging out there.” The area (facing Johnson Hall) before Bennett Campus Center and the square in the 1950s. The first pitch for the campus beautification project came in 1978 from David Sampson, the student body president. Lipscomb legend Mark Ezell also played a major role when following through with the project. They were the people who proposed raising money. The student body held events like jog-a-thons, sold T-shirts and even donated their own money.“I do remember contributing a few dollars to the effort and the project generated a lot of excitement,” Parlow said. “I remember lots of students being involved, even if it was just contributing enough for a few bricks.” But inflation delayed construction in 1980. The university was short on funds, and money was still needed for brick, sand and electrical work. By that point, students had raised $47,000 — just $3,000 short of their goal. The Nashville community stepped in after being impressed by the students’ dedication. Some were even offered jobs by local companies that noticed their determination. Alumni also took time off from their schedules to join the students and see what was happening on campus. “I think it was so important because it was a student-driven project,” Partlow said. “It was conceived, organized and pulled off by students. This is what created a lot of the excitement around it.” Students were eager to see progress, and even laid most of the “bison brick” themselves. The project not only made the campus feel more like home but also built a legacy that would last for generations. “There was the pride factor that students had done this, which helped create more community on campus,” Partlow said. The space opened up more and students were often found doing devotionals together in the space. The trees provided shade on sunny days, and the benches that were added created space for people to sit, talk and people-watch. “It became the heartbeat of the campus,” said Partlow. Over the decades, the square continued to evolve. “The fountain was added in the last 20 years, with the baptistry added on in 2013,” said Larry Brown, professor in the College of Entertainment and the Arts . Today, Bison Square remains a backdrop for friendships, late-night conversations, baptisms, club events and quiet moments between classes. Lives continue to change in the same spot where students once placed bricks. After 45 years, the bricks of Bison Square still represent more than just sidewalks— they represent the foundation for the heart and soul of the Lipscomb community.
This afternoon, Mississippi State women’s soccer announced that Lipscomb women’s soccer Head Coach Kevin O’Brien would be coming to coach for the Bulldogs. O’Brien recently led the Bisons to their second consecutive ASUN Championship victory this season. He also took them back to the NCAA Tournament, where they beat Mississippi State 1-0 in the first round. O’Brien also won the ASUN Coach of the Year award for the 2025 season, making it his fifth career ASUN Coach of the Year. After 14 seasons coaching women’s soccer at Lipscomb, O’Brien is the winningest head coach in program history. He boasts more than 150 career victories, having reached that milestone this season. Lipscomb women’s soccer says that “O’Brien has elevated the Lady Bisons into the national conversation and established Lipscomb as one of the premier mid-major programs in NCAA Division I women’s soccer.” “Under O’Brien’s leadership, the Bisons have captured 12 ASUN championships in the past nine seasons, including five ASUN Tournament titles and seven ASUN Regular Season championships. He has guided the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances, solidifying Lipscomb as a consistent postseason contender,” says Lipscomb women’s soccer. Mississippi State referred to O’Brien as “a proven winner” in their announcement. O’Brien has brought much to Lipscomb’s team over the seasons, molding young women in their sport and their faith. He has coached 50+ All-Conference performers, 15 All-Freshmen honorees, 32 All-Academic selections, and 45 ASUN Players of the Week. He is among the top 50 winningest active coaches in NCAA Division I, with a career record of 155-81-37. In 2018, his staff earned one of the nation’s highest honors as the United Soccer Coaches South Region Staff of the Year. O’Brien will be Mississippi States’ women’s soccer’s eighth head coach in program history, and Lipscomb will begin their search for a new women’s soccer head coach.
As federal SNAP benefits remain limited, the conversation about food insecurity is growing. Dr. Autumn Marshall, chair of Lipscomb’s Department of Nutrition and a registered dietitian, said people underestimate how common food insecurity is on college campuses. “I was really surprised when I did some digging on this, that about 19% of college students experience some level of food insecurity,” Marshall said. “Typically, the ones who live on campus, that’s not a problem because they’re required to have a meal plan. But students who move off campus to save money or who are living at home may be experiencing food insecurity, especially if they’re not able to work as much because they’re in school.” This year, Lipscomb created the Nourish Nook, a small food resource space located in the Office of Student Success and Well-Being. It provides microwavable meals and snacks for students who don’t have easy access to food options. Students can take up to five items every two weeks, after completing a check-in form. “When you’re hungry, you can’t concentrate in class,” Marshall said. “And, you know, we’ve seen this in little kids. That was the whole reason for the creation of school lunch and school breakfast programs was to make sure that kids weren’t sitting in class, not able to pay attention because they’re so hungry. So this just kind of brings it up to the college level.” Marshall said the rising cost of groceries and limited time to work while in school creates barriers for many students who live off campus. Some juggle multiple jobs, and that reduces the time they have to study. “I’m sure that we do have students whose families have been on SNAP benefits,” she said. “They may be here on scholarship, but that means there’s no money left over for food. So that is complicated by the government shutdown and the limit to payments.” Marshall explained that SNAP benefits are based on the federal Thrifty Food Plan, which sets the lowest-cost model for feeding a household. “The thrifty food plan is supposed to be based on the Consumer Price Index, and it’s designed to provide adequate food for the least amount of money possible. So if you look at the Thrifty Food Plan, it will tell you this is the amount of money we’re going to give per week for a family of four. And then it will define the family of four as two adults and two children under the age of 18.” Lipscomb also participates in Swipe Out Hunger, a program run through Sodexo where students can donate unused meal swipes to peers who may not have enough meals. “It provides for students who can’t afford the biggest meal plan,” Marshall said. “Sodexo manages all of that and helps students who are in need get some extra meals.” Marshall said she sees a rising need both in Nashville and nationally. She volunteers regularly with Room in the Inn, where shelters and food pantries have been strained by increased demand. “If you are a college student experiencing food insecurity, please explore the options that are available through Student Life,” she said. “Education is key, and I don’t think a lot of people get the nutrition education they need.”