2025 and then: Bison Square remains ‘heartbeat of campus’ after 45 years

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 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.

The area (facing Johnson Hall) before Bennett Campus Center and the square in the 1950s.

“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.

The area (facing Johnson Hall) before Bennett Campus Center and the square in the 1950s.