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2026 and then: Ezell Center, built in 2006, changed campus life at Lipscomb
On a typical weekday at 8 a.m., the Ezell Center starts to fill up. Students and faculty walk in from all directions, headed to classrooms and offices. But before 2006, this structure wasn’t even here. The site was once known as Onion Dell, home field of the Bison baseball team. Then in the 2000s, after the Bisons moved to Ken Dugan Field, Lady Bison softball became the home team on the site between the Student Activity Center and Belmont Boulevard. Vice President Danny Taylor (center) cuts the ribbon to commemorate the Ezell Center When the Ezell Center opened in 2006, it completely changed how the campus worked. The 77,000-square-foot building…
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2026 and then: Junior college DLC became four-year school in historic shift 80 years ago
Long before Lipscomb offered doctoral degrees or professional programs in pharmacy and public policy, it was a small junior college with a vision. In 1946 Lipscomb made a huge change to the school by adding a junior year followed by a senior year in 1947. This would make the institution a four year school. The decision to become a four-year institution reshaped everything at Lipscomb. “Prestige-wise, it was a better move,” said Craig Bledsoe, provost and chief academic officer from 1997 to 2022 “It allowed the university to grow its programming and improve its academic reputation.” Bledsoe, now the director of the Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy studies program, is…
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2026 and then: 30 years ago, Candice Hunter (now McQueen) was crowned Miss Lipscomb
Decades before she became president of Lipscomb University, Candice Hunter (now McQueen) earned another campus honor: being selected by her peers as the female senior who most embodies the ideals of Lipscomb. The title, of course, is Miss Lipscomb. (The corresponding male recipient is named Bachelor of Ugliness; Brent High earned that award in 1996.) Being nominated by faculty, staff and administrators, and then voted on by students, marked an achievement in 1996, but its meaning would take years to unfold. What felt like recognition in the moment would later reveal itself as something deeper: the early shaping of a leader whose influence would extend far beyond a single title. “I…
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2026 and then: London program celebrates 25 years of transforming students into global citizens
This year marks the silver anniversary of Lipscomb’s Global Learning program in London, which has transformed over time since its beginnings in 2001 as an eight-week summer internship program. “Students learn to get over being a tourist and become truly global citizens,” said Matt Hearn, a professor who has been a faculty leader for six years. The program started small, offering only post-graduation summer trips focused on international internships. Over time, student interest in the program grew. In 2014, Lipscomb launched its first full fall semester in London. After experimenting with both fall and spring offerings for two years, the university made it a permanent fall program in 2016. The…
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2026 and then: Men’s basketball celebrates 40th anniversary of 1986 NAIA championship
Players of Lipscomb’s 1986 championship team were honored Feb. 7, 2026, during a Lipscomb men’s basketball game at Allen Arena, marking 40 years since the program’s only national title. The team from David Lipscomb College won the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship on March 18, 1986, defeating Arkansas-Monticello 67-54 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. Led by Coach Don Meyer, the Bisons finished with a 35-4 overall record. Senior John Kimbrell was named the tournament’s most valuable player, scoring a total of 22 points. The season was filled with milestones. The Bisons opened with 18 consecutive wins – a school record at the time – and became the program’s first…
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2026 and then: 35 years later, ‘Doug’ creator reflects on Lipscomb’s creative influence
The iconic cartoon “Doug”, created by Jim Jinkins, premiered on Nickelodeon 35 years ago. Jim Jinkins was a 1975 graduate of David Lipscomb College with a double major in speech and art.He was known on campus as “Bison Man” and even won the title of Bachelor of Ugliness his senior year. During his time at Lipscomb, Jinkins was a cartoonist for The Babbler, the student-run newspaper, and he was a member of the social club Sigma Chi Delta. He was named the Alumnus ofthe Year in 1999. Although David Lipscomb College didn’t offer an animation major when he attended, Jinkinswas still able to showcase his talent. He worked on an…
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Curtains up: How Singarama keeps Lipscomb’s spirit center stage
The stage lights glow inside Collins Alumni Auditorium and, for a moment, the crowd falls quiet. Then the music hits. Voices rise, choreographed steps land in rhythm and sequined costumes flash under the lights. Backstage, performer Gracie Acht grips her teammate’s hands before rushing onstage. “It’s the one night where everything you’ve worked for all semester comes to life,” said Acht, a freshman exercise science major from Jacksonville, Florida. “You’re exhausted, you’re nervous, but nothing beats the excitement.” Since 1964, Singarama has brought students together through a Broadway-style competition filled with singing, dancing and storytelling. The annual event has grown into one of Lipscomb University’s most anticipated traditions, drawing students,…
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NYC to Nashville: Senior designs shine in Lipscomb Fashion Show
This week, Shamblin Theater transformed into a runway for Lipscomb Department of Fashion & Design’s annual Fashion Show. The highly anticipated event showcases undergraduate designs, as students from all levels of the fashion program bring their sketches to life. They often use their Lipscomb peers as models, making the event a campus-wide celebration. The fashion show culminates in a senior showcase, where each senior presents their collection of five to seven pieces that they designed over the past year. This year, eight designers brought their final collections to the runway. Pomai Romano debuted her bridal collection at the fashion show. Her designs were accompanied by a spoken poem, which…
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SAB Farmer’s Market takes to The Square
Students filled The Square from 3-6pm today for SAB’s Farmer’s Market, soaking up the sunshine and browsing booths showcasing other student’s wares. The options ranged from crocheted flowers, up-cycled clothing, hand-designed stickers and homemade beauty products. Some students sold their wares for profit, others to fundraise for missions trips. Some were marketing small businesses that had begun during a Lipscomb business class, and others had started their companies before coming to campus. Regardless of where or why the various small businesses had started, students across campus enjoyed them throughout the afternoon. The sun shone, students shopped and Herd Media’s Micah Barkley captured some of the moments. Featured image taken by…
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Lipscomb housing director Asa Bailey leaves a lasting impact on students
Asa Bailey is preparing to leave Lipscomb after six years, but for many students, her impact goes far beyond her role. After six years at Lipscomb University, Asa Bailey is preparing to move on. Known to many as the Residence Hall Director in Johnson and now as the Director of Housing and Residence Life, her role has grown over time. Bailey stepped into the director role in spring 2024 after returning from Semester at Sea, an experience where she continued supporting students even abroad. What was once two positions is now one, reflecting both her leadership and the trust placed in her. While titles matter, what stands out more is…
