Population: 2,600
Percent Greek: none
Religious Affiliation: Church of Christ
Location: In Green Hills on Granny White Pike, between Woodmont Boulevard and Shackelford Avenue
Founded: David Lipscomb co-founded the university in 1891 with James A. Harding under the name Nashville Bible School. The school was renamed shortly after Lipscomb's death in 1918.
Famous Graduates: Anna Jaap (arist), Jim Jinkins (founder of Jumbo Pictures, the Cartoon Network, and creator of the cartoon "Doug."), Marty Roe (Diamond Rio singer), Michael Shane Neal (artist), Harold Kraus (artist).
Notable Accomplishment: Recently awarded a $500,000 grant by HCA for a new nursing program.
Will I fit in if I'm not a Christian?
Yes, but the majority of students are Christian, even if they are not Church of Christ. All professors have to be affiliated with the Church of Christ. But don't be misled—Lipscomb professors don't stand on soapboxes and preach all day, and most students are not self-righteous or judgmental. In fact, many students are trying to get a firm grasp on their faith and decide what's right for them. Being a Christian school means being free to bring faith issues into discussions about all areas of study, not just Bible classes. Although you don't have to agree with the discussion, be prepared to hear classes openly discussing religion in literature or business ethics as a Christian. It also means taking a Bible class every semester, and attending chapel three times a week. Though you are given nine absences a semester from chapel, exceeding those absences is a big deal (the punishment is probation), so be ready to attend.
Where can I park?
Any student can park on campus. Depending on what dorm you live in, you are given a decal at the beginning of the semester (for a fee of $65) specifying your parking area. Each dorm has a parking area relatively close. If you are "illegally" parked, or do not have a decal and park in a designated area, you will get a ticket. Tickets can sometimes be appealed online. There is also day-student parking, which is farther away than dorm parking but still costs $65.
Which professor or course will change my life?
Every student at Lipscomb must attend Bible class, so good Bible professors are in high demand. Lee Camp is popular, and Jim Morgan is a must. Laura Lake Smith is a favorite for those interested in art history, while the witty Jeff Mankin is a favorite for accounting majors. Any psychology class taught by Roy Hamley is worth taking. Dana Carpenter's Southern Literature and American Autobiography classes are incredible, as well as Kim Reed's British Literature. Matt Hearn's classes have inspired several students to become English majors, and Steve Prewitt's Modern Poetry class explores great obscure and popular poets.
What's campus media like?
The Babbler, Lipscomb's student-run paper, is the best source to find out what's happening on and off campus. The papers are free and distributed throughout campus. The SGA page on the Web site is also very informative. Radio programs at Lipscomb are progressing, but are far from gaining off-campus airtime. Students can have their own shows, so those interested should see radio station manager Patrick Chapel. One of Lipscomb's most popular publications is the controversial Lipscomb Underground. Here, students rant about problems or concerns, which often target student groups or the administration. Finally, another novice publication rising in popularity is Exordium, Lipscomb's creative arts journal. Students contribute essays, poems, short stories and art.
What kind of rules are there on campus, and are they really enforced?
The two biggest rules are curfew and not having members of the opposite sex in your room without permission (even then, your door stays open). For freshman and sophomores, curfew is midnight during the week and 1 a.m. on weekends. Juniors and seniors don't have curfew. This is enforced, but RA's are usually easier on the guys than the girls. Students have 45 late minutes a week, but if you go over those you start being punished (which ranges from loss of late minutes to seeing the dean). Guys and girls can only go in each other's room during "open dorm," a biweekly window of three hours. Smoking and drinking are prohibited on campus, and drinking is prohibited altogether as long as you are a Lipscomb student. This means that even if you're off campus and caught drinking, you'll be penalized. Students find ways around this rule, but getting caught can mean serious consequences like probation or suspension.
What are social clubs?
Social clubs are the equivalent to fraternities and sororities, but they're not nationally recognized. Those who join social clubs have to endure bid night and pledging, just like a regular sorority or fraternity. You must be at least a sophomore to join, and maintain a GPA of 2.0.
Social clubs host big formals and date nights, as well as popular on-campus activities such as the Tau Phi Cowboy Show and Singarama. Many social clubbers hang out on the steps in front of the student center after chapel and between classes, or can be seen in clusters across campus.
What if a social club isn't my thing?
Not to worry. Only about 17 percent of students are in social clubs. Though you can often tell who is in a club and who isn't, the clubs strive not to be cliques. They are a good way to meet people and get dates, but you don't have to be in one to fit in. Alternatively, there are the male and female service clubs Alpha Phi Chi and Pi Kappa Sigma, respectively. Alpha Phi Chi has about 60 members, while Pi Kappa Sigma has about 150 members, making them the largest clubs on campus. While these clubs do participate in social functions like formals and date nights, they focus on service.
What's the dating scene like?
Although students casually date, most students don't hook up on weekends or at parties. Social and service clubs regularly have events that require a date. In the past, Lipscomb has been regarded as a marriage factory; if you don't graduate with a ring on your finger, something must be wrong with you. Although that's an exaggeration for today's students, it's still not uncommon to have married students in your classes, or to see a lot of girls with engagement rings. Just as many students seriously date for marriage as don't, but some students still feel pressure to find their mate before leaving school. One Bible class in particular, Marriage and the Christian Home, addresses this issue.
What's there to do on campus?
Weekends on campus aren't very bustling because people either go home or around town. Lipscomb students can always be seen at places like Satco and Baja Burrito. To offer activities on campus, SGA supports functions such as Fall and Spring Fling, comedians such as Sinbad and Bill Cosby, movies and concerts. (Better Than Ezra played last semester.) Lipscomb also has a game room and a laser tag arena. During nice weather, there is at least one ultimate Frisbee game happening, and intramural sports are popular throughout the year and open to anyone. There is writer's night as well as Conversations, which invites speakers to visit and opens the floor for discussion between students, professors and the guest.
—By Liz Gay
—By Liz Gay
