Lipscomb University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Richard Goode on receiving the Bledsoe Award for Faculty Excellence in Humanities and Arts, presented at Lipscomb's recent Faculty and Staff Awards Day! As a professor of History at Lipscomb, Richard brings a rare combination of rigorous scholarship and deep compassion to everything he does.

05/29/2026

A chapter is closing — and a new one is beginning. 💜💛

As of June 1, CLAS is officially saying goodbye to the Departments of Psychology, Counseling & Family Science, and Social Work & Sociology as they move to their new home in the College of Health Sciences. These departments are joining a college whose identity and future direction are a natural fit, and we're excited for the new collaborations and opportunities that lie ahead for them there.

As part of that transition, Dr. Shanna Ray will depart as Executive Associate Dean (a role she has held since 2022) and move with her department to a new role in Health Sciences. Managing this social media account has been part of that role all along, so you'll be welcoming a new voice behind CLAS social media this summer!

Last month, the CLAS community gathered for a reception honoring Dr. Ray and the much-loved Jenna Vance, who has also recently left CLAS. We wish them both all the very best.

Stepping back from behind the curtain for a moment to use my own voice: It has been a genuine pleasure to serve this college and use this little corner of the internet to celebrate our students, faculty, programs, and everything that makes CLAS special. Thank you for being such a wonderful community to cheer for!
— Shanna Ray

05/27/2026

The School of Communication (and friends) recently gathered to celebrate two incredible colleagues whose contributions have shaped the department in lasting ways, and to wish them well on exciting new chapters ahead!

Alan Griggs is stepping into a well-deserved retirement after a remarkable career. As a former investigative reporter and news director at WSMV-TV Nashville and WBZ-TV Boston, Alan brought real-world credibility into the classroom. His journalism career earned honors that include three Peabody Awards, two National Headliner Awards, a duPont-Columbia citation, and the Robert F. Kennedy Award. After serving ten years as Department Chair and more as a faculty member, his legacy is woven into everything this department is.

Sarah Gibson is leaving Lipscomb to launch her own AI consulting business. As Director of the School of Communication, Sarah brought vision, creativity, and forward-thinking leadership, positioning this department at the cutting edge of the field. Her pioneering work in AI at Lipscomb has helped lay the groundwork for how our university approaches this emerging technology. The communication world — and the AI world — is lucky to have her.

Together, Alan and Sarah leave behind a department that is stronger, more relevant, and better prepared for the future than ever before. We are so grateful for their work. As we celebrate their next chapters, we look forward with excitement to the future of the Lipscomb School of Communication and the great things still to come.

05/26/2026

Meet our 2026 J.S. Ward Society Research Fellows! 🎉

Pictured left to right: Kiomi Tanakura, Emerald Cole, Katherine Kidd, Saja Al-shaweily, Divid Abdelshahid, Beaman Adel, and Bryson Lovorn. Each of these outstanding students has been awarded a Ward Fellowship, which includes a summer research stipend and a placement in a research program, either on campus or at a partner institution. We’re so proud of their dedication to academic discovery and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make this summer!

05/22/2026

After more than two decades of bringing the Spanish language and Hispanic culture to life at Lipscomb, Dr. Ted Parks is stepping into a well-deserved retirement.

Prior to his work at Lipscomb, Dr. Parks brought with him a wealth of experience from Pepperdine University and an impressive academic background, including a Ph.D. in Hispanic Literature from the University of Texas at Austin. He has taught all levels of Spanish, captivating students with his expertise in Spanish Golden Age literature and Hispanic cinema. One of his most beloved contributions has been leading the Maymester in Oviedo, Spain — a life-changing adventure that turned textbook Spanish into real conversations and real memories for countless Lipscomb students.

Dr. Parks, you have shaped the way our students see the world, and that is a legacy that will last far beyond the classroom. We are so grateful for your dedication to Lipscomb's students and the Department of English and Modern Languages.

¡Feliz jubilación, Dr. Parks! May this next chapter be rich and rewarding!

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Gary Hall, professor of mathematics and Math Department chair, on receiving the Cowart Award for Faculty Excellence in STEM! Dr. Hall has been a valued member of the Lipscomb faculty since 1989 and has served as the department's leader since 2021. We’re grateful for his dedication to our students and the field of mathematics. Congratulations, Dr. Hall!

05/18/2026

Congratulations to biology major Emma Bolz, our newest Mitchell Scholar! Emma has earned a competitive summer research opportunity funded by the Mitchell Family Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship, founded by Raye and Elise Mitchell (pictured with Emma below) and administered by the J.S. Ward Society, empowers future leaders in health sciences. We’re proud to support Emma’s academic journey and look forward to her contributions to the field.

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Jon Lowrance, longtime professor and chair of Biology at Lipscomb University, for being named the J.S. Ward Society’s 2026 Hero of Science! The society recognized Dr. Lowrance at a special dinner celebrating both his achievements and those of our student scholars.

Dr. Lowrance, affectionately known as “Doc,” has been a faculty member in the Biology department since 1994, earning multiple Outstanding Teacher of the Year awards and the John William Baker Fellowship. His dedication to teaching and mentoring students has shaped countless future scientists and healthcare professionals!

05/14/2026

Join us as we pray for Lipscomb University Social Work and Film students, faculty, and staff traveling with Lipscomb Missions to Mongolia and Japan over the next few weeks.

Social Work students will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with a Social Worker in Mongolia, working with Agape Asia. We have received word they landed safely in Mongolia.