Skip to main content

Bumpas, Lanier to receive inaugural Lipscomb Honors Award Nov. 4

Rhonda Minton | Alumni Relations | 

Lipscomb University alumni Lori Bumpas of New York City and Mark Lanier of Houston, Texas, will be honored at the inaugural “Lipscomb Honors: An Evening of Story and Song” on Nov. 4 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

The Lipscomb Honors event begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception, followed by a 6:30 p.m. dinner and program. Cost is $100 per person, and seating is limited. The evening also includes performances by award-winning songwriters Tim Nichols (“Live Like You Were Dying,” “Heads Carolina, Tails California”) and Mike Reid (“I Can’t Make You Love Me,” “There’s a Stranger in My House”). The event kicks off the university’s Homecoming weekend celebration. For information about the Lipscomb Honors event or to reserve seats, visit www.lipscomb.edu/homecoming or contact the Lipscomb University Office of Alumni Relations at 615.966.6212. 

The Lipscomb Honors are the highest honor conferred upon alumni and recognize the inspiring ways Lipscomb alumni are making a profound impact in the world.

bumpas_lori?Bumpas graduated from Lipscomb in 1986 with Bachelor of Science in accounting. She embarked upon a 10-year corporate career with CUC International, before venturing into the nonprofit world in 1997 as executive director of Shiloh NYC.

Shiloh NYC is a Church of Christ-based, nonprofit organization founded in 1951 to serve children in underserved communities in New York City and its surrounding areas. Bumpas also earned a master’s degree from Columbia University Teachers College as well as completed an executive-level program from Columbia University Business School Institute for Not-for-Profit Management.

Throughout its history, Shiloh NYC has served more than 10,000 at-risk children from NYC’s most difficult communities. The organization operates Camp Shiloh, a Christian summer camp where each year more than 300 young campers from underserved neighborhoods in the New York metropolitan area can enjoy games, camp outs and other activities.

Shiloh NYC offers school-based programs in South Bronx and works with three inner city schools to help students focus on new ways of learning through tutoring and mentoring. Through the “Hi Def Mentoring” program, teens age 13-18 are paired with Christian mentors to participate in lessons centered on values and principles drawn from God’s Word combined with present-day applications to help youth deal with daily challenges they face. An ever-growing network of resources such as legal assistance, first-time parenting, financial counseling and housing address the social needs of Shiloh children and their families.

“Shiloh is a happy, gathering place where all are welcomed in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Shiloh aims at nothing less than transforming life in some of America’s most underserved neighborhoods,” Dale Pauls, a former member of the Shiloh NYC Board of Directors, said. “Through Lori’s remarkable skills and timeless dedication, each year Shiloh becomes known to more and more as an every-day haven for the hungry and those in need of hope.

Lanier graduated in 1981 from Lipscomb University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible. He earned a juris doctorate from the Texas Tech School of Law in 1984. In 1990, he founded the Lanier Law Firm with includes offices in Houston, New York and Los Angeles.

An attorney, author, teacher, pastor and expert storyteller, Lanier has earned international recognition as one of the country’s top trial lawyers based on courtroom battles involving some of the world’s largest companies.

lanier_markLanier’s courtroom work has resulted in feature articles in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, Bloomberg News and the Houston Chronicle, among many others. He also is a frequent guest on news shows such as CNBC’s “Squawk Box” and Fox News’ “Your World with Neil Cavuto.” Mark also is a regular co-host and contributor to Fox Business News’ highly rated “Varney and Company” with Stuart Varney.

In 2011, Lanier received the distinguished “Ambassador of Peace” award from the Guatemalan government. He has received honorary doctor degrees from Pepperdine University, Saint John’s University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. In February 2016, Lanier was one of three recipients honored with the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Awards presented by Texas Tech University. He currently serves on the Texas Tech School of Law Foundation Board and received the School of Law’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2005.

Lanier also is the founder of the Lanier Theological Library, one of the nation’s largest private theological collections. He teaches a weekly, 700-plus-member Sunday school class focusing on biblical literacy at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston. He is the founder of the Christian Trial Lawyers Association, a non-profit organization whose goal is to create a network of principled attorneys to minister to others through civic-minded endeavors. An accomplished author, Lanier also published the book, Christianity on Trial. Lanier is the father of five children and lives in Houston with his wife, Becky.

“We’re excited to launch this Lipscomb Honors event as part of Homecoming, and share the exponential impact Lori and Mark have had on individuals and communities,” said Phil Ellenburg, vice president for alumni relations at Lipscomb. “In addition to their inspiring stories of faith, perseverance and success, the evening will be highly entertaining, as well. We will be showcasing two world-class writers who will perform and share the stories behind their No. 1 hit songs. We also have a special surprise performer who will be sure to delight the crowd.”