The Honors College turns 30

After 30 years of honorable academic achievement, the Honors College is still going strong and continuing to grow.

Janel Shoun-Smith | 615.966.7078 | 01/27/2020

Lipscomb’s Honors College was built on the fond memory of one honors seminar taken by a Lipscomb professor when he was in college.

That honors seminar, exploring the people who played significant roles in world history, had a profound impact on Jerome Reed, now one of Lipscomb’s internationally known professors in the School of Music, and back in 1990 he wanted to bring that type of positive impact to the students of Lipscomb.

“My experience in the honors program in college helped me learn how to interact in a scholarly manner with students who were in other disciplines and honed my research and writing skills so that I had a smooth entrée into graduate study,” said program founder Reed.

Thirty years later, more than 3,000 students have taken at least one honors class and almost 700 students are now involved in honors study at any one time. Lipscomb Honors College alumni are now shaping our world at companies and institutions such as Microsoft, the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. International Trade Commission.

After 10 years, directorship moved over to Paul Prill, who shepherded the program through rapid enrollment growth, the development of valuable extra-curricular programs and an increase in students selected for prestigious Fulbright Awards.

“Being in the Honors College is a truly unique experience. It's really the best of two worlds,” said Lipscomb Provost Craig Bledsoe. “An honors student at Lipscomb has access to the amazing resources of a research institution while having the support and community of students who not only define the best in academic achievement but who are also committed to changing their communities, their workplaces, and the world for the better.”

Today, with its largest enrollment numbers and its largest home on campus to date, the Honors College is primed for greater success in the future.

The college continues to encourage and financially support students’ participation in prestigious national conferences, research opportunities and rigorous academic study and has enhanced Lipscomb’s academic reputation by boosting the university’s average GPA and the retention rate among honors students.

30 years of honors impacting the lives of 3000+

1990

The first honors courses are offered, established and directed by Jerome Reed and Jim Arnett, then vice president for academic affairs.

2000

Reed recruited 80 to 100 students each year, with 40 having completed senior projects by fall.

Fall 2000

Paul Prill appointed director.

2003

Based on recommendations by the National Collegiate Honors Council, the honors program gained its first office space in Elam Hall.

2006

Honors student Emily Royse Green becomes the first Lipscomb Fulbright Student in more than 20 years.

2009

The honors program was designated as the Honors College, bringing a specific honors curriculum and application process that drew 50 to 60 students per year.

2014

The Honors College adds staff and begins the annual freshmen retreat, enrichment outings and stipends for research presentations.

2017

A change in the application model boosted honors student numbers.

2019

The Honors College settled into its new 2,600-square-foot headquarters, providing a social destination for the 680 students now in the Honors College.