Impact of longtime administrator Carl McKelvey recognized with renaming of giving society
Kim Chaudoin |
For more than six decades, Carl McKelvey has been a constant presence at Lipscomb University — as a student and a longtime administrator.
Last year, he officially retired after serving the Lipscomb community in a number of leadership roles for about 65 years. Because of his tremendous impact he had and continues to have on students, faculty and staff, the university recently announced the renaming of its Legacy Society as the McKelvey Society. The society recognizes cumulative lifetime giving of $100,000 or more to Lipscomb.
“Dr. McKelvey is truly a Lipscomb legend who has been a spiritual mentor and shaped the lives of thousands of individuals through his work here,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen as she made the announcement at Bisons Weekend Chapel in November. “Dr. McKelvey has given of his financial means for decades and has served this university as an administrator, a professor, a minister and a spiritual mentor — all because of his commitment to our students and to Lipscomb. I can think of no more fitting person to name this for than Dr. Carl McKelvey.”
A 1953 Lipscomb University graduate, McKelvey preached for several congregations before being appointed education director at Nashville’s Vultee Church of Christ. Upon receiving his Master of Arts degree from Scarritt College in 1958, he was appointed instructor in religious education at Lipscomb and was promoted to assistant professor in 1961. Following his graduation from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1969, McKelvey was appointed associate professor at Lipscomb. In 1982, he achieved the rank of full professor of Bible.
In 1970, the Nashville native moved into administration at the institution, in addition to continuing in his faculty position. He was first appointed dean of men and then a year later was named dean of students, serving in that role until his appointment as vice president for campus affairs in 1977. In this capacity, McKelvey oversaw all on-campus activities, including Lipscomb athletics. Former president Harold Hazelip appointed McKelvey senior vice president in 1992, and he advanced to executive vice president for administration in 1994.
On May 1, 2002, McKelvey retired from his administrative role and returned in a part time capacity to lead Lipscomb’s Center for Spiritual Renewal. He officially retired from this role in December 2022.
For more information about the McKelvey Society, contact Karin Hensley, director of donor relations, at karin.hensley [at] lipscomb.edu or 615.966.5333. Make a gift here.