Editing Lipscomb University (section)

==History==

Lipscomb University was founded in 1891 by [[David Lipscomb]] and [[James A. Harding]]. The campus grounds consist predominantly of the former estate of David Lipscomb, who donated it to the school. The school was always intended to function as a Christian [[liberal arts]] institution. It is still affiliated with the [[Churches of Christ]] and a [[seminary]] is part of the university.

In an early catalog, the founders expressed their views about providing a liberal education that included Christian underpinning:

{{blockquote|text=We purpose to present in the way of a liberal education as extensive a curriculum as can be found in any school, college, or university in the land, and at the same time to thoroughly drill its students in the Bible, the divine source of wisdom and goodness. It was not our design to make professional preachers, but to train males and females, young and old, all who might become members of the school, for the greatest usefulness in life. Each student is left to choose his own calling.|sign=James A. Harding|source=Course Catalog, 1896–97}}

Several prominent Church of Christ [[minister (Christianity)|ministers]] received at least a portion of their [[higher education]] here. The university remains thoroughly affiliated in the Churches of Christ: Potential full-time, undergraduate faculty must prove their membership in a Church of Christ before being hired.<ref name="University Faculty">{{cite web |title=What it means to work at Lipscomb – Human Resources |url=http://www.lipscomb.edu/hr/to-work-at-lipscomb |publisher=Lipscomb University |access-date=December 10, 2015}}</ref>

Its original name was the '''Nashville Bible School''', which was changed to '''David Lipscomb College''', then to Lipscomb University. Lipscomb graduated its first senior class in 1948. In 1954, the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] granted Lipscomb its first accreditation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Institution Details |url=http://www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=25520 |publisher=Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |access-date=February 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306044753/http://www.sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=25520 |archive-date=March 6, 2014 }}</ref> In 1988, Lipscomb attained Level III (master's degree-granting) status and became known as Lipscomb University.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Some academic buildings were built with tax-exempt municipal bonds, and, because Lipscomb is a Christian school, this led to an extended lawsuit on the basis of whether or not a private religious institution is allowed to use public bonds. This case was debated for many years and ultimately made it to the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]].<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Industrial Development Board of Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County v. Harry E. Steele, et al. |vol=537 |reporter=U.S. |opinion=1188 |pinpoint= |court= |date=2003 |url=}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=February 2024}}

In September 2020, Lipscomb announced that it would be merging with the [[Austin Graduate School of Theology]] in Austin, Texas. The merger would become official in January 2021, with Lipscomb managing all of AGST's affairs and expanding their course offerings. Later, AGST folded due to financial troubles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Austin Graduate School of Theology, Lipscomb University announce merger|url=https://www.lipscomb.edu/news/austin-graduate-school-theology-lipscomb-university-announce-merger|access-date=2020-09-07|website=Lipscomb University|language=en}}</ref>

===Presidents===
[[Image:DavidLipscomb.jpg|thumb|[[David Lipscomb]] co-founded the Nashville Bible School in 1891.]]
There have been 14 superintendents or presidents of Lipscomb over 18 administrations.
*[[James A. Harding]] (1891–1901)
*William Anderson (1901–1905)
*J. S. Ward (1905–1906)
*E. A. Elam (1906–1913)
*J. S. Ward (1913)
*[[H. Leo Boles]] (1913–1920)<ref name="tennesseanobitboles">{{cite news |title=Dr. H. Leo Boles, Churchman, Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/143272142/?terms=%22H.%2BLeo%2BBoles%22 |access-date=October 4, 2018 |work=The Tennessean |date=February 8, 1946|page=9|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-access=registration }}</ref>
*A. B. Lipscomb (1920–1921)
*H. S. Lipscomb (1921–1923)
*H. Leo Boles (1923–1932)<ref name="tennesseanobitboles"/>
*[[Batsell Baxter]] (1932–1934)
*[[E. H. Ijams]] (1934–1943)<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Lipscomb President E. H. Ijams Services Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/111853816/?terms=%22E.%2BH.%2BIjams%22 |access-date=October 5, 2018 |work=The Tennessean |date=July 16, 1982|page=30|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-access=registration }}</ref>
*[[Batsell Baxter]] (1943–1946)
*Athens Clay Pullias (1946–1977)
*G. Willard Collins (1977–1986)
*Harold Hazelip (1987–1997)
*Steve Flatt (1997–2005)
*[[L. Randolph Lowry III]] (2005–2021)
*[[Candice McQueen]] (2021–present)

The Nashville Bible School was co-founded in 1891 by college founders David Lipscomb and James A. Harding.  David Lipscomb never served as president, but as chairman of the board of trustees. James A. Harding served as the school's first superintendent.

{{Infobox US university ranking
| USNWR_NU = 212 of 443
| Wamo_NU = 416 of 442
}}