Be the first to know—Campus news & updates for parents!
Be the first to know—Campus news & updates for parents!
Lipscomb University
OFFICE OF ALUMNI & PARENT ENGAGEMENT
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SEPTEMBER 2026

FROM THE PARENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR
It's hard to believe we have been back for a month! Time flies when there's so much happening on campus! We hope your student is finding their groove ... balancing classes, spending time with friends and enjoying everything that life at Lipscomb has to offer. If they're still looking for ways to get involved, remind them to check out the "Have you Herd?" email every Monday for the latest activity updates!
Speaking of exciting things to look forward to — Bisons Weekend is coming up Nov. 5-8, and you won't want to miss it! This is our biggest family celebration of the semester, packed with events designed especially for parents and families. The best part? Registration is already open! Check out all the details below and get your plans locked in! We hope you will join us on campus!
Stacy Blackston ('00)
Director of Parent Engagement
Follow the official Parent Program social media pages to stay up to date with what’s happening on campus! 
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UPCOMING KEY DATES
Please check the Academic Calendar webpage for information updates about the schedule or specific drop and add class dates for the upcoming academic year. 
Lipsscomb at Walden Farm is Oct. 18, 2026.

PARENT NEWS
Bisons Weekend Registration is Open!
Bisons Weekend, a combination of a family weekend and homecoming, is Nov. 5-8! Leading up to the weekend, lots of activities on campus are planned for our students, and a wide variety of events and activities for everyone take place during the weekend. Make plans to join us for this amazing, fun filled weekend! Check out all details on the Bisons Weekend website!

Don’t miss out on these Parent Specific events: 
Friday, Nov. 6
  • Lunch & Learn for parents
  • Bisons Weekend Parade
  • Parent Leadership Council Interest Reception
  • Fall Family Dinner - we will also have Trivia for the fam to participate in 
Saturday, Nov. 7
  • Pancakes with the President
  • Bisons Weekend Chapel
  • Square Fair - Join us at the Parent Tent!
  • Women's and Men's Basketball Games
Sunday, Nov. 8
  • Church with your student
  • Brunch in the Caf
Need a place to stay for Bisons Weekend? Check out this list of partner hotels.

The Parent Leadership Council is looking for new members!
The Parent Leadership Council is looking for new members to join us for the 2026-27 academic year. Parents who serve on Lipscomb University's Parent Leadership Council play a key role in enhancing the student experience through active involvement and support.
Co-chairs Ron and Suellen Moen or Stacy Blackston (’00) would love to have a conversation with you to learn more and to understand the level of engagement and financial commitment required. To read more about the values, responsibilities and benefits of the council, click here. Reach out to Stacy Blackston at stacy.blackston@lipscomb.edu or 615-966-5208.
Bison Parent Prayer Gathering image
Earl Lavender
On the first Tuesday of each month the parent program hosts a monthly prayer Zoom for our Lipscomb families. You are invited to join us as we get to know other parents, share prayer requests and praises. Each month, a guest speaker who is a faculty member, local minister or parent, will facilitate our time together. The Zoom begins at 10:55 a.m. CT on Oct. 6. This is the same time that our students will be in “The Gathering” which is our large group chapel.
What a beautiful thing it is to take a break in the day to worship and pray together. Feel free to join us on screen or by voice—we understand you may be working!
This month's guest speaker will be Patrick Chappell (‘05). Patrick serves as the Otter Creek West End campus minister as well as the college and young adults minister.
Parent Prayer Zoom link:
https://lipscomb.zoom.us/j/82757434747

STUDENT LIFE
Student Well Being
Spend time settling into September as your student finds routines and habits that work for this semester. Engage in intentional conversations about what is happening.
  • Have you been checking Have You Herd for upcoming events you might look forward to
  • What has been lighting up your passion area?
  • How are you balancing your classes and social time?
  • What is something you are doing to prioritize your physical/mental health?
  • How can I help support your goals?
Finding it hard to let go? Click here to read this article from Dr. Deborah Cohan about fostering independence for your student!
Emerge Collaborative works to equip those who are journeying with college students as they navigate living a life of faith in this new season. One of the resources offered is a podcast with expert advice from leaders in the study of emerging adulthood and theology. Listen here!
We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation as you prepare your family for this exciting (and complicated) next chapter!
Visit the Start Well. Stay Well. website

GRADUATION OFFICE
December 2026 Commencement: Essential Information for Families

We are excited to celebrate our December graduates! As your student prepares for their final semester, here are the key details you need to know for commencement day:
  • Date & Time: Saturday, Dec.12, 2026, at 2 PM
  • Location: Allen Arena
  • Doors Open: 90 minutes prior to the ceremony (12:30 PM). Seating is first-come, first-served.
  • Tickets: Tickets are not required for the December ceremony.
For additional event details—including parking, accessibility accommodations, and live-stream links—please visit the Commencement Webpage and scroll down to the FAQ section.
December Commencement is Dec. 12, 2026.

DINING
Check out our latest edition of the Dining Dish here.  

FINANCIAL AID
The Financial Aid Office began processing all fall disbursements on Sept. 8, and the process takes about a week to complete. As always, students should pay attention to any emails from Financial Aid closely. If a student has missing information that is preventing some aid from paying, our office will reach out via email to let them know. Scholarships from outside organizations are disbursed when the check arrives in our office. Any stipends from loans will be processed within 14 days of disbursement. Parent PLUS loan stipends are sent to the parent unless otherwise requested at the time of application.
Are you on the FERPA? The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) governs who can have access to a student's information from the university. Students must give consent through their LU Student Portal regarding who is authorized. Permission through FERPA is different from being an Authorized User in the TouchNet payment system and instructions for the student are on the LU Website - OneStop FAQs. Please check with your student to ensure they have added the necessary parent(s) or guardian(s) and that they checked the expiration date of that consent.
It's almost FAFSA time again! The 2027-28 FAFSA will open on Oct. 1, 2026. The FAFSA must be filed every year to participate in federal or state aid programs including the TN HOPE Scholarship. Tennessee families with high financial need are especially encouraged to file as soon as possible as the TN Student Assistance Award (State Grant) is awarded in the order of FAFSA filing and every year we have students who could have qualified but missed the deadline.  If a student has questions about their FAFSA results and if their aid for 27-28 may be affected, we encourage them to come by and meet with us for review.   

CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Parents: join us for these informational sessions about the internship process and student opportunities for interview preparations.
CDC Internship info session
Join the Career Development Center staff to learn more about the Internship Process through a virtual information session. This session will
  1. Identify which majors have an internship as a graduation requirement
  2. Discuss the process by which students find an internship and the resources available
  3. Requirements of a For Credit Internship
  4. Internships for Experience only
  5. Timelines of when to obtain an internship and register for the academic course. 
Information Sessions are offered at the following two times: Oct. 20 at 12:30 p.m.; Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.
You can join the virtual session at this Zoom link.
CDC info session for interview prep.
Join the Career Development Center to learn more about the opportunities students have to develop and hone their interview skills to be ready for both employer and graduate school interviews. 
The Career Center staff will discuss individual practice appointments, employer interview days and online software options for students. It's our goal for students to have various ways to practice their interviewing skills so that they are ready for their interviews. 
Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 12:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. Join us at this Zoom link.
Parent Engagement staff image
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