Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation establishes endowed professorship of faith and reason at Lipscomb University

Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation establishes endowed professorship of faith and reason at Lipscomb University

New professorship will bring national profile and expertise to campus

Kim Chaudoin | 07/22/2024

Lipscomb University announced today the establishment of the Bill and Crissy Haslam Endowed Distinguished Visiting Professor of Faith and Reason, thanks to a generous gift from the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation. This new professorship is a testament to the legacy of former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and his wife, Crissy, recognizing their influential leadership shaped by faith and reason.

The purpose of the endowed professorship is to attract the nation's top thought leaders and scholars to Lipscomb, engaging students, the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee at the intersection of faith and reason through a Christ-centered worldview. Scholars in this role will not only teach but also participate in university and community speaking engagements, fostering a deeper understanding and integration of faith and reason in academic and public life. Lipscomb University has prioritized endowed and funded distinguished professorships as it continues to rise as a nationally renowned Christian university.

"We are immensely grateful to the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation for this significant gift," said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. "This endowed professorship establishes a vital position in perpetuity, serving countless students and our city for generations to come. It is a testament to the Haslams' enduring commitment to education and service to Tennessee."

The Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation supports organizations run by great leaders with a heart for service and a track record of results. With an eye toward outcomes, the Foundation invests in organizations which focus on increasing access and opportunity. The three main areas of impact for the Foundation are education, faith-based initiatives and work that impacts the Haslam's hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.

"Supporting Lipscomb University in establishing this endowed professorship aligns perfectly with our foundation's mission," said Bill Haslam. "We believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities, and we are confident that this professorship will inspire and equip future leaders who are guided by both faith and reason. With a mission that aligns with our priorities, Lipscomb is making a significant impact in the Nashville community, in Tennessee and across the nation."

This is the second distinguished professorship established this summer at Lipscomb. Last month, the university announced the new Turner Family Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy funded by a generous gift from the James Stephen Turner Family Foundation. The purpose of the Turner Family Professorship is to advance civic education and engage students as well as the larger community in thoughtful discourse at the intersection of faith, citizenship and public life. New York Times columnist, former constitutional litigator and Iraqi War veteran David A. French is the first appointee to this professorship, housed in Lipscomb's College of Leadership & Public Service.

McQueen said a national search is underway for the Haslam Distinguished Professor who will be in place this school year.

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