alumni-funded scholarships awarded to first two recipients

lipscomb college of business names first two psalm 78:72 scholarship winners

courtney grable | 11/17/2023

college of business senior anna graff and junior grace knetter were the first college of business students to receive the newly established psalm 78:72 scholarship. the scholarship opportunity was created by the college of business alumni board as a way to honor business students who exemplify the “skillful hands” and “integrity of the heart” that described king david in psalm 78:72.  

graff, a management major from nashville, is an active member of raices, a student-led organization for hispanic students; the black student association; and the civil engagement & advocacy club, where she holds officer positions. 

as a full-time student fully financially responsible for her class load, graff began working three jobs to help pay for her tuition. there were many times she focused on completing assignments in class to ensure access to internet service, as there was no service at home. 

“if i could thank a professor for continuing to push and believe in me when others couldn’t see that for me—or even for me to see that for myself, it would be dr. julio rivas, [professor of finance],” said graff. “instead of asking what i had or had not done, dr. rivas truly wanted to ensure that i was doing well, and that i was balancing everything… he believed in me and saw the struggles that i was living through and overcame throughout the semester.” 

post-graduation, graff hopes to earn a master’s degree and possibly a doctorate before coming back to teach at lipscomb. additionally, she has a passion for immigrant rights and specifically those facing domestic abuse and hopes to develop a nonprofit to support those communities, either domestically or possibly in colombia, where her mother is from. 

knetter, the second recipient of the night, is a business management major from cullman, alabama, who is active both on and off campus. she is a full-time transfer student who balances her schoolwork along with her job as a marketing coordinator for an it consulting company, and managing her own company, “sufficient grace homestead,” a handcrafted natural skin care business. she also volunteers as a doula serving pregnant college students in nashville at ella’s house and is an active member of “talk to the hand”, an on-campus club providing education and awareness of american sign language. 

“i came into lipscomb unsure if i could afford to make it to graduation,” says knetter. “i am a self-pay student with no financial support from my family. i’m taking a full-time class load and working to pay my tuition, room and board. one of my very first chapels here, i stood in worship and prayed, ‘god, i won’t be able to afford this. if i’m going to finish here, it’s all in your hands.’” 

“i have been at lipscomb less than three months, and it’s already been an incredibly shaping experience,” says knetter, who was profoundly impacted by mignon francios, member of the cob dean’s board and owner of the cupcake collection, when she spoke at one of the college of business chapels.

“francios shared her story and the way god was the one constant in her life,” says knetter. “when she lost her spouse, financial stability and almost her home, her faith was the one constant in her life. because of that, years later, she is now able to share his faithfulness with students working to fulfill their own god-given vocations.

“this scholarship is a direct answer to prayer. when i opened the email informing me that i would be receiving it, i cried,” said knetter. “because of this scholarship, i can return for another semester and have more time for me to save up for future semesters.” 

upon graduation, knetter plans to get her master’s degree as a midwife nurse and open a nonprofit clinic or birth center. “having a solid business foundation will be invaluable in providing the highest level of care in remote or underserved areas,” says knetter. “i’m so grateful to be taking another step towards my god-given vocation as part of the lipscomb community.” 

in 2023, the college of business alumni advisory board members had a desire to establish a student scholarship inspired by the cob’s signature bible verse. through the vision of the board and many generous donors, especially during 2023’s giving day in february, two $5,000 scholarships were created and were given in october at the declaration dinner to undergraduate business students who demonstrate the qualities described in psalm 78:72 both inside and outside of the classroom.

“none of us would be where we are today without leaders and mentors who have helped us along the way,” said alumni board member jordan dobberstein (bba ’12). “this new scholarship offers the opportunity to recognize the current generation of student leaders who, even through their own challenges, have achieved success and are seen by those around them as someone with ‘integrity of the heart.’ it is a way for us as alumni and the greater lipscomb college of business community to honor and build up the next generation of leaders in recognition of those who came before us and supported us when we were first starting out.”