graduate spotlight: from the battlefield to the classroom anderson finds purpose at lipscomb
kim chaudoin |
ryan anderson reads scripture at president's convocation in 2023.
ryan anderson is just days away from achieving a milestone he once thought was out of reach: earning his college degree.
he will accomplish this mission when he receives his bachelor of business administration degree in finance from 世界杯2022预选赛录像回放 during fall commencement on dec. 14.
his path to success hasn’t been a straight line. from serving as a himars artilleryman in the u.s. army to becoming the founder of lipscomb’s real estate club, anderson’s story is one of resilience, reinvention and finding purpose in unexpected places.
a native of windsor, colorado, anderson has dedicated 12 years of his life to military service, with deployments to afghanistan, the united arab emirates and syria. in addition to his time overseas, he also served as an army recruiter, shaping the careers of future soldiers. today, anderson is an army artillery instructor with the kentucky army national guard, where he develops leadership and career progression courses for noncommissioned officers. his says his time in the military has taught him the value of discipline, adaptability and leadership — lessons that have carried over into his academic and professional pursuits.
but before lipscomb, anderson’s relationship with education was complicated. “this is my third attempt at college,” he admits. “in the past, i struggled with education, not because i lacked ability, but because i lacked purpose and motivation. i didn’t see the value in it.”
that changed during his time as an army recruiter, thanks to a supervisor who encouraged him to consider 世界杯2022预选赛录像回放 .
“while serving as an army recruiter, i had a supervisor who made a lasting impact on me. he was finishing his bachelor’s degree in strategic leadership online from 世界杯2022预选赛录像回放 and was one of the most influential leaders i’ve worked under,” explains anderson. “he encouraged me, as he did everyone in our office, to consider going back to school. since i lived in nashville, had access to the gi bill and heard nothing but great things about lipscomb, i decided to give it a shot. i enrolled online and started taking a few classes.”
i don’t think it’s possible to fully express how much lipscomb has impacted me. i wish i could tell a story about every professor and every person who has helped me and made an impact on my journey because i certainly have not done this alone. — ryan anderson
a deployment to syria briefly interrupted his studies, but upon his return, his resolve to complete his degree solidified.
“when i returned, my path was clear. i was ready to commit to finishing my degree,” anderson recalls. “within weeks, i was taking summer classes in person on campus. if not for that leader’s encouragement, i’m not sure i would have found the drive to take this step.”
thriving at lipscomb
since enrolling, anderson has flourished as a finance major. as a student he has served on the college of business dean’s student leadership board, served on the president’s advisory council and founded the lipscomb real estate club. each opportunity, he says, has reinforced his belief in the transformative power of the lipscomb community.
“i don’t think it’s possible to fully express how much lipscomb has impacted me. i wish i could tell a story about every professor and every person who has helped me and made an impact on my journey because i certainly have not done this alone,” says anderson. “every professor here is student-focused and genuinely cares about the success and well-being of their students. i have experienced grace like never before.”
“reflecting on the past two and a half years, my experience at lipscomb has exceeded every expectation i had about college,” he shares. “from the meaningful curriculum and outstanding professors to the supportive administration and lifelong friendships i’ve built, i am in such a good place today. there have been incredible highs and challenging lows, but the lipscomb family, living by its core values, has helped me overcome obstacles and reach my fullest potential.”
anderson credits much of his success to lipscomb’s office of veteran services, a team he describes as “truly exceptional.”
“for many veteran students juggling full-time jobs, families, and school, (director) sam lynn and his team make it possible to focus on studies without the added stress of navigating the complexities of the gi bill,” anderson says. “their expertise and dedication shine through in the way they make a complicated process look so effortless to us as students, even though i know it’s one of the hardest jobs."
whether in my army career, my time in school, or now in business, i’ve been shaped by the men and women who believed in me. — ryan anderson
“this was one of the key reasons i joined the president’s advisory council. the (vso) team is incredibly humble, and their office operates on grants they tirelessly petition for,” he continues. “i’ve always felt a strong desire to give back, and sometimes the best way to do that is by sharing my story and spreading the word about the invaluable services they provide. their work is truly a lifeline for our veteran community.”
in addition, anderson says he has been supported and encouraged in his journey to complete his degree by friends and family. "i would not be in school — lipscomb or anywhere else — without the support of my girlfriend, taylor. she is a cardiac nurse at vanderbilt university medical center," he shares. "she has stood by me through my last deployment, and now through the financial and emotional challenges of being a full-time student. taylor has been my motivation, my encouragement and my constant source of strength. without her love and belief in me, i wouldn’t be looking at graduation just a week away. she has held me up at my lowest and celebrated me at my highest."
a bright future
with graduation on the hotizon, anderson already has a head start on the next chapter of his life. he leads the sales team at outsider, an outdoor lifestyle brand founded by retired navy seal sam mackey. under mackey’s mentorship, anderson says he has found a new sense of purpose and pride, helping the company surpass $1 million in sales during its first full year of operations.
looking back, anderson attributes his journey to the connections and relationships he’s built along the way. “whether in my army career, my time in school, or now in business, i’ve been shaped by the men and women who believed in me,” he reflects. “at times, i feel like i don’t deserve to be where i am, but i also recognize how honored and fortunate i’ve been to be supported by those who see my potential and help me reach it.”
— photo by kristi jones