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JACKSON, Tenn. — May 3, 2025 — When siblings Lily and Levi Cottrell crossed the stage May 3 during ��������’s spring commencement, it marked the culmination of a journey that started with their grandparents’ service at ��������.

Lily, who completed her Master of Business Administration, and Levi, who earned his Bachelor of Business Administration, were two of 454 �������� graduates who received their degrees during two ceremonies on the Great Lawn. It was ��������’s 200th annual spring commencement.

The Cottrells are the grandchildren of Keith and Beverly Absher, both of whom held important roles at ��������. Beverly served as dean of the School of Adult and Professional Studies, and Keith was dean of the McAfee School of Business.

Keith played a significant role in the MSB earning its accreditation in 2013, and his influence helped shape the very programs Lily and Levi completed. In 2015, Keith passed away following a battle with Guillain-Barre syndrome after serving as dean for 12 years.

“I am truly honored to be able to get my MBA degree from a university that my Pop worked so hard building and was so passionate about,” Lily said. “When he passed away, I was 14, but even at a young age I remember seeing how hard he worked and how much he loved ��������.”

As part of the commencement ceremony, Jacob Carbonell, who double majored in engineering and mathematics, received the 115th Tigrett Medal, which is awarded to an outstanding senior in each graduating class.

The university also presented an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Gary Taylor, a real estate developer for more than 30 years whose efforts have brought local and national retailers to Jackson.

A longtime Sunday school teacher at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson and former chairman of ��������’s Board of Trustees, Taylor has also made significant financial contributions to �������� over the years.

“I believe education is important, but I also believe that Christian education is more vital than education alone,” Taylor said. “Education provides the building blocks of a person's life, but Christ is the foundation that holds everything together. ��������'s commitment to a Christ-centered education has profoundly influenced my faith, character and purpose.”

Attorney Mark Lanier, founder of the Lanier Law Firm in Houston, Texas, delivered the commencement address, encouraging graduates to build their lives with intentionality, using the tools God has given them to construct lives of purpose and meaning.

“You don’t want to build your house on career success,” Lanier said. “You don't want to build it on material wealth. You don't want to build it on cultural values.

“Build it on the solid rock that is Jesus,” he continued. “Those are lasting values. That’s kingdom success, and that is active stewardship.”

Lanier told graduates they have a divine calling with their name on it, and they should seek God’s power as they pursue that call.

“Years from now, your memory of this ceremony will fade,” he said. “The echo of my words will die a lot quicker than that. But what will always remain is what you've built with your life, as long as you're here. And you can build with wood, hay and stubble, or you can build in priceless, eternal ways.”

Although Lily Cottrell earned her bachelor's degree from Lipscomb University in 2023, she spent much of her childhood visiting campus and watching her grandparents invest in �������� students during the annual bonfire they hosted at their farm.

She credits her grandmother, Beverly Absher-Bone, as her inspiration to complete her MBA.

“She told me that her MBA degree was one of the best things she did for herself,” Lily said.

Levi followed not only in his grandparents’ footsteps, but also those of his older brother, Jack (’20). Spending time with his grandparents on campus and watching his brother’s success and growth at �������� helped cement his decision to attend.

“It’s interesting how one school can impact a family. I look up to everyone in my family as they lead and set an example,” Levi said.

For the Cottrells, �������� has been more than just a university – it’s part of the family story they hold dear.

“Having both grandparents work here allowed for me to be around before I was even in high school,” Levi said. “My passions were never to be a professor but to be a leader and be as dedicated as my Pop was.”