Lipscomb University President Apologizes for Cotton Centerpieces in His Home

ashley.rae | September 19, 2017

(Image source: Instagram)

The president of Lipscomb University has issued an apology after some African-American students who were invited to discuss their college experiences with him complained about the centerpieces in his home.

In a Facebook post, Lipscomb University president Randy Lowry apologized for a centerpiece featuring stalks of cotton on the tables at his home. In Lowry’s apology, he claimed the cotton was “offensive” and that he “sincerely” apologizes “for the discomfort, anger or disappointment we caused and solicit your forgiveness.”

An Instagram post by a student who attended the event, discovered by the Tennessean, claims the students at the event were “very uncomfortable” and “very offended” by the centerpiece. The Instagram post alleges students were offered “black meals,” such as “mac n cheese, collard greens, corn bread etc,” while the Latino students the night before were allegedly offered tacos.

In addition to issuing an apology on Facebook, in an email sent to the entire Lipscomb community and shared on Twitter, Lowry apologized again for the centerpieces:

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