University President Apologizes for Cotton Stalk Centerpieces at Dinner for Black Students

The President of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, has come under fire for centerpieces featuring cotton displayed during a dinner specifically for African-American students.

President Randy Lowry just sent the following email to the Lipscomb community. pic.twitter.com/pMFkLpCaEw

— Lipscomb University (@lipscomb) September 15, 2017

President Randy Lowry of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, has come under fire after students took issue with centerpieces at a dinner that included stalks of cotton. They also expressed concern after they were served cornbread and collared greens.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZDM-EfhGiU/?taken-by=nakaylayvonne

In a post on Instagram, one student who attended the dinner wrote about her experience. “As we arrived to the president’s home and proceeded to go in we seen cotton as the center pieces. We also stood and ate dinner, there were no seats to sit in and it felt very uncomfortable,” she wrote. “We were very offended, and also the meals that were provided resembled many ‘black meals’ they had mac n cheese, collard greens, corn bread etc. The night before Latinos also had dinner at his house and they had tacos. They also DIDN’T have the center piece that we HAD tonight.”

“Last night we invited Lipscomb African American students to our home for dinner to discuss their experiences at Lipscomb,” Lowry wrote. “Several students shared with me their concern about the material used for centerpieces, which contained stalks of cotton.”

“The content of the centerpieces was offensive, and I could have handled the situation with more sensitivity,” Lowry wrote in the email apology. “I sincerely apologize for the discomfort, anger or disappointment we caused and solicit your forgiveness.”

Lowry wrote that he would be willing to meet privately with students who wanted to continue to express their concerns over the centerpieces. “I have heard from a number of students who would like to spend more time together engaging in conversation,” Lowry added. “I am most pleased to do so either in small groups or individually.”