Chattanooga, TN – According to the officials, this milestone reportedly marks the inaugural occasion where college degrees have been bestowed upon students within Riverbend through Lipscomb’s LIFE program.
The ceremony embodied the essence of a traditional commencement, with faculty and students adorned in regalia, processing into the venue with reverence and pride.
Under the tutelage of university professors, as part of the Lipscomb program, these inmates received invaluable face-to-face instruction at the prison premises once a week.
This dedication to learning culminated in the attainment of college credit for their coursework, a testament to nearly a decade of relentless study and perseverance by the graduates.
Having achieved this significant milestone, the graduates are now set to embark on the next phase of their educational journey, as they become the first at RMSI to pursue the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree from Lipscomb University.
The LIFE program’s inception traces back to 2007 at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center (DJRC), with a subsequent expansion to offer classes at Riverbend in 2013.
This enduring commitment to providing educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals underscores Lipscomb University’s dedication to transformative education and societal rehabilitation.