Kaleigh Gossman Gossett visited the Lipscomb campus this past week and was surprised to see her photo still is on the wall of Allen Arena across from the athletics office. Kaleigh is remembered for her performances both on the basketball court and in the classroom. She oversees the quality of wheat that is used by different companies in a variety of baking options. She spent some time talking with Lipscombsports.com about memories of the university and how being a student-athlete here affected her life.

What years did you play at Lipscomb? Who were your coaches?

"I played basketball from 2004-2008. I primarily played the No. 4 (forward) position and occasionally I played No. 3. If they were hurting real bad they would let me play in the post.

Frank Bennett was the head coach. My assistant coaches were Billy Snell and Cheryl Smith. Katie Beth Pate was a graduate assistant and I had actually played on the team with Katie Beth. Franklin Bennett was also a graduate assistant coach."

Why did you choose to attend Lipscomb?

I am from Newburgh, Indiana. It worked out that Chris Myers, my AAU coach, had a daughter  (Brittany) that I was good friends with who committed to Belmont. I had previously committed to a school in Maryland and then changed my mind about my verbal commitment because of the logistics and being away from my family.

"My AAU coach suggested I look at Lipscomb. It was in Nashville. It had a great culture and a great basketball program. My AAU coach actually reached out to Coach Bennett and sent a videotape.

"I only made one visit to campus before I signed. I fell in love with the values of the school. It was Christian-based and the campus was gorgeous.

"The class sizes were fairly small. I knew we would be traveling quite a bit playing basketball. I was there to play basketball, but I was there to get an education as well. I wanted to make sure that my relationship with the professors was strong, and that they also supported the athletes whenever they were out of town and not able to be there for labs or test. I liked the overall culture and the people I met. The people I came in with were very welcoming and open."

What is your fondest athletic memory at Lipscomb?

"One of my favorite things we did as a group was when we got to dress up in our costumes for Halloween and come to practice. We all participated. We all kept it a secret. We all had great costumes. One year my class dressed up as different fruits.

"Coach Bennett would always wear a rainbow colored clown wig. Billy Snell would dress in a suit because he never wore anything but dress khaki pants.

"We had a really strong team bond. And that was one thing I would value during my four years at Lipscomb."

Who had the biggest influence on you during your athletic career at Lipscomb? How?

"Coach Bennett was definitely influential, not just in developing me as a basketball player but as an individual.

"We met with all of the coaches often, not just to discuss what was going on with basketball but also in the classroom and our personal lives. Coach Bennett was always so involved. He was instrumental in helping to build our character and in being a great, positive influence on our lives moving forward.

"He was such a great role model through his passion for the love of Christ and his love of basketball. Coach Don Meyer and Coach John Wooden played a role in a lot of discussions he had with us as a group."

What is your fondest non-athletic memory from your time at Lipscomb?

"There are some girls who weren't on any of the athletic teams that I still come to Nashville once a month to see. We all have children so we can have play dates. It is awesome to have friendships beyond the basketball team.

"At Christmas time most of the kids would go home, but we were still there because of basketball. We lived in Johnson Hall and we were always trying to figure out fun things to do in the dorm when no one else was there.

"I think we played things like flashlight tag in the dorm. We always tried to have a good time."

What is the most valuable thing you gained or learned from your time at Lipscomb?

"I felt extremely prepared when I graduated from Lipscomb. Playing basketball teaches you great leadership skills and how to be confident and successful.

"I think Lipscomb is a great place to build your character. It is a Christian environment and you are around people with the same set of values you are going to carry around all of your life. I feel very privileged to have gone to such a great school."

Who was your favorite professor? Why?

"Dr. Kent Klinger was one of my favorites. I was a biochemistry major and I had him primarily for most of my chemistry classes.

"He was a very good teacher. He was passionate about the classes he taught. He wanted to make sure you understood the material you were studying.

"He was also very flexible. We had a lot of labs. He was flexible in letting me make up labs and tests when I was traveling. There was one class that was only offered in the fall. I would have to wait until the next year to take it, but I wanted to graduate with my class so he let me take it as an independent study.

"He really valued the culture of men's and women's basketball. He was very involved. He came to our games. I think he really appreciated the hard work we put in for our education. He has tried to keep up with me as I have moved around in my career."

Where do you live now?

"I live in Trenton, Georgia, just outside of Chattanooga."

Who is your employer? What is your occupation? What does your position entail?

"I work for Archer Daniels Midland or ADM. I manage all quality and food safety operations for ADM in Chattanooga and Cleveland, Tennessee.

"It is a Fortune 50 company. It is an agricultural company with several different divisions. I work in the milling division. Basically, we take grain and mill it into whole wheat flour products and send it to bakeries to make finished products. We also deal with retail though we don't have a retail bag on the shelf with ADM on it.

"I really enjoy it. I am heavily involved with safety regulations. You don't realize how much there is to know about wheat until you are immersed in the business."

Tell us about your family.

"I have a son, Barrett, who is six and a daughter, Kelby, who is four."

My email address is kaleigh.gossett@adm.com.