by Becca Risley | Feb 29, 2016 | News Slider
After his presidency, at the age of 65-years old, former president George W. Bush said he found his calling in oil painting. To him, this newfound artistic passion represents the importance of lifelong learning and personal growth – two topics he addressed at the student-led Q&A forum in the Student Activities Center Monday evening. This discussion with the 43rd Commander in Chief was part of Lipscomb’s 2016 launch year of the Imagine program, a series of discussions with world leaders that will take place over the next five years. Bush’s visit was the first of what junior Larry Lodge said he hopes will be several encounters with influential leaders. “Seeing him in this setting and having him come to Lipscomb to speak in such a casual way — we got to see him in a light that most people never get to see their president,” he said. “It’s important to remember that he’s a person too, just like us.” Student Government Association President senior Jordan Beale and United States Navy Veteran senior Justin Avila led the Q&A portion of the evening. Students submitted over 100 possible questions during the weeks prior to Bush’s visit. “I had a little bit of anxiety beforehand, but right before we went on stage, he and I had about two minutes together and he told me not to be nervous and that it was going to be a great time,” Beale said. During the forum, Bush remarked that it was harder for him to maintain his faith when the pressure was off. He said that when dealing with the pressure of the White House,...
by Becca Risley | Feb 23, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
They came to discuss fame, music and world travels. But more than that, Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Gregory came to The Gathering Tuesday morning to discuss their faith story and how God uses them in the industry to which they were called. “We could not be more opposite,” Gregory said. “I’m often asking God ‘why in the world you put me with him in this career.’ Everything I thought I would be doing is absolutely not what is going on in my life right now, but it’s so cool because no matter what we do, it’s very evident to me that God has us right where he wants us. “That makes me feel good – knowing that He’s walking us through it and that it’s for His glory and not for ours.” Rhett and his wife began their love story in the first grade. While he always chased a life centered around music, Lauren earned a nursing degree and had dreams of serving people across the world. Little did she know that God had other plans for the direction of their life together. “It’s become a new normal for us,” she said. “It’s cool to be able to support him and see how God has taken him from this super-cool, emo, black hair kid in middle school doing the ‘High Heeled Flip Flops’ band to opening up for Jason Aldean this year. “It’s obvious that God has put him in this industry for a reason. And as long as He just keeps putting the stepping stones in front of him and us as a couple, we’re just...
by Becca Risley | Feb 18, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment
At the heart of The Crucible is the power of fear and how mob mentality, religious fundamentalism and broken justice systems propel that fear forward. In conjunction with Blackbird Theatre, Lipscomb’s Department of Theatre will present The Crucible Feb. 19-28 in Shamblin Theatre, with performances at 7 p.m. on Thursdays-Saturdays and at 3 p.m. for both Sunday matinees. “The Crucible has been done many times, but from my research it seems to be done a lot in the same way,” director and department chair Beki Baker said. “We’ve stripped it down more than most productions, allowing for some artistic freedom in design and concept, while keeping it rooted in the Puritan world Miller wrote.” The show follows the Salem witch trials for 1692. Early Puritan settlers created communities in the new English territories of America, and though they faced harsh living conditions, still managed to turn against one another. Nineteen fellow settlers were hanged because they were believed to be in communion with the devil – they were believed to be witches. “This is an incredibly important story to tell at a Christian university — as Christians, this is part of our story, and we can’t deny it,” Baker said. “We must learn from it, question our own actions and beliefs, and endeavor to live our lives worthy of the calling we have received. “My hope is that in some small ways, I hope we won’t judge Miller’s Puritans, but rather see ourselves in The Crucible‘s story.” Showing a true partnership between Blackbird and Lipscomb, the 24-member cast features a mix of respected stage actors and aspiring student actors, with...
by Becca Risley | Feb 18, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
It was during the spring semester of her senior year in high school when sophomore theater acting major Haley Sue Pearson was told she would never sing again. Pearson developed open wounded blisters on her vocal chords that, if not taken care of, would leave her unable to sing in full voice and with a full range. “Thankfully by the grace of God that is not what happened,” Pearson said. After nine years of vocal training with the Brentwood and Franklin Performing Arts Academy, six years of musical theater experience, and having just made the decision to pursue theater as a career, this news devastated and empowered the then 18-year-old. “I came to Lipscomb and I worked for it anyway; I started taking better care of my voice and being intentional with every move I made,” Pearson said. Beki Baker, chair of the department of theatre, recommended Pearson to Bonnie Keen. Keen was a Pop-Christian singer in the 90’s and is a founding member of the acclaimed recording trio “First Call.” She continues to perform as a Nashville artist and mentors young performers like Pearson as well. The two began working together during Pearson’s freshman year. “She has been my saving grace, guardian angel on earth,” Pearson said. “Partially because she’s just a wonderful human being, partially because she breathes Jesus and His love openly, and partially because she gives me a place to just sing, which is more of a gift than most people understand.” Working with Keen and continuing to take care of her voice has helped Pearson land roles in the department, the Nashville community and,...
by Becca Risley | Feb 6, 2016 | News Slider
Participants joined together from Friday evening until early Saturday morning to fight cancer at Lipscomb’s fourth annual Relay for Life event held in Allen Arena. The event was broken up into three sections of fundraising and entertainment. Students could enjoy live music, dancing, and spike ball on the front stage, enter a basketball or volleyball tournament in McQuiddy Gym, or visit the several fundraising tables and game stations held on the back stage of the arena. All money donated throughout the night benefits the American Cancer Society and the Hope Lodge located at Vanderbilt. Nashville is home to 19 of the 900 research programs in the nation. “This Hope Lodge is the only one in Tennessee.,” said junior Angela Sullivan, co-chair for Lipscomb’s Relay for Life event. “If you’re in Memphis or Knoxville and you need cancer treatment at Vanderbilt, you and your family can stay for free, get free food and free travel to treatments.” Participating in Relay events is something Sullivan has done for as long as she can remember. Her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 60, before Sullivan was born, and later passed away from an aggressive breast cancer after being in remission for 14 years. “That has been my passion for Relay ever since,” Sullivan said. “She loved going to the Relay events. She always rocked the survivor lap and was a huge proponent for the American Cancer Society.” During her grandmother’s stint with cancer, Sullivan said the American Cancer Society worked closely with her family, providing whatever they needed, checking in on them, giving her grandmother free wigs and doing anything...
