by Brianna Langley | Sep 13, 2013 | News Slider
Lipscomb students learned of different ways to serve locally on Thursday with this year’s annual Local Service Fair. Event coordinator Cara Harris explained that during this time of year, Lipscomb usually invites about 250 partners and organizations to come be represented at the Service Fair. Of those invited, usually about 50 come, including the Salvation Army. “It really helps the people in the Nashville area,” says Salvation Army representative Misty Ratcliff, “I mean, there are so many great organizations here, and even if students don’t volunteer with us, there’s still a ton of organizations to get involved with.” The Service Fair offered a wide range of opportunities, from helping out senior citizens to serving the homeless. “It’s a wonderful blessing to be given the opportunity to come out to invite Lipscomb students to help us out,” said Nashville Inner City Ministry representative Stacey Dixon. Not only does the annual Service Fair offer students chances to perform community service, but it also helps students learn more about what’s going on Nashville outside of Lipscomb’s campus. “We find that a lot of students don’t necessarily know what’s going on in Nashville and don’t know the issues in Nashville,” Harris said. “It’s been great,” said Lipscomb freshman Zack Eccleston, “I’ve met a lot of people who have given me a lot of opportunities to get out in Nashville and help serve, which is great for SALT and just for the Christian desire to go out and...
by Brianna Langley | Sep 10, 2013 | News Slider
Merriment and fun accompanied the annual Nashville Greek Festival that took place at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Sept. 6 – 8. As hundreds of visitors made their way up the hill to the church, they were instantly greeted by festive music and the sweet scent of fresh baklava in the air. “It’s a good feeling to know that people still respect and honor the Greek heritage and culture anywhere in the United States,” Stefanie Glimenakis a Greek-American visitor said. “We have a small Greek community where I live, so it’s nice to go somewhere else like down south, where you don’t expect it, and see a good performing culture here and just celebrating it all. It’s really nice.” The Festival was started 26 years ago as a way to raise money for the local Greek Orthodox Church. “The purpose of the Greek Festival has been fundraising for our church, but also to share our ethnic background and to help people understand our orthodox faith,” Helen Sfikas Rogers, a church tour guide and local attorney said. The festival brings activities and live music for all visitors, and also shares important aspects of Greek culture in fun and diverting ways. “We have brought the culture of the Greek people and our faith through church tours, music, Greek bands, dancers, Greek food and pastries,” Katherine Nicholson Vasiliades a church member and president of Greek By Design importing company said. “It’s just great to bring our Greek culture to the people of Nashville.” The festival welcomed all kinds of visitors, from the rock wall and caricature artists, to the bake sales and traditional Greek souvenir vendors....
by Brianna Langley | Aug 27, 2013 | News Slider
University president Dr. Randy Lowry ushered in the new academic year with the annual Convocation Ceremony in Allen Arena on Tuesday. The event opened with a note of welcome from Dr. Jim Thomas, Executive Assistant to the President. Following his greeting, Board of Trustees member Harriet Shivers began the academic procession by carrying in Lipscomb’s traditional Mace, the wood of which was taken from an old oak tree that once stood on David Lipscomb’s original farm. Succeeding the presentation of the Mace, the parade of flags honored 100 nations and states represented within Lipscomb University and Academy. The Nashville Highlanders marched down the aisle next, playing customary tunes on bagpipes and drums. After recognizing and honoring the Lipscomb Board of Trustees, the Senior Leadership Team, the Academic Leadership Team, the University Faculty, the Academy Faculty, and the 17th president of Lipscomb, Dr. Lowry, Dr. Candice McQueen, Dean of the College of Education, gave a 4 minute keynote speech. Those in attendance enjoyed a time of worship, as well as scriptural reading from Jeremiah 29:11-13 before Lowry’s address. During his address, Lowry mentioned some noteworthy plans and hopes for Lipscomb University’s future. Such plans include the expansion of the McFarland Math and Science Center, the renovation of the Swang Business Center and the construction of a new Well-Being Center across from the School of Nursing building and a new Performing Arts Center for the theater department. Lowry also stressed the importance of retaining a spirit of humility while still continuing to develop “boldness” and “confidence” going into the new school year. “May God help us this year as we walk forward...
by Brianna Langley | Aug 25, 2013 | News Slider
Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013 marked Lipscomb University’s 4th annual kickball tournament that puts the residents of each dorm in friendly competition. The tournament created a fun and engaging way for freshman to get to know each other as well as the upperclassmen. Several students and families made it out to the intramural field for the majority of the day, despite the sweltering heat and stifling humidity. Many of the freshmen expressed their anticipation to be able to enjoy a day of hamburgers, fellowship, and friendly competition “I’m excited just to be playing with my friends,” freshman Christina Calandro said enthusiastically, “And I’ve already met a new friend, so I’m very excited.” A few changes were introduced to this year’s kickball tournament that made the whole experience slightly different from tournaments in years past. “Last year we had a group stage and then we had a playoff, but this year, rather than having the group stages, we just did one big single-elimination tournament so that everybody would come out and play their one game, and if they won, they would advance to the next game and whatnot,” Evan McGee tournament coordinator says, “And then we had a huge slip-n-slide at 2:00 this year, which was fantastic.” McGee went on to emphasize how smoothly this year’s tournament was run and how well it was organized. At the end of the day, spectators and players were able to sit back and enjoy free burgers and brats as they watched the championship game take place between the Sidewalk Sprinklers from Sewell Hall and the Mama’s Boys from High Rise. “It went really smooth this...
by Brianna Langley | Mar 25, 2013 | News Slider
Growing up is hard. Growing up in the mission field is harder. Children of missionaries often go through unique difficulties and experiences most people never encounter. “The mission field was difficult for me because I felt very lonely not knowing the language,” said Lipscomb freshman Mary Katherine Avrit. “Relationships were difficult.” Mary Katherine, along with her brother, Lipscomb sophomore Christopher Avrit, grew up in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Their parents were traveling missionaries in Southeast Asia. “At the same time, it was really good,” Mary Katherine said. “I would not be who I am today if I hadn’t been over there.” Her brother echoed his sister’s thoughts on the matter. “I would definitely raise my own kids in the mission field,” Christopher said. “Yes, there are challenges that come about, but the experiences you gain, the things you get to do and see… they stick with you.” Lipscomb’s own Dr. Earl Lavender, a Professor in the Bible department and the Director of Missions, spent his childhood in Trieste, Italy. “Italian was my first language, so English was the language I had to learn,” Dr. Lavender said. “When I moved back in elementary school, I had to repeat an elementary grade because I didn’t speak or write English well enough.” Dr. Lavender spoke openly about the bittersweet experience of growing up with two culturally different homes. “I’ve never really felt at home in American culture, but I don’t see that as a negative,” Dr. Lavender said. “I think it’s made me much more aware of a sort of global worldview that I wouldn’t have otherwise...
