by Cory Woodroof | Feb 6, 2013 | News Slider
The Metro Council has voted unanimously to allow Lipscomb to adjust its proposal for campus expansions, amending the Institutional Overlay to both placate the neighborhood and at the same time allow for necessary expansions on campus. The amended proposal — approved by the council Tuesday night at the Metro Courthouse — came out of discussions and cooperation between the university and the Avalon Neighborhood Association, the organization made up of neighbors in the surrounding community. That group had opposed critical parts of the earlier proposal. The new plan amends Lipscomb’s proposal presented in September 2012, a plan whose outline gained general acceptance by Metro officials, with one major exeption. The opposition was to the university proposal to turn the campus-owned Parkwood Terrace Apartments on Belmont Boulevard into university office space. The new proposal withdraws the Parkwood Terrace plans, which pleased the surrounding neighbors, according to the university. Lipscomb also witdhrew plans to demolish the home on 4012 Granny White Pike next to Draper’s Jewelers. The new measure allows for a parking lot to be constructed behind the home to help alleviate campus’ pressing parking issues. Lipscomb plans to continue with the expansion of the McFarland Science building to the northwest corner of campus, which would involve moving a few feet into the setback. According to the university, the expansion was met favorably by the neighbors. Lipscomb also will move forward with an increase in overall square footage currently allowed in the institutional overlay, which will aid the efforts of the newly announced 70 million/7-year plan announced last week by university President Randy Lowry. The university’s stance is that this move will have little impact on the neighbors. And those neighbors have agreed....
by Cory Woodroof | Feb 5, 2013 | News Slider
Local minister, author and Lipscomb adjunct professor Joshua Graves was present for a book signing at the Beaman Library Tuesday afternoon. Graves, the preaching and teaching minister at Otter Creek Church and a contributor to Fox News’ website, read a portion of his new book Heaven on Earth (co-written with Chris Seidman) to those in attendance. Carolyn Wilson, the director of library services, introduced Graves to the crowd, thanking him for his participation in the event. “We like to recognize our own people who do exceptionally well,” said Wilson, a member of Graves’ congregation. After the introduction, Graves jumped right into reading a chapter from Heaven on Earth, a book that offers a fresh take on the Beatitudes. The chapter took a focus on the ‘mourning’ beatitude. Once Graves finished the reading, he took a few questions from the audience, with topics ranging from what it’s like to be both a writer and a preacher to what inspired Graves to write about the Beatitudes. Graves said he was happy with the event’s turnout, noting his enjoyment in hosting book signings. “When I think about book signings, it’s just another opportunity to talk to people about things I’m passionate about,” Graves said. “It can be kind of a weird thing for some authors, but I just love the chance to hear what people are reading and what they’re thinking about.” Graves said that college students who were interested in the book would be attracted to its non-scholarly approach. “This is not an academic book – it’s not an intellectual book. It’s a book that’s very practical,” Graves said. “[The book]...
by Cory Woodroof | Feb 4, 2013 | News Slider
Jesse Taylor didn’t learn how to play the guitar until he was a senior in high school. If you’re familiar with the sophomore Fairview, Tenn., native, you might find this a bit surprising. Taylor, a regular performer at Rooster’s Barbeque (located in Downtown Nashville), can’t exactly claim to have bitten by the country music bug at the same time his guitar skills came to fruition, but it’s easy to see where this aspiring country singer-songwriter gets his inspiration. A car ride to the hospital to see his newly born sister marked the first time any of his family got the idea that the two-year-old Taylor had country in his veins. “My aunt told me that when she took me to the hospital to see my sister, she put me in the car and I started crying about five minutes down the road, and she couldn’t figure out why,” Taylor said. “And I kept saying ‘Hoochee, Hoochee, Hoochee’.” The cause of young Taylor’s cries? A desire to listen to Alan Jackson’s 1993 hit “Chattahoochee.” “She put that Alan Jackson tape in there,” Taylor said. “And we listened to ‘Chattahoochee’ all the way [to the hospital], and all the way back home.” Taylor cites Jackson as one of his early inspirations as a singer/songwriter, along with George Jones, Johnny Cash and Sonny James. Taylor became personally familiar with James, a former country chart-topper, around his sixth grade year of school, as the two went to church together. From that point on, a big hug after the service wasn’t foreign for James, Taylor and Taylor’s little brother. “[James] is a fantastic singer,...
by Cory Woodroof | Feb 1, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
In this semester’s third installment of Lumination News, Caitlin Selle and Jeremy Keck are behind the news desk to update you about what’s happening on campus. Joe Sanderson brings you up to speed with sports, Nick Glende fills you in on the week’s top technology headlines, Ariel Jones gives the scoop on all things entertainment and Brynn Watkins delivers your weather forecast. This week’s newscast features highlights from the Anteater’s Ball, a look into the past week’s severe weather through the eyes of sleepy dorm residents, a look at the Bisons’ basketball matchups against Mercer , a look into mission trip funding and opportunities, a preview of the upcoming baseball season, a look into the fading art of penmanship, some information on the commuter’s lounge, a look into The Well coffee shop, an interview with Lipscomb artist-in-resident Savanna Lampley, as well as our weekly Nashville Spotlight and Tweets of the Week. Be sure to stay tuned for future newscasts published every Friday here on...
by Cory Woodroof | Jan 27, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
After Thursday night’s nail-biter against Kennesaw State, the men’s basketball team served up another to-the-buzzer contest, but this time, last-minute heroics couldn’t save the day. The Bisons (now 8-12) put up quite a fight against Mercer, but unfortunately, the visiting Bears (13-9) claimed victory by game’s end. After a quick start (Mercer opened with a three in the first 10 seconds), the Bisons gained an early lead on the Bears, but as time progressed, the game became an level playing field, with a three-pointer courtesy of senior Deonte Alexander sending both teams to a 23-23 ballgame at the half. In the second, the Bears became the dominant team on the court, looking at a 61-46 lead over the Bisons with 7:27 remaining. Despite the looming margin, the Bisons weren’t about to let this one go. In the six-or-so minutes to follow, key Bison shots were made, key Bear shots were missed and Lipscomb rallied back to a 7-point margin with just about a minute left in play. A crucial 4-point play by Alexander shrunk the Bear’s lead to three with 41 seconds left, but despite the Bisons’ strong showing in the game’s final minutes, Mercer escaped with the win. Alexander had a strong night, leading the Bisons in scoring with 20. Junior Khion Sankey led the team in rebounding with 12, and sophomore Malcom Smith added in 16 points. Alexander said that he’s always looking to the next play in a close game’s final minutes, also concentrating on his defensive role. “I’m just trying my best to not let my man score,” Alexander said. Alexander said he feels that good focus on the scouting reports...
