by Hannah Cron | Nov 22, 2020 | COVID-19, News Slider
As COVID-19 cases are on the rise both at Lipscomb and in Nashville, Lipscomb has announced a change in plans regarding the last few weeks of the semester. It had previously been noted that all students would be given the option to return to campus when classes go virtual after Thanksgiving break. Now, Lipscomb’s administration is asking all students to remain at home following the break. This announcement was made on Nov. 17 in a letter from Al Sturgeon, Lipscomb’s vice president of Student Life and dean of students. “While we are going to make it to Thanksgiving break this weekend with on-campus living and learning,” he said in the email. (But) “The executive leadership team at Lipscomb met on Monday morning and determined that, as conditions worsen across the U.S. and our region, and given the increased risks posed by travel over the holiday break, it is best for residential students to remain home following the Thanksgiving break.” The email also states that the administration recognizes that this last-minute change is particularly inconvenient to students who were planning to return to campus after the Thanksgiving holiday. However, according to the email, the administration believes it is the best way to keep the Lipscomb community as safe as possible while COVID-19 cases continue to increase. “We believe this change is in the best interest of student health, will limit possible coronavirus exposure to others in the Lipscomb community and will also put us in a better position to have a successful spring semester,” said Sturgeon. Only students with extenuating circumstances will be allowed to reside on campus after the break,...
by Hannah Cron | Oct 28, 2020 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
For my first review, I selected Taylor Swift’s surprise eighth album, folklore. It was announced less than 24 hours before its release on July 24. The album features 16 tracks plus one bonus on the deluxe edition. On folklore, Swift ventures into new genres such as indie, alt-rock and folk and even calls back to her country past. Upon its release, folklore received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, longtime fans and newcomers alike. Stand-Out Tracks “the 1” – This is not your typical breakup song. Rather than looking back with sadness or anger, “the 1” reminisces fondly about how enjoyable it might have been if things had been different and there had never been a breakup. It offers a refreshingly different perspective, one that is mature but still lighthearted and fun. “exile (feat. Bon Iver)” – Swift’s duet with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is her best duet since Red (by the way, I am referring to “The Last Time” because I have taste). Swift and Vernon trade verses about how they feel betrayed and misunderstood in a failing relationship. The piano on this song is absolutely gorgeous, and Swift’s and Vernon’s voices combine beautifully despite being very different. “invisible string” – One of the brighter songs on a generally dreary album, “invisible string” sees Swift muse about all of the little moments in her life that brought her to where she is today in the context of her relationships. The song is mature and sweet. Thanks to her Nashville namedrop, I will now always remember Centennial Park not as the park with the fake Parthenon, but the park Taylor Swift sang about. J Overall Thoughts I am a...
by Hannah Cron | Oct 22, 2020 | News, News Slider, Politics
Tonight, the final presidential debate between current President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will occur just down the road from Lipscomb at Belmont University. In light of this historic event, Lipscomb’s security team has spent weeks making plans to ensure that the campus remains as safe as possible. “For the last month, we’ve really been doing some deep preparation, just getting ready for this evening because we want the campus to remain safe and we want the experience for our students and the employees and any guests that are in the area to be as smooth as possible,” said Kyle Dickerson, Executive Director of Security & Safety. The security team has also been in contact with state and federal law enforcement in regard to making preparations for the night of the debate. “We’ve been talking with the law enforcement partners that are a part of the actual event itself, which includes TBI, FBI, the secret service, just a lot of the big federal entities that are a part of it but also some local entities as well. They’ve been giving us really good information that is helping us feel really good about the evening, which is nice. What they have said is that they are expecting typical things for a debate,” said Dickerson. One of the biggest concerns ahead of the debate is the traffic congestion due to the many road closures around Belmont. “What we think is going to be a really big deal is traffic congestion for the night,” said Dickerson. “Most people don’t go to traffic congestion as their first concern for something like this,...
by Hannah Cron | Oct 5, 2020 | COVID-19, News Slider
Lipscomb’s University Counseling Center has seen an increase in the demand for mental health services this semester, due in part to the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The University Counseling Center, located on the second floor of the Student Activities Center, offers free, confidential services to all Lipscomb students. “In the past, the Counseling Center has seen faculty and staff, but something that is new this year is that we are limiting it to just students so we can be more available because there is the expectation that we are going to have an increased number (of students). I think there has already been an increase in demand for services,” said Ashley Dumas, assistant director of the Counseling Center. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression have been on the rise nationwide this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Among Lipscomb students, it is no different. While mental health conditions are typically more prevalent in 18-25-year-olds than other age groups, the events of this year have caused an increase in the demand for mental health counseling among young adults. “We certainly are seeing an increase in appointment requests,” said Dumas. “Generally, for college students, mental health issues are on the rise and that was the case before Covid-19 happened. What we are seeing in those appointment requests is (that) a high number are anxiety-related, stress and depression.” Despite an increase in appointment requests, the University Counseling Center has been able to keep up with the demand for their services thus far. “Right now, we are managing the demand. We have a lot...
by Hannah Cron | Sep 10, 2020 | News, News Slider
While 2020 has brought many unforeseen changes to life at Lipscomb, it has also brought new beginnings. Later this fall, Lipscomb will celebrate the opening of the new Lanier Center for Archaeology. The Lanier Center comes to Lipscomb University from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas and brings with it two world-renowned biblical archaeology experts, Dr. Steven Ortiz and Dr. Tom Davis. “We thought it was a really great fit with our mission, being a Christian institution, having archaeology as part of that is really the evidence of what we’ve been reading about in the Bible and what we’ve been studying about. To really be able to dig into that, metaphorically and literally, is an exciting thing for us,” said Dr. Kim Chaudoin, assistant vice president of Public Relations and Communication. As a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Lanier Center will offer master’s and doctorate degrees as well as a vast library of archaeological resources and artifacts. There are also plans to expand with an undergraduate program in the future. “Most of what we have is a study collection to be used by students. If you take an archaeology class with me, we are in the classroom, but we will also come to the Lanier Center and study the actual artifacts,” said Ortiz. Not only will there be new programs of study, but also opportunities for students to participate in archaeological digs. These trips will be open to all students, not just those studying archaeology. “We have trips all over the Middle East, mostly Israel and Cyprus. We have one project in Egypt, and...
