by Jayme Foltz | Mar 1, 2022 | News, News Slider
The celebration of the inauguration of Dr. Candice McQueen as Lipscomb’s 18th president will take three days, beginning March 28. And it will be something of a star-studded affair, with show biz legend Pat Boone, a Lipscomb alum, leading the performance of the alma mater, which he composed. Boone was a singing sensation in the 1950s, with No. 1 pop hits including “Ain’t That a Shame” in 1955 and April Love in 1957. He also starred in many movies, including 1959’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” as well as appeared frequently on various TV series. Inauguration week was a plan in the making from the moment McQueen took office as the university’s first female president at the beginning of the school year. Dr. Walt Leaver III, vice president of university relations, was appointed to oversee the committees tasked with carrying out the three-day celebration.. “We had all kinds of ideas about who we could bring in and what we could do and places we could go,” Leaver said. “When we finally got down to what we could actually handle, we started putting together a plan, and we’ll know five weeks from now how it’s gonna work.” Leaver said that the president envisioned the event as a festival for the community that is also consistent with the theme to “Be a Light.” The event will open with a unique symposium that explores “How to Be a Light in Today’s World” through presentations and panel discussions focused on fields such as business, entertainment and healthcare. McQueen will take the stage in Allen Arena on the second day of the...
by Jayme Foltz | Feb 14, 2022 | Galleries, News Slider
The Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a hair show in honor of Black History Month. The officers of the club put together an event featuring celebrity barber Shawna Harrison to educate students on the history of black hair and its different styles. The event, which was held in Zebbies Lounge, was an opportunity for students to build community and show off their most confident hairstyles. Check out the photos by Jayme Foltz below and her coverage of the event...
by Jayme Foltz | Feb 12, 2022 | News, News Slider
The Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a hair show in honor of Black History Month. The officers of the club put together an event featuring celebrity barber Shawna Harrison to educate students on the history of Black hair and its different styles. Dorie Harrison, a senior marketing major from Nashville and BSU president, said the timing of the event was intentional since this year’s theme for Black History Month is Health and Wellness. “We wanted to have an event that celebrates all Black hair,” Dorie Harrison said. “Natural. Extensions. Wigs. Braids. All those things. “You know, because there are certain ways we protect our hair and certain ways we care for it that are different, and I think those ways should be highlighted and encouraged. Because everyone deserves to feel beautiful.” The event, which was held in Zebbies Lounge, was an opportunity for students to build community and show off their most confident hairstyles. Daniel Harvey, a sophomore computer engineering major, was one of the students to take to the stage for the demonstration. He said that he usually is indecisive when it comes to choosing cuts at a barbershop, but Harrison took time to educate him about different styles. “I usually just say cut it low, or high, or whatever,” Harvey said. “She (Harrison) went through the process with me. Telling me the professional terms for what I wanted beforehand. I feel like now I know exactly what I want if I were to walk into a barbershop.” Shawna Harrison also shared with the students some of her personal story and how she ventured into the world of...
by Jayme Foltz | Jun 29, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, COVID-19, News Slider
COVID left most Tennessee residents and tourists and performers saying goodbye to the 2020 entertainment scene in Nashville. Now, it’s 2021. Forty-five percent of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated and 53% of the population has received one dose of the vaccine. As the world continues to slowly go back to normal, so does Music City. With venues being reopened, artists getting out of the studios and their homes and fans ready to cheer, big name concerts and festivals are making a grand comeback to Tennessee. Here’s a sampling: Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th @ Downtown Nashville – July 4 The free concert is the city’s first major post-pandemic event and will be headlined by country music star Brad Paisley. Lily Hiatt, Regi Wooten and Friends, Priscilla Block, and more will also take the stage. The event will also feature the Nashville Symphony in a synchronized performance with what officials are heralding as the largest fireworks display in Nashville’s history. Lifest Music City @ Hideaway Farm – July 29-31 Originating in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Lifest extends Music City for the very first time with Lifest Music City. The Christian music festivals are presented by nonprofit organization Life Promotions, focused on supporting mental health and wellness in today’s youth. With three days filled with music and fun, Lifest gives the option to its concert goers to camp on the festival grounds. The festival will include performances from Newsboys, Skillet, Lecrae, Sidewalk Prophets, Mandisa, Matthew West, Michael W. Smith, and more. Luke Bryan @ Bridgestone Arena – July 30 Fresh off his third ACM Entertainer of the...
by Jayme Foltz | Mar 14, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Like the more recent Disney Princess films, Raya and the Last Dragon follows the story of a daring and adventurous heroine who embarks on a journey to save her world. Raya’s tale is one of empowerment as an independent young woman embraces change and modernity. The storyline is familiar in some ways, but what is unique to the film is the Southeast Asian representation. Kumandra, the film’s fantasy world, is heavily influenced by Southeast Asian culture, and in fact, Raya is Disney’s first princess from that region. Raya and the Last Dragon was directed by Disney veteran Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada and written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim. The film featured the talented voices of Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina as Raya and Sisu, respectively. In Kumandra, humans and dragons lived united in peace until shapeless monsters referred to as Druun began to ravage the land and turn everyone to stone. To save their world, the dragons sacrificed themselves and left only a remnant of their magic behind inside the Dragon Gem. 500 years later, a young girl named Raya (Tran) is tasked with protecting the gem, but a dramatic betrayal leaves the gem shattered and lost, allowing the Drunn to escape. A few years after the monsters have returned to her world, Raya with her hybrid pet Tuk Tuk, seek out the last dragon, Sisu (Awkwafina), to help her destroy the monsters yet again. She must travel to the other kingdoms to find the stolen pieces of the Dragon Gem. Along the way, the duo will assemble their own ragtag crew. After all, what better team is there...
