by Kahwit Tela | Jan 21, 2022 | Uncategorized
The indoor mask mandate on campus has been extended until January 31. Lipscomb students were informed of the news via an email sent out Thursday Afternoon by Dr. Matt Paden, executive vice president. “This week we have experienced the highest positivity rate in our community over the last 18 months due to a spike in cases as a result of the presence of the omicron variant as well as a significant number of cases of the flu among students,” said Paden in the email to students. According to the Campus COVID Statistics, the number of positive COVID Tests increased tremendously this week. More than 40 positive tests occurred on January 18. “As we continue to do what we can to minimize the impact of the virus and its variants in our community, the indoor mask mandate is extended through Monday, Jan. 31.” Students, faculty, staff, and guests are expected to wear masks throughout all university buildings, regardless of vaccination status. “We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust as appropriate,” Paden assured students in the email “We are hopeful that we are about to reach a plateau and that we will soon be on the downside of this spike.” Photo by Cora...
by Kahwit Tela | Sep 8, 2021 | News, News Slider
On her first day as Lipscomb University’s 18th president, Dr. Candice McQueen made several announcements during Tuesday’s Gathering. After introductions from SGA President Grant Hitchcock and her daughter, freshman Abigail McQueen, Dr. McQueen made her entrance on the podium. McQueen, greeted by a warm round of applause from the audience, cited the students as the primary reason for accepting this leadership position. “Lipscomb University exists for students,” said McQueen. “And we will empower our community, our administrators to make sure students are job one, and we will live out the visions of our founders to help you, our students, to be equipped to fully integrate with your academic passions and careers. McQueen made a few special announcements, such as the start of the President’s Student Advisory Council, otherwise known as PSAC. PSAC will allow McQueen to directly hear feedback from students through a collaborative effort with the SGA. Nominations for council members are ongoing, with the council set to be announced toward the end of September. To make up for the sophomore class’ lost opportunities, McQueen revealed that next week will be sophomore week. At the start of the week, sophomores will receive a gift package filled with an assortment of treats as well as tickets to events that lead up to an exclusive silent disco party. McQueen addressed and confirmed that the recent dining staff shortages and restaurant closures were due to a COVID outbreak. To make up for the inconvenience, students were treated to a cookout of hamburgers and hot dogs as an appreciation for their patience and willingness to cooperate with the staff shortages. Finally, McQueen recognized...
by Kahwit Tela | Aug 1, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Since The Avengers first assembled on the silver screen in 2012, audiences have been clamoring for certain members of earth’s mightiest heroes to have their feature films. Fans have been especially eager for the Russian femme fatale, Natasha Romanov, aka Black Widow, to have her turn in the spotlight. After spending more than 16 years in development and numerous delays, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Widow finally was released this summer in theaters as well as premier access streaming via Disney Plus. The film’s setting is a mixture between sequel and interquel as it takes place between Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Following the events in Civil War, Romanov (Scarlett Johansson) is a fugitive and unexpectedly reunites with her estranged younger sister-figure/fellow assassin, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh). The tense yet touching reunion is short-lived as a conspiracy involving the Black Widow program — a syndicate that trained female assassins including Romanov and Belova — arises. After spending countless years apart, Natasha and Yelena must put aside their differences to take down General Draykov and his army of Black Widows once and for all. The two sisters can’t do this task alone as they need to form a makeshift team with some of the toughest soldiers Russia has ever known: Their adoptive parents, super soldier Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) and veteran Black Widow, Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz). As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)’s first venture into the espionage film genre, Black Widow does an excellent job of recognizing its influences, such as the 007 films, all the while maintaining a slick and...
by Kahwit Tela | Jul 15, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Country star and former Lipscomb student Thomas Rhett will be among a star-studded bill of young country hitmakers for “Together: Feeding Nashville,” a benefit concert targeting food insecurity that will be staged August 3 at FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin. The benefit concert, presented by Bussin’ With The Boys — the podcast featuring Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and linebacker Will Compton — will be a one-night event to raise funds for the nonprofit that focuses on food availability for those in need. The show will feature performances from modern country artists, including superstars Rhett, Maren Morris and Florida Georgia Line. Rhett, who studied communications at Lipscomb before putting his studies away to focus on his music career, landed his first No. 1 single with 2013’s “It Goes Like This.” Since then, Rhett has released five studio albums, headlined four tours, and was nominated for several music awards from the Billboard Music Awards to the Grammy Awards. Other hits have included “Look What God Gave Her,” “Marry Me,” “Crash and Burn” and “Die a Happy Man.” Morris has had such hits as 2016’s Grammy-winning “My Church” (best country solo performance), “I Could Use a Love Song” and “The Bones.” She also is a member of country/americana supergroup The Highwomen along with Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby. FGL recorded the best-selling digital country single of all time, according to SoundScan, with 11-times platinum breakout “Cruise.” Tyler Hubbard and Bryan Kelley — the members of Florida Georgia Line — have been on a hot streak since their 2012 debut. Their collaboration “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha spent 50 weeks on Billboard’s...
by Kahwit Tela | Jul 6, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of mental illness and self-harm. Comedian and internet personality Bo Burnham makes fun of his own mental stresses caused by COVID-19 in a new Netflix special. “Inside” was used to document Burnham’s own feelings of loss and yearning during the year-plus quarantine. Burnham best summarizes the entirety of 2020 in the opening number of Inside, “Content.” Burnham sings “If you had told me a year ago that I’d be locked inside of my home, I would have told you a year ago: ‘Interesting; now leave me alone’.” Since its release on June 30 Inside has received critical acclaim for its unconventional presentation as well as its off-kilter, yet somewhat sad, approach to mental health during the pandemic. Critics such as Jason Zinoman of The New York Times praised the special and defined it as “a tricky work that for all its boundary-crossing remains, in the end, a comedy in the spirit of neurotic, self-loathing stand-up.” Lipscomb mental health counselor Ashley Dumas, who hasn’t seen the special, emphasizes that it is important and helpful that entertainers like Burnham are using their platforms to discuss issues of mental health. “Sometimes, I think people laugh about serious things because it feels too hard or scary to have real conversations…,” said Dumas Dumas hopes this program and other popular entertainment will help encourage people to admit their vulnerabilities and reach out for help. Dumas is also the assistant director of Lipscomb University’s Counseling Center (UCC) and has been working with college students on mental health issues. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, but the majority of...
