Spring break mission trips filling up; 430 already set to participate

by | Feb 19, 2013 | News Slider

Many Lipscomb students escape the “Spring Break” stereotype of sizzling sun and fun on Florida beaches by embarking on mission trips. Approximately 430 Lipscomb students are preparing to spend their spring breaks serving others through mission trips across the United States and beyond. This year, students will be traveling to 10 different countries on 23 different trips to serve others and spread the love of God during the break that begins March 18. Paul Stevens, the Lipscomb Missions Coordinator, said he’s excited about all the good students will do on their mission trips. He also recommended that students should start preparing for their trips now. “It’s important for students to attend their team meetings, fundraise diligently and, most importantly, build relationships with their fellow team members,” Stevens said. Mission teams have already started preparing for their trips, but it is not too late to sign up for a spring break mission trip.  Stevens encourages those toying with the idea to not hesitate in joining a team. “What’s keeping you from it?” Stevens said enthusiastically. “There are so many different opportunities.  We have a team that, one way or another, is going to incorporate something that you absolutely love to do and glorify God through something that comes to them very naturally.” Lipscomb first year pharmacy student Michelle Roberts, who has been on three Lipscomb mission trips, echoes Stevens’ enthusiasm. “Mission trips are memories you will never forget,” Roberts said. If you are interested in joining a mission trip, information about trips that are still open is available outside of the Missions Center in Ezell. If you have any questions,...

Quietly making a difference: Best Buddies mutually enrich lives

by | Apr 14, 2011 | News Slider

Whether they are bowling, hanging out or going to a movie with their new friends, Lipscomb’s Best Buddies are making a difference. And their Buddies are making a difference in their lives as well. Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver – son of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver — with one objective: to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lipscomb’s chapter was launched about a year ago. Students from this campus as well as Best Buddies campus chapters from Belmont, Vanderbilt, MTSU and Trevecca have the unique opportunity to be connected and create individual friendships with people who are intellectually and developmental disabled, a “Buddy.” Students, or College Buddies, get paired with a person with a disability and build a relationship by doing things that a normal college student would do like talking on the phone, going out to dinner, watching a movie, or just simply hanging out. Lipscombʼs Best Buddy College Buddy Director, Deborah Hagerty, has seen the impact her friendship has made in the life of her buddy. Even recalling a story between her and her buddy brings a smile to her face. “You don’t realize what a big impact it is and how important it is for these people that you are in their lives until that moment when you walk in and theyʼre so excited that they are falling over themselves,” Hagerty said. Kristin Watts, Best Buddies Tennessee Program Manager, understands the impact College Buddies can make on their Buddies’ lives. Watts has first-hand experience and...

Kelly’s periodic table of influence strategies streamlines art of persuasion

by | Oct 13, 2010 | News Slider

As a part of the Media Masters series hosted by Lipscomb University, Alan Kelly, founder and CEO of Playmaker Systems, LLC, spoke in front of students and faculty. Kelly is somewhat of a pioneer in the communication field, creating a periodic table for strategies that classifies different influence strategies run by companies and individuals. Kelly’s goal with this table is to standardize communication techniques and help predict future decisions made by companies. Please upgrade your...