by Kathryn Farris | Feb 15, 2021 | News, News Slider
This weekend, Former President Trump faced his second impeachment trial that was in regards to the insurrection in January. Ultimately, it ended with seven Republicans joining Democrats in the vote to convict Trump. However, the 57 “guilty” and 43 “not guilty” tally fell short of the two-thirds supermajority needed. Tennessee Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty each voted “not guilty”, while calling into question the “constitutionality” of the trial. Read their statements below. The House Impeachment Managers launched an unconstitutional show trial to humiliate the former President and his supporters. The Impeachment Managers have accomplished nothing but to extend the pain of the American people. They achieved one thing – Donald J. Trump’s acquittal. — Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) February 13, 2021 This impeachment charade is a waste of time, money and does NOTHING to help American families. — Bill Hagerty (@BillHagertyTN) February 12, 2021 President Joe Biden issued a statement following the acquittal: “The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives. While the final vote did not lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute. Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a ‘disgraceful dereliction of duty’ and ‘practically and morally responsible for provoking’ the violence unleashed on the Capitol.” PREVIOUS: The impeachment trial for former president Donald J. Trump began Tuesday morning. Trump became the first-ever president to be impeached twice when the House of Representatives voted on Jan. 13 to charge him for “incitement of insurrection”. The vote passed 232-197. Now, the trial has...
by Kathryn Farris | Feb 2, 2021 | News, News Slider
“Bittersweet” is how Vice President of Student Life Al Sturgeon describes his decision to leave Lipscomb to fill the same job at a college in Illinois. But Sturgeon, who will leave in the next month or so for Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, describes his reason for taking the new job as “a calling.” “It’s very bittersweet,” says Sturgeon, who announced his departure in an email to students on January 31. “I hate to leave wonderful people, and there’s so many great things and programs happening here at Lipscomb” Sturgeon says he is following a “calling” to serve at a work-study college with a focus in education accessibility. “I’m a first-generation college student,” he said, explaining the fuel for that calling. “My dad was a high school dropout, and so the idea of affordability within social mobility is an important value to me.” In his two years at Lipscomb, Sturgeon gained popularity among students, even inspiring an “Al for President” page on Instagram. Sturgeon is both “flattered” and confused by the fanfare but says it might just indicate his time at Lipscomb was successful. “I know that what I wanted was for every student, every pocket of students and every type of student to feel equally valued. … When I hear people say that they felt love, that’s what I wanted.” Under Sturgeon, Lipscomb’s Student Life has been completely reconstructed (both figuratively and literally). This new organizational structure was one of Sturgeon’s initial goals for Lipscomb, he said, as he looks back on his tenure here. “I knew that I was coming in to reset the organizational structure of the Student Life...
by Kathryn Farris | Jan 20, 2021 | News, News Slider
President Joe Biden looked toward a future of unity as well as to the problems he inherited when he took the oath of office at high noon D.C. time Wednesday. “This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge,” the newly inaugurated president said in his address that was greeted with enthusiasm around the world and at Lipscomb, where a socially distant viewing party took place. “…Unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you we will not fail,” said the 46th president of the United States. The inauguration was historically important in many ways, including the fact that Biden’s Vice President Kamala Harris is the first female to hold that office. She also is the first Black and Indian-American vice president. This inauguration held special significance for many reasons including a raging pandemic (U.S. COVID deaths surpassed 400,000 in the day prior), a fortressed Capitol and the notable absence of former President Donald Trump, who broke with the nation’s symbolic peaceful transition — a shining light to the world — by flying to Mar-A-Lago, his exclusive Palm Beach resort rather than attending the ceremony. Former presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and their spouses attended the inauguration as well as joined Biden and Harris for a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The only other living President Jimmy Carter, 96, could not attend the ceremonies because of his age, but Biden took note of Carter and his support. Carter, who took office in 1977, expressed his regrets...
by Kathryn Farris | Jan 17, 2021 | COVID-19, News Slider, Uncategorized
Lipscomb Health Science students and faculty were moved up in line for the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes students in nursing, pharmacy and dietetics, according to Katie Watson, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing. “Several of our faculty and students have already started their vaccine series and a couple have already gotten their second one…we’re so thankful,” said Watson, who has seen the virus’ impact firsthand. “When we announced that we were seeing COVID patients, it was like the floodgates opened,” said Watson, who works at the Vanderbilt Walgreens clinic. “There was still so much uncertainty. Was it spread airborne? Do we need to wear an N95 mask versus a regular surgical mask? Do we need gown and gloves?” Watson received her vaccine in December, since she’s a member of the Vanderbilt healthcare community. “I will just say how I felt was ‘Wow’, I felt so honored and humbled on how privileged I am for the blessing to be able to be vaccinated.” As vaccines continue to rollout, concerns have popped up over their safety considering the fast turnaround. “I understand the worry of something new…but the government gave these drug companies unlimited funding in order to get this done and that is why it was able to be done so quickly,” Watson said. “So, I say, look at the facts,” she said. “Check the CDC. Talk to your health professional or the Lipscomb Health Clinic, somebody who is knowledgeable in the medical field versus someone who has probably just read something on Google.” Ashley Newby, a junior nursing student, has also received the COVID vaccine for her...
by Kathryn Farris | Jan 16, 2021 | News, News Slider
After last week’s deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, Nashville police and Lipscomb Security are remaining vigilant for planned armed protests at Nashville’s Legislative Plaza. The Federal Bureau of Investigations warned of protests in all 50 state capitols from January 16 through at least January 20. “Recent news stories have pointed to the potential for rallies surrounding the day of the inauguration, with Nashville being one of the places mentioned. There is no reason for alarm, but there is reason to be aware, as we have seen many rallies take negative turns over the last year,” said Lipscomb Security Executive Director Kyle Dickerson in an email to the student body Friday. “If you find yourself needing to move about the city, we always encourage you to remain aware of your surroundings, travel with a friend or in groups when possible, and keep your cell phone charged and with you.” Metro Police made the Metro Council aware of the specifically planned protests, in a memo shared via Twitter by Council Member Bob Mendes. The first potential protest, planned to occur Sunday, is called the “Tennessee Freedom Event”. In the memo, Police Chief John Drake shares this event is connected to a call for rallies at every state capitol in the country. Another planned protest is set to happen on Inauguration Day [Jan. 20], for what police describe as a “pro-Trump rally.” <blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>INBOX: Letter from Chief Drake to Metro Council about potential protests at the State Capitol. <br><br>Summary – no indication of imminent threat of violence, but MNPD will be monitoring. <a href=”https://t.co/sIqQ2eORJ3“>pic.twitter.com/sIqQ2eORJ3</a></p>— Bob Mendes (@mendesbob) <a href=”https://twitter.com/mendesbob/status/1348766412588908546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw“>January 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async...
