by Kelly Dean | May 9, 2013 | News Slider
Most of us will be lucky enough to go on one or two mission trips throughout the span of our lives. Nineteen trips and counting over the span of 11 years is the number for Lipscomb Bible professor Phil Kinzer, who finds importance in going on mission trips through the strong relationships he has built over the years of leading trips at Lipscomb. Even after a conversation with Phil Kinzer, you will ask yourself how this man has the time of day to serve in the capacity he does. The stories he tells about his life are amazing enough to write his very own book. But where does he find his time? You’d think his daily job as an adjunct Bible professor, pulpit minister at the West End Church of Christ, and grandfather of three would be enough to fill a day’s work. For this man, it’s not enough. In his early twenties, Kinzer started going on mission trips to the Philippines. He described his passion for these trips, saying it that it runs through his blood. Kinzer has traveled all around the world, teaching the Word of God to countries such as Australia, Haiti, Mexico, Egypt and Israel. The Lipscomb professor leads two annual trips with students to Mexico and Haiti. “Going on a mission trip changes your perspective about your country. It opens your mind to people who live in other cultures and other countries,” Kinzer said.“I think there’s a deepening of spirituality because you are so focused for the week. “Anytime you get outside of your comfort zone and focus intently for a week or two on...
by Kelly Dean | Apr 22, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
In a race of over 30,000 participants and thousands of spectators, security measures are known to be taken. Because of the recent tragedy at the Boston Marathon, the upcoming St. Jude Country Music Marathon in Nashville, one of the larger races in the nation, is sure to affect everyone involved. The sport of running is a complex exercise that people either hate or love, and one of the biggest reasons people find joy in running comes from racing. “Running in races gives you a goal to focus on, to prevent you from running aimlessly,” junior Exercise Science major Stephanie Silvers said. “It fosters competition and increases motivation- plus the atmosphere and high are awesome.” The energy and enthusiasm at races are what keep the runners going. Most runners don’t think about their safety during a race because each person running chooses to be there for the joy they find in the sport, and each person spectating chooses to be there cheering on the runners. The Country Music Marathon benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and as one of the biggest marathon’s in the nation, it already has plans in action to secure the safety of the people in Nashville. Police Chief Steve Anderson responded to the tragic event in Boston for those concerned. “Nevertheless, the events of yesterday will certainly now become a part of the safety and security plan. Our partners with the FBI and ATF are working closely with us and will be a part of the meetings over the coming days,” Chief Anderson said. “Although we may have to get there earlier to get into our corral...
by Kelly Dean | Apr 16, 2013 | News Slider
Because Hannah Passamonte grew up in different countries, traveling has become a passion. While traveling is a hobby of hers, it also has given her a mission to take on something bigger than herself: the education of the youth of an impoverished nation. Born in Kentucky, this freshman at Lipscomb University can’t necessarily claim Southern roots. With parents as international teachers, Passamonte has created a share of childhood memories that are very different from most, having grown up in such countries as China, Chile, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Guam. “Answering the question ‘where are you from?’ is always a difficult question for me to answer,” Passamonte said. At the age of one, Passamonte’s first move out the country was to Guam. When moving, making that transition from schools and a different home can be tough enough, but adding in a culture change can make the adjustment a tough process. Passamonte explained that her family is one of the main reasons she’s been able to make these changes so smoothly. “Moving is always hard, but one thing that really stayed the same throughout our moves was being together,” Passamonte said. “I honestly enjoyed it. It’s something that has been a part of my life throughout my life, so I haven’t really known anything more.” Of all the beautiful variety of countries she lived in, it is hard for her to pick a favorite location. From the tropical island of Guam to the deserts of the Middle East, Passamonte experienced more of the world in her childhood than most people have in their entire lives. When talking about Chile specifically,...
by Kelly Dean | Mar 22, 2013 | News Slider
One of the perks of living in Nashville is the great possibility of running into celebrities anywhere you go around town. Thanks to ABC’s newest show Nashville, local coffee shops, music venues and even grocery stores are now turning into TV sets, giving fans the opportunity for those two seconds of fame they’ve been dreaming of. Nashville supporters are taking advantage of the time they have with the cameras shedding light on Music City. Several Lipscomb students have even been featured in episodes that have been aired for the show. Lipscomb junior Kathryn McKinley made her on-screen debut as a Nashville Journalist. Ironically enough, McKinley is a communications major. Her role was to hold a voice recording while directors and producers called ‘action’ and ‘cut’ for three straight hours. “I actually got a speaking part even though I’m speaking with other people at the same time, but it’s still kind of cool because I can pick my voice out,” McKinley said. Students are also creating traditions out of watching Nashville. Lipscomb senior Katie Underwood said she and her friends gather around their TV every Wednesday at 9 p.m. to view the show. “We love watching the show because we get to point out different places we’ve been to,” Underwood...
by Kelly Dean | Mar 11, 2013 | News Slider
It’s not every day that a college student gets to spend time “babysitting” hundreds of children before those kids took the biggest stage of their young lives. And the opportunity for Lipscomb students surely wasn’t taken for granted. “The best part about coalescing with the Country Music Association for this benefit concert was witnessing the dreams of these children reaching a platform to the community. Especially that of Nashville’s renowned, unique community of music, and camaraderie of dedicated country music stars, like Scotty McCreery,” sophomore Linnea Berg said. The Country Music Association annually sponsors the Keep the Music Playing All Stars concert at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This year the event is hosted by young country music phenom, Scotty McCreery. The fund-raiser featured the best elementary, middle and high school singers from the Metro Nashville public schools. Several Lipscomb students were a part of these kids’ big day because of a volunteer opportunity provided by CMA. They were able to volunteer because of a new club on campus known as CMA EDU, which supports students interested in the music industry by providing networking opportunities and experience in the world of country music. Freshman Alex Justice, sophomore Berg, juniors Kelly Dean (the author of this piece) and Teresa Piquette were among the CMA EDU members representing Lipscomb. Volunteers got there at 11:30 a.m. to prepare for the rush of kids one hour later. Volunteers were divided into groups and assigned a school. Since the performance didn’t start until 6 p.m., there was plenty of down time for the students. Volunteers were in charge of watching the kids and providing the...
