by Hannah Cron | Oct 14, 2021 | BREAKING NEWS, COVID-19, News Slider
After several months of campus-wide indoor mask requirements, Lipscomb is moving to an indoor mask recommendation, effective Oct. 16. Lipscomb students and faculty were alerted of the upcoming change via an email sent out Thursday afternoon ahead of the fall break long weekend. The relaxed guidelines are a result of a decrease in COVID numbers campus-wide. “Due to your diligence, we have seen a significant decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases and individuals in isolation or quarantine. As a result, effective Saturday, Oct. 16, the updated mask policy is that masks will no longer be mandatory but will be recommended,” said the email sent to the Lipscomb community. While masks will no longer be required indoors, they will still be worn inside in certain situations. Faculty may still choose to require facial coverings in any of their respective classes and labs. Anyone preparing or serving food in a group setting must also wear a mask. Another exception to the rule is that anyone who is asked to put on a mask by someone within six feet of them is required to comply. “When requested in good faith by a Lipscomb student, faculty, staff member or guest who is presently wearing a mask indoors, a Lipscomb student, faculty, staff member or guest who is within six feet is required to wear a mask,” according to the statement prepared by the university. Lipscomb will continue to offer vaccination clinics with both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon in Bennett Campus Center. Lumination will continue to provide updates about Lipscomb’s COVID...
by Kathryn Farris | Sep 29, 2021 | BREAKING NEWS, COVID-19, News Slider
The Lipscomb community will remain under an indoor mask mandate till at least October 15. The extension was updated on the university’s website and follows a recent decrease in campus cases. “Because of your diligent efforts, the number of positive cases on campus as well as the number of students, faculty and staff in quarantine is headed in the right direction,” said the university in an email to the community. “Let’s keep up the hard work so we can continue to have a strong semester!” The Lipscomb mask mandate applies to all students, faculty, staff and guests in university buildings (regardless of vaccination status). The university is also pushing vaccines, informing students that “approximately 99% of those in our nation who are having serious adverse effects or are dying as a result of the virus are unvaccinated.” Lumination will continue to keep you updated...
by Kathryn Farris | Aug 31, 2021 | BREAKING NEWS, News, News Slider
Lipscomb announced Tuesday morning that campus dining is experiencing “industry-wide” staffing issues due to COVID and the national labor shortage. “Many industries across the country are experiencing staffing shortages due to labor availability and health concerns. Unfortunately, from time to time these challenges also affect the Lipscomb community,”said the university in an email to students. “This week, Sodexo, our partner that operates and staffs Lipscomb Dining operations, is experiencing a staffing shortage across their Nashville operations which has an impact on the number of employees who are available to staff the various dining locations on our campus.” Toss, Blue Coast Burrito, Au Bon Pain, Chick-fil-A and Creekstone will be closed for the foreseeable future. Lipscomb also warned students that open dining establishments are likely to experience longer than normal wait times. This story is developing. Lumination will continue to update you on the dining closures. ...
by Danny Kotula | Aug 31, 2021 | BREAKING NEWS, News, News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb Academy has addressed the controversy sparked by head football coach Trent Dilfer’s actions Friday night during a game against Independence High School. A viral video surfaced after the game on Friday night that has amassed over 11.4 million views on TikTok, a popular video sharing service. The video shows head coach and former Super Bowl-winning NFL quarterback Dilfer grabbing and pushing his starting tight end, Beau Dawson. During the altercation, Dawson throws his helmet, which causes Dilfer to verbally reprimand him as well. BroBible, an account featuring sports highlights and lifestyle videos for athletes, posted the video that took off over the weekend, and social media users across all platforms have come to the defense of both player and coach. Dawson, a senior, is the son of Phil Dawson, another NFL veteran who played as a kicker for 20 years. The Mustangs’ special-teams coordinator, Phil is a longtime friend of Dilfer dating back to their professional days. In an email to the Lipscomb Academy community obtained by Lumination Network, Head of School Brad Schultz and Associate Head of School for Athletics Michelle York stated that it is “never appropriate for a Lipscomb employee to have a physical response with a student while frustrated or angry” and that they “are confident a similar event will not happen in the future.” The email reads in full: “Many of you by now are probably aware of an unfortunate incident between our head football coach, Trent Dilfer, and one of his players at this past Friday’s game. “Coach Dilfer apologized to the player, issued a comprehensive public statement on social media, and discussed the...
by Kathryn Farris & Camryn Given | Aug 5, 2021 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
Candice McQueen — who has spent much of her life at Lipscomb as a student, teacher and administrator — said she hopes to “bring light” to her alma mater when she assumes her role as the university’s new president. McQueen, who left her role as dean of the College of Education to serve as Tennessee’s commissioner of education under Gov. Bill Haslam, was presented to an applauding crowd Thursday morning in the George Shinn Center. “I now turn again to you, the faculty and staff and leadership here at Lipscomb, because I want you to be partners in this work, to bring light to our students and continue to bring light as they prepare for their work, their families and their service,” she told the gathering after the announcement was made that she will become the university’s 18th president and the first female to serve in that high office. Mitch Edgeworth, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and chair of the search committee, explained the choice by singing the praises of the soon-to-be university president. “With [McQueen’s] extensive experience in the classroom and her extensive experience as a higher-education executive, she has proven leadership skills that you will be able to experience first-hand from your seat on this journey,” said Edgeworth. He explained the extensive search that led to the selection of a seasoned educator and executive from Lipscomb’s backyard. McQueen stood out to the search committee, he said. “Through that process, there was one who from the beginning stood out as somebody who we had no doubt could take the reins and continue to lead us forward into...
by Kahwit Tela | Jul 2, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, BREAKING NEWS, News
Nashville’s COVID-19 silence ended in a roaring spectacle on Sunday when Let Freedom Sing! brought fireworks and live music back to Music City. Officials said about 350 thousand spectators attended the event, which began at 4 p.m. and ran until well past 10 p.m. The fireworks were scheduled to start at 9:20 p.m. but were delayed until 10 due to unauthorized people in the explosive danger zone. Police SWAT officers were called to the Bridge Building following reports from the Metro Fire Department of a person on the roof of the building, according to a press release issued from the Metro Police Monday afternoon. A flyover from a police helicopter confirmed the sighting. Officers removed four people from the scene, including one employee of the Bridge Building. Located on the east side of the pedestrian bridge, the Bridge Building was in the firework evacuation zone due to the proximity to the firework launch site and the potential for injury for anyone too close to the explosives. “While the officers were still in the building and the (police) helicopter remained close by, a security guard apparently relayed to an (Nashville Fire Department) employee that he was the last one in the building. Without going through command and without checking with MNPD to ensure officers were out of the building, the message was relayed to start the fireworks show. Command was not advised the show had commenced,” according to the press release. “Due to the close proximity of the professional firework mortar shells and the fallout from detonated fireworks, the eight SWAT members sheltered inside the Bridge Building until the conclusion...
