by Hannah Sever | May 5, 2022 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Previously secular artists such as Chance the Rapper, Justin Beiber, and Kanye West have all come out with gospel music in the past couple of years- so what does this mean for the gospel music community? And the Christian community? A gospel choir member and musical theater major at Lipscomb, Téa Doherty, shares her take on artists like Kanye West. “If God’s word is being preached… whoever is not against us is for us! So, what’s it to me if Kanye does gospel music? That’s great! I dig it.” Ever since 6th grade, student Ryan Lusk has been an avid Kanye fan. “I think a lot of Christians get weirded out by swearing and talking about substance use and things like that. I think it’s actually really cool to be able to blend it…I think normal people can also love Jesus and I think they do a good job of expressing that through music,” Lusk said. “Sometimes Christians fall into the judgemental side of stuff… What are you doing? You are being a jerk in the name of religion, and I don’t think Jesus would do that.” Téa loves Chance’s single, “How Great.” “The fact that it’s acapella and I still feel like nothing is missing is really powerful,” she said. “There’s no limiting to gospel music- it’s just big and bold. I love it.” Aaron Howard, the director of the gospel choir at Lipscomb University, gives credit to secular artists where they are due. “We have a debt of gratitude for Kanye West because West starting his Sunday Service Choir has caused gospel music to be more intriguing...
by Shawna Mann | May 4, 2022 | News Slider, Sports
It’s been quite the season for the Lady Bisons of the Lipscomb Softball team. With an overall record of 17-28 this season, there can be many aspects to reevaluate which contribute to the team’s performance. Head Coach Kristin Ryman said she notices how even after two years since the start of COVID-19, creating a close team bond can still be a challenge. The pandemic has had the power to shift the way communication and interaction occur, affecting numerous amounts of people. Included in this number is the Lipscomb softball team. This year there are six freshmen, who comprise nearly a quarter of the team. “In a sense we’re playing catch up a little bit this year with still getting to know them,” Ryman said. The team is known for having a few traditions that help build comradery within the group. These include a blind karaoke, sleepover in the locker room and playing hacky sack before games. “That connection piece is huge for us,” Ryman said. Avery Cox, freshman catcher/infielder, said that the culture of Lipscomb softball is unlike any other team she has been on. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a freshman or if you’re a senior,” Cox said. “Everyone’s happy for you when you get your chance.” With the bond rebuilding underway, players like Cox should begin to see how it will transform how the team plays together. The team’s conference record sits at 7-11. The ASUN tournament will take place May 11-14 in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo via Lipscomb...
by Micah Kennedy | May 3, 2022 | News Slider, Student Spotlight
Thousands of graduating college students across the country are preparing to close this current chapter and open another. Many students do a lot of reflection around this time of year, and Lipscomb University’s Trey Phillips is no exception. Phillips will be graduating with a bachelor of science in civil engineering and a minor in applied mathematics. He said his experience at Lipscomb has been much more than formulas and equations. “The word that best describes my time at Lipscomb is fun.” Phillips said. “Meeting new people, learning new ideas, and challenging myself has been very fun. These four years really helped me break out of my shell.” It’s no surprise that Phillips had a rich experience while at Lipscomb when you consider his extracurricular resume: – President of the Lipscomb chapter of The Collegiate 100 and four-year member – Former Black Student Union president and chaplain and four-year member – Member of African Student Association – Member of Presidential Student Advisory Council These experiences have allowed Phillips to make quite the impression on the Lipscomb community. Prentice Ashford’s time as dean of Community Life started just one semester before Phillips’ arrival, and Ashford gave him high praise. “Steadfast and reliable are the two words that immediately come to mind when I think of Trey Phillips,” Ashford said. “He is a person who came in as a freshman with high expectations already on his shoulders and he exceeded those expectations. He has been a vocal leader among students in a space where representation matters.” Phillips will be taking those qualities into his next venture as an employee at Collier Engineering, a local multi-disciplinary consulting...
by Hannah Sever | May 2, 2022 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
How do Lipscomb students take a study break from finals? By visiting our furry friends! Lipscomb’s therapy dogs have been visiting the school through Music City Pet Partners since pre-covid times. This past Wednesday, our furry friends came from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. at the Beamen Library. Each group, one person and one dog, has gone to several places through Music City Pet Partners. “… We mostly visit universities during finals and Vanderbilt hospital to visit with the nurses and staff,” Estella said about her Pomeranian, Monti. “We are fairly new to the program. But, he had been going with me to Room in the Inn, which is an organization that helps people dealing with homelessness. So, even before he got certified, he was doing some of this,” said Jean about her Goldendoodle, Ralphie. Monti and Ralphie’s owners shared several moments that have touched their hearts throughout their time at Music City Pet Partners. “My favorite moments are when we visit the nurses and staff at the hospitals… you can tell when it’s been a super stressful day- and they don’t just hug my dogs, they lean into them,” Estella said. “Those are my favorite because that is why we are doing it, it’s to offer relief and comfort.” “One of my favorites is when we do go to the Room in the Inn, and folks who are living on the streets just love the fact that they can be loved by him,” Jean said. “What is so special to me is that he is able to offer that love to them and they soak it up.” Students at...
by Shawna Mann | May 2, 2022 | News Slider, Student Spotlight
Students often turn to their school for ways to help meet their needs. Many times these can go beyond what is provided through academics. College campuses are filled with students who work jobs on and off-campus. Students work these jobs for a variety of reasons, ranging from trying to pay tuition to just having a bit of spending money. Student workers contribute to the daily operations of the university through their efforts. At Lipscomb there are 626 students who are currently employed by the university. Outside of class, they can be seen by their peers working at Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, or as a tour guide just to name a few jobs. “These students also benefit from networking and forming meaningful relationships with other students, faculty and staff,” said Lynn Chappin, director of Human Resources. “On-campus jobs provide income for students in a convenient work environment.” A plus side of being a student worker is being able to prioritize school while working a job. At Lipscomb’s Beaman Library, Kahwit Tela is a student worker who oversees the reference and circulation desk. “One thing I’m really grateful for with my job at the library is their flexibility,” Tela said. “If it’s slow and there’s no one really around, we can do our work.” Tela said working in an environment where you can do homework on the clock is most definitely a pro when having to manage time. “We can focus on our studies while also getting paid,” Tela said. More information about on-campus jobs at Lipscomb can be found at this job board....
by Hannah Sever | Apr 29, 2022 | News, News Slider
A sense of freedom mixes with education at Tennesee Prison for Women, where incarcerated students in Lipscomb’s LIFE Program learn alongside members of the univeristy’s on-campus student body. “It’s like we are no longer in prison when we come down here for only a couple of hours,” states Molly, an inside student from the LIFE Program. The LIFE Program, or Lipscomb Initiative for Education, takes courses that are in the university curriculum that would normally be on campus and relocates them to the women’s prison, the Debra Johnson Rehabilitation Center. Students from Lipscomb’s campus are invited to go take classes at the prison with their incarcerated classmates. The goal of the LIFE Program is to replicate a college experience in unusual circumstances. “It was a huge blessing because I had tried three times to get into the LIFE Program,” Evette states. “I grasped the fact that I would be here for a while and wanted to make my time here useful. I decided that I wanted to come back better than I came in.” Several women in the LIFE Program have completed their curriculum and will receive their diplomas. This shows them, their family, and the community that they have worked hard, have been committed to this, and have succeeded in ways they may not have imagined several years ago. “I want to go all the way and get my Ph.D,” Evette said. “A year before it’s time for me to go home, Lipscomb creates a scholarship. This happened for a reason and I want to be a part of it!” The LIFE Program will continue empowering both inside...
