by Mckenzi Harris | Jun 1, 2020 | BREAKING NEWS, COVID-19, News, News Slider
Several members of a construction team working on the Lipscomb campus have tested positive for the coronavirus, said President Randy Lowry in an email sent out to faculty members. “Yesterday one of the contractors on-site notified us that during routine daily health screenings required before an employee enters the construction site, several of their employees presented with a fever and were asked to leave the construction site to get COVID-19 tests and to self-quarantine,” Lowry wrote in the email. All of the individuals working at the site were tested, and the results have begun to come in. “While we are awaiting results from all of the tests, the contractor has notified us that several of the construction workers did test positive for the virus,” Lowry said. “When we learned of self-reported cases through one of our contractors, we engaged with the contractor to ensure access to testing was available to all members of the work crew,” said Kim Chaudoin, Lipscomb assistant vice president for public relations and communications. The site has been temporarily shut down for cleaning, and Lipscomb is taking precautions by holding virtual meetings with all of the contractors working on summer projects and reviewing their protocols. “The university has also implemented enhanced precautionary measures that require all subcontractors to assess their employees when they arrive on the work site, including a temperature check and health screening, wear masks and maintain appropriate physical distance among other measures,“ said Chaudoin. “While these results are concerning, we were not necessarily surprised to have a situation like this occur at some point, and we are prepared,” Chaudoin continued. “This quick...
by Kathryn Farris | May 14, 2020 | COVID-19, News, News Slider
Ever since the close of the spring semester, uncertainty has been in the air over the slowly approaching fall semester. Lipscomb announced its intention to move ahead on the fall semester; however, what that will look like depends on a variety of factors in the coming months. “The challenge is really how do you figure out how to bring 1,500 people back and live in dorms two to a room and use a common bathroom down the hall and take care of those that might get sick along the way,” said President Randy Lowry in a video call to faculty on May 7. A return to campus would come with potential adjustments, due to the spread of COVID-19 across the country. “The No. 1 concern will be our health security,” said Lowry, announcing his intentions to appoint a new director of Health and Wellness. Lipscomb follows in the steps of several other colleges and universities, each grappling with the impact of COVID-19. “We also are planning to be able to open not just the middle of August, but also right after Labor Day, and also the first of October,” Lowry said. “Students generally are not going to change their plans, especially if we have through the summer done all the things we’re trying to do to connect with them. They can tolerate three weeks online before we open the door.” Another possible plan mentioned by Lowry was an early finish before Thanksgiving. “Now, that may sound kind of screwy, but that’s a 12-week period of time,” Lowry said. “It’s essentially what a quarter would be in the other system....
by Mckenzi Harris | May 4, 2020 | Galleries, News, News Slider, Student Spotlight
Lipscomb’s 129th graduation ceremony looked quite different than was expected when the school year began in August. Allen Arena, which typically hosts the celebratory event, sat empty on Saturday when the COVID-19 outbreak forced the university to host its first virtual graduation. From the charge to the alma mater, Lipscomb faculty and students combined live and pre-recorded clips to create an all-new commencement ceremony experience. President Randy Lowry opened the commencement ceremony with a video pre-recorded in Allen Arena. “Well this isn’t exactly like I imagined it,” Lowry said. “Here I am standing in Allen Arena, and if this was a normal moment: Students you would be here with me. You would be dressed in caps and gowns, and there would be five thousand people surrounding us as this amazing moment took place. We would march in, we’d hear the bagpipes; the faculty would follow a little bit later. You’d be on the stage walking across, I’d shake your hand, and you would have your college degree, your graduate degree. You would have completed this moment, and the celebration would be wonderful. “The reality is we all know that this is a different time. And we’re giving up something:We’re giving our Allen Arena moment in order to protect others,” said Lowry. One of the many faculty members joining Lowry in conducting the online ceremony, Dean of Community Life Prentice Ashford gave out the Stephen Marsh Award. “Steve was a 1977 Lipscomb graduate and the son of one of our former board members, Lee Marsh,” said Ashford. “He was a Christian example in every aspect of his life as a...
by Riley Hoag | May 3, 2020 | News, News Slider, Student Spotlight
The Lipscomb IDEAL Program used Facebook to hold its 2020 graduation ceremony. Professors, internship supervisors, advisers and peer mentors made videos congratulating these students on their accomplishments during their time at Lipscomb. Graduate Molly Bruns received the Miss Sunshine Award. “She is so outgoing, social and so involved on campus. She did so well with her academics, but also made lots of new friends,” said Bruns’ adviser Sarah Roe-Hall.s. Graduates Saul Buda and Hassun Syed’s internship supervisor, commissioner Brad Turner of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, made an appearance in the videos as well. “Saul, I love when you would be in the office with me, and we would talk a little bit about sports,” said Turner. “Hassun, I used to always love when you come to my office every morning to shake hands, or give me a high five, or say hello to see how I was doing”. Graduate Erin Campbell’s professor, Scott Sager, spoke on Campbell’s achievements at Lipscomb. “Your last project in the class was outstanding, and I have shown it to others to show them what good work looks like, and I want you to know how proud I am,” said Sager. Al Surgeon, the dean of Student Life, closed the celebration. “We are so proud of your accomplishments,” he said. “It has been a great honor for us to watch you succeed here. You bring us so much joy. That is my prayer of blessing for you on this special...
by Lumination Staff | Apr 29, 2020 | COVID-19, News, News Slider, Opinion, Student Spotlight
The importance of family time, the joy of TV binge-watching, missing contact with friends in classes, worrying about the illness, learning how to sew, reading books or becoming aware of how important it is to wash your hands are just a few things that have occupied students’ minds in the weeks since spring break and the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Here are some of the thoughts and worries from the Lipscomb students in adjunct Tim Ghianni’s Practicum in Journalism. Chances are that fellow students will recognize themselves in these short essays: The thought of being locked in your house without face to face contact with the outside world is terrifying, especially for someone with a go-getter personality. That go-getter would be me. I am the type to try and fill every second of the day with productive tasks, oftentimes making more work for myself just to keep from what I would say is “wasted time.” Throughout quarantine, I have re-learned the art of relaxing. I don’t remember the last time I was able to just sit and watch a movie or hang out with my family just because. While I know this won’t last forever, there are several lessons I’ve learned that I plan to take with me out of quarantine. Most of them are simple, but I’ve learned they are crucial for my mental health. I plan to take more time to enjoy family and friends and just hang out. Life is too short to occupy each second with strenuous working and being “productive.” I also plan to spend more time on the things I love, like photography and art. I...
by Bailey Burnett | Apr 23, 2020 | COVID-19, News, News Slider
Lipscomb’s director of Health Services tells students “there is no reason to panic” about COVID-19, but there are steps to take to prevent the illness. “The group we need to be the most careful with are the elderly, over the age of 60 years, and those with chronic diseases especially those with compromised immune systems,” said Erin Keckley, the health director. “This virus is spread by respiratory droplets,” said Keckley, “So when you cough or sneeze, these droplets float in the air and then eventually land on a surface. Some common symptoms of this virus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some less frequent symptoms are headache, sore throat, or diarrhea. And, of course, it has been proven to induce dangerous blood clots and has been deadly in thousands of cases. The incubation period is two to 14 days. Keckley provided these simple tips to cut down on chances of contracting the disease: Make sure you are washing your hands. This is the single most important thing you can do. It is also important to be washing for at least 20 seconds or more and using soap and water. Keckley said, ” Take a song, make sure it’s at least 20 seconds long, and sing along.” Try to leave hand sanitizer in different places like your car, backpack, or room. Don’t shake hands. Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then, throw that tissue away. Clean and disinfect surfaces, like kitchen and bathroom counters. Try to avoid touching your face. Viruses are often transmitted through your mucus membrane through your hands, nose, and mouth....
