by Charissa Ricker | Jan 10, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Student Life and Campus Ministries co-sponsored a special screening of the new film Forever My Girl in Shamblin Theater on Tuesday night. Produced by LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, the film features a small-town love story and the road to forgiveness. Originally a novel, Forever My Girl tells the story of high-school sweethearts Liam Page (Alex Roe) and Josie (Jessica Rothe). The tale begins on their wedding day in the small town of St. Augustine, Louisiana. Josie learns only minutes from the ceremony that Liam decided to pursue his new-found music fame, leaving his family and her behind. Fast forward eight years and Liam Page is a heart-throb country star living the dream on stage. But Liam is unhappy with his life when he is not in the spotlight. When an unexpected death brings him back to St. Augustine, Liam finds out he left behind not only Josie but also a daughter, Billy (Abby Ryder Fortson). Liam is immediately drawn to the funny and adorable Billy, and he decides to stick around his hometown and get to know her. While re-discovering his roots, Liam faces the ghosts of his past and his insecurities about being back in Josie’s life and being a father to Billy. The emotional and heavy issues brought to light in Forever My Girl are complemented by light-hearted humor and cheesy romance. The film showcases the same themes of love and redemption seen in classic romantic comedies, and for sophomores Haley Cable and Leah Hampton, the film exceeded their girl’s-night movie expectations. “I thought it was a really cute movie,” Hampton said. “It had a great storyline...
by LeBron Hill | Jan 9, 2018 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
Four students on the hiring committee announced at the Gathering Tuesday that the University is hiring Prentice Ashford to head the Office of Intercultural Development (OID) after a seven-month search. Ashford is an alumnus of Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, and the former director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs there. “I’m excited to join this family,” Ashford said on stage at The Gathering. The hiring committee said he was chosen from a pool of close to 100 applicants. Each interviewed with African-American students, staff and administrators. “Prentice not only connected very well with our students, but he also connected well with faculty and administration,” hiring committee member Deion Sims told Lumination Network in a text message. “I think that, more than anything else, will allow him to be successful in his role as the head of our Office of Intercultural Development.” The OID is designed to give minorities on campus a voice regarding student affairs. It includes the coordinators of African-American Student Services, International Student Services and other student minority groups. The Black Student Union and Futuro, among other groups, are under the umbrella of the office. Lisa Steele, the current head of OID, is moving into a different role in the Student Life office. The University has not had a permanent head of African American Services since Paulette Cathey stepped down in mid-2017. The hire comes a semester after the racially charged cotton-centerpiece controversy that took place at President Randy Lowry’s home in...
by Erin Franklin | Jan 9, 2018 | News Slider
The American Dream is “roaring back to life,” according to President Donald Trump, who spoke before a crowd of nearly 5,000 people at the American Farm Bureau Federation on Monday afternoon at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. “I’m thrilled to be back in the amazing state of Tennessee,” President Trump said. “Here as the state slogan goes, we see America at its absolute best, and you’re [Tennessee] doing well.” President Trump is the first president to address the American Farm Bureau in more than 25 years. He addressed a wide variety of topics, varying from tax cuts for farmers to anecdotes about Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans. President Trump also specifically spoke to students and his idea of the future today’s youth is expected to both see and help provide. “Every American child deserves to grow up in a safe community and live a life full of dignity, purpose and hope,” Trump said. “That is the future we all seek, and we will fiercely defend for all Americans. “We see the promise of tomorrow in our incredible young farmers who have joined us today,” Trump continued. “Students, who are achieving incredible things through amazing organizations like FFA and 4-H — great people. . . . Their devotion to our nation inspires us all.” President Trump also paid special attention to praising the majority agricultural-based audience in attendance and noting how “privileged” they were to have had the opportunity to vote for him. “Throughout our history, farmers have always led the way . . . thank you, very much,” Trump said. “You embody the values of hard work:...
by Lorena Coleman | Jan 9, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Uncategorized
On Sunday evening, the 75th Golden Globes kicked off awards show season. The show was presented live on NBC and hosted by late night talk show host and Saturday Night Live alum Seth Meyers. This year’s show was not only historical for the milestone 75th year it has been in existence, but also held historical significance for the statements made. The red carpet looked a little more monochromatic this year, with many of the actors and actresses donning black and wearing “Time’s Up” pins to support victims of sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace, as well as woman’s equality. There was much to be talked about throughout the evening, including who the Hollywood Foreign Press Association chose to honor for their contributions to film and TV. Oprah Winfrey was the recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. The actress and TV personality made history as the first black woman to win the prestigious award. In her acceptance speech, she shared personal stories and, addressing the night’s theme, statements of female empowerment. Winfrey capped off her speech with a stirring sentiment for women that “a new day is on the horizon.” That speech kicked off speculation that Winfrey was considering a presidential bid in 2020. Another highlight of the evening was 101-year-old actor Kirk Douglas returning to the stage to present a Golden Globe. The screen giant presented Best Motion Picture Screenplay with daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta-Jones and received a standing ovation from the audience. For the major awards bestowed for film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri received lots of acclaim, winning “Best Picture Drama.” Cast members Frances McDormand...
by Cavin Jacobson | Jan 9, 2018 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider, Uncategorized
The event check-in software, Teal Pass, is no longer being used by Campus Ministry for easy check-ins to The Gathering chapel. The ticketing software, a Nashville startup, was introduced at the beginning of the fall semester and suffered a few hiccups. Now it’s being discarded in favor of the original scanning method. “Until a system and a program is tested and in place, we are going back to the old system,” campus minister Cyrus Eaton said. Lipscomb University was one of the early adopters of the technology. “Ultimately it’s a great idea but it’s not ready,” Eaton added. Some students took advantage of the software to check in to chapel without actually attending. For now, Campus Ministry will send extra chapel scanners to The Gathering to help students leave chapel quickly and safely. Be sure to bring your student I.D. to chapel in order to receive credit. If you haven’t done so already, go ahead and delete Teal Pass from your smartphone. photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Ashley Bingham | Dec 27, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
George Brammeier has always stood out from the crowd. Part of this can be attributed to his 6-feet-10-inch stature, but also, Brammeier does not fit the mold of a typical college athlete. The senior doubles as a forward for the basketball team and as a philosophy student at Lipscomb. Brammeier said his passion for philosophy even came as a surprise to him, as he started college thinking he would go into the medical field. “I did not expect to start out as a philosophy major,” Brammeier said. “I had no idea what philosophy was as a freshman, and I didn’t know much about the discipline.” As challenging as the major can be, Brammeier said he thinks he made the right decision, although he admitted that some of the concepts will “blow your brains out.” Brammeier added that even though he doesn’t see a job in philosophy as ideal, he believes the degree will help him in his professional career. The Florida native plans to get a Masters in conflict management, which he will start working toward next spring. Brammeier said that finding a balance between academics and basketball can be difficult, but that he wants to put forth the effort in order to make college a beneficial experience. “Just like anything else, you get out what you put in,” Brammeier said. “I could’ve been in the easiest major here – whatever that may be – but I wanted to put in enough that I could get something out of it.” According to Brammeier, time management and discipline have been crucial to finding this balance. His “ambitious, cerebral and logical” personality –...
