by Lorena Coleman | Jan 26, 2017 | News Slider, Opinion
A Dog’s Purpose, directed by Lasse Hallstrom is a film based on the novel by W. Bruce Cameron. The movie follows Bailey (voiced by Josh Gad), a lovable and spirited dog who finds himself being reborn again and again. As Bailey discovers something new with each life experience, he begins to wonder what his purpose is in life. The film, which also stars Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson and Juliet Rylance, is rated PG even though it contains several jokes that only the older viewers will catch. Be sure to bring a box of Kleenex for this film. Since Bailey goes through many different lives, each one has to end for the next to come. The Golden Retriever also spends time as a German Shepard named Ellie and a Corgi named Ellie, among others. The best part of the movie has to be the connection between Bailey and one of his owners, Ethan. Their relationship carries on throughout the movie and is an essential part to making the story come full circle. It also highlights one of the main themes of the movie: the unbreakable bond between owner and pet. While the plot line is at times sappy, the film succeeds in its purpose of engaging sentimentality in its viewers. Intertwined with several different stories, some pleasant and others sorrowful, each section inspires a variety of emotions in the two-hour run time, as Bailey the dog goes on his journey. Rest assured, Bailey does discover his purpose, and when he does, you’ll be happy you packed that Kleenex. Unfortunately, the film’s touching story has not been what has made headlines...
by Tanner Allen | Jan 26, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb erased a 21-point deficit Wednesday night, coming back to beat USC Upstate 84-77 in Allen Arena. Sophomore guard Garrison Mathews led the way for the Bisons as he finished with 22 points, but both he and his team struggled early, trailing 49-34 at halftime. “Coach Alexander didn’t have very many nice words for us at halftime,” Mathews said. “He just told us we better quit getting our butt kicked and get out there and play.” The Bisons were being out-rebounded 25 to 6, and it led to 12 second-chance points for the Spartans. The Bisons did a good job of attacking Upstate’s big men, causing the Spartans’ three leading scorers to all foul out of the game. “It was awesome to get their big guys into foul trouble,” Mathews said. “It really helped a lot in the second half. They weren’t able to crash the boards like they usually do.” Lipscomb’s defense stepped up in the second half as the team was able to force 19 turnovers and score 24 points off those turnovers. The Bisons were also able to avoid turning the ball over, finishing with just five turnovers and allowed Upstate to score just three points off those turnovers. “Turnovers were huge tonight,” head coach Casey Alexander said. “They have been a big problem for us all season, but tonight we had an extra 14 possessions because of our ability to force turnovers and not turn the ball over. They had a lot of empty possessions, and that allowed us to make our run.” Sophomore center Rob Marberry, senior guard Josh Williams and junior guard Nathan...
by Myckelle Williams | Jan 25, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Artist and sculptor Thomas Sturgill was the featured artist in Monday night’s Hutcheson Gallery Exhibit, which displayed a variety of his unconventional paintings and sculptures. The John C. Hutcheson Gallery in the James D. Hughes Center opened fall 2010. Curated by Lipscomb art department faculty, the Hutcheson Gallery features a variety of exhibitions each semester. Sturgill used humor and a creative edge with his unique works, which included sculptured pieces displayed as a two-foot wide ball of multi-colored karate belts, a three-foot long group of over 600 discarded trophies, 50 basketballs with random inscribed names and a self-portrait composed entirely of action figures and accessories. Sturgill, who refers to his work as “individual experiments,” graduated with his BFA in sculpture in 2002 from the University of Tennessee, his MFA in 2006 from Carnegie Mellon University and has been teaching at MTSU in the Foundations department for 10 years. Sturgill currently works as a lecturer at Middle Tennessee State University and credits his inspiration to his parents, whom he says have made a practice of never throwing anything away. “My childhood stuff is still in their home; they don’t change,” he said. Before the art exhibit, Sturgill gave a lecture to the crowd and explained his background. He gave insight into his artistic choices and answered any questions the audience had. Sturgill said that in order to create his works, he browses through thrift stores and Goodwill bins looking for things that no one would buy. He found himself originally drawn to collecting old trophies and awards. “I enjoy creating situations out of objects that are as interesting to me as...
by Olivia Waldorf | Jan 24, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
“God said, ‘I’m going to give you a new passion and mission within music. Sing songs that will change people’s hearts and lives.’” said singer-songwriter Moriah Peters. On Tuesday Jan. 24th, Lipscomb’s typical Tuesday Gathering was anything but ordinary when Peters appeared on stage. A large crowd of students filled in almost every seat of Allen Arena for her special performance. She began with her soulful ballad “You Carry Me,” accompanied by her guitarist Julie Melucci. Once the music faded out, Peters’ “I Am Second” video played, in which she spoke about the support her family and friends gave her during her time on “American Idol.” Peters recalled her mother’s pushing her to audition, saying, “I came downstairs and the American Idol audition-map and tickets were on the table.” She took what she calls a leap of faith and sang before the judges. Peters had always been very vocal and open about her faith, and when she told the judges that she was saving her first kiss for marriage they thought her inexperienced. After the audition, they told her that she had a great voice, but that she was trying too hard to be perfect. They instructed her to go out into the world and make mistakes and then to come back after she had more life experience. A lot of people don’t let their faith intersect with their careers, but Peters had different plans. She kept God at the forefront of her career, often praying and asking him which direction she should take her career. After trying out different musical avenues, Peters finally signed with a record label and put out her first album. With the...
by Anna Rogers | Jan 24, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Sophomore contemporary music major Nordista Freeze has not been silent about his big plans for the spring semester. Freeze, who has been making waves in Nashville’s up-and-coming music community, has been performing in various venues across Tennessee’s capital and touring across the country, bringing his music into the homes of friends he has made at Lipscomb. His next performance is set for this Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in Shamblin Theatre, as he opens for Christian artist Moriah Peters. Mid-December, Freeze was asked to represent Lipscomb on tour with for King and Country, a band whose tour the university sponsored. “What that meant for us was that they could send a representative,” Freeze said. “We could set up a booth with information about Lipscomb, specifically the College of Entertainment and the Arts. Right before intermission, I’d go up and say a minute about Lipscomb to the crowd.” Freeze, a performer who was used to crowds, said he was still slightly intimidated by the large audiences. “I was pretty nervous. I can get up and shake my hips, you know, I can get up and dance around and be myself. But when I knew that Lipscomb was putting in a lot of time and effort sending me to do this, it’s just hard to be genuine when you’re just promoting a school. No one knows who you are, they’re just like, ‘I’m here to see a show,’ and you’re like, ‘Hey guys, have you heard of Lipscomb?’” Though Freeze spent most of his time on tour with the tech crew, he had an all-access pass. He got to know the Australian brothers...
by Lindsey Nance | Jan 22, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb men’s basketball team (11-11, 3-2 ASUN) fell short of a second half comeback as it was unable to slow the roll of the North Florida Ospreys (9-13, 4-1 ASUN). Things weren’t looking good for the Bisons right off the bat in the jam-packed arena as UNF jumped ahead 18-7 only six minutes into the first half. The Ospreys continued to dominate the half with their speed and ability to spread out the floor as they extended their lead to 14 after nine minutes of play. “I thought North Florida was the aggressor early,” Lipscomb head coach Casey Alexander said. “They played inspired and with great confidence, and because of it, they got out to a good lead. We were a little rattled, and they defended us well. It took as a long time to respond.” Josh Williams kept the Bisons alive by leading the way with 16 points in the first half, but the team was plagued with foul trouble in the first half, causing Lipscomb to pull players from the bench earlier than expected. North Florida’s Dallas Moore showed why he is the defending ASUN Player of the Year as he exploded in the first half, scoring 14 points consecutively and finishing the half with 20 points. The Bisons continued to fight their way back into the game although they were just 35 percent from the field and 5-of-22 on the court. The Ospreys controlled the first half offensively and defensively by spreading out the Lipscomb offense and forcing them to take quick and off-balance shots. The Bisons struggled to get second shots, and before you...
