by Madeline Smith | Apr 24, 2015 | News Slider
Even though Lipscomb students are accustomed to being around heroes, thanks to the Yellow Ribbon program, encountering the man who killed 9/11 terrorist kingpin Osama bin Laden is something unusual and memorable. Former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, who claims he was the one who fired the fatal bullets at bin Laden during the storming of the terrorist’s compound in Pakistan, came to speak with Tom Ingram for Lipscomb University’s Nelson & Sue Andrews Institute “now that you ask” series Thursday night in Stowe Hall in the Swang Business Center. The hall was filled of members of the Lipscomb community, as well as the Nashvillians who came to hear from the man who was involved in such missions as the rescues of Marcus Luttrell, Captain Richard Phillips and the killing of terrorist bin Laden. O’Neill recounted where he was on 9/11, the difficulties of training for the SEALs and his feelings on being the one to kill Osama bin Laden. O’Neill is a part of the elite SEAL Team Six, and has been a part of over 400 missions in his 16-year career with the Navy SEALs. Three of his missions have been turned into blockbusters “Zero Dark Thirty,” “Captain Phillips,” and “Lone Survivor.” “Captain Phillips was good but not very accurate,” O’Neill said. “Zero Dark Thirty did a good job of portraying the CIA portion of the mission, but Lone Survivor was the most accurate movie.” O’Neill is a bit of a controversial topic for the Navy, after revealing — despite instructions otherwise — that he was the one to shoot bin Laden. Although the Navy has publicly criticized O’Neill for revealing private information, he said...
by Gemikal Prude | Apr 23, 2015 | News Slider, Opinion
As the last day of classes have finally concluded, the only thing between Lipscomb students and summer are exams. Countless hours of making flash cards, pulling all-nighters and having an incredibly large consumption of coffee is what seems to be on the horizon for many students. But not everyone is on the exact same page. Some students are just finishing their first year of college and making plans for summer trips, while others are on the verge of graduating and searching for jobs. Senior Kenny Smith is one who is ready for the road ahead. “I can’t wait to be done with school,” Smith said. “I’m just excited to finally start a new chapter of my life and see what’s in store.” Though Smith is thrilled for his life as a student to finally come to an end, he admits that it can be frightening. “The most challenging thing is not knowing — not knowing exactly who you’ll work for or where you’ll end up living,” Smith said. But on the other side of the spectrum, some students will be returning after a much needed summer break. Sophomore Abigail Newby said that she plans to go home to relax and unwind. “I thought about applying for an internship here in Nashville, but when thinking about the wear and tear I took on from being an athlete and not having to be in such a rush to put things together, I just plan on staying Nashville for the next summer,” Newby...
by Carly Bergthold | Apr 23, 2015 | News Slider, Sports
Student athletes traded their uniforms for formal wear for the second annual Lippy Awards Wednesday evening in Allen Arena. The Lippys honor athletes, coaches and others who contribute in various ways to Lipscomb sports teams. Before the show, guests enjoyed live music from Marquee Mayfield and showed off their formal wear at photo booths. The show was hosted by soccer coach Chris Klotz and cross county coach Marcus Evans. To begin, the James R. Byers Award was presented to senior field thrower April Terry and senior baseball player Josh Lee. It is the highest award given to student-athletes. Terry quoted the Mary Mary song “God in Me” in her acceptance speech, saying, “I hope that you see that I’m really not that outstanding, but all of the accolades, the records, the titles – it’s all God working.” Lee, who made his way from Vandy to Central Arizona College and finally landed at Lipscomb, said that he’s blessed for the opportunities at Lipscomb. “This is a great accomplishment, but the one thing I’ll remember is all the relationships I’ve built with my teammates,” Lee said. Golfer Dawson Armstrong and cross country runner Paige Stoner took home the male and female Freshman of the Year awards. Senior soccer player Luke Gearin won International Player of the Year. Women’s soccer coach Kevin O’Brien received the Don Meyer Head Coach of the Year for his inspiration to the athletic program. “I think I have the best job in the world,” O’Brien said. “I’m so thankful to get to work with the girls I work with every day.” Luke Syverson, who coaches track and field, was...
by Madeline Smith | Apr 22, 2015 | News Slider
Everyone loves a good underdog story, and Greek life members were lucky enough to witness one at the Greek Life Appreciation Ceremony. The ceremony for the 13 social clubs on campus was to honor the achievements of Greek life over the past school year and to crown this year’s boy and girl club of the year. “The event was to celebrate all the accomplishments in Greek life and all the work ICC and Sam Parnell have put into the Lipscomb Community,” Sam Smith, Dean of Student Life, said. “We wanted to celebrate the service, social events, relationships, and drug and alcohol awareness events social clubs have participated in this year.” The winner for the male social club of the year was Theta Psi, a fairly new club on campus, and the winner of the female club of the year was Kappa Chi. Kappa Chi seemed like the underdog of the competition, being one of the smallest clubs on campus, but the club insists this is the recognition they deserve. “The competition was stiff,” Melissa Pinhal, a Lipscomb senior and president of Kappa Chi, said. “”I feel for every girl in the club it’s a lot of validation. [As a smaller club], we don’t get recognized, so to get recognized is great and gives us a goal for next year.” Kappa Chi was the winner out of seven female social clubs, most of which are quadruple the size of it. “It’s unbelievable that our little club is doing such big things,” Kappa Chi senior Whitney North said. “It’s the highest honor us sisters could get, and it’s great that out of everyone...
by Becca Risley | Apr 21, 2015 | News Slider
Lipscomb students will have the chance to take at least one more bow when the theater department wraps up its production year with a senior showcase Saturday at 7 p.m. in Shamblin Theater. Showcases like this one originally started in New York City as a way for young artists who have completed their training to show off their skills. Casting directors, agents and other professionals in the industry were invited to preview the work of these up-and-coming actors and actresses. Lipscomb’s show is not necessarily Broadway-bound, though. “Our Showcase is a celebration of our last four years of training, but also a way for us to give back to those who have helped us along our artistic journey,” acting major Austin Hunt said. Hunt prepared a webpage that highlights the work of each senior. With one click, viewers can navigate from one artist to the next and read about their majors, explore their resumes and learn about the work they will be showcasing during the special event. “We’ve been working hard for four years to hone our skills and this is our performance to share it,” Hunt said. “We’ll be sharing work that is near and dear to our hearts that shows who we really are.” Students, faculty and members of the Nashville community are invited to come and share the free event with each of the artists. Photo courtesy of Shelby...
by Anne Ware | Apr 21, 2015 | News Slider
This coming 2015-16 school year will mark the end of the derogatory “Easy Elam” nickname for the girls living in that dorm, thanks to head resident Hannah Meeks. After spending her first year as head resident, Meeks decided there were some changes that needed to be made to improve the community in Elam Hall. Meeks plans to meet with the marketing team this summer to rebrand Elam into something girls are more excited to be a part of. “My hope is that Elam will be a place that fosters and encourages the young women who live here to become women who passionately pursue truth, who are noble and praise-worthy,” Meeks said. “To become women of joy and delight — to become women who know who they are.” The dorm, which houses around 300 “amazing, unique, fun-loving girls” is going to have an overall theme — something completely new to the resident hall. Nicole Northcutt, Stephanie Schiraldi and Caitlyn Wilson will return as resident assistants in Elam for the 2015-16 school year. Leslie Newman will be moving from Johnson Hall, and the new RAs are Hannah Allgood, Rachel Grant, Anne Ware and Savannah Wilson. They will be responsible for decorating their halls according to Meeks’ new theme. Along with a new residence hall theme, Meeks said she also wants to change the environment. Meeks said she wants to make Elam a more faith-centered community so that the girls can grow in their faith while they find themselves. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
