by Janie Lynn Lankford | Dec 26, 2014 | News Slider
The Best Buddies Program has not only impacted young adults with developmental disabilities, but their mentors, too. Lipscomb’s Best Buddies Chapter was created in the fall of 2010. The program creates one-on-one relationships for young adults with developmental impairments and other young adults. “Best Buddies has benefited me in the way I have formed genuine relationships that I wouldn’t have been able to form on my own,” said sophomore Abby Wolfgong, an officer of Lipscomb’s chapter. Wolfgong has been involved in the program since her freshman year and plans to continue involvement throughout her college experience. Stationed at schools around the world, Best Buddies aims to give all people with disabilities the opportunity to create life-long friendships, much like Wolfgong has experienced. Best Buddies International promises a commitment “to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” More information about the program can be found on its website. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Erin Turner | Dec 24, 2014 | News Slider
Faces from the Big Apple inspired Lipscomb to get the shutter snapping on campus. Humans of New York, a growing blog showcasing New York City’s inhabitants, began when photographer Brandon Stanton started walking the streets, capturing people in their everyday lives. The same idea took off this semester when Campus Minister Caroline Morris decided that Lipscomb needed something that would allow people to get to know each other more deeply on campus. This is when the Humans of Lipscomb Instagram account was created. “I’ve been following them [Humans of New York] on Instagram for a year now and I love it, because it just shows that everyone has a story and everyone has something to share and something that’s really meaningful to them in life,” Morris said. Morris knew a photographer who could put the idea in to action, and soon after, many people were introduced to their campus peers by a simple square photo and caption. The goal of the account is to make each person feel valuable. The photographer does this by simply starting a conversation with random people on campus, eventually leading to specific questions, and the picture is saved for last. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption that includes a quote from the person in the picture. “It’s not all serious, sometimes it’s silly, sometimes it’s more meaningful,” Morris said. “First, when you’re scrolling through [Instagram], you see a picture of the person, but then you read the story and it just creates a whole new layer to them.” Morris hopes that creating a greater awareness of people on campus will create a more intentional...
by Lana Sydenstricker | Dec 22, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
Twenty members of the Lipscomb Track and Field team brought Christmas to the children of the Dominican Republic during their mission trip last week. The team worked with Manna Global Ministries, an organization that provides a children’s home, housing 13 orphan children in two buildings, a Christian high school, and a soon-to-be college program in Santiago. During the trip, the team had the opportunity to share gifts, play games and celebrate Christmas with children throughout the communities. For many of them, these were the only gifts they would receive all year. Through the outreach, the team set out to build lasting relationships. “After watching a pre-trip documentary, our team really wanted to do more than complete quantifiable tasks,” said sophomore Katie Bianchini. “We went to build lasting relationships that we could continue back in the states.” By learning more about the culture of the Dominican Republic, the team was able to grow closer to the people there. The team spilt into three groups to visit houses in the community, and each group got a little taste of the lifestyle during a meal prepared by the native people. While one group learned how to make rugs out of T-shirt cloth, another got to hold baby chicks and wash dishes after lunch. The team also helped the organization by painting an outreach center in Rio San Juan and spreading gravel to make a new entrance for the building. The track team made it safely back to Nashville on Thursday, Dec. 18 and plans to return to the Dominican Republic to work with Manna in the future. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Track and Field...
by Jesica Parsley | Dec 22, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The Bisons defeated Austin Peay 69-63 during the last game before their winter break Sunday night in Allen Arena. Sophomore guard Josh Williams led the way for the Bisons, scoring 21 points. Three other players put up double digits, including sophomore forward Brett Wishon with 14, senior forward Malcolm Smith with 11 and freshman guard Nathan Moran with 10. Austin Peay’s Chris Freeman scored 15, and Chris Horton scored 13 points. Austin Peay dropped to 4-8. The Bisons head into winter break with an overall record of 5-7 and will be back in action on Dec. 29 at Chattanooga. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Erin Turner | Dec 19, 2014 | News Slider
Two interim deans have been appointed for the College of Education and the College of Professional Studies. Deborah Boyd, associate dean and director of graduate studies for the College of Education, will be filling the vacancy of Candice McQueen, who was appointed as Tennessee’s new commissioner of education on Wednesday. As a national search is underway for McQueen’s successor, Boyd will lead the College of Education and Lipscomb’s Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning and Innovation. Nina Morel, associate dean of the College of Professional Studies, will be serving as interim dean for that college, after Charla Long’s departure. Morel also leads the College of Professional Studies’ integrated studies and adult degree programs. In an email sent to faculty and staff, Lipscomb Provost Craig Bledsoe said that both Long and McQueen have led their respective colleges well. “They have established strong leadership teams that have helped put feet to their vision and will continue the impactful work of these colleges,” Bledsoe wrote. Although Long and McQueen have left, Bledsoe is certain the new interim deans will lead the colleges in the right direction. “When considering individuals to fill the role of interim dean we did not have to look far to find administrators to provide outstanding leadership during this period of transition while national searches are underway for permanent leadership for these colleges. “We look forward to working with Dr. Morel and Dr. Boyd as they share their expertise, vision and leadership with these colleges and with our university.” Photos courtesy...
by Erin Turner | Dec 17, 2014 | News Slider
When Gov. Bill Haslam began his search for a new education commissioner, he turned to Lipscomb University Senior Vice President Candice McQueen. Haslam announced Wednesday that McQueen will join his cabinet as commissioner of the Department of Education. “She has taught in a classroom, so she brings both the experience of being a teacher and of preparing teachers to teach,” Haslam said in making his announcement. “I am grateful for her willingness to serve in this role, and I know she’ll do a great job as we continue our efforts to provide a quality education for all Tennessee students.” McQueen has served as dean of the College of Education at Lipscomb since 2008, while also serving on the excutive leadership team as senior vice president. Since she has served as the dean, Lipscomb’s College of Education has grown by 54 percent, and 15 new graduate programs have been created. Her work as a leader in the College of Education has been recognized at state and national levels for teacher-preparation design and teacher-candidate outcomes. Even before McQueen joined Lipscomb in 2001, she taught in elementary and middle schools. “I have spent most of my career focused on developing and supporting educators to help our students succeed, and I look forward to bringing that experience and perspective to the important work of leading the Department of Education,” McQueen said according to Haslam’s press release. Now that McQueen will join Haslam’s cabinet, Lipscomb will announce the appointment of an interim dean in the next few days. But McQueen has already assembled a team of leadership within the College of Education who will be able to continue...
