Grad student Lydia Yau contributes to Oklahoma relief effort

The huge tornado that swept through parts of Oklahoma on May 20, 2013, destroyed schools, hundreds of homes and a hospital. 24 people lost their lives, and 377 people were injured. Almost immediately, a multitude of volunteers from across the country set out to help the fallen city of Moore, Okla., the site that sustained the most damage. One of those people was Lipscomb student Lydia Yau. “The devastation is like a war zone,” Yau said. “People’s lives are wiped out in a matter of hours. Everything that is familiar to them; homes, schools, hospitals; it’s like some demolition ball came and knocked them to splinters. “The first time I reached the sites, it was like a nightmare,” Yau said. “You see cars that are dented beyond recognition and houses that have only a wall standing. It’s very horrifying to see that. It’s a feeling that grips your heart. It’s hauntingly sad.” Yau, who graduated from Lipscomb this past December with a bachelor of social work, plans to return to Lipscomb in August for her masters in professional counseling. “This is social work, pure and simple,” Yau said. “It’s hands on social work. Not only do we go and clean up debris, but we talk to house owners, too. You’re helping people pick up pieces of their lives, giving them ‘talk therapy,’ because the more times they retell it, that’s when the healing comes.” Yau was one of 12 other volunteers from Living To Go churches in Goodlettsville, Tenn., and Paragould, Ark., who teamed up with Operation Blessing, a non-profit human need and suffering relief organization affiliated with the Christian...

Lumination’s Brianne Welch and Kelly Dean cover 2013’s CMA Fest

Over the past few days, Lumination’s Brianne Welch and Kelly Dean provided in-depth coverage for the CMA Fest for the CMA Close Up, the award-winning magazine. Here’s a quick rundown of the stories that have been published so far. Brianne’s stories: A recap of Friday night’s shows at LP Field. A look at a concert held by American Idol’s Kristy Lee Cook. Kelly’s stories: Some insight into the George Jones tribute panel. A look into a stand at the Buckle fan area. A recap of the Brantley Gilbert event at Fan Alley. A look at a fan meet-and-greet with Eric Church. Continue to follow this post for more stories from Brianne and Kelly as they are...

Willodene Scott Reading/Discussion Series begins tonight at Beaman

Beaman Library will begin hosting the 2013 Willodene Scott Reading/Discussion Series tonight at 7 p.m with a study of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. An event co-sponsored by the Nashville Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association, this year’s series will take on the topic “Based on the Book: Books into Film.” The series started its run 23 years ago and zeroes in on a a specific reading theme that .In 2012, the event was renamed in honor of the late Dr. Willodene Scott, a local library professional and charter member of the Nashville Chapter of the WNBA. One book will be discussed each week for six weeks throughout the summer. Sessions will be held in Lipscomb’s Ezell Center, Room 136, at 7 p.m. Academic professionals will facilitate all sessions and participants are invited to view the film based on the book prior to attending the discussions. Here is the list of the June installments of the series, courtesy of lipscomb.edu. Monday, June 10 The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton Tale of 19th century New York high society in which a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman’s cousin. Facilitator: Kimberly Reed, Lipscomb University The 1993 film version of The Age of Innocence stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Daniel Day-Lewis and Wynona Ryder and was directed by Martin Scorsese. Monday, June 17 Atonement by Ian McEwan. Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister’s lover of a crime he did not commit. Facilitator: Linda Barnes, Austin Peay...

2013 J-Camp offers future reporters timeless experience

The annual Lipscomb University Journalism Camp, co-hosted by the Tennessee High School Press Association, was held this week on the Lipscomb University campus. J-camp is one of many camps going on at Lipscomb this summer, but one of the few that has lasted for over a decade. “The Genesis of J-camp was in 2002,” said J-camp director Dr. Jimmy McCollum. “We began with four students our first year and we’ve grown each year since.” Nearly 20 students and advisers attended this year’s camp, including students from Georgia and Illinois. “Many students come here because they are interested in journalism or their school advisers want them to come. Others come because they are interested in the school and want to be on campus,” McCollum added. Campers were given the opportunity to stay in the college dorms and get a real feel of the college life This year’s camp offered sessions on topics ranging from video and photography to staff management and interviewing techniques. Campers also got the opportunity to produce their own newscast. J-camp featured over 12 guest speakers including Lipscomb’s own communication professors, Dr. McCollum, Alan Griggs and Dr. Mark McGee. Campers ended the three-day event with a J-camp rewind that presented the work done by the aspiring journalists. Staff Management and Organization Tips Jan Little, teacher and adviser from Brentwood High School taught the session on staff management and organization. Little urged the students to “look for people you can trust,” and prioritize your tasks. Little’s list of task to help run a better school newsroom: Have a mailing list Mail letters to colleges Staff meetings – ad...

Campus Notes – June 6

Here are some newsworthy links making their way around campus this week. ATHLETICS Billy Ebel has been hired as the new assistant coach with the volleyball team. Graduate assistant Marcus Evans has been hired as the new sprints and hurdles coach. Women’s basketball coach Greg Brown was invited to attended the WBCA’s Center for Coaching Excellence. ACADEMICS Lipscomb has announced the installation of 14 new graduate programs, including the noted Master of Film and Creative Media. The university has released a list of noteworthy accomplishments of faculty and students over the 2013 spring semester. RECREATION The Student Activity Center is offering free group fitness classes throughout the months of June and July. A personal fitness crash course is also available on select dates this summer. Anyone willing to try out some of the facility’s new equipment for 30 minutes and write a brief report will receive a free water bottle. Have a bit of information that you would like to share with the Lipscomb community? Email us at luminationnetwork@gmail.com. Photo courtesy of...

Talbert set to make Lipscomb history

Post written by Ryan Hilgemann for Lipscomb Athletics.  NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Freshman Madi Talbert is poised to make history for the Lipscomb track and field team. Talbert will become the first athlete from Lipscomb to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday in Eugene, Ore. The race is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. Talbert qualified for the 3000-meter steeplechase after finishing in the top 12 of the preliminary round held two weeks ago in Greensboro, N.C. Entering with the 42nd ranked time in a field for 48 competitors, Talbert beat the odds to qualify. “She had nothing to lose going into the preliminary round,” Bill Taylor, director of cross country and track and field, said. “Our approach as a freshman was this is a great opportunity. Let’s go run a good race and as many good laps as we can. “I knew she had a chance to qualify but you don’t really expect somebody to drop 20 seconds and improve from 42nd to 12th in one race.” Talbert will be taking the same attitude into the national round of having nothing to lose. “It gives us the same freedom if not more freedom going into nationals,” Taylor said. “It is the same approach but now she gets to throw in good laps at the national finals. Every step that she takes racing just helps her build the future.” At the preliminary round, Talbert crushed the previous school record posting a time of 10:11.21. She finished fourth in her heat and 12th overall. Running the middle heat, Talbert had to wait out the final heat race and all of the men’s steeplechase...