2013’s Christian Scholars’ Conference set to kick off Thursday

From June 6-8, the 33rd annual Christian Scholars’ Conference will be held at various locations around Campus including Ward Lecture Hall, Collins Alumni Auditorium and Shamblin Theatre. More than 500 theologians hailing from almost 100 different universities will be participating in a total of 92 sessions. In 1981, Dr. Thomas H. Olbricht, professor at Pepperdine University, created the conference. Their mission is “to create and nurture an intellectual and Christian community that joins individuals and institutions to stimulate networks of scholarly dialogue and collaboration.” This years theme is “Crisis in Ethics: theology, business, law and the liberal and fine arts.” Featured guests include John Dean, former White House counsel to President Richard Nixon (and a major player Watergate scandal), Charles Mathewes, author of Theology of Public Life and Understanding Religious Ethics and David Miller, founding director of Princeton’s Faith and Work Initiative and former director of the Ethics and Spirituality in the Workplace Program of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. The following Plenary addresses are free and open to the general public: June 8 from 10:45 – 12:00 PM in Collins Alumni Auditorium, John Dean’s “The Ethical Legacy of Watergate.” 6 from 10:45 – 12:00 PM in Collins Alumni Auditorium, Charles Mathewes’ “The Future of Political Theology.” June 7 from 4:15 – 5:15 PM in Acuff Theatre, David Miller’s “God at Work.” Another ticketed event, Blackbird Theater’s production of David Mamet’s Oleanna is open to the public as well. For more information on how to attend these and other panels, please visit the event’s main page. A full schedule is posted as well as registration prices. There is a pre-conference event, free to the public. On Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30...

Summer construction brings new life to campus

When students return for the fall semester, they will notice a lot of new attractions on campus. Over the summer, many construction teams will be hard at work to build several new projects. Kim Chaudoin, Director of Communication and Marketing, shed some light on each of the sites of construction and renovation. The first thing one might notice when walking through Bison Square will be the new Osman Fountain. Built to honor the Memory of Ty Osman II, a Harding student who died in a car accident last year, the fountain will also feature a baptistry. “We thought it was just a really fitting thing to have because our student’s faith is such an important part of what we do here at Lipscomb,” Chaudoin said. “Dr. Lowry has a vision of this being a place where if students decide they want to commit their life to Christ that they might come here and be baptized, right here in the middle of campus.” Students and faculty in the field of sciences can look forward to a new pharmacy and health sciences research facility, which will be located behind the McFarland building. The 15,000 square foot addition will include classrooms, labs and offices. “It’s our intent that just about any student that studies sciences will go through here at least once during their studies,” Chaudoin said. “We’re on target to finish by fall semester, so students should be able to use it soon.” At the Swang building, students are going to return to a new auditorium in Swang 108. The room has been stripped clean and will be receiving new seating,...

Campus Notes – May 30

Here are some newsworthy links from around campus. ACADEMIC NEWS The College of Education has started a new program for students with intellectual disabilities. ATHLETICS NEWS Madi Talbert became the first Lady Bison to advance to the NCAA Nationals in Track and Field last Friday. Pete Dalton has been announced as a new assistant coach with the Cross Country/Track and Field program. The softball season ended earlier this month. Here’s a year-in-review of the Lady Bisons’ season. New basketball coach Casey Alexander participated in a Q-&-A with Jonathan Seamon at the Brentwood Church of Christ on Wednesday evening. Brent High introduces the event at around the 11 minute mark.  EVENT NEWS Gov. Bill Haslam was on campus on Tuesday, May 28 as a part of the Volunteer Girls State conference. COMMUNITY NEWS Incoming student Maureen Maltez had her dreams fulfilled when she performed with country artist Trace Adkins. Two pieces of Lipscomb Art Chair Warren Green’s art can be seen at the newly opened Music City Center, which will be shown to the public on June 1. Have a bit of information that you would like to share with the Lipscomb community? Email us at luminationnetwork@gmail.com  Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
Mountain-climbing, zip-lining April Ezell brings life of thrills into classroom

Mountain-climbing, zip-lining April Ezell brings life of thrills into classroom

She’s been awake since 3 a.m. and it’s 25 degrees out. Just before starting the blind 250 foot rappel down the mountain face in Grand Tetons, the water in her bottle isn’t the only thing that’s frozen. While the 40th birthday is known for “getting over the hill,” April Ezell chose to not only “get over the hill,” but get over the mountain. Ezell’s hands are stiff and cold and her body is locked into place as she looks down and out at the snake river and downtown Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Despite the two-day-long climbing camp she “graduated” from in order to attempt this Grand Tetons adventure, she can’t will herself to move. “I froze up there, I just froze,” Ezell says, “and we had this old-school guide who said, ‘We don’t have time for this, we don’t have time to be nervous, just get off the mountain.’ “He definitely displayed some tough love up there — but it worked” After not only completing the 13,000 foot climb in the Grand Tetons, but being the only two successful members of the group to finish, Ezell and her husband repelled down the mountain adding yet another adventure story to the books. After playing both tennis and basketball for the Bisons, Ezell graduated from Lipscomb in 1983. Now, after coaching for fifteen years, she is a professor in the Kinesiology Department who is known for her adventures and storytelling. “I had April Ezell for Backpacking One and she was really encouraging and inspiring,” says Communications major, Kyrsten Turner, “I am not a very daring person and she taught me how to have...

Campus Notes – May 23

It’s been another light week around campus, but there are still a few graduations set to take place over the weekend, which will alter the parking situation, specifically at the West Garage and the Ezell Center.  Dates/Times of Graduations (Courtesy of Mary Bouldin) Friday, 7:00 p.m. – Allen Arena Harpeth Graduation Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – Allen Arena Franklin Graduation Saturday, 2:30 p.m. – Allen Arena Brentwood...

Hope and food being sent to Moore, Okla., from Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort in Nashville

The Churches of Christ got involved in helping the tornado victims in Moore, Okla., immediately after the horror. In fact, the Nashville-based Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort began sending help Sunday, when the storms first began ravaging that section of the country. The most deadly of the storms came Monday, when an around 200 mph EF-5 tornado ripped through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore and also hit elsewhere in the area.  According to CNN, 24 people lost their lives, including nine children. More than 230 people were reported to be injured. Tuesday afternoon, rescue workers continued to comb through the rubble to find survivors and bodies. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin described the tornado as one of the “most horrific storms and disasters that this state has ever faced.” Joe Dudney, the executive director of the Church of Christ-sponsored relief organization — whose warehouse is on Allied Drive in Nashville — says that trucks have been sent to Oklahoma with supplies, with more being planned to depart in the coming week. One truck, for example, went to aid the Lakeview Church of Christ in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  Although the devastation in Moore, Okla., is the most horrific, there was plenty of damage the day before in Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Dudney’s group has also sent help to those who were affected by the storms in Texas. Dudney recommends those who wish to assist the organization’s efforts donate through the group’s website due to the group’s ability to purchase goods at a large discount. If you are available, the organization will be packing boxes at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning to be sent to those in need....