by Leah Raich | Sep 14, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb’s reputation as a strong community of believers is taking a big step into the locker rooms. Recent grad Kayla Marsh, whose official title is “spiritual formation director,” has been hired with the goals of devising ideas and events that foster spiritual development among the university’s athletes. “My greatest expectation is to really create a community that is real and authentic with each other,” Marsh said, “because the truth is, we know the spiritual leaders, but they struggle just as much as the ones that aren’t.” An example of her program is the Bible study she is leading for the women’s basketball team. “This year we’ve rededicated our focus to spiritually develop our student-athletes,” said Philip Hutcheson, athletics director. “We are doing this through working with our coaches, team captains and members of the Lipscomb community who volunteer as team chaplains and mentors.” Another important aspect of Marsh’s new position is to find ways to create community between the athletes and the student body. Because the athletes are so busy with their respective sports, minimal time is left to interact with non-athletes. Many of the female athletes Marsh has met with have expressed a desire for spiritual growth. Marsh says she has great expectations for the future, with ideas such as beginning a discipleship-type program, in which former athletes (in the community) mentor the spiritual leaders on each team and invest in their...
by Crystal Davis | Sep 14, 2011 | News Slider
Director of Student Advocacy Teresa Williams describes her position as “helping students in any way they need help whether it’s walking them through difficult processes, trying to resolve issues or providing academic coaching and advising.” She sums it up as: “basically meeting the student’s needs, whatever they are.” Her job is to help students meet their full potential while at Lipscomb. But she also knows that a lot of students aren’t aware that this kind of help is available. In a nutshell, her position allows her to be a liaison between students and faculty to ensure the student’s feelings, issues and opportunities are addressed properly and in a timely manner. Williams says the most important thing she can do for students is to help them get past that “thing” they believe is insurmountable. She says she seeks to relieve stress and to help students enjoy the learning process. During her nine years at Lipscomb, she has spent a lot of time in the academic office working with probationary students, addressing problems and helping them get back on the right track. When the Director of Student Advocacy position became available five years ago, she said it fit ther passions. Her role includes issues ranging from financial counseling for tuition to helping students understand policies in particular classes or possibly mediate between students and faculty if they truly don’t understand each other. The hoped-for result is to promote an environment in which students and faculty can thrive, learn and teach without hiccups. Williams wants students to know that working with them is her favorite part of the job. “It’s hard to know where to go, or what to do,” she said. “I’m...
by Cory Woodroof | Sep 13, 2011 | News Slider, Opinion
REDBOX REPORT (September 13th-19th) As September gives us new weather and an onslaught of sinus infections (seriously…is everyone sick?), here are a few recommendations to consider before you make your trip to the Redbox. THOR (PG-13, 114 minutes-featuring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, and Anthony Hopkins) *BLU-RAY OPTION (If you own a Blu-Ray player/PS3, I’d totally suggest going for the extra fifty cents on this title.) If you are one of the few people who have not yet paid a visit to Asgard, then I’d suggest you go ahead and do so. Thor was one of the summer’s best blockbusters, mixing in a smart script, some great acting, a few moments of humor, and some great action sequences. Hemsworth owned the role of Thor, and Hiddleston made for a wonderful Loki. If you have any desire to be ready for when The Avengers make their mark next summer, then I’d wholeheartedly recommend Thor. It’s a fun ride, and for a dollar, it’s worth every penny. SOURCE CODE (PG-13, 93 minutes-featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, and Jeffrey Wright) *BLU-RAY OPTION RECOMMENDED This film has been out for a while now, but if you haven’t yet picked it up, it’s a must. The film could almost be considered a distant cousin of Inception. I won’t spoil anything here, but if you enjoyed Inception (which is nearly everyone who saw it), then you would enjoy Source Code-hands down. The cast is great, the plot is quite ingenious, and the runtime is nothing too overbearing. This is a neat science-fiction film that went under many people’s radars during its initial...
by Emily Snell | Sep 13, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
Daniel Wakefield, president of the Student Government Association, sat down with Lumination to look ahead at what SGA is doing this year to improve the Lipscomb experience for each of its students. “What we want to do is look at student life, figure out how things can be better and then focus our efforts on working with the administration to communicate how things could be better,” Wakefield said. “Part of that is just listening; part of that is just being available. But the other part of that is also being a bridge between student voices and administration’s ears. “ Wakefield said that goal includes things like improving campus, bringing in guest speakers, showing documentaries and helping create great memories. “We try to listen to what students, teachers and generally anyone in the Lipscomb community thinks might add to the experience that is being a Lipscomb student,” Wakefield said. Already this semester, SGA has donated money to the SAC renovation and to installing lights at the intramural field. SGA also gave away tickets to the Hillsong concert and hosted the cornhole tournament. Wakefield said the organization plans to have a concert in the winter, and for a spring event, SGA and campus ministry have invited author Donald Miller to campus. As it did last year, SGA will sponsor Paint the Herd this semester. Paint the Herd is designed to be a fun, exciting on-campus event to keep students interested in having a good time at Lipscomb on the weekend. About 700 students attended Paint the Herd last October, in the basement of the east parking garage. During the paint rave,...
by Kathryn Claire Watts | Sep 12, 2011 | News Slider
Before the Student Activities Center opened last Thursday, students were completely unaware of the changes being made. The doors were locked, the glass was dusty, and all that was heard were power tools inside. But when students took the tour at the grand opening, they were amazed to see it beautifully changed. “The layout of the building may look the same, but everything has changed,” said Kinesiology Professor April Ezell. “There’s an entirely new workout room where the music building used to be. The floors are completely new. We even have a juice bar.” In addition to the new floor, workout room and juice bar, there are 17 additional machines, a new spinning theater location and a completely revamped classroom that will be used for yoga, aerobics and other classes. There are many differences in the policies of the SAC, as well. The workout room is now co-ed, a major change from previous rules. The classes offered are now completely free, when they were around $3 a class last year. The staff is also offering instructions on the machines for free. The changes also feature more aesthetically pleasing lighting– a trait that is sure to be mood enhancing. “If you come in on a bright day,” said Ezell. “It feels like you’re outside, in the gym. Several students have told me it has completely lifted their spirits.” So if you haven’t already, check out the SAC today and see another great building given new life! For a list of events and classes, click here. For more photos, click here (Photo Credit: Whitney Jarreld) ...
by Cory Woodroof | Sep 9, 2011 | News Slider
WARNING If you choose to see Contagion this weekend, you might consider bringing a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer. You can thank me later. Contagion joins the league of “possible disaster scenario” films. In a very straightforward manner, the film examines what would happen if a new strain of virus was to hit the human race. The story follows a few key individuals and their experiences through the state of disaster that the virus causes. Remember the Swine Flu scare of 2009? The situation created in Contagion takes that indecency and makes it look like a schoolyard scuffle. Director Steven Soderbergh has crafted a smart, engaging, and at times, all-too-chilling look at a world in hysteria. Plot-wise, we are given a multi-storyline layout. Matt Damon plays a grief-stricken father who, alongside his daughter, must endure the hardships of the disease when his wife (Gwyneth Paltrow) and stepson succumb to the disease (a few of the first to do so). The film also follows Laurence Fishburne as a CDC official who works alongside Kate Winslet’s doctor character to stop the spread of the disease state- side. Marion Cotillard (Mal from Inception) plays a foreign doctor who has her own storyline I won’t spoil here. Jude Law also has a large role as a conspiracy-theorist/blogger who gains a large following once the disease breaks out. Another storyline follows a team of researchers who search for the cure. The cast in this film features many A-list talents, but don’t be fooled. This is not a film that showcases its stars frequently. Soderbergh wisely lets the narrative use the characters as it...
