by Allison Woods | Apr 23, 2010 | News Slider
Clinton Global Initiative University brings college students together to discuss the problems plaguing the modern world. This year’s conference was April 16-18 at the University of Miami. The closing panel of the conference addressed the continuing problems in Haiti. Michele Norris, of NPR’s All Things Considered, presided over discussion of the sensitive situation in Haiti after the earthquake. Three panelists were Haitian, including an author, a football player, and a student. Former President Bill Clinton joined them. He has played a major role in efforts to provide aid since the earthquake. Clinton was named special envoy to Haiti last year, and he and fellow former President George W. Bush are spearheading humanitarian relief efforts through the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Norris adopted the adage “grace in the rubble” as a theme for the panelists to discuss in relation to the ongoing efforts in Haiti. She focused on the positives coming out of such a crippling situation. Clinton said his ideas about revitalizing Third World countries now differ from those he had when he was president. He acknowledged he was wrong in his earlier assumptions that helping the Third World meant industrializing the countries. Now, he says, developing agriculture and helping a country become self-sufficient fixes the root of the problem. For example, Haiti imports one million eggs a day, a product that could easily be produced in-country. Clinton’s goal is to help Haiti focus on such self-support methods. Stanley Clermont, a Haitian student who experienced the earthquake, reluctantly shared his story from the day of the earthquake with the crowd of about 1,500. “It was the most terrifying day, but also the best day,” Clermont said. “This is that day that...
by Allison Woods | Apr 23, 2010 | News Slider
Clinton Global Initiative University brings college students together to discuss the problems plaguing the modern world. This year’s conference was April 16-18 at the University of Miami. John Podesta, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, moderated a panel on change in the American community. The Center for American Progress’ Campus Progress has a web magazine covering the issues important to college students and allowing their voices to be heard. And these were the types of initiatives discussed during this panel. A variety of panelists spoke about their causes and the importance of community change, starting where you live. Marisol Becerra — a Chicago college student — worked with an environmental justice organization called Little Village while still in high school. As a college student, she raises awareness in her community about pollution and toxins emitted by local factories. Tim King started an all-boys public school in 2002 called Urban Prep in downtown Chicago. His goal was to address the college education rates for African-American young men. One in 40 African American men will complete college, he said, but Urban Prep has a 100 percent acceptance rate into college for its students. “We don’t want college to be a way to get out of the hood,” King said. “We want it to be a way to come back and work to fix the hood.” Bob Dixson, the Mayor of Greensburg, Kan., spoke of what has happened in the rebuilding efforts since his city was flattened by a tornado in May 2007. In rebuilding, the city is using all green technology and sustainable methods. “Green to me meant 1968, tie-dye shirts,...
by Nick Hogan | Apr 23, 2010 | News Slider
In 2009, when singer, guitarist and co-founder of the Barenaked Ladies Steven Page left the band to pursue a solo career, many fans thought the band would never be the same. However, the band that Paul McCartney listed among his favorite bands on the current music scene in 2008 has proved their fans wrong. All the best attributes of the Barenaked Ladies are back in this album. Their strong harmonies, astounding songwriting ability, and hit potential all play a factor in their 2010 release “All In Good Time”, their first album since Page’s departure. Page’s departure only had a limited impact, since he and the other band members rotated lead vocals, and the band’s decision to continue without him seems to be a good one. The new album has a great mix of the Barenaked Ladies’ sense of humor, and their sense of in-depth songwriting. “You Run Away,” the album’s first song, was the single released prior to release of the album. There is a slow feel to this song, and it seems to have the greatest hit potential of any of the album’s songs. But the rest of the album is not to be underestimated. “Summertime” and “Four Seconds” are among the new songs that give a funky feel to them, and while not new to their musical style, they are not what people typically think of when they think “Barenaked Ladies.” If you’re looking for songs that sound just like the Barenaked Ladies you knew from the 90’s, I would suggest “Ordinary” and “I Have Learned”. Upon first listen, they don’t sound like a different band at...
by Allison Woods | Apr 23, 2010 | News Slider
Clinton Global Initiative University brings college students together to discuss the problems plaguing the modern world. This year’s conference was April 16-18 at the University of Miami. The Clinton Foundation started Clinton Global Initiative for world leaders to gather and address common issues, and three years ago a conference was added to include college students and their concerns. Former President Bill Clinton started Clinton Global Initiative University to bring college students together to address global issues through commitments to action. Groups submit projects aimed at tackling pressing issues, either in their community or even globally. The Wal-Mart Foundation provides grants for projects in conjunction with the conference. Projects can be submitted in five areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation and public health. The highlights of the weekend were the plenary addresses, each on a specific topic. Clinton opened with his address on social imagination and innovative leadership. “The most important thing is an idea and a strategy to implement that, turning good intentions into positive changes,” Clinton said. Clinton said he is aware of the gap between what the private sector can do and what public institutions can provide. And trying to figure out how to fill the gap is a major reason for Clinton Global Initiative University. “The goal is to create global networks for the public good by private citizens,” Clinton said. “You aren’t intimidated by complexity,” Clinton said, noting how he believes college students can make the difference. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin then describe how she was influenced to practice medicine by working her way through college, providing health care in a small clinic in her hometown of...
by Dale Lipscomb | Apr 22, 2010 | News Slider
While most Lipscomb students would prefer to stay on the LU side of the road, venturing down Belmont Boulevard has a few benefits. One of those benefits found only by brave Lipscomb students is a coffee shop called Bongo Java. Bongo Java is an old house that has been refurbished and converted into a coffee shop. The store opened in 1993, and a year later began snatching up the award for best coffeehouse in the Nashville Scene magazine. The award has alternated for block periods of time between Bongo Java and its sister coffee shop Fido, located in historic Hillsboro Village. The top floor of Bongo Java has a small stage for concerts and theater events. The concerts I have been to at Bongo Java were intimate and enjoyable. The Bongo Java website has a list of events you can enjoy on a free night. I have tried several drinks at Bongo Java including a caramel latte and a house drink called the Mochahontas, made with cinnamon, chocolate, and vanilla. Both drinks feature distinct coffee flavor over the sweetness, but the boldness does not overpower. Each drink is topped off with a design in the milk, also known as latte art. Bongo Java has a full menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you are looking for some mouth-watering breakfast, try the Bongo Basic Breakfast. Although the coffee is great, ordering can be intimidating. Unlike the Lipscomb campus Starbucks, the Bongo Java employees do not try to engage in a cheerful conversation with each costumer. The employees seem to expect the costumer to know what they want right away....
by Ashlan Williams | Apr 20, 2010 | News Slider, Sports
A crowd gathered on the roof of the new Allen Arena west parking garage Saturday, April 17, for the dedication of the Huston-Marsh-Griffith Tennis Center. The beautiful 2,200-square-foot facility, which promises to be one of the nicest in the Atlantic Sun Conference, offers six state of the art tennis courts, a pro shop, common area, restrooms, and soon to be completed locker rooms for the men’s and women’s tennis teams. The facility also provides two stadium courts located at ground level on the south end. The Huston-Marsh-Griffith Tennis Center is the new home of the men’s and women’s tennis teams. In addition to hosting many collegiate tennis matches, the facility also houses the Lipscomb Racquet Club. The Racquet Club offers annual memberships for unlimited use of the courts, a pay-as-you-play option for walk-ins, and junior and adult instructional programs. The Lipscomb Racquet Club has also established a partnership with the Green Hills YMCA, offering special membership discounts for YMCA members. This long-awaited tennis center was generously funded by lead donors, Bill and Myra Huston. Bill Huston, CFO of Southern Care Inc., was a member of the men’s tennis team during his time at Lipscomb. Huston’s hope for the facility is that it would expand Lipscomb’s NCAA tennis program, bringing more competition to the school and adding a new sense of pride in the program. As the dedication ceremony began, Joe Ivey, Senior Vice President of Advancement, gave a welcome to the guests. Everyone was then lead in prayer by Bennie Harris, Vice President of Development. Scott McDowell, Vice President of Student Development, and Phillip Hutcheson, Director of Athletics, offered...
