by Kathryn Farris | May 19, 2021 | News Slider, Opinion
Hello Lipscomb! Happy summer! The past school year has been turbulent, to say the least. A global pandemic, social justice movements and a divisive presidential election left Lipscomb’s campus (and the world) entirely different compared to just a year ago. I want to introduce myself to the Lipscomb community in the hope of establishing trust in student media as well as encouraging engagement on our content and reporting. I’ve been involved with Lumination for nearly three years, in that time I’ve worked with incredible student journalists on the stories that have defined our campus community. I’ve witnessed first-hand the power in student protest, the vibrant energy of a Lipscomb Athletics game, and innovation in the face of difficult seasons. During this time, I’ve also been lucky enough to be involved in the staff of two of Lumination’s impactful editors. Mckenzi Harris and Erin Franklin are pillars of leadership, the groundwork they laid provides me with the resources to best represent the good in student journalism. A return to normalcy is on everyone’s mind right now. Yet at Lipscomb, that “new normal” will consist of a new presidential administration, a new student life vice president and COVID’s overall impact on how the university functions. In the coming school year, Lumination will seek to amplify community voices and stories amid these coming changes. We also hope to report on the excitement of returning concerts, festivals and movies. I encourage every student, faculty member, staff member, alumnus and even parent to check out the excellent work of our staff. Speaking of, I would love to introduce our returning and new leadership. Hannah...
by Mckenzi Harris | May 8, 2021 | News, News Slider, Opinion
Mckenzi Harris already has transitioned from her job as editor of Lipscomb’s Lumination Network student news website to the “real world.” But before she graduated, May 8, she offered up some final thoughts on being a student, photographer, editor and news-gatherer for the website. Here are her thoughts: It’s here. My last day as an undergraduate college student. I’m officially an alumna from Lipscomb University as of May 8, which means I’ve passed the Lumination “editor-in-chief” title on to a new leader. I began my staff duties with Lumination as a sports photographer the spring of 2019, and I began to occasionally write a piece for two. I took on the “editor-in-chief” role in the summer of 2019. I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Lipscomb, but my best memories came from being a part of the amazing community of Lumination staff writers. As I leave Lipscomb to enter the workforce, our Lumination leadership roles are being turned over to a great, new team of editors. Starting tomorrow (May 9), rising senior Kathryn Farris will be taking over as the new editor-in-chief; rising sophomores Camryn Given and Hannah Cron will build on their duties as managing editors; and rising junior Danny Kotula is becoming the sports editor. Lumination Network is being left in the best possible hands with this new editorial staff. I have so many amazing memories from my time as Lumination Network’s editor-in-chief and want to share a few, as well as some gratitude I want to publicly express to the communication faculty and Lipscomb community members who have entrusted me to bring the news to our audience over the past two...
by Riley Hoag | May 5, 2021 | News Slider, Opinion, Student Spotlight
During my time at Lipscomb, I was a student in the IDEAL Program. When I began my first year moving into the dorms, I didn’t know anyone who was a student or who was in the program. I was excited about finally being able to get a real college experience and making new friends after moving from another state. My experience during Quest Week didn’t exactly go as I wanted it to be. It was hard being able to make friends with the freshmen who were already younger than I was. When I started classes I was able to meet new people and get to know them. One day in class we were talking about photography and after the class one of my classmates took me to meet the Lumination editor-in-chief. I had expressed interest in taking pictures for Lumination Network. I started getting assigned sporting events to take photos for. I had started making a few friends and then IDEAL assigned peer mentors for the IDEAL students. Two of my mentors happened to be on the women’s soccer team and I had no clue until one night I was taking photos for one of their games. Riley with Lumination Network editor-in-chief Mckenzi Harris Riley with her IDEAL peer mentors from the Lady Bisons soccer team I started becoming good friends with my mentors, players on sports teams, and students in my classes. Most of my favorite memories are with my friends on the soccer team because we...
by Abigail Davis | May 3, 2021 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
The formerly pre-pubescent boy known for crooning in his falsetto and making 14-year-old girls swoon, proves in his new album Justice that growing up in the spotlight is not always as glamorous as it seems. Justin Bieber shares as much in his hit “Lonely” that detailed the dark place he inhabited as a result of his young fame. However, the so-called “Beliebers” — fans who have been with him throughout his entire career — have recently seen him become a believer himself: In God and true love. Faith and marriage have become his new brand and are reflected in his newest album, titled Justice, with song lyrics that suggest remorse for his actions and thankfulness for forgiveness. Throughout his new music, he credits his wife, formerly Hailey Baldwin, and God for giving him a new perspective and second chance. His once booming music career seems to be revived amid these dramatic life changes. Though, along with success he has also met more controversy. Some have criticized his “inauthentic” references to social injustice within his album. “Rolling Stone” even referred to his use of Martin Luther King Jr., speech samples on his album as “a jarring musical misstep”. In response to these criticisms Bieber responded: “I’m not trying to make a connection between me and Martin Luther King. That’s why I never try to talk about social injustice, or I didn’t want to be the one to talk about it. “I just have so much more learning to do. But I have this man who was ready to die, and what he believed to be true. If I’m not willing...
by Mckenzi Harris | Dec 21, 2020 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
While Covid is on the rise and traveling is discouraged, the campus is closed and that means most students have to commute home. Whether you are driving to visit family or flying back home, a good holiday commute should be filled with music, podcasts and movies. I grew up in a Christmas fanatic family. We are most easily comparable to the Griswolds and there is no denying it. Our yard stays filled with lights till the end of January and the Christmas season begins before thanksgiving — sometimes even before Halloween. All that said, I would consider myself somewhat of an expert in holiday music and movies. We can start with music. Here are my top favorite songs for the Christmas season this year. Ribbons and Bows — Kacey Musgraves Not Christmas till you come Home — by Norah Jones White Christmas — George Ezra It’s been a year — Stephen Day You’re a mean one Mr. Grinch — Tyler the Creator Merry Christmas Darling — The Carpenters Santa Claus is coming to town — The Jackson 5 Step into Christmas — Elton John Another Wonderful Christmas — Joey and Rory Up on the Housetop — Pentatonix Check back for some of my top favorite Holiday Movies! Have a happy holidays! xoxo,...
by Lumination Staff | Dec 18, 2020 | News, News Slider, Opinion
Tim Ghianni, adjunct professor/journalist-in-residence, asked his Multimedia Storytelling class to choose one word that best described this unusual semester and then explain it. Some needed more than one word. Other students may see a bit of themselves in the following short essays: Unmotivating & Exhausting Don’t get me wrong, this semester has definitely not been all bad. But I think we can all admit, COVID sucks! It has been hard to focus on school work with everything going on, and a lot of times I have felt completely drained. Sometimes I even get the “what’s the point attitude?” Which really sucks. I have had ups and downs with motivation— some days I’m eager to work, and on others work is the last thing on my mind. It feels like we were go-go-going without being able to take a break or even a breath. Pretty much all of my teachers have been understanding, which I really appreciate. This semester has not been an easy one… But it has been one to appreciate the smaller moments of joy in between all the doom and gloom stuff. Hopefully, this will be a season of being more grateful, humble, and understanding than ever before! I like to think something good will come out of all this. -Josephine Ballard Blessed When I think of the semester that is coming to a close in hindsight, my word is blessed. When I think of the moments that were difficult, I would say overwhelming, but when I think about how those two things work together, I think that I feel lucky. At the beginning of the semester,...
