by Erin Turner | Apr 4, 2015 | Opinion
Open Letter to the Student Body: My name is Ezra Fritz, and I am running for Vice President of the Student Government Association 2015-2016. I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major from Kingston Springs, Tennessee. Having had the privilege of serving on SGA during these past two years, and having had the trust placed in me by the SGA executives to serve as Communications Committee Chair this past academic year; I believe I have both the leadership experience and the drive to make a good Vice President, and to bring strong and competent leadership to SGA. This will ensure that we get projects accomplished that you, the students, raise your voice about and care about deeply. One potential problem that I noticed as Communications Chair and have worked to lessen, was that there seems to be somewhat of a disconnect between SGA and the student body; and I would be honored if I could continue my work of helping to bridge that gap, as the next Vice President. One example of the many small projects my Communications Committee undertook this year to aid in creating good communication was to create a place online where you can go and see a profile picture, some information and a contact email for every member of SGA. We created the “Meet-Your-SGA” tab on our SGA webpage so that you can get directly into contact with any one of your representatives, as well as the SGA executives if you have a question, comment or concern. I also helped to organize the information tables as well as our survey, both of which have given many...
by Erin Turner | Apr 4, 2015 | Opinion
Open Letter to the Student Body: My name is Margaret Rox, and I’m running for President of SGA for the 2015-2016 school year. I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Qualifications: I have been on Student Government Association since my freshman year. Three years of being on SGA has taught me a lot about how this organization works and how the school’s administration runs. I also feel like I really understand the needs of the student body and how I can improve communication between us and the administration. A few things I have accomplished during my time on SGA include getting straws in the cafeteria and helping to get a printer in Ezell. This year on the academic committee, I have been working with other members on potentially making internships free for students during the summer (no tuition required), organizing the SGA blood drive and installing more water bottle refilling stations, like the ones in Swang and the SAC. If Elected: I’m not going to make any promises I can’t keep. For example, parking is not something SGA or the student body can control. I can’t promise more parking spots. I can promise communication about the students’ need for parking (as always). This year, Drew has worked a lot with the administration on getting us a sand volleyball court. This is the kind of action a president can take, and should take. If elected, I promise to strive for more developments on campus like this. The student body needs someone advocating for them who is not just interested in donor funding, but also interested in what’s...
by Erin Turner | Apr 4, 2015 | Opinion
Open Letter to the Student Body: My name is Julia Allen, and I am excited to be running for President of Student Government Association 2015-2016. I am from Albany, New York and majoring in Social Entrepreneurship. If elected, my mission is to use your resources responsibly, communicate your ideas effectively and continue to make Lipscomb’s environment more of one that pushes you to be the best you can be. I will: Push for the ability to apply summer tuition costs to fall or spring semester. Work toward more and better meal plan options. I am particularly passionate about more off-campus options and Cookout milkshakes. Reduce food waste. Encourage and facilitate students supporting other students (athletic events, productions, other events). Student Government President has been one of my main goals since freshman year, and I have been preparing myself for the potential of an executive position since. I have been a senator on SGA since my sophomore year and have grown to love serving the campus in this way. I have also worked in the office of Student Life for over two years, which has allowed me to build relationships with various clubs, organizations, faculty and staff. My friendships are diverse, and I am confident that I can represent the student body well. I love our university, and ultimately, my desire is for you to have the greatest opportunities that will set you up for success here and further in our world. I want to meet you and work with you to make your college experience unforgettable. Vote Julia Allen for SGA President this...
by Erin Turner | Apr 4, 2015 | Opinion
Open Letter to the Student Body: My name is Jordan Beale, and I am a presidential candidate for Lipscomb’s Student Government Association for the 2015-2016 school year. I grew up in a small town in Western Kentucky on a farm. I am majoring in biochemistry, with hopes of one day moving on to medical school. My story at Lipscomb: I came to Lipscomb without knowing anyone, and I intentionally searched for ways to change that as quickly as possible. When I heard about SGA, it sounded like a golden opportunity to get involved. During my freshman year and fall semester of my sophomore year, I served as a senator on SGA. I quickly learned the pace of meetings, proposals and voting, but more than anything, I experienced the amount of time and compassion these procedures required. I gained a huge respect for the organization as well as the individual leaders. A large part of my involvement, though, was on the spiritual life committee. We wanted to see a greater community growing, specifically through intentional conversations and small reminders. We planned many daily events as well as late-night devotionals. I gained a lot of experience by seeing passion come to fruition through hard work and camaraderie. I specifically met with the chapel office to discuss ideas and give them student feedback. In my opinion, the only way to be an effective leader is to understand the people you are serving. One of the best ways for me is to be involved in many facets of campus. Throughout the past three years, I have been a part of Greek life, campus...
by Carly Bergthold | Mar 23, 2015 | News Slider, Opinion
I spent hours waiting for the bus last week. On warm and sunny days, spending a few minutes at the bus stop doesn’t seem that bad. Waiting in the cold rain, however, is pretty miserable, especially if you have an appointment to which you’re definitely going to arrive late. I took the bus so often because I was on Lipscomb’s Serve the City missing trip team, working with newly arrived refugees in Nashville. Not only did we learn how to master public transit, but we maneuvered the health system, got library cards, ate a lot of PB&J’s and spent three hours at the DMV. Our team of nine worked with six refugees from Somalia and Burma. When I first met them, they struck me as lovely and intelligent people who just happened to be displaced from their home countries. We soon learned, though, that each of them went through hell and high water to reach the United States. As the week progressed, I stopped thinking of them as “the refugees” and started thinking of them as Ibrahim, Mohamed, Hassan, Hussein, Aung Gi and LinLing. It must have happened as we spent hours laughing and talking, playing soccer with an empty plastic water bottle, riding the seesaw at Cumberland Park and learning that the culture gap isn’t so wide after you’ve crossed Nolensville Road on foot during rush hour and survived. In America, we make memes about “first world problems” and occasionally remember to give $5 to the poor. Yet what we often lack is the ability to see the world through a lens of grateful curiosity — a viewpoint...
by Sara-Jane Kerstetter | Mar 18, 2015 | News Slider, Opinion
Stephen Warnik knows the importance of Nashville’s greenways. “I come here [to the Bells Bend trail] daily,” Warnik said. “As long as it’s above 32 degrees you’ll find me out here making the most of these beautiful trails. You just cannot beat it.” Warnik, a Nashville resident, said that the greenways are a daily escape from his routine. Nashville is doing its part to help residents live healthier lifesyles by seeking to expand the number of greenways in Davidson county. There are currently 190 miles of trails throughout the county. Greenways are linear parks and paths that link schools, shopping areas, offices and parks within a community. Not only do the greenways provide benefits of recreation but also conserve green space and provide a green system of transportation. Nashville’s greenways are built by Metro Parks and supported by the non-profit group, Greenways for Nashville. The greenways provide opportunities for biking, hiking, running and exploring trails and anyone. The greenways are located all over the city, with a goal of having a greenway trail within two miles of every community. Lipscomb students have easy access to the the greenways, as the Forest Hills trail is less than a mile from campus. Students can walk just under a mile to get to the entrance on Hillsboro Pike. This provides students with a safe and convenient opportunity to adventure and see another side of Nashville. There is also nearby Woodmont Park greenway, which is located off of Woodmont Boulevard. “It’s so peaceful out here [on the greenways],” Warnik said. “Sometimes I will see people and other times it will be just me and God’s...
