Bid Night highlights

Social Clubs held their 2014 Bid Night in Collins Alumni Auditorium to kickstart pledge week. “Big night is the most exciting night,” said Pi Delta member Sarah McFarlin. Sigma Iota Delta member Cade Morgan calls bid night, “everything.” “It’s where we introduce who we are taking into our club and who’s going to be the future of it,” Morgan said. Each group did a roll-call activity and each pledge introduced his or her self on stage. The most memorable act of the night was by the pledges of Theta Psi, who inhaled helium before introducing themselves. Check out the photo gallery and video for a quick recap of the night, including Theta Psi’s skit. Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR. Photo gallery and carousel photo credit: Erin Turner Video credit: Bridgette Begle and Logan...

Missions-minded Samantha Gwinn tells of her passion for ministry

The opportunity to take mission trips as a Lipscomb student fits right into freshman Samantha Gwinn’s plans to travel the world and help others. Gwinn is studying elementary education, but her dream is to be a missionary. Already, Gwinn has quite a bit of experience in mission work. A few places she already has visited are Mexico, Honduras, South Africa and Swaziland, as well as many places in the United States. “The summer before my senior year of high school, I knew I was being called to do something more than just a week of mission work,” Gwinn said. “I’ve wanted to be a missionary since seventh grade, and I just wanted more of it.  So, I spent a summer in Swaziland two summers ago with a group of people I had only known for four days.” Gwinn mentioned the joy that she has encountered through the people she has spent time with during her journeys. “I enjoy seeing people from other cultures worshiping God. Sometimes we think that we are the only ones who love God, and that we are such good people for going out and spreading Christ’s love. Well, the love is already there,” Gwinn said. “Often times, it is more there than it is here. The kids seem joyful so much of the time, no matter if they’re wearing ratty, dirty clothes and only eat one meal a day. They have the joy of the Lord inside of them.” Gwinn says that she hopes her mission trip travels continue. “Madagascar is high on my list,” Gwinn said. “I’ve learned about it during a project, and God...

Anteaters’ Ball hopes to kickstart the spring semester

Singing, choreography and even some comedy will accompany Alpha Phi Chi and Pi Kappa Sigma’s annual Anteaters’ Ball Friday at seven p.m. The Anteaters’ Ball is a variety show that the two social clubs put on each year as a fundraising event in Collins Alumni Auditorium. Each year the clubs choose an organization that they wish to support. For the past several years the clubs have fundraised for international organizations, but Alpha Phi Chi’s Caesar Tang says this year they wanted to fundraise for a cause closer to home. “We decided to come back to the states and see if we could do anything locally,” Tang said. “Nashville Food Project is right close to campus and several of our friends wanted to help there, so that’s why we’ve chosen it this year.” The cost to attend the ball is $5 per person and tickets can be purchased in the student center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday. All proceeds will go to the Nashville Food Project. During the show, students will see performances by their peers in Alpha Phi Chi and Pi Kappa Sigma. Tang says students should come to the event to enjoy a great show and start the semester off on a good note by giving back to the community. “It’s the first event of the semester,” Tang said. “I believe students should do something with a good cause as a kickstart of the...

Students share Christmas break plans

Finals week has come to an end, which can only mean one thing.  Christmas is here! Lipscomb students have spent countless hours over the last week studying for finals.  Now, they can take some much needed time off to recuperate. “I am so glad finals are over,” said sophomore Cory Sanders. “I can’t wait to go home and be with my family.  I will probably get some duck hunting in, too.” This is a special time of year when Lipscomb students get an extended break to relax and be with family, as home is a long way from Nashville for many students. “I am from Pennsylvania, so it is important for me to be at home for Christmas,” said senior Micah Fleming. “I will be spending a lot of time with my family, which will be nice since I don’t see them much anymore.” Christmas is viewed in many different ways.  Some see it as the time they get to open presents and be with family. This Christmas, however, will not include presents for one Lipscomb student. “This year my family has decided not to give each other presents,” said senior Karley Harris. “We have decided to take a family trip instead. “I think this is a great way to spend Christmas, because it allows us to relax and be surrounded with the people we love.” What would Christmas be without traditions? A lot of families will put up the tree and string Christmas lights on their houses, but some students have unique traditions. “My mom started this tradition when I was young. We make a birthday cake and sing...

Jessie Jerkins’ love of horses stems from family tradition

1, 2, 3. That’s the countdown all babies hear as their parents stand them up and let go of them for the first time to start walking. For Jessie Jerkins, the countdown was not for the same reason as most small toddlers. Jerkins first heard this as her parents let her ride her first horse. Jerkins is a junior studying geriatric social work and minoring in psychology. When she’s not busy doing school work, you can find her at home taking care of her 24 horses. For as long as she can remember, horses have always been a part of her life. “I have been taking care of horses and riding horses since I was born,” Jerkins said. “My grandfather Gigi owned draft horses, and it just started from there with my family and horses. My mom and dad said my sister and I were riding before we were walking. So I have been riding horses for 21 years.” With school work and commuting, life can get pretty stressful for just about anyone. For Jerkins, stress is something she knows how to deal with. With help from her horses, she is always ready to face the next thing life throws her way. “My favorite part about having horses is how calming they are,” Jerkins said. “I go out any time I am stressed out, and they will just let me ride them or sit next to them. It’s more calming than most people think. “There is nothing better than having a horse give you a big old kiss when you are stressed out.” Jerkins also noted a horse’s ability to...

Dr. Gary Wilson recounts his journey to directing Lipscomb choruses

Now in his eighth year at Lipscomb University, Director of Vocal and Choral Activities Dr. Gary Wilson hasn’t always been an educator in the Volunteer State. Originally from Texas, Wilson started his teaching career in Little Rock, Ark., where he stayed for 13 years. He left to pursue teaching at the collegiate level. “[I] thoroughly loved my job there, but I wasn’t completely satisfied with it,” Wilson said. “There’s some music that I knew I was capable of teaching and conducting that my high school students were not capable of learning and performing, and so I really wanted to get to the collegiate level, but I didn’t have a doctoral degree.” He explained that, in the choral profession, there are many people with doctorates, and there is typically only one choral director at a small university. Thus, there is plenty of competition for the title of choral director. To earn his doctoral degree, Wilson traveled to York College in York, Neb., a Church of Christ university. Wilson taught full time and studied there during his tenure. Wilson said that he learned valuable lessons during his time at York. “For one thing, I had to learn how to drive on the snow. I grew up in Texas, [so after] a half inch, we pretty much shut things down,” Wilson said with a laugh. Along with driving in snowy weather, Wilson learned organization and focusing skills. “I probably learned how to be more organized than I have ever in my entire life, and how to be very, very focused on what has be done today, and what can be put off until...