by Ariel Jones | Aug 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by their character. I have a dream today…” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. pronounced those words Aug. 28, 1963, in his now-iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ address at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Fifty years after that speech punctuated the March on Washington, the words still provoke conversation among many, including Lipscomb’s Coordinator of International Student Services Sylvia Braden and acclaimed Nashville actor Barry Scott. “For me, [Dr. King’s speech] feels like a strong reminder of where we came from and how far yet we still have to go,” Braden said. “Looking back on, ‘The March’ and looking back on the things that were said in the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, there’s so many amazing calls to action.” Braden went on to say that African-Americans have more opportunities now because of the sacrifices that were made by those, both black and white, who fought for racial equality. “At the same time, I think we have lost momentum in really realizing that dream and what [those in the Civil Rights Movement] set out to do and how to collectively make [America] a better community,” Braden said. “Not just for our black kids or white kids, but for everyone who is here to work more cohesively to make this community we call our world a better place.” Scott has portrayed Dr. King on many occasions since 1968 and has traveled the world performing the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech for diverse audiences. To Scott, the speech...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 19, 2013 | Uncategorized
Well, that was fast. I know it’s cliché to comment on the swiftness of the summer months, but it’s hard to believe that the break is over and the fall semester already underway. To those of you who braved an 8 a.m. class this morning, you have my upmost respect. Even though life’s been pretty mellow around LU, it’s actually been quite an eventful summer on the news side of things. Lipscomb has hired a new men’s basketball coach with Casey Alexander, implemented new dining changes (including a new off-campus meal plan) and installed the new Osman Fountain in Bison Square. Other new campus renovations are currently getting their finishing touches. Lumination also made a few new additions to our staff before the summer months. Former Assistant News Director Sydney Poe will be taking over all of our multimedia coverage as the new News Director of the Lumination News broadcast and as the new Multimedia Editor. Jael Teme will be the new Assistant News Director for the broadcast. In regards to LU Radio, Thomas Jones, who you may know from his LU Radio show Sports60, will be the new Program Director for the station. On the written side of things, Kyrsten Turner will be our new News Editor and Social Media Manager, Janice Ng will be our new Special Interests Editor, Brianna Langley will be our new Lifestyles Editor, Aaron Schmelzer will be our new Sports Editor and Logan Butts will be our new Entertainment Editor. Now that we’re all back and situated, we here at Lumination are looking forward to providing you some of our best work yet....
by Nick Glende | Aug 12, 2013 | Uncategorized
College is where students generally spend four years of their life getting an education and preparing themselves for their future careers. Some students prioritize a place where they can comfortably practice and share their beliefs alongside their academic studies at a Christian university. At Lipscomb University, students may be familiar with Dr. Larry Brown, who has taught a variety of classes in his 24 years, including both Bible and Liberal Arts courses. Brown first majored in the field of theater then followed in the footsteps of his parents, who were both teachers at one time. “It seemed natural to follow that path. I grew up in a home where education was appreciated. As an undergraduate, I decided that if I wanted to continue in the field of theater, but not go the professional route, that teaching was my best option,” Brown said. Brown grew up in Nashville and attended Lipscomb University.He received his first teaching job at York College in Nebraska in 1982. Brown’s former professor, Dr. Marlin Connelly, invited him back to Lipscomb when its previous director retired, and 1989 Brown returned to his roots. “I teach a variety of courses. For 19 years I was director of theater, and I still teach a few theater classes,” Brown says, “But also World Lit. and four different online Bible classes; mostly for the Adult Degree Program.” Although theater was his focus for quite some time, Brown always had time set aside to teach Bible. “Besides my PhD in theater,I also have a master’s in Bible,” he said. “I always intended to teach Bible along with my other subjects, as...
by Monaih Sam | Jul 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
The Institute for Sustainable Practice (ISP) at Lipscomb University offers a variety of degrees for students in all phases of life, including an undergraduate Major in Environmental and Sustainable Science (ESS). Environmental and Sustainable Science covers interests in a diverse array of fields, ranging from Ecology, Wildlife Biology and Conservation, Environmental Law and Policy, Environmental Analysis, Environmental Management, Organic Food Production and many more personalized concentrations. Dr. James English, Academic Director for the ISP, said the program is more involved than just taking Science courses. “A few years ago, students in most of these fields would just take a concentration of biology courses and chemistry courses. Then, maybe 10 years ago, many schools developed a program in Environmental Science,” English said. “The Institute for Sustainable Practice has a program that includes all those rather traditional fields, but also includes very applied areas of sustainability.” The programs offered by the ISP aren’t confined to just students interested in Chemistry or Biology. All students in all majors are encouraged to find out what the program has to offer and find a specialized career. “You want to go to Law school, but specifically you want to go for Environmental Law – our program encompasses that,” English said. “I have students who want to be farmers, environmental consultants. I have students who want to be entrepreneurs and start their own ‘green business.’ “And, of course, a great many of our students are studying ecology, conservation and wildlife biology. The thing all these students have in common is they are learning how the environment works, and doing something substantial to lessen our impact on...
by Michael Fox | Dec 20, 2012 | Uncategorized
Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon program has blessed a lot of military lives since it began in 2009. The program started off with 20 military veterans and now has reached to over 150. One student, Sam Schoenheit, shared his story, inspiring the lives of many here at Lipscomb. Schoenheit attended basic training in summer 2003. At the Marine Corps boot camp, he was indoctrinated into the Marine Recon — the Marine Corps’ most elite fighting force. Schoenheit served two combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. While conducting operations in Afghanistan, he was wounded on duty when a bullet fragmented into his brain. “I stayed in the fight for about 45 minutes before I took one,” Schoenheit recalled. “I woke up in Bethesda Naval hospital with a full right side stroke, and that’s when I realized that my journey to recover was going to be a long ways away.” While unconscious, former President George W. Bush personally awarded Schoenheit the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his combat services. Schoneheit’s recovery has been miraculous, and he is continuing to progress. “My only missing piece is the right hand hasn’t come back yet,” Schoenheit said. “The shoulder movement and stiffness in my forearm … just awkward and clumsy.” We thank Schoenheit for his services, and we are blessed that he chose to be a Bison. For more of Schoenheit’s story, watch this video by Monaih Sam....
by Emily Snell | Dec 14, 2012 | Uncategorized
Dr. Brandi Kellett knows life is a balancing act. The adjunct English professor, PTO president and mom of three also knows it’s OK to have an imperfect life. “I don’t have to be right, and I don’t have to be strong. Weakness and failure are part of the gig,” she said, illustrating that by looking at the Bible. “In Corinthians, when God says to Paul, ‘My grace is sufficient for you because my power is made perfect in weakness,’ it doesn’t say, ‘I’ll be strong until you get back on your feet, but like really, you need to get your crap together.’ It says, ‘My strength is only made perfect when you are not.’” In other words, human frailties are part of the overall plan and are part of the life experience, she said. “As I’ve become more accomplished in my professional life, my marriage and parenting, and my church and all these different arenas, I’ve actually learned to take myself a lot less seriously,” she said. Along the way, she has realized humility goes a long way toward helping a person live with honesty and integrity, “which is what I think it’s all about.” “I’ve learned that [humility] is actually the key to compassion for other people, which is why it matters so much,” she said. “It doesn’t matter because God wants a bunch of meek, little people walking around. He knows that humility is the key to living well with others. And it really doesn’t happen without it. It’s the key to empathy and kindness and community, I think.” Kellett said even her new role as PTO...
