by Erin Turner | Feb 26, 2016 | Uncategorized
George W. Bush’s visit to Lipscomb is primarily a closed-door, special-donor event, but the former president will be taking time to share his unique perspective with 600 students, according to Josh Roberts, Dean of Student Development. Roberts said it was important to incorporate a student question-and-answer period into Bush’s visit at Lipscomb as part of the inaugural Imagine event. “When we get in the same room as someone like George W. Bush we know what a world changer looks like,” Roberts said. “We know the way they talk when we get to hear them, we know what those values are when we get to discern them.” Lipscomb launched Imagine as a program that will allow the community to dive into local and global topics. The initiative is a series of discussions that will take place over the next five years. The main event is an invitation-only gathering in Allen Arena for Lipscomb associates, donors of $1,000 or more annually. The theme of the event will be “Nashville: An Emerging City with Global Significance.” That, of course, is important for the university’s future, but the Q&A with students is key to both the initiative’s success and the university’s mission, according to Roberts. “Our goal is that students come to Lipscomb so that they can develop and leave Lipscomb to change the world,” Roberts said. Roberts said the student event was put together by a team of 10 students. The Imagine Student Leadership Team is taking care of everything from seat reservations to security and scheduling. “They have driven everything about it,” Roberts said. “With a lot of scrutiny and a lot of...
by Mignonne Bryant | Feb 26, 2015 | Uncategorized
Fifty Shades of Grey had record-breaking ticket sales, and according to Fandango, ticket sales were highest in what’s known as the “Bible Belt.” According to Fortune, the steamy film brought in $85 million it’s opening weekend, and it is Fandango’s fastest-selling R-rated movie in its entire history. “A lot of people reading the book were women,” pastor at Belmont Heights John Garner said. “And that’s very sad to me because this whole movie is about dominance and making women way less than they should be.” Garner suggests that the reason for the high sales in the “Bible Belt” may be tied to church life. “Here in the South, you have some repressed sexuality, and here’s an opportunity to explore new things and that kind of stuff,” Garner said. Some Lipscomb students have avoided seeing the movie or reading the books altogether. “I know a lot more people that kind of took a stand against it and did not go see the movie because of its content, because of the message it sent,” junior Cole Meador said. “I was not interested in going to go see it at all.” One pastor argues that the movie choices people make reveal what they support. “I would say to anyone thinking about watching: number one, any movie I watch or you watch, we’re saying almost we approve of this and here’s our money so you can make another one,” pastor at Judson Baptist Mike James said. “So as a believer – when we spend our money in theaters – we’re actually endorsing the theme and the values of that movie.” While it may have...
by Carly Bergthold | Dec 2, 2014 | Uncategorized
Thanksgiving has passed, finals are looming and the winter chill is here to stay. Luckily Nashville has several great holiday events that also double as reasons to take a study break. A Country Christmas at Opryland Hotel There is nothing more “classic Nashville” than visiting Opryland Hotel in December. Drink in the millions of Christmas lights, gaze at the life-size Nativity scene or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the front lawn. Local’s Tip: Parking at the hotel is expensive, but you can park at the mall next door and walk over. Lights at Jellystone Park Middle Tennessee’s largest lights and music show, Jellystone is where podunk takes a classy turn. Drive up and down the park watching lights dance to rockin’ tunes. It costs $25 a car, so carpool for the best deal. The lights are open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night with extended weekend hours. Local’s Tip: Hit up Jellystone after going to Opryland Hotel – it’s only five minutes away! The Franklin Theater If your favorite Christmas traditions include Charlie Brown and Will Ferrell, then you need to head to Franklin. They will be showing many classic Christmas films on the big screen, and most are just $5. http://www.franklintheatre.com/tickets/movies/ Nashville Christmas Parade (December 5) Before the parade, Mayor Karl Dean will light up the Christmas tree in the Public Square Plaza at 6:30 p.m. The parade starts at 7 p.m. on the Woodland Street Bridge at Public Square, then travels down Second Ave. and up Broadway. Local’s Tip: Come early and stay late! Parking is a mess before and after the parade. A...
by Joel Clinger | Dec 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
Students looking for music, fellowship and free coffee flock to Coffeehouse. Coffeehouse not only means good music for listeners but also important performances for local songwriters. Scott Wilson, a freshman at Lipscomb, played at Coffeehouse in September and said he was thrilled by the opportunity to perform for his peers. “Someone is there to receive what I’ve created and worked really hard on,” he said. Coffeehouse is a small, intimate concert performed by Lipscomb students for Lipscomb students. Every Thursday night at 10 p.m. the Starbucks located in the Bennett Campus Center is booming with people and tunes. Coffeehouse is popular for the obvious reasons, among them the fact it gives the spotlight to songwriters who usually remain anonymous. Wilson said Coffeehouse was the first live show he had ever done by himself, even though he records his own music and puts it on the Internet. “I liked the first experience of that, and I liked getting to perform some of the music that I had written,” he said. Coffeehouse is a place that can provide a live atmosphere without a scary audience for performers, but it also provides a platform for artists to get their point across through their music. “Something about an audience changes the way you would perform”, Wilson said. “I think it gets me out of perfectionist mode, and it makes me not think about as much as how perfectly I’m playing but how well I’m conveying what I’m...
by Sam Jokisch | Oct 9, 2014 | Uncategorized
Lipscomb senior Joe Marcario found his calling in life after his hair grew a bit shaggy. “It all started when I needed a haircut. But like all college freshman in a new city, I had no source of income and didn’t want to use any of the money I did have on that,” Marcario said. “I happened across a pair of safety scissors in my roommate’s desk, and for whatever reason, decided I was up to the task. For the next hour and a half, I sat on the floor in front of my mirror in High Rise chopping away. My roommate came back into our room a few hours later, noticed it and freaked out when I told him I did it myself,” Marcario said. “He proceeded to ask if I’d cut his, and I did. I shrugged it off and didn’t really think anything of it. It was just one of those random dorm life stories you’d expect to hear from college freshmen.” Marcario spent the next year continuing to cut his roommate’s hair, as well as a few close friends. “I found it hilarious that cutting hair became a thing for me, but I did finally start to take it seriously during the summer between my freshman and sophomore year,” Marcario said. “The seed was planted when I went home for a few weeks and it came up in conversation while I was hanging out with a friend from high school. He asked if I’d cut his and I did. When I was done, he thanked me and handed me $10. That’s when it all clicked....
by Chad Johnson | Sep 24, 2014 | Uncategorized
It’s rare that a “villain” crosses over to the good side; however, for one Lipscomb student, the choice was easy. Chad Lang is a recent graduate of Belmont University, and was also on the Bruin basketball team. With another year of NCAA eligibility left, Lang decided to transfer to Lipscomb to play ball and work on his Master’s in Management (Entrepreneurship). Standing 6’11”, Lang is a perfect fit for the Bisons, who were in need of some size in the low-post. “I’ve known Casey [Alexander] since I was 17, and the graduate program was a perfect fit for what I want to do,” he said. “I can work, play and get my master’s.” Coach Alexander recruited Lang out of high school while he was an assistant at Belmont. “While this is a new team, basketball spirits are high, and there’s great team chemistry, Lang added. “So it’s been a great transition from where I was, to where I am now.” Coming from Belmont, Lang is no stranger to winning. He was a part of teams that won four conference championships and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. “More than anything, I think I bring leadership and experience,” Lang said. “I already know what to expect from Coach Alexander and what it takes to win a championship.” Lang admits that it took some time getting used to being at this end of the Boulevard, but everybody has been welcoming. “At first, it was kinda weird being over here, but everybody has been very friendly,” he said. Lang is looking forward to donning the purple and gold against his former team in...
