While Lumination Network looks to the future in its evolving coverage of things Lipscomb, there remains a bit of melancholy as on graduation day, May 8, we had to say goodbye to the class of 2021 contributors.
Each one of the seniors was a talented and integral part of the website reports as well as the TV broadcasts and the radio station. And sometimes, they had to work in all those areas in their efforts to gain practical experience as well as, we hope, have a little fun building their resume of communications skills.
They’ll be missed by all in the Journalism and New Media Department, but we trust their talents will take them far in their upcoming careers.
We didn’t let them get off-campus and into the “real world” without answering a few questions or commenting about their time with us.
Abby Davis
1. What professor has shaped you the most here? In what way?
I would be remiss not to mention both of the professors that have poured into me a great deal during my time at Lipscomb.
The first, I met very early on. It was my junior year of high school and I was battling cancer. Rather than our usual trip to the beach, my doctors recommended that we take a spring break trip to somewhere closer in case of emergency, so my parents and I took a trip to Nashville. During our trip we scheduled a few college visits and one was at Lipscomb University. I set up a meeting with Professor Alan Griggs in the Journalism department, and, from that meeting, I knew that I could see myself in the program. We talked not just about journalism and the college, but also about the way the world could be. He was someone who deeply cared for people. Taking his Capstone class this semester and talking through some of life’s greatest challenges and how they make us stronger has felt truly full circle. Throughout my time at Lipscomb he has only become more special to me and someone I hope to stay in touch with for all my professional years to come.
Equally special to my time at Lipscomb has been Dr. Jimmy McCollum. I got the opportunity to spend many hours outside of class getting to know Dr. Mac through working for THSPA. He has been someone who has genuinely invested in me, and always been delighted to cheer on my every victory. He too, has been such a blessing to my time at Lipscomb and will be greatly missed.
I feel blessed to have had such wonderful, God-fearing people for each and every class and will always be grateful for the memories and experiences I was afforded by the faculty at Lipscomb University.
Spencer Boehme Professor Griggs. His news reporting class was one of the best classes I ever took.
2. What is your favorite Lipscomb memory?
This is a hard question to answer. I have a lot of favorite memories. I loved spending time with my best friend freshman year, but unfortunately he transferred after that year. Making a close friend-group junior year and spending every day with them was another huge highlight. And obviously calling games, especially with my buddy Russell (Vannozzi), who graduated after my sophomore year.
3. Do you have some favorite coverage from your time with Lumination?
A lot, actually. Nothing will ever top doing play-by-play at Madison Square Garden for the Bisons’ NIT semifinal and championship games. Getting to travel to over 10 different stadiums on the road was something I never dreamed of doing while in college. I’ll tell you what, MTSU has a great journalism program, but if I hadn’t listened to God and come to Lipscomb, I doubt I would have come close to being on over 125 live sports broadcasts.
4. What are your plans after you graduate?
I am in the process of searching for broadcast jobs with a goal of doing play-by-play broadcasting at whatever job I find. Long-term is to be the voice of a college or whatever height God brings me to.
5. What are you going to miss most about Lipscomb?
The friendships and the connections. Getting to run into people every day and say “Hi.” Spending quality time with close friends. Playing cards in the student center late at night. Lipscomb has become a second home to me, and it’ll be very bittersweet to say goodbye.
Riley Hoag
1. What professor has shaped you the most here? In what way?
I think the professor who has shaped me the most at Lipscomb is Professor Gibson, she thought the work I turned into her in her classes was great. Even if I didn’t think my work was great, she helped build my confidence.