Editor’s Note: Click title to view each story
2018 was an exciting time to be a Lipscomb student.
The year came with both celebratory and controversial moments. Lipscomb’s athletic teams reached new heights, the administration made steps toward connecting with LGBT students, Allen Arena hosted the GMA’s Dove Awards for the sixth year in a row and a recent alum joined Kelly Clarkson’s touring band.
But amid the positive news, there were also times of controversy and frustration. A Trump cabinet member spoke at a private healthcare event in Shamblin in September, firing up students on both sides of the aisle. 21 Fast-Track MBA students were found cheating on a final exam. Hurricane Florence ravaged the homes of several students.
Lumination journalists were there to cover all of this — plus more. By combing through Google Analytics and our social media platforms, we determined our top 10 stories of 2018:
No. 1: Lipscomb basketball NCAA tournament coverage, by Erin Franklin, Cole Gray & Russell Vannozzi
Lipscomb men’s basketball made school history by winning its first-ever ASUN tournament title and advancing to the NCAA tournament thanks to a 108-96 victory at FGCU on March 4.
There were several top stories that emerged from the Bisons’ tournament run, including:
– In their own words: Lipscomb students react to historic win, by Cole Gray
– Column: Lipscomb finally breaks into NCAA tourney after long, disappointing road, by Russell Vannozzi
– A look back: the rich history of Bisons basketball, by Erin Franklin
– Lipscomb falls to UNC in first round of NCAA Tournament after historic run, by Cole Gray
No. 2: Students cheat in new accelerated MBA program, by Cavin Jacobson
21 of the 32 students in Lipscomb’s Fast-Track MBA Program were found cheating on an online, take-home final exam in their Applied Value Creation class.
The test consisted of two parts, and two groups of students met up to work on the test together, while others contacted friends and family for help. Dr. Joe Ivey, the class professor, met with each student individually to determine punishments.
Freshman Abigail Davis wrote a follow-up report in which several Lipscomb professors called for grace for the guilty MBA students.
No. 3: Lipscomb hires liaison for LGBT student population, by Cole Gray
In a step toward further acknowledgment of the LGBTQ+ student population, Lipscomb hired Dannie Woods as an official liaison to improve relations with that community.
The Lipscomb alumna was brought on in November 2017 to “be a bridge-builder between Student Life and our LGBT student community,” she told Lumination Network’s Cole Gray. This story was widely circulated on social media and became a point of contention for students and alumni on both sides of the matter.
No. 4: BREAKING: Trump cabinet member to speak at Lipscomb Thursday; ‘community gathering’ planned by DSC, by Erin Franklin, Cole Gray and Russell Vannozzi
A Trump cabinet member spoke at a private healthcare event in Shamblin in September, displacing MASK chapel, Lipscomb’s weekly intercultural chapel. Lumination editors Erin Franklin, Cole Gray and Russell Vannozzi tackled the controversial story.
Reporter Quinn Gorte followed up the next day with coverage of the private event, when U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar discussed the Affordable Care Act.
No. 5: Men’s, women’s soccer programs find tournament magic, by Spencer Boehme and Russell Vannozzi
Lipscomb men’s and women’s soccer made school history by both winning ASUN tournament titles and advancing to the NCAA tournament.
Russell Vannozzi and Spencer Boehme provided detailed and consistent coverage of the teams’ historic runs, including the following stories:
Women’s soccer:
– Women’s soccer relishes Mississippi State upset, prepares for battle with Duke, by Russell Vannozzi
– HISTORY MADE: Lady Bisons win first-ever ASUN tournament title, by Spencer Boehme
Men’s soccer:
– REPEAT: Paynter sets goal record, Lipscomb soccer heading back to NCAA tourney, by Spencer Boehme
– COLUMN: Lipscomb men’s soccer was an underdog with an asterisk, by Russell Vannozzi
No. 6: Lipscomb students celebrate National Coming Out Day, by Abbi Scott
In recognition of National Coming Out Day, Lipscomb’s LGBTQ+ students painted the Bison rainbow colors, standing around it from early morning until evening on Oct. 11 in support of the LGBT community on campus.
Lumination’s Abbi Scott was there to talk to students and professors who gathered around the Bison throughout the day to show their support.
No. 7: Lipscomb plays host to Dove Awards for sixth year in a row, by Charissa Ricker, Erin Franklin, Cavin Jacobson & Ben Davis
Lipscomb welcomed some of the biggest names in Christian music for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards on Oct. 16 for a night of celebrating music and worshiping God.
Charissa Ricker was there to break down the awards, Erin Franklin and Cavin Jacobson produced a video package from the red carpet and Ben Davis told the story through his camera lens.
No. 8: From dream to reality: Lipscomb alumnus Glenn Hill joins Kelly Clarkson’s band, by Lorena Coleman
One minute Glenn Hill was a resident assistant at High Rise Hall.
The next thing he knew, he received the call of a lifetime to join Kelly Clarkson’s touring band. Hill even made several national television appearances while playing trombone for the band.
Arts and Entertainment reporter Lorena Coleman spoke with the musician about how his life has changed since that fateful call.
No. 9: The Northern Southern Belle fashion columns, by Rachel Pavelich
Lumination tried something new this year with a fashion column.
Rachel Pavelich took the challenge by giving tips on fall fashion, thrifting and even one’s “inner clothing” in her biweekly column, “The Northern Southern Belle.”
She’ll be back with more columns next year, so make sure to stay tuned for more advice from our resident fashionista.
No. 10: Hurricane Florence hits close to home for many Lipscomb students, by LeBron Hill
Hurricane Florence made its wrath felt across the Carolinas when it made landfall in early September.
North Carolina Governor Roy Hopper said that emergency crews rescued 2,600 people and more than 300 animals.
30 people eventually died as a direct result of the storm, which hit close to home for several Lipscomb students, including McKenzi Utley, Will Huff and Michael Buckland.
From all of us at Lumination Network, thank you for reading. Although we’re not sure what 2019 will have in store, rest assured Lumination staffers will be ready to bring you the news.
Happy New Year!