Campus adjusts to merger between English and Foreign Languages departments

Searching for a parking spot on campus is not a new phenomenon to Lipscomb students, but searching for a favorite professor’s new office might be. Many students are unaware that Lipscomb’s English and Foreign Languages departments have merged to create the Department of English and Modern Languages, although the name has not yet been officially approved by the administration. Students who are aware of the merge are mainly English and modern languages majors, and so far, reactions have been mixed. “Frankly, I’m just kind of a little confused as to how it might affect me,” said Chris Netterville, a sophomore English major from Nashville. “There hasn’t been that much explanation about it, just the fact that the merge itself is existing, and the offices are moving to join together in the library.” “I really wish there was more broad, open information about it,” Netterville said. “I think that is one thing the students are lacking. Just more information about the merge and what the teachers think it will entail.” Students’ concerns center heavily on the fact that although the professors have moved to Beaman Library, classes will still be held in Swang and Elam, potentially affecting the community of the departments. “I don’t know if that means when I go to talk to my teachers now, or go sit in the lounge area, if I have to be really quiet,” Netterville said. “Does that mean I [can’t] talk in my own department? That’s something I’m worried about.” “Right now, I’m not really happy about it,” said Rachel Craddock, a senior English major from Belpre, Ohio. “But, I know that...

Lumination Newscast, Sept. 26, 2013

In the sixth week of the 2013-2014 school year, Madeline Smith and Joe Sanderson are behind the news desk to update you about what is happening on campus and around the Nashville community. Brianna Langley fills you in on the week’s top world news headlines, Janice Ng give the scoop on all things with Nashville entertainment, Kelly Dean gives you the weather forecast and Carter Sanderson brings you up to speed with sports. This week’s newscast sheds light on the merging of the English and Foreign Language Departments, offers a look into what the Lipscomb community thinks of Obamacare, takes a look at the new change of optional minors on graduation plans, shows highlights of the Lady Bisons’ volleyball match against Kentucky, gives an update on the shuttle service and features a recap of the 31st annual African Street Festival. Also featured this week are a look at Almost Golf, some insight into the upcoming Nashville Choreographer’s Canvas and an array of student opinions of the new Apple software update. Be sure to stay tuned for future newscasts published every Friday here on...

Lipscomb embraces an academic future with optional minors

Regardless of where they are in their academic careers, Lipscomb students now have the option to not include a minor in graduation plans. Lipscomb announced to students Friday, Sept. 20, that a minor would no longer be a requirement to graduate, but the 126-hour minimum is still in effect. Dr. Randy Bouldin, the Associate Provost for Academic Development, said the process began about a year and a half ago when the academic leadership team looked at other schools for guidelines and decided what would be the best for students. “We voted to do away with the minor requirement for graduation, but we had to decide how we were going to implement it,” Bouldin said. “There were several options we could have taken. We could have said this was only going to apply to incoming freshman next year, or implement it in the spring.” Ultimately the decision was made to let the new criteria apply to every student. “We have not eliminated the possibility of a minor,” Bouldin said. “But now a student has more options.” The goal of this new system is to let students customize their course load to a greater extent. “You have the capacity now to use those hours in ways that might be better than if you had to choose an 18-hour minor,” Bouldin said. This new “flexibility,” as Bouldin calls it, lets students do their own academic programming. He  points out that an education is a huge investment and university leaders want students to get the most out it. Bouldin said he’s not worried about students taking too many electives, becauses he has faith in their integrity. Also, “it’s the...

Lumination’s 2013 Fall Slate

Before the semester becomes too overloaded with events and calendars gets completely booked, Lumination would like to offer a handy guide to all of the events coming up during the fall semester. September looks to bring a full slate of men’s and women’s soccer games. Pledge week also kicks off in September as Bid Night took place Sept. 12. Some of Lipscomb’s most anticipated events begin in October starting with the Tau Phi Cowboy show on Oct. 5, Paint the Herd on Oct. 30 and Haunted High Rise scaring students on Oct. 30. The women’s volleyball schedule kicks into high gear during October as well. Lipscomb’s annual Dodgeball tournament will start November off with a bang. The men’s basketball team will open up their season against Belmont with the Battle of the Boulevard against rival Belmont on Nov. 8, followed by the women’s Battle less than a week later on Nov. 14. Everything from sporting events across all sports to special Student Activities Board sponsored events, to usual favorites like Wednesday Night We Eat are taking place throughout the next few months, making Lipscomb’s campus a busy place. All sporting events take place at Lipscomb University unless otherwise noted. September: 16 Women’s Soccer Battle of the Boulevard vs. Belmont at 7:00 18 Wednesday Night Devo/Wednesday Night We Eat 19 SGA Coffeehouse Maggie Moo’s 9:45 p.m. Bison Square 20-22 Men’s Tennis MTSU Fall Tournament 20 Men’s Soccer vs. Appalachian State 7:30 p.m. Fun in the Square 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Almost Golf 20-21: Midnight Movie: Space Jam at The Belcourt 21 Volleyball vs. Kentucky 2:00 p.m. 22 Men’s Soccer...

College of Education starts year off with high acclaim

Earlier this summer, Lipscomb was one of four universities across the nation that were awarded four out of four stars by the National Council on Teacher Quality, a research and policy group dedicated to establishing teacher quality in the nation. According to College of Education Dean Candice McQueen, the students and faculty were the ones at the heart of the ratings. “We are a program that really prepares our students in content, and we also do a lot with assessment and making sure we’re using survey data to make program improvements,” McQueen said. This is not the first time the College of Education has been recognized for its program. McQueen expressed her excitement at the national level recognition. “For two years now, our program has been highlighted for our ability for our own graduates to come out and impact student achievement in a positive way,” McQueen said. The most recent report card noted that Lipscomb’s graduate performance was better than many three-year veteran teachers already out in the field. “When [students] get to student-teaching, they’ve already had experience in working with a very diverse population of students, and this allows them to feel confidant to work with students of all different socio-economic levels,”  said Junior High, director of undergraduate education. High said he believes that teaching is a service occupation and strives to instill a good value system in his students. “We build on what they bring to the classroom,” High said. “We are very concerned that they not only leave here with a skill to go into the classroom professionally and to be effective educators, but we want them...