President’s Convocation Ceremony welcomes the 2013 academic year

University president Dr. Randy Lowry ushered in the new academic year with the annual Convocation Ceremony in Allen Arena on Tuesday. The event opened with a note of welcome from Dr. Jim Thomas, Executive Assistant to the President. Following his greeting, Board of Trustees member Harriet Shivers began the academic procession by carrying in Lipscomb’s traditional Mace, the wood of which was taken from an old oak tree that once stood on David Lipscomb’s original farm. Succeeding the presentation of the Mace, the parade of flags honored 100 nations and states represented within Lipscomb University and Academy. The Nashville Highlanders marched down the aisle next, playing customary tunes on bagpipes and drums. After recognizing and honoring the Lipscomb Board of Trustees, the Senior Leadership Team, the Academic Leadership Team, the University Faculty, the Academy Faculty, and the 17th president of Lipscomb, Dr. Lowry, Dr. Candice McQueen, Dean of the College of Education, gave a 4 minute keynote speech. Those in attendance enjoyed a time of worship, as well as scriptural reading from Jeremiah 29:11-13 before Lowry’s address. During his address, Lowry mentioned some noteworthy plans and hopes for Lipscomb University’s future. Such plans include the expansion of the McFarland Math and Science Center, the renovation of the Swang Business Center and the construction of a new Well-Being Center across from the School of Nursing building and a new Performing Arts Center for the theater department. Lowry also stressed the importance of retaining a spirit of humility while still continuing to develop “boldness” and “confidence” going into the new school year. “May God help us this year as we walk forward...

Elite Sports Medicine will now provide health care to Lipscomb athletics after St. Thomas changes

Elite Sports Medicine, led by Lipscomb alum Dr. Burton Elrod, is set to take over the providing of health care for Lipscomb athletics after a rebranding initiative made by Saint Thomas Health early last month. The rebranding changed the names of five middle Tennessee Hospitals but has no affect on Lipscomb athletics. “Literally, it’s the name on the shirt that changes,” said Athletic Director Phillip Hutcheson. “We did not change any of our trainers. We did not change any of our services or level of service.” Elite Sports Medicine has taken over the contract from Baptist Sports Medicine, as Saint Thomas Health focuses on other health-care opportunities. “There’s great familiarity with Elite Sports medicine from the surgical and care side,” Hutcheson said. “Dr. Elrod has worked with Baptist a lot and has operated any number of our athletes.” Dr. Elrod also serves as the head team physician for the Tennessee Titans and specializes in sports-related injuries such as arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder and elbow. Elrod received his undergraduate degree from Lipscomb and his medical degree from the University of...

First wave of off-campus dining locations revealed

The first list of off-campus dining locations was revealed Friday afternoon by Lipscomb Dining via their Twitter account (@LipscombUDining). The list included the Subway on Granny White Pike, the Sweet Cece’s on Hillsboro Pike, the Copper Kettle on Granny White Pike, The Well Coffeehouse on Richard Jones Rd., the Pizza Perfect on Granny White Pike, the Which Wich on Richard Jones Rd., the Kalamata’s on Portland Ave., the Sunset Grill on Belcourt Ave., the Nomzilla Sushi on Villa Pl. and the Jam Coffeehouse on Wedgewood Ave. It was indicated that more restaurants and locations will be added soon . Check out some of the Off Campus Dining Locations where you can use the new Lipscomb ID http://t.co/HMKGQU7Diw — Lipscomb Dining (@LipscombUDining) August 2, 2013   The LU Dining Twitter account also hinted that new IDs are going to be issued to the student body as soon as the school year commences. FYI. Does everyone know that Lipscomb is getting NEW IDs this Fall. Make sure you get yours early. — Lipscomb Dining (@LipscombUDining) August 2, 2013   Read more about other dining developments here. Continue to follow Lumination as we update you on all dining...

Summer construction projects continue as fall semester quickly approaches

The fall semester is right around the corner, and cranes, construction trucks and hard hats are still a common site on the Lipscomb campus as summer projects continue. Piles of dirt and rock clutter the closed street behind the McFarland Science Center and the Crisman Administration Building as construction crews continue to work on the 15,000-square-foot pharmacy and health and sciences research facility. Much progress has been made since the project began and is scheduled for completion this fall. Swang 108, the large lecture auditorium in the Swang Business Center, has been completely gutted as hard hats are still hard at work constructing a major facelift that will include new seating, carpet, wall treatment, a new audio-visual system and an upgraded heating and cooling system. New additions to the Student Activities Center (SAC) include new locker rooms, restrooms, showers, and expended weight room and performance studio That construction is expected to be completed before classes are back in session. There is one summer project that is completed.  The Osman Fountain, located in Bison Square, is complete with flowing water fountains and a baptistery. With construction equipment cluttering parts of campus, parking will be one of the main concerns students will be faced with when they return to school. Patrick Cameron, Assistant Director of Safety and Security, says that the construction will an affect on parking. “The biggest change the students will see is there are a few less spots behind Fanning next to the Village, but we will have more spots over at Stokes,” Cameron said. Cameron urges students to give themselves time to find a place to park...

Lipscomb Dining adds extra hours, off-campus possibilities for fall semester

Lipscomb Dining has cooked up a few new offerings for the fall, including the addition of an off-campus mean option and extra hours for dinner.  General Manager Wolcott Fary revealed that the dining hall will be adding extra hours to the schedule, meeting the request of many late-dining students. “Extending hours in the dining room: it hasn’t happened yet, but it will happen this fall,” Fary said. “The dining room will stay open an extra 30 minutes and will now be open every Saturday.” The dining room will now be open 7 days a week, and normal hours of operation will be from 7:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The long-talked about off-campus dining option is also now a reality, with the first wave of restaurants being commissioned for the fall. “Starting this fall, you’ll be able to use your Bison Bucks at certain local restaurants within a five-mile radius of the school,” Fary said. “The off-campus solutions team with Sodexo are in the process right now of going to more than 35 local restaurants to contract with them each individually to see if they want to become a part of the program. Each contract will be different, and there’s some outlay for the restaurants to become part of the program. Each restaurant will have to decide on its own whether it feels like it can get enough business to support the cost of maintaining the program.” No restaurants can be absolutely confirmed at this time, but Fary disclosed a few of the restaurants on the list, including Copper Kettle, Subway, The Cheesecake Factory and Nero’s Grill. Food-to-go in planning stages, dietary options...