SGA set for new year, new events and new memories

by | Sep 13, 2011 | News Slider, Sports

Daniel Wakefield, president of the Student Government Association, sat down with Lumination to look ahead at what SGA is doing this year to improve the Lipscomb experience for each of its students. “What we want to do is look at student life, figure out how things can be better and then focus our efforts on working with the administration to communicate how things could be better,” Wakefield said. “Part of that is just listening; part of that is just being available. But the other part of that is also being a bridge between student voices and administration’s ears. “ Wakefield said that goal includes things like improving campus, bringing in guest speakers, showing documentaries and helping create great memories. “We try to listen to what students, teachers and generally anyone in the Lipscomb community thinks might add to the experience that is being a Lipscomb student,” Wakefield said. Already this semester, SGA has donated money to the SAC renovation and to installing lights at the intramural field. SGA also gave away tickets to the Hillsong concert and hosted the cornhole tournament. Wakefield said the organization plans to have a concert in the winter, and for a spring event, SGA and campus ministry have invited author Donald Miller to campus. As it did last year, SGA will sponsor Paint the Herd this semester. Paint the Herd is designed to be a fun, exciting on-campus event to keep students interested in having a good time at Lipscomb on the weekend. About 700 students attended Paint the Herd last October, in the basement of the east parking garage. During the paint rave,...

Averitt v. Wakefield: Who should be your president?

by | Apr 20, 2011 | News Slider

One thing is clear after Monday night’s presidential debate, which was also the first ever live production from the Mullican TV Studio: Jackson Sprayberry has set very high standards for both candidates. This year’s presidential candidates are current SGA vice president Daniel Wakefield, a rising senior and Biology/Pre-Med major from Columbia, Tenn., as well as current SGA secretary Kirk Averitt, a rising Senior and Music Education major from Decatur, Ala. Wakefield has been part of SGA for three years, working two as a senator and one as vice president. During this time he has been able to learn more in-depth leadership skills. He has also had the opportunity to speak with people of influence and to have “conversations of weight” which encourage him to pursue active roles in SGA. “There’s an element of pride and satisfaction in working with the administration to make changes happen,” Wakefield said. “There are a lot of things I’ve been able to accomplish in SGA.” Averitt has been a part of SGA for two years, one year as a senator and one as secretary. He has enjoyed seeing the progress made over the past year, particularly in events such as Paint the Herd and in policy changes such as more lenient open dorms hours. “[Lipscomb] is a great school to be a student at and this is a great city to be a student in,” Averitt said. “We have a lot of outlets here.” Wakefield’s approach to this position is centered on networking. “[Sprayberry] has vision, focus and a unique ability to get people fired up,” Wakefield said. “I want to continue that.” Wakefield...

Polls now open for SGA elections, campaigning candidates seek your vote

by | Apr 20, 2011 | News Slider

After Monday night’s debate, hanging fliers around campus and lots of campaigning, the time has come to elect your Student Government Association for next school year. The elections began at midnight Tuesday, April 19, and will continue for the next 24 hours. The SGA candidate list, excluding the senate positions, is as follows: President- Kirk Averitt and Daniel Wakefield Vice-President- Alé Dalton and Amy Estepp Treasurer- Patrick Grace and Leah Raich Secretary- Kenneth Coca and Thomas Whisenant Jackson Sprayberry, the 2010-2011 SGA President had many great things to say about the candidates. “From what I know of each of the candidates, they bring a vast array of experiences and qualifications that would allow them to serve in the executive council of SGA in an effective manner,” Sprayberry said. Sprayberry doesn’t think that any candidate is favored to win by a landslide. “SGA elections are an interesting breed of elections,” Sprayberry said. “Those that appear to be a front-runner may not be the one who actually wins. At this point, I’m not sure there is a clear front-runner in any race.” One of the main issues that Sprayberry said would be a focus each candidate is the continued commitment “of creating community for all of our students through planning events, the shaping of university policies, and by making capital investments across campus.” When emails went out across campus urging students to place an intent-to-run form in the SGA elections, they emphasized the SGA’s ability to take affect the lives of students on campus. “I feel students are looking to elect individuals who will continue to unashamedly and persistently express student concerns to the administration,” Sprayberry said. Alé Dalton,...

‘Boy Meets World’ and more as students plan to be ‘Hanging with Mr. Cooper’ Friday night

by | Mar 25, 2011 | News Slider

This Friday, will you be saying “TGIF?” The Student Government Association hopes so. SGA will be giving you something more to look forward to than just the weekend. The 1990s TV-inspired event will be turning the square into a Friday night fit for a kid. During the day, visit the square for corn-hole, games and snacks you cherished through your childhood– yep, Dunkaroos and Capri Sun. However, the fun does not stop there. That evening will offer more food and the entertainment of the original TGIF TV lineup. SGA will be showing episodes of Boy Meets World, Clarissa Explains It All, Hanging with Mr. Cooper and more in the square. These classic shows were good, wholesome entertainment for preteens, teens and the whole family on Friday nights. Unfortunately the ending of shows, competing networks and ratings brought the primetime sitcoms to an end. ABC attempted to have TGIF comebacks, but they had poor ratings due to other shows, reality television and the basic fact that it was a Friday night. In case you don’t get enough Friday night, some can still be seen on day-time television on channels such as ABC Family, Nick at Nite and Ion...