Nelson Mandela remembered as great leader by Lipscomb students from South Africa

A man who changed the world over his 95 years — a man President Bill Clinton said, in an interview on NBC, was in a class shared only by Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. – Nelson Mandela has died. To many, he’s known as a ground-breaking politician and social reformer who helped heal South Africa from the wounds of apartheid, a system of racial prejudice and social injustice literally meaning “the state of being apart” that sometimes violently discriminated against black residents and kept the minority white Afrikaners in power from 1948-1994. Tributes and memories have been pouring in from all over the world on television, on the internet and in newspapers.  The importance of this man and significance of his loss reaches all the way to Lipscomb University, not only because the changes he led affected the entire world, but because there are students from South Africa who today are themselves remembering and asking what’s next? South African Miguel Hof, a sophomore and Bisons soccer player, says Mandela’s passing signifies the end of an era. “Obviously, it’s a tremendous blow for our country,” Hof said. “Because, if it wasn’t for Mandela, we would’ve most probably had a civil war in 1994 after the apartheid.” When Mandela – who served 27 years in prison for his youthful battles against apartheid – was released in 1990, he worked for peaceful resolution of the institution and worked with the white government to end apartheid and establish democratic elections in 1994, when he was elected president of his homeland. Instead of coming out of prison embittered and preaching revolution, Mandela focused...

Saturday classes, exams still on as winter weather heads towards Nashville

By Bridgette Begle, Brianne Welch and Cory Woodroof Students with Saturday classes or exams should prepare for tomorrow’s lectures and tests, as Lipscomb University is continuing business as normal. In an email sent to the student body, Assistant Vice President of Communication and Marketing Kim Chaudoin wrote that, as the university continues to watch the weekend’s weather reports, all Saturday events will continue as planned. “As you may be aware, winter weather —  including ice and freezing rain — has affected areas in the western part of Tennessee,” Chaudoin wrote. “We continue to monitor the weather patterns as it relates to the Nashville area. “The latest update from the Nashville bureau of the National Weather Service is that we can expect rain and temperatures in the mid 30s through early evening. Tonight a mixture of rain and sleet is possible and will move out around midnight, with lows dropping into the mid-20s. Saturday will be cloudy with lows in the mid-30s with the possibility of rain. “As a result of this updated weather forecast, university offices, classes, exams and other events will operate on a normal schedule. Students and employees are expected to follow their normal schedules and routines.” A winter weather advisory has been issued for Davidson County from 4 p.m. Friday until midnight. Chaudoin notes that in the event of inclement weather, the university will follow the schedule disruption policy. The university also has a plan in case of an emergency, campus-wide power outage. “The safety of our students is our top priority,” Chaudoin wrote. “We have an emergency plan in place that we continually refine and practice to...

Dr. Gary Wilson recounts his journey to directing Lipscomb choruses

Now in his eighth year at Lipscomb University, Director of Vocal and Choral Activities Dr. Gary Wilson hasn’t always been an educator in the Volunteer State. Originally from Texas, Wilson started his teaching career in Little Rock, Ark., where he stayed for 13 years. He left to pursue teaching at the collegiate level. “[I] thoroughly loved my job there, but I wasn’t completely satisfied with it,” Wilson said. “There’s some music that I knew I was capable of teaching and conducting that my high school students were not capable of learning and performing, and so I really wanted to get to the collegiate level, but I didn’t have a doctoral degree.” He explained that, in the choral profession, there are many people with doctorates, and there is typically only one choral director at a small university. Thus, there is plenty of competition for the title of choral director. To earn his doctoral degree, Wilson traveled to York College in York, Neb., a Church of Christ university. Wilson taught full time and studied there during his tenure. Wilson said that he learned valuable lessons during his time at York. “For one thing, I had to learn how to drive on the snow. I grew up in Texas, [so after] a half inch, we pretty much shut things down,” Wilson said with a laugh. Along with driving in snowy weather, Wilson learned organization and focusing skills. “I probably learned how to be more organized than I have ever in my entire life, and how to be very, very focused on what has be done today, and what can be put off until...

Lighting of the Green sets lineup for 2013 show

For this year’s Lighting of the Green concert, Amy Grant will be bringing along plenty of friends for a night of Christmas joy. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Grant will be joined by Nicole C. Mullen, Brenda Lee, Ben Rector, Nashville‘s Lennon & Maisy, David Phelps and Hymns for Hunger & Friends (feat. Cindy Morgan and Andrew Greer), as well as a few of campus’ student choruses. The free concert begins on the Allen Arena Mall at 5:30 p.m., while other festivities will begin at 4 p.m. If there is rain, the event will be moved into Allen Arena. Those in attendance can provide Second Harvest Food Bank with either canned food or a cash donation. For more information on the evening’s festivities, visit Lipscomb’s website. Photo courtesy of...

Transfer Chandler Cooper has strong start as Lady Bison in ‘Battle’ loss to Belmont

By Carter Sanderson and Cory Woodroof  The Belmont Bruins made the short drive to Allen Arena Thursday night for the Lady Bisons’ edition of “Battle of the Boulevard,” making this the third game in five days for the Lady Bisons.   However, Lipscomb (0-3) was joined by a new face. As of Thursday morning, the NCAA ruled Florida transfer Chandler Cooper eligible. Cooper made her debut in Thursday night’s match-up against Belmont, giving the Lady Bisons a solid lift. Cooper had 10 points and three rebounds in her first game with Lipscomb. The new Lady Bison did give the team a spark, but Lipscomb was only able to come up with 20 first-half points, trailing the Bruins 32-20 at the half. The Lady Bisons came out to start the second half, hitting back-to-back threes by guards Cooper and forward Ashley Southern, cutting the lead back to single digits. However, that wasn’t enough to overcome the strong showing by the Bruins backcourt in Jordyn Luffman and Blair Bryce,who were both in double-figures for the Bruins. Belmont won the contest 68-52. Ashley Southern led the Lady Bisons with 11 points and 16 rebounds, gaining another double-double on the year. Freshman Faith LeGate also had 10 points for the evening. Cooper says that while it’s been a while since she’s been on the court, she doesn’t expect it to be a long transition. “I haven’t played a game in over a year and a half,” Cooper said. “I’m a little out of shape, but that’s nothing that reps and practice can’t take care of.” The Lady Bisons will have a week to practice and prepare before...