by Emily Snell | Sep 27, 2012 | News Slider
After hearing from upset neighbors and from university officials, the Metro Planning Commission Thursday night rejected Lipscomb’s proposal to change Parkwood Terrace apartments from residential rental property to university office space. The other three parts of the university’s amended institutional overlay proposal passed by a 7-2 vote, clearing the way for McFarland to expand west (beyond the required setback lines), for residential property next to Draper Jewelry to be cleared for a parking lot and adding more “campus-related building square footage within the overlay.” It was the change in the use of the apartment property that sparked most discussion. Both sides shared their opinions about the overlay proposal before the vote. Eight community members spoke in favor of Lipscomb, while 10 others from the neighboring area shared strong disapproval for the university’s proposed changes. Among those sharing their feelings was Elizabeth Betsy Thompson, 88, a Lipscomb high school and university graduate, who has lived in her home since 1935 and “very much wanted to speak” about the Parkwood Terrace proposal, which she said went counter to what she understood to be a university promise to the neighborhood. “It grieves me to see them want to destroy that subdivision,” she said, adding that she believes Lipscomb made a verbal commitment not to cross Belmont Boulevard. “All promises made sometimes don’t get in writing… that bothers me that Lipscomb is not living up to their word.” After hearing from both sides of the argument, commission members voiced their personal opinions on the matter and asked additional questions of Phil Ellenburg, Lipscomb’s general counsel, who represented the university at the hearing. “We’re obviously disappointed and wish it had come out a different way,” said...
by Bridgette Begle | Sep 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
For someone who eventually wants to get into historical restoration, Andrew Norman seems to be a part of history himself, after serving two tours in Iraq as a corporal in the Marines. Norman, a member of Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon program, began his service in October 2005. He said he has always known that he was drawn to the military but did not specifically know the Marines was his future destination. At 25, Norman is one of the younger members of Yellow Ribbon, which enables veterans who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001, to obtain an undergraduate degree with discounted or free tuition. “I love the Yellow Ribbon program,” he said. “Without it, I would not be going to an institution as prestigious as this.” The small community at Lipscomb is something Norman said he really appreciates. “The friendly atmosphere cannot be found in most other schools.” A Nashville-area native, Norman said his family is an important support system for him. “My parents are big supporters in everything,” he said. Norman said his younger sister Nicole, an Austin Peay graduate, plays a big role in helping him through his schooling. He said she is always there for him in his “why am I doing this?” moments. His whole life, Norman said he has had a passion for history. After graduating, Norman intends to go to graduate school and pursue a career in historical restoration. “I’m not gonna get rich in that field, so it shows you my like for it,” he said. Although school may seem like a struggle to Norman sometimes, he has overcome much bigger obstacles...
by Cory Woodroof | Sep 21, 2012 | News Slider
Lipscomb’s theater department will feature Carlo Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters” in the Flatt Amphitheatre this coming weekend. The play is directed by adjunct theater professor Robyn Berg. The show began Sept. 21 and will be performed again Sept. 27-29 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for faculty and $5 for students, and can be purchased at at the Lipscomb University Box Office (615-966-7075), www.lipscomb.edu/theater or at TicketsNashville.com....
by Emily Snell | Sep 18, 2012 | Uncategorized
When most college students imagine a chemistry professor, they don’t picture someone with a law degree. And they don’t picture someone who does creative writing and mixed martial arts for fun. But students at Lipscomb find exactly that in Dr. John Smith, assistant professor of chemistry. Smith, who started full-time at Lipscomb in 2007, said students seem to enjoy hearing about his unusual hobbies. “Some of my students think it’s amusing that I’ve taken up mixed martial arts,” Smith said, explaining that he picked it up because his 8-year-old daughter, Miranda, has been doing it for over a year. “I started that back in March. I’ve wanted to do marital arts since I was Miranda’s age, but my family couldn’t afford it. Now is my chance. It’s fun.” Beyond martial arts, Smith spends some of his free time writing. “I love writing,” he said. “I hate science writing; it’s incredibly formulaic and boring. I love creative writing.” Smith said he writes scripts for VBS drama presentations at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, where he attends. He has also written poetry, short stories and parts of novels. “I’ve entered some competitions, but I never win anything.” Smith, who has a bachelor’s in chemistry from Drew University in Madison, N.J., said he began working at Lipscomb as an adjunct faculty in 2001 while he was getting his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt. During the 2001-02 academic year, Smith said he wrote his dissertation for his Ph.D., started classes at Vanderbilt Law School and began teaching at Lipscomb. “It was a busy year,” he said. “I don’t remember much. I remember sitting down every...
by Emily Snell | Sep 10, 2012 | News Slider
National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 9-15, and Lipscomb’s counseling center staff reminds students that resources are available for those who have concerns about depression, suicide or other issues. Director of the counseling center Dr. Paul Cates, Ed.D, LMFT, LPC, said students should seek out “anyone they feel comfortable talking with,” especially faculty and staff, if they’re struggling with something. “A pretty good percentage of the population will have periods of depression,” Cates said. “Those are situational. We have things that throw us a curve, and it takes time to work through it. “There are all kinds of reasons why we get down, and it’s in those kinds of times that we’re going to think drastically,” he said. “And that’s a good time to go talk to a counselor or talk to somebody that you feel is a good listener who can share some experienced wisdom with you and can help you work through those things.” Cates said suicide is not as common at Lipscomb as it might be in other communities but said there have been times when he’s had suicidal clients at the counseling center. He said students should not take it lightly if they know someone who might be suicidal. “If an individual has been thinking suicidally, that is something you take very seriously.” To Write Love on Her Arms, “a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide,” reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. The International Association for Suicide Prevention reports that women attempt suicide 2-3 times...
