Government shutdown hits record for longest in history — here’s how it could affect Lipscomb

Government shutdown hits record for longest in history — here’s how it could affect Lipscomb

On Friday at midnight, the government shutdown beat the record for the longest government shutdown in history with an unprecedented 22 days. The shutdown has now been 23 days in total, beginning on Dec. 22 and in response to President Donald Trump’s demand that Congress include $5.7 billion for “the wall” along the southern border. Trump is adamant the wall is needed to keep undocumented immigrants from entering the U.S. illegally. Democrats now have control of the U.S. House and do not agree with Trump and Republicans that a wall is necessary, rather citing it as being unessential and too expensive. The shutdown is affecting many federal agencies, among those the FDA, which has postponed and halted some inspections. Vandalism has overtaken national parks, and scientific research has been stalled to an extent. Due to the shutdown, many federal workers are not getting paid. But how does the shutdown affect universities, and private universities — like Lipscomb — in particular? Lipscomb receives $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a fiscal year, so being a private university doesn’t make Lipscomb exempt from the effects of the shutdown. This sum largely comes from students’ financial aid, grants used for scientific research, stipends for undergraduate and graduate students and community outreach, such as the suicide prevention grant Lipscomb had for the counseling center and the federal grant that helps support the IDEAL program. But Tiffany Summers, Lipscomb’s director of student aid, said there really isn’t any reason for Lipscomb students to worry about the status of their financial aid due to the shutdown, at least right now. “There’s not any issues with...

Lumination’s Janice Ng offers look into day working with ‘NBC Nightly News’

The life of a one-day NBC/Lipscomb student runner does not actually involve a lot of running. In my short time helping out the NBC Nightly News crew, I got tasked with all manner of things to help the on-the-road broadcast happen. The clock read 10:25 a.m. There was no thermometer in the room, but I could gauge the temperature. It was roughly 80 degrees, and beads of perspiration could be seen on people’s foreheads. It was discussed that a fan should be procured, and I should be the one to fetch it, and so I did. I placed the fan in the very office where anchor Brian Williams would soon be stationed. At precisely 11 a.m., I pointed out the nearest restroom to an NBC employee. “Do you know where the closest restroom is,” the employee asked. “It’ll be right over there,” I said while pointing expertly in the general direction of the restroom. The employee was grateful. At 12:30 p.m., an NBC photographer needed to get footage of Lipscomb’s campus, and I was the chosen one to drive him around in a golf cart. “You,” an NBC employee pointed to me and said, “You’re a student, yes? So you would know all the pretty places around campus?” “Yes, I am and I do,” I said. “Great. You can take our photographer around campus to get some shots.” The next hour was spent chit-chatting with the photographer as he got his shots, telling my beginnings and background as a student journalist at Lipscomb, and hearing about his career. At precisely 4:06 p.m., I spotted Williams walk into the Bennett Campus Center accompanied by Lipscomb...

Bisons lose close game to North Florida, Monday’s game still a go despite weather concerns

In the Lipscomb men’s basketball team’s first game back in Allen Arena Saturday since their early December win over Tennessee Tech, the Bisons, now in conference play, kept it close with the visiting North Florida Ospreys, but despite a late run by Lipscomb, the Ospreys left victorious, 78-73. The Bisons are still searching for their first Atlantic-Sun win of the season. A staunch first half gave no wiggle room for either team to gain any momentum, with junior twins Martin and Malcolm Smith turning in strong efforts for the Bisons. North Florida led by one at the half. In the second half, the power struggle continued until North Florida went on a 10-0 run at 6:07 to take the game’s first commanding lead, 68-58, at 3:31 to go. The Bisons fought back with a flurry of baskets, narrowing the Osprey’s lead to two with the score sitting at 73-71 with a little over 30 seconds to go. However, the Ospreys held on for the win. Martin Smith led the Bisons in points with 20, with Malcolm Smith not too far behind with 18 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Josh Williams had 13 points and seven rebounds. When asked about the back-and-forth nature of the game, Martin Smith referenced the two different runs that each team went on. “You know, basketball is a game of runs,” Smith said. “We’ve just got to stick with what we’re doing.” Looking ahead to a quick turnaround for Monday’s game  at home against fellow A-Sun member Jacksonville, Martin Smith says that consistency will be a key for success. “Our effort was there. We’ve just...

Spring semester postponed until Wednesday due to weather conditions

Rare inclement weather has put a halt to the Lipscomb University spring semester until Wednesday. The university notified students late Saturday night of the postponement, citing safety as a primary motive behind the decision. “This is to notify the Lipscomb University community that in light of history-making weather over much of the country this weekend and into Tuesday, with temperatures in Nashville expected to drop to near zero, the beginning of the spring semester will be delayed until Wednesday as a precaution to protect the safety of our students,” the notification read. “In addition, local officials have apprised us as a precaution that demand on utilities could result in unscheduled shut downs for undetermined periods of time. While we do not at this time expect weather-related issues, the university feels it is best judgment to wait a few days to begin the new semester.” The school is asking local students, whether they are boarding or commuter students, to stay at or return to their homes until possibly late Tuesday, though the university recommends waiting for a solid return time that will be announced. For students who cannot change travel arrangements or have already returned to Nashville, the university says that they have made plans for safe, comfortable conditions in the event of any weather-related utilities limitations. Planned events such as Sunday’s new student express orientation and Monday’s 5 p.m. men’s basketball game against Jacksonville will still go on as scheduled. University offices and support services will be also be on a normal schedule, including the food court in the Bennett Campus Center. Continue to follow Lumination for all weather-related...

Lumination’s Top 10 Stories of 2013

Hello, Lumination readers! As we celebrate the beginning of 2014, it’s time to take a look back at some of the biggest stories at Lipscomb during the year that was – 2013.  Before we take a look at the year’s top stories, we take a moment to pause and remember those we lost in the past year. Former Lipscomb professors Axel Swang, Patty Dugger, Oliver Yates, and Bill Collins all passed, as did Lipscomb student Isaac Phillips and Bisons super fan Chuck Ross. We continue to pray for their families and friends. A few stories right on the heels of our top 10 list involved some special visitors to campus and two major, annual Lipscomb events, as well as a few people in new positions of leadership. U.S. women’s soccer team practiced at university field in February, drawing a large crowd of soccer fans and inquisitive Lipscomb students. In March, YouTube sensations Walk Off the Earth headlined the spring concert at Alumni Auditorium. In April, Singarama celebrated its 50th anniversary, and, in December, Lighting of the Green held its 9th installment. In 2013, we also welcomed Steve Davidson as a new campus minister and Jim Humphrey as the new director of security. And, in April, Andrew Hunt was elected to be the new SGA president. Drew Watson was elected as his VP. 10. Titans QBs Jake Locker, Matt Hasselbeck and Rusty Smith speak in The Gathering  In March, the three quarterbacks for the resident Tennessee Titans appeared in The Gathering to shed light on each player’s faith. It was a rare occurrence to have such high-profile guests for a Thursday chapel, but...