by Brianna Langley | Nov 13, 2013 | News Slider
LIS is officially known as “Lambda Iota Sigma,” but group president Shilpa Naruka tells us that the organization prefers to be called by LIS’ more descriptive and fitting name, “Lipscomb International Students.” “Anyone can be a member,” Naruka said. “Basically, it’s a cultural awareness group and more of an open group. I would not say it’s just a social group.” People of all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender and religions can become a part of LIS without having to go through the pledging process that most service and social clubs require. “We do have some rules,” Naruka said. “But, we do not have any pledging, and we do not have any restrictions on who can enter the group.” When a few of the international students on campus came up with the idea of doing an international fashion show last year, they also decided to create a more solid, organized culturally-aware group within Lipscomb before attempting such a large undertaking of a show. “The fashion show was the first big event we really thought of,” Naruka recalled. “But, before doing that event, we wanted to start the group, so we did quite a few little events like movie nights.” And so, LIS began. As a Lipscomb University club, the numbers reveal it’s not-so-humble beginnings. Over 25 members joined LIS during its first year, which is more than most social clubs achieve after their first several years. LIS has adopted the week of the upcoming and much-anticipated Stomp Fest as International Education Week. This means that, aside from the club being showcased as a part of Tuesday’s Stomp Fest, they will be hosting...
by Brianna Langley | Nov 13, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
The Alkaline Water system in the athletic department ionizes the water available to the athletes. And so far, they love it. The system was installed in the training center located the basement of Allen Arena for the athletes to use almost a year ago after undergoing a trial run for a short period of time. “I know the athletes do enjoy it,” said head athletic trainer Will Ness. “They say it has a crisper taste.” Ness said the reason the athletic department decided to have the system installed is because of the health benefits the water offers to Lipscomb’s athletes. Such benefits include better hydration, the ability to drink more water without feeling bloated and the anti-oxidant levels found within the water. Last year, the athletic department was approached by Cellular Hydration Specialist Scott Adkins about installing the system for the athletic department to use. Adkins is also the founder of a company called “The Freshouse”. His mission is to provide better, ionized water for the community of Nashville. Adkins explained that the electrolytes the alkaline water contains provides its consumers with extra calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium. “When we ionize water, we’re getting an abundance of electrons,” said Adkins, “And the alkaline level between 8.5 and 9.5 pH is optimal for us to drink. It’s providing us energy and oxygen on a cellular level.” We decided to take a sample of the water to the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry for official testing, who reaffirmed Adkin’s claims. “We tested the water samples, and I know that there was a sample that was supposed to be around the pH...
by Ariel Jones | Nov 13, 2013 | News Slider
Eight social clubs. One crowd. Three judges. One winner. Kappa Iota Theta once again sponsored the ever-popular Stomp Fest event, which drew a large crowd to the sold out show. From top to bottom, Collins Alumni Auditorium was filled to the brim with Lipscomb students, faculty, parents and alumni. Lipscomb’s own TJ Ojehomon hosted the event, adding energy to the already energized group. Ojehomon went on to introduce the social clubs competing for the Stomp Fest 2013 title after an opening number where two members from each social club were represented. The first set of social clubs then performed their rehearsed routines. After a 10 minute intermission and performance by Michael “Mic O” Oruma, another one of Lipscomb’s own, the second half of the show began. The remaining social clubs closed out the night with cheers and applause, leaving the crowd to wonder who would be champion. Three judges, Shirley Bailey, Krystal Brown and Jessica Rich, who have over 20 years of combined experience in stomping, decided the winner of the competitive step show. Ojehomon called all participants to gather on stage for the announcement of the runner up and winner of 2013 after the judges tallied their scores. Pi Delta claimed second place while Sigma Iota Delta won the title as the 2013 Stomp Fest winners. Anthony Strode, a member of Sigma Iota Delta, shared how it felt to be the 2013 Stomp Fest winner by saying how surprised he was about being proclaimed champion. “I was so surprised. It was a last minute thing,” Strode said. “ We didn’t come in feeling confidant, but we all prayed about...
by Janice Ng | Nov 12, 2013 | News Slider
Journalism is a part of everyday life, whether it be a morning read of the newspaper, a lunchtime checking of social media on smartphones or watching videos right before bed. Maria De Varenne, executive editor and vice president of news at The Tennessean, spoke to communication and journalism students about the professional world and the importance of work ethic at the second annual Media Masters event Monday, Nov. 1,1 at the Ezell Center. A longtime print publication, The Tennessean has adapted to the digital age, serving consumers based on when, how and where they want news and information. “While many people think print is dead, we don’t think they’re right,” De Varenne said. “For the past few years, we also deliver our stories, photos and other content on digital platforms. We deliver more local news and information than any other source in the market.” Since several news outlets also deliver news on digital media, what makes The Tennessean stand out? “Watchdog journalism and community leadership,” De Varenne said. “We not only have the area’s largest news staff, but we dedicate the most time, space and attention to local issues.” Watchdog journalism, or investigative journalism, has won The Tennessean several awards in the past. The publication was a Pulitzer finalist for their coverage of the 2010 Nashville flood. With her current success with The Tennessean (over 900,000 weekly readers), it would be almost impossible to believe that De Varenne didn’t initially plan on a career in journalism. “I had a music scholarship in college, and I took art classes,” De Varenne said. “I signed up for an intro to journalism...
by Janice Ng | Nov 12, 2013 | News Slider
Lipscomb’s OPEN Gallery is exploring contemporary art with Chicago-based artist Victoria Martinez’s Secret Garden exhibition. The student-run gallery is curated by Lipscomb art students Callan Downing and Seth Lykins and displays work from different artists every month. “It’s run entirely by students,” student and Lipscomb Artist-in-Residence Seth Lykins said. “We’re in charge of finding the artists each month and bringing them down here, and we install and de-install the work.” This month’s featured artist is 25-year-old Victoria Martinez. A Pilsen, Chicago native, Martinez was born to Mexican parents and grew up with a strong connection to her heritage. “My art is influenced by the color of my culture and the make-do attitude of my people,” Martinez said. A 2010 Minneapolis College of Art and Design graduate, Martinez describes her work as “mixed media ephemeral collages.” Playing around with textures, textiles and patterns, Martinez’s works bring to mind such artists as Frida Kahlo, but in 3D. “I just collect a lot of random items from the street and when I go for walks, I collect cassettes, pieces of paper or rocks and I bring them to my studio,” Martinez said. “I lay them down on my table and draw them. Or I like to go to thrift stores and collect items with vibrant patterns and colors. I pin them to my walls and collage them to see what I have.” The finished product is what Martinez refers to as a “soft sculpture.” “When I was growing up, I was inspired by my neighborhood a lot,” Martinez said. “There were a lot of gang wars, sirens. Now there’s a lot of...
