Lipscomb recognized for superior veteran services, affordability

Lipscomb has been recognized for its commitment to veterans and for its affordability. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance recently named Lipscomb University in its list of the top hundred best value private colleges in the nation, and Military Advanced Education has named Lipscomb a top military-friendly university. MAE awards this distinction to the hundred top-scoring colleges participating in a questionnaire about the quality of schools’ veteran service programs. Factors on the questionnaire include support for veterans’ families, campus ROTC programs, counselor training in military-related mental health issues and acceptance of transfer credits. Other schools on the list include Vanderbilt, Auburn and UCLA. “It is a reflection of our goal to continually improve our veteran services program,” said Assistant Dean and Director of Veteran Services April Herrington. “Recognition from organizations such as this is an indicator that what we offer is working and making a difference in the lives of our students.” Lipscomb’s veteran services have previously been recognized in the 201 Military Friendly Schools list for six years in a row and as the second-best regional university in the South for its veteran services by US News & World Report. Lipscomb has been providing free undergraduate tuition to veterans through its Yellow Ribbon Program since 2009. For the first time, Lipscomb’s affordability for veterans and other students has been recognized by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. Other colleges named in the list include Harvard, Duke, Princeton and Vanderbilt. The list compares quality-based criteria such as admission rates, freshman retention rates and student-faculty ratios to finance-based criteria such as financial aid and average student debt at graduation. “Student debt load is a critical issue...

Morality in the Media informs young journalists

The Lipscomb University Department of Communication and Journalism hosted the inaugural Morality in the Media conference Friday. The conference consisted of a variety of journalists and speakers who talked about different aspects of the media. From the changing dynamic of the media and its consumers, to sessions about how to cover gun control issues and gay marriage. Department of Communication Chair Alan Griggs opened up the conference with a welcome to introduce the first speaker Kelly McBride. McBride is the Vice President of Academic Programs at the Poynter Institute. She discussed how the media has changed since the 20th century, and different trends in the media as it relates to consumers. “Students who are going into journalism, or any other form of communication, need to know that our ethics are changing,” McBride said. “They’re changing because the audience is changing.” McBride wanted to make it clear that young journalists need to be aware of their surroundings and paying attention to the changes in the world. “They constantly need to be developing new knowledge about how that audience is changing, and you do that by watching what technologies does the audience adopt,” McBride said. “In addition to all the knowledge you gained in your studies, you have to be adept enough at looking at what the audience is doing, how they’re doing it, particularly around technology.” Following McBride’s speech, there was a panel of guests who discussed the way the media covers controversial issues. The first issue was gun control. The speakers were: retired editorial page editor for The Tennessean Dwight Lewis, WREG-TV news director Bruce Moore, WSMV-TV news reporter...

Ford Ice Center opens for business

After cutting the ribbon on Sept. 12, the Nashville Predators look forward to the new possibilities the Ford Ice Center will bring to the Nashville area. The new facility includes two NHL-size rinks, an upstairs party area, a café and a Predators apparel shop. The organization is hoping Ford Ice will provide a place for people to learn how to skate as well as grow the game of hockey in the Nashville area. “This facility is amazing,” Predators intern Kayla Evans said. “I’m glad the organization had the chance to build this, and I’m excited to see hockey grow because of the Ford Ice Center.” Olympic Gold figure skater Scott Hamilton will oversee the Hamilton Skating Academy, which will provide classes for all ages to come out to Ford Ice Center and learn how to skate. Country music singer-songwriter Vince Gill plans to broaden the hockey horizon in Nashville by reaching out to children. The plan is to create a scholarship program funded at Ford Ice Center. The program will be designed to give children the opportunity to play hockey without the hurdles of equipment costs or ice time. As part of the grand opening, the Predators hosted a rookie tournament. Rookies from the Predators, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins played three games each. The tournament provided more preparation for NHL training camp. Hockey fans can also catch Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State University and Sewanee’s club hockey teams playing at Ford Ice Center. The three teams will call the new facility their home rink. Over 10,000 fans enjoyed the opening weekend. The organization cannot be more...

Lumination Newscast, Sept. 12, 2014

Aaron Schmelzer and Madeline Smith lead this week’s Lumination News from behind the anchor’s desk, bringing you the latest news from campus. Vanderbilt student Kyle Fuller is writing a book titled “Below the Rim,” and Lipscomb students are mentioned, but not in the most positive way. Madeline Smith gives us more insight on the matter. Reporter Brianne Welch also gives us highlights from the Tokens show, with talented Dove Award nominee Ellie Holcomb. We also give you a look at the second annual powderpuff football game, with Phi Sigma taking home the first place honor yet again. Erika Thornsberry updates us on Lipscomb sports and the SEC scores, Cory Woodroof gives highlights on Pres. Obama’s address to the nation in Politics, and Mignonne Bryant keeps us hooked on all things entertainment. LUmination Newscast 9-11-2014-H.264 for Apple TV from lumination Network on Vimeo. Do you have story ideas? An event you want us to cover? Email our News Director at...

Lipscomb and Vanderbilt march together

The Vanderbilt marching band has a unique structure that involves Lipscomb students as well as other students from different universities around Nashville who make up The Spirit of Gold Marching Band. The Spirit of Gold is made up of any student who is enrolled in a university that does not have a football team, which of course includes Lipscomb students. Band Director Dr. Dwayne Sagen said that the Lipscomb connection to the band has been going on for over 35 years. The band “recruits” students through music programs in the universities as well as in local high schools. Lipscomb Senior Mariah Lester said she found out about the band while attending Antioch High School. “Students from Vanderbilt came and kind of sat in on one of our rehearsals, and they were talking about the band program, and how if any of us were thinking about going to Vanderbilt or a school in Nashville that didn’t have a football program that Vanderbilt would let you be in their marching band,” Lester said. Other students simply had the dream of being involved in the band. Just like some young people can see themselves at a certain college or playing a certain sport at the next level, Lipscomb freshman Andrew Youngblood said he always knew he would be a part of the Spirit of Gold. “My parents actually met in Spirit of Gold band, and my dad actually is a Lipscomb alum and my mom was at Belmont,” Youngblood said. “I’ve been kind of called the first Spirit of Gold baby. I felt like it was just part of me.” Lipscomb junior...