Gospel Music’s return to the mainstream
Gospel Music’s return to the mainstream
Lipscomb Softball rebuilds team bond
Lipscomb Softball rebuilds team bond
Graduate Spotlight: Trey Phillips reflects on four years of ‘breaking out of my shell’
Graduate Spotlight: Trey Phillips reflects on four years of ‘breaking out of my shell’
Therapy dogs boost spirits amidst finals
Therapy dogs boost spirits amidst finals
The impact of on-campus jobs
The impact of on-campus jobs
Lipscomb’s LIFE Program: what is it?
Lipscomb’s LIFE Program: what is it?
Lipscomb’s LIFE Program: what is it?
A sense of freedom mixes with education at Tennesee Prison for Women, where incarcerated students in Lipscomb’s LIFE Program learn alongside members of the univeristy’s on-campus student body. “It’s like we are no longer in prison when we come down here for only a couple of hours,” states Molly, an inside student from the LIFE Program. The LIFE Program, or Lipscomb Initiative for Education, takes courses that are in the university curriculum that would normally be on campus and relocates them to the women’s prison, the Debra Johnson Rehabilitation Center. Students from Lipscomb’s campus are invited to go take classes at the prison with their incarcerated classmates. The goal of the LIFE Program is to replicate a college experience in unusual circumstances. “It was a huge blessing because I had tried three times to get into the LIFE Program,” Evette states. “I grasped the fact that I would be here for a while and wanted to make my time here useful. I decided that I wanted to come back better than I came in.” Several women in the LIFE Program have completed their curriculum and will receive their diplomas. This shows them, their family, and the community that they have worked hard, have been committed to this, and have succeeded in ways they may not have imagined several years ago. “I want to go all the way and get my Ph.D,” Evette said. “A year before it’s time for me to go home, Lipscomb creates a scholarship. This happened for a reason and I want to be a part of it!” The LIFE Program will continue empowering both inside...
Ukrainian student-athletes try to find hope during turmoil
Amid turmoil and destruction, one girl completes a beauty ritual every night before going to bed. The 11-year-old sister of Liza Diachenko, a senior fashion major and tennis player from Kharkiv, Ukraine, would put on makeup every night before going to bed for one particular reason. “[My Mom told me my] sister puts on makeup on every night and says if that if she dies, she wants to die pretty,” Diachenko said. “[No] 11-year old should be thinking about dying,” Diachenko said. “They should be talking about school, friends, boys, or whatever.” For Diachenko, It’s heartbreaking to see her younger sister experience a “completely different childhood” than she. One that forces her to grow up fast. This is one of the many harsh realities Ukrainians are currently facing due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.On Feb. 24, Russia invaded Ukraine, causing the largest assault on a European state since World War II.Since the start of the invasion, more than three million refugees have fled Ukraine, and more than six million have left their homes in the country. Diachenko’s teammates Kate Popova and Sasha Dobranos are from Ukraine as well and have joined her in grieving that their home country has been filled with unrest. All three women played tennis since an early age and would often travel to different places across Europe to play, including different parts of Ukraine. “We’re thankful to tennis that we got to explore because not a lot of people pretty much explored the whole country [of Ukraine],” Diachenko said. When the conflict started, the three joined a group chat with other Ukrainian tennis players to check up...
Students package buckets for Ukrainian refugees on “Beautiful Day”
In honor of President McQueen’s inauguration and her declaration of today as a “Beautiful Day,” activities of all kinds are being held on Lipscomb’s campus. Students gathered to put together supplies for Ukrainian refugees as it was a “Beautiful Day for Service.” Partnering with Healing Hands International and Hands On Nashville, both social organizations centered on providing care via volunteer work, over 1,000 buckets were packaged with essential household items. Alisa Van Dyke, the Creative Director of Healing Hands said, “We were so impressed with the excitement and willing hands of the Lipscomb student body.” The buckets will be sent to various eastern European countries where those who have fled from violence in Ukraine can receive them. The buckets were filled with necessities such as dish soap, flashlights, clothes and handwritten cards from students. Van Dyke said that some buckets were being sent out on March 31. “The remainder will ship out within the next two weeks. We will have partners on the ground in Eastern Europe when the buckets arrive to report on the impact,” said Van Dyke. Students were excused from all classes today, making those that spent the two hours in Allen Arena on their off-day to help others more meaningful. “One thousand families escaping a desperate situation will be blessed by [the students’] efforts.” Photo by Kaylie...
Lipscomb community, Local leaders inaugurate President McQueen
Lipscomb played host to local leaders, notable alumni and representatives from area universities during Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony. President Candice McQueen was officially inaugurated into her role, an occasion symbolized by the passing of the President’s Medallion. “To say it pretty plainly…I want Lipscomb University to be the best university in the country,” said McQueen in her inaugural address. “We want to elevate student voice in key decisions, we want to add new campus activities and new events that are fully-aligned with what out students need.” The ceremony featured greetings from Tennesee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor John Cooper. President McQueen previously served under Governor Lee as commissioner of education. The Alma Mater was delivered by Pat Boone, an award-winning artist and Lipscomb alum. With a theme of “Be a Light”, the University celebrated throughout the week with a symposium highlighting the elevation of faith in “diverse areas of service and work”, a campus showcase recognizing the work of students and faculty across the university and a family-friendly block party. The celebration did not end on Tuesday, President McQueen announced during her inaugural address the return of the campus tradition, “It’s a Beautiful Day”. Classes are called off this Wednesday as the students celebrate the occasion with food trucks, a service project and an evening concert. Photos by Kathryn Farris GALLERY: Inauguration...
’50s pop icon Pat Boone to come home to help Lipscomb celebrate McQueen
The celebration of the inauguration of Dr. Candice McQueen as Lipscomb’s 18th president will take three days, beginning March 28. And it will be something of a star-studded affair, with show biz legend Pat Boone, a Lipscomb alum, leading the performance of the alma mater, which he composed. Boone was a singing sensation in the 1950s, with No. 1 pop hits including “Ain’t That a Shame” in 1955 and April Love in 1957. He also starred in many movies, including 1959’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” as well as appeared frequently on various TV series. Inauguration week was a plan in the making from the moment McQueen took office as the university’s first female president at the beginning of the school year. Dr. Walt Leaver III, vice president of university relations, was appointed to oversee the committees tasked with carrying out the three-day celebration.. “We had all kinds of ideas about who we could bring in and what we could do and places we could go,” Leaver said. “When we finally got down to what we could actually handle, we started putting together a plan, and we’ll know five weeks from now how it’s gonna work.” Leaver said that the president envisioned the event as a festival for the community that is also consistent with the theme to “Be a Light.” The event will open with a unique symposium that explores “How to Be a Light in Today’s World” through presentations and panel discussions focused on fields such as business, entertainment and healthcare. McQueen will take the stage in Allen Arena on the second day of the...
Lipscomb Softball rebuilds team bond
It’s been quite the season for the Lady Bisons of the Lipscomb Softball team. With an overall record of 17-28 this season, there can be many aspects to reevaluate which contribute to the team’s performance. Head Coach Kristin Ryman said she notices how even after two years since the start of COVID-19, creating a close team bond can still be a challenge. The pandemic has had the power to shift the way communication and interaction occur, affecting numerous amounts of people. Included in this number is the Lipscomb softball team. This year there are six freshmen, who comprise nearly a quarter of the team. “In a sense we’re playing catch up a little bit this year with still getting to know them,” Ryman said. The team is known for having a few traditions that help build comradery within the group. These include a blind karaoke, sleepover in the locker room and playing hacky sack before games. “That connection piece is huge for us,” Ryman said. Avery Cox, freshman catcher/infielder, said that the culture of Lipscomb softball is unlike any other team she has been on. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a freshman or if you’re a senior,” Cox said. “Everyone’s happy for you when you get your chance.” With the bond rebuilding underway, players like Cox should begin to see how it will transform how the team plays together. The team’s conference record sits at 7-11. The ASUN tournament will take place May 11-14 in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo via Lipscomb...
Softball shut out by Toppers Tuesday
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky – The Lipscomb softball team lost 5-0 to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Tuesday evening at WKU Softball Field in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Suffocating pitching from the home team kept Lipscomb off the board all night, as WKU’s two pitchers both came into the game sporting ERAs under 3.0. “They’re good, both of them,” Lipscomb head coach Kristin Ryman said. “They’ve got a couple of other pitchers, but they ride those two, and they do it for a reason because they’re really good.” Juniors Kyndall Crawford and Kaitlin Woodside were the only batters to register hits, as Lipscomb only managed an 8.7% success rate at the plate. “We knew we’d be challenged offensively,” Ryman said. “We’re still that young-mentality offense; we’re still learning a lot about approach and adjustments.” Titusville, Florida-born junior Emily Yakubowski took the loss on the day, pitching 3.2 innings and giving up all five runs on six hits. Yakubowski drops to 2-6 on the year despite throwing six strikeouts and just three walks. After starting the fourth inning, Yakubowski was replaced by redshirt freshman Laine Barefoot of Eden, North Carolina. Barefoot only registered one strikeout but was able to keep her opponents scoreless the rest of the way. “Pitching wise, I thought we did some great things,” Ryman said. “Emily Yakubowski gives up the four earned [runs] and six hits, but quite frankly, I thought she did a great job with the six strikeouts. They had some clutch hits in moments where they had runners on.” “We’re trying to get more consistency out of our pitchers, and I thought that was a step...
Softball drops weekend against Gamecocks with Saturday loss
NASHVILLE – The Lipscomb softball team lost a tight contest Saturday afternoon 6-5 to drop the weekend series against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. After the teams split the Friday doubleheader, the Gamecocks finished off the weekend with a win thanks to a five-run performance in the third inning. “A lot of times, it comes down to execution,” Lipscomb head coach Kristin Ryman said. “We gave ourselves chances in all three games… I think it’s one of those things where we just came up a bit short today.” Lipscomb led early behind strong pitching from freshman Kate Peters of Dickson, Tennessee. Peters picked up two no-hit innings to start the game, while senior Amy Vetula, senior Jessie Brown, and junior Presley Leebrick all picked up RBIs to give Lipscomb a 3-0 advantage after two innings. All that changed in the top of the third, when a three-RBI double and a two-run home run brought JSU to a 5-0 lead. Peters was replaced by Mariyn Waterman, who got the Bisons out of the third inning and kept a clean sheet in the fourth. Lipscomb picked up two runs in the fourth to tie things up at five apiece, but they were unable to draw up any more offense the rest of the way through. A single RBI in the top of the sixth put the Gamecocks up for good at 6-5 and gave them the edge for the weekend. With the victory, JSU improves to 9-6 in the ASUN Conference. Lipscomb drops to 6-9 with a 16-25 overall record on the season. “We’re still working through a lot of things, but...
Baseball blanked by Blue Raiders, split season series
NASHVILLE – The Lipscomb baseball team lost to the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders 7-0 Tuesday night at Dugan Field. “We did some good things,” Lipscomb head coach Jeff Forehand said, “and I told the team that we didn’t play bad, but I didn’t think we played good either. Anytime you play average, you’ve got to hope the other team helps you, and they didn’t tonight,” Forehand said. Despite the loss, Lipscomb split the season series against Middle Tennessee this season. After the victory, Middle Tennessee leads the all-time series at 22-20. Offensively, senior Malik Williams had the best batting record of the day for the Purple and Gold. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Williams went 1-3 with a strikeout, a walk, a single, and a fly out. Williams’ .370 batting average led the team entering the contest. Sophomore pitcher Kaleb Kantola started for the Bisons and earned the victory, improving his season record to 2-3 on the season. Kantola picked up four strikeouts facing 12 batters but only managed a 6.46 ERA. A native of Monmouth, Oregon, Kantola commanded the mound early on, retiring the Blue Raiders three up, three down. Soon after, though, the Raiders went up 1-0 on a home run, scoring on the first pitch of the second inning. Before the inning was done, Middle Tennessee came up with another solo homer. A second straight hit beat the fence in left field and put the score at 2-0. Meanwhile, offense was tough sledding for Lipscomb early. A scoreless first inning gave way to a similar second, although the Bisons did collect a single and a double...
Thompson reflects on record-setting freshman season ahead of ASUN Tournament
Sports have been present in freshman Lauren Thompson’s life for as long as she can remember. “My family was really big into athletics,” Thompson said. “My brother played college baseball, my dad played college baseball, so we were always in the front yard playing anything we could pick up.” While most of the Thompson family settled on baseball, though, Lauren was quickly drawn to another sport. “I played a lot of sports growing up, and I ended up getting into golf. There’s just something different about it. I love the creativity you have to have just out on the course, and I fell in love with the game. “I dropped everything when I was about 12 and decided that golf was going to be something I wanted to stick with and work towards.” Already, it seems as though Thompson’s focus on golf has paid off. In just a single year at Lipscomb, the Dothan, Alabama-bred freshman has shattered multiple school records as a Bison. Thompson immediately led the team by posting the all-time low score in 54 holes by a Lipscomb women’s golfer. She shot a four-under 209 to finish second overall and help Lipscomb to fourth in the first event of the season. “It was kind of surreal. I don’t think anybody comes in thinking they’re going to play that well immediately, [but] I walk in and I’m like, ‘Alright, this is college golf.'” “Thanks to my team and my coaches for making me feel so comfortable welcome here; that’s a huge part of why I think I’ve been able to be successful, especially right off the bat....
Gallery: Students & Faculty look on as Lipscomb inaugurates McQueen
Lipscomb played host to local leaders, notable alumni and representatives from area universities during Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony. President Candice McQueen was officially inaugurated into her role, an occasion symbolized by the passing of the President’s Medallion. Gallery by Abigail...
GALLERY: Singarama’s matinee show brings “Storytime” to campus
The penultimate performance of Singarama brought the audience to “Storytime” Saturday afternoon in Lipscomb’s Collins Alumni Auditorium. The award for Best Theme went to Mystery, directed by Shelby Bratcher and Ellie Miller. Fairytale, directed by Nate Pierce and Erin Bell, took home the award for Best Music. Singarama will have one final performance Saturday night where the overall sweepstakes winner will be revealed. Gallery by Hannah...
Gallery: Students take the spotlight second night of Singarama
Team Fairytale enchanted the second night of Singarama. The third and final mini-musical Fairytale, which follows the plot of two siblings transported into a magical new world, won the Blocking & Staging Award last night. The co-directors are Erin Bell, a senior Psychology major from Nashville, and Nate Pearson, a Senior Elementary education major from St. Charles, IL. Bell and Pearson were both a part of The Wonders Years show of Singarama 2019 and working together again before Graduation has been a “full-circle moment” for the duo. Story by Kahwit Tela, Gallery by Kathryn...
Gallery: Singarama kicks off first night
Singarama has returned to campus live and in-person for its 59th annual production following the cancellation of the event in 2020 and recording of the event in 2021. To inaugurate the momentous return of a beloved Lipscomb tradition, SGA invited students to enjoy the show with free tickets that were valid for opening night only. This year’s Singarama theme is Storytime with a show made up of three groups and containing more than 200...
GALLERY: BSU celebrates Black History Month with Black Hair Expo
The Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a hair show in honor of Black History Month. The officers of the club put together an event featuring celebrity barber Shawna Harrison to educate students on the history of black hair and its different styles. The event, which was held in Zebbies Lounge, was an opportunity for students to build community and show off their most confident hairstyles. Check out the photos by Jayme Foltz below and her coverage of the event...
Gospel Music’s return to the mainstream
Previously secular artists such as Chance the Rapper, Justin Beiber, and Kanye West have all come out with gospel music in the past couple of years- so what does this mean for the gospel music community? And the Christian community? A gospel choir member and musical theater major at Lipscomb, Téa Doherty, shares her take on artists like Kanye West. “If God’s word is being preached… whoever is not against us is for us! So, what’s it to me if Kanye does gospel music? That’s great! I dig it.” Ever since 6th grade, student Ryan Lusk has been an avid Kanye fan. “I think a lot of Christians get weirded out by swearing and talking about substance use and things like that. I think it’s actually really cool to be able to blend it…I think normal people can also love Jesus and I think they do a good job of expressing that through music,” Lusk said. “Sometimes Christians fall into the judgemental side of stuff… What are you doing? You are being a jerk in the name of religion, and I don’t think Jesus would do that.” Téa loves Chance’s single, “How Great.” “The fact that it’s acapella and I still feel like nothing is missing is really powerful,” she said. “There’s no limiting to gospel music- it’s just big and bold. I love it.” Aaron Howard, the director of the gospel choir at Lipscomb University, gives credit to secular artists where they are due. “We have a debt of gratitude for Kanye West because West starting his Sunday Service Choir has caused gospel music to be more intriguing...
Therapy dogs boost spirits amidst finals
How do Lipscomb students take a study break from finals? By visiting our furry friends! Lipscomb’s therapy dogs have been visiting the school through Music City Pet Partners since pre-covid times. This past Wednesday, our furry friends came from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. at the Beamen Library. Each group, one person and one dog, has gone to several places through Music City Pet Partners. “… We mostly visit universities during finals and Vanderbilt hospital to visit with the nurses and staff,” Estella said about her Pomeranian, Monti. “We are fairly new to the program. But, he had been going with me to Room in the Inn, which is an organization that helps people dealing with homelessness. So, even before he got certified, he was doing some of this,” said Jean about her Goldendoodle, Ralphie. Monti and Ralphie’s owners shared several moments that have touched their hearts throughout their time at Music City Pet Partners. “My favorite moments are when we visit the nurses and staff at the hospitals… you can tell when it’s been a super stressful day- and they don’t just hug my dogs, they lean into them,” Estella said. “Those are my favorite because that is why we are doing it, it’s to offer relief and comfort.” “One of my favorites is when we do go to the Room in the Inn, and folks who are living on the streets just love the fact that they can be loved by him,” Jean said. “What is so special to me is that he is able to offer that love to them and they soak it up.” Students at...
Spring Fling brings fresh music for the flower season
As the weather changes from a biting chill to a warm breeze, what better way to welcome the Spring season to Music City than with some fresh and flowery tunes. Musical Acts River & Rail, Garden, and Grace Russell made an appearance at the Black River Stage at the Well on April 14 for Spring Fling. “We thought it would be cool for all three of us, who each have a different sound, but are a little similar, to have a performance where each could bring something cool to the table,” Alex Fincher said. Fincher is one-half of the Americana Folk duo River & Rail alongside his wife Grace. The guitar-wielding duo met in 2019 and eventually pursued a relationship as a couple and a musical act. “Out of that just came with a whole bunch of really great stories and a new passion for storytelling through music,” Grace said. “Which I think if I had to narrow down what River & Rail is really about, it’s about telling compelling stories through good music.” River & Rail swayed their audience with a couple of fresh songs. “Gentle on My Mind” is a personal favorite for Alex, and “Monsters in My Head” is a song led by Grace’s sugary vocals that tell a stirring story. “It’s the first song the first time I’ve played that song for a group of people other than just Alex and so it’s just nice to have that vulnerable moment, like with an audience sharing this story you wrote and see how they respond to that,” Grace said. The duo released their Ep, “Vows” back...
Campus production of Romeo and Juliet shines light on Shakespeare’s relevance
Soft pop and the whistle of coffee machines fill the air as students bustle through the Starbucks entrance. Baristas are hard at work making beverages for caffeine-hungry students, while others flock together to catch up with their friends between classes. In the far corner seated in two leather chairs are students, Jakholbi Murry and Shelby Talbert, casually chatting. I sought out their expertise on a subject they should be well informed about. Shakespeare. Is he still relevant in modern culture? “Yeah!” The duo exclaimed after stealing a glance at one another. The duo has been preparing for months for the performance of Romeo and Juliet, in which they play the role of the tragic couple. “I think his stories keep getting pulled over and over because they resonate,” Talbert said. “They continue to talk about topics that are important to us and there are always new ways to reinvent them.” Shakespeare was known and still could be considered the greatest dramatist of all time. The poet wrote over 150 poems and more than 30 plays that span a range of genres including comedy, romance, and tragedy. He continues to inspire creatives with his legacy. Such as Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” inspired by Romeo and Juliet and The Lumineers’ “Ophelia” inspired by Hamlet. Disney’s The Lion King is also paralleled by Hamlet and the classic rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. “A lot of places see Shakespeare as the pinnacle of theatre, like, that’s what good theatre looks like,” Murry said. “I think it’s why so many places, all across...