by Mckenzi Harris | Oct 3, 2019 | Student Spotlight
Bring your own blanket and join Lipscomb’s Delta Omega for a ‘Hocus Pocus’ movie night that reinforces the club’s commitment to Best Buddies. Delta Omega philanthropy chair Erin Whiting said plans for the movie night began in the summer, and the club pondered which movie to show for this autumn celebration. “We talked about how the Buddies really like ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘Nightmare before Christmas,’ and (we) decided to go with ‘Hocus Pocus,'” she said. The event will take place in the Quad, with snacks and s’mores beginning at 6:30 p.m. this evening and the movie starting at 7 p.m. The cost is a “pay-what-you-can” donation to benefit Best Buddies. Best Buddies is a nonprofit global volunteer movement whose goal is to establish one-on-one friendships, employment, leadership development and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to the organization. Lipscomb has an on-campus Best Buddies chapter that includes associate members and one-on-one Buddies. Delta Omega has been working with Best Buddies since 2013, and the club’s involvement is expanding. “One of the changes I have made as philanthropy chair for Delta Omega is getting more involved with them as members, going to their parties and hanging out with them more,” said Whiting, of the relationship between the Greek Club and Best Buddies. “We used to do a fundraiser with Best Buddies, ‘Mr. Lipscomb,’ but weren’t very involved with them,” Whiting said. “That [Best Buddies] was one of the reasons I wanted to join Delta Omega, so I changed that fundraiser to ‘Hocus Pocus,’ so we can hang out with them more.” To find out more about...
by Janie Lynn Lankford | Dec 26, 2014 | News Slider
The Best Buddies Program has not only impacted young adults with developmental disabilities, but their mentors, too. Lipscomb’s Best Buddies Chapter was created in the fall of 2010. The program creates one-on-one relationships for young adults with developmental impairments and other young adults. “Best Buddies has benefited me in the way I have formed genuine relationships that I wouldn’t have been able to form on my own,” said sophomore Abby Wolfgong, an officer of Lipscomb’s chapter. Wolfgong has been involved in the program since her freshman year and plans to continue involvement throughout her college experience. Stationed at schools around the world, Best Buddies aims to give all people with disabilities the opportunity to create life-long friendships, much like Wolfgong has experienced. Best Buddies International promises a commitment “to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” More information about the program can be found on its website. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Jael Teme | Feb 24, 2014 | News Slider
Joe Sanderson and Caitlin Selle lead this week’s Lumination News from behind the anchor’s desk, bringing you the latest news both on and off campus. What does Lipscomb have to do with Metro Police? Reporter Mason Griffin gives us the scoop on the relationship between the two. And if you’re a student worker and wondering about the minimum wage at Lipscomb, Sarah McGee sets out to find answers. We also give you a heartwarming look at the recent Best Buddies program’s Prom, a program that pairs special needs students with average high school, college and adult students. Mignonne Bryant updates us on all the Entertainment buzz, and Savanna Schubert keeps our eyes on the court with her sports report. Do you have story ideas? An event you want us to cover? Email our News Director...
by Kyrsten Turner | Feb 5, 2014 | Uncategorized
Lipscomb’s new IDEAL program is equipping students with intellectual disabilities with the skills needed for successful employment. The two-year certificate program combines general education classes with core classes in technology and employment skills to prepare students for the work place. “Ultimately, my goal is to have students that graduate from this program that are able to find meaningful, paid employment,” said Mallory Whitmore, the program director. The IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program, which is partially funded by a grant from the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, became a part of Lipscomb in June 2013. Dr. Candace McQueen, the dean of Lipscomb’s College of Education, and Dr. Misty Vetter, the faculty advisor for the program, wrote a proposal for the program to present before the Council, and it was approved mid-summer. IDEAL students began their Lipscomb education in January with the start of the spring semester. The program currently has three students enrolled, and Whitmore says she hopes to see a total of 10 enrolled in the fall. The students will be taking two IDEAL classes every semester, as well as auditing two undergraduate courses and participating in an internship. Whitmore, who works with the Best Buddies organization in Nashville, said she is excited about the opportunities this program will provide for students, as well as how the program will grow in the future. “I would like to see our program inspire more and more high school students with disabilities to think of college as an option,” Whitmore said. “I would [also] like to get more professors involved. One of our components is that students audit two classes a...
by Kathryn McKinley | Apr 14, 2011 | News Slider
Whether they are bowling, hanging out or going to a movie with their new friends, Lipscomb’s Best Buddies are making a difference. And their Buddies are making a difference in their lives as well. Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver – son of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver — with one objective: to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lipscomb’s chapter was launched about a year ago. Students from this campus as well as Best Buddies campus chapters from Belmont, Vanderbilt, MTSU and Trevecca have the unique opportunity to be connected and create individual friendships with people who are intellectually and developmental disabled, a “Buddy.” Students, or College Buddies, get paired with a person with a disability and build a relationship by doing things that a normal college student would do like talking on the phone, going out to dinner, watching a movie, or just simply hanging out. Lipscombʼs Best Buddy College Buddy Director, Deborah Hagerty, has seen the impact her friendship has made in the life of her buddy. Even recalling a story between her and her buddy brings a smile to her face. “You don’t realize what a big impact it is and how important it is for these people that you are in their lives until that moment when you walk in and theyʼre so excited that they are falling over themselves,” Hagerty said. Kristin Watts, Best Buddies Tennessee Program Manager, understands the impact College Buddies can make on their Buddies’ lives. Watts has first-hand experience and...
