May 2014 graduation ceremonies send record number out into world

May 2014 graduation ceremonies send record number out into world

Due to a record number of graduates, Lipscomb University held two commencement ceremonies for the spring 2014 graduates Saturday afternoon in Allen Arena. Over 800 students received their undergrad, graduate or doctorate degrees in the ceremonies, including those who received Lipscomb’s first ever doctorate of ministry degrees. During the undergraduate ceremony, Director of the Beaman Library and 30-year faculty member Carolyn Wilson offered words of wisdom for the graduating students. “My father told me when I began my first career, which was teaching, that I should not determine success in terms of just monetary rewards,” Wilson said. Lipscomb president Randy Lowry also spoke during the ceremony, commenting on the bittersweet feelings of graduation day. “You’re on a path right now, and I know it’s hard to look back and look forward at the same time, but I want you to take a moment to think about that,” Lowry said. “Every path connects you not only to where you are going, but also to where you’ve been. “I hope you spend time celebrating. The past is a wonderful thing for us to recognize. But then there’s the future. The future is in some ways very uncertain and in other ways not so much.” During the undergraduate ceremony, David Sampson, President and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, was awarded with the prestigious Alumnus of the Year award. Sampson has also worked in the government as the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and assistant secretary of commerce for economic development in the George W. Bush administration. In a change from the usual solo performance, Lipscomb’s Alma Mater...

Campus adjusts to merger between English and Foreign Languages departments

Searching for a parking spot on campus is not a new phenomenon to Lipscomb students, but searching for a favorite professor’s new office might be. Many students are unaware that Lipscomb’s English and Foreign Languages departments have merged to create the Department of English and Modern Languages, although the name has not yet been officially approved by the administration. Students who are aware of the merge are mainly English and modern languages majors, and so far, reactions have been mixed. “Frankly, I’m just kind of a little confused as to how it might affect me,” said Chris Netterville, a sophomore English major from Nashville. “There hasn’t been that much explanation about it, just the fact that the merge itself is existing, and the offices are moving to join together in the library.” “I really wish there was more broad, open information about it,” Netterville said. “I think that is one thing the students are lacking. Just more information about the merge and what the teachers think it will entail.” Students’ concerns center heavily on the fact that although the professors have moved to Beaman Library, classes will still be held in Swang and Elam, potentially affecting the community of the departments. “I don’t know if that means when I go to talk to my teachers now, or go sit in the lounge area, if I have to be really quiet,” Netterville said. “Does that mean I [can’t] talk in my own department? That’s something I’m worried about.” “Right now, I’m not really happy about it,” said Rachel Craddock, a senior English major from Belpre, Ohio. “But, I know that...

Joshua Graves reads portion of new book at library signing

Local minister, author and Lipscomb adjunct professor Joshua Graves was present for a book signing at the Beaman Library Tuesday afternoon. Graves, the preaching and teaching minister at Otter Creek Church and a contributor to Fox News’ website, read a portion of his new book Heaven on Earth (co-written with Chris Seidman) to those in attendance. Carolyn Wilson, the director of library services, introduced Graves to the crowd, thanking him for his participation in the event. “We like to recognize our own people who do exceptionally well,” said Wilson, a member of Graves’ congregation. After the introduction, Graves jumped right into reading a chapter from Heaven on Earth, a book that offers a fresh take on the Beatitudes. The chapter took a focus on the ‘mourning’ beatitude. Once Graves finished the reading, he took a few questions from the audience, with topics ranging from what it’s like to be both a writer and a preacher to what inspired Graves to write about the Beatitudes. Graves said he was happy with the event’s turnout, noting his enjoyment in hosting book signings. “When I think about book signings, it’s just another opportunity to talk to people about things I’m passionate about,” Graves said. “It can be kind of a weird thing for some authors, but I just love the chance to hear what people are reading and what they’re thinking about.” Graves said that college students who were interested in the book would be attracted to its non-scholarly approach. “This is not an academic book – it’s not an intellectual book. It’s a book that’s very practical,” Graves said. “[The book]...