2014 World Cup Recap: Round of 16 and Quarterfinals

It feels like an eternity has passed since the end of the group stage. I have completely forgotten about the likes of Japan and Russia. Was Spain even in the World Cup? The knockout rounds always turn the intensity up significantly compared to the group stage, and 2014 has been no different. Let’s revisit the key moments from the knockout stage so far. Round of 16: This was probably the most entertaining round of a World Cup I have ever followed. Granted, I have only followed three World Cups closely, but even experienced World Cup fans have spoken highly of the merits of this tournament, with the Round of 16 being the focal point. If the round of 16 was the peak of the Cup thus far, then the goalkeepers were the shining stars in the middle of it all. Mexico’s folk hero Guillermo Ochoa, Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama and the United States’ Tim Howard all displayed goalkeeping heroics in losing efforts, Brazilian Julio Caesar shouldered the weight of a soccer-obsessed nation while saving consecutive penalty kicks against Alexis Sanchez and Chile, and Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas somehow topped them all in leading the Cup’s Cinderella to the quarterfinals. The United States failed to defeat the Red Devils of Belgium, a team that exudes cool and is full of stars from the top European leagues, ending their enthralling World Cup run excruciatingly close to the quarterfinals. Although the loss was a tough one, there is plenty to celebrate with the USA’s run. The longtime thorn in the side of the US squad, Ghana, was vanquished. Christiano Ronaldo was shut down...

Lumination News, April 4, 2014

This week’s Lumination News features a special report from international reporter Brianna Langley on the 8.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile.  We also keep you updated with events on campus. Martin Baker gives you a look inside Bison Brawl, based off the ABC show Shark Tank. Savanna Schubert tells you all about a new bill concerning religious freedom that could affect public and private schools. Do you have story ideas? An event you want us to cover? Email our News Director...

Lipscomb group abroad in Chile safe from earthquake

Lipscomb students living in Chile this semester were far from the danger zone when the deadly 8.2-magnitude earthquake violently shook the country Tuesday. The university confirmed the group’s well-being in a press release from Assistant Vice President of Communication and Marketing Kim Chaudoin. “Lipscomb University students who are studying abroad in Santiago, Chile are more than 1,000 miles away from an earthquake that struck off the coast of northern Chile …,” Chaudoin wrote. “University officials have confirmed the safety of all team members.” Theology and ethics professor Lee Camp is leading the group while they are away, and he provided insight into the situation for the university in an email at 10:20 p.m. CST. “All is well here,” Camp wrote in the email. “No effects of the earthquake in Santiago.” A 7.6-magnitude after-shock hit the region less than 24 hours after the quake. The after-shock itself is reportedly stronger than any quake to hit the U.S. since the 7.8-magnitude 1906 San Francisco earthquake.     Photo courtesy of...
Adventuring Abroad: The Driest Place in the World/Nocturnal Chile

Adventuring Abroad: The Driest Place in the World/Nocturnal Chile

The Driest Place in the World (originally published on Feb. 27) From the snowcapped peaks of Torres del Paine, the Chilean Global Learning class of 2014 journeyed straight up to the north of Chile, and in less than a week, we were in the driest place in the world: the Atacama Desert. The best way I can think of to describe to you what sort of adventures the Atacama holds is to simply take you through what we experienced while we were there, step by step. What I first noticed about the Chilean desert is that it is a place with almost as much topographic diversity and variety as the country of Chile itself. In some areas of the Atacama, all you can see is brown; brown and flat and complete desolation of life (or anything terribly interesting to look at for that matter). In other areas, little bits of plant manage to sprout up in seemingly spontaneous locations until you finally reach the actual oasis, where green is always greener. These are the rare jewels of the desert where exotic plants and thirsty, bright flowers flourish healthily in between the sweetest little villages that provide homes to the human population of the Atacama. Then there are the mountains and volcanoes; beautifully crafted monstrous sculptures that loom in every horizon. The two desert valleys we were privileged to visit during this particular visit to the Atacama were Death Valley and Moon Valley. Both valleys were expansive and had rolling dirt mountains that looked like a frozen sea of sandy brown waves. (Although I’ve never had the opportunity to travel...

Adventuring Abroad: Preparation Horrors and the City of Saints

In my experience, I have found the most stressful part of any journey oftentimes accompanies the preparation and anxiety that arises before ever even taking that first step onto the airplane, vehicle, boat, etc.  Knowing something about where you’re going obviously helps, but if your destination is somewhere you have never been before, no amount of reading, packing or studying will keep those fears, doubts and second thoughts from festering in your mind. The key is to channel these oftentimes negative feelings into something positive, like excitement or eagerness. If you keep reminding yourself how fulfilling your trip is going to be, you’ll eventually convince yourself that you are excited and eager to be going. Then, one day, you’ll find that you actually are, just as you were when you first decided to take the trip. This was the process I had to work through when I decided to participate in Global Learning. The minute I saw my new home, though, I felt at peace and reassured. Santiago has been nicknamed the city of Saints for the capital’s deeply rooted traditions in Catholicism. This core essence of the city can be felt everywhere, from the world-famous Metropolitan Cathedral to the hilltop sanctuary “San Cristόbal”, where a 22-meter tall limestone Virgin Mary stands, looking out over her loyal and dedicated city. With its towering buildings and ongoing cityscape, Santiago has the potential to feel like a megacity to newcomers. Nearly half of Chilé’s 14-million inhabitants live in Santiago, giving it a population of over 7-million. The Chileans of Santiago seem to be especially proud and in touch with their European...