LGBTQ activist group to host panel discussions

by | Mar 8, 2012 | News Slider

Soulforce, a group that promotes equality for LGBTQ people, will visit Lipscomb on Monday, March 12. The Soulforce visit was announced briefly at the end of The Gathering on Feb. 28. A March 1 email from SGA President Daniel Wakefield further clarified the event. The email stated that students were invited to attend one of three morning discussion sessions in Ezell chapel, involving panel discussions with representatives from Soulforce and university professors. The email reminded students that seating would be limited. “[Soulforce’s] mission is to bring attention to what they believe are unfair attitudes and policies within religious organizations,” Wakefield’s email said. “As a gracious and loving Christian community, Lipscomb seeks to be open to conversation about issues that may be difficult or sensitive,” the email contintued. “In this spirit, we look forward to meaningful dialogue with the Soulforce visitors and hope they feel that they have been graciously, thoughtfully, and faithfully received.” In a two-part panel discussion led by Dr. Steve Joiner, Lipscomb’s director for the Institute for Conflict Management, Soulforce will explore the justice and ethical issues surrounding the subject of homosexual orientation and homosexual practice. On Monday, the university will have panel discussions at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. for the limited number of students who were able to sign up in the SGA office. The justice issues that the panel will likely discuss include bullying and equal and fair treatment under the law. Lipscomb panelists include Dr. Ken Durham, Dr. Randy Spivey and Dr. Norma Burgess. A second panel will include Dr. Lee Camp, Dr. John Mark Hicks and Dr. Charla Long. Soulforce will supply...

SGA set for new year, new events and new memories

by | Sep 13, 2011 | News Slider, Sports

Daniel Wakefield, president of the Student Government Association, sat down with Lumination to look ahead at what SGA is doing this year to improve the Lipscomb experience for each of its students. “What we want to do is look at student life, figure out how things can be better and then focus our efforts on working with the administration to communicate how things could be better,” Wakefield said. “Part of that is just listening; part of that is just being available. But the other part of that is also being a bridge between student voices and administration’s ears. “ Wakefield said that goal includes things like improving campus, bringing in guest speakers, showing documentaries and helping create great memories. “We try to listen to what students, teachers and generally anyone in the Lipscomb community thinks might add to the experience that is being a Lipscomb student,” Wakefield said. Already this semester, SGA has donated money to the SAC renovation and to installing lights at the intramural field. SGA also gave away tickets to the Hillsong concert and hosted the cornhole tournament. Wakefield said the organization plans to have a concert in the winter, and for a spring event, SGA and campus ministry have invited author Donald Miller to campus. As it did last year, SGA will sponsor Paint the Herd this semester. Paint the Herd is designed to be a fun, exciting on-campus event to keep students interested in having a good time at Lipscomb on the weekend. About 700 students attended Paint the Herd last October, in the basement of the east parking garage. During the paint rave,...

Averitt v. Wakefield: Who should be your president?

by | Apr 20, 2011 | News Slider

One thing is clear after Monday night’s presidential debate, which was also the first ever live production from the Mullican TV Studio: Jackson Sprayberry has set very high standards for both candidates. This year’s presidential candidates are current SGA vice president Daniel Wakefield, a rising senior and Biology/Pre-Med major from Columbia, Tenn., as well as current SGA secretary Kirk Averitt, a rising Senior and Music Education major from Decatur, Ala. Wakefield has been part of SGA for three years, working two as a senator and one as vice president. During this time he has been able to learn more in-depth leadership skills. He has also had the opportunity to speak with people of influence and to have “conversations of weight” which encourage him to pursue active roles in SGA. “There’s an element of pride and satisfaction in working with the administration to make changes happen,” Wakefield said. “There are a lot of things I’ve been able to accomplish in SGA.” Averitt has been a part of SGA for two years, one year as a senator and one as secretary. He has enjoyed seeing the progress made over the past year, particularly in events such as Paint the Herd and in policy changes such as more lenient open dorms hours. “[Lipscomb] is a great school to be a student at and this is a great city to be a student in,” Averitt said. “We have a lot of outlets here.” Wakefield’s approach to this position is centered on networking. “[Sprayberry] has vision, focus and a unique ability to get people fired up,” Wakefield said. “I want to continue that.” Wakefield...