by Lacy Pack | Apr 18, 2011 | News Slider
For most Lipscomb students, college begins directly out of high school. But not for veterans April Herrington and Susannah Leonard, who joined the United States Air Force instead. Now, Herrington and Leonard are pursuing their degrees at Lipscomb while helping the Campus Veterans Organization (CVO) grow and develop. Herrington, senior accounting and finance major from Texas, says the CVO is like a social club for veterans. “Having a group of people here who have gone through similar situations and have similar needs is what makes this organization important,” Herrington said. The purpose and vision of the CVO is to provide a strong social and support network for veterans seeking higher education at Lipscomb. All members are given the opportunity to achieve their educational and career goals, provide service to their community through volunteer work and gain easy access to information and benefits for their families and themselves. There are around 95 veterans on campus, 20 percent of which are female. When asked the question “Does Lipscomb cater to your needs?” David Hughes, the veterans liaison, walks into the office. Herrington laughs. “Most definitely, that’s what David’s for!” Herrington said. “If we have any issues, he’s the one we go to.” Leonard laughs and nods in agreement, “He’s our caterer.” The CVO is a relatively new organization and has only been in existence at Lipscomb since fall of ’09. According to the veterans, it was a little bumpy in its development because the program was new for everyone. Leonard, marketing major from Nashville, says that the CVO has just started developing past the infancy stage. “We are just now getting...
by Kelsey Durnin | Apr 4, 2011 | News Slider
The second annual Operation Yellow Ribbon was a huge success! The event featured General Tommy Franks as keynote speaker and performances by Charlie Daniels, Wynonna Judd, The Grascals and Montgomery Gentry. Charlie Daniels was honored by being appointed a colonel. The whole event was hosted by GAC’s Storme Warren. Prior to the show, veteran students and other VIP guests had the opportunity to meet with Gen. Franks and Daniels as well as the performers: Montgomery Gentry, The Grascals and Wynonna Judd. The Grascals’ banjo player Kristin Benson and guitarist Terry Eldredge were excited for the opportunity to show support for troops and veterans. “This is a worthwhile event we’re proud to be a part of,” says Benson. The Grascals played two songs including their cover of The Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville.” “It’s great, anyway you can honor them,” Eldredge said, a bit choked up. “They dodge bullets for us. Anybody who does that deserves to be honored.” Daniels has always been a notoriously patriotic supporter of the military and its veterans, and has performed at both Operation Yellow Ribbon events at Lipscomb. This year he played a new song asking everyone to pray for the troops. He also played the Charlie Daniels Band classic, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” with accompaniment from The Grascals. “There is a Santa Claus and his name isn’t St. Nick, its St. Charlie Daniels,” said Eldredge. To add to the night’s excitement, David Hughes announced Lipscomb’s new partnership with Sentinels of Freedom, a program which awards scholarships to qualifying veterans who were severely injured in the line of duty. The first student...
by Kelsey Durnin | Mar 28, 2011 | News Slider
The second annual Operation Yellow Ribbon event will be this Tuesday, Mar. 29 at 7 p.m. in Allen Arena. “We hope this inspiring evening of stories and songs will do three things,” said David Hughes, assistant dean of students and director of the Yellow Ribbon Program. “We want it to raise awareness about the Yellow Ribbon Program, honor the military and veterans and help raise funds to support Yellow Ribbon.” General Tommy Franks, who is also the author of New York Times bestseller American Soldier, will be the keynote speaker again this year. General Franks spoke at last year’s Operation Yellow Ribbon on the importance of family, faith and flag and will be delivering a message just as strong this time around. Hughes describes him as a dynamic speaker who can “have you in stitches one minute, then crying the next.” The event’s evening benefit concert has been arranged by the Charlie Daniels Band production team absolutely free of charge to show their support for the military. “Without the Charlie Daniels Band production team this event would not happen,” Hughes said. “They are that integral to this.” The benefit concert will feature acoustic performances by Charlie Daniels, Wynonna Judd, Montgomery Gentry and the Grascals. Hughes says, however, this will be much more than a concert as each performer will also be telling stories. Funds raised by the event will go to support the Yellow Ribbon Program, which has been established at Lipscomb since on Aug, 1, 2009. This program is part of a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs which allows veterans to pursue an education at public or private...
by Kelsey Durnin | Mar 25, 2011 | News Slider
The second annual Operation Yellow Ribbon event will be this Tuesday, Mar. 29 at 7 p.m. in Allen Arena. “We hope this inspiring evening of stories and songs will do three things,” said David Hughes, assistant dean of students and director of the Yellow Ribbon Program. “We want it to raise awareness about the Yellow Ribbon Program, honor the military and veterans and help raise funds to support Yellow Ribbon.” General Tommy Franks, who is also the author of New York Times bestseller American Soldier, will be the keynote speaker again this year. General Franks spoke at last year’s Operation Yellow Ribbon on the importance of family, faith and flag and will be delivering a message just as strong this time around. Hughes describes him as a dynamic speaker who can “have you in stitches one minute, then crying the next.” The event’s evening benefit concert has been arranged by the Charlie Daniels Band production team absolutely free of charge to show their support for the military. “Without the Charlie Daniels Band production team this event would not happen,” Hughes said. “They are that integral to this.” The benefit concert will feature acoustic performances by Charlie Daniels, Wynonna Judd, Montgomery Gentry and the Grascals. Hughes says, however, this will be much more than a concert as each performer will also be telling stories. Funds raised by the event will go to support the Yellow Ribbon Program, which has been established at Lipscomb since Aug, 1, 2009. This program is part of a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs which allows veterans to pursue an education at public or...
