by Schyler Jones | Oct 5, 2020 | News, News Slider, Opinion
With the presidential election less than a month away, those who have the opportunity to vote need to understand the power they hold. We were all taught about voting to some extent in school, but with everything else going on, why does it really matter? Heleena Kabtimer, a junior International Business Management major, said, “As a person of color and a woman, there’s so many times when voting in our history has not been provided to someone like me. Now that I can use my voice to vote in elections, all those people didn’t fight for me to not use it.” Suffrage is a privilege, a time when people get to use their voice to stand up for what they believe in. Concerning people who choose not to vote, Jessica Heffington, a senior Accounting major, claims she understands people choose not to vote for various reasons, but said, “If you choose not to, then you can’t be mad at the outcome.” Both Kabtimer and Heffington admit they did not vote when they first turned eighteen. The main reason was that it wasn’t a presidential election year. Local elections don’t garner nearly as much attention as federal elections, but looking back Kabtimer wishes she understood that local elections are actually just as important as federal elections. “Every town, city, and state is different and those who live there should have a say in what affects them every day,” Heffington said. A common obstacle to first-time voters is not knowing how the voting process works. Kiana Rafiei, a junior Psychology major, thinks schools need to better prepare students to go out...
by Mckenzi Harris | Apr 23, 2020 | News, News Slider, Student Spotlight
Forty students ran for 27 open office positions on next year’s Student Government Association (SGA). Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that closed campus, this year’s elections were held via e-mail. Five additional senator positions representing the freshman class will be filled when the new students arrive to Lipscomb in the fall. Below is a list of the SGA office position winners. Check back for interviews with the new SGA officers. Executive Officers: President: Mimi Vance Vice President: Dexter Woods Secretary: Rylee Russell Treasurer: Grant Lander Senior Class Senators: Chloe Allen Adelia Birdwell Elliot Forst Ellis Osburn Erin Stanley Junior Class Senators: Grant Bobo Grace Davis Carson Freund Megan Hinerman Grant Hitchcock Sophomore Class Senators: Adele Brothers Dumebi Ene Liz McKell Angie Medina Galeaz Hannah Mulzer At-Large Senators: Madi Ford Will Huff Lorena Maury Mackenzie McConnell Nate Messer Fiona O’Neal Donovan Ross Patrick...
by Kathryn Farris | Apr 12, 2020 | COVID-19, News, News Slider, Politics
In an era of deadly pandemic-spurred social distancing and mandated hibernation, the 2020 presidential election seems to have been moved to the back burner. Concern over how to best campaign for national and local elections amid a global pandemic has been the subject of debate among Democrats and Republicans. Manny Sethi — a Republican first-time candidate running for Tennessee’s open Senate seat that’s being vacated by Sen. Lamar Alexander, who is retiring — said he misses the world of full-on rallies and public forums. Sethi spoke with the Nashville Scene on the loss of person-to-person style campaigning due to the virus. “What we’re trying to do is recreate that feeling through these virtual town halls,” he is quoted as telling the Scene. Virtual campaigning is becoming a popular solution for those running for office. Joe Biden — who is going to be the Democratic nominee after he overwhelmed Bernie Sanders on Super Tuesday, spurring the latter to drop out — has been implementing virtual roundtables via live streams. Each of the “roundtables” cater to specific voter demographics. They also feature guests alongside Biden via remote video calls. “In some ways, this is the world that every digital person in every digital story you’ve ever written has said would come,” Biden digital director Rob Flaherty told BuzzFeed News. “We were just focused on getting him out there as soon as we could get him out there.” For President Trump, the halt on traditional campaigning is playing to his favor. As the sitting President, Trump’s coronavirus press conferences are broadcast daily and draw high ratings (averaging 8.5 million viewers). What stands in Trump’s way is the...
by Kathryn Farris | Mar 3, 2020 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
Nashville sustained significant damage early Tuesday morning, as a line of severe storms and a tornado hit the neighborhoods of Germantown and East Nashville. The tornado continued eastward to hit in Donelson and Hermitage before causing major damage in Mt. Juliet and moving across to Cookeville and Putnam County, where there was a devastating loss of life. The effects of the storm are being felt across Middle Tennessee and altering polling locations for voters in today’s election. Voters who normally are assigned to Hadley Park Community Center, Robert Churchwell Elementary, Centennial Park Art Center, Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church, or Union Hall 737 may vote at Pearl Cohn High School. Voters assigned to Hermitage Presbyterian, Dupont Tyler School, Hermitage Hills Baptist Church, Hermitage Community Center, TN School for the Blind or Two Rivers Middle School can vote at Donelson Presbyterian. Those assigned to vote at Ross Elementary, East Community Center, Shelby Community Center, Martha O’Brian or Cora Howe School may vote at Cleveland Community Center. Haynes Middle School will vote at Whites Creek Fire Station 25. Looby Community Center will vote at Northwest YMCA. Lead Brick Church Middle School will vote at Bellshire Elementary. Tuesday morning, Davidson and Wilson County polls were scheduled to open at 7 a.m. but were delayed until 8 a.m. Some were staying later than the normal 7 p.m. also, meaning Super Tuesday primary results will come in later than normal. Any other Davidson County voter whose assigned polling location was impacted can vote at the Election Commission Offices at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike or 800 Second Avenue S. For a full list of information to find your...
by Lumination Staff | Apr 16, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
Jack Webber will be student body president next year, the Lipscomb Student Government Association announced Tuesday afternoon. He defeated Jase George and Breckin Horton for the position. Senior Sierra Sparks served as SGA president this school year. “I could not have done it without the support of the student body,” Webber said. “I want to thank everyone who helped to give me this opportunity. I promise to make y’all proud.” Macy Glassco ran unopposed for vice president. Mimi Vance beat out Hank Warren for Secretary, while Chloe Allen ran unopposed for Treasurer. Nearly 1,400 votes were cast during Tuesday’s election. Full results are below. SGA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS: PRESIDENT: Jack Webber VICE PRESIDENT: Macy Glassco SECRETARY: Mimi Vance TREASURER: Chloe Allen SENIOR SENATORS Rebekah Duke Carson Meador Deanie Pedigo Chris Schneider Ben Vogel JUNIOR SENATORS Adelia Birdwell Will Huff Grant Lander Eden Melles Dexter Woods SOPHOMORE SENATORS Alex Grilli Mackenzie McConnell Donovan Ross Rylee Russell Denver Woods Voting for Senators at Large will be held Thursday, April 18. Students can vote for eight candidates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ballot includes: Ashley Berry, Ben Blaylock, Megan Bourland, Butler Bowen, Michael Cannone, Judson Chaudoin, Ragan Chaney, Jerod Crockett, Miller Duke, Hannah Duty, Elliot Forst, Jase George, Breckin Horton, Kase Maner, Pari Manoogian, Morgan Meador, Nate Messer, Jacob Moran, Fiona O’Neal, Kody Smith, Patrick Smith, Erin Stanley, Lesley Walker, Hank Warren, Kevin Witt, Kayla Wood and Alec Wright....
