Lumination Newscast, November 21st, 2013

In the final Lumination Newscast of the 2013-2014 school year, Carter Sanderson and Kelly Dean are behind the news desk to update you about what is happening on campus and around the Nashville community. Whitney Jarreld fills you in on the week’s top world news headlines, Ariel Jones give the scoop on all things with Nashville entertainment, Joe Sanderson gives you the weather forecast and Monaih Sam brings you up to speed with sports. This week, we’ll show you the latest updates around campus, give you the latest updates on the Lighting of the Green and tell you how to stay in shape through the holiday season. We’ll also bring you highlights from the Lady Bisons game against Belmont, tell you what you may not know about the men’s cross country championship season and catch up with a Bison who is breaking her way into the music business. Be sure to stay tuned for future newscasts published every Friday here on...

Dr. Gary Wilson recounts his journey to directing Lipscomb choruses

Now in his eighth year at Lipscomb University, Director of Vocal and Choral Activities Dr. Gary Wilson hasn’t always been an educator in the Volunteer State. Originally from Texas, Wilson started his teaching career in Little Rock, Ark., where he stayed for 13 years. He left to pursue teaching at the collegiate level. “[I] thoroughly loved my job there, but I wasn’t completely satisfied with it,” Wilson said. “There’s some music that I knew I was capable of teaching and conducting that my high school students were not capable of learning and performing, and so I really wanted to get to the collegiate level, but I didn’t have a doctoral degree.” He explained that, in the choral profession, there are many people with doctorates, and there is typically only one choral director at a small university. Thus, there is plenty of competition for the title of choral director. To earn his doctoral degree, Wilson traveled to York College in York, Neb., a Church of Christ university. Wilson taught full time and studied there during his tenure. Wilson said that he learned valuable lessons during his time at York. “For one thing, I had to learn how to drive on the snow. I grew up in Texas, [so after] a half inch, we pretty much shut things down,” Wilson said with a laugh. Along with driving in snowy weather, Wilson learned organization and focusing skills. “I probably learned how to be more organized than I have ever in my entire life, and how to be very, very focused on what has be done today, and what can be put off until...

Lighting of the Green sets lineup for 2013 show

For this year’s Lighting of the Green concert, Amy Grant will be bringing along plenty of friends for a night of Christmas joy. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Grant will be joined by Nicole C. Mullen, Brenda Lee, Ben Rector, Nashville‘s Lennon & Maisy, David Phelps and Hymns for Hunger & Friends (feat. Cindy Morgan and Andrew Greer), as well as a few of campus’ student choruses. The free concert begins on the Allen Arena Mall at 5:30 p.m., while other festivities will begin at 4 p.m. If there is rain, the event will be moved into Allen Arena. Those in attendance can provide Second Harvest Food Bank with either canned food or a cash donation. For more information on the evening’s festivities, visit Lipscomb’s website. Photo courtesy of...

Kelly Dean honored with 2013 CMA Close Up Award of Merit for Journalism

Kelly Dean, a senior journalism/new media major and Lumination contributor, was recently recognized for her time with Country Music Association’s  journalism team during last summer’s CMA Fest by receiving the CMA Close Up Award of Merit for Journalism. “I honestly could not believe I won the Award of Merit,” Dean said. “I had to read the email four times before it registered. I thought it had been a mistake, honestly! I never really have had that much confidence in my writing skills, but I know that writing is something I enjoy.” Dean credits working the CMA Fest as something that has helped ignite advancements in her career as a writer. “I have seen major improvement in my writing throughout the past two years,” Dean said. “Especially after working the CMA Fest, because of the real world experience.” Along with receiving the honor, Dean got the chance to assist the CMA Close Up team with their coverage of last week’s 47th Annual CMA Awards. She has been part of the Lipscomb journalism team that won the Southeast Journalism Conference’s Best of the South Awards in 2011 that included third place in “Best Video News” and first place as “Best College TV Station”. Dean has also been a part of numerous other successful journalism projects throughout her college years. “This is the biggest honor I have ever received in my journalism career,” Dean said. “I felt so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the CMA Close Up team to begin with, but to receive this honor was humbling because I was doing what I love in the industry that I absolutely love.” With...

Sigma Iota Delta earns 2013 Stomp Fest crown

Eight social clubs. One crowd. Three judges.  One winner. Kappa Iota Theta once again sponsored the ever-popular Stomp Fest event, which drew a large crowd to the sold out show. From top to bottom, Collins Alumni Auditorium was filled to the brim with Lipscomb students, faculty, parents and alumni. Lipscomb’s own TJ Ojehomon hosted the event, adding energy to the already energized group. Ojehomon went on to introduce the social clubs competing for the Stomp Fest 2013 title after an opening number where two members from each social club were represented. The first set of social clubs then performed their rehearsed routines. After a 10 minute intermission and performance by Michael “Mic O” Oruma, another one of Lipscomb’s own, the second half of the show began. The remaining social clubs closed out the night with cheers and applause, leaving the crowd to wonder who would be champion. Three judges, Shirley Bailey, Krystal Brown and Jessica Rich, who have over 20 years of combined experience in stomping, decided the winner of the competitive step show. Ojehomon called all participants to gather on stage for the announcement of the runner up and winner of 2013 after the judges tallied their scores.  Pi Delta claimed second place while Sigma Iota Delta won the title as the 2013 Stomp Fest winners. Anthony Strode, a member of Sigma Iota Delta, shared  how it felt to be the 2013 Stomp Fest winner by saying how surprised he was about being proclaimed champion. “I was so surprised. It was a last minute thing,” Strode said. “ We didn’t come in feeling confidant, but we all prayed about...