American Legion Girl’s State brings more than 500 civic-minded girls to campus

Originally written for Lipscomb’s website. Running for governor, county office and city mayor are just some of the many activities that high school girls from counties across the Volunteer state get to partake in at the 2014 American Legion Auxiliary Volunteer Girls State camp hosted at Lipscomb University, May 25-31. Since 2010, as many as 550 high school girls have been coming to Lipscomb’s campus for a one-week camp where they form cities and run their own government, all while crafting citizenship responsibilities and leadership skills. This year, a new record of attendance was set by 573 studious girls. Before Lipscomb, Girls State called Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) home. “Our move to Lipscomb from MTSU offered us a smaller venue which meant we could move over 500 girls more easily across campus,” said Kathy Edwards, executive counselor for Volunteer Girls State. “With additional rooms within the same vicinity, we were able to expand from a 12 city Girls State to 14 cities.” Edwards said the girls have benefitted from Lipscomb’s campus as well. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity for them to see what Lipscomb has to offer,” she said. “It feels like we’re in our own little heaven here. The security, the staff and administration have been wonderful to work with. It shows that we’re working with a school that knows hospitality.” The students had the chance to run their own city mayor elections and council meetings. Baily-Anna Teague, a rising senior from McNairy Central High School in Selmer, Tenn., was elected city mayor of Taylor City. Teague says she’s not only learned all about the elements of...

Campus Notes – May 30

Here are some newsworthy links from around campus. ACADEMIC NEWS The College of Education has started a new program for students with intellectual disabilities. ATHLETICS NEWS Madi Talbert became the first Lady Bison to advance to the NCAA Nationals in Track and Field last Friday. Pete Dalton has been announced as a new assistant coach with the Cross Country/Track and Field program. The softball season ended earlier this month. Here’s a year-in-review of the Lady Bisons’ season. New basketball coach Casey Alexander participated in a Q-&-A with Jonathan Seamon at the Brentwood Church of Christ on Wednesday evening. Brent High introduces the event at around the 11 minute mark.  EVENT NEWS Gov. Bill Haslam was on campus on Tuesday, May 28 as a part of the Volunteer Girls State conference. COMMUNITY NEWS Incoming student Maureen Maltez had her dreams fulfilled when she performed with country artist Trace Adkins. Two pieces of Lipscomb Art Chair Warren Green’s art can be seen at the newly opened Music City Center, which will be shown to the public on June 1. Have a bit of information that you would like to share with the Lipscomb community? Email us at luminationnetwork@gmail.com  Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...

Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership announces ‘Leadership Tennessee’ program

The Nelson and Sue Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership announced a new program entitled ‘Leadership Tennessee’ to the Nashville community early Wednesday. ‘Leadership Tennessee’ will be a 10-month program that will enlist a variety of community leaders and put them to the task of coming up with ideas to solve different state issues. Linda Peek Schacht, the executive director of the Andrews Institute, shared her excitement for the plans in a statement released by the university. “The guiding principle of the Andrews Institute is that great communities are intentional, not accidental. Great states are intentional, not accidental,” Schacht said. “When we bring leaders together from the private, public and nonprofit sectors to work together for the common good, communities can change. Leadership Tennessee extends statewide this collaborative leadership model, based on the idea that informed, committed citizens can find common ground and make common cause to address the challenges and opportunities facing a community, region or state.” Lipscomb President Dr. Randy Lowry also expressed his enthusiasm in the statement. “For the past two years, the Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership has made an impact on Middle Tennessee as it has built on the legacy of Nashville leader Nelson Andrews by engaging emerging and current leaders from government, business and nonprofit sectors in programs to create thriving communities by collaborating together for the common good,” said Lowry. “Nelson Andrews helped create successful local leadership programs. His family chose Lipscomb University to be the institution to expand his vision of collaborative leadership to the state and beyond. So, it is very fitting that the newest initiative from the institute that bears...
Local journalism community backs Meador after arrest

Local journalism community backs Meador after arrest

Bad news travels fast — especially when one of your own gets arrested downtown. That was the case on Oct. 29 when Brett Flener was arrested along with 26 others at Legislative Plaza as a part of Occupy Nashville. One of the others arrested was Nashville Scene reporter Jonathan Meador. Meador was on the scene covering the protests, an assignment given to him by his editor. Once the Tennessee Highway Patrol started approaching, they did not recognize Meador as a member of the media…even though he was exclaiming the fact as they pushed him to the ground before cuffing his wrists. You’ve heard that story, though. Everyone in Nashville has. When the Middle Tennessee Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists learned of the story, they decided to take action against the governor and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. On Saturday, SPJ learned of his arrest, prompting a chain of emails sent by the society’s president Deb Fisher and the other 11 members on the board. One of those members is Lipscomb Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Jimmy McCollum. “The deck was stacked against [Meador],” McCollum said. “It was dark, there were people all around and the troopers probably lumped everyone together.” McCollum says the board feels that the troopers should have paused when Meador said he was a member of the media and tried to verify that. The reports say that Meador never produced any press credentials during the time of his arrest. However, the THP never asked for credentials either, sparking outrage from the journalism community. The THP’s report says they smelled alcohol on...