by Leslie Newman | Jul 6, 2015 | News Slider
Lipscomb’s three swings and a ring saying likely grew because there are so many swings on campus and so often passers-by see couples sitting on the swings. The basic premise of “romantic” myth is that if a couple is spotted swinging three times, then the woman will get a ring. Sometimes love does spring from those swings, other times not. “My brother and his girlfriend used to sit on the swings on campus all the time and they did get married,” 2010 grad Rachel Stevens said. “He even built a swing just like the one on campus in their backyard.” Beaman Library Archivist Marie Byers added another detail to Lipscomb students’ pursuit of a college-romance-turned-lifelong-commitment. Byers said before there were swings there were signature green benches all over campus which were known as “office spotlights.” The benches were placed in very public areas to make sure modesty was a part of any heterosexual seating. The swings of love didn’t even arrive on campus until the spring of 1989, when students spied them upon returning from spring break. The swings accompanied plans for some major buildings on campus. The new library, athletic facilities, an addition to Johnson Hall, more parking spaces and a new baseball field were all to begin construction that July. To make room six run-down houses — they must have been, as students referred to them as “the ghetto” — were demolished. That neighborhood stood where the baseball field is now. Ronnie Farris, head postmaster for The Connection, used to live in the old neighborhood that was displaced for the baseball field. He remembers having a picture of his son on a...
by Erin Turner | Mar 5, 2015 | News Slider
Thursday night’s Singarama show that was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Collins Alumni Auditorium has been canceled due to road conditions and snow accumulation. Thursday’s showing of the highly anticipated event — that many students have worked on since January — will not be rescheduled. But Friday’s show at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday’s 2 and 7:30 p.m. showings remain on schedule as of today. Meanwhile, the Singarama groups “Ready,” “Set” and “Go” will continue working on their performances. “Another day of practice never hurt anyone,” sophomore Zack Eccleston said. While more practice time is helpful for the teams, Eccleston said he is still eager to perform the show for an audience. “We’re all ready for people to see it,” Eccleston said. “Hard work might be an understatement. “We had a month less to work on our shows this year compared to last year, so everyone’s been really great about learning everything in half the time we got last year,” Eccleston said. “Our directors have been incredible in creating this show, and everyone participating in it has put in so many hours to get these dances down, learn the music and still put a focus on school work at the same time.” This year’s Singarama production is Ready, Set, Go! featuring groups led by student directors Anne Claire Smith, Carolanne Deaton and John Alex Foster. Despite the weather, Singarama participant and freshman Eliza Claire Neese is ready to perform. “Our energy is high and I feel we are ready to perform,” Neese said. “If the weather is too dangerous [Friday] I encourage people to attend a different night, as the shows have been rigorously created...
by Colleen Casner | Mar 2, 2015 | News Slider
Months of hard work will soon pay off for students involved in Lipscomb’s 52nd annual Singarama, which opens this Thursday in Collins Alumni Auditorium. This year’s Singarama production is Ready, Set, Go! featuring groups led by student directors Anne Claire Smith, Carolanne Deaton and John Alex Foster. This year’s hosts and hostesses are Delaney Brown, David Austin Lowery, Michael Oruma, Caitlin Phelps, Tyler Russell and McKenna Smith. Aaron Sain is the host and hostesses director. “Go” is the story of a window washer who wants to enter the world of business. It features songs such as “Status Quo” from High School Musical, “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake and “You Can Go Your Own Way.” Clubs participating in “Go” include Delta Omega, Delta Sigma, Kappa Chi, Sigma Omega Sigma and Tau Phi. Delta Sigma member Laney Overton has especially enjoyed bonding with students from other social clubs. “Being in a social club you sometimes are confined to your social club, and Singarama’s a really great opportunity to branch out and meet new people from other clubs,” Overton said. Students have been working on their shows since January, often practicing five days each week. Frequent practices do not bother Singarama first-timer Tiffany Best, though. “Whenever I’m stressed or busy or upset I can just take my mind off of it and sing my heart out,” Best said. Anna Grace Wolfe of Delta Sigma has also enjoyed the practices but is especially enthusiastic about taking the stage at Singarama for the first time. “I’m excited to be on stage and the moment where we first walk onto the stage,” Wolfe said. Overton, who participated last year, is looking forward...
by Kelsey Neumann | Mar 30, 2010 | News Slider
It’s the grand finale. The stage is dead silent and the spotlights are glaring down on an empty stage. After a quick change in between scenes, he pops out onto the stage. He’s the star, getting every dance move down to the core. The only problem is, his pants are unzipped. This is just one of Singarama’s many funny memories, from the person most closely tied to its 47 year history. Sarah Keith Gamble, associate dean of campus life, has been able to watch all these “epically” funny moments throughout her years working for the show. Gamble’s involvement with Singarama over the years can be summed up in one line she said, “This stuff just kind of gets in your blood sometimes!” Gamble became head director in 1985, after Dennis Loyd, an English professor, left the show. She went from being head resident of Johnson Hall, to Campus Life, to head director of Singarama. Before all of this, Gamble was on the other side of the stage, performing as a student in Singarama during her college days. Gamble says performing in college was “a whole different world” compared to the more recent shows. First off, there were no hosts/hostesses. An emcee would crack a few jokes and introduce each act; Gamble says it was “more like a talent show.” Another difference between shows in the past and the show today is that the performers used to stand on risers. “There was more singing and harmonizing,” Gamble says. “The harmony was great, but the show wasn’t nearly as entertaining. Now there are more dance moves, but I do miss the...
