Lumination’s Top 10 Stories of 2014

Happy New Year, Lumination readers! Now that the new year’s resolutions have been made and the first day of 2015 is here, we want to take a hop back in time to look at some of Lipscomb’s biggest moments of 2014. Before we get to the top 10 stories, we want to take a moment to honor those we lost in 2014. Alumni Andrew Nash, Anastasia Sloan, Meghan Day and Jacob Akers, and associate professor of pharmacy practice Kim Barker and longtime faculty member Earl Dennis all passed away. As we begin a new year, we would like to keep those listed and their families in our thoughts and prayers. Quite a few stories made it close to the top 10. They include a few annual events, special guests and people in new positions of leadership. In December, Amy Grant hosted the tenth annual Lighting of the Green in Allen Arena. This year, a scholarship was created in Grant’s honor. During the spring, the fifth annual Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes concert brought country music stars and fundraising to Allen Arena once again. Also in 2014, the Dove Awards returned to Lipscomb for its 46th ceremony. In November, the Lipscomb community came together at one of Nashville’s premier venues: The Ryman. Nashville’s Charles Esten joined the program “Lipscomb: On a New Stage,” and even performed a few tunes, too. Also in 2014, Lipscomb welcomed Darrin Bellows as the new director of security and safety and Josh Roberts as the new dean of student development. In April, Drew Watson was elected as the new SGA president. 10. Dana Carpenter wins national award In October, Dana Carpenter took home...

Tokens goes weekly with broadcasts on WSM, holiday specials planned

For the first time in its six year history, the Lipscomb-based variety show Tokens is being broadcast weekly. The show can be heard on world famous country station WSM 650 AM on Sundays from 6-7 p.m. The broadcasts are currently pre-recorded from earlier episodes. These broadcasts will continue until the first live show of the fall on Nov. 24, followed by two holiday specials on Thanksgiving night and Christmas night, concluding the weekly broadcasts. For those unfamiliar with Tokens, the shows feature a variety of acts across various fields to provide a night of music and comedy that even touches on social issues. The show was created by Lipscomb’s own Dr. Lee C. Camp, a Bible professor on campus. To Camp, the mix of talented acts performing together, especially during the holiday specials at the Ryman Auditorium, provides for unique atmosphere for the audience. “The Ryman is just a magical place,” Camp said. “That show itself is always very, very special because of the kind of show we’re doing there. When you’re able to weave together theology and really good music and roots/Americana music, all of that is what the Ryman Auditorium has always been about. So that night is always very special at the Ryman, and it has an almost magical feel about it. And I’m always delighted to have people come and enjoy and participate in it.” Tokens has been able to bring in many big names and talented artists over the years, including Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Keb’ Mo’, Hal Holbrook and many others. This luxury came about thanks to the musical connections made by the...

Unlikely source offers Bonnaroo advice

My first exposure to Bonnaroo didn’t exactly draw me to the event. The organizers in the early years were still trying to get their act together, and it was a major ordeal just getting to the property. My older son attended a couple of times in the early years. The fact that he came back grungy and smelly and sunburned didn’t help. The music, on the other hand, carried a strong appeal. I attended my share of concerts “back in the day.” Three of the more memorable ones to me were The Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper (twice!). A ZZ Top concert also stands out because one of the lead acts that night was a promising new band with the odd name Lynyrd Skynyrd. I decided to attend Bonnaroo the first time in 2004 when my younger son, then 17, wanted to go. He actually consented to go with me, perhaps because it was the only way he was going to get there at that age. As we stocked up on camping gear, our inexperience revealed itself in several ways. For example, we learned that the label “two-person tent” means that two grown people can technically fit into it. Let’s just say the tent provided a cozy bonding experience. In spite of the tight sleeping quarters, we had a great time. I enjoyed the overall experience so much that 2004 began a streak of four straight Bonnaroos for me. I haven’t been able to get back the past few years due to a variety of conflicts. On Bonnaroo weekend this year, for example, I am speaking at a conference,...