by Erin Turner | Aug 11, 2014 | Uncategorized
This fall two Lipscomb graduates are headed to Princeton University to pursue a Master’s of Divinity degree. Lauren Calvin and John Paul Cooke both graduated valedictorian from Lipscomb in May of 2014. Because of the influence of Lipscomb professors, both Calvin and Cooke decided that attending a graduate school was in their futures. During her undergraduate career, Calvin discovered her many gifts in ministry. “My psychology professor, Dr. Chris Gonzalez, was the first person who made me believe I was capable of doing well in grad school,” said Calvin. Not only was Calvin’s calling affirmed by Dr. Gonzalez, but also Dean Barham. “My Intro to Ministry professor, Dean Barham, had enough faith in me to ask me to speak at Woodmont Hills Church of Christ in the spring of 2013,” said Calvin, “He believed I was ‘called to preach.’” Because of the strong encouragement from her professors, Calvin decided on the possibility of an independent career in ministry as a writer and public speaker. After speaking at Woodmont Hills and carving a path for her future, Calvin began seriously looking at graduate schools. Meanwhile, Cooke also affirmed his graduate school potential at an apprenticeship with Otter Creek Church of Christ. “Dr. Walter Surdacki placed me in a youth ministry apprenticeship my second year that lasted until I graduated,” said Cooke, “This was a great opportunity for me to learn and practice skills that I learned in the classroom.” In December, Calvin and Cooke began the application process, applying to Duke, Princeton, Emory and Yale. “Princeton’s application process was probably the most thorough, requiring a personal statement, resume, academic writing...
by Carter Sanderson | Apr 12, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
March Madness may be over, but because of Ty Osman II, the ball has not stopped bouncing just yet. March 2013 marked the first of what will now be the annual Ty Osman II 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, and the time has come around again to host the second annual games. This is an event to honor a young man who lost his life in a car accident in 2012. Ty Osman II is a former Harding student and member of Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, and to honor Ty and his family, Woodmont has invited everyone, both students and adults, to gather in fun competition on Saturday, April 12, in Allen Arena starting at 8 a.m. Ty’s father, Ty Osman, expressed his appreciation for the event. “It’s really an honor to us,” Ty Osman said. “We didn’t put it together, but someone put it together for us because they knew he loved basketball.” The event is free of charge, and all the donations will go to benefit Donate Life Tennessee. Several lives have been impacted since the passing of Osman, as he was an organ donor, and seven people are now using his organs. To encourage others to become donors, the Ty2 Foundation is hosting this second annual tournament to help the legacy of Ty live on. Ty Osman II was a basketball player himself, and his father, family and friends wanted to have a memory that would not only celebrate his life, but bring joy to the lives of those celebrating. “You know, we don’t want everyone to to sit around having a cry fest because...
