For the fourth time in program history, Lipscomb baseball is the ASUN Conference champion. The Bisons rallied in the ninth inning and won 5-4 in 10 innings against North Alabama on Saturday afternoon at Melching Field to claim the ASUN Tournament title. With the victory, Lipscomb secured an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. Junior infielder Cam Pruitt was named the ASUN Tournament MVP. North Alabama struck first against Lipscomb graduate pitcher Collin Bosley-Smith. In the top of the first inning, the North Alabama Lions used four hits to take a 2-0 lead, including RBI singles from senior outfielder Nash Rippen and junior catcher Will Millard. Lipscomb answered in the bottom of the first. Junior utility player Hutson Miles singled and senior utility player Aaron Stelogeannis doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Pruitt drew a walk, loading the bases. Junior outfielder Jordan Thomas brought in the first run off a bases-loaded walk. Graduate infielder Kai Holm followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, tying the game at 2-2. The teams traded runs in the middle innings. In the top of the fourth, Lions’ redshirt freshman outfielder Cayden Sheffield drove in a run with a single. An outfield error on the play allowed the Lions to take a 3-2 lead. Lipscomb answered in the bottom of the fourth when Pruitt drove in Miles with an RBI single to tie it at 3-3. North Alabama regained a 4-3 lead in the eighth on another RBI single from Sheffield. During the final three outs in the ninth, Lipscomb tied the game. Sophomore first baseman Blake Carter led off with a single to left-center field and was replaced by redshirt sophomore utility player Eric Harper. Harper stole second, and freshman catcher Brock Beddingfield hit a ball to center field that was misplayed for a two-out error. This allowed Harper to score and force extra innings. Lipscomb’s bullpen kept North Alabama off the board in the top of the 10th. Stelogeannis led off the bottom half with a single to right-center, and Pruitt drew a walk to put two runners on. After North Alabama brought in senior pitcher Landon Scruggs, a pickoff error moved Stelogeannis to third. The Lions intentionally walked Thomas to load the bases, but Holm then drew a full-count walk to force in Stelogeannis for the winning run. Lipscomb will learn its NCAA Tournament destination and opening-round opponent during the selection show Monday at 11 a.m. Featured image courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics.
Starting July 1, 2026, the federal student loan system will change how borrowers repay their loans. While current borrowers will not see the immediate changes, students planning to borrow in the future could face fewer repayment options. “Most pieces are set, but things are still evolving,” said Assistant Director of Special Programs David Bender. “By July 1, that’s when students should expect to see everything set in stone.” For students taking out new federal loans after the changes, there will be two repayment plans. One option is a standard repayment plan with fixed monthly payments. Unlike the traditional 10-year plan, the length of repayment will depend on the total loan amount rather than automatically lasting 10 years. The second option is a new income-based plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan, or RAP. With RAP, monthly payments are based on income, not loan balance. Repayment can last up to 30 years, and any remaining balance after that period can be forgiven. However, that forgiven amount could be taxed. Some details are still being finalized, Bender said, and students should rely on official federal resources for updates. “StudentAid.gov is still the best resource as far as reading up on all those repayment plans and what’s changing,” he said. For many students, understanding repayment plans and long-term costs feels overwhelming. Amelie Burleson, a sophomore social work major, said tracking her loans has been difficult. “I tried to look on the website to see how much interest I’ve earned, but I wasn’t able to figure out the website,” Burleson said. “So, I kind of just gave up because I was confused.” The uncertainty around repayment makes growing balances feel intimidating. “I know I’m accumulating all this money that’s getting worse and worse every year,” she said. “That freaks me out a little bit for sure.” What this means for current borrowers Borrowers who take out loans before July 1 will not be required to change repayment plans immediately. Current borrowers can stay on their existing plan or switch to RAP when it becomes available. Borrowers enrolled in plans such as Parent PLUS, SAVE, PAYE or ICR may need to switch plans by 2028 as those options end. What this means for graduate students Students planning to attend graduate school after 2026 may face stricter borrowing limits. The Federal Grad PLUS loan program, which allowed students to borrow the full cost of attendance, is being eliminated. Federal loans may no longer cover all graduate school expenses, meaning students may have to rely more on private loans, institutional aid or scholarships. “Anytime you’re taking out a loan, assume that you have to pay back the whole loan,” Bender said. Featured image taken by Jacy Stricker.
The winter storm projected for January 2026 hit Lipscomb’s campus in a far different manner than expected. Though the forecast had called for up to 15 inches of snow, the campus saw only two to three inches. The ice that followed, however, would cause a problem. Clinging to all of the trees and power lines both on campus and around Nashville, the ice wreaked havoc. Tree limbs came crashing down all across campus with crashing thuds and rending cracks. Some smaller trees were even fully uprooted by the weight of the ice. Students were advised to avoid walking underneath trees whenever possible and to stay alert when crossing beneath one. Several of the trees exploded, with booms akin to a cannon being fired. The weight of the ice also yanked down power lines across the city. Lipscomb’s power went out around 11 a.m. Sunday, plunging every building on campus into darkness. Students gathered in the Bennett Campus Center – “the Stu,” to students – as soft alarms rang out through the dark building. The Stu’s permanent generator kicked on within the hour, garnering cheers from the students packed into the cafeteria upstairs and studying area downstairs. The cafeteria and Stu remained packed the entire rest of the day, students filling every chair and sofa in the building. Every power outlet was taken advantage of, many with power strips plugged in, as students charged their electronics. Personal televisions were also brought into the Stu and students put on the AFC football championship game and the Stanley Cup playoffs, cheers – and groans – filling the area known as Zebbie’s Lounge. Some students also brought their own PCs and played video games. Toward the evening, students received word that power would not be returned to campus; therefore, heat would not be working in their dorms. They were encouraged to shelter and sleep in other buildings: women from Fanning, Johnson and Elam in Bennett; women from The Bison and The Village in the nursing building; and men from High Rise and The Village in either Shamblin Theater or Sewell Hall. Sewell, Bennett and the nursing building were the only available options on campus with generators running. Students made the most of their powerless day, playing cards in circles on the floor of the Stu, or tackle football in the Quad beside Beaman Library. Groups of students sat together crocheting, weaving friendship bracelets, knitting and painting. Some started a spontaneous worship night in Shamblin, over a hundred students gathering and sitting on the stage to sing together. Some students chose to remain in their dorms for the night, despite the lack of heat, others chose to camp out in the buildings with generators. One girl even set up a tent in the middle of the Stu, and many of the athletes brought air mattresses and set up camp in Allen. The ice is expected to remain in the area for several days, as temperatures continue to hover below freezing. As of 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Lipscomb University is still without power. Featured image taken by Micah Barkley.
For the fourth time in program history, Lipscomb baseball is the ASUN Conference champion. The Bisons rallied in the ninth inning and won 5-4 in 10 innings against North Alabama on Saturday afternoon at Melching Field to claim the ASUN Tournament title. With the victory, Lipscomb secured an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. Junior infielder Cam Pruitt was named the ASUN Tournament MVP. North Alabama struck first against Lipscomb graduate pitcher Collin Bosley-Smith. In the top of the first inning, the North Alabama Lions used four hits to take a 2-0 lead, including RBI singles from senior outfielder Nash Rippen and junior catcher Will Millard. Lipscomb answered in the bottom of the first. Junior utility player Hutson Miles singled and senior utility player Aaron Stelogeannis doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Pruitt drew a walk, loading the bases. Junior outfielder Jordan Thomas brought in the first run off a bases-loaded walk. Graduate infielder Kai Holm followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, tying the game at 2-2. The teams traded runs in the middle innings. In the top of the fourth, Lions’ redshirt freshman outfielder Cayden Sheffield drove in a run with a single. An outfield error on the play allowed the Lions to take a 3-2 lead. Lipscomb answered in the bottom of the fourth when Pruitt drove in Miles with an RBI single to tie it at 3-3. North Alabama regained a 4-3 lead in the eighth on another RBI single from Sheffield. During the final three outs in the ninth, Lipscomb tied the game. Sophomore first baseman Blake Carter led off with a single to left-center field and was replaced by redshirt sophomore utility player Eric Harper. Harper stole second, and freshman catcher Brock Beddingfield hit a ball to center field that was misplayed for a two-out error. This allowed Harper to score and force extra innings. Lipscomb’s bullpen kept North Alabama off the board in the top of the 10th. Stelogeannis led off the bottom half with a single to right-center, and Pruitt drew a walk to put two runners on. After North Alabama brought in senior pitcher Landon Scruggs, a pickoff error moved Stelogeannis to third. The Lions intentionally walked Thomas to load the bases, but Holm then drew a full-count walk to force in Stelogeannis for the winning run. Lipscomb will learn its NCAA Tournament destination and opening-round opponent during the selection show Monday at 11 a.m. Featured image courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics.
Starting July 1, 2026, the federal student loan system will change how borrowers repay their loans. While current borrowers will not see the immediate changes, students planning to borrow in the future could face fewer repayment options. “Most pieces are set, but things are still evolving,” said Assistant Director of Special Programs David Bender. “By July 1, that’s when students should expect to see everything set in stone.” For students taking out new federal loans after the changes, there will be two repayment plans. One option is a standard repayment plan with fixed monthly payments. Unlike the traditional 10-year plan, the length of repayment will depend on the total loan amount rather than automatically lasting 10 years. The second option is a new income-based plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan, or RAP. With RAP, monthly payments are based on income, not loan balance. Repayment can last up to 30 years, and any remaining balance after that period can be forgiven. However, that forgiven amount could be taxed. Some details are still being finalized, Bender said, and students should rely on official federal resources for updates. “StudentAid.gov is still the best resource as far as reading up on all those repayment plans and what’s changing,” he said. For many students, understanding repayment plans and long-term costs feels overwhelming. Amelie Burleson, a sophomore social work major, said tracking her loans has been difficult. “I tried to look on the website to see how much interest I’ve earned, but I wasn’t able to figure out the website,” Burleson said. “So, I kind of just gave up because I was confused.” The uncertainty around repayment makes growing balances feel intimidating. “I know I’m accumulating all this money that’s getting worse and worse every year,” she said. “That freaks me out a little bit for sure.” What this means for current borrowers Borrowers who take out loans before July 1 will not be required to change repayment plans immediately. Current borrowers can stay on their existing plan or switch to RAP when it becomes available. Borrowers enrolled in plans such as Parent PLUS, SAVE, PAYE or ICR may need to switch plans by 2028 as those options end. What this means for graduate students Students planning to attend graduate school after 2026 may face stricter borrowing limits. The Federal Grad PLUS loan program, which allowed students to borrow the full cost of attendance, is being eliminated. Federal loans may no longer cover all graduate school expenses, meaning students may have to rely more on private loans, institutional aid or scholarships. “Anytime you’re taking out a loan, assume that you have to pay back the whole loan,” Bender said. Featured image taken by Jacy Stricker.
The winter storm projected for January 2026 hit Lipscomb’s campus in a far different manner than expected. Though the forecast had called for up to 15 inches of snow, the campus saw only two to three inches. The ice that followed, however, would cause a problem. Clinging to all of the trees and power lines both on campus and around Nashville, the ice wreaked havoc. Tree limbs came crashing down all across campus with crashing thuds and rending cracks. Some smaller trees were even fully uprooted by the weight of the ice. Students were advised to avoid walking underneath trees whenever possible and to stay alert when crossing beneath one. Several of the trees exploded, with booms akin to a cannon being fired. The weight of the ice also yanked down power lines across the city. Lipscomb’s power went out around 11 a.m. Sunday, plunging every building on campus into darkness. Students gathered in the Bennett Campus Center – “the Stu,” to students – as soft alarms rang out through the dark building. The Stu’s permanent generator kicked on within the hour, garnering cheers from the students packed into the cafeteria upstairs and studying area downstairs. The cafeteria and Stu remained packed the entire rest of the day, students filling every chair and sofa in the building. Every power outlet was taken advantage of, many with power strips plugged in, as students charged their electronics. Personal televisions were also brought into the Stu and students put on the AFC football championship game and the Stanley Cup playoffs, cheers – and groans – filling the area known as Zebbie’s Lounge. Some students also brought their own PCs and played video games. Toward the evening, students received word that power would not be returned to campus; therefore, heat would not be working in their dorms. They were encouraged to shelter and sleep in other buildings: women from Fanning, Johnson and Elam in Bennett; women from The Bison and The Village in the nursing building; and men from High Rise and The Village in either Shamblin Theater or Sewell Hall. Sewell, Bennett and the nursing building were the only available options on campus with generators running. Students made the most of their powerless day, playing cards in circles on the floor of the Stu, or tackle football in the Quad beside Beaman Library. Groups of students sat together crocheting, weaving friendship bracelets, knitting and painting. Some started a spontaneous worship night in Shamblin, over a hundred students gathering and sitting on the stage to sing together. Some students chose to remain in their dorms for the night, despite the lack of heat, others chose to camp out in the buildings with generators. One girl even set up a tent in the middle of the Stu, and many of the athletes brought air mattresses and set up camp in Allen. The ice is expected to remain in the area for several days, as temperatures continue to hover below freezing. As of 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Lipscomb University is still without power. Featured image taken by Micah Barkley.