A night in the Jazz Age: Lipscomb’s student body formal returns

Lipscomb University’s Student Body Formal is set to transport students straight into the Jazz Age.

The formal will be from 6-9 p.m. on Feb. 7 in the Shinn Center. It will feature live music, a DJ and a night full of dancing. This annual event has become somewhat a tradition, offering students a chance to dress up, celebrate and make memories together.

Dean of Student Engagement Candace Williams said she looks forward to the whole student body gathering and having fun.

“What they enjoy the most is just getting dressed up and all being together,” Williams said. “And so we do have formals through like social clubs, but there is nothing like this for the whole student body on campus. It’s just really an exciting time for students just to be able to just to hang out and have fun together.”

The event, free to students, is sponsored by the SGA.

“SGA totally takes care of paying for the whole entire event,” Williams said. “So think DJ and food, and there will be a photo booth station that students will leave with a printed photo, but they’ll also have the opportunity to take photos themselves in another area. All of those things are free for students. All we just ask is that they bring their ID so we can scan them in. But otherwise, it is open to all students.”

A big question students have been asking is wether or not outside guests are invited.

“We do get that question a lot, about can I bring a guest?” Williams said. “The reason for that is we do want as many Lipscomb students to be able to attend, and so when we start adding other guests
from other schools, as great as that may seem, it does start limiting the number of students
that can come to this event.”

Williams wants to ensure there is space for all students.

“I think we have grown every year,” she said. “So I think last year we were over 500. I think the year before it was around in the 400 range. And so we continue, we hope that it continues to grow, but we want that to continue to grow and for all these resources and everything to be for Lipscomb students.”

Last year, security seemed to be the center point. Students have always had a strong opinion regarding the policy of no outside guests.

Naomi Hollans, a junior English major from Gallatin, expressed her perspective on the policy last year.

“Obviously, in general, a lot of people have relationships that are outside of the school that they’d like to bring,” Hollans said. “I don’t feel like it would be that limiting to apply for an outside date or like RSVP with an outside date?”

Students like Sarah Tiffan, a junior journalism and new media major from Fort Collins, Colorado, see the necessity behind the policy.

“I think it makes us safer,” Tiffan said. “It makes sense that we’re not using Lipscomb student budgets for outside guests. I think it makes students that are going feel safer and more comfortable.”