Gracey Parnell
Gracey Parnell serves as lead photographer for Herd Media. Gracey is a junior majoring in Journalism with a focus in music and live entertainment. Her other interests include art, reading, and travel. She is always at a concert, whether that be working a show or attending as a fan. Gracey has written for and managed a few small-scale online music publications, the most notable being Welcome Home Magazine. Originally from Arkansas, Gracey now lives in Nashville for school with hopes to officially move here full-time after she graduates.
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Lipscomb professor advocates for depth over speed in gifted learning programs
In honors classrooms, fostering deeper understanding should take precedence over rushing through content, argues Dr. Emily Mofield, Assistant Professor of Education at Lipscomb University. She proposes a new foundational model aimed at enhancing critical thinking and meaningful exploration for gifted students. Honors classes often fail to meet their potential by prioritizing speed over substance. These courses, designed to provide advanced learners with accelerated material, often mistakenly equate rigor with pace. However, true enrichment comes not from moving quickly, but from diving deeply into subjects and challenging students to think critically. Many students assume honors courses are more rigorous than standard classes. Yet, without a structured framework, these courses often cover…
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From the Rockies to Rock-N-Roll: Zerita McAtee’s Journey from Montana Outfitter to Nashville Musician
Trading the saddle for a guitar, Zerita McAtee’s journey from outfitter’s daughter to aspiring rockstar takes root at Lipscomb University as she immerses herself in the community, honing her craft and finding her sound. Zerita McAtee, junior commercial music songwriting major from West Glacier, Montana, merges her love for rock and folk music with her faith and personal journey to create music that is not only relatable but fun to listen to. McAtee didn’t have a musical up-bringing, rather she comes from a family that spent a lot of time outdoors. “We’re basically outfitters which is working with horses, taking people into the woods, fishing and hunting so very…
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Navigating the ethics of artificial intelligence through the lens of Aristotle
Artificial intelligence has been on the rise lately. A.I., specifically text-based artificial intelligence, is a tool that can help students, professors and anyone who is looking for help with their work. As more people begin to use A.I., some are questioning the ethics involved with its use. Mary Mousa, biology and philosophy major, addresses A.I. ethics with an Aristotelian approach. Mousa describes Aristotelian philosophy as being focused on the being doing the action, not the action itself. She introduces Aristotle’s idea of eudaemonia, often described as living a life of virtue, as being the ultimate goal for mankind. “Action begets habits, habits begets virtues, virtues begets character,” says Mousa. Mousa…
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Lipscomb’s Red Dog Productions Revamps The Well Stage
If you have attended a show at The Well recently, you may have noticed a few changes. The stage has undergone a rebranding and operational shift, now under the management of Red Dog Productions, a hands-on venue management practicum for Lipscomb’s music students. These students are learning the ins and outs of running a performance based business. “Students get to book shows, work with artists, ticket shows, manage shows, host shows, run the sound and lights. They get to have their hands in that whole thing,” says John J. Thompson, director of music industry studies. The practicum students, alongside Thompson and adjunct professors, spent last semester re-inventing the program. Thompson…
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The success of Lipscomb alum band has paved the way for new arts festival on campus
The Arcadian Wild has earned an impressive list of accomplishments since their formation in 2013. From charting on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart multiple times to playing at The Ryman Auditorium, the band has created quite the name for itself. Issac Horn, guitarist, and Lincoln Mick, mandolinist, first met at Lipscomb University where they bonded over a shared interest of Americana music. In 2020, they introduced Bailey Warren, fiddler, into the band full time. The Arcadian Wild now makes indie folk music but draws inspiration from other genres like country to pop and everything in between. Horn and Mick return to their roots to headline CEA’s Wild Bison Music and Arts…
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A Look into Sarah Free’s Musical Journey: From Young Creativity to Exploring New Sounds at Lipscomb
Ever since she was young, Sarah Free, a senior songwriting major from Hendersonville, TN, had a passion for music. “Before I could talk, I was humming,” Free says, “the classic thing, and just kind of making up songs when I was little on like whatever instrument I could get my hands on.” Free switched from public to a private Christian school when her family moved to Tennessee after her eighth grade year. She says that move had a vital role in her decision to pursue music. “I was able to do a lot of musical things and was kind of like affirmed in my creativity. They were pretty welcoming there…
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Lilli Grace Barden, River and Rail fill The Well with love
On Feb. 3, River and Rail took the stage as The Well Coffeehouse filled with support from friends and classmates. The night was filled with an abundance of love songs, perfect to kick off Valentine’s season. Grace Fincher, senior commercial music major, and her husband Alex Fincher make up the folk duo River and Rail. Playing songs that highlighted the couple’s lyricism accompanied by a melancholy acoustic guitar, this show was a showcase of all things River and Rail. The duo captivated the crowd with original songs ranging from love songs — perfect for Valentine’s day — to songs inspired by nature, family and diving into the mind of oneself. …
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Choirs spread Christmas cheer alongside Amy Grant
On Nov. 29, 2022, Lipscomb University and Academy Choirs were given the opportunity to perform alongside Amy Grant at the annual Lighting of the Green. The choirs took the stage to perform unique renditions of classic Christmas songs. Lighting of the Green is an annual event hosted by Amy Grant and features special guests to kick off the holiday season.
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Lighting of the Green returns to kick off the holiday season
If you’re new to campus, there’s a special holiday tradition coming that you won’t want to miss. Lighting of the Green is an annual event here at Lipscomb, and it’s returning for its 18th year. Held on campus, Lighting of the Green features different festivities and a concert to share holiday cheer. Preparation has already began. From building the stage to stringing the lights, campus is almost ready for the special event. Merry Marketplace will take place in McQuiddy Gym starting at 4 p.m. with free pictures with Santa at 4:30 p.m. There will be a variety of vendors who donate a portion of their proceeds to Associated Women for…
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Candy, costumes and live music at The Well
On the night of the 28th, The Well Coffeehouse hosted a Halloween Showcase filled with coffee, candy and a stellar lineup featuring a few of Lipscomb’s own. From the spooky decor to the fantastic costumes, the room filled with excitement as familiar faces took the stage. Kelle Cates, one of the student performers, says “I always enjoy doing shows near campus… I hope to do more live band shows where students are able to get there easily and have a good time!” People slowly made their way to the coffeeshop as the night went on. Nearing the final few performances, a good-sized crowd had gathered in support of their fellow…
