Roving Reporter

Well, folks, when Yours Truly hasn't been performing highly advanced chemical research computations, he's been cruising around Nashville, scoping out the best news and gossip, and today I have a very special treat for you. I've been given a private tour of the long-speculated improvements coming to the Lipscomb University campus for all students in the Fall! And no, I don't mean all the new freshmen. Now, before hysteria can set in, please note that, while I wish I could post pictures, security was extremely tight and I was not allowed to bring any electronic devices on campus. Please also note that this has nothing to do with me being too lazy to dig out my digital camera. So, on with the tour!

One of the most obvious things a returning student will notice this Fall is the Ezell Center for Biblical Studies, currently under construction at the softball field's former location, next to the bell tower and Beaman Library. Now, I'm aware that many of you have seen the construction webcam located in the Beaman Library, but did you know there was a full-streaming version (that is, a continuously-updated live video feed?) Unfortunately, this cooler webcam only appears to be accessible from lab/lobby computers on campus. If you happen to be at one, you can see it here: http://ecbswebcam.lipscomb.edu. ECBS is scheduled to open some time next year.

Speaking of lab/lobby computers, those big old Dells have been kicked out in favor of new smaller models that lay flat on the table. A few important differences in these new machines include DVD/CD-RW drives, flat LCD screens, and some extra software (like Firefox and the GIMP). Unfortunately, an important missing element is any kind of font smoothing on the screens, which with LCD can pretty tough on the eyes, but I understand they are working on this issue.

Besides the critical font smoothing, a few other missing things students may notice next Fall are several houses in the neighborhood behind Fanning Hall! It seems that an entire block of these homes have been bulldozed in favor of more parking for residents and commuters. But the new lot is quite large, and it's a good thing, because we lost some spots when ECBS construction began. Now if they could only connect that to Grandview for students coming in from Granny White Pike...

Ah, yes! Granny White Pike. Have you been practicing your evasive swerving maneuvers in order to dodge all of those pesky bumps and ridiculous potholes between Woodmont Blvd and the campus? Well, dodge no more, fellow roadsters! Granny White Pike has been repaved from the Sewell entrance all the way through Woodmont Blvd, and let me tell you from first hand experience, that is one smooth ride.

Of course, drivers won't be the only ones getting a smooth new feeling come August. In the last month, workers have gutted the dining area around Jazzman's and replaced those nasty old couches with new UBER-plush velvety variety. The booths have also been retooled, and while not as soft as the incredible couches, they're certainly more comfortable than they used to be, and they look much better, too. They also seem to have put in a new carpet, but it's not much different than the old one. So will that area of the student center will actually become a good place to hang out and study in the evenings? Nah... The TVs are still there.

But fear not, friends! The hallowed hangout that is Elam lobby is getting a full reworking as we speak and should be completed before school starts. In fact, the whole dorm is getting revamped, with new carpets, paint, and aesthetically pleasing faux stained-glass windows in the computer labs. Oh, and did I mention the upscale laminate wood flooring? As much as I've grown to love the elegant cave-floor look that has graced the lobby for the past year, it appears that there will be a real floor for at least a portion of the lobby area. The only question that remains now is if the student center's fine taste in couches will make its way across the lawn to Elam. As of the writing of this post, the deteriorating blue-green couches were still in the lobby, though they were stacked out of the way for remodeling purposes.

Well, loyal readers, that about wraps up this reporter's private tour of Lipscomb's campus. Of course, there were other small projects going on, including new coats of paint in places like McFarland and the Post Office, but I hope this post at least gives you a good idea of what to expect when classes begin!

Till next time, this is your local roving reporter, better known and loved as "the Gourd", signing off.