By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - DeQuincy High School senior Jeri Vige won Louisiana Christian University's Smith Scholarship, Jan. 28. Vige, who plans to major in biology, won over 24 other competitors a scholarship that covers four-year full tuition, room and board. “We are pleased with the significant response received this year, demonstrated by a major increase in the number of Smith Scholarship participants,” said LCU President Rick Brewer. “Parents and students region-wide recognize the value of a Christ-centered education that is relevant, relational and rigorous. We look forward to watching these students flourish at Louisiana Christian University in the years ahead.” Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Cheryl Clark said that even being selected to be part of this competition deserves high accolades. “To participate, each student must have earned 28 or higher on the ACT and submit a portfolio that contains past awards, recognitions, and accomplishments; two letters of recommendation; and an essay explaining the major features of a Christian Liberal Arts education,” she said. Portfolios are submitted to a panel of faculty judges who serve on the C.S. Lewis Honors Program Council. … [Read more...]

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University wants you to wear red on the first Friday in February to kick off a month-long focus on cardiovascular fitness. The American Heart Association recognizes the first Friday in February as “Go Red for Women” Day, as cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death in women. By promoting it, the AHA believes people will be motivated, educated, and supported in their journey to better health, and lives can be saved. In conjunction with AHA’s national campaign, LCU’s Department of Exercise Science will host twice-weekly workouts for faculty and staff to promote a healthy heart lifestyle. “Our ‘Step Up, CENLA’ program, funded in part by The Rapides Foundation focuses on creating a culture in which physical activity is the norm in our community,” said Sonia Tinsley, chair of LCU's Department of Exercise Science. “More than 30 percent of adults in Louisiana are not physically active. With February being American Heart Health month, this is a perfect opportunity to focus on increasing our level of physical activity to improve our cardiovascular health.” All fitness levels are welcome to participate. Interested … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Textbook knowledge is one thing, but immersion is a whole different pallet of paint. Louisiana Christian University Art Professor Wangling Chou has been teaching art history and other foundational art courses, in addition to her specialty, ceramics, since 2008. Teaching students about some of the most important artists and periods in art history always is interesting, she said, but it was only informed through mass communication methods. Chou spent 17 days over the winter holiday break immersing herself in the works of the masters in Italy and France. ‘The experience has reinvigorated my passion for teaching the subject, reaffirming the importance of art history and art education,” Chou said. “Technology today allows us to see so many of these great works, but travel allows you to experience them, to feel the space, and that you can’t substitute.” While an international professor, hailing from Taiwan, Chou had only traveled extensively in Asia prior to this trip. “I’ve taught art history for many years, but to see the real thing, the real works, it made me understand so much more why so many are so important,” she said. “It fills so much of my knowledge … [Read more...]