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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana College renovates residence halls, upgrades landscaping

By Staff PINEVILLE, La. – Louisiana College has completed a project that includes extensive renovations to its residence halls and beautification of the campus. The renovations, which were started shortly after LC President Rick Brewer arrived at the school in 2015, were funded mostly by generous donations from alumni and other friends of the college: The Cottingham Hall roof was repaired and dormitory rooms and parlor received new flooring and a fresh coat of paint. New furniture and televisions were added to the common area and the kitchen in this space was updated with a new countertop, sink, tile backsplash and appliances. Tudor Hall bathrooms, lobby and common spaces were remodeled, and a movie viewing room was added. English Village apartments received new siding. New furniture and wall hangings were added throughout the building; and, new tables and chairs were added that provide charging stations so students can restore battery power to their computers and phones while studying or watching TV. “Curb appeal remains in the top five compelling reasons for a student selecting a specific college to attend,” Brewer said. “This fact is not lost on Louisiana College as we have made the addition and care of … [Read more...]

Edwards extends modified Phase 2 for at least three more weeks

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana will remain in a modified version Phase 2 for at least three more weeks, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The current phase was set to expire Wednesday, Feb. 10, but now will be extended for another 21 days. During his news conference, Edwards said while the state has seen COVID-19 rates dropping which is a positive, the possibility of another surge in cases associated with the new U.K. variant of the virus and the approaching Mardi Gras holiday has caused some concern by state health officials. “There has been some progress over the last month or so,” he said. “And we are very, very thankful for that. The fact of the matter is the baseline numbers remain very high and concerning.” He asked Louisianans to continue wearing masks, observe proper social distancing measures and avoid social gatherings. “I am very hopeful when we next announce the new proclamation that we will be able to ease some restrictions if we continue on the path that we currently are,” he said. “So I encourage people to do your part. Be a good neighbor.” Under the order that is in effect until March 3, attendance at churches will continue to be limited to 75 … [Read more...]

Pineville student wins Louisiana College’s Smith Scholarship

By Staff PINEVILLE, La. – Pineville senior Leanna Lanford won Louisiana College’s prestigious Smith Scholarship competition Jan. 30. The Pineville High senior won over 14 other competitors a scholarship that covers tuition, books and room and board. Lanford noted that she leaned on her faith when she was diagnosed with an autonomic nervous system disorder about a year-and-a-half ago. “Throughout my high school career, I knew that LC was the place I wanted to go because I wanted to grow in that faith,” Lanford said in her acceptance speech. “And I wanted to learn more about my condition, which is why I am studying in pre-med and going to become a pediatric cardiology to help kids just like myself.” Lanford, whose parents are graduates of Louisiana College, plans on studying pre-med as she pursues a calling as a pediatric cardiologist. She will attend LC with her twin brother, Ethan. “We are very thankful for the students who honored us by entering the competition,” LC President Rick Brewer said. “We are especially honored that Leanna has heard and answered God’s calling and wants to begin preparing for her call at Louisiana College.” The Smith Scholarship began in the 1970s after Tom and Beverly Dunham began an … [Read more...]

Ray Swift named director of pastoral leadership for Louisiana Baptists

By John Kyle, Louisiana Baptist communications director ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Ray Swift accepted the invitation of Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn to become the director of pastoral leadership for Louisiana Baptists. Swift, who currently serves as the administrative pastor for the First Baptist Church in Lafayette, will assume his new role on March 1, 2021. “Ray has a broad experience in ministry including serving as a senior pastor and a bi-vocational minister,” said Horn. “I’m certain Ray will be a tremendous asset to Louisiana Baptist pastors.” Swift fills a position vacated by the retirement of the late Bill Robertson in December of 2019. During a specially called meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board Administrative Committee, Horn shared he immediately began the search for Robertson’s successor upon his retirement but when the pandemic hit, he was hesitant to proceed due to travel restrictions and potential budget implications. Horn said although he was not “pressing the gas pedal” in searching for a new director, he also had not been sitting idly by. “As the year progressed and I saw the Lord’s provision through His churches, I felt it was time to move forward in … [Read more...]

Supreme Court refuses former president’s appeal, ending attack campaign against LC

By LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) - During the past four years, former LC President Joe Aguillard has filed numerous lawsuits against his former employer. On Jan. 11, the U.S. Supreme Court put a stop to his federal claims attack campaign. With its refusal to hear the case, the High Court upheld all the federal judges’ decisions in Louisiana College’s favor. Aguillard made claims of mistreatment and discrimination, including under the Civil Rights Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. None of his claims made it to trial. “These claims and suits were worthless when filed and have been shown to be nothing more than a vengeful attempt to hurt LC,” said LC counsel Steve Oxenhandler of the Gold Weems law firm. Aguillard was fired for cause on March 31, 2016, after a Faculty Committee and the College’s Executive Committee found him guilty of multiple acts of misconduct detrimental to Louisiana College, including attempting to undermine new President Rick Brewer. At that time, he was serving as President Emeritus of LC, a position he assumed in Spring 2015, after being removed as president. During his tenure, the College’s accreditation was put in jeopardy and serious financial pressures ensued from decisions and lawsuits … [Read more...]

LC fieldhouse sports updated facilities

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - Louisiana College has completed multiple renovations to H.O. West Fieldhouse, just a few months before the school’s sports program enters a new era. The project, which began in November and was finished in late January at a cost of more than $300,000 through private donations, included a facelift to the lobby restrooms and locker room space shared by the men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer and volleyball programs, and the addition of a digital scorer’s table. Work on the student-athlete lounge is expected to begin in March and be complete by April or May. The last time H.O. West Fieldhouse got a facelift was in 2014, when lower-level bleachers and the floor used for games were replaced. Reni Mason, athletic director and head men’s basketball coach, told the Baptist Messagehe is grateful for the support of so many who helped make the renovations possible. “Finishing this project is very important for recruits and the future of our athletic program,” Mason said. “To move to the next level, we knew we had to do something to give our facilities a facelift. This is another step in that direction.” Last summer, a new football turf field was … [Read more...]

A great value on a special Sunday

By Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) -- Louisiana College, recently named a top 30 Christian College by BestValueSchools.org, will celebrate LC Day in churches across the state on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Steve Horn, executive director for Louisiana Baptists, noted that LC Day is not intended to be a fundraiser, but an opportunity to expose students and parents to the opportunities and value of the State’s only Louisiana Baptist affiliated college. “One of the greatest ways we can assist our college is to make our high school students and their parents more aware of Louisiana College,” Horn said. “We are thankful for what God is doing in and through LC and encourage our Baptist students, and their parents, to give serious consideration to making LC their college of choice.” Horn joins LC President Rick Brewer in the hope LC Day will be an annual event for churches to observe on the fourth Sunday of September moving forward. “The opportunity to engage and inform Louisiana Baptists through an annual ‘LC Day’ provides another way for us to say ‘Thanks’ to the people in our churches,” Brewer noted. “Their support of Christian higher education through prayer, sending students to LC, and continued financial support via the … [Read more...]