By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News
PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University welcomed 250 freshmen and offered highlights from the most recent school year during its annual convocation ceremony, Aug. 23.
LCU President Rick Brewer delivered a message based on Galatians 5:1, the first of many that students will hear from faculty and guest speakers on the book of Galatians throughout chapel services for the 2023-2024 school year.
“Christian education is about preparing you for life; we at LCU seek to prepare graduates and transform lives,” Brewer told the students gathered inside Guinn Auditorium. “We believe that transformed people transform communities, transform culture, transform families and others’ lives.”
Freshmen attended in their major cohorts with their faculty mentors.
During the ceremony, Brewer recognized LCU athletes and others for their many accomplishments last year including:
- LCU received the Red River Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Award for the second year in a row;
- Olivia Scott was named recipient of the first Clarence and Rose Fields Emerging Black Leader Scholarship;
- Josie Holt was crowned Miss LCU and a Top 10 Finalist for Miss Louisiana;
- Addition of a new Master of Strategic Leadership degree;
- Louisiana Board of Nursing approved an updated nursing program; and
- Convergence media students and faculty took nine awards at the Southeast Journalism Conference, including educator of the year, Elizabeth Clarke.
Brewer also offered updates on major projects including renovations to the Hattie B. Strother Dining Hall that includes new furnishings and a new menu and the completion of the Joshua D. Perry Prayer Garden, with it being officially dedicated in October.
Lastly, in what has become an annual event, President Brewer named this year’s “President for a Day,” Jamael Owusu, an MBA student from Simmesport. Owusu graduated from LCU in May and plays for the men’s basketball team.
