Month: November 2008

Many students have asked the question, “Will we have strong student leaders in the years to come?” This seemingly recurring topic leaves some upperclassmen and faculty to think the very same thing. Currently, within most of the organizations that fit under the African American Student Advisory Counsel (AASAC) umbrella, you notice the same faces at executive board meetings, facilitating general body discussions, and volunteering at the organizations’ programs. These practices give the impression that underclassmen may not take a genuine interest in the student groups that have held the black population together for over 50 years now. Think about it; Are the true leaders of the minority population graduating and leaving these organizations with a lack of determined leaders, who seek to expand and continue the ideals of the specific organization? I would think that with the prominent leaders being easily identifiable, students who want to hold student leadership positions would try to grow a working, mentoring relationship with a current campus leader to “learn the ropes” and become more knowledgeable about the position held by that student.

The Impact Movement, a campus Christian organization, hosted a Christian hip-hop concert called “Live Free or Die Hard” on November 7, which encompassed a variety of artists who performed and tore the roof off. The meaning behind the name for the concert, Live Free or Die Hard, comes from 1 Peter 2:16 which says, “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” This free Christian hip-hop concert consisted of a variety of local artists as well as some from out of state. Not only did they have artists performing some of their original songs, but they had individuals such as Blake Burnette and Isaac who did spoken word. The Fam, Divine Unity, and Evident Shift are all Christian hip-hop groups that performed and moved the crowd with their up-tempo beats and free flowing lyrics. Danna Bradley, a junior in biological sciences, was the host of this event. She informed the crowd from the beginning of the concert of the one rule that was in place; “you gotta stay hype the whole night,” no matter what. This was an easy task considering the level of intensity that filled the Bragaw Activity Room throughout the night.