Louisburg College: News & Events

News and Events:
Louisburg offers a complete college experience. We understand that there's more to college life than attending classes. Although we are a small college, we offer many of the programs, sports, and activities available at large four-year universities and colleges. However, at Louisburg you will not have to stand in line behind juniors and seniors in the classroom, on the playing field, or in leadership positions. You can immediately act in a play, sing in a musical group, serve as editor for the college news magazine, plan social activities, compete on the playing field, or set policy as a student government member.

Come to this page often and check out what's happening on campus. See you at the next event!

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AT LOUISBURG COLLEGE
By Amy McManus, Director of Marketing and Communications

Louisburg College will host a number of exciting holiday events this year. The festivities will begin Thanksgiving Day when the College, in conjunction with “A Blessing” Soup Kitchen, the Murphy House Restaurant, and Chartwell Dining Services, will host a free traditional Thanksgiving meal for the public Thursday, November 26 from 11:00 - 12:30 pm in the LC Dining Hall. There will be a kids’ craft table set up where children can decorate a stocking filled with goodies to take home.

On Thursday, December 3, the Allen de Hart Concert Series will proudly present The New Sigmund Romberg Orchestra performing “A Viennese Christmas.” The evening will begin with the lighting of an 18-foot Christmas tree in the lobby of the Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center at 7:15 pm. In keeping with the Viennese tradition, we will have a hand bell choir, carolers, eggnog, and luminaries to light up the evening. Family and friends of the Seby B. Jones family will be present for a formal dedication of the facility, scheduled to take place just before the orchestra performs. Tickets for the performance are $20 for Adults, $18 for seniors and children under 17. To purchase tickets, please call the box office at 919.497.3300 or click here to buy online.

To round out the festivities, the Concert Series will host a free performance by the Concert Singers of Cary on Friday, December 18 at 8:00 pm. The Concert Singers of Cary are a community of vocal artists who gather to share the joy of music and to pursue performance excellence. Since their 1991 debut, Artistic Director Lawrence Speakman has planned concerts providing a wide-open perspective for music lovers. The evening’s performance will feature the Advent/Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.” Louisburg College appreciates the support of the local community and wants to celebrate that support with this free concert. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food item to benefit the local food bank. And, bring the family…rumor has it that Santa Claus will be in the lobby prior to the show. Christmas cookies, punch, and cider will be served during intermission. Hope to see you all there!
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ROTC TRAINING STUDENTS TO BECOME LEADERS
By Amy McManus (From the Franklin Times, September 23, 2009 edition)

When Samantha Pendergraft was a student at Wake Forest-Roseville High School, she was an active member of the AJROTC program. During her freshman year at Louisburg College – just this past spring, as a matter of fact – an ROTC program was started at Louisburg College. Pendergraft signed up for the program mainly, she says, to gain leadership experience. And, just one month into her sophomore year, she is already putting those leadership skills to work. In addition to taking a full course load, she serves as president of Phi Theta Kappa, the honors society of junior colleges; a team leader for the Christian Life Council; president of the Commuter’s Club; a member of Phi Beta Lambda business fraternity; and is a student ambassador and orientation counselor.

The ROTC program at Louisburg College is the vision of Dr. Rodney Foth, the dean of academic life. According to Foth, the College began investigating offering an ROTC program during the 2004-2005 academic year. “The interest in this initiative was as a means to attract more students that were also academically qualified and possibly interested in athletics while providing students an avenue for learning leadership skills,” Foth says. “These students could also be an avenue for our local Army National Guard in fulfilling the leadership needs they have and would have for the foreseeable future.” Foth served as the liaison with the US Army Cadet Command in working out details for the program on the Louisburg College campus.

The program at Louisburg is hosted by the ROTC program at North Carolina State University where LTC. Kenneth Ratashak serves as commander. The program manager and instructor for Louisburg College is SFC. Matthew Higgins. Higgins teaches two courses in Military Science and Leadership: Leadership and Personal Development I and Introduction to Tactical Leadership I, each worth one credit hour per semester.

“Sergeant Higgins is a great instructor,” says Pendergraft. “He is willing to do anything to help you out and he teaches you how to think outside the box.”

Through these courses, students learn how the personal development of life skills such as critical thinking, goal setting, time management, physical fitness, and stress management relate to leadership, officership, the Army profession, and daily life. Leadership principles within the current context of a university, as well as problem-solving, listening skills, and effective writing techniques are emphasized in the program, as well.

“We are pleased and proud to have the ROTC program at Louisburg College,” says President Mark La Branche. “The values and goals of this program reflect the desire we have for our entire student body as we seek to prepare a new generation of servant leaders.”

Fifteen students have enrolled for the fall semester. Through the program, they may be eligible to receive full tuition; room and board; monthly stipends; book allowances; and health and life insurance.

“I feel that Louisburg College will be successful in attaining its goals in regard to the ROTC program,” says Higgins, “and that future leaders of this country will be born and raised from this program.”

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GRADUATION
May 9, 2009

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For more information, or if you have questions, please contact:

Amy McManus
Director of Marketing and Communications
919.497.3330
amcmanus@louisburg.edu