Performing with Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin and more By Kimberly Harrington/Livingstone College News Service Livingstone College Gospel Choir members are going to have to cut their Easter holiday short – but you won’t hear them complaining about it. They are rehearsing every day next week to prepare for a very big performance. An opportunity of a lifetime. The highlight of their college singing career. Livingstone College Gospel Choir will be the only choir accompanying each gospel recording artists in the Festival of Praise “Texture of a Man” Concert Tour on Friday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum. Performing are Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, James Fortune, Erica Campbell and Pastor Charles Jenkins. The Livingstone Gospel Choir will sing backup for each performer and have had to learn 35 songs in just a little over two weeks. “It’s been very exciting to the students because they know who these artists are,” said Pastor Christopher Gray, professor of the Gospel Choir at Livingstone College and campus pastor. “It’s an opportunity that a lot of people really don’t’ get. These are Grammy-Award winning artists.” So how did Livingstone College get this opportunity? Gray said a representative from Fred Hammond’s office contacted him about the Festival of Praise Tour and wanted to know if he could pull a choir together. Gray is familiar with a lot of gospel recording executives in the industry. “I’ve got a choir for you and it’s a college choir,” Gray told the rep. And the rest is …
Women in History Brunch full of laughs, empowerment, hats and hashtags
From left are winners of the hat contest: Corine Parks, church hat; Ella Woods, the fascinator; Catherine Rivens, most unique; and Yolanda Woods, sassy. By KIMBERLY HARRINGTON Gwendolyn Baines lives by her book title, “Sassy, Secure and Over Sixty.” Sharing with the audience at the Katherine W. Osborne Women in History Brunch, she said after having both hips replaced, she is simply glad to see yet another day. “One thing I’ve learned to do is to make myself happy,” she said. The brunch was held at the Livingstone College School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts at 530 Jake Alexander Blvd. South. Through humorous and witty remarks, Baines offered advice to women: ‘Stop being jealous of other women; don’t brag about your husband to single women or widows; and don’t refer to your children as your buddies.” Baines is also the author of “Black Man – Black Woman,” which explores the dynamics of the relationships between the two. She gained universal attention when the National Newspaper Publishers Association of Washington, D.C, selected her as their official advice columnist. “Ask Gwendolyn Baines” had more than 15 million readers per week as it was featured in more than 200 newspapers. It is now produced on the internet as “Ask Gwendolyn Baines …
Livingstone launches radio station, new website, app
Livingstone College is on the air. Tune in to WLJZ 107.1 FM, the heart and soul of Blue Bear nation, for music, campus news and updates on the happenings of Livingstone College. WLJZ 107.1 FM is a low-powered FM radio station, which was deemed operational on Dec. 7, 2017. The official launch was in February during the winter meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees that coincided with Founder’s Day. The purpose of the station is to serve as a bridge between the campus and the local community of Salisbury and surrounding areas, said Justin Walker, Livingstone’s communications project and technical specialist, who spearheaded the project. The student-operated radio station will feature programming that highlights campus information; student/faculty-led discussions on local, national and international news; community event spotlights and announcements; and music from various genres including jazz, Afro-Cuban, hip-hop, R&B fusion, gospel and more. The station’s current wattage is 70, but it is licensed for 100 watts. The college plans to install a 100-foot tower to expand the reach of the station beyond the city limits and cover all of Rowan County, Walker said. Currently, the station’s local coverage area includes Salisbury, East Spencer and Spencer. Distant coverage consists of Granite Quarry and Faith. Woodleaf, China Grove, Rockwell, Churchland and Linwood are on the edge of the coverage area. The station is located on the first floor of the W.J. Walls Center in the former music studio. “The possibilities for this station are exciting, including using students to help with production, programming and …
Students earn second chance at Livingstone
By Kimberly Harrington Livingstone News Service SALISBURY — For a contingent of students at Livingstone College, the next six weeks will not be a walk in the park but more like basic training to prepare them for college life. “This is boot camp. I hope you survive,” Livingstone President Jimmy Jenkins told parents and students gathered in Trent Gym on Saturday morning. “We believe in you. You may not have done as well as you could have in high school or you might not have been able to get into another school, but you can get life out of a stone – at Livingstone,” he said. View the rest of this story on the Salisbury Post Website
Livingstone relocating students after broken pipe damages dorm
SALISBURY – This is Makaela Marsh’s last semester at Livingstone College. She’s managed to not have a roommate her entire college experience – until now. As unusual sub-freezing temperatures spread throughout the region, it put strains on heating systems and pipes. Livingstone College’s Honors Residence Hall was not exempt as it experienced frozen and broken water pipes on Wednesday during this artic-like weather phenomenon in one wing of the facility. The damage has displaced about 115 students who live in Honors Residence Hall. Marsh was one of those students. She is now sharing a room with a classmate at College Park Apartments. “We’re grateful that she has a place to stay,” said her mother, Marcella Marsh. Mikaela Marsh agrees with her mother that this is a teaching moment. Life will be this way. Things can be going smoothly then suddenly something can happen and interrupt your comforts – like moving from one dorm to another, like sharing your space. “It’s nobody’s fault,” said student Tristen Coleman who also had to move. “It shows everybody coming together to make peace.” Elizabeth Lee, who manages College Park Apartments, is also using this as a teaching tool. “This is what we do as a people, we look out for each other, we make room,” she said to students who waited to hear their room assignments. Dr. Orlando Lewis, vice president of Student Affairs, said the broken pipes only affected one wing of Honors Hall. The other wing is habitable and those students will …
Mayor Heggins charges Livingstone College graduates to continue showing up
SALISBURY – There is a popular religious phrase and song that goes, “show up and show out.” Newly-elected Mayor Al Heggins charged students to “show up” during her remarks at Livingstone College’s winter commencement held Dec. 15 at Varick Auditorium. “I decided to show up. I decided to show up for military duty. I decided to show up even in junior and high school when I was on student council. I decided to show up when I went to college. And I want to thank you and everyone in this audience for showing up because you showed up to vote,” she said to applause. Heggins won the most votes in the race for Salisbury City Council in November, becoming the first African-American female elected to council. On Dec. 5, she was elected by the new City Council as mayor, making history again. Speaking at Livingstone College was among her first speaking engagements since the historic win. “Showing up is very important,” she told the graduates. “Today, you have shown how you have showed up. Because you showed up for your classes, you showed up for orientation … and now you are showing up today for your graduation. So today begins your new season.” Heggins …
Livingstone grad Quanera Hayes places first in heat for USA Track and Field Championships.
Livingstone College graduate Quanera Hayes placed first in her heat in the 400 meters on Thursday and second overall in the opening round of competition in the USA Track and Field Championships.
Avery, Hayes Named to USTFCCCA Division All-Region
Livingstone College’s Justin Avery and Quanera Hayes were named All-Atlantic Region honorees for the 2013-14 indoor track & field season in Division II as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday.
Quanera Hayes Named National DII Athlete of the Week
Already at the top of the Division II qualifying list for the indoor 400 meters, Quanera Hayes solidified her position as one of the Division’s top sprinters with a combined three wins at not one but two separate meets over the weekend and the top qualifying time at 200 meters.
Hayes to Compete in USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Livingstone College track and field star Quanera Hayes is about to make her prime-time debut on Thursday.
