Author Archives: laellynnae

Sometimes we can find that on college campuses, students become engrossed in only interacting with their
peers. This can be unhealthy because we all know that intergenerational discipleship and influence is valuable. Asbury students would benefit from
conversations and time spent with another age group. It is also true that the older generations can benefit and become rejuvenated when they interact with those who are younger. This thought process brought my peers in my Group Communication class and me, to work on a campaign to bring the two communities together.
To do this, we started volunteering for bingo nights and came to Bible studies held at the Veterans Center. We then got together and planned an event that we knew the Veterans would enjoy. Since our Professor has an acting business with his wife and travels around to do shows for Christian audiences, we decided to ask for his help. { http://www.actsofrenewal.com } We put on a show centered around their acts and served the Vets puff corn and tea.

We found this event incredibly rewarding when so many Veterans showed up and were impacted by the skits. One, in particular, cried and told us how much he enjoyed the show. We stayed for an hour afterwards and talked to them. This was one of the most rewarding and relationship building events I have ever done. I cannot wait to go back and visit with them.

At Asbury University, we emphasize educating students to be ready for the world. To do this, we have so many classes that are project-based and real-world situations. Therefore, our Public Relations class puts on a real event every year to benefit a nonprofit organization. This year, I became involved in this class, and we decided to put on a 5K to benefit the Hands and Feet children’s Village.

We decided to make the location Lexington Coldstream Park and to start the run at 10:00 a.m. There is a large possibility that it will be chilly since we are waiting to have the 5K on November 21. To have the best productivity, we split our class into three groups, the first is the Event Planning Committee, the second is the Business Relations team, and last is Media Relations. I found myself in the middle of leading the Media Relations team. With this group came the responsibility to come up with fliers, posters, community relations, radio commercials, interviews for TV, tee-shirts, music for the 5K, and even helping business relations get sponsors. Needless to say, I was stretched in ways I never have been stretched before. In past events, I only would be involved in events within the campus, which doesn’t require all the real world aspects like news releases and commercials. I am thankful for the experience I was able to collect and the humility I received as I watched everyone’s talent being manifested.

Asbury students are so talented and professional when they have been put to the test. I feel confident in saying that I have never met such a mature group of college students who can put together an event of this caliber. Some may say I am biased since I am attending Asbury and am a part of the PR class, but I challenge them to prove me wrong. This event is something that these students wanted to put on and have committed hundreds of hours into. They selflessly thought of people who are in need and are constantly working to make this event as successful as possible for the benefit of children in another country. I urge anyone to check out this event and come alongside us as we swim against the current of mainstream Millennials. Face the cold on November 21, and make your footprints count. http://handsandfeet5klex.org

This fall our Special Events Committee put on a Homecoming event at the Seminary Gym. We made it an “Old Hollywood” theme and used the colors red, gold, and black for decorations. I was in charge of the food and drinks for the dance. So, to stick with our theme, I went to SAMs and got cream puffs and pretzels(for our chocolate fountain), cupcakes, swirl deli sandwiches, meatballs, and cheesecake bites. The food was classy finger food style, and it was a hit! We also thought it would be cute to get champagne glasses from Oriental Trading Company and fill them with Ale8 (such a Kentucky school) and put them out for thirsty students. Ale8 wouldn’t be enough, so I got huge ice buckets and put water and old glass coke bottles inside. Our mistake this year was forgetting to have volunteers serve the food and drinks during the dance. I found myself running everywhere to refill each food item, and my committee found themselves pouring Ale8 until they ran out (which was most of the dance). We may have made that error in judgement, but at least our guests did not suffer, just us. Everyone says it was the best Homecoming AU has had yet.

This semester we have done two huge events for the campus. The first was the Homecoming dance and the second was the Fall Variety Show. We sorted through 40 acts and six hosts to make a fun talent show that the whole campus would watch. All the acts performed for us, and we labored to cut the 40 talents, to 20. We then worked with the two chosen hosts to make funny material that would introduce each talent.

We decided to make the talent show more family friendly this year since so many in the Wilmore community come to watch. To do this, we decided to pop free popcorn in the back of the auditorium. However, this was not a success because we chose the wrong popcorn machine in storage. The one we chose tends not to pop the kernels all the way. This was disappointing for not only us but the people who attended the talent show. I guess next year we know not to pick that machine, and hopefully we can make the show as enjoyable and family friendly as possible.