Here’s what happened at Liberty over Christmas break
WinterFest
Thousands gathered in the Vines Center Dec. 30-31 for the 16th annual WinterFest, closing out the year with two days of performances by highly acclaimed Christian entertainers.
According to Liberty News Service, the 16 acts that performed over the two-day event included Crowder, Skillet, Andy Mineo and illusionist Justin Flom. Two screenings of the not-yet-released film, “I Can Only Imagine,” were held in the Center for Music and the Worship Arts Concert Hall. Concertgoers had the opportunity to attend special Q & A sessions with the performers and enjoy activities on Liberty’s campus.
“This was the most star-studded WinterFest yet,” WinterFest Coordinator James Hobson told Liberty News Service. “We had Grammy-award winning artists on both nights, along with big headliners from different genres giving attendants a great experience.”
Comedian John Crist, who performed for crowds on Sunday night, said WinterFest is one of his favorite performances of the year.
“Crowds are always super energetic,” Crist said in an email. “Most of the year we all tour on our own, so to all come together at the end of the year and see each other is a reunion of sorts. We all perform and then chill out and watch each other. It’s a blast.”
Former Professor appointed in Department of Justice
Former associate professor at Liberty University School of Law, Caren Harp, was sworn in to the Department of Justice as the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Jan. 19.
President Trump announced his intention to appoint Harp to the office Dec. 18. The OJJDP primarily serves to ensure that states comply with the regulations of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act passed in 1974, which supplies states with grants for the purpose of establishing programs to prevent youth delinquency.
“Liberty Law has greatly benefited from Caren Harp’s expertise in the area of juvenile justice,” B. Keith Faulkner, dean of Liberty University School of Law, said. “She will most certainly make a positive impact on the legal system for youth in this country.”
Harp has extensive experience in the field of juvenile justice and family court. According to the Liberty University School of Law, Harp served as chief deputy prosecuting attorney at the Union County Arkansas Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, director of the National Juvenile Justice Prosecution Center and chief of the Sex Prosecution Crimes Unit in the Family Court Division of the New York City Law Department.
“Our students, faculty members, and entire staff have been honored to work with (Harp) for the last six years and know this is an incredible opportunity,” Faulkner said. “Although her departure is a great loss to us, we’re inspired by her life path and look forward to seeing what she brings to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.”
Student-Doctors partner with Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse World Medical Mission and Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine have developed a program to allow fourth-year student-doctors to serve and gain experience through one-month clerkships, also known as rotation, at selected Samaritan’s Purse locations internationally.
Working alongside physicians in countries with limited medical resources will expose Liberty student-doctors to unique clinical experiences as well as provide health and spiritual care for their patients.
“(This partnership) is a win-win,” Christopher Breedlove, director of LUCOM marketing and public affairs, said. “It will further the kingdom, further our mission and vision, and help future osteopathic physicians as they serve in environments that will enhance their skills and better prepare them going into their future residencies.”
James Cook, LUCOM’s director of Medical Outreach and International Medicine, first pitched the idea of a partnership allowing LUCOM students to serve in one-month elective rotations to Samaritan’s Purse more than a year ago.
“The research shows that when they go, 80 percent of them come back (to the field),” Cook said. “And if you want them to come back, let’s get them exposed.”
The idea was initially put on hold by Samaritan’s Purse leadership, but the possibility of a partnership was reopened in August 2017. Dr. Lance Plyler, the new director of World Medical Mission, pitched the idea of a partnership back to Cook. Instead of simply providing an opportunity for students to spend a month serving and learning from doctors in the field, Samaritan’s Purse would pay all of the costs involved in bringing a student to the site.
“The Lord puts vision in us, and it’s so exciting to see it come through,” Cook said. “Even if you don’t see it for a long time, have faith that God’s vision will come through and work out to his purposes.”
In March, four LUCOM students will participate in one-month clerkships with Samaritan’s Purse in two different countries.