Endowed Scholarship Banquet

           Yesterday evening about fifty Point University students were joined at the West Point Train Depot for dinner by a group of alumni and others who are passionate about our school. The occasion was one that happens every year around this time, the Endowed Scholarship Banquet. At this banquet, students have the opportunity to meet and say thank you to people whom they do not know that have invested so hugely in their education and their futures.

             The evening began with dinner and conversation; it was beautiful to see the typical generation barriers broken down throughout the evening. Students were laughing and cracking jokes with adults who attended Atlanta Christian College fifty years ago, and the adults were asking students about the change that is going on at Point and the excitement that comes along with it. The connections that were made were obviously God-designed. One of the donors and I were carrying on a conversation and realized that we had both worked at the same summer camp in college. To think that I can have so much in common with an older adult I have never met is something that I did not think was possible until last night. Never have I experienced such a quickly-formed bond between two generations.

            After dinner, three students went up to the microphone to share how much the scholarship money has impacted their lives. These students were Herani Tesfamariam, Curtis Zahner, and Shaun Horne. Each of them, along with many others, have arrived here at Point by God’s guidance and are able to stay here because of the generosity of others. From hearing the incredible stories of these students, the donors became overwhelmed with the work that God was doing through them. I looked to my right and saw a woman sitting next to me moved to tears because she believed so deeply in the cause of Point University.

            When the evening had ended, we were able to exchange goodbyes and addresses with these donors. For a short moment, current students and alumni were able to impact each other’s lives in an eternal way. I am so thankful for the willingness of these adults to give unselfishly to college students who could otherwise not attend Point University. They may not ever realize the positive impact that they have on the Kingdom, but we students will always be grateful.

-Layna Winn

(Left to Right: Curtis Zahner, Shaun Horne, President Dean Collins, Penny Collins, Layna Winn and Herani Tesfamariam)

Music, Music Music!!!

Point University has a new baby, well it’s not actually a real baby, but for all of us percussion enthusiasts it might as well be. With the “new addition” of the Marimba, Point University now offers mallet percussion!  The marimba is about 5’ feet long, with beautiful rosewood keys that produce an ethereal sound. I know you’ve all seen the videos of percussionists either playing or simply “showing off” with four mallets, now you can be a show off too with the instruction of Mr. Deron Garing.

Our new “baby” is located in one of our many soundproof practice rooms along with hand drums from congas to djembe. Since the marimba is such a special and costly piece of equipment, each percussion student will be assigned a key for the semester. We like to call that our all exclusive V.I.P. access! It’s just our way of telling our students that you are important and we admire what you do and we want to make sure that you have the proper equipment to keep doing what you love to do. Having the marimba is such a plus when it comes to percussion recitals, because honestly who can sit through an hour of just drums. It will bring a new element to performance as we know it.

Welcome to the audio and recording engineer program at Point University, or as we call it, Music Tech 2. Point now offers classes in audio production and recording for those looking to record and produce. The technology lab is where Music Tech classes are held, as well as Sight Singing and Ear Training. The Music Tech class teaches students about sound equipment from mixers to what kind of microphone to use in an Orchestra pit, running sound for concerts, how to set up a studio, and pretty much anything you need to know to land a job in the music tech field. 

Here each student is assigned to a computer programmed with music software from Finale to Sonar so that students can create and compose their own music, and even produce their own tracks. Attached to each computer is a Midi-keyboard for easy transcription, a Roland digital sequencer, and a five channel mixer for plug-ins.  The classes are taught by Mr. Jeff Earle who has worked and still works in the audio recording industry. His knowledge of software programs and equipment will prepare anyone interested in the tech side of music. The man is truly a genius! Music Technology not only challenges the mind, it inspires creativity and teaches you to become a more aware and precise musician.

-Aaron