Already many students have seen him cruising down sidewalks and hallways on his long board. His love for tennis is also becoming common knowledge across campus. Still more people have experienced his love for people and leadership, particularly as he represents the class of 2014 in the student senate and the band. Hardly two weeks into class and freshman Niko Valenzuela is already heart and mind into Lubbock Christian University.

“Message From Your Heart” is not only the title of the 11th song you’ll find on singer/song writer Kina Grannis’ fourth album titled “Stairwells;” it is also the best way to summarize her songs. Her songs seem to come directly from her heart as she sings about love, heartache, and life. She’s not as well known as artists who have had the success of landing a song on the Billboard Hot 100, but she is one of the few who can translate her feelings directly into her songs. At the very least one of the songs will speak to you, if not all.

Natalie Tyler is not your typical Lubbock Christian University freshman. There are many things that set her apart from the rest of her class. Natalie has a very diverse background and a wide range of life experiences that many people will never encounter. What makes her so unique is the fact that she grew up in Kenya and Uganda. I was able to sit down with Natalie and ask her about her life in Africa and about her new life here at LCU.

Anna Schoop, a 20-year old student from Bremen, Germany, began her journey at Lubbock Christian University a year ago to play golf and study abroad. She chose LCU over 11 other schools here in the United States, and she hasn’t experienced one regret it for that decision over the past year. Besides playing golf for the Lady Chaps, she is toward her bachelor’s in sport management.