Lee University Associate Professor of telecommunications and pianist, Dr. Richard Sparks, is set to release his newest album, Christmas Love, on November 1.

Christmas Love features piano solos “celebrating the spirit of Christmas.” The album was inspired by a range of artists including George Winston, Vince Guaraldi, Richard Carpenter, and Paul McCartney. The genres comprising Christmas Love are equally diverse, featuring popular works such as Merry Christmas, Darling; Christmas Time is Here; and Tennessee Christmas.

Sparks says, “I wanted this collection of carols, modern classics, and the original title song to evoke both the celebration and the solitude of the season.”

Sparks has previously released four original albums and two collections of smooth jazz and pop piano. However, the style of Christmas Love is markedly different. With the solo acoustic piano and simple arrangements, Sparks feels he has “found a recording style that feels like home for him as a player.”

Sparks recorded the album in his home studio from July to October 2007. Christmas Love contains one original song, and listeners can look forward to hearing more original pieces by Sparks in the future.

Christmas Love is available both at the Lee University Campus Bookstore, and online at www.cdbaby.com/ricksparks. For more information on this album please contact Dr. Richard Sparks at ricksparks@peoplepc.com.

Submitted by the Office of Public Information
Original Article by Katie Gee

Ron Gilbert, Lee University’s assistant professor of communication and director of video production, presented a position paper this summer at the fourth annual Faith and Communication Conference at Campbell College in North Carolina.

This presentation was part of Gilbert’s ongoing research that began with his doctoral studies in the uses of media as a part of Christian worship. The paper was entitled Implications of Pentecostalism to the Conception of Communication and How it Might be Theorized and Practiced.

The conference hosted speakers from all different Christian faith backgrounds. Gilbert represented the Pentecostal perspective on communication as a part of a panel that discussed the exploration of alternate Christian approaches to communication. The rest of the panel included Catholic, Anglican, and Quaker perspectives.

“The Pentecostal movement has always been willing to utilize any means and methods to promote their message; things such as radio, television, and sound systems,” said Gilbert. “Christian television, especially that of local churches, has had an amazing increase in electronic media usage to enhance worship.”

For the past four years this conference has met to take an academic look at Christians in the field of communication. Right now, the majority of Christian communication texts and information are from Calvinist perspectives, and Gilbert said this conference aims to include other perspectives and broaden the availability of resources and information.

Submitted by the Office of Public Information
Original Article By Elizabeth Hamilton