Are you on Twitter? You can follow Charleston Southern University @csuniv, and connect with our faculty, staff, coaches and programs too: 

College of Adult and Professional Studies (@csuonline)
Dr. Rick Brewer (@rickbrewer)
Dr. Peter Beck (@drpeterbeck)
CSU Residence Life (@csu_reslife)
Tam Odom (@tamodom)
Elevate (@csuelevate)
Bucko the Buccaneer (@buckobuckaneer)
CSU Sports (csusports)
Buc Online (CSU student online newspaper) (@buc_online)
Clark Carter (@clarkcarter)
Jay Mills (@coachjmills)

As I drove on to the Charleston Southern University campus early this morning, the sun was just starting to rise. But the most noticeable site were the full parking lots adjacent to the dorms.

Yes, Monday, January 9, 2012. A new year, a new semester and the opportunity for renewal. As an staff member at CSU, a new semester is really exciting. We see new faces, friendly faces and returning friends across campus. It also prompted me to reflect on the entire academic year.

Charleston Southern University is growing — fast. This past fall we broke ground on a new Christian Leadership Building and Athletic Center. The University was honored for learning (Best Christian College, record freshman enrollment), leading and serving (President’s Higher Education Honor Roll).

While those are all great recognitions and make our life easy in the PR department, the most exciting news came days before the beginning of the semester. Dr. Rick Brewer, Clark Carter, Jon Davis and Tam Odom led the charge during Grace Awakening, a three-day series of events to connect, pray and worship.

By the end of the weekend, before classes even started, more than 50 students were baptized. How many more were impacted? No idea. What we do know is Grace Awakening led a spiritual transformation on campus that continues today. CSU has never been in better spiritual health. So here comes the Spring 2012 semester and another opportunity to introduce and renew our commitment to learn, lead and serve.

The Passion 2012 Conference in Atlanta more than 45,000 college students from all 50 states and 30 countries packed the Georgia Dome this week.

The goal was to raise one million dollars to fight sex trafficking. The college students met their goal on Wednesday, one day before the conference ended.

#passion2012 gave $3,066,670 for FREEDOM cause to free slaves/restore victims/prevent slavery! Who are these students??

January 5, 2012 6:53 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@passion268

Passion Conferences

Charleston Southern University chapel pastor Jon Davis and Tam Odom, director of women’s ministries at CSU, were just two of the staff reps in Atlanta this week.

CSU Blogs has been posting photos and links to Tam’s live Twitter feed at the conference.

I hope one day the Lord would see purpose in letting me learn and grow under someone like @shelleygiglio! #brilliant #Passion2012

January 5, 2012 5:23 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@tamodom

Tam Odom

Desiring God is an amazing blog that I read regularly. This morning, Jonathan Parnell is calling for prayer for the Passion conference [watch the LIVE stream here] that continues through Thursday in Atlanta. More than 45,000 — 45,000! — college students are in attendance including Charleston Southern University staff and students.

Parnell wrote:

We ask that you would pray with us for a mighty movement of God at this event, and for a ripple effect that reaches through this generation to touch the nations. These students represent 45,000 lifetimes that we pray would make an impact on this world for the glory of Jesus.

With Joshua, we ask the Lord, “And what will you do for your great name?”

You can follow the events by following Tam Odom on Twitter @tamodom:

"it will be my joy to say, your will, your way!" (@matt_redman) Lord, let that be my prayer today and every day. #Passion2012

January 3, 2012 9:26 am via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@tamodom

Tam Odom