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By CharleneCuomo

hobbiesto adifferentlevel by using them for ministry. Because of the diversity, students here can, and many do,have almost any type of hobby imaginable.

Some of the many opportunitiesprovided at Liberty are the intramural sports program, clubs, and even some classes.

college studentfinances, she can only go once everycouple ofweeks.

"When Ineed achange, then Igo and buy some- hobbies thatcan become browsing the mall when Almost allcollege stu- addictive.Withthe arriv- theydon'thavemoney to dents have something alofinternetand e-mail, spend. that they consider to be many studentsmake ita Denise Miller,a junior theirhobby. Libertystu- dailyroutinetogettheir from Georgia, enjoys this dents are no exception, required dose of cyber- hobby. Having typical buttheyoftenbringtheir space With such a wide array of information available on the internet and so many different chatsites, studentsdon't notice the hours ticking thing radical," she said. "Itreat myself tosomething I could not afford before."

Many studentsparticipate inphysicalactivitiesasa away as they sit infront hobby. Driving through ofthe screen. campus, people are seen Sophomore Johnanna rollerblading and skate- Keeler often spends two boarding in front of the nightseachweek surfing Vines Center or playing the net."Itopensthe door lacrosseinthe intramural fields. than eightyears.

Lori Benjamson, a seniorfromCalifornia,scuba dives as her hobby. She hasbeen certified for six years. "It's a whole other world down there.

Some students resortto a more unique hobby. Brian Jacobs,ajunior fromWashington, collects license plates. He says he is just getting started but already has plates from 15 different states and one foreign country.

"Iwould liketosomeday own arestaurantand hang them on the walls," hesaid.

One of the things that to many new and interestingthingsand people from anywhere in the world. I can find any- makesLibertyUniversity thing that Icould possi- unique is its diversity blybe interested in," she Liberty students reflect said. many culturesand much

A favorite, and expen- creativitywhichare espeIt'sexploring a different sive,past time for some dailyevidentintheir hobworld thatfew have seen of the women on campus bies. before," shesaid is,of course, shopping

Some students have Many studentsenjoyjust

Liberty studentstaketime outforaphoto whileshopping * •** inacandy storeinJerusalem (right).

A miniature replica of Solomon'sTemple gives visitors an ideaofwhatJerusalem looked likeinbiblical times.

Emory Bragg crawls through a caveinIsrael withCarissaand NathanWillmington, children ofyouth professorMatt Willmington.

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ByJoanna Tedder

Hundreds of Liberty studentsventured tothe Holy Land during two school-sponsoredtripsto participate in Jerusalem 3000in1996. As Liberty celebrated its25th year, Jerusalemresidentscommemorated thecity's tricentennialanniversary.

Students and professorsspent10days"walking whereJesuswalked," learning more about the Bible through practical experience.Thefirsttrip took place duringChristmasBreak,rightafter New Year's Day, and the second was in March. Studentswere ableto usethe tripas partof theireducationatLibertybecause six hours ofclass credit were offeredfor the completion of the trip with several writing assignments and a finalexam. professorsalsoparticipated in baptismal services in the Jordan River, and some had theopportunity to take boat rides on theSea of Galilee lization,the newer part of the city includes everything from a Hard RockCafetoaBlockbusterVideo.

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Thegroup visited many historical sites, including the Mount of Olives,the Garden of Gethsemane, and Bethlehem. Students alsohad the privilege of visiting the Garden Tomb, which is believed to be the tomb where Christwasburied afterthe crucifixion Studentsand

Another aspect of the trip included lessons in Palestinian geography andhistory."Itwasbeautiful, in a different way. It's not North-Carolina beautiful — it's different inauniqueway,"sophomore Mindy Spurrierexplained. Shesaidthatthe land was mostly desert; however,lushvegetation could be found along the JordanRiver.

Membersofthe tripalso witnessed modern-day life in Jerusalem Although the oldpartofthe city remains nearly untouched by modern civi-

Spurrier noted that althoughJewishpeopleare still deeply affected by their ancient religious culture, they have the same spiritual needs as Gentiles. Some ofthetrip participantswitnessedIsraelisworshipping atthe Wailing Wall at the beginningofaSabbathday. Stores closed for several hourswhilethe residents congregated around the famouswall.

"Igot over there and I realizedtheIsraelitesare justlikeus;theyneed God just as much as we do," shesaid.