Campbell University Hosts Prestigious Journalist

Campbell University hosted renowned Christian journalist, Dr. David Aikman, March 2-3, as part of its annual Lecture Symposium, sponsored by the Department of Government, History and Justice. Aikman is best known for his interviews with Billy Graham, Mother Theresa and Elie Wiesel. He is a former senior correspondent for “Time Magazine” and has published many books including, “Hope: The Heart’s Great Quest,” “Great Souls: Six Who Changed History, A Man of Faith: “The Spiritual Journey of George W. Bush.”
Aikman spoke on “bridging a gap between people of faith and people of journalistic profession.” He said that executives and employers will be leery of Christians as journalists. “We cannot function in today’s world without accurate reporting,” he said. “We cannot get away from the news even if we want to…it is there and it shapes our lives.”
While speaking of his passion for journalism, Aikman stated, “There are times when you are riding a camel in Mongolia or an elephant across a stream in Thailand and think to yourself, I get paid for this?”
He stressed the exciting places that journalists have the opportunity to see and visit. Aikman also charged those who are not going into journalism to pray for those who are. “Pray for non-journalists, pray for Christians, and pray for non-Christians” he said.
Aikman was invited to Campbell to share with the students what it is like to be a Christian and a journalist. He arrived at Campbell on Wednesday, March 2, and ate lunch at a local restaurant in Fuquay-Varina, NC with some Mass Communication students and Dr. Michael Smith, chairman of the Department of Mass Communication at Campbell.
Campbell students were allowed many opportunities to meet Aikman and even buy his latest book, which he willingly autographed. They also joined Aikman for breakfast Thursday, March 3, to learn about his experiences as a journalist.
Thursday night was a time where students and faculty could interact with Dr. Aikman at the symposium. Over one hundred people showed up to ask Dr. Aikman about his experiences as a Christian journalist.
“To be a Christian requires courage. You will be persecuted,” said Aikman.
Professor of theology and philosophy at Campbell University, Dr. Adam English said, “Dr. David Aikman realizes that people are not just objects for feedback, but real beings with character.” He said that this is evident in Aikman’s book, “Great Souls.”
Aikman encourages all Christians to leap into all gaps in our society and play a role that they may not be playing at the present time. He stressed the importance of revealing the truth no matter what. “Christians cannot afford to abstain from the cultural discussion of secular art and cinema,” he said. “No Christian should be above the truth. We should be able to apologize for our wrongs. No matter if a story says something negative about a particular Christian, it is a journalist’s job to try to be objective and report the truth.”
Aikman was definitely a hit with Campbell University students. The students and faculty enjoyed his wit and his British accent.

Bulletin 0053-3/04/05