Redvolution kicks off
Screaming fans, electric guitars and spiky-haired rock stars are not typical components of the college application process. But for some prospective Liberty University students, their road to college may begin at the REDvolution! 2012 concert tour.
This new recruitment tactic employed by Liberty University features several Christian rock bands, including the band RED as the main performance and special guests Thousand Foot Krutch, Manafest, Kiros and Nine Lashes, according to Assistant Director of Recruitment Kevin Gibbs.
The campaign utilizes music as a tactic to attract new students, especially those of the male gender.
“A few months ago, we came up with this idea and saw it as a great opportunity to reach out to males,” Gibbs said. “It is a great demographic.”
The university hopes to draw in prospective students by encouraging them to apply at the concert. As an incentive, Liberty will be giving away a grand prize package that includes a $16,000 scholarship and a guitar from the REDvolution! 2012 signed by each member of the bands.
To register for the prize, concert attendees must fill out an application to Liberty University at a designated booth. Those who apply will have the $40 application fee waived and will also receive a free REDvolution! T-shirt.
“We are not just reaching out to high schoolers, but their parents and youth pastors that bring them. (LU Online) would be great for parents and the youth pastors,” Liberty University National Recruiter Courtney Hamel explained. “So really, we are reaching anyone and everyone that comes to the REDvolution! tour.”
In addition to the booth setup, the school is also connecting to potential students through social media. A Liberty University recruiter will tour with the bands and provide updates via the university’s website, Facebook and Twitter profiles.
“We will be using our Twitter account to send updates, to say where we are at … we want to give students a look at what we are doing and get them interested,” National Recruitment Coordinator Amanda Craft explained.
The tour has already yielded impressive results, with over 800 tickets sold on the second night and a sold-out concert in St. Petersburg, Fla. scheduled for the end of the month.
“The tour covers all demographics, both students and parents. It promotes music that students enjoy but is still in the Christian market,” Craft said. “I believe Liberty was one of the first education sponsors of music festivals. This really gets Liberty out there…this is a really great testing ground.”
The kickoff of the tour began in Rochester, Minn. on Feb. 10 and will continue on to a total of 19 locations throughout the United States, ending March 24 in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Tour Schedule
Feb. 24: N. Charleston, S.C.
Feb. 25: Jacksonville, Fla.
Feb. 26: St. Petersburg, Fla.
March 8: Corpus Christi, Texas
March 9: Dallas, Texas
March 11: Tulsa, Okla.
March 15: Las Vegas, Nev.
March 16: Redlands, Calif.
March 17: Phoenix, Ariz.
March 21: Wichita, Kan.
March 22: Fort Smith, Ariz.
March 23: Sauget, Ill.
March 24: Fort Wayne, Ind.