ANGOLA, La. — May 24, 2013 — Instead of walking across a stage to receive her degree from 51社区 President David S. Dockery, Lindsey Blackwood walked the perimeter of 鈥淭udy Chapel鈥� in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, La.
Blackwood received her degree May 17 from the hands of Art Rorheim, co-founder of Awana, and Jack Eggar, the ministry鈥檚 president and CEO.
Blackwood, a media communications major at Union, chose to skip her commencement ceremony so she could travel with a media team of Union students to cover the annual Returning Hearts Celebration held by Awana Lifeline at the prison. The event offers inmate fathers a chance to spend an afternoon with their children.
Blackwood attended the event in 2012 and left saying she would return the next year.
鈥淚 realized that I鈥檓 more passionate about finding things that matter, important stories,鈥� she said. 鈥淔rom the time I came here last year I never quit talking about Angola and never stopped thinking about these men and praying for them. So it was just more important for me to be here than to walk.鈥�
Jim Veneman, director of visual communication at Union, secretly arranged for Blackwood鈥檚 degree to be given to her at a graduation ceremony for inmates who have completed Awana鈥檚 鈥淢alachi Dads鈥� training program, which teaches inmates about biblical fatherhood.
Inmates gave a standing ovation as Blackwood was escorted around the chapel, smiling through tears.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 beautiful,鈥� said Marlon King, an inmate at Angola. 鈥淚鈥檝e never heard of anything like that 鈥� someone to just give up their most important day of graduation to come be with us.鈥�
Warden Burl Cain wanted Blackwood to have the opportunity to walk, saying she had sacrificed for others.
鈥淚t speaks of her character,鈥� Cain said. 鈥淪he was used as a blessing and, as my dad would say, she made the Holy Spirit smile.鈥�