S U M M E R 2012
4 | Blessings Abound Celebrating milestones in Liberty’s growth 12 | Digital Connections Helping you stay in touch with campus news 30 | Jerry Falwell Library Construction under way on Liberty’s largest building project
L E T T E R F R O M T H E C H A N C E L LO R
Summer 2012 BLESSINGS ABOUND — 4 Five years ago, Liberty University sent 3,598 graduates into the world as Champions for Christ, the last senior class under my father’s leadership. At our 39th Commencement in May, we honored the Class of 2012 — 14,012 graduates strong. The numbers aren’t the only signs of forward progress on this campus in five years. The blessings are tremendous and we can only thank our Creator for the works He has done on this mountain as we push toward a total enrollment of 100,000 students, with more than 78,000 studying online around the globe. Liberty has been blessed with the addition of top-notch facilities for our athletics teams and recreation programs, including a renovated Williams Stadium, indoor soccer center, an artificial ski slope that is the first of its kind in North America, and a Broadway-ready theater. This issue of the Liberty Journal will be distributed in newspapers across the state on June 17, Father’s Day. On this day, I am also celebrating my 50th birthday. This special time has caused me to reflect on my own father’s impact on me and on this world. In this issue we give God the glory for five years of miracles at Liberty since my father’s death. In this calendar year, Liberty will become the youngest American university to reach $1 billion in net assets, guaranteeing that it will be able to fulfill its mission of Training Champions for Christ for generations to come. Liberty is well on its way to establishing a medical school that will train physicians to work in underserved areas in Virginia and around the world. Our quarter-of-a-billiondollar campus transformation is under way, with the new Jerry Falwell Library already under construction. The project, Liberty’s largest investment in any one structure to date, will offer key services and resources as the academic hub, or heart, of the university. Liberty’s story is too exciting to keep within its own borders. With thousands of new online students, alumni, and supporters joining the Liberty family every year around the world, it is always a challenge to keep them connected and informed on current happenings. In this edition, you will read about how to stay up to date with Liberty through new digital connections. You will also read many stories of how our students are impacting their generation for Christ as the salt of the earth and the light of the world like never before, through community service and outreach as students, and through careers in every profession as graduates. Every time a student tells me how their life has been changed because of the personal attention, care, and guidance they received from a Christian professor, staff member, or student leader, I am reassured that Liberty is fulfilling its mission. I am also reminded that I am the one who is truly blessed and privileged to serve as their Chancellor. Sincerely,
Extraordinary milestones are reached in five prosperous years
CONNECTING YOU — 12
New digital resources help you keep in touch with campus news, events
JERRY FALWELL LIBRARY — 30 Construction is under way on Liberty’s largest building project
HEROES AMONG US — 34
Liberty finds special ways to honor its military members
CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT — 52 Touching stories from the Liberty family
ON THE COVER
Gov. Mitt Romney stands with Liberty University Chancellor and President Jerry Falwell, Jr. during Liberty’s 39th Commencement on May 12, 2012. See story, Page 16. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters PUBLISHER Jerry Falwell, Jr. S E N I O R M A N A G I N G E D I TO R Mitzi Bible CO N T R I B U T I N G E D I TO R S Becki Falwell Ronald Kennedy Amanda Stanley CO N T R I B U TO R S Ron Brown Christi Gee Morgan Letterman Drew Menard Rachel Pickle Bethany Pico BJ Williams Olivia Witherite P H OTO G R A P H E R S Tiffany Allen Joel Coleman David Duncan Gabe Hernandez Cali Lowdermilk Kevin Manguiob Colin Mukri Les Schofer GRAPHIC DESIGNER Carrie Bell
Jerry Falwell, Jr. Chancellor and President
For more information about the Liberty Journal, call (434) 592-4955 or write to: Liberty University News Office 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502
The new Hancock Welcome Center was open temporarily during Commencement weekend for graduate check-in and will open in July to the public. The three-story, 32,000-square-foot center at the entrance to main campus features a grand lobby and includes a large meeting room and smaller counseling rooms, a theater, a boardroom, an executive dining room, and a full kitchen. PHOTO BY DAVID DUNCAN
Blessings Abound On the fifth anniversary of the founder’s passing, Liberty races toward the fulfillment of his vision
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BY RON BROWN he Rev. Jerry Falwell died five years ago, but the fruit of his indomitable faith in God is still prospering today in the growth and development of Liberty University. After decades of financial struggles, the university that he founded 40 years ago is flourishing on the international stage like few others. His determination to implement the school’s distance learning program (now Liberty University Online) has given the university a sound financial foundation and led to unprecedented enrollment growth since the Internet became the primary way of dispensing and receiving information. Liberty is on the cusp of having $1 billion in net assets and is racing toward 100,000 students enrolled. That’s a pretty good return on a concept drawn up on napkins during breakfasts with close advisors like Dr. Ron Godwin, who >>
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SEPT. 2007
Plaza shopping center donated to Liberty
MAY 2007
Jerry Falwell, Jr. becomes Chancellor
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>> now serves as Liberty’s provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. Following a biblical principle, Falwell planted and God has provided the increase. While Falwell gained a reputation as a conservative gunslinger on the national stage of the culture wars, he is remembered by family and friends as a kind man who visited young couples distraught by tensions that could end their marriages. He was a regular visitor to grieving relatives who just lost a loved one or someone in the hospital facing a grim medical report. On the walls of his shower at home, he designated certain tiles as reminders of the people he had added to his ever-expanding prayer list. Those were actions he took that never played out publicly, simply because he didn’t want them to. He devoutly held on to his role as a pastor and a humble servant of God, although he routinely entertained conversations with power-political figures or provided quiet counsel to those he debated on prime-time television. On the one hand, his role was that of a compassionate confidant to his church flock and “his kids” at Liberty. His more public role was to defend conservative values on television and get a not-so-subtle plug in for the university whenever he could. While Dr. Falwell attempted to keep some normalcy in his life, in his later years
MARCH 2008 Distance Learning Program hits 25,000
FEB. 2008
Section of U.S. 460 is named after Jerry Falwell, Sr.
SEPT. 17, 2008
JUNE 2008
Out-of-state students register to vote in Va. election for first time
Lynchburg Inn and Conference Center donated to Liberty
AUG. 2008 Towns Alumni Center opens
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(Left) Jerry Falwell, Sr. and Jerry Falwell, Jr. watch a Liberty football game in 1974. (Above) Falwell, Sr. and Falwell, Jr. stand together at the Baccalaureate ceremony at Thomas Road Baptist Church on May 13, 2005.
he knew his body was breaking down. “He knew his heart condition was getting worse,” Godwin said. One encounter with Falwell still sticks in Godwin’s mind. “What are you doing, Doc?” Godwin asked after seeing the Rev. Falwell peering out a glass exterior door about 20 yards from his office. “I’m pretending I am looking around,” Falwell answered. “But I really need to catch my breath so I can make it to my truck.” Increasingly, in speeches, Falwell, Sr.
would mention his sons, talking about projects that Jerry Falwell, Jr. was working on at the university or about a sermon that Jonathan Falwell had given at the church. “He did that on purpose because he was trying to get everybody else used to the idea of him not being here,” Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. said. At breakfast meetings, he would mention “the boys” more often and talk more frequently about the line of succession that he had set up. “He never attempted to milk the situation
OCT. 2008
FEB. 2009
Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. announces the establishment of Liberty University Press
SEPT. 2008
Tilley Student Center opens
because of his condition,” Godwin said. “That was totally in keeping with his personality.” “Just a week before he died, he was supposed to go into the hospital for tests, but he didn’t want to go because of graduation,” Falwell, Jr. said. On the morning he died, Godwin urged him once again to go to the Cleveland Clinic for further tests on his heart. “There is nothing that the doctors could have really done,” Falwell, Jr. said. “He had congestive heart failure.” It was a medical condition worsened >>
Tom DeWitt, Terry Dobyns, and Richard Chaffin donate 112-acre Ivy Lake in Forest, Va.
JAN. 2009
Liberty named among Top 10 conservative colleges in U.S.
MAY 2009
Thomas Indoor Soccer Center opens
APRIL 2009
Liberty Barnes & Noble Bookstore opens
JUNE 2009
Liberty purchases Campus East property for $20.5 million LIBERTY JOURNAL
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>> by sleep apnea that had strained the arteries around his heart, making it less efficient in pumping blood. “A doctor told me in 2005 the only way he would be cured is for him to get a new heart,” Falwell, Jr. said. “I don’t think I was supposed to hear that. I think Dad knew more than he was telling us.” He knew that Jerry Falwell, Jr. had been groomed to lead Liberty University and the younger son, the Rev. Jonathan Falwell, was called to be a pastor and believed he was ready
to assume that role at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Falwell, Jr. had served as General Counsel and Vice Chancellor at Liberty since 1988 and Jonathan had served as the Executive Pastor at TRBC for over 10 years. The good news was that the year before he died, Falwell, Sr. got to see the university’s online program take off and savor the fact that the once staggering university was now on sound financial ground. “He would say, ‘Just look at what the Lord has done,’” Godwin said.
“He got to look over into the Promised Land,” Falwell, Jr. added. Just a year before Falwell, Sr. died, Thomas Road Baptist Church had moved into a new church building adjacent to Liberty’s campus, which had always been one of his goals. On May 15, 2007, Falwell, Sr. woke for breakfast and went to his office, where he collapsed and never regained consciousness. His death set off a firestorm of media coverage across the nation and around the world.
“Just look at what the Lord has done.” - Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. LES SCHOFER
DEC. 2009
AUG. 2009
Liberty receives the highest accreditation, Level VI, from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Snowflex Centre opens
SEPT. 2009
Liberty welcomes advancement in technical degrees, research for School of Aeronautics and School of Engineering and Computational Sciences
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APRIL 2010
Economic impact study released; Liberty contributed $217 million in direct spending to Lynchburg in 2009
FEB. 2010
Enrollment hits 50,000 students residential and online combined
MAY 2010
Chancellor appointed to governor’s Commission on Higher Education Reform
C A L I LO W D E R M I L K
Dr. Ron Godwin serves as Liberty’s provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. He played a key role in the success of Liberty’s distance learning program.
While the outside world was shocked, his family and friends endured their grief and postponed his funeral and burial until Liberty graduated its 2007 class. That was the way Falwell, Sr. would have done it. He never wanted to be seen as an obstacle to getting things done. As part of his succession plan, he had allowed the school to purchase life insurance on his life with death benefits of $29 million. The proceeds of the policies made the university debt free for the first time in its history. That act alone planted a seed of change in the public’s perception of Liberty’s ability to survive and ushered in five years of
AUG. 2010
School of Law awarded full accreditation by ABA
unprecedented enrollment growth that has fostered sustained reduction of higher interest debt, a bond rating that puts Liberty among the nation’s university elites for financial soundness and has allowed Liberty to embark on a comprehensive building program that will reshape its campus. Falwell, Jr., who for years managed Liberty in the background, said the biggest change was that Liberty now had the financial resources to get things done and to fulfill his father’s vision of building a full-fledged liberal arts educational program while staying true to its Christian roots. Donors have remained steadfast in their
support of Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ. Since 2007, donors have contributed to an indoor soccer facility, improvements to the school’s track and outdoor soccer facilities, and on-campus tennis facilities. Off campus, donors have given Liberty the Plaza shopping center, the Lynchburg Inn and Conference Center, a 112acre lake, and an indoor tennis and racquetball facility. “Donors were reassured that there was life for Liberty after the passing of the founder,” Falwell, Jr. said. During the 2004 school year, Liberty’s >>
OCT. 2010
Williams Stadium expansion: Grand re-opening hosts record-setting crowd (19,300)
AUG. 2010 Tower Theater opens
DEC. 2010
Liberty sells $120 million of tax-exempt education facilities bonds and receives AA bond rating
NOV. 2010
School of Education receives full accreditation
JAN. 2010
Candlers Station shopping center purchased LIBERTY JOURNAL
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>> total student enrollment was just over 21,000 students. This year’s student body will top 93,000. More than 23,000 of the school’s online students are serving on active duty in the United States military. Since Falwell, Sr.’s death, the university has received law school accreditation in addition to launching a Cinematic Arts Center to fully equip Christians for the film industry, an expanded health sciences program to educate medical support personnel, and a College of Osteopathic Medicine, which will train Christian physicians. Because of its streamlined management structure, Liberty is capable of moving quickly to provide its graduates with training in emerging employment opportunities in an ever-changing global economy. For example, the Liberty University School of Aeronautics has a drone aircraft program, which will train graduates to serve as military drone operators or civilian drone operators when the Federal Aviation Administration designs ways to incorporate unmanned aircraft into the United States’ domestic aeronautic system. “We are proud of being a teaching university instead of being a research university,” Godwin said. “The greatest compliment that a university can receive is that its graduates are immediately hirable.” This year alone, Liberty is poised to add 37 new academic programs in response to students’ expressed needs, said Chris Johnson, Liberty’s senior vice president of Enrollment Management. About 11 percent of Liberty’s student
body is enrolled in these new cutting-edge programs that would not yet exist if not for the university’s ability to make real-time decisions on its academic programs in response to job needs in the marketplace, Johnson said. Neal Askew, Liberty’s executive vice president, said much of the school’s success has come from its flexibility to make rapid decisions and its commitment to its Christian roots. “We are not changing our message, but we are willing to change our methods,” he said. Under Falwell, Jr.’s leadership, the school has become a prominent Central Virginia employer
with more than 6,000 employees. Liberty also has become a key ingredient in retail growth, population growth, and expenditures to businesses in the Lynchburg, Va., area. A study commissioned by the university determined that Liberty pumped about $217 million into the local economy in 2009. That study was commissioned before Liberty began its aggressive campus overhaul, promoted by its ability to sell $220 million of low-interest bonds. The university has added the state-of-theart Tower Theater, an innovative artificial ski slope, and a vastly upgraded football stadium
MARCH 2011
Liberty begins 40th anniversary celebrations & campus transformation plans announced
AUG. 2011
MARCH 2011
Liberty becomes the nation’s eighth-largest, four-year university, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education
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SEPT. 2011
New baseball stadium announced, now under construction
Medical school plans announced
AUG. 2011
Equestrian program opens
NOV. 2011
Wards Road pedestrian bridge opens
under Falwell, Jr.’s watch. Because of the school’s AA bond rating, the university can now afford a massive overhaul to its main academic campus, which will include the state-of-the-art Jerry Falwell Library, with an automated book retrieval and delivery system that will allow students to request a book and have it delivered to a designated location in the library. Liberty’s football program is readying itself for a move into the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), which will have Liberty competing at the same level as the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. Liberty
would be the only private school in Virginia competing at that level. Late last year, Liberty readied itself for ascent to the FBS by hiring Turner Gill, a one-time Nebraska quarterback who is recognized as one of the bright young coaches in America. The school’s football team has either won outright or shared in the Big South Conference championship four straight years. The school has greatly expanded its Club Sports programs and facilities, allowing a greater number of students to participate in athletics. The university’s men’s and women’s Club
Sports hockey teams have been nationally ranked, as has the school’s competitive paintball team. Josh McDougal won the NCAA National Cross Country Championship in 2007. Sam Chelanga won the same title in 2009 and in 2010 became Liberty’s first outdoor track and field national champion when he won the 10K. Chelanga had the third-fastest 10K time in the world in 2010. “Dr. Falwell used to say, ‘If it is Christian, it ought to be better,’” Godwin said. “We try to make that our working mantra every day.”
J O E L CO L E M A N
JAN. 2012
Liberty opens Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Center
JAN. 2012
Liberty announces its second initial public bond offering, selling $100 million of taxable bonds
APRIL 2012
Liberty University Online hits 75,000 students
JAN. 2012
Pedestrian tunnel to Wards Road opens
MARCH 2012
MARCH 2012 First voting precinct opens on campus
MAY 2012
Jerry Falwell Library groundbreaking
Hancock Welcome Center nears completion
MAY 2012
DeMoss rooftop patio under construction LIBERTY JOURNAL
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Connecting You BY MORGAN LETTERMAN
J O E L CO L E M A N
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Liberty University is enhancing connections through innovative technology like never before. The Liberty family has seen rapid expansion in recent years — in enrollment, campus facilities, and academic programs. With nearly 100,000 students worldwide, Liberty Marketing, under the direction of Senior Vice President Ron Kennedy, saw a pressing need to create a sense of community. Students, alumni, donors, faculty, and staff alike are now staying connected through new technology and web features.
The most recent development is a comprehensive mobile application for smartphones and tablets. Liberty Today, the university’s official mobile app, features campus news, events, sports, streaming video, a photo gallery, and live radio and TV programs. The app is a free download and available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry devices, as well as iPad, Kindle, and other leading tablet brands.
Originally developed as a means for viewing the Liberty Journal on the go, the interactive application has something for everyone from alumni to prospective students, and fosters connection through the social avenues that people use most. This application was developed with every member of the Liberty family in mind and will continue to provide instant access to the latest updates and happenings, all in one place. >>
TODAY
liberty today (mobile app) /libertyuniversity /libertyu /libertyuniversity liberty university /libertyu liberty university liberty university /liberty1971
Visit liberty.edu/socialmedia for a full list of our social networking sites.
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View the 1974-2012 yearbooks online at LifePages.com or order your own hard copy.
>> With Liberty Today, students have access to social media and receive the latest university news. Parents can stay in touch through finding out what is going on around campus. Alumni are able to keep up with their alma mater and follow the progress of campus expansion. Online students have the opportunity to interact with Liberty as a whole and feel connected to their school. For the past several years, there has been one thing that almost every college student has in common — Facebook. It remains the largest social networking site in existence. Liberty has taken this into consideration in a nontraditional way through the development of the “Year in Review” application, accessible through the university’s official Facebook page. Currently dating back to 2008, Year in Review highlights the biggest news and events, allowing Facebook users to
familiarize themselves with Liberty’s greatest developments and triumphs. This year, SELAH, Liberty’s award-winning yearbook, has taken the needs of its consumers into consideration like never before. Through extensive research and planning, the yearbook staff made a decision to launch its first online yearbook. Among the many advantages of this publication is the fact that it is available at no cost. When readers log on to the LifePages website, they can set up an account and view the current yearbook as well as versions dating back to 1974. Its interactive features include virtual signing, streaming video, social networking, and advanced searching capabilities. Online yearbook users can also anticipate viewing upcoming editions. Log on and view the yearbook and past editions at www.lifepages.com. The SELAH team continues to produce
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a 75-page print book, which can be ordered with additional pages to customize with personal photos on premade templates. Users can upload pictures from Facebook, Twitter, and various other social networking sites. The online yearbook was celebrated at the annual release party on April 25. Yearbook and Liberty Marketing staff hosted this event, displaying the new edition and giving away free snow cones and cotton candy to students in front of the Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center. Students responded with enthusiasm as they learned that they could access the yearbook at no cost. On April 26, the day after the event, 700 new LifePages accounts had been created with Liberty email addresses. Whitney Moon, SELAH editor-in-chief, said the books are “the best of the history that is made at Liberty each year.”
The SELAH yearbook held its annual release party on April 25.
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Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. speaks at the first webcast meeting for Liberty University Online faculty members.
FIRST-EVER WEBCAST KEEPS ONLINE FACULTY CONNECTED TO CAMPUS Liberty University held its first-ever webcast meeting on March 7 for faculty members in its online program. Liberty currently has more than 2,000 faculty members around the globe teaching courses with Liberty University Online. More than 1,200 logged in to the webcast – including faculty in Columbia, Germany, and South Korea. They were joined by about 300 residential faculty who attended the event in Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center. Faculty members were introduced to academic deans and had the chance to hear from Chancellor and President Jerry Falwell, Jr., Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost Dr. Ron Godwin, and Vice Provost Dr. Ron Hawkins. A special video presentation surveying Liberty University’s academic life, athletic programs, and spiritual activities was shown for the first time. (You
Making the edition available online for free “just sounded like common sense,” she said. SELAH has consistently won design awards and was recently awarded a Gold Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. These initiatives, primarily developed within
can view the video on Liberty’s YouTube page.) In welcoming online faculty to the webcast, Godwin said the purpose was to help them connect “as real, true members of the Liberty University academic family.” “We want their experience to be comparable in every way possible (to residential faculty),” he said. “We want this to be a global community of scholars and academics that are servicing a global population of Christ-centered students.” The event was a collaboration of different departments and offices within the university, including Marketing, Information Technology, Technical Productions, and the offices of the Chancellor, Provost and Vice Provost. They worked in conjunction with Cisco, an external vendor. Because of its success, the administration plans to hold online faculty meeting webcasts four times a year, twice during the fall semester and twice in the spring, with more interactive features.
the university’s Marketing Department, were implemented in consideration of the needs of the university’s various audiences and to create ways to keep them connected. “Understanding the needs of a school that has nearly 100,000 students and a myriad of alumni and supporters all over the world is the first step in developing connections,”
Kennedy said. “Liberty is more than a university; it is a family, united by a goal to be Champions for Christ in every area of life. Liberty Marketing will continue to make strides toward fostering connections and allowing the entire Liberty family to share and celebrate together for years to come.”
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COMMENCE LES SCHOFER
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KEVIN MANGUIOB
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A significant shift in course offerings at the Liberty University School of Aeronautics could have graduates prepared for a huge transition in the use of the United States commercial air space. Last year, the university approved the School of Aeronautics to begin training students in the use of Unmanned Aviation Vehicles (UAVs), popularly referred to as drones in their military application. The federal government has instructed the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a plan by 2015 to incorporate UAVs into the national airspace of the United States. When that happens, unmanned aircraft may become the vehicle of choice for many traditional uses of aircraft that could easily be accomplished without a pilot on board. We believe we have read the tea leaves, and although difficult for a traditional pilot like myself to accept, we forecast the future ofofaviation aviationincluding including UAVs,” UAVs,” said said
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2012
BY RON BROWN
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uring Liberty University’s 39th Commencement on Saturday, May 12, presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney told graduates that their Christ-based education has well equipped them for the challenges they will face in the world. “You leave Liberty with conviction and confidence as your armor,” he said. “You know what you believe. You know who you are. And you know whom you will serve.” The ceremony, held under sunny skies at Williams Stadium, was the largest ever for Liberty, with more than 34,000 in attendance. This year, Liberty graduated about 14,000 students, a 25 percent increase over last year. The 2012 graduating class was larger than the total student body of Liberty in 2002. This year’s graduates came from all 50 states and 70 foreign countries. The Class of 2012 included more than 2,000 members of our nation’s armed forces. The university is expected to reach an enrollment of 100,000 students in the next 12 months. As of graduation, Liberty had more than 77,500 students enrolled in its online program and about 12,400 in its residential programs. Liberty currently is the largest private, nonprofit, four-year college in the United States and the largest Christian university in the world. It is also the largest college in Virginia and the nation’s seventh largest university. Romney’s appearance gave Liberty one of its most prestigious graduation speakers in its history, which includes then sitting-President George H.W. Bush and the Rev. Billy Graham. Romney said Liberty has continued to build on the Christian heritage envisioned by its late founder, the Rev. Jerry Falwell. “Not all colleges instill that kind of confidence,” he said. “But it will be among the most prized qualities of your education here. Moral certainty, clear standards, and a commitment to spiritual ideals will set you apart in a world searching for meaning.” Romney said standing by your beliefs is sometimes tough. >> LIBERTY JOURNAL
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>> “Your values will not always be the subject of public admiration,” he said. “In fact, the more you live by your beliefs, the more you will endure the censure of the world. Christianity is not the faith of the complacent or the comfortable or the timid.” Romney, who is the presumptive Republican challenger to incumbent President Barack Obama in November, laid down a gauntlet for Obama on social issues such as same-sex marriage. “What you believe, what you value, how you live matters,” Romney told the graduates. “As fundamental as these principles are, they might become the topic of democratic debate from time to time. So it is today with the enduring institution of marriage. Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman.” Romney said the political debate has been extended to include religious freedom itself. He pointed out that religious freedom is the first freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. “It strikes me as odd that the free exercise of religious faith is sometimes treated as a problem,” he said. “It is something that America is stuck with instead of being blessed with. Perhaps, religious conscience upsets the design of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government. But from the beginning this
nation has trusted in God, not man.” In his address to graduates, Liberty President and Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., talked about the fondness that he and his wife, Becki, have for the Class of 2012. “Becki and I are so proud of you, the Class of 2012, and so thankful to God for your achievement,” he said. “We have enjoyed getting to know many of you during your time here.” A week before graduation, the Falwells hosted more than 1,000 graduates at their farm for a picnic. “This class is special to us because it was one of the first classes of students that enrolled at Liberty after I became president,” Falwell, Jr., said. At Commencement, Falwell recognized the parents and spouses of graduates and the role they played in their success. Falwell, Jr. talked about the faith and perseverance that was responsible for Liberty’s survival of many difficult years. Falwell joined his father at Liberty in 1988 after obtaining his B.A. in Religious Studies from Liberty and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. “I was in the trenches with my father as chief legal counsel and trying to find the financing to keep the dream of Liberty alive,” he said. Falwell said, by the grace of God, the school
which once struggled to make payroll is now on the cusp of $1 billion in net assets. He said researchers told him Liberty will be the youngest university in American history to reach this tier. “It took Harvard University 329 years (1636 to 1965) to build financial reserves topping $1 billion,” he said. He admitted that many thought it would take a generation or more for Liberty to reach that goal. “Over the last five years, though, God has taught us all that there is no limit to what He can do,” Falwell said. Falwell bestowed an honorary degree on Worth Harris Carter, Jr., the founder of Carter Bank & Trust, which served as a pivotal financier for Liberty projects in its formative years. “Worth is a quiet and humble man who has always shied away from the large crowds and public recognition we are giving him today,” Falwell said. Falwell also presented honorary degrees to S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, and Romney. Gov. Mitt Romney’s visit was no doubt a memorable one. Chancellor Falwell recounted the event on CNN Newsroom the Monday morning after Commencement. The interview was filmed on campus.
Ann Romney (left), wife of presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and Becki Falwell, wife of Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., participate in the 2012 Commencement.
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Jerry Falwell, Jr. and his wife, Becki (right), attend a private reception with Ann and Mitt Romney (front), Worth Harris Carter, Jr. (left), S. Truett Cathy (second to left), and Art and Angela Williams (middle, back) after Commencement at Liberty University’s new Hancock Welcome Center.
“Many of our graduates said after his speech that they were worried it would be a campaign speech, they didn’t want their graduation speech to be political and they were very pleased that it was not political — it was about them, it was about their future and I think in that sense, he made a lot of friends here Saturday,” he said. Later in the month, Falwell, Jr. said he was reminded of the thoughts of Ted Kennedy, spoken at a Liberty Convocation in 1983: “ … because the Moral Majority has worked with members of different denominations, one fundamentalist group has denounced Dr. Falwell for hastening the ecumenical church and for ‘yoking together with Roman Catholics, Mormons, and others.’ I am relieved that Dr. Falwell does not regard that as a sin, and on this issue, he himself has become the target of narrow prejudice. When people agree on public policy, they ought to be able to work together, even while they worship in diverse ways.” Falwell, Jr. said he was pleased with the cooperation between the departments and students to execute Liberty’s largest Commencement.
“I saw a demonstration of how Liberty University students, faculty, and staff live as Jesus taught by treating others as they would want to be treated,” Falwell said. He said a Secret Service agent told him it took about two hours to process the graduates through metal detectors. “The agent said that, in a previous experience at a secular university, it took over six hours to process fewer students because of a lack of cooperation,” Falwell said. “The agent told us that his colleagues were pleasantly surprised by how well they were treated at Liberty and by how kind and polite our staff and students were to them. He said many agents commented about how there really is something different about Liberty University. Hearing observations like that warms my heart and confirms that Liberty is fulfilling its mission of Training Champions for Christ.” Andrew Claudio, a student who serves as a manager at Liberty’s student radio station, 90.9 The Light, said he spoke with a Secret Service agent during the ceremony. “She told me that she was very impressed with our school and how her time here this
week exceeded all of her expectations,” he said. “She then said, after [the chancellor’s speech], ‘It is amazing just how much this school has grown under his tenure. That’s no disrespect to his father at all because you can see how passionate he is about his father’s vision and making it a reality.’ I cannot even begin to explain the feeling of pride I felt for my school after this conversation.” Many said the ceremony was a fitting tribute to the school’s founder. On May 14, 2007, the night before he died, Falwell, Sr. was served at a local restaurant by a waitress who told him of her struggle to pay for school and he agreed to help her with a scholarship. That student was Ashley Mooney, who graduated in May with a B.S. degree in Health Promotion. Barry McChesney, her grandfather, wrote an email to Liberty, thanking the Falwell family “for the gift Jerry [Sr.] gave our granddaughter as his last wish.” “We can never thank you and your family for this miracle,” he said, “but you and your family will forever be in our prayers and hearts. God bless you all and thank God for Jerry Falwell.”
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T I F FA N Y A L L E N
(Left) The Falwell family and friends meet S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, after Commencement. Left to right are Sarah Lynn Craig, Trey Falwell, Caroline Falwell, S. Truett Cathy, Wesley Falwell, and Giavanna Cambeletta. (Right) Worth Harris Carter, Jr., the founder of Carter Bank & Trust, received an honorary degree. LIBERTY JOURNAL
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graduate briefs collection 2012 Though Commencement may seem like an ever-growing sea of faces, Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. always takes the time to hear the numerous graduation stories that come across his desk, and even share a few of them during his Commencement speech. Here are some of those notable stories from Commencement 2012. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
KYLE SCHEREN
C A L I LO W D E R M I L K
FROM HOMELESS TO GRADUATE
CAP, GOWN, AND SNOWBOARD Following the Commencement exercises, Will Scheren hit the slopes at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, donning his full graduation regalia — cap, gown, and hood — with a snowboard to boot. The quick ride down the mountain was a testament to what that day was for Scheren: a celebration of his achievements and all that Liberty has meant to him, from beginning his undergraduate studies in business in 2004 to graduating with a Master of Business Administration in May. Scheren is head coach of Liberty’s ski and snowboard team and assistant manager of Snowflex. “It was a great Commencement ceremony. We enjoyed ourselves while we were there. We felt relaxed and comfortable. The ceremony itself was great; it was formal and it definitely was appropriate,” he said. And though he admits he is not sure what is next, Scheren said, “I feel prepared, and I’m not rushing to get anywhere; but I feel like I’m in a good place. I feel like I’m ready for whatever comes down the pipeline.”
Read the full story at www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal.
Read the full story at www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal.
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SPANNING GENERATIONS This year’s oldest graduate, at 77, was Dolores Darrell (B.S., religion) and Liberty’s youngest was Gabrielle Turnquest (B.S., psychology), age 17.
S K I P S TO W E R S
Craig Daliessio walked in Liberty University’s Commencement after facing great opposition, including three-anda-half years of homelessness, en route to completing his degree 26 years after beginning as a residential student. Daliessio long dreamed about completing his degree with Liberty, and even attended here for a year in the mid 1980s and again a decade later. When the economy crashed in 2008, he soon found himself unable to afford a home. In August 2009, Daliessio resurrected his dream and enrolled with Liberty University Online. He lived in his car, working odd jobs whenever he could, and studied wherever he could — at the library, park, or a restaurant with Wi-Fi. Now, having completed his religion degree, Daliessio hopes to use his story to inspire others. Since January he has been able to afford a roof over his head and recently started a new job. He plans to continue his education with Liberty and earn a master’s degree.
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Falwell, Jr., was reminded of Liberty’s humble beginnings from Mack Rhoades, Jr., who attended Liberty in 1974 when classes were held at the old Thomas Road Baptist Church site and the land on which Williams Stadium now rests was home to a dairy barn. Rhoades had to leave Liberty after only one year and later returned to obtain his B.S. in 2010, and this year received his M.A. in Human Services.
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Katherine McInnis began her college journey in 1977 but had to drop out because of financial challenges. She enrolled in Liberty Online as a mother and grandmother and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in multidisciplinary studies, on her 53rd birthday.
MIRACLE WALK In 1998, Kathryn Armstrong broke her back while taking classes at Liberty. She enrolled in Liberty Online to finish her degree, and thanks to a miraculous new surgical technique, walked across the stage at graduation, after years of being confined to a wheelchair, to receive her M.A. in Christian counseling.
THE MAN IN THE ORANGE CAP Patrick Andrews, who so many have come to fondly know as “the man in the orange shirt,” received his bachelor’s degree in communication studies at 40 years of age, while sporting an orange graduation cap. Andrews began his studies at Liberty in 1994. During that year he was in a car accident that changed his life forever, putting him in a coma for six weeks and giving him severe head trauma. After the accident, Andrews was only capable of taking a limited number of credit hours per semester, but he never quit, following Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr.’s repeated admonition. After nearly two decades of perseverance and determination, Andrews is now a Liberty graduate.
J O E L CO L E M A N
HAPPY BIRTHDAY/GRADUATION
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
Three sisters — Emily Ellenburg (B.S. business, specialization in marketing), Hannah Ellenburg (M.A., theological studies), and Catherine Comfort (M.S., sport management administration) — graduated together from Liberty this year and their fourth sister, Sarah Ellenburg, is a freshman.
IN LOVING MEMORY Falwell, Jr. somberly honored Ron King at Commencement, who was awarded his doctorate in ministry this year, posthumously. King passed away on Feb. 7 and his wife Sharon King, of Huntsville, Ala., was present at the ceremony. Falwell expressed sorrow for her loss, but encouraged her with the promise that Liberty “is not just your husband’s alma mater, but your extended family.”
Katie Raybould (B.S., social sciences) graduated with two members of her immediate family as well. Her father, Mark, received his M.A. in discipleship leadership, and her sister, Amy, (right) earned an M.A. in management and leadership.
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<< Graduates at the 2012 Commencement ceremony PHOTO BY GABE HERNANDEZ
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KEVIN MANGUIOB
Graduate honors her canine companion BY RON BROWN On graduation day, a uniquely qualified blond walked among other Liberty University graduates. His official name is Drake IV, a service dog committed to his owner, Maureen Lovetro, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty in May. To Maureen, Drake is like a superhero with fur. She dressed him in his own cap and gown and colored the tips of his ear to match her hair. Drake has been a constant companion since he came to live with her in her sophomore year. She spent about two years on a waiting list to get a service dog. While Maureen’s mobility and vision has been limited since birth by cerebral palsy, Drake has been obliging to take off her socks, open doors, and even pay a cashier if need be.
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“He is an amazing blessing,” she said. “Sometimes, I like him more than people. We’re good friends.” When Maureen releases him from his job for a moment, he becomes a magnet for affection. Drake wags his substantial tail and relishes a pat on the head like any other less educated dog. But, Drake himself is the beneficiary of $50,000 of education. It is paying off, as he is able to help his owner get around campus, which is a challenge for someone physically unable to walk long distances because of weakness in her legs. Hers is a condition brought on by a lack of oxygen to her brain at the time of her birth. She has learned to cope with the limitations and has sometimes found
ways to further her education by seeking alternative ways of learning. For instance, while a lack of focus in her eyes makes it difficult to read, she was able to complete her classes by having others or a computer read to her. She attended a high school for impaired youngsters in Long Island, N.Y. Her elementary education was provided by her mother, Wendy, who home-schooled her. Maureen came to Liberty at the urging of her sister because of its Christian mission. “Christ is a constant,” she said. “You can always depend on Him.” With her psychology degree, she wants to work with adolescents in crisis. “I think, because I have struggled, people can identify with me,” she said. “I think it is good to be patient and understanding.”
Local mother shares graduation with her son BY RON BROWN More than 30 years ago, Angela Caswell experienced a call from God to be a nurse. About a decade later, she was called to be a mother. When her two roles intersected, she chose first to raise a family. In 1989, Angela Caswell and her husband, David, found out that she was pregnant with her first son, Zach. In May, 22 years later, both mother and son walked together at Liberty’s graduation, where Angela Caswell earned her nursing degree. Zach, 21, received his degree in business finance. “It is very exciting,” Angela Caswell said. The Caswells came to Lynchburg in 1988 from Florida where David had just finished a four-year tour of duty with the U.S. Navy. He was looking for a Christian college and his sister, Tracy, recommended Liberty, where she was a student herself. “We prayed about it and decided to come here,” Angela Caswell said. “It was a hard decision. We left both our families in Florida to move here. The plan was for both of us to start at Liberty.” In 1989, David Caswell was ready to start his degree program with an idea of becoming a military chaplain. At first, he started working for the campus police department in order to pay the bills. Angela always had her eye on Liberty’s nursing program.
“I had already filled out the application, paid the confirmation fee, and had been accepted,” she said. “About two weeks later, I found out I was expecting my first child.” She decided to delay college and become a stay-at-home mom. She taught piano lessons to generate income while her three boys grew up. Both Zach and Angela Caswell finished their degree requirements in December. Angela Caswell passed her state certification exam in February and now works as a nurse at Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg. Zach now holds a banking job in Phoenix, Ariz. Both started the new jobs on Feb. 27. “It’s kind of neat,” she said. During their time at Liberty, Zach and Angela Caswell had several classes together. And while she tried to give him his space, inevitably they were placed in seats near one another because they had the same last name. “At first, he didn’t know whether he wanted to sit near his mom in class,” Angela Caswell said. “The first year it wasn’t really cool. The second year he started introducing me to his friends.” By the time they graduated, she had become like a campus mom to some of her college classmates. That role was heightened last fall when her second son, Josh, enrolled in the electrical engineering program at Liberty. Her youngest son, Mark, 15, is attending Brookville High School in Lynchburg. Even
he has a Liberty connection. When Mark was born prematurely, Angela Caswell experienced some life-threatening medical issues of her own. She was struck by how kind a nurse was to her. The nurse had studied at Liberty. She says she has been blessed by her new job where she works with patients who have debilitating and often life-threatening medical conditions. “I was excited to be hired right away,” Angela Caswell said. “I look at my job as a ministry. When I was at Liberty, all the papers and all the clinicals focused on ‘How did you show the love of Christ today?’ That is something you can only get from a Christian university.” Caswell said people in hospitals are often hurting both physically and spiritually and need tender care that reflects the love of Christ. “Often, it is the worst time of their lives,” she said. “They are going through tough times and often are facing death. We are there for them.” She was particularly struck by her interaction with a deathly ill patient on her last day of work before being interviewed for this story. “Come close,” the man asked. When she did, he gently grabbed her arm and started crying. “Thank you for taking care of me,” he said.
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Senior class gifts aid library campaign, local nonprofit
KIMBERLEE HEWIT T
Thomas Turner, senior class president, meets Gov. Mitt Romney after graduation.
Liberty University seniors traditionally give back to the school every year, leaving a lasting legacy. This year, the Class of 2012 presented a two-part senior class gift, donating $15,000 to the Jerry Falwell Library and $500 to the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center.
The library is named in honor of Liberty founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr., who 40 years ago had the vision to build a worldclass Christian university. The four-story, 170,000-square-foot library will be the first building at Liberty to be named in his honor and will include a museum that will memorialize his life and ministry. For their generous gift, the Class of 2012 will have an area in the library named in their honor. “Most of us won’t see or use this building, but someone will,” Student Government Association senior class president Thomas Turner said. “Underclassmen that come here in the future will see the fruits of our labors and that means a lot.” Their second gift was $500 toward a mobile unit for the Blue Ridge Pregnancy
Center. The Center exists to offer hope and answers to women in crisis pregnancies. A mobile unit will allow the pregnancy center to reach rural areas. Turner said the seniors wanted to do something “for the cause of life.” “It was a really big deal for me because I am very passionately pro-life. I do believe that all life comes from God and all life is valuable from beginning to end. It’s our obligation as Christians to stand in the gap for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Turner said. At the start to the spring semester, the senior class partnered with the freshmen class and co-hosted a back-to-school night where the majority of the funds were raised. At Commencement, seniors who donated $20 or more wore a special green cord.
D AV I D D U N C A N KEVIN MANGUIOB
C A L I LO W D E R M I L K
Seniors enjoy picnic at Falwell farm The fifth annual Senior Picnic was held on Saturday, May 5, at the Bedford County farm of Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. and his wife, Becki. More than 1,000 seniors attended the fourhour event, which was aptly called the “Señior Picnic” and featured a Cinco de Mayo theme.
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Students were treated to free Mexican food, free T-shirts, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and swimming, games and prizes, and new this year: a giant inflatable slide and a Ferris wheel. “Each year it keeps getting bigger and better,” said Chris Misiano, director of Campus Recreation. “The Student Activities team looks
forward to the event every year. It provides a great opportunity for seniors to connect around one last big, fun event prior to graduation. For Student Activities, this is our one last opportunity to see these students connect with our mission and deepen relationships around this shared experience.”
Luis Palau encourages graduates at 39th Baccalaureate Liberty University graduates, friends, and family had the chance to hear from worldrenowned evangelist and author Luis Palau at Liberty’s 39th Baccalaureate service on Friday, May 11. This service had to be held in the Vines Center for the first time to accommodate the large crowd. Palau, who received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree, is the head of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and has spoken all over the United States and in more than 73 countries throughout the world, including Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru. Palau, originally from Argentina, encouraged the graduates using John 14,
telling them to “dream great dreams” and to take those dreams into whatever vocation God has called them. “As you graduate and go wherever the Lord is taking you … go with a fire of believing in the Lord, growing in your faith, and going in the power of the Holy Spirit,” Palau said. Earlier in the day, Palau spoke at a luncheon for Liberty University en Español (LUE), the arm of Liberty University Online that is reaching out to the nation’s growing Hispanic population. Hispanic students and university staff attended the luncheon in the Executive Dining Room of Reber-Thomas Dining Hall. The event
was conducted almost entirely in Spanish, as Palau stressed the importance of the Hispanic community being well educated and being able to greatly impact their community in the business world as well as ministry. Palau also spoke at the start of Liberty’s Commencement ceremony the next day. Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. said Palau “delivered one of the most powerful Baccalaureate addresses that any graduating class has ever heard at Liberty University.” He said Palau had just returned from more than two weeks of ministry in South America where he preached live to more than 150,000 people.
C A L I LO W D E R M I L K
D AV I D D U N C A N
Luis Palau addresses the crowd at the Baccalaureate service on May 11, 2012.
Liberty University Online held a reception at Williams Stadium on May 11, 2012.
Reception honors Liberty’s largest class of online graduates More than 5,500 Liberty University Online graduates and their friends and families gathered at Williams Stadium on May 11 for a reception celebrating their achievements. The Class of 2012, with 14,012 graduates, includes more than 11,000 who have earned their degrees online. The annual event, held as part of the Commencement weekend festivities, featured light refreshments and appearances by administrators from the various programs offered through Liberty University. The crowd was welcomed by Chris
Johnson, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management; Dr. Ron Godwin, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/ Provost; and Dr. Ron Hawkins, Vice Provost. Johnson asked for a show of hands: more than half of the crowd indicated they were seeing Liberty’s campus for the first time. Several online graduates said they were fortunate to be able to participate in a graduation ceremony, an opportunity that sets Liberty Online apart from other online universities. Hawkins recognized the accomplishments
of the online graduates, many who have completed their degrees while working full time, raising families, or serving in the military. “You’re all winners for overcoming obstacles and difficulties to get to this point,” Hawkins said. This year’s online graduates include 2,651 military personnel. Several graduates waited their turn to meet and have their pictures taken with professors and administrators, including Liberty co-founder Dr. Elmer Towns. LIBERTY JOURNAL
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NEWS
2012
FROM COMMENCEMENT
T
BY MITZI BIBLE
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news to share with the area. Many covered the event several days before, giving people who live in and around Lynchburg helpful advice for navigating on and around campus during the festivities. Liberty’s own television, radio, news, and marketing teams shared the day’s events on a large scale. Thousands of alumni, online students, and supporters around the globe viewed graduation live on Liberty’s website, Facebook page, mobile app, and Liberty Channel and listened live on Liberty’s radio station, Victory FM. Follow-up media coverage included Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.’s interview on CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips, which was filmed live from campus on Monday, May 14. He also conducted an interview with Voice of America on
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housands of family members, friends, and special guests came to honor the Class of 2012 at Liberty’s largest Commencement on May 12. Among those guests were professionals who cast Liberty into the national — and international — spotlight from its most widely televised event ever. Every major media outlet in the United States, and many around the world, not only covered the event, but made it a headline. It was covered in the news from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Israel. Nearly 60 media outlets were present at Commencement, including reporters for print, broadcast and radio, as well as cameramen, photographers, audio techs, satellite truck operators, and other media support personnel. Hundreds more were able to cover the event from their home posts through streaming video and audio links and satellite coordinates provided by Liberty. More than 2,600 TV news segments featuring Liberty’s Commencement were broadcast the same day. Media who visited campus included The Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, and Politico; all major television networks, including CNN, C-Span, CBS, Fox News, NBC, and CBN; and radio, including NPR. International outlets present included Agence France-Presse, a French news agency; Die Presse, an Austrian daily newspaper; Die Zeit, a German newspaper; and Swiss National Public Radio. Many media reported to campus as early as six hours before the event to set up. The media section was buzzing with live TV remotes leading up to the 10 a.m. ceremony. Photographers were ushered to the front of the stage by the Secret Service and members of Gov. Mitt Romney’s campaign at opportune times. Local media coverage was heavy as well, with The News & Advance, WSET, WDBJ7, and WSLS all on hand to capture the
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religion and politics in America on May 24. Voice of America is planning several series on Liberty University to broadcast in Chinese in the coming year. Liberty also became a subject on comedian Bill Maher’s HBO television show when he attempted to diminish the significance of Gov. Mitt Romney’s visit. Maher called Liberty “not really a college” and ranted about creationism. Falwell, Jr. released a statement to the media in which he said, “Liberty is proudly an institution that adheres to the Judeo-Christian values upon which our nation was founded and upon which millions of Christians have based their lives and beliefs. It is sad that Obama donors like Maher seem to fear debating the issues on the merits and instead resort to ridiculing their opponents deceitfully.” Read the full statement at www.liberty.edu/news.
MISSED COMMENCEMENT 2012? Watch it on Liberty’s YouTube page, go to
www.liberty.edu/news or download Liberty’s new mobile app, Liberty Today. Listen to a special presentation from Commencement at
www.victoryfm.net. Victory FM can be heard on its network of more than 30 full-power stations and translators throughout Virginia and North Carolina.
ABC NEWS
Associated Press Bloomberg News THE BOSTON GLOBE Christian Broadcasting Network
CBS NEWS
CNN
C-SPAN The Dallas Morning News
FOX NEWS
Los Angeles Times
NBC NEWS
NEW YORK TIMES
NPR
PBS NEWS HOUR The Roanoke Times Tokyo Broadcasting System International WALL STREET JOURNAL
THE WASHINGTON POST THE WASHINGTON TIMES
USA TODAY
A sophomore nursing student collects a stack of books that she just requested electronically on her phone while walking across campus. Six psychology majors laugh and talk around a group study room table as they plan a class project. Two law students take a break on a terrace looking toward the Blue Ridge Mountains while a music professor and three future worship leaders chat over a cup of coffee in the Food Court. This is just a glimpse of the pulse of activity that will soon fill and surround the new
â&#x20AC;&#x153;heart of the university.â&#x20AC;? 30
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The Legacy Lives On:
BY RACHEL PICKLE The sounds of the first stages of construction on the new Jerry Falwell Library are echoing across Liberty University’s campus as old metal buildings are cleared away to make room for the school’s biggest financial investment in any facility to date. Named for Liberty’s founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr., the new freestanding library will be the focal point and most significant project in the current five-year campus transformation. The four-story, 170,000-square-foot structure will provide the latest in technology, resources, services, and amenities for students, faculty, and staff. Located just west of the Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center and a soon-to-be redesigned commons area, the Jerry Falwell Library is scheduled for completion in late 2013. Looking back over Liberty’s courageous history, there has always been a vision for the future, an energy and enthusiasm seen in Dr. Falwell and his dream for a worldclass Christian university from the day it began in 1971. The spacious, welcoming library will be the perfect building to bear his name and honor his life and ministry. Many who share Liberty’s mission are supporting the library through an innovative campaign and contributing engraved bricks for the entrances. Recalling his father’s commitment and challenge, “If it’s Christian, it ought to be better,” Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. said, “We believe this facility will become the bridge between Liberty’s original vision for academic excellence and the final fulfillment of that vision. From the automated book retrieval system to the dramatic expansion of our budget for print books and electronic books, this building is about resources, service, and student spaces. It will be a statement of our commitment to academic excellence.” Looking forward to everything the new library will offer, students are excited about what it will bring to the university. More than 5,000 attended the historic groundbreaking on
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The Numbers Add Up for THE
NEW LIBRARY
166 1
BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS WITH
NAMED FOR THE FOUNDER
5,000 $50,000,000 MORE THAN
AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
PROJECT – LARGEST UNIVERSITY
INVESTMENT IN ANY STRUCTURE
MORE THAN
170,000
4-
2-
SQUARE FEET OF ACADEMIC SPACE
3 robots in the automated book retrieval system STORY STORY STRUCTURE READING ROOM Almost
6
half-a-million print items
DIFFERENT LEARNING COMMONS
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OUTDOOR OBSERVATION SPACES
38 group study rooms
OVER 70 NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
...... 1 newly created lake ....... 32
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March 7, capturing the moment on smartphones and sharing it through social media. Colin Mukri, a Worship and Music Studies Major, said, “It’s telling me as a student that the university cares. I think my favorite feature will be the book tower and the robotic system.” The automated book retrieval system darting through the four-story book tower will be visible from various points in the library. From a computer within the library or other locations, students will be able to search and select a book in the electronic catalog, browse the pages of the book, view surrounding books in the collection, and have the desired books available at a collection point in minutes. The book tower will allow more space for reading areas and the automated system will save valuable study time, promoting greater product creation. It will also save money because it allows nine times as many books to be stored in the same amount of building space as traditional stacks. A beautiful addition to the campus, the Jerry Falwell Library will also be a symbol of the university’s commitment to equipping Liberty’s students to go out and impact their world. “I’m going to be able to look back at a campus that’s excelling academically and prizing intellectual achievement and really look back and say, ‘Yes, that’s where I was trained,” said Matt Mihelic, a Liberty University School of Law student. Sharing the vision for Liberty’s future, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the university are joining the Jerry Falwell Library Campaign, prayer by prayer and brick by brick. As with any venture at Liberty, prayer has led every aspect of this project. Now, in keeping with the advantages of technology the library will offer, commemorative bricks are being donated online. “Everyone will benefit from this library and everyone has the chance to be a part of it,” said Ron Kennedy, senior vice president of Marketing.
Leading the way, Chancellor Falwell and his wife, Becki, donated the first bricks in honor of family members at a first-brick ceremony held in March. The Brick Campaign officially launched in April with an enthusiastic response from donors. Personalized bricks have been reserved as tributes to graduates, expressions of appreciation, recognition of employees, and celebrations of families. Alumni, students, and friends of the university have contributed bricks to the campaign in honor and in memory of Dr. Falwell, sharing stories of his sacrifice, commitment, and determination to Liberty’s mission and the love he shared with all the Liberty family. Unlike the capital campaigns of many other organizations, which are accessible only to those making much larger donations, the Brick Campaign has a level of participation for anyone wanting to support this exciting new facility at the heart of Liberty’s campus. Just as the library will serve the entire Liberty community, members of that entire community are supporting the library. “Liberty has meant so much to our family,” said one parent who donated an engraved brick for each of her children. “When our three Liberty graduates come back for Homecoming or other visits, they’ll see their bricks at the library reminding them how proud we are of them and what a blessing Liberty has been in their lives. It’s good to leave a legacy to something you believe in.” To donate a brick and view the latest updates on the library, including a live construction webcam, go to www.Liberty.edu/JFLibrary.
Breaking Ground and Building for the Future
MAKE YOUR MARK ON THE MOUNTAIN
“I’ve been to a lot of groundbreakings,” said Joe Atkins of VMDO, the architectural firm for the project. “But this was one of the most thrilling and exciting.”
$1500
12"x12"
$150
8"x8"
4"x8"
$500
LES SCHOFER
BRICK DONATION OPTIONS
More than 5,000 celebrated the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Jerry Falwell Library on March 7. Students, faculty, staff, civic leaders, guests, and Falwell family members gathered on a cold, clear morning to honor Liberty’s founder and share the vision that Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. began in 1971. The ceremony was intentionally timed to immediately follow Convocation, giving students the opportunity to participate – and participate they did. Students streamed from the Vines Center to the new library site, crowding to hear the speakers and share in the excitement. Wielding golden shovels, Chancellor Falwell, members of his family, and university trustees and executives broke ground to begin construction on what is to become the heart of the university. Then, to the cheers of thousands of students, Falwell traded his shovel for the controls of an excavator and tore into the old Schilling Center. People were surprised the chancellor knew how to operate the excavator from experience he had using similar machinery on his farm. Students and staff posed for pictures with the Chancellor and carried away chunks of old bricks as memories of the historic day.
Order your brick today! www.liberty.edu/BRICK
Payment plans are available online. Spread your donation across three or six months. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
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J O E L CO L E M A N
2nd Lt. Brandy Woody takes the oath of office, administered by her husband, 1st Lt. Alex Woody.
MILITARY MEMBERS HONORED
at special Commencement events BY RON BROWN On Liberty’s graduation weekend, Army 1st Lt. Alex Woody proudly marched to the front of Thomas Road Baptist Church’s Bruner Hall to swear in his wife, Brandy, as a new Army officer. As he raised his right hand, a blue bandage covered most of his arm. Several weeks ago, he never thought he would be present for the commissioning ceremony for new Army officers conducted by the Liberty University Reserve Officers’
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Training Corps (ROTC). That was before he was wounded in combat in Afghanistan. His injury served as a vivid reminder that America’s young men and women in the military are putting their lives on the line daily. “I was just doing my job, Sir,” he said. Administering the oath of office to his wife, Brandy, 1st Lt. Alex Woody, a 2010 Liberty graduate, punctuated the school’s enduring relationship with its military students and
their families. This year military graduates walked in Liberty’s largest Commencement in their uniforms and not the more customary regalia. As of graduation day, more than 23,000 members of the armed forces were enrolled in Liberty’s educational programs from duty stations around the globe. Military students comprise about one-third of Liberty’s online enrollment. Some, like Army Chief Warrant Officer
Todd Leggroan, were able to attend graduation this year, while others were serving abroad. After being deployed eight times in the last decade to combat in either Iraq or Afghanistan, Leggroan said he remains committed to Liberty’s biblical worldview. Quoting Isaiah 6:8, he said, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’” In 2012, Liberty has ramped up its appreciation events for service members and their families. Earlier this spring, the school held an event at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre for military families. This year, 25 new Army officers and eight new Air Force officers were commissioned out of the Liberty ROTC program to the rank of second lieutenant. In addition to the customary ROTC commissioning ceremonies, Liberty held an event honoring military graduates on the evening before Commencement. “We want to say, in a very special way, that it is our honor to honor you,” Liberty Vice
Provost Ron Hawkins told the gathering of military graduates. “You are a select group within an outstanding group of graduates. ... You are special to us.” Hawkins emphasized that Liberty is in it
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’” -Isaiah 6:8 for the long haul with its military students. “As long as we have breath, we are here for you,” he said. “We always want to be part of your healing.” Liberty will be providing a video of the Military Graduate Recognition Ceremony to those who are deployed and could not attend. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Young, now dean of the Liberty University School of Aeronautics, remembers the first time he met
the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who came to a prayer breakfast at a Shreveport, La., base Young was commanding. Falwell was impressed by the structure and the organization that the military provided and told Young to give him a call when he decided to end his military career. “Dr. Falwell was tremendously supportive of the military,” Young said. “He was a very patriotic person.” Several years later, Young came to Lynchburg and became an integral part of Liberty’s finance and management team. Along the way, a lot of former military officers became part of the fabric of Liberty’s administration. Many, like Young and former Navy Capt. Ernie Rogers, greeted military graduates and gave them commemorative coins during the military graduate recognition event. Young remembered driving the Rev. Falwell around in his command car, while those on the base saluted the car. “See Dr. Falwell, they are saluting you,” Young joked. “They know who you are.”
2012 graduates commissioned to the rank of second lieutenant, U.S. Army:
2012 graduates commissioned to the rank of second lieutenant, U.S. Air Force:
Philip Berry Andrew Bibb David Budd J.T. Cederberg Sarah Beth Chittwood Austin Coombs Jonathan Cox Ashley Fielding David Flickinger Luke Flowers Ashton Jacobs Benjamin Kelly Israel Kim
Jared Abramowicz Nathaniel Cromer Arielle Marino Molly Morrissey
Samuel Likens Isaiah Luce Bryan Malizzi Carl Moulton Robert Penn Mark Sopkiw Logan Springer Matthew Strachan Timothy Taylor Joseph Velez Jordan Wilson Brandy Woody
Jesse Moser Jessica Vaughn Jayson Warren Luke Williams
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New Military Resilience program supports our
NATION’S HEROESs BY RON BROWN
s a decade of U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern wars grinds to a conclusion, America could face another epic battle on its homefront. How will the United States reincorporate its stress-wounded warriors into its communities, its families, and its workplaces? That is a question that retired U.S. Army Major Gen. Bob Dees has been grappling with as he helps develop Liberty University’s groundbreaking Institute of Military Resilience. After serving 31 years in the U.S. Army in various capacities, Dees is familiar with the insidious nature of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a life-altering, psychological disruption experienced by many fighting men and women subjected to the horrific images and experiences of war. On Veterans Day 2011, Liberty announced the formation of the institute, which will be a key player in developing faith-based resilience programs to address the challenges of PTSD and other related military mental and behavioral health issues. “Liberty leadership has a heart for the military,” said Liberty University Chancellor and President Jerry Falwell, Jr. “Because of
its Christian heritage and growth in its academic offerings, Liberty University is proud to be able to contribute to these national challenges.” When the program hits full stride, Liberty plans to work with other universities and non-academic institutions, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, in developing faith-based resilience programs to counter PTSD and other mental and behavioral health issues, such as suicide, family dysfunction, domestic violence, and difficulty transitioning to civilian life. Dees’ familiarity with PTSD, a condition medically identified in 1980, comes after a three-decade military career as a leader of troops facing life-and-death situations. “In the last decade, since retirement, I have seen the growing mental and behavioral health challenges in our military,” Dees said. “I have put my shoulder to that wheel to understand and help educate others in helping troops and families deal with these issues, including the debilitating impacts of PTSD.” In line with these efforts, Dees recently conducted a seminar for Liberty faculty regarding “Educating and Empowering
“Liberty seeks to fully leverage faith on behalf of our nation’s warriors. The real questions are ‘How will they put on the Armor of God?’ and ‘How will they experience help, hope, and healing through Jesus Christ?’” -Army Major Gen. Bob Dees
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Military Students.” He has also outlined his thoughts on trauma in a book titled “Resilient Warriors,” which is currently used as a textbook in Liberty’s psychology and counseling programs.
He said Liberty’s strong academic core bolstered by Christian-based education serves as a perfect environment to explore remedies
“The faith element has often been left out of the equation,” Dees said. “Liberty seeks to fully leverage faith on behalf of our nation’s warriors. The real questions are ‘How will they put on the Armor of God?’ and ‘How will they experience help, hope, and healing through Jesus Christ?’”
KEVIN MANGUIOB
Major General Robert F. Dees, U.S. Army, Retired, and Liberty University Associate Vice President of Military Outreach, met with over 100 faculty members in a workshop on Jan. 9 to discuss Liberty’s new Institute for Military Resilience. Credit: Rachel Burkholder
and education for individuals, families, communities, and employers seeking to help military personnel. This year, Liberty has more than 20,000 military students, which represent about one-third of the total students enrolled in the school’s online education program. Liberty’s Military Affairs Office provides program expertise and compassionate outreach to this military student population. Liberty is also one of the chief providers of military chaplains for the U.S. Military. The Institute of Military Resilience is integrated within the Center of Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University. Liberty recently announced a massive expansion to its Health Sciences program and the addition of a new College of Osteopathic Medicine, offering even greater potential for Liberty to become a center of excellence to address the most pervasive military mental health challenges.
Army Major Gen. Bob Dees
LIBERTY AVIATION ON CUTTING EDGE OF DRONE AIRCRAFT TRAINING BY RON BROWN A significant shift in course offerings at the Liberty University School of Aeronautics (SOA) could have graduates prepared for a huge transition in the use of the United States’ commercial airspace. Last year, the university approved the School of Aeronautics to begin training students in the use of Unmanned Aviation Vehicles (UAVs), popularly referred to as drones in their military application. The federal government has instructed the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a plan by 2015 to incorporate UAVs into the national airspace of the United States. When that happens, unmanned aircraft may become the vehicle of choice for many traditional uses of aircraft that could easily be accomplished without a pilot on board. “Future aviation is going to include drones. There are so many potential applications where drones can be used,” said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Young, who serves as dean of the Liberty University School of Aeronautics. Those applications include potential uses
in law enforcement, agriculture, border enforcement, power and oil pipeline control, search and rescue, and transportation of materials to remote construction sites. “UAVs are going to be a viable part of the aviation industry,” Young said. “It offers a grand opportunity for employment during a time when college graduates are entering a highly competitive job market.” Young understands that this technology could easily be abused by someone who doesn’t appreciate the ethics and values of aviation. To that end, the SOA plans to train Liberty graduates who have a deep-seeded understanding of the ethical use of aircraft. “Our mission is to produce graduates who are not only skilled, but who are going to go out in the world as strong Christians,” Young said. Currently, 90 percent of drone usage by the United States Department of Defense occurs in combat missions in foreign airspace. “The military has used drone technology in a myriad of different ways,” said John Marselus, Associate Dean of the Liberty University School
of Aeronautics. “The intelligence gathered by drone aircraft has created an insatiable appetite for information by combat commanders. They have become convinced of the advantage that the technology provides for our troops.” Marselus said Liberty is “right on the front edge” of drone technology. “We want to have graduates serving the Lord in this area of aviation,” he said.
Joshua Tate, airplane flight instructor and UAV operator at Liberty University School of Aeronautics, is pictured with the Dragon Eye UAV.
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J O E L CO L E M A N
Peter Pan
ALLUVION’S FIRST FLIGHT BY DREW MENARD
A
lluvion Stage Company took Liberty University’s Department of Theatre Arts to new heights in April with its inaugural show, “Peter Pan,” which brought no shortage of magic, swashbuckling adventure, and singing and dancing to the stage of Tower Theater. Alluvion, the professional branch of Liberty’s theater department, provides opportunities for students to add a professional credit to their résumé before graduation and allows industry professionals and alumni to collaborate with students for the production.
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Because bringing the fantasy of “Peter Pan” to life requires stunts, choreography, and concepts never seen before at Liberty, “Peter Pan” Director Linda Nell Cooper (theater department chair and Alluvion’s artistic director) found it the perfect show for Alluvion’s debut. To give life to the magic, Alluvion brought in the world-renowned Flying by Foy theatrical flying service. Flight director David Hearn, who designed the flight for Liberty’s show, has multiple Broadway credits, including flying actress Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan.
“
Artists can come
from different places in the country, different generations, and as soon as we step on that stage, we have a camaraderie, J O E L CO L E M A N
and we are all working toward one goal.
”
-Linda Nell Cooper
J O E L CO L E M A N
“It’s a challenge when you have multiple people in the air. It has to be this well-timed out, choreographed event in the sky,” Cooper said of her reason for contracting the company. Students interested in being on a flight team gained valuable experience while working with the best in the business. A team of 12 students operated the wires during the show. The imaginative, original concept featured a complex, multi-level set and unique costumes, all designed and constructed by Alluvion’s production team. “It is an original scenic design – making it appear as a whimsical Neverland. All of the costumes are original, made for each individual actor,” Cooper said. She added that acting in “Peter Pan” presented its own unique set of challenges, as 18-to-20-year-olds portrayed children and were required to be skilled in dance, combat, and vocals. “It really takes a cast of triple-threats,” Cooper said. She explained that the part of Peter Pan, played by senior Caleb Hughes, was extremely strenuous. Hughes only left the stage twice during the three-act play and had to transition from one big dance sequence to the next, all the while singing in the upper range and performing stylized combat.
“This is the most challenging role I have ever done,” Hughes said. “Not because of one single aspect, but because there is so much going on. You have flying and fighting and choreography, as well as the acting and getting into character. Also vocally, it’s a pretty demanding role. All of that combined, it’s pretty tiring.” The cast performed 15 shows, 10 of which sold out, drawing in more than 8,500 guests. To help prepare the cast for the complex dance sequences, Alluvion hired a professional choreographer, Liberty alumna Courtney Landwerlen (’11). Alumnus Chris Nelson (’01), who is a Liberty theatre professor, played the notorious Captain Hook, headlining the five alumni who acted alongside students in the show (in all, a 31-member cast). The show also had a 32-member production staff, made up of students, faculty, and outside professionals, which featured seven alumni. “I have really enjoyed the fusing of the alumni with the students and how that was such an easy embrace in coming together,” Cooper said. “Theater is about collaboration. Artists can come from different places in the country, different generations, and as soon as we step on that stage, we have a camaraderie, and we are all working toward one goal.”
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Academic News LIBERTY PROFESSOR COMPLETES EURO LECTURE TOUR
Dr. Gary Habermas
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Liberty University’s Marketing Department was highly decorated in the 27th annual Educational Advertising Awards, sponsored by the Higher Education Marketing Report (HMR). The department took home two gold, one silver, one bronze, and two merit awards and received a Best of Show selection. The event is the largest competition of its kind in the country, drawing over 2,900 entries from more than 1,000 institutions from every state and several countries. Liberty took home gold and a Best of Show selection for its Flames basketball poster, developed by designer Brian Wallace and project coordinator Ashley Holloway. Liberty’s other gold was for its College for a Weekend (CFAW) registrant mailer created by designer Jasung Gu, writer Cami Smith, and project coordinator Emily Watkins. Members of the Marketing teams who won
ONLINE ACADEMY SUPERINTENDENT WINS DISTANCE EDUCATION AWARD Harvey Klamm, superintendent of Liberty University Online Academy, was awarded the 2012 Corporation and Distance Education Excellence in Education Award by AdvancED, a worldwide organization with 80,000 schools. Klamm said the award represented the success of the entire team who works to provide Christian online home schooling to more than 1,600 students in grades 3-12. Now in its fifth year, Liberty opened its online academy in Fall 2007 with 23 students. “The Academy has grown because of the hard work of dedicated admissions counselors, academic advisors, Academy teachers, and the support of the LU leadership and community,” Klamm said. Liberty University Online Academy is regionally accredited by the Southern
either silver, bronze, or merit awards include: Gu, Smith, Watkins, Carter Wingfield, Sarah Wittcop, Janelle Holder, Mollie Yoder, and Heather Usewicz.
D AV I D D U N C A N
Dr. Gary Habermas, a Distinguished Research Professor and Chair in the School of Religion’s Department of Philosophy and professor in the Ph.D. program at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, went on a twoweek lectureship tour in late 2011, visiting several western European countries, including Northern Ireland, England, Sweden, and Germany. The lectures were held at both secular universities and Christian colleges. He has also given nearly 2,000 lectures at hundreds of universities, colleges, seminaries, and churches in the United States and abroad. Habermas is well known worldwide for his research and writings in Christian apologetics and the resurrection of Jesus. He is a popular speaker, as well as author, co-author, or editor of 36 books, and more than 100 articles and reviews published in prestigious Christian journals and magazines. Oxford University Press will soon be releasing a book featuring a written debate by Habermas on the resurrection. His latest book, “Enduring Your Season of Suffering,” which he co-authored with Liberty professor Dr. John Thomas, was released this spring by Liberty University Press and is being used as a textbook.
MARKETING DEPARTMENT WINS ADVERTISING AWARDS
The 2012 Flames Basketball Poster, developed by Brian Wallace and Ashley Holloway, won gold and a Best of Show selection in the 27th annual Educational Advertising Awards.
Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, an accreditation division of AdvancED, its parent organization.
Harvey Klamm, Liberty University Online Academy’s superintendent, won the 2012 Corporation and Distance Education Excellence in Education Award.
Read the full versions of these stories at www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal
STUDIO AND DIGITAL ARTS STUDENTS WIN ADDYS
COMMUNICATION STUDENTS EARN NATIONAL RECOGNITION
CO L I N M U K R I
Keri Cook was flown to New York City in March 2012 where she received the prestigious award, PRWeek’s Student of the Year.
TAKE ONE! FOR CINEMATIC ARTS
SADA students (left to right) John Gosslee, Roberta Dee Hall, and Jon Allison won local ADDY Awards for their design work.
Recent graduate Keri Cook (’12) was named Student of the Year by PRWeek, a weekly trade magazine for the public relations industry. Cook received $5,000 and a paid internship at Hill & Knowlton, a leading communications services firm with national and global clients, at the annual PRWeek Awards in New York City on Thursday, March 1, and was featured in the April issue of PRWeek. Students of Liberty’s School of Communication also had tremendous success at the 2012 John Caples International
Awards, a national media and marketing competition, in New York City on March 22, winning both first and second place for Student Campaign of the Year. The team of alumna Ashley Kelly (’11) and recent graduate Chelsea Dawson (’12) came in first in the student category out of more than 700 total entries, winning a $5,000 prize and a paid internship from Alloy Media + Marketing, the contest’s sponsor and a leader in media production and distribution. Fellow Liberty students Ricky Deakyne and Owen Baker took second place in the competition, winning silver recognition and a $1,000 cash prize.
Schultze said the program is accommodating demands from a variety of platforms. Course access points are going to be offered both online and residentially through major, minor, elective, and enrichment formats to meet students’ needs. The department is also working to support concentrations in filmmaking for majors that can use visual media to enhance graduate skillsets in various fields. “Majors like worship have asked us to support a concentration in filmmaking that would give their graduates opportunities through church worship to leverage visual media as a ministry tool,” he said.
Austin Lewis is a student at the Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Center.
D AV I D D U N C A N
Liberty University’s new Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Center has wrapped up its first semester, and interest in the program has been higher than anticipated. According to executive director Stephan Schultze, classroom attendance caps were raised twice, to 60 students per class, to accommodate student interest in the inaugural semester’s initial class offerings. In the Fall 2012 semester, student enrollment in these three core classes will more than double, as each course will have two sections available.
KEVIN MANGUIOB
Three students from Liberty University’s Studio and Digital Arts (SADA) program received top honors at the Local Student ADDY Awards on March 10 in Roanoke, Va. Recent graduate Jon Allison (’12) received gold for his “Air Canada” poster. His poster “Fontstaches” earned a Judges Choice award and silver. Allison received a second silver for his logo “Libby Hunt Camp.” John Gosslee, who graduated from the
department in December, and senior Roberta Dee Hall claimed gold honors for their editorial design cover “Fjords Issue 2 Cover.” Hall also took silver for her book cover “Covers of Type” and her poster campaign “Respect Campaign.” The ADDYs, hosted by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition worldwide and draws more than 60,000 entries annually.
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Academic News
Two teams of Liberty University School of Aeronautics students will fly in the 2012 Air Race Classic, June 19-22. The 2,400-mile transcontinental race is an all-women’s race based on the 1929 “Powder Puff” Air Derby flown by Amelia Earhart. Fifty teams, consisting of two members each, will participate in the race that begins in Lake Havasu, Ariz., and ends in Batavia, Ohio.
Liberty has a competitive edge behind its team, nicknamed the “Liberty Belles,” as their coach, Liberty certified flight instructor (CFI) and student mechanic Sarah Morris, won the 2011 race while flying for her alma mater, Jacksonville University. Student pilots Esther Dii and Mollie Melton — both training to become airline pilots — will be paired up as one team, while CFI and recent mechanic school graduate Lindsey Gray and helicopter student Naomi Satterfield make up the second team.
BEN LESLEY/LIBERT Y CHAMPION
WOMEN’S FLIGHT TEAM TO COMPETE IN ANNUAL RACE
The Liberty Belles, coached by Sarah Morris (far left), will fly across the country in the Air Race Classic. Competing for Liberty will be (left to right) Lindsey Gray, Esther Dii, Mollie Melton, and Naomi Satterfield.
DEBATE CONTINUES CHAMPIONSHIP LEGACY
J O E L CO L E M A N
Dr. Daniel Henderson addresses students at Convocation in 2011.
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H E AT H E R H . H A L L
The Liberty University Debate Team has swept policy debate’s sweepstakes rankings for the fourth consecutive season, earning top slots in all three governing organizations’ national championships – the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA), National Debate Tournament (NDT), and the American Debate Association (ADA). The announcement of Liberty as the winner of the 2012 NDT championship in May finalized their sixth single-season sweep of all three championships. This marks Liberty’s fourth consecutive CEDA sweepstakes championship, its sixth in the last seven years, and the Flames’ ninth consecutive
The 2012 Liberty University Debate Team won all three national championships in debate.
and 15th overall ADA championship. Liberty remains the only school in the history of collegiate debate to win all three
championships in a single season and has earned 31 national rankings championships since 1995.
LIBERTY PROFESSOR ADDRESSES PASTORS AT NATIONAL EVENT
at the ministry’s National Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., along with John MacArthur, H.B. London, Mark Vroegop, and Jim Cymbala. The conference served leaders with sessions on how to combat pastoral burnout and dropout and offered the sharing of resources among pastors. For more information on the 6:4 Fellowship, visit www.64fellowshipconferences.com.
Dr. Daniel Henderson, a Liberty professor and president of Strategic Renewal International, founded a ministry in late 2010 called the 6:4 Fellowship, which seeks to connect pastors. On May 18-19, 2012, Henderson was a keynote speaker
Liberty names new dean of School of Communication Liberty University has announced Dr. Norman Mintle as its new dean of the School of Communication. He will assume the role on July 1. Mintle comes to Liberty from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., where he served as the associate dean for academics and chair of the departments of Cinema and Television and Communication Studies. Mintle brings many years of executive
leadership to Liberty, having served as the vice president of programming and marketing for the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) from 1989-1996, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Total Living Network from 1998-2000, and the president of Pure Media Group, Inc., a consulting agency that specializes in new media, television, fundraising, and organizational leadership.
Liberty Online forms corporate partnerships to boost growth Liberty University Online enrollment has been booming, more than doubling to over 70,000 students in less than three years. As the program continues to expand, the staff has been working to build corporate partnerships, offering Christian online education to local and national employers. Initiatives like the Liberty Advantage Program, which offers employees of corporate partners a tuition discount, benefit both the employer and employees. Recently, Liberty forged a relationship locally with The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W), a leading international provider of energy products and services that employs more than 2,700 in the Lynchburg area alone. Because of this arrangement, the Liberty Advantage Program will be available
to B&W employees via the company’s corporate discount website. Other corporate partnerships include Wells Fargo, AT&T, Sodexo, Centra Health, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “Not only are we building relationships, we are fostering and maintaining them, with the goal of a long-term partnership,” said Kevin Hartless, director of recruitment for Liberty University Online. “We try to help the company that we work with meet the educational goals of their employees.” In addition to direct corporate partnerships, Liberty is working to finalize partnerships with three educational consulting services, EDLink, EdCor, and LifeCare that will offer the Liberty
Advantage Program to companies all across the nation and the globe. “Once contracts are finalized, Liberty Online will be listed on hundreds of company websites accessed by tens of thousands of employees worldwide,” Hartless said. “It helps us to continue our mission of Training Champions for Christ as we are able to connect with these companies that would be impossible to (reach) without these services.” Hartless said that while Liberty will continue to work with businesses directly, using these educational consulting firms brings companies to them. “It is basically the difference between trying to educate tens of thousands of people individually or educating tens of thousands of people all at once,” he said.
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New dean lays groundwork for Liberty’s medical school BY MITZI BIBLE
S
ince his first full day at Liberty University in April, Dr. Ronnie Martin has been hard at work assembling a team of men and women who will make history at Liberty as they establish the new College of Osteopathic Medicine. Plans for the medical school were announced last fall, when the Virginia Tobacco Commission approved a $12 million grant for a school of osteopathic medicine and an expanded health sciences school, to be built on a portion of campus in Campbell County. Construction on a $40 million facility is set to begin this summer and expected to be completed in January 2014. The
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105,000-square-foot building will be located near where U.S. 29 and U.S. 460 meet, close to Lynchburg Regional Airport. It will look down over the intramural fields on Campus East. “We’re going to have a top-notch facility. When we get through, we will have a facility that rivals any medical school in the world,” said Martin. Liberty’s medical school will become the sixth to be established in the state. Graduates will receive a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). “We have a responsibility to train our students so they are qualified to go into any specialty they want to enter,” Martin said. “We will try to influence them by the design of our curriculum, and the role models and mentors that we will put in front of them, to go into what we feel are the needed specialties for this country: primary care and preventative medicine, as well as ‘first point of contact’ specialties, such as general surgery or emergency medicine.” Martin came to Liberty from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Blacksburg, Va., where he served as a professor, associate regional dean, associate dean for Clinical Education, and vice dean for Postgraduate Affairs. Liberty has had a longstanding, supportive relationship with VCOM and that will continue, Martin said. Martin was a practicing physician for
more than 20 years, serving as an emergency room doctor, a family physician, and a director of medical clinics. Hiring Martin to lead the new venture was one of the first steps in an accreditation process that could take up to 36 months to complete. Liberty is seeking accreditation through the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Martin said if the accreditation moves ahead on schedule and permission is granted by the agencies, the school can begin to recruit students in the fall of 2013, with plans to enroll 150 students each year. The establishment of a medical school at Liberty comes at the right time, he said, calling the need for health services and physicians in the state, especially in the Southside, “tremendous.” He said 67 percent of the Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) of the Southside region are underserved, “many in crisis.” (Areas are considered HPSAs when there is less than one physician for every 3,500 patients). “We know that physicians are more likely to practice where they train, yet Virginia has less than 40 percent of its medical school graduates who remain in the state,” he said. The Virginia Department of Health has
predicted a 1,500-2,700 physician shortage by 2025. Additionally, nearly one-third of Virginia physicians are over age 55 and will be looking at retirement when Liberty’s first students graduate from residency, “a compounding factor that along with the aging population magnifies the need,” Martin added. He said he hopes to have senior administration and leadership in place by this summer. Plans call for more than 40 full-time faculty, about 40 additional staff, and about three dozen parttime professionals. In addition, the college will recruit, hire, and credential more than 500 adjunct clinical faculty members. Faculty positions are being advertised through professional and communication organizations. “Even before advertising, we’ve had a significant number of people interested in joining Liberty here and being a part of this project since it was announced,” Martin said. He added that Liberty will offer opportunities for many of its current faculty and staff to engage with the new college. The new medical school will no doubt have a positive economic impact on the region and state. “Considering the total cost of attendance at the medical school, the impact on funds spent on housing, food, child care, tuition, faculty and staff salaries, the College of Osteopathic Medicine alone, when fully developed, will have approximately a $40 million-a-year impact on the Lynchburg region,” Martin said. Each graduate of the college who chooses to practice in Southern Virginia represents a $1.2 to $2 million-a-year impact on their chosen town, he added. Liberty will offer medical students
who live in areas that qualify for tobacco indemnification a tuition discount as part of its agreement with the tobacco commission. Martin has also been busy seeking collaborative and cooperative partnerships with area health care agencies, institutions, professional organizations, and individual professionals to provide student and resident training. He recently attended his first major meeting with Centra Health and is seeking partnerships across Virginia, but with a concentration on Southern and
Central Virginia. “We want to train students in these regions so they will remain here to practice,” he said. “In addition, we hope to develop partnerships with others across the U.S. and globally that will help us develop our outreach and missionary opportunities for our students, many of whom will be attracted to Liberty because of its long tradition of service to those in need.” Liberty requires Christian/Community Service hours of all its students, and the medical school will be no different. Students will have many opportunities to participate in medical missions at home and abroad. “It may be in Allegheny (Va.), it may be in South Africa, but all of our students will have service requirements,” he said. Martin said people are recruited into medical school because of their service mentality. “They are people who want to take care of people, yet in the traditional medical school they don’t do enough to nurture
those virtues, so it’s very easy to beat that out of them with the demand of a medical education. … If you put them in service opportunities, you reinforce those great traits you are recruiting,” he said. Martin has done many overseas missions projects and also travels to China to train medical school faculty each year. He is one of the few American physicians who has been granted a license to practice in China. Martin said the mission of Liberty is consistent with his philosophy. “When people ask me what it takes to be a great physician, I tell them it takes a servant’s heart,” he said. “If you’re not really interested in serving other people and improving the lives of other people … you can (still) be a good doctor — doctors are keepers of knowledge, (but) physicians are healers of people. There’s a big difference between the two. We never hear Jesus Christ referred to as the great doctor, you hear him referred to as the Great Physician, because he healed people and healing people means you have to be involved in their body, mind, and spirit.” “That’s really going to be our philosophy here,” he continued. “We are very interested in training young men and women to become physicians who are healers of people and that’s so much more than treatment of disease. We will nurture that servant’s heart that brought them into medicine in the first place.” Martin is relocating to Lynchburg with his wife, Sherri. They have three children who are all involved in osteopathic medicine. Two daughters are osteopathic physicians and their son is the director of government relations for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Sherri is the national president for advocates to the AOA.
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FACULTY RECOGNIZED FOR
EXCELLENCE in TEACHING The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching, inaugurated last year, recognizes faculty members in Liberty’s residential and online programs, undergraduate and graduate, who have promoted significant student learning evidenced by exceptional pedagogical skill, effective use of instructional technology, and incorporation of creative and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. “Liberty University is committed to providing the most useful and highest quality of education possible to our students,” said Provost Dr. Ron Godwin. “The awards are all about putting action behind our words of commitment. We want to encourage teachers to excel, to get out of their comfort zone, and to try new learning technologies,
to employ new classroom techniques or online teaching techniques, to innovate, and to learn and improve the quality of teaching.” Recipients are selected by judging committees comprised of deans from seven discipline areas and are honored formally at Commencement. Godwin said it was part of the original vision for Liberty to train leaders in all discipline areas, realized through faculty impact on student faith, thought, and character, a key motivating factor for the awards. He said the awards are just one of many steps Liberty has taken to promote teaching excellence.
THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENTS ARE: ONLINE GRADUATE
ONLINE UNDERGRADUATE
RESIDENTIAL GRADUATE
RESIDENTIAL UNDERGRADUATE
Lucinda Spaulding,
Trilby Cox,
Anita Knight,
David Towles,
Samuel Smith,
Stuart Schwartz,
Education
Deborah Pinkston,
Counseling and Family Studies
Steven Guest, Seminary
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Psychology
Jennifer Hollis, General Studies
Mark Hensley, Religion
Counseling and Family Studies
Education
English and Modern Languages
Communication Studies
Don Alban,
General Studies
KEVIN MANGUIOB
GABE HERNANDEZ
BY BJ WILLIAMS
GABE HERNANDEZ
The late Rev. Jerry Falwell often talked about having an athletics program that competed at the highest level. The Liberty University Club Sports department is taking huge strides toward fulfilling the original vision for worldclass athletics at this institution. “Overall, this is the best year we’ve ever had in club sports,” said Kirk Handy, director of club sports. Wrestling claimed a national duals championship, with two wrestlers, Scott Clymer and Aaron Thompson, earning individual national championships. Crew won its first national championship in its first appearance at the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championships. Paintball finished in the top three for the third consecutive year. Disc golf, in its first year, had an All-American (Joses Merat) and finished in
the top 30. The men’s lacrosse team, in only its second full year, made it to the semifinals of the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) and had more players make allconference than all competing programs. Kyle McQuillan, head coach for lacrosse, was named SELC Coach of the Year. “We had a lot of top 10 finishes. I think as we move forward you’re going to start seeing all of our club sports competing nationally,” Handy said. Other teams that competed in national tournaments this year included men’s volleyball, gymnastics, and triathlon. Liberty announced the formation of three new club sports teams slated to begin this fall: women’s racquetball and men’s and women’s beach volleyball, bringing the total number of club sports teams to 31.
D AV I D D U N C A N
“We had a lot of top 10 finishes. I think as we move forward you’re going to start seeing all of our club sports competing nationally.” -KIRK HANDY, Director of Club Sports
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NEW FACES in NEW PLACES
FOR LIBERTY FOOTBALL
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hen Turner Gill officially took over as head football coach at Liberty University on Jan. 1, it was expected that there would be a lot of changes. That held true right from the word go, as Gill brought in a whole new staff including coaches he worked with in his previous two stops at Buffalo and Kansas, a former quarterback like himself, and even a couple of names some football fans might remember. “I had three unique and distinct goals when assembling my coaching staff here at Liberty,” said Gill when he announced his coaching staff on Jan. 5. “First and foremost, I was looking for individuals who can build Champions for Christ, keeping with the committed vision of Liberty University. Secondly, I wanted men who were not only excellent teachers of the game of football, but also in the
game of life. Finally, I was looking for individuals who could build relationships with 18-to-22-year-old young men, helping us recruit the finest talent in the country to receive their degrees and win championships at Liberty.” When he announced his first recruiting class of 16 players on Feb. 1, Gill had a group he simply described as “explosive.” He got his first chance to see what he had to work with as Liberty wrapped up its spring football practice season on Feb. 24. Liberty returns six all-conference honorees from last season, including wide receiver Patrick Kelly, defensive back/kick returner Kevin Fogg, and linebacker Nick Sigmon. Liberty has finished with seven wins or more for the past six seasons, including four consecutive Big South Conference football championships from 2007-10.
KEVIN MANGUIOB
ild uals who can bu id iv d in r fo g in “I was look ondly, I wanted ec .S .. t is r h C r Champions fo only excellent teachers of the t men who were no the game of life.” in so al t u b l, al game of footb 48
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A number of players are switching, or may be potentially switching, to new positions in 2012, including Gabriel Henderson, who signed as a quarterback in 2010, redshirted in 2011, and is moving to wide receiver with the graduation of AllAmerican Chris Summers, B.J. Hayes, and Ervin Garner. During the spring football game on April 21, Greg Pratt, who came to Liberty as a wide receiver, was tested as a defensive back, and Chase Barnett, who was a wide receiver in 2011, returned to running back. Liberty opens the 2012 season in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Sept. 1 against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, a Football Bowl Subdivision school out of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The first home game of the “Turner Gill Era” is on Sept. 8 against Norfolk State.
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS on NEW BASEBALL STADIUM
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ork has begun on a new state-of-theart facility for the Liberty baseball program. Adjacent to the recently expanded Williams Stadium, home of the Liberty football program, and Osborne Stadium, home of both the Liberty men’s and women’s soccer and track and field programs, the new baseball complex will be the latest dramatic improvement to athletic facilities at Liberty in recent years. Once completed, the stadium will enhance the developing athletics corridor at the university. The stadium will have chairback seating for 2,500 spectators, with additional seating available on grass areas down each line. The complex will also feature two suites, a club room, a spectator picnic area, and a modern media area. The stadium’s
media space will accommodate up to 40 media members, with a 24-seat press box, a television booth, visitor and home radio booths, an operations suite, and storage. The facility will have the latest turf playing surface installed, along with full-length, majorleague type dugouts. Areas for concessions and ticketing will also be included. In addition, the complex will become the operations center
of Liberty baseball. The program’s offices and team room will be housed in the facility and overlook the playing field. Four indoor batting tunnels and a weight room will also be included in the project. The seating area, press areas, and playing field are targeted to be completed for the start of the 2013 season, which begins in February.
Demolition continues in May at David’s Place, the former home of the Center for Worship, so construction can begin on the new baseball stadium.
CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCES INTENTIONS TO MOVE ATHLETICS TO FBS LEVEL FOR LIBERTY FOOTBALL
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efore a record crowd at Williams Stadium on Saturday for its 39th Commencement, Chancellor and President Jerry Falwell, Jr. announced Liberty University’s intention to seek NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference affiliation for its 20-team athletics program. During the last six months, Liberty has worked with Carr Sports Consulting, LLC, to conduct an exhaustive analysis of its athletic and university programs. The expansive FBS feasibility study examined all facets of the university to see if it is capable of meeting the demands of competing at the highest level of NCAA Division I competition.
Liberty held a press conference on May 14 on the club level of the Williams Stadium tower to further explain the results of the feasibility study. Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. released this statement prior to the press conference: “Competing at the highest levels of collegiate competition has been the vision for Liberty University since its founding in 1971. It is exciting to watch the fulfillment of that dream taking shape as Liberty now has the financial resources, facilities, academic support, and athletics professionals necessary to move forward.” Falwell fielded questions from Liberty staff,
media, and fans, along with Jeff Barber, athletic director; Bill Carr of Carr Sports Consulting, LLC; and Neal Askew, Liberty’s executive vice president. For the first time, Flames fans had a chance to watch the press conference live through the Liberty Channel and Liberty’s new mobile app, Liberty Today. Liberty has not yet been invited to join an FBS conference, but when they are, it was announced that Liberty will be prepared to make that decision within 48 hours. View the press conference and a highlight package from the Flames Sports Network at www.libertyflames.com.
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Athletic News MEN’S BASKETBALL
CREW
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
Senior guard Jesse Sanders became the first player in NCAA Division I history to record a triple-double all four years of his career. He was invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament April 11-14, becoming the first Flame to be invited to the all-star tournament that garners attention from professional scouts. Liberty finished fifth in the Big South Conference and received the conference Team Sportsmanship Award.
Crew won its first national championship in its first appearance at the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championships on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Ga., on May 27. Abigail Lenz, Lindsey Churchill, Brianna O’Neal, and graduating seniors Amy McGowan and Toni Ortu (coxswain) won the women’s varsity lightweight fours race.
Kacie Fogle set the university’s single-season record for draw controls, and Kristin Crowley finished with the second most goals in a single season. Senior Chloe McIntosh was named second team all-conference on defense and sophomore Jen Moyer was named to the all-academic team.
CO L I N M U K R I
KEVIN MANGUIOB
DISC GOLF The Flames finished third on the women’s side at the 2012 National Collegiate Disc Golf Championships in North Augusta, S.C., April 12-15. The men’s team placed 27th out of 42 teams on the men’s side. Joses Merat was named an All-American and led the way in men’s singles, finishing in a tie for 18th overall.
MEN’S HOCKEY
FOOTBALL
SWIMMING
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Liberty finished the year ranked 10th in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s final rankings. Joe Smith (’12) signed a contract with the Ronnang Lobsters of the Swedish Hockey Federation. Mike Morrison (’11) and Josh Tucker (’11) each inked deals with pro teams from the New Zealand International Hockey League – the Dunedin Thunder and West Auckland Admirals, respectively.
PAINTBALL Liberty finished the season ranked third in the nation at the National Collegiate Paintball Championships in Lakeland, Fla., April 12-15. This was Liberty’s third-straight year making it to the Final Four at nationals.
D AV I D D U N C A N
Redshirt sophomore Brye Ravettine became Liberty’s first swimmer to qualify for nationals and first All-American when she placed 13th in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2012 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Auburn, Ala.
CO L I N M U K R I
Wide receivers B.J. Hayes and Chris Summers became the 27th and 28th former Liberty football players to sign in the National Football League (NFL). Hayes signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Summers signed with the Chicago Bears. Former quarterback Mike Brown and defensive back Brandon Robinson were invited to rookie mini-camps.
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GOLF Liberty made its first trip to the 2012 NCAA Men’s Golf National Championship, May 29–June 3, in Pacific Palisades, Calif., after becoming the first-ever Big South men’s golf team to win an NCAA regional event. Liberty won its second consecutive Big South Conference championship. Robert Karlsson is the first player in program history to be named all-conference all four years.
MEN’S LACROSSE Kyle McQuillan was named Southeastern Lacrosse Conference Coach of the Year, leading Liberty to an 8-4 record. Five players, Kurt Tobias, Will Perkins, Mike Zumpano, Nate Lowmaster, and Travis Briggs, were named first team all-conference.
TRIATHLON
WOMEN’S TENNIS
GYMNASTICS
Joseph Anderson recorded a top 50 finish as the men finished 19th out of 122 schools at the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala., April 21.
Senior Carol Lobel was named to the Big South all-academic team for the first time. Lobel graduated in May with a degree in Industrial/Systems Engineering. Liberty finished sixth in the Big South Conference this season.
In its first trip to nationals, the men’s team finished 15th. David Tighe placed fifth in the vault. The women’s team finished 18th. Freshman Alyssa Frost finished 13th in the balance beam and 16th in the all-around. Junior Jill Wippermann finished 11th in the vault and 18th in the all-around.
SKI/SNOWBOARD Jon Steltzer finished second in big air at the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) National Championships in Newry, Maine, March 7-10. Nationals capped a successful season for the three-year-old team. Liberty went undefeated in competitions for both USCSA and the Collegiate Freestyle Association (CFA).
TELLY AWARDS
OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
J O E L CO L E M A N
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
LES SCHOFER
Liberty won its 13th Big South Championship in 15 years with an 81-73 victory over High Point, earning a bid in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. Liberty lost in the first round of the tournament to eventual national runner-up Notre Dame. Senior Avery Warley became the third player to earn a spot on a WNBA roster, signing with the Phoenix Mercury. KEVIN MANGUIOB
MEN’S TENNIS Siim Tuus and Giancarlo Lemmi were both named Big South all-conference for their play this season. Tuus was named first team in singles and second team in doubles with partner Lemmi. Also, Mandeep Yadav and Jorge Azuero were named flight winners based on their play during the season. The Flames finished sixth in the Big South Conference this season.
D AV I D D U N C A N
The Liberty men’s track and field team won its sixth-straight Big South Conference championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Kyle Wheeler was named freshman of the year after setting a school record in the high jump.
The Flames Sports Network has been recognized for excellence in its television broadcast of Liberty Athletics with the network collecting a pair of Telly Awards. The Flames Sports Network (FSN) received Telly Awards for their production of the Flames SportsDesk show and the network’s coverage of Liberty’s Big South Championship football game against Stony Brook on Nov. 19, 2011.
JERRY EDWARDS Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame member and former “Voice of the Flames” Jerry Edwards has been inducted into the Big South Conference Hall of Fame. Edwards is the first media inductee and the first nonstudent-athlete, coach, athletics director, or school president/chancellor included in any of the conference’s nine different hall of fame classes. A total of 49 individuals have been selected to join the Big South Hall of Fame since it was first formed in 2003. LIBERTY JOURNAL
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Christian Commitment
Champions for Christ In May, Liberty University officially adopted its tagline, Training Champions for Christ since 1971, collectively acknowledging the university’s unique heritage, affirming its uncompromising mission, and echoing Liberty’s commitment to Christian values, which distinguishes it from other schools and universities. These stories combine all these pillars of Liberty’s mission. To read the full versions, go to www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal. HONORING THE FAITHFUL Liberty University has always had a well-established group of individuals who have made sure the vision for a world-class Christian university became a reality. One of the ways it has thanked its faithful is by offering naming opportunities on the campus they have grown to love. In the past year, 11 parking lots have been named for Liberty supporters and as the campus undergoes a major transformation, there will be many more opportunities. “Liberty’s donors believed in Rev. Jerry Falwell’s vision and want to participate in that legacy he has left,” said Tom Arnold, vice president for Development. “It’s important we recognize them and let them know how significant their contributions are as a member of the Liberty family.” The most recent available naming
opportunities are special areas of distinction in the new Jerry Falwell Library. Generous donors may choose from more than 70 different areas, including: the four-story book tower, automated book retrieval system, grand entrance hall, graduate and faculty commons, technology center, lakeside atrium, terraces and balconies, newly-created lake, or many other prestigious spaces. Faithful supporters have the unique privilege of naming these high-profile areas. Many donors have already participated in the Name A Seat initiative for Liberty’s Tower Theater. The campaign continues, offering an opportunity to name a seat in honor of your family, a loved one, a friend, or a business with a $1,000 donation. More than 190 seats have been engraved in the new theater, which opened in the fall of 2010.
Liberty is also fortunate to have a base of loyal supporters who have decided to remember Liberty in their estate plans. With bequests at an all-time high, the blessings continue to flow as many hardworking individuals who believe in Liberty’s mission have given to the university. In the last three years, Liberty has received nearly $9 million in bequests. In November 2011, Liberty announced a bequest of $474,000 and a month later, it announced another bequest totaling $590,000. Gift annuities still remain the number one option for planned giving to Liberty. Out of 4,000 charities nationwide offering gift annuities, Liberty ranks in the top 5 percent for number of annuitants.
THE LADY IN THE CIRCLE
In those 17 years while she interpreted for the television program, it was said that her face and hands were seen more than any other television personality nationwide. Willmington appeared in an oval inset that led her to become affectionately known as “the lady in the circle.” In the 1970s, NBC’s Saturday Night Live even did a parody based on her interpreting. The skit featured Garrett Morris in the oval shouting the news for the hard of hearing after a news anchor reported it. While overseeing the deaf department at Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC), Willmington was actively involved in its expansion. She helped start ministries, developed supportive services for the church
and schools — Liberty University, Liberty Christian Academy (LCA), Willmington School of the Bible (WSB) — and taught several classes on signing and oral interpreting, as well as classes for deaf adults and children. Willmington has been able to reach countless people with the Gospel who otherwise may never have been presented with it and is grateful for Falwell and his leadership that allowed her ministry to flourish. “The great thing about Jerry Falwell, Sr. is when he appointed a person to do a specific job, he gave that particular leader the freedom to develop a ministry using his or her talents and spiritual gifts to carry out that mission,” she said. “I think that is one of the secrets of this place.”
When Sue Willmington first interpreted for the deaf on the Old Time Gospel Hour in 1973, there was no closed captioning. “It was the first, and only at that time, nationwide program sign-interpreted for the deaf,” said Willmington, who teaches sign language classes at Liberty University.
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For information on giving to Liberty, go to www.liberty.edu/giving.
FROM VISION TO REALITY
LES SCHOFER
Founding a college, and eventually a university, was no easy task. For Liberty University’s founding president, Dr. A. Pierre Guillermin, and founder Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr., Liberty is nothing less than the manifestation of a vision they shared 46 years ago and a tribute to the hard work they, along with a plethora of other visionaries, workers, and donors, did to bring it to fruition. “The history of Liberty University has been and continues to be a chronology of miracles and accomplishments,” Guillermin said. “From its very inception Liberty has been a very dynamic organization. And while other colleges and universities have been built on years of calculated steps, Liberty has always advanced in leaps and bounds. What is happening today is really a great testament to Dr. Falwell’s vision and to the team that eventually put all this together.”
When the college was founded in 1971, there was no campus and only four full-time faculty members. Students attended classes at TRBC and bunked in small houses across the street from the church, four to five per room. While Falwell managed the spotlight and played an enormous role in securing funds, Guillermin enjoyed a more behind-the-scenes role, overseeing the academic affairs of the university. Guillermin worked hard to secure its accreditation, acquire and develop its campus and secure membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Guillermin, who still resides in Lynchburg, retired from Liberty in 1996. Falwell, Sr. officially named Guillermin Co-Founder and President Emeritus in 1997. Guillermin continues to serve on boards and work with international students at various local colleges.
STUDENT RECOVERS FROM FALL OFF RAILROAD TRESTLE to Liberty in the spring semester, starting classes on time. She describes herself as a normal college student. The only difference is a minor surgery she had a few months ago and physical therapy twice a week. Today she can run and exercise at her leisure. As an active and enthusiastic musician, her wrists and elbow have healed so that she can play guitar and piano. Her determination fueled her recovery process and she credits the Lord for healing her quickly. Along with her three friends who survived the accident, she has had the opportunity to share her testimony several times around campus and in the community. Ashbaugh’s friends put on a benefit concert to help her family with hospital bills. In the closing Convocation for the spring semester, the four survivors spoke to the
student body and sang “Healer,” testifying to God’s grace in their lives. They also shared about learning to live a life completely for God, in the example of their friend, Hannah Williams, 18, who was tragically killed in the accident.
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After miraculously surviving a nearfatal 90-foot fall from a railroad trestle in November and spending three-and-a-half weeks in the hospital, Julianne Ashbaugh was able to finish the fall semester with her professors’ help. She said she remembers being in the intensive care unit (ICU) with her mom the day after the fall and asking if she would be able to go back to school. Doctors, family, and friends were surprised at how quickly she was able to recover. “When I started walking it was a lot faster than I thought,” Ashbaugh said. She spent Christmas break in her hometown of Dallas, Ga., with her parents and her two younger sisters. She said her family has been really supportive and “has come together and been closer than before.” Ashbaugh, a worship major, returned
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Christian Commitment STAYING ON MISSION
Students join hands with residents of Kigali, Rwanda, to dedicate a school being funded by Liberty University students, faculty, and staff.
Liberty University is actively involved in reaching the world for Christ and offers its students a variety of ways to contribute. The Center for Global Engagement has several ministries that allow students to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission, including Light Ministries, Xtreme Impact, LU Abroad, and campuswide, student-run fundraisers. Light Ministries, Liberty’s short-term ministry department, organized 13 trips for the spring semester. During Spring Break, students served in Kosovo, Bosnia, the Pacific Rim, Ecuador, and Slovenia. In May, six teams travelled to France, Ethiopia, the Middle East, Nepal, Central Brazil, and North Brazil. As students worked
with and lived among several different groups of people, cultures, and religions, they used tools like children’s ministry, service projects, relationship building, sports ministry, and medical missions to serve others and share the message of the Gospel. Another group of Liberty students will lead and mentor high school students through Xtreme Impact, travelling to seven countries throughout the summer, including Guatemala, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Italy, Uganda, South Africa, India, and Thailand. LU Abroad, Liberty’s internship program, will send out 55 students to foreign countries this year. The program started in 2007 and is designed for students who want to incorporate a ministry into their internship. Students work side-by-side in a country of their choosing with local missionaries who offer practical ministry training. Students will utilize their major as they assist with children’s programs, college ministries, adult ministries, Bible studies, accounting, data entry, communications, graphic design, web development, teaching, and many other ministry-related responsibilities. While there are several opportunities to travel nationally and abroad, Liberty students are also able to actively partner in missions from
campus by financially supporting initiatives like Liberty’s Restore Rwanda campaign. The campaign launched in February during Missions Emphasis Week with a goal of raising $24,000 to build a school in Kigali, Rwanda. The idea was born after 19 students in Liberty’s counseling and psychology departments went there on a 10-day mission trip in Nov. 2011, counseling victims and perpetrators of the 1994 genocide that claimed the lives of 800,000 Rwandans in 100 days. In one village they visited, 40 widows and their children resided in poor conditions. The village director prayed for three things while they were there: clean water, education for the children, and electricity. The first prayer request was answered, the village now has clean water. After returning to the U.S., the original team was burdened to be the answer to the second request and launched Restore Rwanda. During Spring Break, five Liberty students returned to help kick off the building project. On the homefront, fundraisers like “Walk to Remember Rwanda,” which began on the steps of Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center on April 28, took place to help reach the $24,000 goal. To learn more about the project, visit www.facebook.com/Restorerwanda.
A TRADITION THAT RINGS ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN A Liberty University tradition, “ring by spring” has become a joking, yet endearing phrase used to describe the many engagements and proposals that take place around Liberty every year as graduation nears. All joking aside, the fact remains that many require time, effort, prayer, and thought from each couple. Some proposals may be so involved that they need just a little bit more faith. Take for instance Chadley Foster, an athletic training major who is entering his senior year. Although in his own words, “A Liberty student gets engaged every other day,” Foster knew
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that he wanted to make his engagement to his girlfriend Jordan Peters, who graduated in May with a degree in psychology, perfect. He thought of the idea to propose at Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.’s skybox at Williams Stadium. On April 13, after Convocation, Foster introduced himself to Falwell and asked for permission to propose at the football stadium. The Chancellor said yes, and with what he expected to be the biggest obstacle behind him, Foster went to Williams Stadium. He then realized that there were even more bumps in the road ahead: the huge,
overnight fundraiser, Relay for Life, would be happening around the same time in the same area, potentially adding unwanted noise and crowding to the special moment. “I remember praying right there, literally laying down all frustration and anxiety,” Foster said, reflecting on the night. “I spoke out truth, faith, and peace. No matter how this would turn out, I could not throw in the towel. Jordan is worth too much for me to settle for less.” So, armed with Peters’ favorite foods, roses, and more than 300 candles, Foster, along with some help from his friends, came up with >>
STUDENTS VOTE ON CAMPUS FOR FIRST TIME
KEVIN MANGUIOB
>> a plan to put candles in paper bags across the student section of the football stadium that spelled out, “JP, marry me?” After overcoming a few other obstacles, Foster finalized the preparations, and was able to lead Peters to the Chancellor’s skybox to look out the window and see the proposal lighting up the night. And she said yes. Then there was another surprise — Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. and his wife, Becki, came by to congratulate them. To those considering a marriage proposal, Foster offers this advice: “Set your mind on what’s eternal, pursue the Lord with everything, and see who is running with you.”
Liberty University students who are registered to vote in Virginia had the opportunity to cast their votes on campus for the first time on Tuesday, March 6, in the 2012 Republican presidential primary. The new voting precinct at the Vines Center received 590 votes, more than any other precinct in the state, with more than 13 percent turnout (well above the Virginia average of 5.6 percent). “I believe that’s a strong turnout, given the fact that it’s just a primary and only two of the candidates are on the ballot in Virginia,” said Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. “That’s a very good sign that the polling place was needed and that it will be used in large numbers by our students in the
future. We are grateful for what the local authorities have done to make it a reality in time for this primary.” Liberty students also voted at the Vines Center for the Lynchburg City Council elections held on Tuesday, May 1. Liberty students previously voted in the Ward 3 precinct at Heritage Elementary School and rode buses to the polling place. Students said the new precinct is a welcome change. “It’s extremely convenient to vote in the Vines, because it’s so close,” said thensophomore Karren Jeffers of Stafford, Va. “Last semester I went to Heritage Elementary and it took a lot of time, especially for people who don’t have cars.” In Oct. 2011, Lynchburg City Council decided to redraw voting lines, creating a new precinct at Liberty to be used by the 4,122 students living on campus and registered to vote in the city at that time. Liberty University made national headlines in 2008 when the school recruited about 4,000 students to register to vote in the state of Virginia.
LIBERTY HOLDS FIRST INTERNATIONAL WEEK traditional clothing. Students were also able to see cultural artwork in an International Art Show, which was held in the Grand Lobby of the Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center. These works included original and imported pieces from students’ home countries. Beyond hosting the art show, DeMoss is now the new home of the International Student Center. The newly built lounge provides international students the opportunity to relax, connect, and spend time with each other. International Week was the capstone of the more than 50 annual events held by the C. Daniel Kim International Student Center. The center also aids in admissions of international students, including scholarship,
recruitment, student retention, and health insurance assistance.
S COT T H I L L
Representing more than 900 international students from 83 countries, Liberty University’s Office of International Student Services held its first International Week in March. The event exposed all students on campus to different ethnic groups and their various cultures. From coffee tasting to a cultural talent show, different events were held to spotlight various students’ talents from their respective countries. One event included the popular Taste of the Nations, a Liberty tradition in which international students representing more than 20 countries prepared food for their peers to sample. The week began with the Mosaic Mixer, a fashion show in which students modeled
Students model traditional clothing for the fashion show at the Mosaic Mixer, kicking off International Week at Liberty University.
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Christian Commitment WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES BRING LOCAL AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES TO LIBERTY As Liberty University’s campus is getting a construction “facelift,” it continues to offer hospitality and service to groups of all ages from the community and surrounding areas in its world-class facilities. Since the mid-1980s, the Vines Center, Williams Stadium, and other buildings have been welcoming venues for numerous events with large crowds in attendance. While serving the needs of the university, these buildings, along with others, were designed with community use in mind. From high school graduations to Red Cross blood drives and Virginia High School League (VHSL) track meets, the events held at Liberty bring in people from all over the state.
“(The community) gets to come to worldclass, state-of-the-art facilities,” said Ernest Carter, director of Event Management. The university is also responsible for bringing revenue to local businesses when it hosts such events. “Liberty University, with all the events it hosts, is a large reason people visit Lynchburg, and is therefore a vital element of local tourism,” said Beckie Nix, tourism director at the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. Concerts, camps, sporting events, and other functions are held year-round at Liberty. In December of 2011, the university prepared for 10,000-12,000 players,
families, and fans for the Group AA VHSL State Football Championships at Williams Stadium. The campus also hosts Soccer Mania, an indoor soccer league for children and adults housed in the Thomas Indoor Soccer Center. The two indoor turf fields host hundreds of players of all ages year-round. Liberty also hosts many events through Student Activities, including concerts and the annual Block Party at the beginning of the school year, which features local vendors, games, carnival rides, and giveaways. Even Liberty’s off-campus facilities are being utilized by locals. The Liberty Mountain Conference Center at the Candlers Station shopping center is open for businesses and other organizations to rent.
HEATHER THOMAS NAMED CHRISTIAN/COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
C A L I LO W D E R M I L K
Heather Thomas (right) was named this year’s Christian/ Community Service (CSER) Volunteer of the Year. Troy Matthews, associate director of CSER, presented the award.
Liberty University senior Heather Thomas is the recipient of this year’s Christian/Community Service Volunteer of the Year Award for her outstanding contribution and commitment to service in the Lynchburg community and around the world. She was presented the award during Convocation on Wednesday, April 25. Lew Weider, associate professor and director of Christian/Community Service (CSER),
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called Thomas “one of the most energetic servant-leaders” he has met at Liberty. “She is a wonderful example of a Champion for Christ,” he said. Weider, the faculty adviser for Liberty’s Circle K club, has worked closely with Thomas, who served as president for three semesters. Circle K is the largest collegiate service organization worldwide. Throughout the past academic year, Thomas has organized and served with many projects for the club, including volunteering at two nursing homes, Adopt-a-Highway, the American Red Cross Bloodmobile, the Kiwanis Club of Lynchburg’s Annual Teddy Bear Parade, clean-up at Blackwater Creek trail, and the Hyland Heights Baptist Church food drive. Thomas, a biology/pre-med major, also helped to raise about $5,500 for the Circle K International Eliminate Project, which is designed to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. In addition to her service with Circle K,
Thomas volunteers every Tuesday night, and other days during the week as needed, with the Lynchburg Free Clinic. On the weekends, she is on call at the Campbell County Rescue Squad as an EMT-Basic and regularly volunteers at the Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department. Every Sunday morning she runs a coffee ministry at Cornerstone Community Church. Thomas’ volunteerism spirit has also taken her to China for several summers, teaching English as a second language. This academic year she started Liberty’s Medical Community Service Club where she helped to prepare and send out newsletters for the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, participated in a fundraiser for Mended Hearts (for those with mental and physical health challenges), wrote letters to homebound individuals, and cleaned house for a handicapped woman. Thomas recently directed the “Walk to Remember Rwanda” fundraiser. The walk began on the steps of Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center on Saturday, April 28, and all of the >>
>> money raised went toward a school Liberty students are helping to build in Rwanda. Thomas said her inspiration for serving comes from the Lord and is a platform for sharing the Gospel. “Volunteering has opened up a bunch of different doors to share Christ in the community,” Thomas said. “Everywhere we go we always have the question, ‘Where are you all from?’ To be able to say you’re from Liberty University not only portrays a good name on
the school but also upon Christ. People tell us that there is something different about us and they really have enjoyed getting to know the students that have come out.” Thomas graduated in May and plans to work for a year at a local nursing home before attending medical school. The Volunteer of the Year Christian Service Award is presented annually to a student who demonstrates excellence in Christian service and ministry. Students are nominated by
their supervisors at the organizations where they volunteer. Kenneth Hubbell and Mark Osborne received honorable mentions for their service with No Longer Music and Liberty Counsel, respectively. Liberty requires students to complete a minimum of 20 hours of Christian service each semester to fulfill graduation requirements and support the mission of the university to serve others.
ALUMNA NAMED CHIEF OF SURGERY AT VA HOSPITAL
Dr. Jeannie Falwell Savas (’86) and her son, Paul.
Liberty University alumna Dr. Jeannie Falwell Savas (’86) has been named Chief of Surgery at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Va., placing her among only a handful of women in the country to hold this leadership position. Savas graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty. She earned her medical degree in 1990 from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, where she is an associate professor of surgery. Savas is the daughter of Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell and sister of current Chancellor and President Jerry Falwell, Jr. Her specialty is general surgery, mostly laparoscopic abdominal surgery and robotic surgery. The new position places her in charge of all surgical specialties at the hospital, which has served more than 200,000 veterans from 52 cities and counties since 1946 and was the first VA center to perform heart transplants. Savas said she knew since she was a young child that she would have a career in medicine. “My parents told me I always said I wanted
to be a doctor. Way back then, people would say, ‘Oh I hear you’re going to be a nurse’ [and I’d tell them] ‘No, I’m going to be a doctor.’” Although she has had other interests, from mathematics to competitive water skiing, being a physician has always been her main focus. “People have asked me what my back-up plan was; I never thought of having one because this is what I was going to do.” She said when she was 4 and broke her arm, the doctor was explaining how he was going to have to break it all the way to reset it, so he asked her to look in another direction. “I said, ‘Oh, can’t I watch?’ He looked at my mom with a dumbfounded look and she said, ‘Yes, she’s going to want to watch.’ I just sat there and watched because I thought it was really cool.” When she was in high school, surgeons who were friends of her parents allowed her to view procedures in the operating room, which piqued her interest even more. She went on to attend Liberty, where she majored in mathematics and biology. Coming out of Liberty, “I was completely, 100 percent, prepared for medical school,” she said. Savas returns to Lynchburg any chance she can get, along with her son, Paul, 14. She said they enjoy cheering on the Flames at football and soccer games. She said recently one of her students asked
her why, knowing who her parents were, she didn’t decide to go into ministry herself. “I said, ‘Medicine is a ministry. You’re ministering to the needs of sick people, and dealing with people going through tough times.’” She said she was excited to hear last year that Liberty was starting its own medical school. “We [Christian physicians] need more of an impact in the medical field, and I think it’s a perfect fit because it is a ministry,” Savas said. “There are a lot of people who seem to think there’s conflict between science and religion and I really don’t see it that way,” she added. “God is the author of science, who created an orderly world and scientific laws, and we’re in the process of discovering them all.” Savas has served as the Interim Chief of Surgery for a year and has been on the faculty since 1995. She has served as a Guest Examiner for the American Board of Surgery, is a Council Member for the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Surgical Education. She has volunteered her services at the Crossover Free Clinic, the American Physicians Fellowship for Medicine in Israel, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross, among other organizations. Savas is an active member of Grove Avenue Baptist Church, where she has been an Awana children’s club leader for the past 10 years. LIBERTY JOURNAL
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The President’s Circle 2011
The President’s Circle
Champions give of themselves and their resources and Liberty celebrates this partnership.The President’s Circle is a listing of those whose giving to Liberty University qualifies for one of the following categories. This list recognizes donors from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2011.
$1 Million and above Individual Donors
T. Sherwin Cook Philip Garvin Pou, Jr.*
$500,000 - $999,999 Individual Donors
Evelyn R. Gerling * Walter Russel Horner, Jr. * Mr. & Mrs. Glen Nelson Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy N. Thomas, Jr.
$100,000 - $499,999 Individual Donors
Margaret Ashman * Lora Cook * H. Glenn Esbenshade Wanda S. Frantz Elliott * George Marshall Guill, Jr. * Mr. & Mrs. J. William Luurtsema Mr. Richard M. Osborne Marion Helen Richardson * Floyd W. Smith * Albert R. & Nancy J. Suehrstedt * Margaret B. Virkkunen * Dora I. Whaley *
Organizations Bailey Family Trust, Inc.
$50,000 - $99,999 Individual Donors
Kenneth Beard Melvin W. Buster * A. Mark Dooley * Helen Hermestroff Mr. Gordon Easton Smith Charles Redford Stone Charlotte Stone * Mrs. Margie Parker Woodhouse
Organizations A. L. Williams Jr. Family Foundation Inc. Joel D. and Clara John Family Foundation
$25,000 - $49,999 Individual Donors
Niki A. Canciki Orkenith S. Crisp * Mr. Richard M. Cundy Jerry Falwell, Jr. L. T. Falwell Frances M. Fletcher * Mr. Edward F. Gage Esther Guy William W. Hanlin Barbara Hanshew Mrs. Nedra H. Hendricks Miss Frances Bevier Hiller Charles McCrary Lynn O. Schickling Sr. *
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Miss Pauline Van Meter Adrian C. Vandenbosch * Pete Vann Archie W. Wilson M.G.W. Communications Inc. The John Calvin Bible Foundation
John & Linda Muckel Foundation ProVantage Corporate Solutions, L.L.C. The Clemens Family Corporation The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. Timberland Mulch and Tree Farm Inc. West Cabarrus Church, Inc.
$10,000 - $24,999
$5,000 - $9,999
Verne Bedwell Jeffrey F. Benson Roberta A. Boyce Mr. Henry Gleen Bridges Gene Cahill Mr. Ralph E. Campbell Jack Carter Worth Harris Carter Barry Clarkson Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Coble Evelyn Dotson Paul F. Eagle * Jeff Gaura Mr. & Mrs. Louis W. Hebener Mr. Leslie F. Hildreth Bryant Hilliard Sylvia Vesta Hodge * Norman K. A. Hoffer Barbara Horton Mr. & Mrs. Carroll Hudson Mr. Harmon Hale Johnson Mr. Dwayne J. Kamphuis Thomas W. Kirkpatrick Phyllis J. Leggett * Linda Gaye Martin Mrs. Helen M. Minor Melvin M. Minor * Mr. Richard Mohler Mr. & Mrs. Paul A Morrell Wesley E. Olson * Mr. & Mrs. Ben M. Patterson Rev. & Mrs. Edwin R. Patterson John Earl Poche Chester W. Province * Mr. David S Rochkes Mr. & Mrs. Karl C. Salz Mrs. Madge R. Scharber Dwight L. Sebert * Mrs. Marlene Senner Geroge Shank George R. Spriggel * Mr. Arthur W. Sutton Mr. L. Jack Swertfeger Mr. & Mrs. John Taylor Fred R. Waugh James L. Weaver * Paul Wills I
Anonymous Dr. & Mrs. Gregg R. Albers Ms. Jean W. Anderson June Billingham Mr. Jennings Bryan Birtch Faye Booher Frederick D. Bornman * Anthony E. Brown Gregory Allen Clendenin Mr. Daniel Paul Copp Edith Davidson Mrs. Bernice Dudley Mrs. Virginia L. Ecker Maude L. Freehauf * Monty Fritts Carey Green Keith Kreft Mr. Jon Henry Lienemann Ingeborg Marcum Mrs. Mildred S. Martin Kenneth J Mase Barbara Metzler Frank Miller Mary Irene Miller Mr. Stephen Garrett Mock Mrs. Yvonne S. Oshima Mr. Earl Lloyd Redding Daniel C. Schuster Mike Scranton Mr. Jesse Benjamin Stephens Mr. Edward Frances Sweeney Terrance J. Tigges Roy Unsin * Robert J. & Eva M. Vanerschuur * Carey Wrenn
Organizations
Individual Donors
Organizations Benham Foundation ExxonMobil Foundation Herr Family Foundation
Individual Donors
Organizations Agape Embassy Ministries Amity Christian Church Fair Oaks Church First Baptist Church of Oviedo Go Tell Ministries Inc. H.J.H. Foundation Messmaker Foundation Morningside Evangelical Friends Church Inc. North Metro First Baptist Church of Gwinnett Inc. The Surtman Foundation Venture Church Wells Fargo Foundation Yorktown Baptist Church
$2,500 - $4,999 Individual Donors
Anonymous Alvick Acevedo Mrs. Anna Alajajian Imran Ali Catherine Allen Justin Amos Kathy Anderson Miss Georgiana L. Arakaki Helen P. Arnold * Ashley Bagwell Mr. S. Claude Baker Timothy Baldree David Bell Avis Bennett Patricia Bennett Mr. William E. Berg Matthew Bingham Ginger Blacksmith Kassie Booker Mr. Andrew Walter Bowling Kelly Boyer John Boyle Marshall Brainard Joan Bream Mr. John S. Brill Alva Brown Mr. & Mrs. Dave Brown Mr. & Mrs. William Philip Brown Joseph Cantrell Brad Carlson Sylvia Carnell Erma H. Christensen * John Clack Adam Clark Dominique Claros Lori Compton Cynthia Copp Nakia Crawford Mr. Jerry Craycraft Marsha Crowder Diane Curley Russell Davis Tracey De Blank Mrs. Mary M. Deacon Daniel Deig Debora Durden Linda Ebert Donna Greene Edwards Mr. Louis M. Edwards Tim Edwards William K. Emmanuel Thomas W. Eppes Teri Faucette Natalie Flake Roger Flynt Colleen Frackleton Mr. Joseph A. Furry Ms. Florence Galaska * Estate Gift
Ruth A. Gardiner Mr. & Mrs. Keith S. Gilroy Steven Glover Nancy J. Good Dean Goon Pamela Green Sandra Grimes Mrs. Betty J. Grimm Brenda Griswold Cory Hallett Mr. Robert Handwerker Mr. Kenneth Jay Haven Mrs. Elizabeth Hay Mrs. Wanda Harper Henry Victoria Hernalsteen Michael Herndon Mr. Scott M. Hicks Don Holder Mrs. Chrys S. Holley Michael Dana Horsley Mr. & Mrs. Brian Hufhand Mr. James Larry Ingram Phillip Jamerson Mrs. Leah J. Jeffries Eric Johnson Ray Jones George Joyner Ronald Justice Elizabeth Kargbo Megan Kelton Mr. William C. Kemp Jeffery Michael Klann Susan Klingensmith Brian Landry Mrs. Dormea Lee Lindsey Mr. Eric Nathaniel Lingenfelter Tabatha Lipscomb Robert Lunger Todd M. MacDowall Mr. Homer Massey Susan Matherlee Mr. William F. Mausolf Lauren McEachin Mr. Karl D. Miller Mr. Mark Gene Minar J. Arthur Moore * Richard Morgan Larry Moxley Christina Musser Joyce Myers Mark C. Nazigian Mrs. Julia J. Neal Kristina Olson Mark Overbeek Mr. & Mrs. Bill Parker Patricia Pearce Mr. & Mrs. Galen Edward Peel Mr. Gregory Zane Pendell Dr. & Mrs. Craig Petry Miss Helene Susanne Pilz
Denise Pointer Nicole Powers Mr. & Mrs. George L. Rabine Alwyn Rapose Mr. & Mrs. Jack S. Reid John Reisig Mrs. Karin Renner Kamryn Reynolds Brandy Reynolds Brandon Rhodes Miss Margaret E. Richardson Rebecca Rivers Thomas A. Rogers Clarence Perry Rutherford Greg Sarchet Mrs. Fredia D. Schnure Mr. David A. Smiley Archie Smith Elizabeth Smith Lauretta Smith Tony Spangler Charles Starbuck * Sarah Strohman Mrs. Marian D. Sullivan Mr. Bruce Allen Summers Jodi Tarnstrom Robert Theodore Jenny Tollison Bonnie Torrence Robin Trott Paul Tucker Darryl Updike Claresa Venson Mable Weatherby Mr. Brett E. Weiss Emily Wenger William Floyd White Mrs. Wilma P. White Mr. & Mrs. Don Widener Keith Williams Mr. Harry C. Wilson Jewel E. Wilson Mr. Warren L. Witschey Mr. & Mrs. Scott Wolf Mrs. Laura Yockey Sandra Young
Organizations Abundant Life Christian Fellowship Bank of America Matching Gifts Barnes & Noble College Booksellers Bee Line Transport Inc. Believers Bell Shoals Baptist Church Inc. Cleveland Community Church Inc. Cornerstone Chapel Deep Creek Baptist Church E.C.P L.L.C. Emmanuel Baptist Church-Johnstown First Baptist Church of Rockville First Baptist Church of Wesley Chapel
First Baptist Church-Milan First Baptist Church-Pikeville Foundation for Hope, Inc. Fragra-Matics MFG Co. Inc. Franklin Heights Baptist Church Grace Baptist Church-Bowie Grace Bible Church-Mena Grove Hill Baptist Church Iglesia Bautista Central De Greenacres Ironbridge Baptist Church Lebanon Community Fellowship Lloyd Concrete Services, Inc. Lynchburg Ready Mix Concrete Co. Inc. Maplewood Baptist Church Moore’s Electrical & Mechanical Construction, Inc. New Life Church-Gahanna Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia Powell’s Truck & Equipment/ Idealease, Inc. Seay Construction LLC Simventions Inc. The Tabernacle Inc. Thriving Churches International Total Packaging Services L.L.C. Tunecore United Technologies ValleyDale Church Wincare Chiropractic Center
$1,000 - $2,499 Individual Donors
Dr. Eugene G. Adams Mr. Jon Adams Peter and Angela Agnoletto Edwin Allen Mrs. Elizabeth Allen Lorena M. Allen Mrs. Sara H. Almes Bryan Richard Anderson Robert Anderson Steve Andrews Sandra Armstrong Mr. & Mrs. Tom Arnold Miss Teena Atchley Mr. Doward Austin Margaret Austin Philip Eugene Ayers Spencer Ball Sue Banks Chelsey Barba Jeff Barber Arnold Barnes Earl Barnett Ryan Barr Mr. Gilbert C. Bartel Earl Baynard Jimmy Jack Beale Mr. & Mrs. Fred N. Beason Benny Bennington
Mr. James D. Berens Mr. John A. Berg William Bevens Anna Biddison Mark Bilger Mr. David Bingham Betty Birtch Gary Bixby Paul Bloomfield Sallie Blosser Douglas Blumenthal Gary Wayne Boardman O. H. Bobbitt Thomas Boderck * Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Bonheim Neal Bosche Mr. Darin Bowers Natalie Bowie Mr. & Mrs. James E. Brandt Barbara Braun Shannon Bream Mr. Sheldon Arthur Bream Mr. & Mrs. John Brennan Mr. Ralph Brigman Mr. & Mrs. Fred F. Bryant Joel Bullock Michael Burton David Byrnside Russell Calfee William & Helen Campbell * Tara Cantrell Mr. & Mrs. Philip A. Captain Mr. Berton E. Card Blake Carl Mr. & Mrs. Brian Carter Mr. Robert Elliott Carter Mr. David E. Carwile Mr. & Mrs. Alberto Chalmeta Ashley Cheshire Leandro Chico Dr. Hyun David Chung Jason Cobb Carolyn Coburn Wayne Cocke Mr. Charles N. Cole C. Peter Cole Eileen Colein William Collins Kurt D. Cornfield Mr. Kevin Corwin Mr. Gene Cox Mr. Kenneth Cox William Cox Jacob Crawford Michelle Crivella Mr. John F. Cross Jane Crouchman Dan Crumley Anna Cruz Tina Cruz * Estate Gift LIBERTY JOURNAL
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The Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Circle 2011
Mary Cyrus Gerard Dache John Darnall Mr. William Darr John Dateo Charlotte David Mr. & Mrs. James Frank Davis Robert Davis Sharon Davy Mr. John Kenneth Day Deborah DeCindio Marline Delara Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Delisle Martha Delrosario Rhonda Denardo Sean Dennerlein Ray S. Detwiler * Christopher Devlin Gerrit Devries Mr. & Mrs. Douglas F. Diedrichsen Sheryle DiFernando Jackie Dingess John Dorminy Ms. Evelyn M. Dorrer Miss Carole L. Douglas Gordon Douglas Lois Dowdy Lisa Duckett Brandon Dyer Mr. Gary Eastman Karen Edward Lavonda Edwards Deborah Elder James Elrod Sandra Elrod Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Enderud Mark Estepp Mrs. Shirley Evans Jodi Everist Mrs. Anne Fairchild Linda L. Farver Mr. Robert E. Faulkner Pascal Fenasse Mrs. Lois E. Fergerson Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth E. Ferry Eric Fletcher Mr. & Mrs. Oswald Forsee Kathryn Frankfurt William Fray Kevin Frye Rosie Gantt Kelly Garber Max Gasser Dr. John D. George Anna Gervasi HebatAllah Ghali Janet Gilliland Catherine Goddard Dr. Ronald S. Godwin Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Good
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Martha Gosliga Amanda Gregory Peggy Griggs Debra Groeneveld Aaron Grosch Stephen Grow Carol Hadley Richard Halstead Jordan Hamblen Mr. Eugene Wilson Hamby Vic Hamer Mr. Robert A. Harris Lucas Hartman Teresa Hathaway Donna Hedger John Hedger Jeffrey Helgeson Tammy Hendren Madeline Hendrickson Tyler Hester Emily Hiatt Rhonda Hill Mr. Timothy Alan Hill Rosa Hirst Geraldine Hoffman Melanie Hoggard Emily Hokrein Gina Holloway Mr. & Mrs. Charles M. Holmes Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Holmes Mr. Carl Andrew Holt Andrew Horner Mary Hudson Colleen Hughes Brent Humberson Thomas Humphries Garald Hunt Mr. & Mrs. Jim Jackson Victoria Jacob Paul Jenkins Trent Jenkins Jonathan Jimmerson Adaljira Johnson Ashley Johnson Ranford W. Johnson John H. Jones Dave Joseph George Justice Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Keating Patricia Kelleher Kristin Kemmerer Mark Kenchel Scott Kennedy Kevin N. Keys Gerald L. Kimble Jeff King Katrina King Mr. & Mrs. Brian Klock Raymond Klotz Alison Knights
Mr. & Mrs. Harold L. Knowles Mr. & Mrs. Arlus Ray Kramer Joel Krautter Therese Kwiatek Mr. & Mrs. Louis R. Lamay Mary C. Landon-Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Jay B. Larsen Mr. & Mrs. Dale Richard Layer Richard Leitz Jr. Sarah Lenzen Lindsay Lewis Sarah Lewis Mrs. Verna Lohmann Mrs. Luella D. Lohr John Loving Cynthia Lowery Miss Deloris Ilene Loy Joseph Lutz Shannon Madara Kathleen Magnuson Gretchen Mahoney Steven Mahoney Allen Martin Frieda Martin Kati Masters Mr. & Mrs. L. Stanley Mauger Mr. Douglas K. May Martin May Mary May Mr. Michael Alan McCleery Terrance McCloskey Mr. Greg L. McClure Kayla McDaniel Raymond McFadden Daniel McGarvey Christine McGourty Thomas McGourty, Jr Dr. & Mrs. Frank H. Meyers Paul G. Miller Dianne Mills Bliselda Miranda Kevin Mirner James W. Mitchell Mr. P. H. Mitchell Beverly Mock Mrs. Lorine D. Monk Buddy Moore Hal Moore Mr. Phillip Michael Morris Donna Moss Lauren Mosset Christine Nelms Gary Nelson Audra Nelson Scott Nentwich Arthur Nicholson * Mrs. Martha Nunnally Janice Obrecht Mr. Clyde E. Ott William J. Overton
William S. Overton Pamela Owen Jeffrey Pardine Ms. Trudy G. Parker Erin Passmore Peggy Payne W. C. Payne * Jasmine Pearson Meredith Peed Joe Perez Michael Vaughn Pogue Mr. Andrew J. Prantner Samantha Previs Diane Price Mary Pritchard Felice Procaccio Mr. Robi Quick Stephanie Raj Mrs. Fran JoAnn Randall Suzanne Raulli Mr. Rodney M. Reeser Bradley Regnaert Mr. Edward Renner Brenda Renshaw Arlene Rice Mrs. Dottie Jean Rice Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Calvin Rine Benjamin Ritter Mr. & Mrs. Reed Robbins Emily Roby Mr. & Mrs. Dale Roede Jon Rogers Frank Rojas Mr. Ray Romine J. Gorman Rosenberger Mr. Thomas I. Rosenberger Mrs. Cheryl A. Runyan Dale Russell Julia Sager Barbara Sain Mr. & Mrs. Melvin C. Sand Dr. & Mrs. Earl Sargeant Jessie Sargent Daniel Sargent John Albert Sarver Martin Saurr Leonard Schaeffer Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schmidt Carey Schott Adam Schwenk James Scolet Kiersten Sechrist Amy Shane Mr. & Mrs. James Shaner Jacob A. Shellenberger Gary Shepard Dianne Sheridan Mr. Russell Thomas Shipp Charles Shock Mr. Paul Sjogren * Estate Gift
Darin Skilling Danny M. Smith Leanne Smith Richelle Smith Mr. & Mrs. Willard T. Smith Mr. James Morris Snedigar Kim Snyder Mr. Hoyt Sparks Mr. David Spear Keith St Clair Marlene Stacy Joshua D. Stamm Elizabeth Stamp Mr. Arthur Sterrett Mr. Gilbert R. Stetson Gary Stevens Dorothy Stout Mr. Robert John Straub Scott Suddreth Martha A. Sudholt Robert Sullivan Barbara Sundheim Whitney Sweat Michael Swiger Mr. Douglas Taylor Dr. & Mrs. C. J. Terrana Donna Thedford Holly Theodore Dinah Thompson Irene Thompson Mr. & Mrs. John Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Philip C. Tillman Carl Timmer Jim Toman Elizabeth Toone Stephen Truitt Audrey Truskett Charles Upchurch Charles Upjohn Dr. Richard D. Urwiller Gerry Valera Mr. & Mrs. G. Nick Van Belkum Mazy Van Kleek Serena Varley Stephanie Vaughn Mona Wagner Thomas Wang Daniel Ward Darrell Alan Wargo Victoria Warner Philip Allen Watkins Andrew Webb Phil Wegner Carolyn Weyant Stanton Mr. Thomas R. Whittaker Joanne Wible Raymond Wilhoit Ann Wilkins Mrs. Amy L. Williams Mr. Anthony James Williams
John Williams Nancy Williams Miss Triniti Williams Mr. & Mrs. George W. Wilson Patricia Wilson Wendell O. Wilson Mark Edward Wise Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Wolpert Kendra Wood G. Woodward Debbie Wright Randolph Wright Mr. Gary Thomas York Patricia Young Walter Young Lisa Zimmerman
Organizations 316 Church Able Enviromental Safety and Health Alfred & Rosemary Giumarra Foundation Allegheny Bible Church Amelia Baptist Church Amsted Industries Foundation Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church Bank of America Barnabas Foundation Bayside Church/Thrive Communications Bayside Community Church Inc. Berean Baptist Church Bethel Christian Center Inc. Betty and Bob Foundation Inc. Bible Baptist Church Bible Mission International Inc. Biltmore Baptist Church Brushy Creek Baptist Church Burke Community Church Calvary Baptist Church Inc. Calvary Baptist Church-Connersville Calvary Baptist Church-Dothan Calvary Baptist Church-Onslow Calvary Baptist Church-Woodbridge Calvary Baptist Tabernacle-Vestal Calvary Church-Charlotte Carmel Baptist Church Central Baptist Church Chesapeake Christian Fellowship, Inc. Child Evangelism Fellowship of Bucks County Chiquita Brands Christ Chapel Mountaintop Christian and Missionary Alliance Church Church at the Crossroads Colonial Heights Baptist Church Community Baptist Church of Richmond Inc. Community Bible Church - Beaufort Cornerstone Church of Maiden Country & Town Baptist Church Cox Realty
Cross Church Crosspointe Baptist Church - Millington Crosspointe Church D.R.L. Camps Daystar Worship Center Denbigh Baptist Church D.F.W. Plastics Inc. Discovery Alliance Church Dominion Foundation eAdvisor Compliance, Inc. Emmanuel Baptist Church of Hartsville, Inc. Faith Baptist Church of Knightdale, N.C. Faith Christian Fellowship of Halfway Fellowship Baptist Church Fincastle Baptist Church First Baptist Church - Roanoke First Baptist Church of Alpharetta First Baptist Church of Euless First Baptist Church of Grove City First Baptist Church of Naples Inc. First Baptist Church of Norfolk First Baptist Church of Snellville First Baptist Church of Turnersville, N.J. First Baptist Church-Rogers First Baptist of Ellijay Flowers Foods Fox News Network L.L.C. Genoa Baptist Church Gjovik Auto Group Good Hope Baptist Church Grace Bible Church-Rockwell Grace Brethren Church of Powell, Ohio Grace Brethren Church-Wooster Grace Life Community Church Greenway Baptist Church Harvest Ministries Hebron Baptist Church Hephzibah Baptist Church Heritage Baptist Church Hickory Grove Baptist Church-Charlotte Hope Baptist Church Huff Stuart and Carlton Iglesia Luterana Principe De Paz Immanuel Bible Church-Springfield J. M. Smith Foundation J.N.H. Partnership L.L.C. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Inc. Jubilee Christian Center Liberty Baptist Church Lifepoint Church Lifepoint Church-Fredericksburg Lorry’s Island End Motel, L.L.C. Master’s Inn Ministries Inc. Maysville Baptist Church McCoy Memorial Baptist Church Inc. Mercy Community Church Metropolitan Baptist Church Metrowest Ministries Inc. Midway Macedonia Baptist Church
Millers Creek Baptist Church Inc. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Nashville Baptist Church National Christian Foundation New Covenant New Life Community Church New River Baptist Association Oak View Baptist Church-High Point Olive Grove Baptist Church Otterbein United Brethren in Christ Parkway Baptist Church Providence Baptist Church-Raleigh Purcellville Baptist Church Reedy Branch Baptist Church Rejoice Ministries Inc. Riverside Baptist Church Rocks Baptist Church Sharon Baptist Church-Savannah Smith Memorial Baptist Church Snow Hill Baptist Church Southside Baptist Church Speed The Seed Spotswood Baptist Church Spout Spring Ruritan Club State Farm Companies Foundation Tektronix Foundation The E.C. Glass Class of ’76 The Kalsch Christian Education The Scholarship Foundation The Terry and Connie Begley Charitable Gift Fund Thomson Reuters Trawick International Inc. Trinity Gospel Church Verizon Virginia Church Of God Youth Fellowship Wakefield Central Baptist Church Warren Baptist Church Watermark Church West County Line Baptist Church Westside Church-Simpsonville Word of Life Family Church of Burlington Inc. Working Faith Ministries
If we have omitted, misspelled, or misplaced your name, please accept our apologies and notify our office by calling toll free (866) 602-7983. * Estate Gift
LIBERTY JOURNAL
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The President’s Circle 2012
The President’s Circle
Champions give of themselves and their resources and Liberty celebrates this partnership.The President’s Circle is a listing of those whose giving to Liberty University qualifies for one of the following categories. This list recognizes donors from Jan. 1 – April 30, 2012.
$500,000 - $999,999 Individual Donors
T. Sherwin Cook Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy N. Thomas, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Glen Nelson Thomas
$100,000 - $499,999 Individual Donors
Erma H. Christensen* Dick Metzler
$50,000 - $99,999 Individual Donors
Voncile T Cates* Wanda S. Frantz Elliott* Dr. Pax M. Lattimore Dora I. Whaley*
$25,000 - $49,999 Individual Donors
Mr. & Mrs. John Ashman* Gordon E. Smith Pauline Van Meter
$10,000 - $24,999 Individual Donors
Leona C. Fuqua Turner Gill Earl Lloyd Redding Anne Sloane* Margaret B. Virkkunen* Mr. & Mrs. Archie W. Wilson
Organizations Clemens Family Corporation H. J. H. Foundation John Calvin Bible Foundation
$5,000 - $9,999 Individual Donors Anonymous Melvin W. Buster* Gayle Gill William Lipscomb Sheyla Lors Geraldine Moose Daniel C. Schuster Roy Unsin*
Organizations Southeast Builders, Inc. Thriving Churches International - Rocklin
$2,500 - $4,999 Individual Donors
Georgiana L. Arakaki Calvin Balsam Stephen W. Bennett Cheryl Billingsley Betty Birtch Mr. & Mrs. Howard A. Bopp* Elizabeth Bourne
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Kimberly Bozeman Caitlin Bradt Sarah Caldwell Eric Catron David Dallenbach Courtrina Dawson Sandra DiGiacomo Pamela Domanski Virginia L. Ecker Katherine Fontaine Jeffrey Fox Mr. & Mrs. Keith S. Gilroy Nancy J. Good Renee Greene Margaret Grothe-Haught Lois Hansberry Sharon Hatcher Gregory Hatcher Karen Henderson Laura Hernandez Rachel Hicks Viola F. Hoak* Patricia Holden Tiffany Irons Ronald & Jennifer Kennedy Mary Frances Y. Lemon Linda Gaye Martin Craig Matherlee Kellie Moledor Latasha Morgan Rhonda Mustafaa Brenda Ozen Oneal Ozen John Paul William T. Pierce* Nakeisha Piggee-Jones Shontorial Posley Manushka Raymonvil Hugo Fred Roberts Amanda Robinson Lena Shealaynosun Courtney Silberman Susan Skatell Donna Smith Tony Spangler Charles Starbuck* Mary Stevenson Ronald Thompson Dr. & Mrs. Elmer L. Towns Idra Trout Tim & Mary Warden Marie Anne Webster Mr. & Mrs. Don Widener Katrina Wiley Dina Zamor
Organizations Exeter Bible Church Fair Oaks Church Fifth Street Baptist Church First Baptist Church Bremen Harris Office Furniture Company Inc.
Hatteras Island Christian Fellowship Hope Baptist Church of Herrick Township Illinois Tool Works Foundation Life Community Church D. Michael Parker D.D.S. People’s Community Baptist Church Timberland Mulch and Tree Farm, Inc. West Cabarrus Church, Inc.
$1,000 - $2,499 Individual Donors
Lorena M. Allen Monty Allen Sandra Armstrong James Ballou Robert & Mildred Baynard* Jimmy Jack Beale Clarence Beavers Luther Beck Zachary Bersani William Bevens Paul Blake Terri Bryant John Burger Timothy Burhoe David M. Burton David Butler Dorothy Byrne Charles R. Cadle Nancy Cadman Hank Campbell Barbara Miranda Campos Deborah Caple Elizabeth Carasella Robert Caun Nancy Chandler Shawna Chaplin Kris Chilcott Robert Clay Christine Clonch Jonathan Cockrell Bruce A. Cogle Amy Conrad Troy Cosner Kenneth Cox Coralie Cox John F. Cross Karcie Crum Elizabeth Cruz Kevin Bryan Cummings John Darnall Robert Day Dale DeBruler Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Delisle Martha Delrosario Coraleta Dill Ruth Dunfee-Lash Bill & Debbie Elder William K. Emmanuel Timothy Everett C.D. Faggard
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth E. Ferry Jill Finnesand Freda Frazier June Gates John Gibbons Mary Godwin Robert Goette Ellis Gomez Sarah Graham Cornelia Graham Lindley Graves, Jr. Elissa Gray Lorna Grim Brenda Griswold Richard Griswold Cory Hallett Jennie Harrell Jude Harrington Robert A. Harris Jeffrey S. Helgeson Margaret Heuisler Rhonda Hill Todd Hinz Dale Hinz Nancy Hudson Patrick Jandik Christine Johnson Eric Johnson Diana Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Karrick Torri Keene Richard Kelly Janine Kilpatrick Stephanie Kimble Carless Kimble Diane Kinker Robert Kjellman Johanna Klein Susan Klingensmith Dawn Knott Jane Helms Knox Mary Kodel Georgiana Korniak Albert Kuda Larry Lamb Paige Lemmon Jon Lienemann Ariel Ligowski Tammie Lingerfelt Cameron Lloyd Deloris Ilene Loy Katherine Lynch Jami Macdonald Rachel MacPherson Scott Mallette Diane Malyj Claire Martin Sandra Masi Mr. & Mrs. L. Stanley Mauger Sheila McClelland * Estate Gift
Barbara Wallace Brenda Walten Daniel W. Ward Mary Warden Stephanie Warner Sara Watson William Floyd White Benjamin Whittington Cynthia Williams Megan Williams John Williams Lee Winters Warren L. Witschey Helen Wood David Wright Richard Wright Gary Thomas York Patricia Young Sandra Young
Organizations Bailey Family Trust, Inc. Bearcreek First Baptist Church Calvary Baptist Church-Dothan Calvary Baptist Church-Staunton Chilhowie Christian Church Christian Faith Center Church at Mercy Crossing Everence Financial Faith Baptist Church-Mason City Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Shiloh P. Finch Trust First Baptist Church - Attica First Baptist Church of Oviedo First Baptist Church of Wesley Chapel First Baptist Church - Dubois First Baptist Church - Pikeville First Bilingual Christian Church of Baltimore Fragra-Matics MFG Co., Inc. Freedom Baptist Church-Salemburg Galena Bible Church Louise Henderson Grange Trust Kohlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s KTA Construction Co. Landscape Servies of Hampton Roads Inc. McCoy Memorial Baptist Church Inc. New Life Church-Gahanna Northwestern Mutual Foundation Oklahoma City Community Foundation Quidnessett Baptist Church RSUI Indemnity Company The Tabernacle, Inc. United Technologies Venture Church Working Faith Ministries Yorktown Baptist Church
C A L I LO W D E R M I L K
Charles McCrary Lauren McEachin Raymond McFadden Toni Mendillo Rachelle Mills Mark Gene Minar Kevin Mirner O. J. & Sue Misjuns Buddy Moore Christina Musser Julia Neel Arthur Nicholson* Paula Norris Anna Nusbaum Sean Patrick OBrien Susan Parisen Kimberly Pearson Charles Pederson Lynda Perpete Seth Peterson Sherri Piper Marian Pogue Bryson Pomeroy Chuck Pourciau Lisa Pratt Samantha Previs Joseph Quinn Stephanie Raj Pieter Reidy Babu Renikuntla Karin Renner Brandon Rhodes Gloria Roakes Richard Roessler Patricia Rusk Mr. & Mrs. Karl C. Salz Andrew Sayre Loretta Sculthorpe George Smith Leah Smith Steve Sneed Donna Snell Wilma Sola Hoyt Sparks Adam Stalcup Deborah Stanley Frederick P. Steininger Mary Stevenson David Stucki Holly Stucki Marian D. Sullivan Jessica Sweet Philip Taylor Amy Thoman David Towles Lisa Tucker Rosemary Siler Turner Mark Ulbricht Lisa Updike Elizabeth Wallace
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