LIBERTY JOURNAL WINTER/SPRING 2018
FREEDOM
TOWER NEW LANDMARK TOPS OFF CAMPUS TRANSFORMATION
WINTER/SPRING 2018 PUBLISHER Jerry Falwell S E N I O R M A N AG I N G E D I TO R Mitzi Bible GRAPHIC DESIGNER Carrie Mitchell CO N TR I B U T I N G E D I TO R S Becki Falwell Kristin Conrad Amanda Stanley STA F F Ted Allen Rebecca Beem Heather Bradley Ron Brown Paige Counts Rachel Dugan Kerry Hogan Cheryl Job Leslie Keeney Tobi Walsh Laukaitis Drew Menard Dawn Neal Amy Price Josh Rice Kim Smith Len Stevens Will Young P H OTO G R A P H E R S Joel Coleman Caroline Cummings Kevin Manguiob Leah Seavers Andrew Snyder Nathan Spencer Jessie Rogers
INSIDE this ISSUE 4 | FREEDOM TOWER
The latest addition to Liberty’s campus is hard to miss. At 275 feet tall, the new Freedom Tower has become a popular place to visit for its spectacular views. Learn more about the training that is taking place here to shape the lives of future church and ministry leaders.
10 | A CALLING TO SERVE
Students at Liberty University School of Law have a passion to help others and are involved in multiple areas of service throughout the community.
14 | DEGREES IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Liberty remains a leader in online education, using the latest in technology to help students learn and succeed.
18 | FLAMES NATION: GET READY
As the Flames make the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision, construction continues on Williams Stadium, and the schedules for upcoming seasons are taking shape.
ON THE COVER Freedom Tower, home of the Rawlings School of Divinity, opened at the start of the spring semester and capped off Liberty’s campus rebuilding efforts. Read about the building’s features and how students are benefitting from this world-class facility, Page 4. Photo by Joel Coleman.
For more information about the Liberty Journal, email news@liberty.edu, call (434) 592-4955, or write to: Liberty University External Communications Office, 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, Va., 24515. View a digital version and past issues at Liberty.edu/LibertyJournal. For information on Liberty’s academic programs, the admissions process, alumni, or athletics, call (434) 582-2000. Liberty University is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any military service. Liberty University does not engage in unlawful discrimination or harassment because of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, or military veteran status in its educational programs and activities. Liberty University maintains its Christian character and reserves its right to discriminate on the basis of religion to the extent that applicable law respects its right to act in furtherance of its religious objectives.
SKATING TO THE TOP: Liberty’s ACHA Division I women’s hockey team has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for all but one voting period this season, winning a program record 19 games in a row to finish the fall semester at 19-2. The Lady Flames outscored opponents by a 104-22 margin through January and will be a favorite to advance to the Final Four of the ACHA Division I National Championships March 14-18 in Columbus, Ohio.
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| A SWEET, SWEET SOUND
Dr. Kenneth Dormer, Ph.D., of the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, made significant contributions to science and to society as a member of the team that developed the cochlear implant.
25 | NEWS & EVENTS
Liberty alumni are taking their talents to TV and to the big screen, student entrepreneurs are sparking new businesses, and dialogue continues on unity and diversity in the campus environment.
Liberty celebrated the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art natatorium in January.
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42 | DIVE ON IN
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When Liberty University broke ground over two years ago on the structure that would top off its nearly $1 billion campus rebuilding, Dr. Ed Hindson, dean of the Rawlings School of Divinity, said Freedom Tower was aptly named. “We stand for the freedom of the power of the Gospel,” he said. “Freedom is a message of truth that transforms an individual — it not only forgives our sin, but changes us from within and makes us new creations. This tower will remind us that God is at the center of this campus and that He is the reason why we do everything.” Now, the 275-foot-tall tower and the large, three-story building encircling its base is a bold, tangible sign of Liberty’s
commitment to preparing students both academically and spiritually. It points heavenward, toward the One whom Liberty and its students, faculty, and staff seek to honor. The facility is not only the architectural centerpiece of campus, it is also the home of the School of Divinity, the world’s largest school for religious studies and ministerial training. From the moment you step inside, it’s obvious that work of eternal significance is being done there. Just inside the main doors stands a large globe, and at its feet are engraved the words of Matthew 28:19: “Go, and make disciples of all nations” – in English and in Greek. Classrooms and offices for the various centers within the School of Divinity
are located throughout the building, including the tower. The ground level includes a 150-seat interactive classroom as well as an immersion classroom with projectors that surround the room, visually transporting students to remote locations, such as the Holy Land. From the lobby, visitors can take a contemporary grand staircase with landings on the second and third floors or use one of the elevators on either side to travel higher up the tower. More adventurous visitors can take the single stairwell and climb the 409 steps to the top, admiring the views of campus every step of the way. Levels 2 and 3 feature rooftop terraces, with the fourth floor boasting a large, wrap-around plaza and garden pergola. >>
409 STEPS from top to bottom
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each is 34-by-20 with 12-foot ceilings
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>> A homiletics lab for students to sharpen their preaching and public speaking skills is on the seventh floor, while the eighth floor holds a conference room. Floors 9-12 are made up of more classrooms, and an executive conference room is located on Floor 13. Visitors enjoy expansive views of the campus lawn from the indoor observation deck on Floor 15, though 360-degree views are available on the 17th floor, accessible through a special glass elevator that runs between the two floors only. At the very top, you can also gaze at the 25-bell carillon, including Liberty’s own Liberty Bell, cast in 1976, hanging above.
The lead architectural firm on the project was VMDO, out of Charlottesville, Va., which worked closely with Construction Management Associates. Both have been responsible for several projects in Liberty’s campus rebuilding. Fox & Associates of Richmond, Va., was the lead structural engineering firm. A grand opening was held on Feb. 5, attended by Liberty leadership, School of Divinity faculty and staff, generous supporters, and representatives from the City of Lynchburg. Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Ron Hawkins greeted guests and opened the ceremony with a prayer.
700 CUBIC YA R D S of concrete foundation
President Jerry Falwell then addressed the crowd, explaining that as the master plan for Liberty’s massive campus rebuilding unfolded over the years, there was no single building that he felt could be the focal point of campus. The idea of a tower that would also serve an academic purpose was well-received. >>
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Left to right: Dan Deter, Liberty vice president of major construction; Jonathan Falwell, senior pastor, Thomas Road Baptist Church; Dr. Elmer Towns, Liberty co-founder and former dean; Dr. Ron Hawkins, provost and chief academic officer; President Jerry Falwell; Dr. Ed Hindson, dean, Rawlings School of Divinity; Bobby Moon, president, Construction Management Associates; Megan Lucas, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance CEO.
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PICTURE PERFECT Since the start of the spring semester, Freedom Tower has become a popular place to visit and take photographs. Check out these posts from social media. Students and guests, we thank you for sharing these scenes with us!
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>> “Freedom Tower will be a testament to our heritage as a Christian university and will really make a statement to everyone for years to come about what the school is all about,” Falwell said. “That was the idea, and we are so thrilled to see it take shape.” As a divinity student himself in the 1980s, Falwell talked about how the school helped to shape his Christian worldview. He also thanked the donors and supporters, including the Rawlings family (brothers Herb, Harold, Carrol, and George), whose foundation donated $12 million toward the project. The family has been directly involved with some of the unique aspects of the building, including a scriptorium, which will open in April. The family was not present at the ceremony, but will receive a full tour on one of their regular visits to campus in the near future. Liberty co-founder and former dean Dr. Elmer Towns also addressed the crowd. He talked about the extraordinary faith of Liberty’s founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, who saw
the vision for a world-class university that would train and equip students to reach the world for Christ. “Today, I am overwhelmed by what God has done by the faith of Dr. Falwell and his son, Jerry Falwell Jr., and what they want to do for God,” he said. Towns recalled speaking at Liberty’s first Convocation in 1971, preaching on the Great Commission in Matthew 28, the same Scripture that is now etched on the lobby floor. Hindson then spoke about the building’s state-of-the-art features, calling it “a divinity school for the 21st century.” “This is an electronic marvel that has incorporated some of the greatest ideas of modern technology that are going to
enable us to teach more powerfully and effectively than ever before,” he said. But aside from its state-of-the-art features, Freedom Tower will stand as a beacon of truth in a world in need of a Savior. “The light of the Gospel will shine from this building for generations to come, reminding us that the truth of Scripture speaks into every discipline of academic study,” Hindson said. “It is our prayer that when people see the lights of the building at night, it will remind them that the light of truth must resonate from this place.” The ceremony concluded with a closing prayer of dedication from Thomas Road Baptist Church Senior Pastor Jonathan Falwell.
COMING SOON: The Rawlings Scriptorium, located on the first floor, is scheduled to open in April. The exhibit will display a collection of sacred texts valued at over $1 million as well as interactive screens and a life-size replica of the Gutenberg press, the first movable-type printing press.
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of explosives were used to clear 9,000 cubic yards of hard rock A full-size replica of the Liberty Bell — commissioned in 1976 to celebrate America’s bicentennial and the renaming of Lynchburg Baptist College to Liberty Baptist College — is the centerpiece of the 25-bell carillon, which is electronically controlled and can be programmed to play a number of melodies.
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LED lights line the exterior structure of Freedom Tower. A programmable system allows the tower to be lit up in a variety of colors and can be used for celebrating events, including holidays and when the Flames make a touchdown. After the Super Bowl, the tower was lit up in green in honor of Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback and Liberty student Nick Foles for his dedication to living out his faith during his football career (see more on Foles on Page 15).
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Dr. Carl Diemer conducts class in the upstairs lobby of the original Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1975.
Dr. Kevin King teaches a class in the homiletics lab on the seventh floor of Freedom Tower on Feb. 5.
BLESSINGS ABOUND EVEN WITH THE GROWTH, RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY REMAINS STEADFAST I N I T S M I S S I O N TO I M PAC T T H E W O R L D F O R C H R I S T Founded as Lynchburg Baptist Theological Seminary in September 1973, Liberty’s divinity school began with an enrollment of 41 students and Jerry Falwell Sr. as president and chancellor. Classroom space was limited, so students sometimes met in the upstairs lobby of the original Thomas Road Baptist Church. Almost 45 years later, the Rawlings School of Divinity continues to demonstrate that a rigorous academic program can be built on faith, dedication, and the blessings of God. In 1975, the seminary was given approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to grant graduate degrees. In 2015, approval was granted by Liberty’s Board of Trustees to combine the School of Religion with the seminary, forming the Rawlings School of Divinity, named in honor of the Rawlings Foundation, which has donated $12 million in recent years. Brothers Carrol, Harold, George, and Herb Rawlings have been directly involved in the planning of the upcoming scriptorium and other unique features in the building. Their father, the late Dr. John Rawlings, was a pastor for over 70 years and was an advisor to Falwell Sr., during Liberty’s
early years. He also served on the Board of Trustees. “Liberty University is deeply grateful to the Rawlings family for this incredible investment,” said Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr. “I think it’s the perfect capstone to everything else we’ve done.” The School of Divinity offers programs both on campus and online, from the certificate to the doctoral level. With a variety of academic tracks available, students can pursue degrees that match their area of interest, all with a solid, biblically based foundation. Courses are designed to cultivate authentic faith, Christlike character, and professional excellence. Programs equip people for lay ministry, personal enrichment, global leadership, church leadership, and advanced scholarly research. Graduates are grounded in the knowledge of God’s Word, a desire to impact the world for God’s kingdom, and the skills to engage the culture with the Gospel. Renowned faculty bring more than a firm commitment to conservative evangelical theology to the classroom — they bring years of research and publishing, ministerial experience, cultural influence, and leadership.
As a Christian community, the School of Divinity seeks to encourage spiritual growth and faithful service to Christ and His church. As an academic community, it imparts knowledge and necessary skills to men and women who are called to Christian ministry. As a service community, it seeks to respond to the needs of local churches and ministries as they participate in worship, global evangelism, discipleship, and scholarship.
For a full list of degree offerings, visit
LIBERTY.EDU/DIVINITY Biblical Studies (B.A.) Camp and Outdoor Adventure Leadership (B.S.) Global Studies (B.A.) Pastoral Leadership (B.S.) Theology and Apologetics (B.A.) Youth Ministries (B.S.) Christian Ministry (M.A.) Sport Chaplaincy (M.A.) Religion (M.A.R.) Religious Education (M.R.E.) Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Master of Theology (Th.M.) Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Theology and Apologetics (Ph.D.)
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‘A CALLING to SERVE’ L I B E RT Y L AW S T U D E N T S E M B R A C E O P P O RT U N I T I E S T O H E L P O T H E R S BY
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Liberty Law students (from left) Christina Wright, Aaron Minguez, Taylor Noonan, and Johnna Chick participate in the Virginia Legal Aid Society’s pro bono program to help low-income individuals in Lynchburg.
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Since she was a little girl, Taylor Noonan has cared about human rights issues. “I have a passion to advocate for people who do not have a voice,” she said. “I want to stand up for the rights of the downtrodden and restore justice to seemingly hopeless situations.” With an undergraduate degree in international relations, Noonan had a number of career options available to her. “I wanted to choose a career where I could help people in the name of Jesus,” she said. “The law is an effective tool that impacts every single person, and I felt that a law degree could give me an opportunity to help the most people with the amount of knowledge and skills that I would learn in law school.” Her journey brought her 2,749 miles, nearly coast-to-coast, from Santa Cruz, Calif., to Lynchburg, Va., because “God made it exceedingly clear” that Liberty University School of Law was the best place for her legal training. Noonan is now a third-year law student. Likewise, second-year law student Rachel Ballman moved from Florida to Lynchburg because of the unique culture at Liberty Law. “Liberty definitely attracts people who have a mission, a calling,” Ballman said. “People at Liberty’s law school have this mindset more than people I talk to at other law schools. … I went to law school to be a defender — someone who will stand up for victims of abuse.” The idea that law is a service profession is a deeply rooted belief at
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Liberty Law, one that draws promising scholars with the talents and hearts to use their gifts to better the world. “At Liberty University School of Law, one of the foundational tenets is a belief that the study and practice of law is a calling — a calling to serve others,” explained B. Keith Faulkner, dean of Liberty Law. “Being the voice of the voiceless, helping to heal the broken, and protecting liberty and the rule of law through public service are certainly the noblest of traditions that lawyers — especially Liberty lawyers — should strive toward. Our students enter Liberty Law with that desire to serve.”
TAKING ACTION
From the moment students enter Liberty Law as first years (1Ls), the doors are open for them to roll up their sleeves and help others. As students sharpen their skills through their second (2L) and third (3L) years, the opportunities become more specialized. Recently, law students assisted hundreds of community members by offering free tax services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). “The law is not something to be learned and placed on a shelf; rather it
is practiced and applied,” said Liberty Law Associate Dean of External Communications Tim Spaulding. “That is why providing students the opportunity to use and apply their knowledge by engaging with diverse communities is a primary focus of Liberty Law.” Taylor Noonan combines her training and passion to serve by working with the Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS), which offers no-cost legal services to low-income individuals. VLAS and Liberty formed a partnership last year that allows eligible 3Ls to interview, counsel, and represent clients in court under the supervision of an attorney. Cases involve issues such as housing, public benefits, guardianship, uncontested divorce, unemployment, and Social Security. Civil legal issues will affect everyone at some point, explained Kristine Smith, Esq., VLAS pro bono director and managing attorney. “It hits so many areas of our lives … and it is cost prohibitive. The statistics on how much better parties do when they are represented are overwhelming. Our system is made to work when each party has zealous and effective advocacy.”
With a broad service region, covering 20 counties, six cities (including Lynchburg), and multiple towns, the VLAS is inundated with cases. Liberty Law students have proven to be an “invaluable asset,” she said. “They have been phenomenal in how they interact with clients. I think our firm and our legal aid system across the board is going to benefit,” Smith added. “They are so energetic and so willing to do anything that will help. I think the value (students add) is only going to increase.” Smith has seen a genuine effort by Liberty, beginning with the administration, to add value to the community through its combination of service and expertise. “I think Liberty has done so much for Lynchburg, taking the skills from their professional schools and putting their students out there so our community benefits,” Smith said. “A lot of schools might say that, but Liberty definitely walks the walk. It makes the legal community and all of our clients realize what a wonderful resource we have at Liberty and how it is mutually beneficial for all of us.” “We are really proud to be Lynchburg’s law school, and we want >>
Kristine Smith, Esq., (left) pro bono director and managing attorney at the Virginia Legal Aid Society, talks with third-year law student Taylor Noonan, who serves at VLAS.
The National Jurist’s preLaw Magazine has repeatedly recognized Liberty University School of Law as one of the Best Law Schools for Public Service.
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>> Lynchburg to be proud of us,” Faulkner said. “Getting out here serving in the community is part of that.”
HELPING CHILDREN AND VETERANS
As a 2L, Rachel Ballman has already been given a practical, firsthand look at how the legal system works for area children. As a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer, she labors as a third party in child custody cases that involve some level of neglect or abuse. In this role, she interviews all those involved, from health care providers to birth and foster parents, and presents a written report to the court. While she originally pursued a legal career to help sex trafficking victims, the experience has broadened her aspirations to include child advocacy.
“I am really able to see not only the need but also how important child advocacy is,” Ballman said. “I’m seeing
attorneys has been really helpful to me in understanding how the law works in regard to children and child abuse.” First-year law student Mary Johnson is married to a marine veteran, and the couple has two sons also in the corps — one active and one recently discharged. As she learned about the struggles many veterans faced, Johnson developed a desire to advocate for veterans and, at age 47, started law school. Last October, Johnson jumped at the opportunity to volunteer when Liberty served as a host site for the Veterans Legal Services Clinic, presented by the Attorney General’s Office in partnership with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and the Virginia State Bar. Johnson’s goal was to give the veterans “a real connection” as she sat in on their attorney interviews
“Being the voice of the voiceless, helping to heal the broken, and protecting liberty and the rule of law through public service are certainly the noblest of traditions that lawyers — especially Liberty lawyers — should strive toward.” B. KEITH FAULKNER, dean of Liberty Law how the system works and correlates to things I am learning in school. Being in court and being around these
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In August, incoming Liberty Law students volunteered time on a Saturday to paint the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center in Lynchburg. The event was a way for the students to kick off their law school careers by serving the community. AND REW SNYD ER
ABOVE: Liberty served as a host site for the Veterans Legal Services Clinic in October, and Liberty Law students volunteered while observing practicing attorneys give back to American heroes. LEFT: Every year, Liberty Law students volunteer to help with the Superhero Run for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which is a voice for children who are removed from homes due to abuse or neglect. The November event was held on campus and raised more than $50,000.
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FEATURES and served as a legal witness to their document signings. “Sometimes, I look at this journey and think, ‘I am a nontraditional student; I will never make it,’” she said, noting that her sons’ service prompted her to consider a second career after years working in information technology. “But then you hear somebody affirm why you need to do this,” she said, referring to
a time when one of her veteran clients expressed his appreciation for her. “He looked me in the eye and said, ‘You’re just like me.’” Johnson wants to continue to put the law to work for those who feel like it’s beyond their means to seek legal assistance. In moments like these, Liberty’s law students experience the joy of touching a life. The idea that
their education is truly a calling is reinforced, inspiring them to do more. “My client and I just had a conversation that made him feel like a real person,” Johnson said. “He told me, ‘This gives me hope that people are starting to recognize that we have needs.’ It meant a lot to him, and it was life-changing for me.” Learn more at Liberty.edu/Law.
LAW PROFESSOR TAKES LEAD ROLE IN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Caren Harp, who served the past six years at Liberty University School of Law as an associate professor, was sworn in as administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for the Department of Justice in January. Harp was appointed to the position by President Donald J. Trump in December, while she was still teaching at Liberty.
Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in the Family Court Division of the New York City Law Department, managing public defender for the 13th Judicial District in Arkansas, and a trial attorney in the Capital Conflicts Unit of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission. At Liberty, Harp taught courses on children and the law, evidence, professional responsibility, and lawyering skills. She holds
perspective from both sides of the courtroom. “It gives me a balanced look at things,” she said. She also hopes to bring creativity in solving problems. Having come from a rural district, she said, she learned to be creative with resources that were more limited than in larger, urban operations. In her career, Harp has maintained working relationships with many professionals across the country. “I hope to be able to bring all of their
“These students are so precious, and I am so inspired by their passion. They have a desire to serve and to advocate for people who cannot help themselves.” CAREN HARP
Harp brings nearly three decades of experience to the office. She currently serves on the ABA Juvenile Justice Standards Task Force and the National Steering Committee for the Vision 21 Project at the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Harp is a former director of the National Juvenile Justice Prosecution Center at the American Prosecutors Research Institute and has been chief deputy prosecuting attorney in El Dorado, Ark., chief of the
her J.D. from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville and has dedicated many years of her professional career to improving outcomes for youth in the legal system and training attorneys to advance courtroom practice. “My new role is a culmination of all the ways my life path has prepared me for this,” Harp said. “It seems like everything has come together.” Having worked as a prosecutor and a defender, she believes she can bring a broad
wisdom and good advice and good innovations to bear on any work that we do,” she said. Harp said leaving Liberty is difficult, but she is willing to return after her tenure in the nation’s capital. “These students are so precious, and I am so inspired by their passion,” she said. “They have a desire to serve and to advocate for people who cannot help themselves. They just energize me every day, so I will be missing that wonderful energy I get from them. It is such a privilege to try to shepherd them into the profession; they give me hope … I will miss working with them every day.”
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DEGREES IN THE
DIGITAL AGE T H R O U G H I N N OVAT I O N A N D T E C H N O LO GY, L I B E R T Y R E M A I N S A L E A D E R I N O N L I N E E D U C AT I O N BY DREW MENARD
From sending videotaped lessons through the mail in the 1980s, to taking advantage of high-speed internet to reach thousands across the globe today, Liberty University has used the latest technological advancements to help students meet their career goals. As more institutions realize that online programs are significant to the future of academia, they are looking to Liberty as the standard-setter. And with its firm mission to Train Champions for Christ, the university has kept its focus on the student experience, providing quality education in a convenient and affordable format that utilizes the latest digital teaching tools. “It is more than just being competitive,” explained Dr. Scott Hicks, vice provost for graduate education. “It is about adding value for our students.” Liberty’s tuition remains among the lowest for private institutions — about 30 percent below the national average. Tuition for all online undergraduate,
graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in three years, and this coming fall, Liberty is taking this commitment a step further. Because college students often indicate that the high cost of books causes them to purchase outdated versions or even to take fewer classes, digital books and instructional materials will be provided at no cost to all online students enrolled in undergraduate programs starting Fall 2018. (Textbooks that have no digital option will be provided to students in hard copies at no cost.) “Our priority is doing our best to operate in such a way that we can minimize costs for the student,” Hicks said. “With the high cost of education out there, the goal at Liberty is to keep costs down so that students can see that we are being good stewards of their time, energy, and effort — it’s their investment.” Liberty aims to deliver a seamless user experience with all learning tools readily available and synced to the
online student’s profile. “When we look at building out technology, we want to do it with a certain amount of fluidity, utility, and scalability,” Hicks said. “The goal is to be able to meet a student anywhere in the world, on any device, at any time, teaching them in just the way they need it. It fits the Gospel evangelism model by making it available to every person.” The experience begins within Blackboard, a Learning Management System (LMS) where students log in to do their coursework, correspond with professors, and take tests. Blackboard has been in the business of online education for over 20 years and recognizes Liberty’s remarkable progress. “Liberty has an amazing focus on creating the best and most unique student experience, whether on their physical campus or in their online programs,” said Phillip Miller, Blackboard vice president of teaching and learning. “The Liberty academic
KAI T LYN JO HNSON
This fall, textbooks will be
FREE OF CHARGE for all online undergraduate students
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technology team moves with an agility that means they’re always changing. What’s fun about working with Liberty is seeing them combine those tools in unique ways with high-quality content and then scale the whole academic platform across their growing user base.” Liberty’s commitment to online student success is also evidenced by its implementing of new technologies that can identify areas where students are struggling and recommend action, such as displaying a prompt to review certain portions of text. Innovative partners — including McGraw-Hill Education and Cengage — are working with Liberty to create systems that can meet the unique learning needs of each student. “These technologies are helping us explore the best ways to teach a subject, or a specific topic within a subject, so that the student will not only learn, but retain what they have learned,” Hicks said. “It’s called ‘learning science,’” said Connie Allison, executive director of Liberty’s Center for Academic Development. “We’re integrating assignments, offering checks and balances, and, hopefully, helping students do better in true learning.” Over the next six to 12 months, Liberty will incorporate this science into all of its more than 500 online undergraduate courses (120 courses already have these platforms). Eventually, all courses at all levels — on campus or online — will offer these types of cutting-edge technologies. “As partners with Liberty University, we know firsthand how their leaders embrace innovation to support the best learning experience possible for their students,” said Michael Hansen, CEO of Cengage. “We applaud them for taking actions that will have a direct impact on affordability and access for their students.” McGraw-Hill Education Vice President Butch Porter said the company is pleased to strengthen its partnership with Liberty. “Our contribution to unlocking a brighter future ... exists where the
NICK FOLES: SUPER BOWL MVP AND ONLINE STUDENT Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who has been taking graduate courses through Liberty’s online education program at the Rawlings School of Divinity, was named the Super Bowl LII MVP after leading the Eagles to a 41-33 win over the New England Patriots. Foles has been bold about his faith throughout his football career, indicating that he would like to be a high school pastor someday. “When you’re playing in the NFL, you can only do this for a short amount of time,” he told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Guys retire before they’re 30. If you play forever, you play into your 40s — and you’re still a young man with a lot of life left to live. … That’s what I’ve enjoyed in the offseason,
science of learning meets the art of teaching,” he said. “Liberty University understands this, and they push and challenge us to join them in elevating the student experience. We are very proud to be on this exciting journey together.” The university’s efforts to make an already successful online program even
being able to take classes. It makes it easy to go play.” He spoke about his enrollment at Liberty in an interview with the Associated Press. “I took a leap of faith last year and signed up to take classes at seminary. I wanted to continue to learn and challenge my faith. It’s a challenge because you are writing papers that are biblically correct. You want to impact people’s hearts.” And he is. At the Super Bowl postgame press conference, he gave God all the glory. “I wouldn’t be out here without God, without Jesus in my life. I can tell you that, first and foremost in my life, I don’t have the strength to come out here and play a game like that. It’s an everyday walk.”
more beneficial for its students will ensure it stays ahead of the curve. “No matter what your industry is, it doesn’t make sense to keep doing something because it is what you did 15 years ago,” Allison said. “You look at what the new tools are and ask, ‘How can we achieve our goals better?’ That is what this is about.”
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Samantha Ponder ’09
Christian Ponder John McEnroe
Ben Watson
Chad Robichaux The Harlem Globetrotters
Kirk Cousins
C E L E B R I T Y G U E S T S E N T E RTA I N A N D E N C O U R A G E An all-star lineup of celebrity athletes graced Liberty University’s Convocation stage last fall, showcasing their skills and imparting wisdom gained through their professional pursuits in the world of sports.
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NASCAR veteran Jeff Gordon, Liberty student and NASCAR driver William Byron, and Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, revved up the crowd at the first Convocation of the 2017-18 academic year on Aug. 30. Byron, a sophomore
BY TED ALLEN
pursuing his degree in business communications through Liberty’s online programs, went on to clinch the Xfinity Series championship and is making his debut in the Cup Series, NASCAR’s highest level of racing, this season behind the wheel of the
FEATURES No. 24 car, with Liberty University as a primary sponsor. (Read more on Page 28). On Sept. 1, Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and team chaplain Brett Fuller offered a playbook for life as they talked about placing faith and family before football — or any other career field. Also in September, Liberty alumna Samantha Ponder (’09), host of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” and her husband, NFL free agent Christian Ponder, talked about balancing family life with their careers while prioritizing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Sam Ponder started her sportscasting career as a sideline reporter for the Liberty Flames Sports Network (LFSN) and later became host of ESPN’s “College GameDay.” The Ponders were preceded on stage by former Flames Football and NFL receiver Kelvin Edwards (’86). Edwards was drafted by the New Orleans Saints and played two years for the Dallas Cowboys. He is a personal friend of Liberty President Jerry Falwell; they met as students at Liberty and lived in the same residence hall. Edwards was inducted into the Flames’ Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.
Baltimore Ravens receiver Ben Watson spoke on Nov. 10, encouraging students to foster racial unity and social equality by following biblical principles in their walk with God. On Nov. 8, professional Mixed Martial Arts champion Chad Robichaux delivered a powerful testimony of transformation. The former New Orleans police officer and Marine Corps veteran suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan. He recommitted his life to Christ, saved his marriage, and started the Mighty Oaks Warrior Program, which helps veterans and their families recover from PTSD. Robichaux returned to campus in December to speak at Winterfest, Liberty’s two-day New Year’s festival. The fall semester also included three athletic exhibitions. On Sept. 6, “American Ninja Warrior” co-host Akbar Gbaja-Biamila joined competitors Grant McCartney and Meagan Martin to talk about life on the NBC series. Then they demonstrated their skills on a challenge course. Tennis legends John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang appeared on stage on Oct. 16 before rallying against President Falwell,
L E AH SEAVERS
“American Ninja Warrior” Meagan Martin completes an obstacle course in the Vines Center during a Convocation last fall.
Liberty men’s tennis Head Coach Derek Schwandt, and others. The guests competed in the PowerShares Series tournament at the Vines Center later that evening. The Harlem Globetrotters visited on Dec. 12, speaking in Convocation and showing off some of their tricks before giving an exhibition performance for the public that night. In recent years, Convocation crowds have heard from a wide range of wellknown sports figures, including NBA Champion Golden State Warriors standout Steph Curry, four-time U.S. Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles, Brazilian FIFA and Major League Soccer star Kaká, professional surfing champion Bethany Hamilton, former WWE professional wrestler Shawn Michaels, NBA analyst Chris Broussard, and former New York Mets and Yankees All-Star Darryl Strawberry. Football fans have enjoyed hearing from legendary college football coaches Bobby Bowden and Frank Beamer, former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, CBS football analyst James Brown, former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann, and former University of Florida and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow.
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WE’RE GETTING READY An exciting new era of Flames Football is on the horizon. After playing its final campaign as an FCS program and member of the Big South
time. Their performance will set the tone for a game-changing season in 2019, when the Flames arrive as a full-fledged FBS program with the opportunity to
Conference in 2017, the Flames are now narrowing their sights on the upcoming season, when they will compete as an FBS independent program for the first
compete for a bowl game appearance. Liberty Athletics has been hard at work meeting the waiver requirements to transition to the FBS level — and
Flames fans have played a significant role in that. By the end of last season, Liberty needed to average more than 15,000 in home football attendance. Flames Nation delivered. They exceeded that figure, even breaking records for all-around fan engagement, averaging 16,571 in attendance per game. Flames Nation’s excitement over the move to the FBS level has also propelled season ticket sales and group ticket sales, as Liberty saw record-level numbers for both last year. There’s no doubt the energy will be high as students, friends, and families fill the stands for another historic season of Flames Football this fall. Liberty hosts its first FBS home game against Old Dominion on Sept. 1, 2018, the first of four FBS teams to visit Williams Stadium in 2018 to fulfill that FBS reclassification requirement. Flames fans: Get ready for 2018!
SEASON TICKETS
Plan now for a full season of Flames Football. Call (434) 582-SEAT (7328) or Tickets@liberty.edu.
FLAMES CLUB
News of Liberty’s move to the FBS level sparked a renewed fire in Flames Nation, including record growth for the Flames Club in 2017. Membership starts at just $60 and members can enjoy special game-day privileges, such as preferred parking, seating, and pregame hospitality benefits, based upon membership level. For more information, email FlamesClub@liberty.edu, or visit LIBERTYFLAMES.COM/FLAMESCLUB.
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FEATURES LU has announced completed football schedules for the next four seasons, plus match-ups that extend through the 2030 season.
2018
Sept. 1 vs. Old Dominion Sept. 8 at Army Sept. 15 vs. Norfolk State Sept. 22 vs. North Texas Sept. 29 at New Mexico Oct. 6 at New Mexico State Oct. 13 vs. Troy Oct. 20 vs. Idaho State (Homecoming) Nov. 3 at UMass Nov. 10 at Virginia Nov. 17 at Auburn Nov. 24 vs. New Mexico State
2019
Aug. 31 vs. Syracuse Sept. 7 at Louisiana Sept. 14 vs. Buffalo Sept. 21 vs. Hampton Sept. 28 vs. New Mexico Oct. 5 at New Mexico State Oct. 19 vs. Maine Oct. 26 at Rutgers Nov. 2 at UMass Nov. 9 at BYU Nov. 23 at Virginia Nov. 30 vs. New Mexico State
2020
Sept. 5 at Virginia Tech Sept. 12 vs. North Carolina A&T Sept. 19 at Middle Tennessee Sept. 26 vs. FIU Oct. 3 at Bowling Green Oct. 10 vs. Louisiana - Monroe Oct. 17 at Syracuse Oct. 24 vs. Southern Miss Nov. 7 at Virginia Nov. 14 vs. Western Carolina Nov. 21 at NC State Nov. 28 vs. UMass
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Sept. 4 vs. Campbell Sept. 11 at Troy Sept. 18 vs. Old Dominion Sept. 25 at Syracuse Oct. 2 at UAB Oct. 9 vs. Middle Tennessee Oct. 16 at Louisiana - Monroe Oct. 23 at North Texas Nov 6 vs. UMass Nov. 13 at Ole Miss Nov. 20 vs. Louisiana Nov. 27 vs. Army
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Sept. 3 at Southern Miss Sept. 10 vs. UAB Sept. 17 at Wake Forest Sept. 24 at Old Dominion Oct. 22 vs. BYU Nov. 19 vs. Virginia Tech
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Sept. 2 vs. Bowling Green Sept. 9 at Coastal Carolina Sept. 16 at Buffalo Oct. 14 at Marshall
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Sept. 3, 4 or 5 at Wake Forest Sept. 26 vs. Duke Oct. 10 vs. Georgia Southern Nov. 28 vs. Army
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Sept. 4 at Duke Sept. 11 vs. Virginia Nov. 20 at Virginia Tech
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Sept. 2 at Virginia Tech
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2025
2030
Aug. 31 vs. Coastal Carolina Oct. 5 vs. Marshall Aug. 30 vs. Wake Forest Sept. 20 at Army Oct. 4 at Georgia Southern Nov. 22 at Duke
Sept. 1 at Virginia Tech Sept. 15 vs. Virginia Sept. 7 vs. Virginia Tech Sept. 14 at Virginia
BUILDING UP
K E VI N M ANGU I OB
Progress continues on Williams Stadium, as concrete columns and beams for the second level of seating on the east side are already in place, giving the stadium a whole new look. The expansion to the east side is scheduled to be completed by this fall, bringing seating capacity to 25,000 and ushering in a new era of Flames Football. Crews have also been busy filling in the south end zone to prepare for new seating options and a stretch of walkway that will connect the concourse levels on both sides. People should expect to see major work at the site during February as the new stadium entrances begin to take shape. Between the 2018 and 2019 seasons, work will focus on the west side of the stadium, where new loge seating areas will be constructed. The entire expansion project is set to be completed before kickoff of the 2019 season. View more renderings of the project and updated construction photos at LIBERTY.EDU/JOURNAL.
N ATHAN SPENCE R
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JESS I E R O G ER S
A SWEET, SWEET SOUND
LUCOM professor reflects on 30-year career in research that has helped thousands to hear BY TOBI WALSH L AUKAITIS Despite 12 patents to his name, Dr. Kenneth Dormer, a professor and chair of integrative physiology and pharmacology at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM), makes it clear that his work is not about what he’s accomplished, but about being obedient to what God has asked him to do. “Whatever He equips us to do, whatever He wants from us, we just have to do it the best that we can,” Dormer said. “That’s it. I just happened to be at the right places at the right time, without question.” Dormer’s 30-plus-year career as a scientist and inventor began almost by accident in the late 1970s in Galveston, Texas. “I started out as a marine biologist,”
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Dormer said. “I went from marine biology to studying the sonar systems of dolphins and whales and trying to discern how they make their sonar sounds.” According to Dormer, echo-locating mammals have some of the best developed brains for hearing in the world. He studied the animals more, completing his doctoral research, but soon realized that he would need a paying job to support his family. He took a job at the University of Oklahoma. “I said, ‘Oklahoma? There’s no ocean in Oklahoma,’” Dormer said. “I thought, ‘That’s it. My dolphin days are over.’” But it became clear that God had plans for him there and that his marine biology background would
be useful. A few weeks after arriving, Dormer sat next to Dr. Jack Hough at a Christian fellowship event. Hough was a famous ear surgeon, who was also working with the university and was forming the first cochlear implant team in the United States. “(Jack) told me his team had been waiting and praying for a physiologist who knew about the flow of electrical current in the brain,” Dormer said. “I joined the team, and we worked together for the next 30 years.” They invented the Audiant Bone Conductor, a portion of the cochlear implant, and the MAXUM, a semiimplantable hearing device. “When you hear something, your eardrum is vibrating. Sound moves these delicate ear bones in your
FEATURES middle ear, and then they cause fluid to move in the cochlea (the part of the inner ear that receives sound vibrations),” Dormer explained. “As the fluid moves, it separates the sounds to different frequencies and tweaks little nerves in the cochlea, which sends them to the brain. When someone is deaf, their nerves are dead, so you have to figure out how they can get that sound signal. The best way is to electrically stimulate those nerves that send signals to the brain.” He said more than 300,000 patients have received the cochlear implant, which has greatly impacted their lives.
Christ without preaching. “Not all of the surgeons we worked with embraced, or were even favorable to, Christianity,” Dormer said. “But the credentials of our significant invention gave us a captive audience.” Dormer was honored as Oklahoma Inventor of the Year in 1987 for his cochlear implant component and went on to develop two more implants with his teams. In 2014, he was asked to help oversee the startup of LUCOM. Since coming to Virginia, Dormer has shifted his focus from auditory to cardiovascular research and to developing new nanomedicines using
“The privilege of discovery — of finding something new that no one has before — is an incredible blessing.” DR. KENNETH DORMER L i b e r t y U n i v e r s i t y Co l l e g e o f O s t e o p a t h i c Me d i c i n e
“There’s nothing like seeing the expression of a child who is born deaf hearing for the first time,” Dormer said. Dormer’s background in marine biology and echo-locating mammal communication gave him an edge in co-developing the cochlear implant because of how the device can mimic sonar waves. He and Hough traveled to seven countries to showcase their work. Dormer explained the basic science behind the device, while Hough demonstrated how to insert it. Both strong in their Christian faith, Dormer and Hough saw their work as an opportunity to show the love of
Dr. Kenneth Dormer helped develop a portion of the cochlear implant, used by over 300,000 people with hearing loss.
nanoparticles with colleagues at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. He also works with Liberty students who are interested in nanomedicine and connects them with professional organizations across the country. “I’ve worked with ears and hearts, which is funny to me because they’re connected spiritually,” Dormer said, noting how the ears allow us to hear God’s Word and bring us closer to Jesus. Dormer said he is blessed to have a career that enables him to dive deeper into the wonders of God’s creation and where his faith can keep him grounded in a field that is quick to dismiss the idea of a supernatural Creator. “The privilege of discovery — of finding something new that no one has before — is an incredible blessing,” he said. “The world says, ‘Look at me, look what I discovered.’ The Christ follower says, ‘Wow, what a privilege to have found out something that only God knew before — isn’t our God creative and fantastic?’”
LUCOM PREPARES FOR ITS FIR ST GR ADUATING CL A SS In May, Liberty University will mark an important milestone as it graduates its first class of student-doctors from the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM). LUCOM’s Commencement ceremony on May 19 will feature the famed neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, former presidential candidate and current United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Until then, LUCOM’s fourth-year students are hard at work finishing clinical rotations and interviewing for their residency placements, which will begin after graduation. On March 16, fourth-year students will participate in LUCOM’s first Match Day Celebration, when the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) informs applicants of where they’ve been placed for their post-graduation residency training. A residency allows a newly graduated medical student to train in the specialty of their choice and may take three to seven years to complete. An honored medical school tradition, Match Day is observed by student-doctors around the country opening their letters together in a schoolwide ceremony. In late March, several LUCOM fourthyear students will serve with Samaritan’s Purse on monthlong medical rotations in Rwanda, Kenya, and Zambia.
The Champion Award is a new monthly award presented to a Liberty student or faculty or staff member who embodies the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), which are at the heart of both Liberty’s mission and the We The Champions project. Throughout the academic year,
students, faculty, and staff have multiple opportunities to nominate someone for the award. One winner will be selected for an overall award presented during Commencement in May.
Below are the fall semester winners.
EMILY HENSLER LE AH SE AVE R S
In September, Liberty University senior Emily Hensler was recognized for her Christlike attitude and drive to share God’s love, even in the face of a major trial in her life. In March 2016, Hensler received a call that her father had died unexpectedly. With support from the Liberty community, led by its LU Shepherds and campus pastors, Hensler was not only able to navigate through a season of grief, but also to use her story to inspire those around her. Throughout her time at Liberty, Hensler prioritized servanthood and exemplified a loving spirit by ministering to fellow students as a
Resident Shepherd through the Office of Spiritual Development. She has also served as president of Liberty’s chapter of Young Americans for Freedom and organized numerous campus lectures, bringing guests such as Dinesh D’Souza, Star Parker, Steve Forbes, and Judge Jeanine Pirro to Liberty. Hensler was also instrumental in organizing the 9/11 Never Forget Project and Freedom Week on campus. She was voted “Top Student Activist of the Year” by the Young America’s Foundation at CPAC 2016. She earned her degree in business administration with a specialization in economics in December.
DR. ROGER MACKEY
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them to become leaders throughout college and beyond. While Mackey’s job as the academic lead of the program is to focus largely on developing curriculum, he has taken on the greater mission of teaching his students to be spiritual stewards. Many students shared how he takes time to forge meaningful relationships as a spiritual and educational mentor so he can help them understand their unique callings in life.
JE SSIE ROGERS
Because of his strong dedication to his students and reputation as a spiritual mentor, Liberty professor Roger Mackey, who teaches leadership and development through Liberty’s Eagle Scholars Program, was presented with the October Champion Award. Mackey recruits and retains accomplished freshmen and sophomores for the Eagle Scholars Program, which provides personal and professional development, training
FEATURES
JUAN RAMOS JOEL CO LEM AN
For the courage he displayed overseas serving as an Army medic and for his commitment to provide healthcare to those who need it most, Liberty studentdoctor Juan Ramos was awarded the November Champion Award. During his time as a medical sergeant in the Army’s Special Forces, Ramos oversaw a 12-man detachment, a local national forces team of 20-30 soldiers, and a special forces battalion of 300. Since starting his education at Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ramos has aligned himself with LUCOM’s mission to create access to quality, affordable healthcare for those who cannot currently afford it — a problem which he believes is widespread in the U.S. and one he intends to tackle.
ANNA NOKES served as a community group leader on her residence hall. Nokes was instrumental in establishing a branch of Celebrate Recovery on Liberty’s campus, a 12-step, Christ-centered program that helps people tackle mental health issues. She volunteered with the program for three years. In a study trip to the Dominican Republic with Liberty’s social work department, she cultivated a passion for helping victims of human trafficking, and she is currently raising money to return to the DR to partner with a local church to fight the problem head-on.
L E AH SE AVE R S
In celebration of her relentless efforts to involve more students in community service and for taking initiative when she sees an opportunity to help others, Liberty University senior Anna Nokes was awarded with the December Champion Award. Nokes, a social work student, applies both her faith and her education on a regular basis. She is currently interning in Roseville, Calif., helping to create jobs for people with disabilities. At Liberty, she founded the Social Work Club and served as a team leader for the Community Care Initiative, where she led students in short-term community service projects. She also
Watch videos and read more Champion stories at Liberty.edu/Champions.
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In the fall issue of the Liberty Journal, we announced an essay contest as part of the new We The Champions (WTC) project. WTC is designed to rally members of the Liberty community around the university’s foundational calling and share its vision with the world. Readers were tasked with writing an essay on why Training Champions for Christ is still
important today. We received several essays that eloquently spoke to the ways Liberty’s mission is continuing to impact lives. Our winner is Dana Bowers, a proud Liberty father. Bowers and his wife, Joanie, have been married for 30 years and have been serving in Papua New Guinea with Ethnos360 (formerly New Tribes Mission) since 1993. Most recently, Dana has been
teaching sixth grade at their mission school, Numonohi Christian Academy, while Joanie serves as the high school librarian. Their oldest daughter, Jacqueline, graduated from Liberty in 2015, and their younger daughter, Hayley, is currently a junior. Thank you, Dana, for putting the ongoing global need for Liberty’s mission into words.
Training Champions for Christ:
ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE In every generation, the church faces two challenges: how to impact the culture for Christ, and how to pass the faith to the next generation. God does not call all believers to full-time ministry as pastors or missionaries. He does call all Christians to serve Him with every aspect of their lives in every corner of the culture. The church in every generation needs entrepreneurs who demonstrate the integrity of Christ. It needs artists who employ their creative gifts to communicate truth and beauty in a fallen world and athletes who compete fiercely while winning and losing with grace. The church needs doctors and nurses who minister to the spiritual needs of hurting people while healing broken bodies. And yes, we need pastors who will faithfully teach the Scriptures and missionaries who will take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. We are painfully aware that many young people raised in the church lose their faith when it comes under assault. In Romans 10:15, the apostle Paul asks a rhetorical question: How can they preach unless they are sent? Indeed, they must be sent. The question here is: How can the church penetrate the darkness in every corner of the culture with light unless young people are equipped professionally and spiritually? Indeed, they must be equipped. The church needs young people with a first-class education and a solid spiritual foundation if it is to successfully engage people at every level of society. The Christian university plays an essential role in equipping the next generation to represent Christ to a lost culture. Liberty University has set the bar for academic excellence while offering a Christ-centered education. As our culture spins out of control and grows more antagonistic to the very idea of truth, the need for Christians who can engage people at every level of the culture is more important than ever. Never has the need to Train Champions for Christ been greater. DANA BOWERS Missionary in Papua New Guinea, Liberty parent
Read more excerpts from submitted essays in the online edition: Liberty.edu/LibertyJournal.
Become a part of the We The Champions project and read inspiring stories of those who are living out the mission at LIBERTY.EDU/CHAMPIONS. 24
Follow #WeTheChampions on social media.
NEWS & EVENTS TALENT ON DISPLAY
Students and alumni are using the hands-on education they receive at Liberty to propel their artistic careers to new heights and share their creativity with the world.
Master of Fine Arts student Adara Jensen sent her artistic gift across the globe through a summer internship with the Richmond, Va.-based Hillside Missions. While working with the organization’s “Art as a Mission” ministry, Jensen helped to assemble an art collection for a gallery in the Middle East. The gallery is designed to stimulate conversation about Scripture for those who have never heard the Gospel
before. Jensen assisted by collecting pieces of art from her fellow art students. She contributed her own oil painting, “Always Remember,” a portrait of a Middle-Eastern refugee girl whom Jensen met while serving as a childcare volunteer during the internship. Jensen said the motivation behind her work is to tell the stories of people through portraiture — her favorite medium — and hopes that those stories have a lasting effect on all who encounter them.
Liberty University senior fashion design student Luis Quijano has spent the last year creating what he thinks could be the most innovative trend in fashion: growing your own clothes. By merging fashion with microbiology and mechanical engineering, Quijano has produced a leather-like material that is much more sustainable than animal skin or modern-day textiles and cuts down on pollution and waste from manufacturing. The material is made through a fermentation process that uses water, sugar, green tea, and kombucha (a type of fermented tea created from a
symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). Quijano’s project has attracted the attention of leading industry professionals and the media. He has been featured in a number of publications, including The Washington Post. Quijano started experimenting in his dorm room last fall, mixing ingredients together in large containers and setting them on the floor to ferment for a few weeks. Now he uses incubators in Liberty’s Center for Natural Sciences. Through a Provost Research Initiative grant from Liberty’s Center for Research & Scholarship, he spent last summer at Queensland University of Technology in
JE SSI E R OGE R S
Revolutionizing Fashion
ALBA LUX P H OTO G RAP H Y
A Work of Art
Australia, where he experimented with using different types of sugar for the fermentation process. He hopes to develop the material commercially and will showcase an entire outfit at the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences’ annual spring fashion show in April.
Big-box Success Liberty alumni are showcasing their art on the shelves of major retail stores after landing jobs that have enabled them to share their designs with millions. They credit Liberty’s graphic design program with helping them create strong portfolios and opening doors for them to become successful early in their careers.
Cassie Vitale (’14) works for ACCO Brands, a leading school and office supplies company. Planners and a calendar she designed are being sold at Target, Staples, and Office Depot. Haley McVey (’16), who works with C.R. Gibson in Nashville, has created stationery, cards, and gifts that have been featured in stores such as Target, T.J.
Maxx, Paper Source, and Pottery Barn. As a freelancer, Carla Miles (’14) worked with C.R. Gibson and Magnolia Market to design a 2018 planner for the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia spring collection at Target.
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ON-SCREEN SUCCESS
If you’re surfing through channels at primetime or sitting in a movie theater anywhere in the country, there’s a chance you will see Liberty University alumni showcasing their acting chops. Some of them honed their skills in the School of Visual & Performing Arts; others pursued different academic interests before chasing their show business dreams. All credit Liberty with helping them to shape their true character off the screen.
ALAN POWELL 2007, BIBLICAL STUDIES time as a fantasy epic in the vein of “The Lord of the Rings.” Powell has played a diverse range of characters, from charming to flawed heroes, and even antagonists. “I don’t have any problem personifying the bad if the good can win,” he said. “I am interested in what the story is telling. I don’t want to lend myself, my time, or my talent toward something that is communicating a message I don’t agree with.” Before diving into the world of acting, Powell helped found and establish the Christian pop group Anthem Lights. The group came together after performing
at Coffeehouse, a student talent show that is one of Liberty’s largest and most popular Student Activities events.
Over the past two years, Register has dedicated much of her time to two television shows: History’s “SIX” and AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” Register produced and starred in an independent feature film, “This Valley of Dying Stars,” which is in post-production. She has stayed connected with her alma mater by appearing in some of the Liberty University Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center’s feature films, including “Extraordinary,” “God’s Compass,” and “Altar Egos.”
“I don’t think I would’ve become an actor if I hadn’t gone to Liberty,” Register said. “It was a happy accident that I fell into the theatre arts program. My professors helped me lay a foundation of proper acting technique, approach, and habits so that when the opportunities came to me, I was ready. Having the film school close by was another huge help because I was able to get on-screen experience and footage for a demo reel before I graduated. These were invaluable head starts.”
ABC P HOTO
After a breakout performance in the 2012 musical drama “The Song,” a modern reimagining of the life of the biblical King Solomon, Powell’s star has been rising. He will be in New York City through April filming the upcoming season of ABC’s “Quantico” and will be starring in the 2018 film “Like Arrows,” a parenting drama created by FamilyLife in partnership with Dennis and Barbara Rainey, the Kendrick Brothers, and Bob Lepine. The Nashville-based actor also plays the villain in “Heavenquest: A Pilgrim’s Progress,” a faith-based film that sets one of the most beloved books of all
LINDSLEY REGISTER 2015, THEATRE ARTS
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NEWS & EVENTS
TA A M U W U YA 2014, THEATRE ARTS After Liberty, Wuya studied classical acting (M.A.) at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) before moving to New York City. He racked up a number of professional stage credits, including “Hamlet” and “Henry V,”
and starred in a few short films — most recently “The Fighting Road,” a Civil War-era project filmed in Virginia — before moving to Los Angeles. Last fall, Wuya appeared on the series premiere of the CBS series “S.W.A.T.”
ALEX MILLER 2012, THEATRE ARTS Miller will have a minor role in the upcoming season of HBO’s “Homeland,” for which he has worked regularly as a double and stand-in. He played George Washington’s aide on AMC’s “TURN: Washington’s Spies” and has been featured in the PBS show “Mercy Street,” as well as the feature film “Imperium,”
starring Daniel Radcliffe. Miller has played several roles in faith-based films, including “Crossing Streets,” and the Liberty-produced projects “Extraordinary” and “Altar Egos.” Miller has also published three children’s books about a gluten-free pirate named Captain Katie.
Several graduates have also worked behind-the-scenes on major movie and television sets as well as the stage. Read more stories at Liberty.edu/LibertyJournal.
H O L LY W O O D A C T R E S S C H O O S E S O N L I N E P R O G R A M FOR ITS FLEXIBILITY AND F A I T H F O C U S Last summer, actress and Liberty online student Tiffany Espensen was better known as Cindy in the blockbuster movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Starting with a role opposite Miley Cyrus on “Hannah Montana” when she was 7, Espensen has since appeared with Jude Law (“Repo Men”), James Marsden and Kaley Cuoco (“Hop”), and Hugh Laurie (“House MD”). She has also landed roles on “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds,” “R.L. Stine’s Monsterville,” Disney XD’s “Kirby Buckets,” and Nickelodeon’s “Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures,” in addition to voice-acting for animated productions, including Disney’s “Phineas and Ferb.” Espensen, now 18, is slated to reprise her “Spider-Man” role in Marvel
Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War,” which is expected to be the highest grossing movie of the year. Espensen, who is studying religion and political science, said she chose Liberty’s online program because she wanted a quality education without having to put her career on hold. But what drew her most to Liberty was its biblical foundation and mission of Training Champions for Christ. “I genuinely love what Liberty is doing and what it stands for. It is so important because you don’t see many colleges today that stand for truth, and that is very important because you are training young minds.”
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WILLIAM BYRON 2017 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES CHAMPION NASCAR fans will become even more familiar with the Liberty University name this season as William Byron takes the wheel of the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro in his rookie season in the Cup Series. The 20-year-old LU sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., made his debut at Daytona International Speedway in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.
BE A PART OF THE
ACTION
Liberty University is the primary sponsor of the No. 24 car for the races below. View the full Cup Series schedule at NASCAR.COM. FEB. 25: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway (FOX) MARCH 25: STP 500 Martinsville Speedway (FS1) APRIL 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Texas Motor Speedway (FS1) APRIL 29: GEICO 500 Talladega Superspeedway (FOX) MAY 12: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race at Kansas Kansas Speedway (FS1) MAY 27: Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway (FOX) JUNE 10: FireKeepers Casino 400 Michigan International Speedway (FOX) JULY 7: Coke Zero 400 Daytona International Speedway (NBC) JULY 14: Quaker State 400 Presented by Advance Auto Parts Kentucky Speedway (NBCSN) AUG. 18: Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Bristol Motor Speedway (NBCSN) SEPT. 9: Big Machine Brickyard 400 Indianapolis Motor Speedway (NBCSN) SEPT. 22: Federated Auto Parts 400 Richmond International Raceway (NBCSN)
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JOE L COL EMAN
Visit Liberty.edu/24 to read more about Byron and follow his progress at
WILLIAMBYRON.COM. 29
SPARKING INNOVATION Entrepreneur program turns students’ ideas into reality JO EL I S I M EM E
Senior Abbi Daniels holds the prize money she won after pitching her idea for an artisan doughnut food truck at a Spark! event, a spoof on TV’s ‘Shark Tank.’
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loves the personal side of business. She appreciates the story behind a successful enterprise and aims to become a small business owner by opening an artisan doughnut food truck called Dawn & Dusk. “College students want the artisan experience,” she said. “We want high quality in little things. So, I was thinking: How could we bring that in the simplest of ways? We’ve already done that with coffee, why not with doughnuts?” Through Spark!, Daniels said the program has helped her “fast track” her idea. “Being able to talk about my thoughts, to rein them in and also bring them out and highlight things has been invaluable,” she said. “You don’t get that in a classroom.” The Spark! participants had an opportunity last semester to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance at a $1,000 prize to grow their business. The “Spark! Tank” pitch-off was modeled after the popular TV show “Shark Tank.” Judges were Scott Hicks, Liberty’s vice provost for graduate education; Corey Davis, attorney at Woods Rogers Edmunds & Williams; and Cheryl Valentine, director of sales and marketing at Consolidated Shoe Company. In the competition, Daniels emphasized the relational angle of
JOEL ISIMEME
From creating an app to rate the credibility of news stories, to starting a food truck that serves gourmet doughnuts, students are using a one-on-one professional mentorship program to learn their way around the business world and bring their ideas to life. The Spark! Incubator, an eightweek extracurricular program offered through Liberty’s Entrepreneur’s Center, is open to students of any major. Burgeoning student entrepreneurs meet regularly with a mentor who is either a faculty member or a local professional to formulate a business plan, talk with potential customers, and try to determine if their business plan is viable. “You refine, refine, refine until you get to the point of determining whether you have a company or product or not,” said Jonathan Whitt, Liberty’s vice president of special projects and business engagement. “If you don’t, it’s OK, but at least you didn’t waste six months of your life. It’s a real lean, quick way of trying to start up a company, and we walk them through that process.” Students are also connected with other executives in their industries and experts on relevant topics, such as law or regulation. Senior business administration major Abbi Daniels is a foodie who
her business plan: “I’m not just selling doughnuts; I’m creating memories and developing relationships.” It worked. She won the grand prize, which will allow her to renovate a truck she already owns. Judges were not only sold on her idea, but her branding as well — suggesting that she has the potential to franchise. The judges were so impressed with Liberty’s entrepreneurs that they also awarded a runner-up prize — another $1,000 out of their own pockets — to senior human resource management major Gordon Heinrich, who is patenting a tool he believes will revolutionize the stone masonry industry. Heinrich himself is a mason and discovered a tool that helps reduce waste and, therefore, cut costs. His company, Lancaster Tool, is already working with manufacturers to get his product to market. Other ideas presented were a produce- and flower-growing operation (read accompanying story), a startup to make drone technology cheaper and more readily available for use in missions and law enforcement, and two pitches for apps: one focused on simplifying property rental and another for rating news stories for their trustworthiness.
Attorney Corey Davis, left, and local businesswoman Cheryl Valentine served as judges.
NEWS & EVENTS
Student-driven venture uses Liberty’s farm property to cultivate dreams Three Liberty University students have created a company, Wholesome Harvest LLC, for the purpose of growing fresh crops and educating the community about responsible stewardship. By using the land and facilities at the former campus farm on Liberty Mountain — including two high tunnel greenhouses — the students have begun growing flowers and raising egg-laying chickens. They have plans to grow their enterprise over time. Juniors Morgan Parry and fiancé Nathan Pritchard are both pursuing Interdisciplinary Studies degrees and want to own a farm one day. The land is currently being leased to LandTech, a landscaping and pool construction company owned by alumnus Wayne Melancon. LandTech has arranged to let the students use the land for free. “This opportunity came, and we felt that the Lord was honoring our dream,” Parry said. “Wayne has been hugely helpful to us,” Pritchard added, “giving us advice when we need it (and) old equipment to help us out.” Their idea was developed through the Entrepreneur’s Center’s Spark! Incubator program. They partnered with senior Ryan Coble to help with the business aspects. Parry manages hospitality and event planning while Pritchard oversees livestock and maintenance.
Nathan Pritchard and Morgan Parry work at their company Wholesome Harvest, at the site of the former Campus Farm.
Currently, the group is cultivating the land and will soon start selling flowers to local florists and students, as well as offering cut-your-own on-site. They will also sell eggs and plan to expand into produce for students, local grocers, and area farmers’ markets. They may even add more livestock, possibly meat chickens and pigs. “We would love to grow and add something new every year as we get better and better,” Pritchard said. “It’s really about supplying beautiful things for people that nourish their bodies and nourish their souls. We want to give people great options and great opportunities.” As part of the vision, the group — with the help of Associate Professor
of Business Dr. George Young — is already establishing relationships within the community, including the Region 2000 Workforce Development Board and Lynchburg’s 4H Club. The goal is to educate inner-city youth about sustainability, growing their own food, and basic business principles. Eventually, Parry would like to invite schoolchildren to manage their own plots on the property. They plan to host school groups for educational events and will offer community service opportunities for Liberty students. “The dream for us is to be out in the community,” Parry said, “teaching about being healthier and more aware of the way that we use the land and the things that we put in our bodies.”
JESSIE ROGERS
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LEAVING A LEGACY
Longtime Bible professor makes his life’s work available on new online resource center
HAROLD WILLMINGTON
Since 1972, Dr. Harold Willmington, Liberty University’s longest-serving faculty member, has been instructing students from God’s textbook for life — the Bible. The devoted educator is a best-selling author whose extensive studies on God’s Word have been distributed worldwide. Now, he is leaving a legacy at Liberty, passing his love of Scripture to future generations by making his personal collection
available for free to the public through the new Liberty University Bible Resource Center. The center launched in January and is a worldwide online resource —Liberty.edu/BibleResourceCenter — that includes Willmington’s S.W.O.R.D. project (Scripture Wisdom Organized and Rightly Divided) and contributions from other faculty and friends of Liberty. Up to 1,000 of Willmington’s articles are included, with information gleaned from some of his most popular works, such as “Willmington’s Guide to the Bible.” Willmington played an important role in Liberty’s history. In 1976, he helped launch the home correspondence course Liberty Home Bible Institute, which became the world’s largest correspondence diploma program on the Bible and positioned Liberty to be a pioneer in distance education. “My goal is, and always has been since I came here, to raise the level of Bible knowledge among God’s people,” Willmington said. “That’s where revival begins — when God’s
people go back to the Bible. That’s the legacy I want to leave.” The new center was first announced by President Jerry Falwell in the Jan. 24 Convocation, where he recognized Willmington as a great teacher of the Bible who was dedicated to the progress at Liberty. “He really is an unsung hero here and was a key component of making Liberty University what it is today,” Falwell said. Liberty Provost Dr. Ron Hawkins supervised the project, with support from Falwell and assistance from the university’s IT and Marketing departments, as well as the Jerry Falwell Library. “We have long dreamed of making Liberty’s biblical materials available to pastors and Bible students on a global level for free; the internet now makes this possible,” Hawkins said. “Dr. Willmington’s materials will serve as the foundation for a global initiative flowing from Liberty University to every corner of the globe to better equip the church for the work God has called them to do.”
OPEN FOR BUSINESS Area professionals see value in Liberty partnerships
As the Central Virginia region continues to grow in the engineering, software, technology, and research and development sectors, the academic programs that are preparing students for these fields are becoming vital resource wells for employers. BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT), a leading power generation technology company focused on nuclear energy, is one of Lynchburg’s top employers. Kenneth Camplin, president of BWXT’s nuclear services group, said he has been pleased to see Liberty
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grow its ABET-accredited mechanical and electrical engineering programs and computer science program in recent years. ABET is the foremost nongovernmental organization that accredits applied science, computing, engineering, and technology postsecondary education programs. “There is a good alignment between our company and the nature of the programs (at Liberty) and the direction of the engineering school,” Camplin said. He noted that Liberty’s focus on energy as it builds the
School of Engineering’s new facility at the Center for Energy Research & Education in nearby Bedford County, is of particular interest because his company will have significant manpower requirements in the future. “There is no question that the product — mostly from your engineering, business, and other schools — fits our needs,” he said of Liberty. “We continue to see ourselves in the future as a primary consumer of your well-educated graduates.” Small businesses also enjoy the
NEWS & EVENTS
LEAH S EAVER S
Alumnus Matt Schubert, CEO of Selective Wealth Management, lends advice to recent graduate Will Hungerford (left), senior Devin Freitas (right) and business student Alex Barker, all partners in a drone technology startup through Liberty’s Spark! program.
talent pool springing up from Liberty. “I start with Liberty; I rarely need to look anywhere else,” said Matt Pantana, CEO of Clearview Software, an enterprise resource planning company that services architects and engineers. Pantana, a Liberty alumnus, co-founded the company in Lynchburg 11 years ago. He said the company considered moving the business to a larger market, but a lower cost of living in Lynchburg, a family-minded community, and the ability to recruit quality talent from Liberty helped him decide to grow the company where it had started. “There is a lot of talent coming from Liberty and not a lot of competition — when we hire somebody we don’t lose them to somebody in town,” Pantana said. He pointed out that Liberty is
unique because it attracts a certain type of student — someone with talent who is also grounded in a strong belief system. In markets like Boston or New York, where many of his clients are, Pantana said that, statistically, “you are going to get smart people, but typically those students did not pick those schools because of a value system.” “With Liberty, you find many people who could have attended any school, academically, but chose Liberty because of what Liberty is,” he added. “As a growing, but still relatively small business, it’s important to feel confident in both the aptitude and character of the people we bring in. The Liberty graduates we have hired thus far have exceeded expectations.” Liberty is committed to preparing
LEA H SEAVERS
Alumnus Matt Pantana (second from left) has hired a number of Liberty University graduates to work at his startup, Clearview Software, including Dean Hendricks (left), Stewart Waddy, Richie Worrell, and Lucas Hayden.
students for the local workforce and helping them to bring fresh ideas and strong values to the marketplace. Alumnus Matt Schubert, CEO of Selective Wealth Management, recently served as a mentor to a group of student entrepreneurs with a drone technology startup. The relationship was arranged through Liberty’s Entrepreneur’s Center and the Spark! program (see story on Page 30). Schubert’s experience leading an extremely successful Baltimore startup for over a decade brought a valuable perspective to the project. And the students are eager to learn from a leader who is actively growing his business in Lynchburg with a team of Liberty alumni — and with great success. Selective Wealth Management was recently recognized as No. 1 in Growth at a Reasonable Price (out of over 14,000 prescreened professionals) by SumZero, the world’s largest community exclusively for professional investors. Schubert believes that with more talent being nurtured at Liberty, Lynchburg’s business landscape can change dramatically. “I think people locally will be really amazed with the talent they see come out of Liberty and how its rising entrepreneurs can be a strong source of job creation over time.”
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Hillsong in the Hill City One of the most innovative and dynamic Christian music groups in the country visited campus for a few days in January. The worship team from Hillsong Church NYC — one of the most prominent of the Hillsong Church branches in the U.S. — led worship during Liberty’s weekly Campus Community event on a Wednesday night and again at a Friday
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morning Convocation, which featured the church’s lead pastor, Carl Lentz. The group also spent time with students, sharing their experiences and advice during a Q & A session at the Center for Music and the Worship Arts. The Liberty Worship Collective (LWC) also enjoyed a visit from the band during a songwriting session. The LWC is a group of
student worship leaders, songwriters, and musicians who lead worship at a number of campus events as well as at conferences, youth events, festivals, churches, and other venues across the country. The LWC has already produced an original single and appreciated the opportunity to learn from some of the top worship music writers in the country.
NAT HAN SPENCE R
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New administrator will continue Liberty’s efforts to foster unity and diversity on campus K EVI N M ANG UI O B
K EVI N M ANG UI O B
NFL star Ben Watson (right), a tight end for the Baltimore Ravens, sat down with President Jerry Falwell and a panel of students and staff from Liberty’s Center4ME to discuss social injustice and racial inequality in America during the Nov. 10 Convocation. Watson has become a national voice for diversity and unity, and in light of current events making news headlines across the country, he encouraged Liberty students to help drive the conversation about healing the country’s racial divide with biblical principles. Visit Liberty.edu/Center4ME for more information on how Liberty is striving to prioritize campus diversity and continue productive dialogue.
Greg and Mary Dowell
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involves race relations can be touchy, but this ought not to be among believers. With the Lord’s help and wise strategic decisions, Liberty can lead the nation in this area as well,” said Dowell, who will also oversee Liberty’s Title IX Office and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. “We aren’t doing our work here from a politically correct standpoint. We’re doing it from a scripturally correct standpoint.” Dowell earned his Master of Divinity from Liberty and is currently nearing completion of his Doctor of Ministry. His wife, Mary, also graduated from Liberty and is director of the undergraduate simulation center for the School of Nursing. They have five children, three of whom graduated from or are currently studying at Liberty. NAT HAN SPENC ER
When Greg Dowell, Liberty’s new Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, came to Liberty in January, it was a reunion-of-sorts — he previously served at Liberty in the 1990s, first as Liberty’s dean of minority and international students and later as its dean of students. Dowell is responsible for the oversight and planning of all facets of the equity, inclusion, and compliance strategy at Liberty, including initiatives through the Center for Multicultural Enrichment (Center4ME), and assisting with underrepresented student recruitment and retention. Dowell is excited about his new role, but rather than introducing drastic changes, he desires to “build upon the excellent work already in progress, strengthen the existing infrastructure to foster a more diverse and inclusive environment, and infuse a spiritual component into traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion.” He added that equity and inclusion on a Christian campus must be predicated upon the understanding that every student, faculty, and staff member was
created equally by God and is worthy of love and acceptance as His child. Dowell wants to create a culture and climate where everyone knows they are welcomed and valued. “The plan is to make equity and inclusion everybody’s business. I want to inspire people to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere in their particular area, and then we will celebrate that together.” In 1992, Dowell co-founded the Minority & International Student Office at Liberty, later renamed the Center4ME. Dowell will work directly with the center, which offers several events every semester, with many chances for students to engage in dialogue about race relations. In November, Center4ME staff participated in a panel discussion during Convocation with Benjamin Watson, tight end for the Baltimore Ravens. Watson addressed the crowd on the issues of social injustice and racial inequality. Dowell spent the last 14 years pastoring a local church and managing a successful consulting firm for ministries and businesses. When it comes to starting conversations that bring about positive change and promote racial harmony within the university community, Dowell will draw upon previous experience serving different groups, including college students, business professionals, his church family, and even military members as an Air Force veteran. “Any program or conversation that
Students take part in a cultural talent and fashion show for International Education Week in November. Liberty has close to 800 international students.
NEWS & EVENTS
Liberty University among top colleges in endowment growth
LEAH S EAVER S
Liberty University reported significant and positive growth in its endowment, according to the latest annual study conducted by the National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute. Out of the top 100 endowments
of colleges across the country, all of which are managing $1 billion or more, Liberty had the third-fastest growth rate from 2016 to 2017 at 19.2 percent. This was second only to Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pennsylvania. Liberty’s endowment rose from
nearly $1.1 billion to close to $1.3 billion. Only 12 percent of the 809 colleges and universities that participated in the study have an endowment of more than $1 billion. “Liberty’s endowment has been growing by a large amount every year. We have been a true outlier for a long time,” said Liberty President Jerry Falwell, noting that Liberty’s online programs provided the university with its financial footing. “We have remained a leading example in online education, making it possible for many adults, who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend college because of family and job responsibilities, to earn degrees. Our online programs gave the university a strong financial foundation many years before other colleges started adding online education.”
LU team engaged in higher education policy changes at the federal level L E AH SE AVE R S
From left: President Jerry Falwell, Dr. Rob Ritz, Ashley Reich
Since early 2017, Liberty University administrators have had an ongoing conversation with the U.S. Department of Education about federal regulations that affect colleges and universities nationwide. The team developed a list of 77 policy areas and reached out to various federal officials. “In the past year, we have provided input to President Trump, Vice President Pence, White House adviser Jared Kushner, and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos,” said Dr. Rob Ritz, Liberty’s executive vice president of finance. “It used to be a top-down operation. Now, the Department of Education is seeking input from the nation’s colleges and universities,
which Liberty is happy to provide.” Recommendations include eliminating regulations that have been increasingly costly and burdensome to institutions, such as financial aid compliance. Over the past 10 years, the number of Liberty employees dedicated to that area alone has grown from seven to about 50 — mostly due to the increasing number of federal regulations. “The regulations are just pounding higher education,” Ritz said. Other changes being discussed include expansion of Federal Pell Grants for students, improved benefits for military students, and stronger protection of Liberty’s mission as a Christian university. “We have seen clearly that federal officials from the new administration are listening and are taking action on high-priority policy initiatives important to Liberty and shared by many other colleges and universities,” said Liberty President Jerry Falwell. Most recently, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) has been working on details
related to reauthorizing the Higher Education Act of 1965. These efforts have the potential to simplify and enhance the federal financial aid system. University officials have also noticed major improvement in the responsiveness of reports submitted to the Department of Education. In the past, a response could take four to 11 months. Now, it is averaging just two weeks, which is helping Liberty to update and propose new academic programs, according to Dr. Ritz. “We are grateful to Congressional leaders like Rep. Virginia Foxx and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), who are making specific progress on policies and gaining momentum,” Ritz said. Along with Falwell and Ritz, Liberty’s team includes Ashley Reich and Rachel Myers from the Financial Aid Compliance Department; David Corry, general counsel; former Congressman Robert Hurt, executive director of the Center for Law & Government; and Kenneth Craig, director of Government Relations.
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EXAMINING THE SIGNIFICANCE of JERUSALEM AS ISRAEL’S CAPITAL BY DR . R ANDALL PRICE My wife and I were graduate students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem when our daughter was born at nearby Hadassah Hospital. We were so proud, and we felt our kinship to the Land of Israel was nearly complete — until we went to the American Consulate in Jerusalem to get our daughter’s first U.S. Passport. The line designated for “country of birth” read “Jerusalem,” not “Israel.” When I inquired of a consulate official, I was told bluntly, “the U.S. does not recognize Jerusalem as part of Israel.” It has now taken 70 years for the U.S. to officially change that policy and finally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. For many who are not apprised of the facts but have only heard political propaganda through the mainstream media, this act of recognition may seem troublesome. Some media have even explained it as President Trump’s attempt to reward pro-Israel evangelicals whom he credited with his election victory. So, let’s review the facts from historical, religious, and political perspectives. Historically, Jerusalem became the capital of Israel by decree of King David 3,000 years ago, based on his understanding of God’s own choice. It has remained Israel’s capital ever since, and though other nations conquered and settled in the Land of Israel, none ever declared Jerusalem as their capital. Over the past 2,000 years, even during times of occupation and persecution, a Jewish community resided there and maintained it as
JUA N D UGAN
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their “eternal capital.” In 1948, when the U.N. voted to partition Israel into Arab and Jewish states, Israel immediately reaffirmed Jerusalem as its capital and enshrined it in its national anthem, “Hatikvah” (“the Hope”): “As long as within our hearts the Jewish soul sings, as long as forward to the east to Zion looks the eye — our hope is not yet lost. It is two thousand years old, to be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.” However, during the 1948 War of Independence, Jordanian forces conquered and occupied the eastern part of Jerusalem containing the historic Jewish Quarter, the Temple Mount and Western Wall, Hebrew University, and Hadassah Hospital. In 1967, the Six-Day War restored this part of the city to Israel and Jerusalem was reunified. Every Israeli prime minister since has declared the city “the eternal and undivided capital of the Jewish State.” Sir Winston Churchill, recognizing the historical reality that no other people could restore Jerusalem to its former glory, remarked to British diplomat Evelyn Shuckburgh, “You ought to let the Jews have Jerusalem; it was they who made it famous.” From a religious perspective, the Bible, which mentions Jerusalem more than any other place (about 800 times), states, “the Lord has chosen Jerusalem and will dwell there forever” (Psalm 132:13-14) and expressly calls upon God’s people to never forget Jerusalem and to “exalt it above their chief joy” (Psalm 137:5-6).
There, Israel’s kings ruled and the Temples stood. Jerusalem was, and is, at the center of the prophets’ predictions of worldwide peace and blessing at the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 2:2-4). For this reason, it was called “the City of the Great King” (Psalm 48:2), and Israel, uniquely, has guaranteed religious freedom and access to all religions in Jerusalem since it regained sovereignty in 1967. Politically, the United States has continually acknowledged Jerusalem — despite its international status as a disputed city — as the capital of Israel. In 1992, President Bill Clinton said, “Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and must remain an undivided city.” The next year, he said he supported “the principle of moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.” In 1995, the U.S. Congress passed the “Jerusalem Embassy Act,” calling Jerusalem the undivided capital of Israel and requiring the embassy to be moved to Jerusalem by 1999. It was for this reason that George W. Bush, while still a candidate, said “as soon as I take office, I will move the U.S. Embassy to the city Israel has chosen as its capital.” While this did not happen under the Bush administration, in 2008, President Barack Obama declared, “I have said Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and will remain so.” And, just six months ago, the U.S. Senate marked 50 years of Jerusalem’s reunification with a vote of 90-0 that the U.S. Embassy should be moved to Jerusalem and that it should remain the undivided
SCHOLAR’S VIEWPOINT
capital of Israel. After all, Jerusalem is where the prime minister of Israel lives, where all of the government agencies are housed, where the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) sits, and where the Supreme Court presides. Recognition of these facts by President Trump was nothing more than following through on the historical reality of the city, the religious precedent going back to biblical times, and the political intentions of the U.S. government and past presidents. What will be the outcome? There has been, and will be, political protests by those who have sought to undermine these facts with their own revisionist view based on a religious agenda of supersessionism. There will continue to be condemnation from the politically biased United Nations General Assembly. However, the U.S. act of recognition serves the interest
of renewing the peace process in the Middle East. Israel has always demonstrated its willingness to reconcile political disputes with the Palestinians through direct negotiations. In recent years, the Palestinian Authority abandoned this process and sought to have its demands met through the United Nations. Formerly, the U.S., while promoting direct negotiations, abstained from recognizing Jerusalem — the major issue in this dispute — which emboldened the Palestinians to independent action. The U.S. move of its embassy to Jerusalem now strengthens the call to return to negotiations with Israel and to deal with historical and political facts. As for my daughter, it now means she will get a new passport with a longawaited change affirming that being born in Jerusalem means being born in Israel!
Dr. Randall Price teaches courses on biblical and Judaic studies as a distinguished research professor in the Rawlings School of Divinity. He has also had an extensive career as an archaeologist, serving as the director of excavations on the Qumran Plateau in Israel (site of the Dead Sea Scrolls community) since 2002. Price is the author or co-author of 30 books and has produced five films in Israel. He also leads annual tours to the Holy Land and is curator of the Liberty Biblical Museum, which houses many of the biblical artifacts he has collected throughout his career.
SUPPORT for ISRAEL to unify the faith-based community in Israel. (View the entire event on Liberty’s YouTube channel or Liberty.edu/Streaming). Liberty has continued to nurture a relationship with Israel. In February 2016, the university hosted Ron Dermer, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States. That spring, Liberty announced a financial investment in leading-edge development projects in the technology, medical, and defense industries in Israel.
L E AH SE AVE R S
On Oct. 18, Liberty honored the culture, heritage, and accomplishments of past and present Jews during a Judeo-focused Convocation. Israeli worship band Miqedem led the crowd in a worship set sung entirely in Hebrew. Wayne Hilsden, founder and president of Fellowship Israel Related Ministries, delivered the message. Hilsden is co-founder of the King of Kings Community in Jerusalem, a Messiahcentered congregation that seeks
WAYNE HILSDEN
Early last year, Dr. Randall Price and Liberty students and faculty helped to uncover evidence in a cave in Qumran, Israel, making Christianity Today’s Top 10 Discoveries of 2017 for Biblical Archaeology. The discovery of broken storage jars, scroll wrappings, string, and a piece of worked leather, as well as pickaxe heads from looters in the 1950s, proves the Dead Sea Scrolls were once stored there. It was the first major discovery related to the Dead Sea Scrolls in 60 years.
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UP TO BAT
FLAMES BASEBALL IS READY TO MAKE A HIT IN THE BIG SOUTH
After an exciting first season under Head Coach Scott Jackson in 2017, the Flames look to build upon this foundation in pursuit of their fifth Big South Conference title and a trip to an NCAA Regional in 2018. The Flames’ 2017 recruiting class joins an experienced core of returning players to provide Jackson with a deep and talented squad heading into this year’s campaign. “Coming out of fall practice, our recruiting class has really put some depth into our program,” said the second-year coach. “We have some young talent on the mound and a lot of options with our position players. We should be able to match up better and have more possibilities in our lineup.” 2017 All-American and Big South Player of the Year D.J. Artis headlines a core of returnees, including right-hander Jack
DeGroat, 2016 Big South All-Conference first teamer Andrew Yacyk, and infielder Trey McDyre. DeGroat posted a 1-2 record with four saves and a 2.33 ERA out of the Liberty bullpen last season. The right-hander struck out 58 batters in 38 2/3 innings and will be looked upon to lead the Flames’ pitching staff in 2018. Yacyk returns for his senior year after sitting out last season due to injury. The first baseman drove in a team-high 49 runs and hit .307 in 2016. McDyre, after his insertion into the lineup in early March last season, formed a one-two punch atop Liberty’s lineup with Artis. The sophomore hit .301 with 40 RBI and 37 runs scored over 49 games in 2017 and provided steady play at third base. Jackson, who served as Liberty’s pitching coach in 2008, returned to
Lynchburg in 2017 to lead the Flames to a 33-23 record in his first season and a second-place finish in the Big South regular season standings (16-8). Jackson spent the previous eight seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at North Carolina, helping the Tar Heels post a 345-156 record and make three College World Series appearances. Liberty’s home slate will feature matchups with Duke, James Madison, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest, along with an always competitive Big South schedule. The Flames will visit two teams that made the 2017 NCAA Regionals: North Carolina for a three-game series in March and St. John’s in New York in May. Liberty will host the 2018 Big South Baseball Championship at the Liberty Baseball Stadium, May 22-26.
The Liberty Baseball Stadium was again recognized as one of the top destinations for collegiate baseball in the country. After several seasons on Stadium Journey’s Top 5 list of best college ballpark experiences, the stadium was included in the “7 Must-Visit Stadiums” list by NCAA.com in 2017.
Follow the Flames at LIBERTY.EDU/BASEBALL and on the LU Today app.
L EA H SE AVERS
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JOIN THE FUN Flames Baseball offers one of the most exciting fan experiences in the country. The popular postgame fireworks displays are planned for April 27, May 2, and May 15. Throughout the season, families will enjoy giveaways, kids’ events, autograph sessions, and even a game featuring guests from Star Wars. Visit Liberty.edu/Baseball for the full promotional schedule. Purchase tickets at LibertyFlames.com.
ATHLETICS
Dates and times are subject to change. Visit LIBERTY.EDU/BASEBALL for updated schedule.
FEB. 16-18 Virginia Commonwealth 20 James Madison 23-25 Binghamton 28 at Elon
MARCH 2-4 at North Carolina 6-7 Youngstown State 9-11 Canisius
14 George Mason
13-15 Charleston Southern*
15 Duke
16-18 at Gardner-Webb
18 at Virginia
17-19 at Winthrop*
20 at George Mason
20-22 at High Point*
22-26 Big South Baseball Championship
23-25 UNC Asheville*
25 at Wake Forest
27 at Virginia Tech
27-29 Longwood*
29-31 at Presbyterian*
APRIL
MAY
(Liberty Baseball Stadium)
JUNE 1-3 at NCAA Regionals
2 Virginia Tech
4 Wake Forest
4-6 at St. John’s
6-8 at Campbell*
8 at Duke
10 at Richmond
11-13 Radford*
One of the most dynamic leadoff hitters in collegiate baseball will return for what may be his final season at Liberty. Junior outfielder D.J. Artis enters 2018 as a top Major League Baseball Draft prospect, projected by Baseball America to be taken in the first three rounds of June’s draft. Last year, Artis became the seventh player in program history to receive postseason All-America honors. He was named to Baseball America, D1Baseball.com, and National Collegiate Baseball Writers teams. He was also chosen as the 2017 Big South Player of the Year and selected for the Big South All-Conference first team for the second consecutive season. He was recently voted the 2018 Big South Preseason Player of the Year, selected by the conference’s head coaches, and named to the 2018 D1Baseball.com Preseason All-America team. Artis finished the 2017 season second in the nation with a .532 on-base percentage and was the national leader in walks with 62. Artis’ base on balls total eclipsed his own singleseason program record of 52 walks in his freshman season. In addition, the sophomore led the Big South with a .359 batting average and 58 runs scored, while finishing second with 23 stolen bases. “I have not seen many leadoff hitters
*Big South Conference game
at the college level who bring an on-base ability to a lineup like he brings to ours,” said Liberty Baseball Head Coach Scott Jackson. “Then you throw in the speed, power, and instinct, and you have a very dynamic player that is pretty special to our program.” The native of Greensboro, N.C., who patrolled center field for the Flames, completed 2017 among the conference leaders in hits (ninth at 65), RBI (ninth at 45), and slugging percentage (third at .552). He collected 13 doubles, two triples, and six home runs. It is Artis’ steady performance that makes him a game changer. “D.J.’s the same guy every day when he shows up to the field,” Jackson said. “When your most talented position player upholds the standards in your program, you have a high-character young man and a special player.” In Flames Baseball history, Liberty has had five players picked in the top four rounds. The most recent was Jason Jones in the fourth round of the 2004 Draft by the New York Yankees. He is joined by former Flames Sid Bream, a second-round draft choice by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981; Lee Guetterman, a fourth-round selection of the Seattle Mariners in 1981; Renard Brown, a third-round choice by the Mariners in 1982; and Josh Brey, a fourth-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001.
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DIVE ON IN During a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Liberty University Natatorium on Jan. 26, Jake Shellenberger, head coach of Liberty’s NCAA Division I women’s swimming & diving team, called the facility “a dream come true.” “You would be hard-pressed to find a pool, at least on the East Coast, of finer quality,” he said. “It’s a top-five facility — in the entire country.” Following the ceremony, President Jerry Falwell got in on the fun by taking a feet-first plunge off the 10-meter platform. The natatorium features a nine-
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lane, 50-meter pool with a moveable bulkhead that can divide it into
“IT’S A TOP-FIVE FACILITY — IN THE E N T I R E CO U N T R Y.” JAKE SHELLENBERGER two, 25-yard pools for short-course competition. It has a separate 17-footdeep diving well with a full tower
featuring 1- and 3-meter springboards and 1-, 3-, 5-, 7.5-, and 10-meter platforms. In addition to team locker rooms, there is a room for swimmers to warm up, next to the starting blocks, and a 43-by-14 videoboard for instant replays and live times and team scores. Wraparound stands bring seating capacity to over 1,400. Club Sports teams will also train and compete in the natatorium, including men’s swimming & diving, men’s and women’s triathlon, and men’s water polo (to debut next fall).
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President Jerry Falwell, Director of Athletics Ian McCaw, and women’s swimming & diving Head Coach Jake Shellenberger participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with other members of Liberty’s administration, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance staff, and individuals who contributed to the planning, construction, and operation of the building.
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MAKING BOLD MOVES FOR THE FUTURE The Big South Conference strengthened its profile in November 2017 when the league announced the addition of Hampton University and the University of South Carolina Upstate as full members. Both institutions will officially join the conference for the 2018-19 season. With the two new schools, the Big South Conference will now have 12 members — four in Virginia (Hampton, Liberty, Longwood, and Radford); four in South Carolina (Charleston Southern, Presbyterian College, USC Upstate, and Winthrop); and four in North Carolina (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, High Point, and UNC Asheville). USC Upstate was founded in 1967 in Spartanburg, S.C., and currently enrolls 6,000 students. The Spartans made the move to the NCAA Division I level in 2011 and won six conference championships as a member of the
Atlantic Sun Conference. The school sponsors 15 varsity sports in Division I, all of which are part of the Big South: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, and women’s volleyball. Hampton’s move to the Big South Conference is a historic venture. It is one of only two historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) at the NCAA Division I level to not be a part of either
LU will have more opportunities than ever before to showcase its spectacular new athletics facilities when it hosts three Big South Conference Championships this semester: men’s and women’s indoor track & field, Feb. 23-24; women’s basketball, March 8-11; and baseball, May 22-26.
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WELCOME TO LIBERTY
the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) or Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Founded in 1868, Hampton is one of the oldest universities in Virginia and has flourished under the leadership of President Dr. William R. Harvey for the last 40 years. Enrollment currently stands at 4,768. The Pirates sponsor 17 varsity sports in Division I, with 14 competing in the Big South: football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, softball, men’s and women’s golf, and women’s volleyball. Over the last 22 years in the MEAC, the Pirates claimed 93 conference titles and made 30 NCAA Tournament appearances. With Liberty and Hampton less than a four hours’ drive apart, the schools have had a longstanding rivalry on the athletics field.
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FIVE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION TO LEAD WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Before arriving as the new head coach of Liberty’s NCAA Division I women’s volleyball team in January, Trevor Johnson established himself as the only athlete-turned-coach in the history of the NAIA to win a national championship as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
Johnson brings an 86-14 career head coaching record to LU after spending the 2015 season as the women’s volleyball assistant coach at Baylor University and the 2016-17 seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas A&M University. As a starting setter at California Baptist University, Johnson helped the Lancers earn back-to-back NAIA national titles in 2004 and 2005. He then went on to train with the USA Men’s National Volleyball team. He returned to California Baptist to become an assistant women’s and men’s volleyball coach, helping the men’s team capture the NAIA national championship in 2011. Johnson then served at Concordia University in Irvine, Calif., with both
the women’s and men’s volleyball teams. Johnson became Concordia’s first men’s volleyball head coach, leading the team to an NAIA national championship in its inaugural season and earning Men’s Coach of the Year in 2013. “Trevor is a truly exceptional coach, recruiter, leader, and good mission fit for Liberty, and he is gifted in relating to student-athletes,” Liberty Director of Athletics Ian McCaw said. “We look forward to watching him build a championship program at Liberty.” Johnson succeeds Shane Pinder, who led the Lady Flames to six consecutive Big South Conference regular-season titles from 2007-12 and four trips to the NCAA Tournament (2007, 2008, 2011, and 2012).
MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM SUPPORTS HURRICANE RELIEF IN CARIBBEAN In the aftermath of the deadly hurricane season in the Caribbean last fall, the Liberty University’s Men’s Basketball program took an active role in raising money for relief efforts. The Flames opened their preseason by playing an exhibition game on Oct. 26 at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, with proceeds from ticket sales going to hurricane relief efforts. Liberty’s portion of the sales went directly to Ponce, Puerto Rico, hometown of sophomore guard Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz. When Hurricane Irma devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands in September, Liberty opened its doors to host the preseason Paradise Jam, which is traditionally held in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Liberty donated the $15,154 from ticket sales and more than 500 food and baby care items that were collected at the tournament to humanitarian relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. With permission from the NCAA and the Big South Conference, Liberty covered the travel expenses for Pacheco-Ortiz’s parents to fly from Puerto Rico to Lynchburg to watch their son play.
From Nov. 9-17, LU Send Now, Liberty’s disaster relief initiative, sent a team of eight students and two team leaders to Ponce to work alongside the Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team. The group assembled water filters, patched roofs, and worked at distribution centers in remote areas of Puerto Rico.
Sophomore Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz, from Puerto Rico, plays in the Paradise Jam tournament at the Vines Center.
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SERVING STUDENT-ATHLETES NEW LIBERTY ATHLETICS CENTER ENHANCES OVERALL EXPERIENCE BY BILL SMITH/LIBERTY ATHLETICS Since opening in November, the 60,000-square-foot Liberty Athletics Center (LAC) has provided unlimited opportunities for student-athletes to flourish physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually in their sports and in their studies. Designed as the central hub for Liberty Athletics, the 3-story building includes an Olympic sports weight room and a training facility for short- and long-term rehabilitation
of Liberty’s NCAA Division I studentathletes. It also has a refueling station operated by Liberty’s Sports Nutrition staff. Approximately one-third of the building is used for academic enhancement. The facility features tutoring spaces, conference rooms, a computer library, and an open library study space. Senior Holly Arey, a thrower on the Liberty women’s track & field team,
said she likes the all-encompassing aspect of the new facility. She visits the group study rooms to work on schoolwork, the refueling station to grab a snack or a protein shake after practice, and the athletic training room for physical therapy on her shoulder. “The LAC has enhanced my experience as a student-athlete because almost everything I could need is here,” Arey said. “From the training room to the weight room,
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ATHLETICS to excel,” Jones said. “I am grateful for all the perks that come with being a student-athlete here at Liberty.” Jenna Joyal, a two-sport athlete who is a member of the lacrosse team and a diver on the swimming & diving team, said her favorite part about the LAC is the sense of community it builds within the Athletics program. She said she is thankful for the bevy of opportunities the LAC offers and for the caring specialists on staff. “The endless amount of resources that the LAC provides, such as tutors for all subjects as well as the support from our academic advisors, strength & conditioning coaches, and athletic training staff, has allowed me to become stronger and more confident in both my academic and athletic capabilities,” Joyal said.
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to the refueling station to the tutors, there’s not much more that is needed. The LAC has opened up so many opportunities for me to focus on being a student while not forgetting the importance of fueling correctly and maintaining a healthy body.” Darrel Jones, a jumper on the men’s track & field team, echoed Arey’s sentiments and said his favorite element of the LAC is the refueling station. He said he is able to get a quick bite to eat or a protein shake before and after practice. The senior has also used the study area with teammates and utilizes the athletic training room’s new tools, such as the vibrating foam rollers and the pulse leg recovery machines, to stay healthy and prepare him for competition. “The LAC has given me the resources
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MINISTRY MINDED
CLUB SPORTS STUDENT-ATHLETES MOTIVATED TO SERVE OVERSEAS BY TED ALLEN Challenging student-athletes to think globally is part of the mission of Club Sports Ministry Director Brian Davidson. At a departmentwide Convocation in October, he cast a vision for the more than 700 members and coaches of Liberty’s 41 Club Sports teams to impact the world for Christ. “We want the Liberty Club Sports platform to be used for Kingdom purposes because it’s an incredibly powerful resource for the Christian body worldwide,” said Davidson, who is also an adjunct instructor in sport management. “Sport, like music, is universal in its appeal and can help break down barriers and build relationships between people of different nationalities and languages.” The former professional soccer coach and founder of the Charlotte (N.C.) Eagles Soccer Club, has traveled to over 50 countries to engage in sports outreach over the past 35 years. In 2002, he started Sports Friends, a ministry that seeks to transform lives and strengthen communities through local church-centered sports ministries while equipping churches in Africa, Asia, and South America for Christian discipleship. Currently, he is working with Club Sports coaches as well as churches and sports ministries around the world to coordinate sports-oriented outreach trips for the 2018-19 school year. Davidson and his wife, Christine, adopted three sons from Ghana, and last spring, he led 12 Liberty sport management students on a trip to the same area where his sons were born. Davidson hopes to take a team of Club Sports student-athletes back to the
predominantly Muslim country to help plant a church. “We’re going to connect athletes to strategic opportunities and help them become imitators of Christ with a mission,” Davidson said. “We don’t want to blow in, blow up, and blow out. We want to help move forward a ministry strategy that’s already on the ground and be really intentional about developing ongoing, sustainable, Gospel-centered sport ministries led by nationals.” Davidson and Club Sports Associate Athletic Director Jeff Boettger are teaming with Operation Mobilization representatives in Finland to plan the Division I men’s hockey team’s trip there over Spring Break 2019. Boettger has led previous competitive hockey trips to Sweden, Russia, Latvia, and China. Several Club Sports student-athletes are already catching the vision. Over Winter Break, senior women’s Ultimate player Hilary Kline traveled to Thailand to conduct Ultimate workshops for
Ultimate player Hilary Kline worked with children in Thailand over Winter Break.
The men’s D1 hockey team visited China during Spring Break 2016.
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middle and high school students, using donated discs and cones from Liberty. She also joined missionaries in jail ministry and visited schools to teach English and share the Gospel. This Spring Break, Flames Hockey player Matt Cruickshank is joining a team of fellow psychology majors on an LU Send trip to Rwanda, where they will focus on combating human trafficking. Two years ago, disc golf players traveled to Zambia to help build a course and conduct clinics. Last summer, Hannah Croke (’16) helped introduce disc golf to youth in Costa Rica. Several Club Sports teams also have been invited to serve elsewhere around the world: the rock climbing team to France, the crew team to England, the Ultimate team to Malaysia, the wrestling team to Russia, the archery team to China, and the lacrosse team to Uganda. The department is also considering an all-sports camp in Ethiopia.
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KIDS SUMMER CAMPS AT LIBERTY ACADEMIC CAMPS
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Liberty University offers a wide variety of summer camps, from athletics to academics, for children and youth. Participants can explore their interests while taking advantage of Liberty’s wide variety of resources and facilities in day or overnight camps. Each camp provides unique opportunities to interact with Liberty’s faculty, staff, and coaches.
Aviation Christian Worldview BootCamp Digital Media & Journalism History School of Engineering & Computational Sciences: GenCyber School of Government/Spy Camp School of Music: Music & Worship TeenPact Theatre
BOYS ATHLETICS CAMPS Baseball Basketball Football Golf
Lacrosse Soccer Tennis Wrestling
GIRLS ATHLETICS CAMPS Soccer Basketball Field Hockey Tennis Volleyball Lacrosse Softball
COMBINED ATHLETICS CAMPS
Cross Country Equestrian Hockey Recreation Centers Summer Camp Track & Field Liberty Mountain Skate Park Camp Snowflex Next Level Summer Camps
For dates of camps and to register, visit Liberty.edu/SummerCamps.
LIBERTY MOUNTAIN GUN CLUB ON TARGET TO HOST COMPETITIONS NATHAN SP E NC E R
Construction on the $3 million Liberty Mountain Gun Club (LMGC), located on 490 acres near the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center, is well underway. Work is nearly complete on the 100-, 200-, and 300yard rifle ranges, a three-gun range, a pistol range, a shotgun range with a five-stand, a super sporting clay station, and a bunker equipped with 15 clay trap machines. By the fall, the
facility will also have two sportingclay courses with 26 stations and a 5,000-square-foot lodge with a team room for gun storage, a small armory, an awards station, and a covered area for outside viewing and dining. Dave Hartman, shooting sports head coach and LMGC executive director, said the new facility provides an outlet for enthusiasts of one of the fastestgrowing sports in America. It is the
only collegiate range that is a venue for all of the Olympic shooting sports. “There are hundreds of thousands of youth in our country who love the shooting sports,” Hartman said. “Where do they go when they get done shooting in high school? We have a rare opportunity here.” Nick Berry, world ambassador for LaPorte, the French manufacturer of traps and clay targets that supplies equipment for the Olympics and the United States National Championships, installed skeet machines at the shotgun range and sporting clay courses. “It’s definitely a lot of machines, but it’s how you make champions,” he said. “This is really a world-class facility.” Students, faculty, and staff can use the new range after taking free firearm safety courses offered through the Liberty University Police Department. Members of the law enforcement community can also train at the facility. It will be open for public use in the future.
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A WORLD OF INFLUENCE SOCCER COACH BILL BELL REACHED BEYOND BORDERS TO IMPACT PLAYERS’ LIVES BY TED ALLEN When legendary Scottish footballer Bill Bell became Liberty University’s second men’s soccer coach in 1980, the young program quickly became a melting pot of players from all over the world. “My first order of business was to expand Liberty’s athletics horizons and look to the international game to provide a pipeline of talent. Recruiting players from all over America, as well as Mexico, England, and Africa, became my calling card,” Bell wrote in his autobiography, “The Light at the End of the Tunnel.” Coming off a 22-year professional career as a player and coach for Leeds United and other premier soccer teams in England, Bell spent 21 seasons in Lynchburg, Va., compiling a 198-14940 record while helping the Flames transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II and eventually NCAA Division I status in 1987. “Coach Bell put Liberty Baptist College, as it was called at the time, on the map from a soccer standpoint in the early 1980s,” said current Flames Head Coach Jeff Alder, a former LU player under Bell who also served as Bell’s assistant for nine seasons. “During his time, we had players from England, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. With Liberty’s
profile as a global university, we were able to attract players who fit into our Christian environment and culture, who wanted to get an education based on biblical principles — and also compete at an elite level.” In 1984, Bell landed one of Liberty’s best recruiting classes in team history, highlighted by four dynamic players from Accra, Ghana: goalkeeper Paul Annan, forward David Annan (no relation to Paul), defender Samuel Johnson, and midfielder Edward Tetteh. “We wanted boys who would not only be good players, but also be great testimonies for the Lord,” Bell said. “More than anything, I wanted to mold these boys into men who would play for the Lord and exemplify the spirit of Christ both on and off the field.” The trek to the U.S. proved worthwhile for this foursome, as they helped elevate the program to new levels on the field. But even greater rewards came after graduation, when all of them found success in their professional careers, evidence of the major impact Bell and Liberty had on their lives. “Coach Bell was like a father to me,” said Paul Annan, adding that Bell’s wife, Mary, was like the team’s mom.
“Although he brought us to Liberty on athletics scholarships, he made sure we had a purpose and a goal in mind as to what we wanted to do in the future … and that our grades on the academic side matched our performances on the soccer field.” Paul Annan was an accounting student who went on to earn his M.B.A. in corporate finance and become a Certified Public Accountant and Global Certified Management Accountant. He is now the fixed assets accounting controller at Mercedes Benz U.S. International in Alabama. David Annan received his undergraduate degree in biology before going on to pursue his master’s in healthcare administration. Following a career as a captain in the U.S. Army and a company commander responsible for over 200 soldiers in both South Korea and the United States, he now works as a medical laboratory scientist at Walter Reed National Medical Center, the largest military hospital in the world, serving the U.S. president, members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and foreign diplomats. Johnson went on to become a medical doctor in Phoenix. Tetteh founded the Liberty Professionals Football Club in Ghana,
LEFT: Coach Bill Bell talks to his players in 1982, his third season at the helm. MIDDLE: Bell presents players (from left) David Annan, Paul Annan, and Sam Johnson, all from Ghana, Academic All-America awards during a banquet in 1985. RIGHT: Former Flames men’s soccer player and current Head Coach Jeff Alder presents Bell a Liberty jersey for his 80th birthday last September.
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ATHLETICS time with their grandchildren. Bell turned 80 this past fall, and some of his players came back to Lynchburg to celebrate the milestone in the life of their coach and spiritual mentor. Bell’s legacy of serving God through the sport of soccer lives on at Liberty. Over the past 17 seasons as head coach, Alder has extended Bell’s international recruiting efforts. Five of the Flames’ top players last fall came from outside the U.S. — midfielders Pepe Segarra from Spain, Kevin Mendoza from Mexico, and Shaun Stocker from England; forward Tresor Mbuyu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and defenseman Shalom Dutey from Togo, Africa. “We’ve carried on that tradition,” Alder said. “It’s just so unique, bringing together guys from all different backgrounds and all different cultures. Trying to get them to understand that their relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing and then using soccer as a platform to reach others is what God has called us to do.” Alder has coached 23 players who have gone on to play professional soccer, including midfielder Joshua Boateng, from Ghana, who was selected in the 2009 Major League Soccer (MLS) Super Draft after leading the Flames to their first Big South Conference tournament championship in 2007. Seven other graduates have been selected in the MLS Supplemental Draft, including Ghanaian forwards Darren Amoo and Phillip Aseweh, who anchored Liberty’s last BSC Tournament title team in 2011 before going on to coach youth soccer in Texas and Ghana, respectively. Alder and his wife, Lori, see the players as family and minister to them in much the same way that Bill and Mary Bell had done. “Lori and I have two of our own children — and then we’ve got 27 kids that we adopt each year, and those guys are part of our family for life,” Alder said. “We’ve got an awesome responsibility to try to raise and develop these kids. We want to compete at a high level between the lines, but our first job is to prepare them to leave Liberty and be ambassadors for Christ and the university.”
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one of the nation’s largest developers of amateur and professional soccer talent. Sadly, Tetteh collapsed and died on the field while playing in a recreational game on Sept. 3, 2011, Bell’s 74th birthday. Besides being an inspirational coach, Bell was intentional about sharing the Gospel and training his players to pass it on. “Coach Bell loves the Lord, and it showed in his actions at practice or at a soccer game,” Paul Annan said. “After every game, he would give us tracts to distribute and would always go to the opposing coach to spread the Good News. He was very persistent. I became spiritually stronger at Liberty partly because I had a leader in Coach Bell whose top priority for me was knowing Jesus Christ, and then academics and soccer.” Johnny Sasu (’91, ’13), another in a long line of former Liberty players from Ghana, shares a similar testimony of the impact Bell had on his life. “Coach Bell is one of the greatest soccer coaches I have ever encountered,” said Sasu, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business management and is now a senior accounting receivable analyst with Maimonides Medical Center (MMC) Holding of Brooklyn (N.Y.) Inc. “He always treated us very professionally and was always open to our input and feedback in the process of building Champions for Christ, academically and professionally. He was not only concerned about us winning games, but, more importantly, about us sharing our faith with the opposing teams so they had the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.” After surviving a heart condition that required quadruple bypass surgery in 1993, Bell, along with his wife, felt the Lord leading them back to the United Kingdom to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with imprisoned youth. They founded Within the Walls ministry and answered God’s call to leave Liberty and serve in prison ministry full time in England in 2001. They returned to the U.S. five years later, introducing Within the Walls to prisons in South Carolina. They now live in Lynchburg, where they enjoy
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What’s in a Name? While you are watching a theatre production in Green Hall or cheering on the Flames in Williams Stadium, have you ever wondered how the buildings got their names? Here’s an introduction to some of the generous supporters we can thank for our favorite spots around campus.
The Food Court at Reber-Thomas Lynchburg businessmen Jimmy Thomas, Sr. and Dan Reber donated the $1.4 million needed to complete this main campus dining facility in 1992. It has undergone major renovations over the years and was ranked No. 1 in the country by BestColleges.com in both 2015 and 2016.
Osborne Stadium Liberty alumnus and former football player Richard Osborne (’80) and his wife, Karin, provided the lead gift to build the soccer stadium in 2010. Osborne has served on Liberty’s Board of Trustees. The adjacent Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex is named for the founder of the Liberty track & field program, Jake Matthes, and Liberty’s first women’s track coach, Ron Hopkins. The Luurtsema Center at the south end of the stadium serves as the operations building for the men’s and women’s soccer teams and was made possible by Bill and Wanda Luurtsema of Grandville, Mich.
Cook Tennis Center The late Sherwin Cook and his wife, Lora, contributed the lead gift for this operations center serving the men’s and women’s tennis teams. Mr. Cook was a local businessman with a successful career in the restaurant industry. He served on Liberty’s Board of Trustees. The Sherwin Cook A&P Center at the School of Aeronautics is also named for him.
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Thomas Indoor Soccer Center Liberty alumni, local businessmen, and brothers Glen Thomas and Jimmy Thomas, Jr. have both served on Liberty’s Board of Trustees. They are the sons of Jimmy Thomas, Sr., for whom the dining hall is named. The brothers’ contributions include the soccer center, which opened in 2009 and is used by Liberty Athletics, intramural teams, and large community youth leagues year-round, as well as the former Lynchburg Inn and Conference Center (later used as a residential hall, the Residential Annex 1).
Jerry Falwell Library Opened in 2014, the $50 million library is the first building on campus to be named after the university’s founder, the late Dr. Jerry Falwell. This innovative four-story facility honors his vision for a Christian university that offers world-class academics.
Arthur S. DeMoss Hall This building served for many years as the campus’ primary academic building. It honors the late Arthur S. DeMoss, a generous benefactor, former Board of Trustees member, and a powerful Christian witness. Liberty received an $11 million bequest in 1985 to build out the first floor and another $9 million from DeMoss’ foundation in 2000 to complete the top three floors.
Marie F. Green Hall Green Hall was named in honor of Marie Green, the mother of Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green. Hobby Lobby gifted the nearly 1 million-square-foot building to Liberty in 2003. Marie Green was known for her kindness and tireless support of international mission work.
LaHaye Ice Center and LaHaye Recreation and Fitness Center Longstanding Liberty supporters Tim and Beverly LaHaye donated the funds to build both facilities. The couple served on Liberty’s Board of Trustees and left a legacy at Liberty through their fervent prayers, friendship, and support. Dr. Tim LaHaye died in 2016. He was an evangelical leader, a nationally recognized speaker on Bible prophecy, and the co-author of the best-selling “Left Behind” series.
Williams Stadium Arthur and Angela Williams were friends of the late Dr. Jerry Falwell and longtime donors to Liberty. Through the Williamses’ generosity, the stadium opened in October 1989 with a crowd of 12,750 for Homecoming. It received an upgrade in 2010 and is undergoing another major expansion that is set to be completed by the opening of football season this fall (see Page 18). The Williamses also donated money for the 10,000-seat Vines Center, which opened in 1990. That building honors Odie and Minnie Vines, the parents of one of the Williamses’ business partners, Myrna Adams. The Williamses donated a total of $60 million to Liberty over a 15-year period.
Several naming opportunities are available on campus. Contact the Office of University Development at (866) 602-7983 or visit
Liberty.edu/Giving.
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Keeping the Liberty Legacy Alive Liberty University students who are children of Liberty alumni are usually quick to tell you the stories they grew up hearing — from words spoken by Liberty founder Jerry Falwell Sr. during Convocation to how the dress code has changed over the years. These students also heard how their parents’ faith was invigorated at Liberty. And some can even tell you how their parents met on campus. But now these students are creating their own stories at Liberty. They, too, are being impacted both spiritually and academically, making lifelong friends and being taught by professors they will never forget. Here are just a few stories out of the hundreds from second-generation families who have called Liberty home.
LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP
Liberty student Claire Nance, right, with her parents, Penny (’89) and Will Nance, and brother Briscoe.
Liberty student Becca Orth with her father, Larry Orth (’92)
For families interested in carrying Liberty’s legacy to the next generation, Liberty offers the Legacy Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship — awarded per year for up to four years — is open to new residential students with a parent/guardian who earned an undergraduate degree from Liberty. Learn more at Liberty.edu/Scholarships.
Cheryl and Darren Richards, 1989 Liberty graduates, with their children, Dustin, Beatrice, Julie and Kate. Beatrice and Julie are current Liberty students.
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ALUMNI
The Nances
Remembering how much Liberty influenced her own spiritual walk and bolstered her academic career, Penny Nance (’89) was not shy about where she wanted her daughter, Claire, to go to college. “Of course I had very strong feelings for Liberty when Claire was choosing schools,” Nance said. “I just believe strongly that Liberty offers her both academically and spiritually the kind of setting she needs to grow and be ready.” Penny graduated with a degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations. She currently serves as president and CEO of Concerned Women for America — of which
The Orths
Liberty alumnus Larry Orth (’92) had a different experience. Instead of taking classes in DeMoss Hall or hanging around in his dorm on the Hill, Larry was back at home in Minnesota with a pile of videotapes. He was enrolled in the distance learning program, an alternative form of education that was becoming increasingly popular among students for its flexible, convenient format. Orth watched lectures on videotapes he received through the mail and would take tests in front of an approved proctor, finishing the class within 120 days. The original distance learning program paved the way for Liberty to become a
The Richardses
Cheryl (’89) and Darren (’89) Richards first came to Liberty in 1985. Back then, the campus was vastly different from today. Long gone is the red dirt that Cheryl remembers would stain her clothes. The hockey team now practices in its own ice arena and no longer travels an hour away for practice, as Darren’s team once did. Their daughters are following in their footsteps. Beatrice, a freshman, and Julie, a junior, are both nursing students. Having grown up more than 2,000 miles away from Lynchburg in
Liberty has a campus chapter — and said Liberty’s biblically minded education was essential in preparing her for her career. That was 30 years ago. Nance said that since then, Liberty has only grown and developed into a world-class university. “What I saw when I visited Liberty, while looking at it for my daughter, was a fully matured organization and university that managed to retain its mission of Training Champions for Christ.” At first, Claire was not so sure about choosing her mother’s alma mater. Like many teenagers looking at colleges, she wanted to see for herself which college suited her best. It was not until she decided to visit Liberty that she realized
its unique, welcoming culture. “For me, it wasn’t just that Liberty has great professors,” Claire said. “But seeing how many different things there were to do around campus and getting to be a part of a community where everyone is so kind and people want to genuinely be a part of my life — that’s what really made it worth it.” Claire is now a junior studying strategic communication. She said she made the right choice. “When I talk to my friends who go to other state schools, they say they have a Christian community, but it’s in the confines of this small sphere of a few hundred on campus,” Claire said. “Here on Liberty’s campus, our sphere is made up of 15,500 students — the whole school — which definitely makes a difference.”
leader in online education today. “I liked the flexibility of the format at the time, and it was a creative way of getting an education. What I really loved about the courses is that I could apply them to all aspects of life, in whatever I was doing.” After taking a class on the book of Hebrews, Larry was so inspired by the Christ-centered education he received through Liberty that he decided to redirect his life goals. Instead of receiving his M.B.A. and continuing his career in business and finance, Larry earned his Master of Religion, preparing him to serve as a pastor of care and community outreach at his church in Rochester, Minn.
His love for Liberty was imparted to his children: all four of them ended up choosing Liberty and attending classes on campus. For Becca, currently a freshman majoring in business administration, Liberty always seemed to be a part of the family. Her older siblings, Macai (’12), Renee (‘14), and Ben (’17) further influenced her decision to carry on her family’s legacy. “After my siblings went there, I really saw how much Liberty impacted them, and I knew I was going to the right place. I wanted to experience that same education, particularly the way Liberty exposes us to a Christian worldview, making sure we have that in every aspect of our lives.”
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the sisters say they were unsure at first about moving to America for college — even with all the positive stories they’d heard from their parents. But now, they said, they have never looked back. “Everything has definitely exceeded all of my expectations from what my parents told me,” Julie said, “particularly with the friendships I’ve made. I didn’t know if Americans were going to be all that different from Canadians, but everyone has been so nice and supportive here.” While the red dirt has been replaced
with an expansive lawn — and new buildings now stand in the place of old ones — Cheryl and Darren said they’re glad that their daughters are able to attend a school that has stayed true to its mission. “Jerry Sr. used to always say, ‘If it’s Christian, it ought to be better,’ and that ‘We’re not going to be the Harvards or other schools that water down their faith over the years,’” Cheryl said. “It’s been so refreshing to see that dream come true, to see how Jerry Jr. has really taken his father’s mission to heart.”
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CLASS NOTES ’87
BARRY WILL, of Mechanicsville, Va., published two fantasy books, “A Fine Basket of Fish” and “The Long-Lost Troll,” which are part of the Betty Sterling series.
’02
KARI WAGNER, of Forest, Va., led her Mary Kay team to the $500,000 Circle of Achievement. Wagner’s picture is on display in Times Square on the rotating “Good Morning America” billboard.
’04
PATIENCE LEINO, of Knightdale, N.C., serves as a senior administrator of Maintenance of Certification and Quality External Activities for the American Board of Pediatrics. After Leino’s first child was born with a heart defect and died at 6 months old, she became an advocate for collaborating with medical teams and ensuring that the patient perspective is integrated in hospitals and elsewhere.
’05
STEPHEN LIND, of Hope, Mich., wrote a new book, “A Charlie Brown Religion,” which explores the life, faith, and work of the influential comic strip artist Charles M. Schulz.
’05
HOLLY MEADE, of Flint Hill, Va., was promoted to assistant director of Fauquier County Community Development Department. She has been with the department for more than 22 years.
Alumna taking the competitive racing field by storm
Growing up in New Jersey, Nikki Justice (’12) had never heard of Liberty University until she was recruited by the school to run track. After traveling to Lynchburg to attend College For A Weekend, Justice met with the track team and quickly fell in love with the university. The experience proved to be lifechanging. Liberty is where Justice’s love for fitness grew and where she met her husband, Philip (’10). “We had a lot of mutual friends, and he was in my Spanish class, believe it or not,” Justice said. “He is a whole lot shorter
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than me — like six inches — I don’t know how he saw over me.” But while at Liberty, Justice was diagnosed with bilateral compartment syndrome, which stopped her from running. Justice now calls this setback a blessing in disguise. “Coach (Brant) Tolsma and Coach (Lance) Bingham encouraged me to try throwing the javelin since I couldn’t run the times,” Justice said. Justice said she didn’t see how throwing would be useful, but the skill became an intricate component of her next passion: Spartan racing. The fitness trend, which started in 2007, combines racing and intense obstacle courses. “I started off as a spectator,” Justice said. “When we were dating, my (now husband) was all amped up about some Spartan race he had signed up for. I had already spent years of my life running in circles. I didn’t need to run anymore, and I just went to support him.” During his race at the Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County, Va., Justice watched him struggle to make it through the 13-mile course. “I tightened my backpack, hopped over the tape, and started to race with him,” she said. “I actually completed
some of the obstacles with the backpack and then I ended up winning a few festival challenges. I was completely hooked.” Since picking up the sport, Justice has already made waves. She competed on the show “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge” on the Country Music Channel and placed first in Reebok Spartan Race’s U.S. Championship Series West Virginia Super. She was also featured on NBC Sports‘ Spartan World Championships. “Obstacle course racing in itself is growing,” Justice said. “More people are becoming interested in it. Spartan is trying to get obstacle racing into the 2020 Olympics, so that’s kind of what I’m fighting for right now.” Justice is currently ranked 14th in the nation among the elite athletes and is hoping to crack into the top 10 this year. When she’s not racing, Justice and her husband run a fitness coaching program, Justice Elite Fitness. Though it’s been six years since she graduated, Justice said she is proud of being a Liberty graduate. “Liberty taught me that even in the face of adversity, you can still shine the light of God — no matter where you are or what you’re doing, even in a mud-run or a Spartan race,” Justice said.
ALUMNI
’09
KEVIN JONES, of Hampton, Va., received a Doctor of Educational Ministry in family ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the family pastor at Fox Hill Road Baptist Church in Hampton.
’09
MICHAEL SHANLIAN, of The Villages, Fla., graduated with an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Tennessee Temple in 2013. Shanlian teaches online leadership courses for Beulah Heights University and is currently working as a realtor in The Villages, Fla.
’11
RANDALL LIBERTY, of Warren, Maine, serves as the warden of Maine State Prison. Liberty, a retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major, has served in this position for the last two years and has made major changes, including introducing a program that allows prisoner-made beehives and gardens. Last year, more than 10,000 pounds of vegetables were grown, with 1,000 pounds donated to soup kitchens and food banks across the state. He also began a recycling and compost program for the prison that cut waste by 90 percent.
’12
JASON CASTILLE, of Abilene, Texas, completed his B.S. in Biblical Studies. A U.S. Army sergeant, Castille was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge.
’12
ZACH FREEMAN, of Seattle, Wash., helped start a campaign consultancy called Pinnacle Group that is aimed at helping conservative candidates. Freeman is passionate about aiding nonprofit advocacy groups and conservative issues.
Mission trip to Iraq makes lasting impact on nursing alumna When Emily Barker (’16) saw her husband, David (’14), thrive at Liberty University School of Law, she decided it was time to go back and earn her BSN through the university’s online RN to BSN program after being a nurse for 17 years. She completed her BSN in 2016 and had been praying for the opportunity to go on a mission trip. In early 2017, God used a Samaritan’s Purse Facebook advertisement. “I didn’t really know anything about Samaritan’s Purse,” she said. “Then this call for nurses and physicians to go to Iraq popped in my newsfeed. Instantly, I knew I wanted to go.” Iraq already had a special place in Barker’s heart. Her husband had served there with U.S. Army Special Operations and had been injured in combat. Naturally, he was hesitant for Emily to go on the monthlong trip, but she said she knew God wanted her there, so she submitted her application the next morning. A few weeks later (in February 2017), she arrived in Mosul to serve with the Samaritan’s Purse Medical Disaster Assistance Response Team. “It was 100 percent heartbreaking,” Barker said of the conditions there. “We could hear explosions 24/7 and mostly treated women and children. Children
would arrive with arms and legs blown off (or) gunshot wounds to the head. It was a lot.” Despite the tragedy and overwhelming need, Barker said the team saw God’s hand at work as the staff provided high-quality medical care while showing the love of Christ to victims of war. “One physician brought a surgical tool that he bought for a couple of dollars on eBay thinking that he wouldn’t need it, but he ended up saving someone’s life with it,” she said. “We had a burn-care nurse about to end her deployment. Before she left, she taught a class on how to take care of extensive burns. Within one or two hours of that class, we received two significant burn victims.” But the most meaningful miracle came when Barker returned to the states and to her 8-year-old son, Noah. “It was heartbreaking to leave him, and I was terrified it would destroy his already hesitant faith in God if something happened to me,” Barker said. “But God worked through all of it, and since then, my son has given his life to the Lord. He is now this super strong, courageous kid. I thought I was traumatizing him and doing this terrible thing, yet it turned out to be exactly what God wanted for my son.” After her experience in Iraq, Barker
hopes to continue to assist victims of wars and disasters, as well as combat veterans like her husband.
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’12
JOHN WARSON, of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., was appointed assistant professor of military science at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. Warson’s experience includes a wide range of basic and advanced training, deployments in Haiti (in 1994 as a combat engineer in support of Operation Uphold Democracy), Kosovo (in 2000 as a squad leader in support of Operation Joint Endeavor), Baghdad (in 2003 as a platoon sergeant in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom), and Afghanistan (in 2004 as an engineer cell noncommissioned officer in charge).
’12
JAMES WRIGHT, of Lexington, N.C., joined Lexington Internal Medical Care as a nurse practitioner. He will see patients with long-term health issues as well as acute problems.
’14
LISA BIRCHMORE, of Middle Granville, N.Y., joined 213 other teachers as they were added to the state’s Master Teacher list. The program, which was started in 2013 to help strengthen New York’s STEM education program, recognizes highperforming K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math educators. Prior to teaching, Birchmore worked as an engineer for 15 years in various manufacturing industries. Birchmore earned both a B.S. and M.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an M.Ed. in General Education from the College of St. Joseph and an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty.
’14
CHRISTINA EDNEY, of Pulaski, Va., was named the general manager of the minor league baseball team, the Pulaski Yankees.
’14
JOHNNA EHLERT, of Lovettsville, Va., was
recently named to the Society for Human Resource Management’s Young Professional Advisory Council. Ehlert works as the human resources operations analyst for Neustar, Inc.
’14
MELINDA JOHNSON, of Jacksonville, Fla., is the CEO and Founder of Married for Life, Inc., a nonprofit organization that aims to help couples build healthy marriages. Johnson graduated from Liberty with an M.A. in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family.
’16
JOHN BEAMAN, of Rockwall, Texas, announced his candidacy for Heath City Council. Beaman completed his undergraduate studies with a 4.0 GPA from Liberty University where he majored in Business Administration: Economics and minored in Public Administration. Beaman will complete Liberty’s Master of Business Administration: Leadership program in May.
Alumnus becomes youngest state executive director in the Southern Baptist Convention
When Nathan Lorick (’07, ’11) felt called to continue his education, he did not want to stop leading his church in eastern Texas. That’s when he found Liberty University’s online program. “Since I was already pastoring a church, I didn’t want to go to the traditional seminary,” Lorick said. “During the day, I
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focused on being a pastor and doing the best at what God was calling me to do. In the evening, I could focus on being the best student I could be. It just provided the perfect platform and really served as a catalyst to be able to fulfill all that God was calling me to in that season of life.” After pursuing his master’s degree in divinity and a doctorate in ministry, Lorick helped lead several churches until God began to open doors for him and his family to move to Colorado. In August, he was elected as the executive director of the Colorado Southern Baptist Convention. He is the youngest person to serve in that position within the SBC. “After seeking God’s will, we sensed that God was calling us to Colorado to be part of what He was doing in the West,” Lorick said. In his position, Lorick oversees the organization of churches throughout Colorado and helps mobilize them to
fulfill the Great Commission in their communities by providing resources and coaching. Lorick said his time with Liberty helped prepare him for this position. “The in-depth learning opportunities that Liberty was able to provide not only gave me the tools I needed to execute the job I do now, but also gave me the ability to learn how to multitask, which, in ministry, is absolutely essential,” he said. “Liberty was certainly a part of equipping and preparing me to be ready when He put me in this place.” Serving the people of Colorado in this capacity is an honor and a privilege, Lorick said. “I love being able to come alongside pastors to serve and encourage them to be all that God wants them to be,” he said. “God is going to allow us to reach the world from Colorado — and that’s just an incredible thing. There are exciting days ahead for us in Colorado.”
ALUMNI
’16
PAUL HODGE, of Maryville, Tenn., became the assistant vice president and loan compliance officer at Citizens Bank of Blount County (CBBC). He has 14 years of banking experience and recently served as the global sanctions adjudicator for U.S. Bank.
’16
CARISSA JOHNSON, of Fremont, Calif., is now a high school English teacher after receiving her master’s degree from Liberty.
’16
CAROLINE MERINO MORROZOFF, of Fayetteville, N.C., published her first children’s
book, “Gracie’s Gift,” which was inspired by Acts 20:35.
’16
BRIAN MILLER, of Lynchburg, Va., graduated with a master’s degree in teaching and has taught at Staunton River High School for six years. Currently, Miller teaches geometry. He also serves as a videographer for the varsity football team, coaches girls’ soccer, coordinates Saturday School, sponsors Ladies & Gentlemen by Choice (a leadership club), and serves on the RTI and PBIS teams. Recently, Miller was recognized as the A+ Teacher by WFXR, the Lynchburg Fox affiliate.
’16
NEVAN SAWYER, of Smyrna, Del., was recently hired as a social worker at the Delaware Hospice.
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One of Liberty’s first students plays important role in preserving university history
Paula Johnson with the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, Liberty’s founder, at the opening of the Jerry Falwell Museum in 2003.
The relationship between Paula Johnson and Liberty University may have been a match made in heaven. To this day, she insists it was a call from God that led her and her family from Anderson, Ind., to Lynchburg, Va., where she became a charter member of the university’s first class in 1971. As a skeptical 19-year-old, who had just completed her first year at Anderson University, Johnson thought the Rev. Jerry Falwell’s vision for a Christian university sounded like a pipe dream. At that point, Liberty had no designated campus — no dorm, dining hall, or academic facilities. The summer before the first class was held at Liberty, Johnson and her family traveled with Falwell around the country, spreading the Gospel and raising money to start the school. Johnson’s father was the legendary Gospel singer Doug Oldham. Falwell resolved to start the school on faith, and as he pitched the
concept at a rally one night, Johnson said she heard an audible voice telling her, “Go!” She left Anderson and was a member of Liberty’s first class when the school opened that fall. But her initial encounter with Liberty was less than inspiring. Her first dorm room was in the basement at the old Donald Duck Bottling Co., where Falwell’s church, Thomas Road Baptist Church, was located. It had a dresser, a cot, and a chair, and when she opened what she thought was a closet door, she found the boiler. “I asked myself what I had gotten myself into,” she said. Johnson soon learned that there was a unique sense of fulfillment that comes from following a God-inspired vision. The college started to grow. Students began living in houses near the church. Johnson became a member of a singing group that traveled the country. The farmland on Liberty Mountain that she soon heard Dr. Falwell praying about would become the campus. Johnson witnessed the school as it was built from the ground up. She saw people catch Dr. Falwell’s vision and become a part of God’s work there. “It’s been one miracle after another,” she said. “I’ve been amazed every day I come here.” After Liberty, Johnson would stay in Lynchburg, get married, and raise a family. But she contributed greatly to the university and its related ministries for
many years. A creative person, Johnson offered her artistic touch to buildings and special events. She designed sets for the Living Christmas Tree (now the Virginia Christmas Spectacular), and she led the team that put together Dr. Falwell’s biggest surprise on his 70th birthday – the Jerry Falwell Museum. About a hundred people were in on the secret. “Someone said, ‘Here comes Dr. Falwell!’ and everyone hid. We locked the doors and stayed as quiet as possible,” she said. “When they cut the ribbon and opened the door, his mouth flew wide open. He was quite surprised and very pleased.” And in 2003, four years before his death, Dr. Falwell appointed her as the museum’s curator, a post she would hold until her retirement this past October. Preserving Liberty’s history and the history of its founder has been a labor of love. “I think it would be easy, if you didn’t know the history, to take it for granted and think, ‘Yes, it’s supposed to be here,’ Johnson said. “But God did a big work here, through the life of Dr. Falwell and through the lives of so many people who gave money to purchase this land so this university would exist. It shows that the vision from the beginning, when we had nothing, is now a reality on these grounds. I’m just amazed and so thankful to the Lord for His provision.”
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Pakistani pastor grows ministry despite challenges
On the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, in the heart of a strongly devout Islamic community, Liberty alumnus Anise Irfan (’92) lives out his faith as one of the few Christian leaders in the country. Christians only make up approximately 2 percent of the population in Pakistan, and there are still threats against Christians who attempt to directly preach the Gospel in the public square. But working as a pastor for two churches and as a youth camp director overseeing the spiritual development of more than 200,000 students, Irfan has been able to share the message of Christ and impact hundreds of thousands of lives across Pakistan. He also helps his wife, Farhana, lead a Christian school in the area. “Through everything we do, we hope to accomplish God’s will,” Irfan said. “And
I feel as though we’re really on our way to bringing revival to this country.” Irfan, a native of Pakistan, began his fulltime ministry seven years ago while working as a translator for English-speaking pastors who traveled to the country. He soon realized the need for more comprehensive education and sound doctrinal teaching for church leaders — most Pakistani pastors drop out of school at an early age and are illiterate, which greatly hinders their ability to read and share the Gospel. Through his teaching ministry, Irfan now provides quarterly training seminars for 200 pastors and church leaders. “These pastors didn’t really know what Christianity is all about, they didn’t know what grace is all about, and they were very prone to false teaching,” Irfan said. “The need was there, and God has blessed me enough to fill that need.” His mission to become an educator for pastors has since developed into a mission to share the Gospel through every legal avenue available. He said it was largely because of his time at Liberty and the leadership of the late Jerry Falwell Sr.,
Liberty’s founder, that he has been able to accomplish that. With Falwell’s help, Irfan received a scholarship available to international students. He considered Falwell his spiritual mentor and inspiration, even going as far as to say that many of the people saved through his ministries would not have been introduced to the Gospel if it had not been for Falwell’s impact. “If I could accomplish a half of a percent of what Dr. Jerry Falwell did with Liberty through my own ministries, I would consider that a success,” Irfan said. Although it was challenging to leave his initial career in business and finance — Irfan received his bachelor’s degree in business administration — Irfan said his success in full-time ministry is further confirmation of God’s calling on his life. “When the Lord first called me to fulltime ministry, I had just gotten married, and I didn’t have much money or any resources with me,” Irfan said. “But I kept feeling convicted, and I surrendered, and God did amazing things immediately — the second I listened to His call.”
Alumna overcomes boating accident to return to piloting
Christy Wise’s (’14) life took a drastic turn in April 2015. While on leave from the Air Force, where she served as a pilot, Wise was paddleboarding with friends in Florida when she became the victim of a hit-and-run boating accident. Her leg was severely injured, and as she lay in the back of the ambulance, Wise resolved to get back to flying — somehow. “I knew of a guy who was an amputee and had returned to flying after his accident,” Wise said. “I thought to myself,
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‘OK, worst-case scenario, if I lose my leg, I know that he did it, so I can too.’” Her leg had to be amputated. Fourteen months later, she became not only the sixth amputee (and the first female amputee) in Air Force history to return to piloting but went on to compete in the Department of Defense Wounded Warrior Games, where she won more than 11 medals. She competed in the 2016 and 2017 Invictus Games — a Paralympicstyle event for wounded warriors founded by Britain’s Prince Harry. In September, she won five individual bronze medals in cycling and track events — and had the chance to meet the prince. “I shouldn’t be alive after what happened,” said Wise, who earned her master’s degree in theology through Liberty’s online program and is now an Air Force captain based in Tucson, Ariz. “The only way I can explain it is that it was a God thing.” During recovery, she kept up-to-date
on her piloting skills by using simulators. Wise moved to a rehabilitation clinic and began strength training. She was recruited to participate in the Warrior Games before she was released. Now Wise and her twin sister, Jessica, run a nonprofit called One Leg Up On Life, which is dedicated to fitting young amputees in need with prosthetic limbs. Wise is also passionate about caring for foster children — she has taken in close to 30 of them. Despite her triumphs, Wise said she doesn’t want people to put her on a pedestal but to know that she still has moments when she has to rely on God. “There are times that I’ll run a race or compete in some event, but on the way back to the car, I’ll trip and fall on my prosthetic leg,” she said. “And I’ll just sit there and cry. But it’s my faith, friends, and family that keep me grounded through the whole situation.”
THE PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE 2017 The President’s Circle recognizes donors whose giving to Liberty University qualifies for one of the following categories. This list recognizes donors from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2017. $1,000,000 - and above
Organizations Branchester Development, LLC (Chris and Marie Doyle) The Rawlings Foundation, Inc.
$100,000 - $499,999
Individuals Charles D. Bobo* H. Glenn & Rachael Esbenshade Linda H. Handy Leslie F. Hildreth* Virginia H. Johnson* Richard H. Maier* Lois Wells Webb*
$50,000 - $99,999
Individuals Margaret McCracken Ashman* Melvin W. Buster* Johnnie W. McDowell Marlene Senner Pete & Patricia Vann Organizations Carilion Medical Center-Carilion Clinic
$25,000 - $49,999
Individuals Jerry Cloud Beatrice L. Dickinson* William & Linda Fessel Watt & Jennifer Foster Norman K. A. Hoffer Jon & Margie Lienemann Gene & Regina Ontjes I. W. & Lorene Owen Todd & Rachelle Sorensen Charles R. Stone Jimmy & Rhonda Thomas Organizations T. Sherwin Cook Foundation
$10,000 - $24,999
Individuals C. Allen James P. Armbruster Tony & Kellie Bartlett Jeff & Gaye Benson Wilmer & Janice Borneman Elsie T. Bosico Henry & Doris Bridges Tony & Polly Byrd Ralph & Joan Campbell Ernest & Amber Carter Thomas & Sandra Chilcote Barry & Pam Clarkson Daniel & Cynthia Copp Evelyn Dotson William J. Eisemann Sr* Martha H. Emmanuel* Barbara H. Fain Turner & Gayle Gill Paul E. Haines* Cline & Beverly Hall Bob Handwerker Betty A. Herbel Mark & Michelle Hiepler Carroll & Nancy Hudson Brian & Melissa Hufhand
Robert W. Hunsberger Sharon A. Huston Louis & Joan LaMay Bob Lipscomb Robert & Karen Martin Ian & Heather McCaw Karl & Lynnette Miller Johnnie Moore Bill & Brenda Morris John & Linda Muckel Gene & Joyce Myers Sally S. Orr Ben & Donna Patterson John & Wanda Poche Michael A. Rider Phillip & Debbie Rine George A. & Violet M. Ryder* Lamar & Connie Skarda David & Martha Smith Barbara G. Stunz Lorraine Taylor Glen & Teresa Thomas Gilbert L. Vining Perry A. Weller* Organizations Boxley Celebration Ministries Inc. Executive Board of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention ExxonMobil Foundation Gentle Shepherd Hospice, Inc. Herr Family Foundation ProVantage Corporate Solutions Shickel Corporation-Colossians 3:17 Fund of The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County The Boyd & Joan Kelley Charitable Foundation Thomas Road Baptist Church Virginia Commonwealth University
$5,000 - $9,999
Individuals Vivian E. Allison* Anonymous Carter County OK* Eugene & Faye Booher Frederick D. Bornman* Lillian S. Brockway Nancy Burnet Chris & Cindy Cruz Bob & Sandra Day Kenneth R. Earwood* Olive M. Eckmann* Herschel L. Elder, III Frederick & Barbara Engstrom Olive P. Epperson* Lois E. Fergerson Keith Gilroy Rodney E. Gladfelter Shirley A. Goehring Carey & Denise Green Willem & Kathleen Griffioen Eleanor H. Hazzard* Douglas & Julletta Hershberger Laura Elizabeth Higginbotham* James Larry Ingram Mrs. Margaret Mathews Jenks James C. Justice, II Linda F. Kay
David & Bonnie Keim Ira Stephen Kennedy Dr. John & Mrs. Jennie Kim Michael & Christina LaFleur J. Richard (Dick) & Barbara J. Metzler Wallace and Mayme Miller* Mark G. Minar Stephen & Tricia Mock Geraldine E. Moose Kelly Nangle Carl G. Neuberger Richard & Karin Osborne Amy L. Peavley Lloyd & Claudia Pickell Bob Pinto & Dot Richardson John & Ann Porter Daniel B. Rice Matt & Johanna Schubert Roger & Ann Schultz Willard & Barbara Smith Judy Stumme Bo & Kipplyn Summers Derek W. Thomas Faron & Linda Thompson Terrance J. Tigges Roy Unsin* Dr. Richard D. Urwiller David & Pamela Wigglesworth Dorris D. Williams Andy & Yvette Youngs
J. B. & Betty Birtch Jennifer Blandford Brandon & Ida Blankinship Thomas K. Boan Scott & Michelle Bonheim Andy & Linda Bowling Randy & Cynthia Brackett Mike & Allison Brown Stan & Tammy Budd Chris Camplejohn Tim & Julie Clinton Rick & Diane Crickenberger Johnny & Anne Crist Leora E. Daniel* Dennis P. Delisle Douglas & Sheila Diehl Jim & Brenda Dowd The Duggan Family Richard Eng Junessa A. Epperly Thomas & Clarie Eppes Gregory A. Fontaine Tina Friar Monty G. Fritts Dr. John & Judy George Bob & Tracey Good Robert & Sarah Grasty Kenneth & Marie Jean Groeneveld John Hackney Lee & Tonja Hall Joel & Theresa Hesch Scott & Melanie Hicks Organizations Rodney & Melissa Hizy American Association of Christian Joel & Jennifer Hoeffner Counselors Scott & Sara Jackson AlphaSix Corporation Ron & Rachel Justice Bethany Presbyterian Church, Inc. Ron & Jennifer Kennedy Chapel of Hope Religious Lisa Kroemer Offering Fund Ladmir J. Kubichek, Jr. Daniel’s Auto Glass B. A. Langley Digital Video Group, Inc. Dr. Jon & Sissie Lenzen Dolan Group, LLC Steve & Kathy Lloyd Environmental Options, Inc. Lance & Stephanie MacKenzie Fellowship of Orlando, Inc. David & Linda Martin DBA ReThink Life Church Michael J. Martin Fill the Gap Concerts Scott & Christy McCall First Baptist Church of Oxford Jeff & Cindy McCaw Go Tell Ministries, Inc. Ronald R. McDaniel Grace Community Baptist Church Ritchie & Julie McKay Homestead Creamery, Inc. O. J. & Sue Misjuns Hurt & Proffitt, Inc. P. H. Mitchell, Jr. K & J Enterprises, Inc. dba McDonalds Arthur Moore* KMR Aviation Services, Inc. Barbara C. Moore KPMG Foundation Clyde & Esther Ott Mabry Automotive Group Scott & Kelli Overton Recycled Church, LLC Mr. Bradley Owen & Seay & Blanks Construction, LLC Dr. Pamela Zimmerman-Owen ServPro of Lynchburg/Bedford Bill & Vida Parker & Campbell County Galen & Lorraine Peel Sodexo, Inc. & Affiliates Craig & Cindy Petry The Bolick Foundation Frank L. Pinto YourCause, LLC Madeline A. Price John R. Pulliam $2,500 - $4,999 William J. Rankin, Jr. Individuals Jon & Jeanette Rogers Jason & Aven Alford Gretchen Rought Georgiana L. Arakaki Jack Schewel Tim & Kathy Baldree Gary & Traci Schmincke Fred N. Beason Troy & Hollie Schultz Jim & Linda Bell Archie & Carlita Smith David & Pam Bell Tony Spangler
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Jesse & Heather Stephens Abigail (Abby) Strohman Jimmy & Mary Thomas John & Trish Trimble Dan & Rachel Vollmer Gene & Debbie Walker Lori Watkins Duke & Carlene Westover Sonny & Sharon White Wilma P. White Dr. Daryl & Betsy Wilkins Scott & Shelly Wolf Judy A. Wright Gregston Young Organizations 1 Chronicles 4:10 LLC I Scream You Scream 701 Korean Church A.G. Jefferson Opticians A. J. Blosenski, Inc. Actors, Models & Talent for Christ Adele Diamond Advocace Media, LLC Anna Alajajian Revocable Trust Arkansas Youth Conference Awakening Events BB&T Beacon Credit Union Brown’s Heating and Air C.T. Jamison Precasts C3 Church NC Cadence Companions Commencement Flowers, Inc. Department of the Navy Dunham ShareMedia Services English Construction Company, Inc. First Baptist Church of Somerset Harvest Bible Chapel Naples Horse Branch F.W.B. Church Ignite Men, LLC Liberty Baptist Church Liberty Godparent Foundation Family Life Services Lynchburg Family Dentistry Lynchburg Ready Mix Concrete Co, Inc. Lynchburg Tire Corporation Media Partners, Inc. Merrill Lynch Mills Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Mosaic Christian Church OrthoVirginia Parker Dental, PC Peace FWB Church, Inc. Peter & John Radio Fellowship, Inc. Precision Marble & Tile Rowland Road Missionary Baptist Church Second Baptist Church Sevier Heights Baptist Church Sonny Merryman, Inc. Temple Baptist Church Young Pearl Education Foundation YourCause, LLC Trustee for Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign YourCause, LLC Trustee for Wells Fargo Foundation Education Matching Gifts Program Zaki Gordon Memorial Charitable Gift Fund
$1,000 - $2,499
Individuals Mona Ables Joan M. Addley Dr. Gregg & Andrea Albers Pastor Harold I. Albert
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Mark Allen David & Connie Allison David Anderson Roy & Anne Anderson Darin & Caroline Andreas Steve Andrews Tashaa C. Annas Dr. & Mrs. William R. Armstrong Donald E. Arnell Tom & Sherye Arnold Katie Arriaza Sandra Arza Doward F. Austin Phil & Lois Ayers David & Ann Babbitt Kevin & Susan Barringer Robert & Mildred Baynard* Steve & Kristen Beals David & Kristal Bechtold Rodney & Marlee Beckom Billy & Jane Belcher Stephen & Barbara Bennett James D. Berens John A. Berg Albert & Lisa Billingsly Dale & Tina Birdsall Jerome & Kathy Bogacz Bob & Brenda Bonheim Charles E. J. Borowski James E. Brandt Leroy & Joan Bream Sheldon & Shannon Bream Paul & Smita Breton Deanna C. Britt Richard & Deborah Britton Penny Brock Susan L. Brooking Paul & Laurel Brusseau Bryce & Shelene Bryan David Lee Bryant Janice E. Buckley Herman & Shirley Burgess Ronnie Burnette Jean B. Burns Brad & Claudia Butler Berton E. Card Raphael de Chiara Cardoso William & Kathy Carney Joseph & Martha Caro John & Phyllis Carstens Worth Harris Carter, Jr. Eric & Virginia Cashion Rob & Jacki Chapman Charles & Ruth Cole Dean & Ginger Cole Don & Kelly Cook Joseph Copeland Tom F. Craven, Jr. Gordon R. Crawford John F. Cross Larry Cumberland Haverly E. Damon William & Ruth Darr Alan Deitrich Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. DiPaola Nancy D. Dodd Jane B. Earhart Gary & Barbara Eastman Glen & Diane Ebert Glenn & Lois Enderud Sean & Chantel Estes Linda L. Farver Keith & Patty Faulkner Scott & Jennifer Feeken Kenneth E. Ferry Christian Ficco Miriam Fields Christopher E. Fogal
Everett & Dianne Foutz Christopher L. Fowler Instructor Linda Freshwater Evelyn D. Fritts Maggie Fulbright Gil & Karen Gaillard Robert W. Garthwait, Sr. Max Gasser John & Kathy Gillespie David P. Gilmore Marcus W. Goldman Cindy Goodrich Cynthia Goss William R. Grachan David S. Graziotti Theresa Green Jacqlyn Hall Steven Hall Richard & Betty Halstead Dorothy M. Hargrove Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Harris Calvin & Pam Hatchell Stanley Heirs* Jeff & Allison Helgeson Randy & LeAnn Henderson Tom & Rhonda Hill Tim & Christy Hill George & Barbara Hoffman Charles & Shelvie Holmes Kenneth R. Huebner Jennifer R. Hughes Edward A. Hunt, III Camilla Hyman Leslie L. Jacoby, Jr. David Kaetterhenry Dwayne & Gail Kamphuis Pam Katt Raymond & Ruth Keating Barry G. Kelley John Kenney Connie Kesler Kevin & Lori Keys Michael L. King Rebecca T. King Nathan & Brittany Klein Dr. David & Deborah Klink Charles & Jane Knox Abigail B. Krueger David Lane Andrew A. Law Jacqueline M. Lewis Debbie Linville James & Deborah Livingston Thompson B. Longest Kim Magnano Chris Massengill Roger E. Mast Nick Mastrovito Herbert E. Maxey, Jr. Perry & Laurie Maze Joanna W. McAbee Kathy McCavanagh Steve McDonald Nathan H. McGlothlin Ruby B. McMillen William R. McNabney Andrew Meadows Karen Mele Timothy Mellish Keith & Michelle Middleton Suzanne Miller Teresa K. Miller Thomas & Janet Miller Philip Mitchell James & Kelly Molloy Ivan A. Moore Orrie Mork Ray & Pam Morrison
Paula B. Mullins Dr. James Nalley, M.D. Dayton Neeley John & Anne Newman Arthur Nicholson* Darin & Larita Orendorf John & Barbara Owen Edward & Judith Pahl Roland W. Pardoe* Amanda Parker Linwood & Trudy Parker Gary G. Pearson Annette S. Pedde Nancy Oglesby Peters Scott & Cindy Phillips Shane & Haley Pinder Randy & Carol Pollet Michael L. Polley Theresa Poplawski Jennifer Powers Sandra Powers Andrew & Miriam Prantner Rodera Ramey Edward & Karin Renner Susan C. Repstad Barry & Angela Rice Barry & Christina Rice Matthew Richardson Robert L. Ritz Gloria Roakes Karen Robinson Dale & Karen Roede Dr. William & Amy Roller Hiram M. Royer Wesley & Robbin Ruiz Margot S. Sample Steven & Sally Samson Zoe Sargent Mary Ann Saunders Robert & Pamela Schmidt John Seamster Shoan & Sarah Shelton Bubba & Clarice Sherrill Beth Sites Brad & Jennifer Smith Dave & Kim Smith Heidi Smith John A. Snider Roger & Bev Sorensen Paul & Sara Spinden William & Laura Stanton Arthur & Claudia Sterrett Gilbert R. Stetson Roger H. Stiles Tim & Martha Stoudnour H. Gregg Strader Bob & Sara Straub Dr. LeRoy I. Strohman, DDS John W. Strother Martha A. Sudholt Kenneth Sykes Madeline C. Sykes Douglas Taylor Troy & Karla Temple Judith H. Terrana Ashley H. Tharpe Linda Tiemens Mike & Ellie Tilley Terry & Becky Tinsley Susan Tobik Brant & Nancy Tolsma Eric Trinh James Trout, Jr. Sarah K. Truslow Denise R. Tucker Johanna Tucker John Tucker Fred & Claudia Uelses
Moriah G. Vega Deborah Walker H.M. & Joann Walker Jeff Wall John Walton Darrell Wargo John H. Warner Michael & Tammy Weigner Pam Westgate Bill & Sharon Wheeler Charles E. Whetzel, Jr. Treena White Linda D. Wieland Beverly Wiley Anthony & Beth Williams Jim & Kathy Williams Bryan & Natalie Willis George Warren Wilson Jewel E. Wilson Wendell O. Wilson Wyatt & Gwen Wilson Mark & Colene Winyard Faye P. Witt Paul E. Wolpert Dr. Lian-Tuu & Mrs. Arlene Yeh Ralph W. Young Organizations All Peoples Church-Lynchburg Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Auto-Owners Insurance Company AXA Foundation Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc. Bell Shoals Baptist Church, Inc. Blue Ridge Apothecary Blue Ridge Vein Care, PC Bonsack Baptist Church
Brandmuscle-Allstate Insurance-Chad Rakos Business on Mission-Blue Ridge Community Church BWX Technologies, Inc. Calvary Bible Church of Hanover Centra Medical Group, LLC Church of the Redeemer Coastal Community Baptist Church Colonial Heights Baptist Church Community Bible Church-Beaufort Construction Management Associates, Inc. Cornerstone Fitness LLC Cornerstone Productions, Inc. Cricket Wireless Crossroads Camp and Conference Center Delaware North Delta Air Lines Foundation Doyle’s Florist, Inc. East Pointe Baptist Church, Inc. Elkin Baptist Church Embrace Home Loans, Inc. F & S Building Innovations, Inc. Faith Baptist Church of Knightdale NC First Baptist Church of Charlotte First Baptist Church of Charlottesville First Baptist Church of Lenoir City First Baptist Church of Roanoke First Baptist Orlando First Redeemer Church, Inc. Franklin Heights Baptist Church Goodview Baptist Church, Inc. Grace Community Church Harvest Bible Chapel Harvest Bible Chapel UC Highmark Matching Funds Highview Baptist Church
Hill City Pharmacy His Generation HJH Foundation John & Linda Muckel Foundation Johnson Health Center Kairos Foundation, Inc. Light The Night Ministries, Inc. Lorry’s Island End Motel, LLC Madison Avenue Baptist Church McLean Bible Church Member One Federal Credit Union Mid-Atlantic Christian University Nelly’s House, Inc. New Life Outreach International North Metro First Baptist Church Novo Nordisk Matching Gift Program NY Plumbing Wholesale and Supply Oak Grove Baptist Church Parkwood Baptist Church, Inc. Pediatric Associates of Lewiston Pepsi Cola Bottling Co of Roanoke VA Philadelphia Baptist Church Piedmont Eye Center, Inc. Professional Plumbing PWD Window & Door R. Coffee, Ltd. Radeas LLC Rasmussen Excavation LLC Ray Smith Rentals & Farms Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Rejoice Ministries, Inc. Renewanation Revolution Advertising, Inc. Rock Bridge Family Services Roger Roller Evangelistic Association, Inc. Romar Elevators, Inc. Ron’s Hunting Supply Salem Civic Center
Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy Southeast Christian Church State Farm Companies Foundation Terry Volkswagen Subaru The Chatlos Foundation, Inc. The Church at Battlecreek The First Baptist Church of Temple Terrace Florida, Inc. Timberlake Christian Schools Timberlake Family Pharmacy Tomlin & Associates, LLC Verizon Foundation Virgil L. Frantz Charitable Trust Walker Memorial Church of God Weddle Bros. Construction Companies Wells Fargo Foundation Educational Matching Gift Program West End Baptist Church Wheeler Broadcasting World Help Youth Commission International * Estate Gift If we have omitted, misspelled, or misplaced your name, please accept our apologies and notify our office by calling toll-free (866) 602-7983. For more information on planned giving to Liberty University, visit Liberty.edu/Giving or call (800) 543-5309.
LONGTIME EMPLOYEE HELPED THOUSANDS TO PARTNER IN LIBERTY’S MISSION Jerry Falwell, Liberty’s founder, appeared on the television broadcast, “Old Time Gospel Hour,” people across the country were eager to learn more about the new university he spoke about and how TOM ARNOLD CHRISTOS CARROLL they could become a part of impacting the world for Christ through For 35 years, Tom Arnold shared these new college graduates. Arnold was the story of Liberty University. He their connection to this exciting and traveled the country talking about the worthwhile partnership. Over the years, college’s mission to Train Champions Arnold showed Liberty’s donors example for Christ, and he gathered supporters after example of graduates who have along the way who would help ensure fulfilled the founder’s vision with their that this mission is carried out in help. And he showed them how, with future generations. their support, the university has grown Arnold retired as Liberty’s vice beyond anyone’s expectations. president for development in October. “People give because of our product, He spent most of his first 20 years with which is our students — Champions for Liberty on the road as an ambassador-ofChrist going into the marketplace, in all sorts, visiting donors in their homes and walks of life,” Arnold said. “That was Dr. helping to raise funds for a young school Falwell’s vision, and that’s what people that would eventually become the largest, see. People love what we stand for, and private non-profit university in the nation. they still like the track that we’re on.” In the earlier years, when the Rev.
Arnold trained a team of regional representatives to build the same kind of meaningful relationships with Liberty’s partners across the country. As the university continues to grow in national prominence, with world-class academics and athletics, and as it nears the end of a $1 billion campus transformation, Arnold has seen for himself how God has used these faithful contributors. “It is totally a miracle only God can do,” he said. Liberty welcomed Christos Carroll (’92) as the new vice president of development in October. Carroll is responsible for the leadership, management, and implementation of comprehensive philanthropy programs supporting both the shortand long-range fundraising objectives of the Office of the President. He also provides professional direction, expertise, training, and support to the departments of Development, Planned Giving, and Alumni Relations.
Our master plan for campus is nearly complete, with several new, world-class academic and athletics facilities for you to explore.
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