Liberty Champion Oct. 11, 2011

Gaining national spotlight of the NCAA A10

Parents of “19 Kids” share with students

A6

Voter Registration Deadline

Oct.17

LIBERTY CHAMPION Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Today: Cloudy 71/61 Tomorrow: Rain 66/59

Libertychampion.com

red hot for homecoming

Liberty Champion

H

omecoming 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of Liberty University. Traditions from bonfire to parade fill the weekend’s activity list. This year, the Liberty Flames football team will face off against rival Coastal Carolina. To commemorate this significant occasion, the Champion looks back over the last four decades, acknowledging the university’s growth and success. For the homecoming special edition, see B1.

Council moves public hearing

Liberty counsel represents Texas student

Vote to be cast soon

High school freshman suspended for stating opinion on homosexuality

Amanda Sullivan amsullivan3@liberty.edu

Casting votes in the Vines Center may come a little sooner than anticipated. The city manager’s office has expedited the public hearing process needed to make changes in local polling precincts. The public hearing will be held Oct. 25. The meeting will also, hopefully, include a vote on the matter, City Councilman Jeff VOTE! Helgeson said. “It’s a great thing. I’ve been pushing for Liberty to have its own THE LAST polling place since DAY TO 2008,” Helgeson said. “I hope to see it come REGISTER to fruition, hopefully, TO VOTE on Oct. 25, 2011.” IS OCT. 17. Despite the expedited process, the polling place for residential Liberty students will not change for the November election. Students will still be required to cast their ballots at Heritage Elementary for this fall’s state elections. After the Liberty Champion reported on the delays in the approval process See POLLING, A3

Amy Royall

Ruth Bibby| Liberty Champion

aroyall@liberty.edu

COMING SOON — Construction for the pedestrian tunnel continues to make headway, and soon it will be open along with the Wards Road Bridge.

Safety a priority in new projects

Students, staff anticipate completion of bridge, tunnel Justin Jones jljones9@liberty.edu

Liberty University remains committed to student’s safety with the future openings of the pedestrian bridge and tunnel, according to Liberty officials. For some students, the bridge and tunnel will be a construction project that they may never use. But for others, a tunnel and bridge mean a safer college experience. Senior Brendan Jones looks forward to the opening of both the bridge and tunnel. Having to walk over the railroad tracks on his way to Sonic and Wal-Mart,

Jones understands the need and sees the projects as a much better route. “I think it’s a much safer way,” he said. “The train can back things up, and I get delayed, so I’ll be using the tunnel pretty often.” Maggie Cossman, a corporate engineer for Liberty in the Planning and Construction department, has been working closely with both projects. “We know (students) cross the railroads tracks, and that’s not safe. We know they want to cross Wards Road, and that’s also

High School Freshman Dakota Ary was given in-school detention on Sept. 20 for making a statement in class that he believes homosexuality is wrong because of his Christian faith. Ary was in a German class at Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas when the topic of homosexuality arose. “I’m Student a Christian and, to me, be- was given ing homosexual is wrong,” a one-day, Ary explained in an NBC in-house interview. Following his suspension statement of his personal beliefs, the German teacher wrote Ary an infraction and sent him to the office. “During the discussion, one student asked what Germans thought about homosexuality in relation to religion,” the Liberty Counsel said. “Another student

See BRIDGE, A2

FYI

See COUNCIL, A3

Volume 29 • Issue 06

INSIDE THE CHAMPION

News

Exonerated

Liberty alumnus gets falsely-accused man off death row. A3

Sports

New stadium

Baseball team will get a new stadium by Spring 2013. A10

Events

Thanksgiving

International office holds Canadian Thanksgiving. A7

News Opinion Sports Feature Wellness Homecoming

A1 A4 A8 A6 A6 B1

NEWS

A2/Liberty Champion

October 11, 2011

City remembers 150th anniversary of Civil War Tabitha Cassidy Tcassidy@liberty.edu

Walking along the James River in Lynchburg, one would find him or herself walking the paths of history. On June 17 and 18, 1864, according to historyofwar.org, General David Hunter, a Union officer, squared off against General Jubal Early from the Confederate forces in order to try and capture the City of Lynchburg. The battle, according to Dr. Brian Melton, history professor at Liberty University, was really more of a skirmish that lasted two days and forced Hunter’s troops out of Virginia altogether. Hunter was unsuccessful in his attempt to gain the city, and Lynchburg remained in the possession of the Confederacy, providing the rebel forces with key access to the railroad network that supplied General Robert E. Lee’s army throughout the war, according to historyofwar.org. This year marks the 150-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War. While the anniversary of the first battles has already passed, as Melton explains, the 150th anniversary of the entire war will be for the next three or four years. Lynchburg, south of the Mason-Dixon Line, is the home of 11 sites along the Civil War trails, according to discoverlynchburg. com. Among these sites are hospitals, warehouses, forts and storehouses, all of which

serves the purpose of educating individuals about the roles chaplains, priests, rabbis and other religious organizations had in the Civil War. The museum hosts artifacts from both Confederate and Union soldiers. The Civil War, as Melton explains, was the end of America’s founding period. “The country was trying to decide if it was going to be serious about its founding principles, about freedom and equality, or was it going to be a nation that tolerates slavery,” Melton said. The idea that a nation founded on the principle that all men are created equal yet some were forced into servitude, according to Melton, needed to be resolved. He said that slavery was an issue that greatly contradicted the Declaration of Independence. “By the time we got through the Civil War, we made a decision,” Melton said. “I leave you, hoping that the lamp of libLiberty Champion CIVIL WAR — Lynchburg played an important role in the Civil War, and artifacts may erty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are aided soldiers during the Civil War. War hospital. created free and equal,” former president “Lynchburg was an important supply This semester, Liberty University will not Abraham Lincoln said in a speech at Chiroute for Robert E. Lee’s army,” Melton be hosting any events to commemorate the cago. said. 150 year anniversary of the Civil War, acSlavery was abolished before the end According to Melton, Lynchburg was cording to Melton. However, the National of the Civil War, and the United States of also a major hospital city. Civil War Chaplains Museum is open to America became, once and for all, united. “There were several thousand, I want visitors Wednesday through Friday from 1 to say 7,000, confederate wounded here p.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. at any one time,” Melton said, speaking until 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. about the amount of soldiers who received until 5 p.m., according to their website. medical treatment in Lynchburg’s Civil According to the website, the museum Cassidy is a news reporter.

TUNNEL continued from A1 not safe,” she said. “So the main driving force between both these projects is to provide a safe way for Liberty students and local citizens to go both directions.” Local citizens, such as Teresa Farmer, will be using the tunnel. Farmer, a Sodexo employee, crosses the railroad tracks daily for lunch breaks. If there’s a train coming through, it turns her break time into a waiting game, Farmer said. She is also excited because of seeing too many dangerous situations involving students crossing the tracks in a hurry to avoid waiting. “I’ve seen kids cross over while the railway arms were down. It’s very dangerous,” Farmer said. “The tunnel will alleviate a lot of those problems.” Liberty began looking for options back in May 2008. Before that, the City of Lynchburg had researchers looking for options to get pedestrians across Wards Road safely. After the final touches are complete, the $1.35 million bridge will be open barring no complications with inspection. Although the official open date has not been set, students can expect to be using the bridge by the end of October. The bridge will be owned by Lynchburg, but Liberty

will be expected to carry out any maintenance. “This has been a great partnership between the City of Lynchburg and Liberty University,” Cossman said. Although the bridge will open first, the tunnel project is well underway. It will be similar to the tunnel that runs under the 460 highway, except with a different support system due to the railroad that it runs under. The tunnel will cost more than $2 million because of the intricate design of working under a railroad system in which the elevation cannot be altered. “It took us three and half years to get the tunnel approved,” Cossman said. Cossman could not give an exact date for the tunnel to open, but did seem positive it would come by the end of the year. The tunnel will empty out near the Vitamin Shoppe, leaving a short walk to the bridge crossing Wards Road. Jones is a news reporter.

Photo Provided

Photo Provided

BRIDGE AND TUNNEL FACTS Similar to the Campus East tunnel, the new Wards Road tunnel may open as early as the end of the year. At a combined cost of nearly $3.5 million, both the bridge and tunnel will provide a safe alternative to crossing an active railroad and busy four-lane street. The intricacies of installing a tunnel beneath the railroad contribute to the increased cost and time frame.

LIBERTY CHAMPION 1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD, LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24502

Ashley Bollinger EDITOR IN CHIEF

administration

Deborah Huff FACULTY ADVISOR

Ben Lesley

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Amanda Sullivan GRADUATE ASSISTANT

Dominique McKay GRADUATE ASSISTANT

content

Shelanne Jennings

NEWS EDITOR

Betsy Abraham

Kate Lacaze Omar Adams ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Gabriel Fowler

FEATURE EDITOR

ASST. FEATURE EDITOR

Devin Francis COPY EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

Andrew Gula

photography

Nathan Brown

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR

Derrick Battle ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Ruth Bibby

Alyssa Bockman

ASST. PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES & INFO

Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Amy Royall Aroyall@liberty.edu

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and organizations all over the country are passionately working to raise awareness of the importance of annual mammograms. Mammograms Annually A Must (M.A.A.M.) is a local volunteer group founded by the Centra Foundation dedicated to doing just that. M.A.A.M. was founded in 2003 and has successfully provided over 1,500 mammograms for women in the Lynchburg area who would not have been able to afford them otherwise, according to Centra’s January 2011 newsletter. “Through our screenings, we’ve found women who have had early-stage breast cancer,” Executive Vice President of the Centra Foundation Kathryn Pumphrey said. In 2010, 177 free mammograms were given and three cancers were discovered, according to the January newsletter. This year, the Lynchburg Fire Department has partnered with M.A.A.M. to raise support for the cause. The squad will be wearing “pink T-shirts” Oct. 17-22 and will be selling shirts to help support victims and their families, according to the Fire Department’s October newsletter. The squad is encouraged to use these shirts as a conversation starter with the public in order to gain an avenue to encourage them to have precautionary screenings. “We were able to sell over 800 shirts and donate approximately $3,000 to support the fund,” Fire Chief Steven B. Ferguson said in the newsletter. When asked why the Fire Department wanted to work to support the cause, Captain Jonathan Wright responded, “Like many, we have seen people dear to our heart suffer from this terrible cancer which is a huge motivator to do everything we can to prevent it from happening to others.” Local businesses have come together for this cause. Businesses such as Radiology Consultants, Bee Line Towing, Southern Air and High Peak Sportswear have partnered with the Lynchburg Fire Department. Read the rest of the story online at www.libertychampion.com

The Champion encourages community members to submit letters to the editor on any subject. Letters should not exceed 400 words and must be typed and signed. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Letters and columns that appear are the opinion of the author solely, not the Champion editorial board or Liberty University. All material submitted becomes property of the Champion. The Champion reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any letter received — according to the Champion stylebook, taste and the Liberty University mission statement.

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NEWS

October 11, 2011

Liberty Champion/A3

Liberty alumnus gets man off of death row

Mississippi man released on time served with the help of local lawyer Katherine Lacaze kelacaze@liberty.edu

The motto of Liberty University is “training champions for Christ,” champions in each and every secular field. Some Liberty alumni have now gone on to be teachers, some are nurses. One of them just helped a man go from death row to living a free life with his family. Abram Pafford, 38, a lawyer at Pafford Lawrence & Ross PLLC, was the lead lawyer for the case of Cory PAFFORD Jermine Maye, who was sentenced to the death penalty in 2001, but, less than three months ago, left a penitentiary in Mississippi a free man. Pafford, who graduated from Liberty in 1996 and then attended law school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. until 1999, has gone on to work in the legal field at a variety of different institutions and companies, including Fried Frank LLP and Covington & Burling LLP in D.C. In the fall of 2010, after Pafford had left Covington & Burling, he, along with Bill Lawrence and John Ross, also Liberty alumni and former members of the Liberty Debate Team, started their own law practice. According to Pafford, it was at this firm that he heard the final results of Cory Maye’s case. “Where we ended up compared to where we started is just extraordinarily rare,” Pafford said. “The odds are always against any defendant appealing a conviction.” According to Pafford, he first got introduced to the Maye case in 2005 after reading an article about it by Jonathan Adler on the National Review website. The article also had a link to a blog by Radley Balko,

currently a full-time reporter for the Huffington Post, who indicated that something did not seem right with the Maye case, especially considering that Maye had no prior criminal or arrest record. Maye was on death row after being convicted of allegedly murdering a police officer, Ron Jones Jr., who was part of a drug raid on Maye’s duplex the night of Dec. 26, 2001, according to the Opinion issued by the Mississippi Supreme Court. Maye’s apartment was on the left side of the duplex, and an individual named Jamie Smith occupied the right side, according to the Mississippi Supreme Court. An article on Reason.com by Balko stated that Maye fired his gun into the darkness three times, unaware that those who had entered his apartment were police officers. “Thought someone was trying to break in on me and my child,” Maye is quoted to have testified in the article by Balko. Maye was referring to his then 14-month-old daughter, Tacorriana, asleep in the other room. Pafford said he was horrified after reading the courts transcripts because it was pretty obvious that the results of the first trial had not been just. It also struck an emotional chord with him. “My oldest daughter, at the time in 2005, was about the same age as Cory’s daughter on the night of the shooting which was back in 2001,” Pafford said. “I was sort of thinking what it would be like for me if I had been in that situation and had to make a split-second choice. And if something goes wrong like that and you end up on death row.” The process that followed subsequent to Pafford’s involvement would take five years of thorough and hard work. After requesting and receiving a change of venue in 2006, and undergoing a sort of “mini trial” in September, Maye’s death penalty sen-

“The odds are always against any defendant appealing a conviction” tence was set aside and he was resentenced to life in prison without parole by the court in Marion County in December, according to Pafford. After that, the case went up to the Mississippi Court of Appeals in 2007. Pafford argued the case in June of 2009 in front of the Court of Appeals and they received a decision in November of 2009, in which the Court of Appeals reversed Maye’s conviction and ordered a new trial. In early 2010, the state appealed that to the Mississippi Supreme Court, which led to about a year of briefing in front of the Mississippi Supreme Court. In late 2010, the Mississippi Supreme Court issued a decision that confirmed the one made by the Court of Appeals, as well as the reversal of Maye’s conviction. “The Court of Appeals reversed Maye’s conviction and sentence and remanded for a new trial, finding that the trial court had violated Maye’s fundamental constitutional right to trial in Jefferson Davis County, the county where the offense had occurred,” states the Opinion by the Mississippi Supreme Court. A new trial was set for roughly September 2011, but Maye pled guilty to a much lower charge with the understanding that, as part of the agreement, he would be charged with time served. Pafford said that what was accomplished is rare without DNA evidence and many probably would have said that what he and the legal team set out to do in 2006 was impossible. “It’s very, very rare to have a capital murder conviction that gets reversed and

the person’s released from prison in a situation that doesn’t involve DNA evidence,” Pafford said. “Cory admitted to shooting the officer. There was really, in that sense, no dispute about how the officer had died. It was a question of…getting the court to see the facts through different eyes and through the right legal eyes.” That is exactly what the goal was as Pafford and the team formulated their strategy, working with a lot of time and effort going carefully through the physical evidence and testimonies. “All of it was sort of geared to highlight to the court what had kind of gotten lost in the first trial, which is that really, it would have been impossible, literally impossible, for Cory to have seen the police prior to them kicking in the … door to the house,” Pafford said. According to the main appeal brief that Pafford presented before the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Maye was nothing more than “a homeowner confronted with forcible entry by a dark-clothed intruder late at night,” who acted out of self-defense and did not have sufficient evidence against him to suggest that he knowingly murdered a police officer. “One of the things that I like about being a lawyer, particularly doing criminal defense work, is that there’s not necessarily a lot of jobs you can have where a lot of your work involves people calling you up or people coming to you on what is literally the worst day of their life or the worst moment in their life and saying, ‘help me,’” Pafford said. “So to get someone in that situation and take them to the point where they’re free and reunited with their family and getting to enjoy all the things that most of us take for granted every day is a real feeling of accomplishment.” Lacaze is a news editor.

COUNCIL continued from A1

Chris Mabes| Liberty Champion

COUNCIL RESPONDS — A new polling location will be in place on Liberty’s campus by the Presidential Primary elections in March 2012.

POLLING continued from A1 (Sept. 27 issue), City Attorney Walter Erwin sent a letter explaining the process (Oct.4 issue) and noted that the last public hearing would be in late November and that it would be the local May elections before students would be going to the Vines to cast their ballots. However, after much support from various city council members and a request from Chancellor Jerry Falwell, the process was moved up with the last public hearing set for late October. “It was great to see the public hearing moved up a month, back to the original timing requested by the Council,” General Counsel for Liberty University David Corry said. “This vote will now take place in time for the new campus

precinct to be used for the March 6 Presidential Primary, instead of targeting the May City elections as the City attorney indicated in his letter to the Champion last week. “ While having the new polling place located on Liberty campus in time for the November elections would have been ideal, “this move demonstrates some movement in response to the Chancellor’s requests,” Corry said. “It would limit our students to only one more election at the old Heritage location, instead of two,” Corry said. “Depending on who is still in the race come March, the Republican primary is a great race to kick off the Liberty precinct. I suspect student interest will still be high.” Sullivan is the graduate assistant.

then asked to hear some translated terms such as lesbian.” It was these questions that opened the door to a discussion of the students’ thoughts on homosexuality, which steered Ary to express his opinion. Last week, the teacher put up a picture of two guys kissing on a “World Wall,” which is a collage of different things around the world, according to the Liberty Counsel. Suspicions have arisen if the teacher’s sexual orientation may have influenced his actions against Ary, according to Fox News. Regarding Ary’s statement of his beliefs, the teacher said, “It is wrong to make such a statement in public school.” The discipline referral form states that Ary’s stateARY ment against homosexuality could be interpreted as a form of bullying. Liberty Counsel is representing Ary in this case, demanding full vindication and a full retraction of the suspension. If the School Board does not comply, a lawsuit will be filed for religious discrimination, according to the Liberty Counsel. Attorney Matt Krause of the Liberty Counsel is representing Ary in this example of religious discrimination. “Just because you walk through the school house doors doesn’t mean you shed your First Amendment rights,” Krause said. “He wasn’t disrupting class. He wasn’t hurting or harassing anybody. He was just stating his religious beliefs in a benign, non-hostile way.” Matthew Krause, Litigation Counsel for Liberty Counsel, met with school administrators

FYI This is similar to a case the Liberty Counsel has in Florida. This past summer, a social studies teacher, Jerry Buell, made a comment on his Facebook page stating his disagreement with New York legalizing homosexual marriage. He was suspended due to his statement pending a week-long investigation, according to the Liberty Counsel. Superintendent Susan Moxley of Lake County School Board reinstated Buell soon after. “This shows how much of a double standard there is. Jerry Buell was suspended for saying something outside of class,” Harry Mihet, Senior Litigation Counsel for Liberty Counsel said. “This teacher in Texas is an actual bully inside the class, and yet it is his student, not him, that gets suspended.”

Wednesday morning about the referral and in-school suspension, according to the Liberty Counsel. As a result of the meeting, Ary’s punishment was reduced to one day. Ary served one day of in-school detention and returned to his normal classes Sept. 21. “I didn’t say it to be rude to anyone,” Ary said in an NBC interview. “I said it like how I believe about it.” Royall is a news reporter

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OPINION

OCTOBER 11, 2011

keeping the tradition alive

GG Gabe & Gula opinion editors

Gabe

LU Alumni

ALUMNI DONATIONS — An important part of maintaining Liberty’s financial security.

LU continues to benefit from generous alumni donors

Alumni return to give back after receiving so much Rachel Deas redeas@liberty.edu

A

s Liberty gears up to celebrate the school’s 40th Anniversary, past alumni use this time to celebrate — to acknowledge the growing pride that each alumni shares for their alma mater. It is a time to become reacquainted with old friends who, despite warring over whose turn it was to do the dishes, became a family. Throughout the four decades of the school’s existence, students and alumni alike have observed the university’s growth — an achievement that has been bolstered by the donations of its alumni. Although Liberty University is financially prosperous now, holding its own without the aid of others for the first time, alumni donations are still very important. In 2007, college donations increased over previous years, according to an article in USA Today. The article said that colleges had raised a total of $28 billion in funding. However, of that $28 billion, only 30 percent of the total funding came directly from college alumni. Liberty uses donations in many ways, from scholarships for students to the funding of new facilities on campus. No matter how big the school gets, it will always need the aid of others to help it succeed. The word donations does not just mean financial donations either. There are lots of ways for former students to give back to Liberty. “Liberty has amazing professors who do not get enough credit for what they do. They challenged me in so many different ways and helped inspire me to be a great teacher,” 2011 alumni Sam Thompson said. She continued that while she cannot give back financially at the moment, she contributes in a different way by residing over the History Honor Society. She helps the organization at Liberty throughout the year by giving of her time and helping out with events. Alumni For Liberty (AFL) says it helps “mentor students interested in careers that advance Liberty, advise student organizations dedicated to

M O FRTHE

K S DE L ASH By:

GER LIN L O EY B

Ring by spring. At Liberty, we all know the phrase. Well, last Thursday I got my ring — and along with it I got three days in NYC, 59 Facebook notifications, 20 hours in an airport, two unfinished articles on a deadline and finally, six hours of sleep last night. Talk about a Fall Break. With Liberty’s notorious talk of marriage — including a book given to fresh-

“Liberty has amazing professors who do not get enough credit for what they do. They challenged me in so many different ways and helped inspire me to be a great teacher.” Liberty, provide moral and financial support for students and provide an overarching support network to connect alumni and students with one another.” Liberty provides another outlet for alumni to help give back through their Alumni Mentoring Program, a division of the Alumni Relations Office. The program works to connect established alumni with current undergraduate students to counsel the rising graduates as they prepare for entering the workforce. “Alumni can offer advice about their experience with various jobs, tips for resumes and anything else that can benefit these students getting ready to enter the professional world,” according to the alumni page on the Liberty website. In short, there are many ways students can give back to Liberty. Some alumni donate financially, others donate of their time. What matters, though, is that alumni are staying proactive. They are staying involved with Liberty and helping it succeed even after they leave and to that we say “thank you.”

For many college students the importance of voting, especially locally, is not on the forefront of their minds. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008, only 49 percent of 18-42-year-olds voted in the presidential elections. If less than 50 percent are voting in a national matter, the number of local voters would probably be significantly lower. It is not hard to become a registered voter. For those of you who did not receive a voter registration form in hall meeting, just stop by the DMV Building in Lynchburg, located at 3236 Odd Fellows Rd., Suite 110 and DMV Lobby, Lynchburg, Va. 24502. Why should students get involved? A big reason has to do with the taxes. In Lynchburg, the tax on food is 11.5 percent. Which means, you are paying way too much to fulfill a necessary need to live. In order for taxes like this to change, the student body needs to take a stand. It is like one of my friends says, “If you are going to tax me, I am going to vote.” Requirements: - Must be 18 or older - Must be a US citizen - Proof of Virginia residency Location: - Heritage Elementary School - Oct.17, 2011 - Transportation is provided - Gabe Fowler

Gula A big reason to vote in local elections is the fact that Liberty — and, therefore, us as students — is located in Lynchburg. Obvious, I know. But it is something that is often overlooked by those in this community that are apathetic and uncaring toward elections and the political realm in general. The taxes here are pretty rotten — especially for students who are only here temporarily, and many of whom have no plans to stay here any longer than their four-year tenure demands. 11.5 percent for food tax and a 7.5 percent tax on groceries is something that will plague you during your time at Liberty whether you’re a voter or not. And for those who complain about the exorbitant amount of money that we pay in taxes as students, voting is an ideal way to change that. The majority of the taxes that we pay are determined by Lynchburg and the state governing officials. This fact — and the fact that we, as 12,000 potential voters, could determine who becomes said officials — is often overlooked. I’d guess that a lot of students might even be completely unaware, both of the ridiculous tax rates and also of our power to change them. And, in my books, that in and of itself is more than enough of a reason to go out and vote. - Andrew Gula

Deas is an opinion writer.

men this year seeming to encourage said union — I had always been one to criticize the “Liberty story.” “We met at convocation…” or “We had Freshman Seminar together…” was always a target of my ring by spring humor. Well, I met Kevin McAlpin during leadership week at Liberty. We both served as prayer leaders. Doesn’t get more Liberty friendly than that. I have since altered my approach to the famous claim that 65 percent of students meet their spouse at Liberty. Liberty is a unique place. It draws in thousands of Christians who desire to be the best that they can be in their given field together to learn and grow not only academically, but spiritually as well. It is not because of some crazy desire to have Liberty students mate and produce future Liberty students — although I’m sure that happens — but

people are encouraged to embrace the Lord’s plan. It is not that marriage is pushed or shoved down people’s throats, but that the holy union desired by God is encouraged to be walked out in the Lord’s time with another God fearing individual. The reason Liberty seems to be a breeding ground for such activities is because they have managed to bring 12,000 like-minded young adults together to run after the same goal. It is running after that goal that some — actually most — find a helper to run with them. My best advice to all of those who, like I was, are critical of the unions that are born at Liberty is to evaluate your motives. “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate,” Matthew 19:6.

Future McAlpins

October 11, 2011

Liberty Champion/A5

Pfc. Nate Hertzog: first deployment overseas

Liberty University student to his spend senior year in Afghanistan Omar Adams Oadams@liberty.edu

Shipping out to a warzone for 12 to 18 months in the middle of their senior year is not a concern for most Liberty University students. North Carolina native and Liberty University Military Affairs Office employee Pfc. Nate Hertzog has to deal with just that. In about six weeks, Hertzog will deploy to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s 305th Military Police (MP) Company for “about a year.” “They don’t know for sure,” he said. “It is the military, so it could be as little as six months or it could be a year and a half, but … the orders say about a year.” According to Hertzog, soldiers often say MP stands for “multi-purpose” because they have so many different responsibilities. MPs provide convoy security, conduct Protective Service Details where they protect important persons such as generals and high-ranking officials, serve as prison guards and provide other combat support. Hertzog said they train as both infantry soldiers and law enforcement officers. “MPs can do pretty much anything,” Hertzog said. “We have to be certified in OC spray, the baton and taser, so things that you see your normal police officer train on, we do as well.” The deployment will be Hertzog’s first tour of duty overseas since enlisting in December 2009, and while he has trained for it, he is not quite sure what to expect. “You always have that fear aspect of what’s going to happen while I’m over there,” he said. “Is it going to be really rough? Is it going to be an easy assignment — if there is such a thing? How hard is it going to be being away from my family and my wife? But you have to remind your-

Photo Provided

LIFE ON HOLD — Nate and Jaime-Lynne Hertzog were married Aug. 7, just in time for Nate to leave for a year in Afghanistan. self you have been trained to handle what you’re going into and you have the peace that only God can provide.” Planning to make the best of his time in Afghanistan, Hertzog plans to continue with classes on Liberty Online, depending on the “operational tempo” — the number of hours he will have to work every day. He hopes to return with only a couple classes left, so he can graduate soon with a major in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. Members of the Student Veterans Group on campus, especially the group’s president Marine Cpl. Jared Delello, have encouraged Hertzog to start a Bible study where he’s stationed. “(One of the things) Jared and some of

the other Christians who are combat veterans have encouraged me to do, which has challenged me, … is to start a Bible study when I’m over there, to spread the Gospel, be an example in that environment and to minister to the people over there,” Hertzog said. He said the Army provides further training in-country to prepare soldiers for interacting with the people and culture of the area. Working with the Student Veterans Group has also helped Hertzog prepare for deployment. Members of the group have given him tips such as what to look out for and what to do before he leaves. “The veterans group has tried to make sure that I’m doing ok and has been supportive and encouraging,” he said. “Also,

just knowing what Liberty University and Students Behind Our Soldiers does by sending care packages raises your morale.” Hertzog and his wife Jamie-lynne were married in August before he left for a month of training, and soon he will be fighting overseas for the next year. He wanted people to remember that “families also serve.” “They now have to carry all the burdens that their spouse did while (the spouse is) off having their own challenges being deployed,” Hertzog said. “I think (people) need to remember the military and their families in their prayers, support them and show them Christian love any way they can.” Adams is the web editor.

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FEATURE

OCTOBER 11, 2011

HEALTH & WELLNESS

STOCK EXCHANGE

GET THEM OFF — Losing the last few pounds can always pose a challenge to those wanting to achieve a goal weight.

Shedding the stubborn five Emily Bass embass@liberty.edu

When it comes to weight loss, there is nothing more frustrating than the last five pounds before the target goal weight. These last five pounds tend to stick around like the smell of running shoes in the back seat of a vehicle. It seems as if no matter how much effort the health enthusiast puts toward the shedding of these pounds, there is truly nothing that can keep them off for good. Before fitness fanatics decide to become comfortable with that disappointingly familiar stopping point on the scale, new research may offer hope for people desperate to watch the meter quickly slide to the left for a change. In fact, research put to the test by Women’s Health Magazine is giving hope to gym rats everywhere. “The closer you get to your ideal weight, the tougher it is to reach it,” celebrity trainer Holly Perkins said in an interview with Women’s Health. “The more weight you lose, the harder your body works to hold on to it.” Nearly anyone who has attempted to lose any amount of weight is not at all surprised by this quote. Most would even attest to having experienced the struggle of fighting against the battle of the body’s attachment to those last five stubborn pounds. So what is the trick? According to Women’s Health, modernizing the traditional workout of spending an hour on the treadmill and venturing onto other workout equipment could make all the difference on the scales. While cardiovascular activities like running and biking are vital to successful weight loss, it is also suggested that weight lifting be added to the exercisers regular workout regimen. According to Liz Plosser, writer for Womens Health, lifting weights gives you a metabolic spike for an hour after a workout because your body is trying hard to help your muscles recover. Junior Brooke Hartwell, who is a fitness guru herself, has been committed to maintaining a healthy weight during her college years and can attest to the calorie torching results seen from choosing to pump iron. Women’s Health also suggests adding plyometrics to weekly workouts. This form of exercise uses multiple muscle groups to perform quick, explosive moves such as box jumps and switch lunges to incinerate unwanted fat around trouble spots. “Since I have started implementing plyometric jumping moves to my workout, I have seen the biggest difference on the scale,” junior Amy Royall said. Although attempting to lose any amount of weight can be disheartening, the key to achieving weight loss goals is perseverance. Be willing to try something new and observe the scales as you change your workouts. The pleasure of watching that magic number appear on the scale will far outweigh any pain experienced at the gym. Bass is a feature reporter.

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

SUPER PARENTS — Reality star parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar spoke to a packed Vines Center during convocation, challenging students to follow God no matter what the cost.

Duggars visit campus, challenge students TLC’s famous couple speak on living out their faith with “19 Kids and Counting” Shelanne Jennings Sjennings@liberty.edu

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, parents of 19 children and television personalities on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” visited Liberty University Oct. 5, speaking at convocation for staff and students. The Duggars visited with their five oldest daughters, noting how impressed they were with the campus. “We were here yesterday and today, and we were very impressed,” Michelle Duggar said. “This is amazing. We had no idea how big this university is.” As the Duggars began to share their testimonies and exhort their audience, they took time to marvel at the university, with its great number of students. “And we thought our family was large,” Michelle Duggar said, joking with the audience. Living life with 19 children in front of a spotlight has its challenges, but according Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, their goal is to serve God. “ We believe that the goal is not for everyone to have 19 kids but the goal is for every person to walk every day in the Word of God and to, with whatever amount of children you have, whether it’s one or 19, to train those children to love God and to serve Him,” Jim Bob Duggar said. “And

TV has given us an opportunity to share all the principles and the things that have helped us in our lives. Hopefully this will encourage other people.” To Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, reality television is not a source of income and fame, but a chance to share to share their faith with the world. “When asked to have a reality show, we said we would be willing to do that as long as you don’t leave out our faith because our faith is the core of our lives,” Michelle Duggar said. “This is a family ministry, and we are sharing with the world that children are a gift from God.” The Duggar family has realized that not everyone will agree with their philosophy or strong stance on Christian and family values and has chosen to stand unhindered. “It really felt like we were just to give our reputation to God, to stick to what is right, to do what is right. And not worry about what other people think,” Jim Bob Duggar said. “We just do what’s right. Some people are going to love you. Some people are going to hate you.” The Duggars use their show and website as a forum to proclaim God’s truth and to offer hope to those who may need a way out. “Because we have Internet now, when people see us on TV, they can go to our

website and find other resources such as Bible messages that have helped us in our lives,” Jim Bob Duggar said. “If people hear that children are a gift from God, maybe they’ll decide not to have an abortion.” The Duggar family’s pro-life stance has already had an influence on the decisions of young women considering abortion. “We’ve had many emails and letters from women who said they decided to keep their baby because of our message,” Jim Bob Duggar said. The Duggar family gave a specific message to students, encouraging them to listen to God. “Sometimes God will ask you to do things that aren’t logical, things way out of your comfort zone,” Jim Bob Duggar said. “Follow that still small voice. God will just impress on your spirit what to do. Don’t turn away from that. God will tell you what he wants you to do.” After convocation, students visited with the Duggars to take pictures and buy copies of their book, “A Love that Multiplies.” For more information about the Duggars, visit www.duggarfamily.com and watch “19 Kids and Counting” on the television network TLC. Jennings is the feature editor.

Doc’s Diner makes changes to menu, offers more Emily Brown Ejadams@liberty.edu

The college student has many enemies. Parking spots, seven-forty classes, and jammed printers make it high on this list of foes. Not one of these, however, is quite as sly as the Grumbling Stomach. In a world full of too-expensive restaurants and not always healthy fast food chains, it can be a challenge for the “poor college student” to find the right spot to fill his or her stomach and defeat the Grumbler. Doc’s Diner, located on Liberty University’s Campus East, not only serves as a community diner but hopes to meet the needs of Liberty students and is attempting to do so in several new ways. Doc’s Diner is not averse to change. Constant changes have taken place over the three years the diner has been in existence since its 2008 opening. The buffalo chicken wrap, the stack of pancakes and the cheese quesadilla have been replaced by “The Williams Wrap,” “The Liberty Way” and “Rocco’s Rockin’ Cheese Quesadilla.” Doc’s Diner has even incorporated a new “signature” item to their menu: The Flames Burger. True to its name, the Flames Burger consists of “two burgers with pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, crispy onions and Fire of the Mountain

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

GOOD EATS— With new menu options and deals, Doc’s is striving to satisfy the ever changing appetites of students and the Lynchburg community. sauce,” Doc’s Diner manager Tabbatha Terry said. Anyone who can polish off this burning burger without a drink will have their picture put up with the other conquerors on “The Wall of Flame,” she said. Doc’s Diner changes the menu twice a year in order to best fulfill the desires of Liberty students, according to Terry. “We keep the main things that sell well, but then we try to incorporate different things to kind of see what the students like,” Terry said. The changes at Doc’s Diner include much more than changes to the menu. Walls full of pictures and Jerry Fal-

well Sr. memorabilia have now been modernized with televisions playing news, sports and Monday night football, according to Terry. The observance of Monday night football is accompanied by special deals that differ from one Monday to the next. “Last week, we did 99 cent milkshakes and 50 cent wings….yesterday, we did half price appetizers, so we’ll do a different special every Monday night,” Terry said. Doc’s Diner also offers a “2 for $20 Deal” every night after five o’clock. For $20, customers can get two drinks, one appetizer and two entrees from the special “2 for $20” menu.

Doc’s Diner not only offers special menu deals, but has now made delivery to Green Hall an available option for those who wish to stay on that side of Liberty’s campus. With off-campus restaurants now accepting Flames Cash, Doc’s Diner has seen a decline in the number of students choosing to eat there the last few years and Terry believes this decline is due to the off campus options afforded to students since Flames Cash. “Our goal,” Terry said, “is to bring the students back.” Brown is a feature reporter.

FEATURE

October 11, 2011

Celebrate like a Canadian International Student Center holds Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner

Liberty Champion/A7

Political leaders visit campus

Abby Koppenhaver akoppenhaver@liberty.edu

Photos Provided

Sarah Palin JENNIFER CARLSON |

Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin spoke at the EWomen Conference, Oct. 7-8, at the Vines Center.

Liberty Champion

PASS THE TURKEY — Canadian students topped their plates with all the trimmings as they fellowshipped with other students in DeMoss’s Grand Lobby, Oct. 4. joyed the chance to come out and meet with his fellow Canadians, but admitted that Thanksgiving in Canada was regarded much differently than Thanksgiving in America. “Americans are really serious about their Thanksgiving. For us it’s just a night to get together,� Brown said. Avery Wilson is a junior from Richmond Hill, Ontario and has attended the event for the past couple of years. “If I was at home I would be celebrating with my family but since the fall break is really short, a lot of people don’t get to go home,� Wilson said. Although the origins of Canadian Thanksgiving are different than American Thanksgiving, the two holidays are celebrated in similar fashion, making it hard for some to distinguish the slight difference. “A lot of people ask me what we celebrate because we don’t have pilgrims,� in. of the confusion. “I always Brown10.0 said

thought Thanksgiving was a universal thing.� Canadian Thanksgiving can be traced back to 1578, when Martin Frobisher, a British explorer, was searching for a northern passage to the orient. His search failed but he settled in Northern America where he held a ceremony giving thanks for the survival of his voyage. This celebration became the first recorded Canadian Thanksgiving, which is now a celebration of the end of harvest season. Students were also given tickets to participate in a drawing for a chance to win prizes, which included individual bags of Tim Horton’s coffee (a Canadian coffee favorite) and T-shirts. Students also participated in trivia and finished the night with a group picture and prayer.

Photos Provided

Herman Cain

Presidential Candidate Herman Cain visited Liberty’s Barnes and Noble bookstore, Oct. 8, to sign copies of his book, “This is Herman Cain! My Journey to the White House.�

Koppenhaver is a feature reporter.

11.0 in.

Thanksgiving in October? For the Canadian population at Liberty, this is the norm. Just over 100 Canadian students gathered in the Grand Lobby of DeMoss Tuesday Oct. 4 to celebrate their home country’s thanksgiving, which falls on Oct. 10. Associate Director of Admissions and Canadian Academic Counselor Sharon Bloomfield was one of the people overseeing the event. “I like to keep an eye on them while they’re here,� Bloomfield said of the Canadian students. A Canadian herself (originally from London, Ontario), Bloomfield likes to make sure the Canadian students are transitioning well and getting along at Liberty. “It kind of fits that I’m Canadian and work with the Canadians,� Bloomfield said. Canadian Thanksgiving is an event that has been celebrated at Liberty for about 10 years now. This year’s holiday falls on Oct. 10, reserved for giving thanks at the end of the harvest season (which takes place about a month earlier in Canada than in America). “Canadian Thanksgiving is at a different time than American Thanksgiving, so we like to give them a little taste of home,� Bloomfield said. The event serves as more than just a dinner for students, however. “It’s an opportunity for them to celebrate without their families because they are away from home, but it’s also an excellent opportunity for freshmen to be able to meet the current Canadian students we have here,� Bloomfield said. Freshman Brandon Brown is a 13-hour drive from his home in Toronto. He en-

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SPORTS

A8/Liberty Champion

October 11, 2011

Fantasy 4-1-1, Here are tips for week six

As mid-season approaches, young talents becoming potential threats for teams

Andrew Woolfolk alwoolfolk@liberty.edu What a year it has been so far. What’s this? The Lions look unstoppable? What’s that? The Colts are out of playoff contention already? James Harrison hasn’t been fined yet? For fantasy owners, it’s been the equivalent of a scramble for the football at the bottom of the pile trying to pick up surprise players off of wavers. For the upcoming weeks, stay steady with your team. Don’t go off of the deep end and retool your roster just because you lost to your opponent by a point or two. Also, by week six, you should be able to somewhat predict the upcoming success for most of the teams in the league. Players on playoff caliber teams are the best to have in the midseason, laying it all out on the line to pull ahead of the competition early. It’s up to you to pull

CANCER continued from A10 treatments including chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “I was away from home while she was going through the surgeries, chemo, and radiation. So I didn’t see every step of the way how hard it was for her and my dad. But I know it was a huge journey that my mom went through,” Luke Aitken said. He also added that seeing his mother keep a positive attitude throughout her battle with cancer has even affected the way he plays hockey, reminding him that no matter how hard things might be, it is nothing compared to what his mother and family had to go through. Kathy Aitken has since recovered from her bout with cancer and remains a strong pillar for her husband Bruce and her

“Check team websites throughout the week for information on how they plan to use their roster in the upcoming week.” the strings of your team just right, find the best matchups and get the win. Start ‘Em Quarterback – Josh Freeman – Freeman keeps playing better every week, and he’ll be throwing a lot in a highly anticipated divisional matchup versus the Saints. Wide Receiver — Jordy ­­ Nelson – Nelson just signed a new three-year contract extension. This game could show you why the Pack want to keep him so badly. Running Back – Michael Turner – Turner faces a terrible Carolina run defense, and the Falcons should be in scoring range quite often. Tight End – Owen Daniels – With

three sons. She is also becoming a pillar of support for other women who share her experience as she is involved in giving support for others who have breast cancer. Luke Aitken is currently a senior playing the forward position for the Liberty Men’s Hockey Team. He has been a fan favorite during his time playing at the LaHaye Ice center. He has been a regular member of the team, often playing in the center and dons the number 19 jersey. The Liberty Men’s Hockey Team has continued to have an impressive record during the last few seasons and has started the current season with a very strong start. Sir is a sports writer.

receiver Andre Johnson expected to miss a few games, more targets could come Daniels’ way. Defense – Green Bay – The return of Tramon Williams has given a substantial boot to the Packers defense. Kicker – Dan Bailey – The Cowboys might have finally solved their kicking woes with Bailey, who has been on fire the past few weeks. Sit ‘Em Quarterback – Mark Sanchez – Coach Rex Ryan said in recent interviews that he plans to return to the running game as the focus of the offense. Wide Receiver – Brandon Marshall – Still struggling with drops this season,

BASEBALL continued from A10 Director of Athletics Jeff Barber said the new improvement will “allow baseball and softball to compete on the national level.” Barber also believes the remodeling will be a great addition to the baseball program. Barber believes the new stadiums will not only affect recruiting, but show how much the university invests into the athletic program. “When our recruits, student fans and visitors walk into a quality facility, they will know we care about fulfilling the dream of competing at the highest level of Division I athletics. This will produce a better product in every way,” Barber said. The Flames have posted 29 winning seasons inside

Marshall will also have Darrell Revis lined up in front of him for a majority of the game. Running Back – BenJarvus Green-Ellis – The Cowboys are in the bottom five of the league in pass defense, and in the top five in run defense, guess which area Belichick will attack. Tight End – Heath Miller – The Steelers are busy keeping Miller on the line to protect Roethlisberger instead of having him run passing routes. Defense – San Francisco – Don’t run the risk of playing their defense facing the high scoring Lions. Kicker – Alex Henery – Henery has missed a few field goals in the past few games, and though his job doesn’t seem to be on the line right now, his confidence may be low.

Worthington Stadium, originally named after professional player and former Liberty coach Al Worthington. Worthington has since been inducted into the Liberty Hall of Fame (class of 2010) for his accomplishments professionally, and while being a coach and athletic director at Liberty. The Worthington Stadium went through a lot of remodeling throughout the previous years. In 2008, Liberty baseball was able to play its first home night game against Coastal Carolina. Improved bullpens were constructed the following season in 2009 and in 2011, Liberty added the latest scoreboard and video board, as well as several quality features such as a message center, radar gun and a five-foot high clock. Other programs have expe-

Woolfolk is a sports writer.

rienced significant improvements as well, especially Liberty’s football, soccer, tennis and outdoor track. Lately, the university has emphasized its club sports also, allowing more athletes to participate in athletics and compete with other schools. However, the new additions to the baseball stadium will mark the best opportunity yet for the athletics program, according to Barber. Athletics can be a great tool for building a university, and these sports are in dire need of new facilities. We feel very blessed that we have the opportunity to have quality facilities for these teams to compete in,” Barber said. Keeney is a sports writer.

SPORTS

A9/Liberty Champion

October 11, 2011

From City Stadium to Williams Dr. Rob Van Engen has seen Liberty football explode Julie Gonzalez

jngonzalez@liberty.edu

You can take the professor out of football, but you can’t take football out of the professor. The year was 1980, and Robert Van Engen was a freshman at Liberty University. “I was excited to come to Liberty because I could play football and become a pastor. Not many schools offered that back in the early 80s,” Van Engen said. “I was a wide receiver/kick and punt returner, and I wore number four. It was cool because my wife’s number on the LU softball team was four as well.” When Van Engen played football, Williams Stadium did not exist and the Flames had to travel to City Stadium for their home games. “City Stadium was small compared to my high school field. It was a different home field because fans had to travel from the island dorms or the hotel downtown or the campus to get to the games. The atmosphere was good and it seemed to me like the fans enjoyed the games. I didn’t play much because I was a first year student,” Van Engen said. Liberty football has undergone some major changes since Van Engen played 31 years ago. “I have witnessed multiple changes in the football program since 1980. The players are better and bigger athletes. When I played, NCAA rules were still evolving. The screening of players to make sure they are compliant is very intense,” Van Engen said. “The football team was housed in locker rooms on an island in the middle of the James River. This island also housed students in dormitories. We practiced in the middle of these buildings. Our weight room was a transformed garage as it appeared to me. The program now has excellent facilities

Photo Credit | Liberty Champion

REMINISCIN’ — Van Engen (right) played for Pete Sundheim (left) as a wide receiver for Liberty in the early eighties. which I believe enhances the campus.” Flames fans no longer have to travel to City Stadium to support the team. The Liberty Flames football team has called Williams Stadium home since its completion in October 1989. “Williams Stadium is an incredible recruiting tool, plus a fantastic place to play. The environment really provides a big game feel. With the luxury boxes and the club level seating, the fans can experience the thrill of college football. The players benefit by having a field that is not used by other teams, like City Stadium was. The surface is always the same even though weather changes. That is an advantage,”

Van Engen said. Football was not only a sport for Van Engen, it was a place of spiritual growth. “My position coach was Kim Graham, and he offered devotions and guidance regularly. Bob Guetterman was a tight end on our team and a spiritual leader for our position. He often shared times of devotions and gave constant encouragement. These moments helped to strengthen my spiritual walk,” Van Engen said. Being on the football team was a memorable part of Van Engen’s college experience at Liberty. “My favorite personal football memory was playing against the University of

Give a hand up to a Give a hand up to a neighbor in need. neighbor in need.

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North Carolina JV football team. The LU coaches created a varsity and a JV team my freshman year and our JV team played at UNC Chapel Hill in their stadium. It was practically empty but it was a fun experience. I got a chance to return kick offs,” Van Engen said. Van Engen currently serves as the Assistant Director of Christian/Community Service and Assistant Professor of Contemporary Issues. Gonzalez is a sports reporter.

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OCTOBER 11, 2011

making a statement

Upgrades to athletics in full swing Baseball stadium in the works for 2013 Brittany Keeney

blkeeney@liberty.edu

According to Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr., plans for a new baseball stadium are in the works and the target completion date is prior to the start of the Spring 2013 baseball season. The new stadium will be located between the recently expanded Williams Stadium and the Green Hall parking lot, with expected seating of about 3,000 fans. For now, the baseball program will continue to play at its current home, Worthington Stadium. After the converThe new sion is completed, the stadium will former baseball stabe able to seat dium will become the new softball stadium. about 3,000 spectators The upgrade will mark the most dramatic improvement since 1979, the year Worthington Stadium was built. “(Barber) and I had been talking about renovating Worthington Stadium, but the cost was significant and it was difficult to add seats along the third base line at Worthington,” Falwell said. “We also had the problem of where the team would practice and play during the construction period. “It occurred to me one day that we should build a new stadium adjacent to Williams Stadium,” he said. “After studying the idea, we found that building a new stadium will not cost much more than renovating the old,” Falwell said. “Architects soon concluded that the new site next to the School of Worship (where the gravel parking lot is now located) is a perfect fit for a baseball stadium. I am convinced we made the right decision and I am excited about it.”

FYI

Les Schofer | Promotional Publication

RISING UP — The men’s basketball team recent success has them once again playing in the Sears

BracketBusters sponsored by ESPN. Their opponent will be announced on Jan. 30.

Push for Mid-Majors Flames to compete in 2012 Sears BracketBusters

Tyler Eacho tpeacho@liberty.edu

T

he Liberty men’s basketball team has been chosen by ESPN as a participant in the 2012 Sears BracketBusters, taking place on the weekend of Feb. 17-19. The Flames, who are making their second straight appearance in the series, and fourth in program history, will be joining 141 other Division I participants in what will be the largest field for the event since its inception Les Schofer | Promotional Publications in 2002. GAINING ATTENTION — These rowdy fans were a BracketBusters is important for smaller programs looking to boost their resumes, but it can sometimes part of the ESPN audience in last year’s tourney. hurt teams who perform poorly. Last season, Liberty competed in one of the 11 nationally televised matchups during the 2011 Sears vised games will be determined based on overall record. BracketBusters. The Flames hosted the Iona Gaels of Each team that hosts a Sears BracketBusters game the MAAC, losing to them handily 77-57. must schedule a return date in November or DecemLiberty is looking to fare better this season when it ber of the 2013-2014 season. After last season, Liberty competes against an undetermined squad as a road was required to schedule a return date with Iona for the team for the third time since joining the series. 2012-2013 season. “We are looking forward to playing in this year’s The Big South is 8-16 all-time in the BracketBusters. BracketBusters matchup,” Liberty head men’s basket- The conference received two wins in 2006, 2007 and ball coach Dale Layer said. “It is a national event with 2010. It has also been selected for national television great exposure for our team. We are honored to be back appearances four out of the last five years. Winthrop, in the series.” with six appearances has the most BracketBusters apFor the first time, all of the men’s basketball programs pearances among Big South members. in the Big South will be participating in the same year. The Flames begin their regular season against the Five Big South teams will host a game while the remain- Texas A&M Aggies Nov. 9 as a part of the 2k Classic. ing six teams, including Liberty, will play on the road. The Flames will look to be in one of this year’s 13 nationally televised games, which will be announced by ESPN on Jan. 30. The network will not be airing the Eacho is a sports writer. other 58 games even though they will take place the same weekend. The participants in the nationally tele-

See BASEBALL, see A8

Overcoming adversity of a loved one Jay Sir

siryw8@gmail.com

It is never easy to muster up the strength to stay calm and focused when you hear of your parents getting sick. It is even harder to hold yourself together when you hear that your mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but Liberty hockey player Luke Aitken said he gained strength and a new appreciation for his mother when she was battling cancer during his sophomore year. “I first thought the worst case scenario: that my mom was going to be ill and never get better. To be honest, I didn’t know what to think,” Aitken said as he recalled the time when he first heard of his mother’s cancer over the phone. “She is a strong, caring woman who has always taken care of me. Now that solid rock that I have been looking up to my whole life is vulnerable and sick. That was a scary portion of the news.” Kathy Aitken had gone to the doctor because of a suspicious lump that she found, and the doctors found it to be a cancerous tumor. Over the course of the next few months, Kathy Aitken went through multiple surgeries and various

See CANCER, see A8

October 11, 2011

HOMECOMING a new era

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

Looking back

I

n January 1971, Dr. Jerry Falwell announced to his congregation at Thomas Road Baptist Church what seemed to be an impossible dream. Because of the dark spiritual condition of the world, he felt a sacred obligation to build a distinctively Christian, world-class university where young people would receive a quality education in a Christian environment. These young people could then go out in all areas of life and impact their world for Jesus Christ. Many just muttered and shook their heads. But in the fall of 1971, Dr. Falwell’s dream became a reality. Lynchburg Baptist College officially opened with 154 students. The entire staff consisted of four full-time faculty members and several unpaid part-time faculty members. Classes were held in Thomas Road Baptist Church facilities. And so began a tremendous journey of faith. It seemed, at times, in those early days that the vision was too great, that failure seemed imminent. But no matter what the setbacks, Jerry Falwell Sr. refused to doubt. Forty years have gone by since Lynchburg Baptist College opened its doors. What has happened in those years can be described as nothing less than miraculous. Today Liberty is a bastion of Christian excellence for college students from around the world. Her student body, representing all 50 states, as well as more than 52 nations, makes Liberty University the most prominent Christian university in the world. More than 6,000 acres on Liberty Mountain are the home of 64 classrooms and dormitories. DeMoss grew from a one-story building to a four-story state-of-the-art learning center and library. The original four classroom buildings have been updated and the Towns alumni Hall has been added to the B.R. Lakin School of Religion. Other buildings and facilities include Green Hall, the Vines Center, a domed 10,000seat convocation center, the LaHaye Student Center and so much more. From the beginning, a commitment to academic excellence has been the standard at Liberty. This is accomplished through a rigorous academic environment where Christian values are emphasized and upheld. The foundation of all academic programs rests on the infallibility of Scripture and the primary importance of world evangelism. In the days ahead, Liberty will continue to surge forward to reach and change the world for Jesus Christ. Updated from the 1996 introduction in the Silver Anniversary Book.

Photos Provided | Liberty Champion

ANNIVERSARY — Over the past 40 years Liberty has grown and developed while working to maintain the principles and ideals valued by its founder, Jerry Falwell Sr.

world class facilities

Campus transformation begins Tola Adamson-Olaotan aoadamsonolaotan@liberty.edu

As Liberty University celebrates its 40th anniversary, the school celebrates not only a milestone, but a year of new beginnings as the revamping of campus goes underway. When founder Jerry Falwell Sr. started Liberty in 1971, he had a vision for a world-class school, but due to a lack of resources, his vision was unable to come to life immediately. “In the 1970s and 80s, the goal was to build affordable yet functional buildings that could be replaced when the school was financially able to do so,” Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. said. Forty years later, Jerry Falwell Jr. is able to fulfill the dream his father had for the campus and transform the campus into one of world-class proportions. The transformation began with the renovation of the fourth floor of DeMoss Hall to house offices and classrooms. More building additions and renovations have turned the revamping of campus into a five-year plan. The main additions include a film school, medical school, below ground basketball practice facilities, a vehicular tunnel, a roof top patio on DeMoss, a small lake, campus east intramural/ athletic complex, new academic buildings, new dorms and a freestanding library. As the campus underwent a face lift, students and faculty had to adjust to the new changes. When students returned for the fall 2011 semester, they realized that most

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FACE LIFT— Liberty continues to transform its campus to accommodate a growing student body, but still emphasizes quality and beauty.

“The plans are magnificent and will be unveiled shortly.” — JERRY FALWELL JR.

classes were moved to DeMoss Hall. “The next couple of years is going to be a lot of displacement and a lot of moving,” Senior Vice President of Operations Neal Askew said. “Some people will move more than once. But we’re going to make it all happen.” The number of parking spots near DeMoss Hall will stay the same or actually increase in number, even though the new lots are not yet shown on the architectural renderings, Jerry Falwell Jr. said. However, the number of students attending classes in or near DeMoss Hall will continue to increase as new

buildings come, according to Jerry Falwell Jr.. “We are not creating a pedestrian campus,” Jerry Falwell Jr. said. “Very few parking spaces near DeMoss Hall will be eliminated.... As we grow though, by necessity, our parking and transit habits will have to change. The campus will be more pedestrian-friendly but is not becoming a pedestrian campus.” The new free-standing library is something that Jerry Falwell Jr. also thinks is going to be a huge hit. “The new library will become the focal point of the campus and the center of student life,” Falwell said. “The plans are magnificent and will be unveiled shortly.” Within the next five years, a Jeffersonian theme will be seen all over campus. According to Jerry Falwell Jr., his father loved Jeffersonian architecture and insisted on using Jeffersonian architecture on the

CAMPUS, see B7

October 11, 2011

B2/Liberty Champion

Alyssa Bockman | Liberty Champion

QUALITY AND QUANITY — Liberty strives to offer students an increasing number of quality programs that can lead to successful careers in a myriad of fields.

academic excellence

Another of Jerry’s dreams achieved Kassandra Roedding kroedding@liberty.edu

Since 1971, “mountains” have seemed to move as the vision of Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr. became a reality. One of Falwell’s many goals was for Liberty to offer academic quality in all professions. Now, 40 years later, that dream to offer quality academic programs leading to many different professions seems complete. Liberty began modestly with only 154 students, a dozen faculty members and very few resources. However, a landmark was reached in 1980 when Liberty received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Four years later, Liberty received university status. “Moving from college status to university status literally meant that the programs of study we could offer, and began to offer, were far more numerous than before,” Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Ronald S. Godwin said. Today, Liberty offers more than 140 undergraduate degree programs. In 1985, the online program was established providing students around the world with a quality Christian-based education. Liberty has also been recognized for its top-ranked Law School and Debate Team, as well as the new Tower Theater, which opened last year. “The theater takes us away from the mundane moments of college life. We can learn a lot about art, literature, history and just the world around us,”

junior Cassie Sweetra said. Change is not new here at Liberty. Last year’s introduction of a rigorous attendance policy was one of many changes. Another change has been an increase in the classroom size of general education courses. While some students, such as Amy Dalrymple, do not seem to notice, her roommate Courtney Adams does. “It’s hard to learn in big classes,” Adams said.

“Our goal is for Liberty University to become known as a world-class teaching university” - GODWIN Dean of College of General Studies and Associate Professor of English Emily Heady said it has been an adjustment, but she enjoys the energy of a large class. “Liberty has been great about giving us the help we need. In our 200-level surveys, for instance, we now have a second faculty member for each class, and that person’s sole responsibility is to interact with students’ written work,” Heady said. As for this year, exciting new academic changes are already in progress. A significant change is the addition of a College of General Studies. “No matter what their SAT or ACT score said about their high school education — there is a wide variety of academic weaknesses that the typical high school student brings to college. So rather than just complain about it, we created a

College of General Studies, and a team of teachers and curriculum, to better repair or strengthen those weaknesses that students bring to their university experience,” Godwin said. One of the strategies of the College of General Studies is the new math emporium opening in spring 2012. Students can come for individualized instruction from professors and graduate assistants. The emporium will be located in Green Hall, in what used to be Room 1500. The room will hold about 250 computer stations with advanced technology to help students who struggle with math. “Math was never my strongest subject. So having an entire room devoted to helping me excel will definitely be a place I will want to go,” sophomore Hillary Bernitter said. Writing is also a weakness that freshmen students often have when entering college. For this reason, changes have also been made to give students more one-onone assistance. “We’ve begun teaching some classes, such as ENGL 101, on the master-teacher model — a combination of big lectures and small breakout sections,” Heady said. Possibly the greatest academic announcement made this year is the plan to open a school of osteopathic medicine and a school of health science by fall 2013. Part of the funding for the new school was provided by a $12 million grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, making it the largest grant the university has ever received. “There is a great deal to be grateful for

and excited about at Liberty nowadays, but it is true, we are excited about the new school of health science and the prospect of having a medical college here at Liberty,” Godwin said. Moreover, Liberty is in the process of creating an innovative new library, a school of cinematic arts and trade courses to take along with one’s undergraduate degree. “Our goal is for Liberty University to become known as a world-class teaching university. And we want to continue the great strides already made in improving the teaching and learning here at Liberty,” Godwin said. While change is a necessary part of any university’s aim to improve, Liberty continues to honor its mission of “training champions for Christ.” The Christian worldview is unmistakably emphasized in all academic programs. “That doesn’t mean that we’re afraid of the world or that we want to live in a bubble,” Heady said. “We do all the same things that people do at other universities: We study the latest literary theory, we read the same books, we talk about the same topics. But here, we know what we’re about. The purpose of our teaching — and our studying — is to seek truth, because if we can find truth, we’ve had an encounter with God.” For more information, visit www.liberty. edu/aboutliberty. To learn more about the College of General Studies, email cgs@liberty.edu. Roedding is a news reporter.

October 11, 2011

B3/Liberty Champion

community service

A heart for others: CSER ignites attitudes of service Allison Cundiff ancundiff@liberty.edu

More than 5,400 Liberty students volunteered about 132,000 hours of service to the local community in Fall 2010, according to Darren Wu, Liberty’s Christian/Community Service (CSER) coordinator. Last spring, more than 5,700 students volunteered just shy of 130,000 hours, Wu said. According to an economic study released in 2010, Liberty students, faculty and staff contributed 674,879 CSER hours in 2009. The study showed that the average student volunteered 4.3 hours each month, and that the monetary value of those hours (at minimum wage in 2009) would come to $4.9 million. About 10 years ago, the requirement for graduation changed from 40 hours per semester to 20 hours per semester, Director of Christian/Community Service Dr. Lew Weider said. “For a long time, it was a minimum of three hours a week...over the years we recognized the diversity of our student body and the need for every single student to be doing something in a specific way for community service,” Weider said. Weider said when the hours-per-semester requirement was reduced to 20 hours, administration took into consideration students with many commitments (such as members of sports teams or students with limited free time due to challenging courses) to determine the average one-and-a-half-hours per week that are now required. Weider said he believes the benefits of participating in CSER for students are multi-faceted. “Number one, it gives them an opportunity to use their gifts to evangelize — they’re using their spiritual gifts to edify the body of Christ, or they can use those as a platform to lead someone to Christ,” Weider said. “Second, it’s an opportunity for them to gain experience, possibly in their field of study. So they’re learning, especially if they choose a CSER in their field of study. And it also enhances their resume and can provide experience in

photo provided

SERVICE AND SCREAMS — Scaremare is one of the ways that students are serving the community and sharing the gospel. their field.” There are three requirements that CSER service opportunities must meet: students cannot get paid, cannot receive scholarships and cannot receive academic credit. Although every student must fulfill their CSER requirements to graduate, many students, such as sophomore Jill O’Dell, go above and beyond the requirement to serve others. O’Dell recently volunteered with a group of 110 students on a five-day trip to Binghamton, N.Y. to help with diaster relief efforts after the town was damaged by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm

Lee. She spent the majority of her time there cleaning houses with severe water damage so the owners could rebuild. “It just sounded like a great opportunity to help, so I jumped on it,” she said. “It was hard, nasty, dirty work — but it was a great experience. I heard about (Hurricane Irene) for one day when it happened and then it left my mind, but these people lost their homes. The house my group worked on, the water went all the way up to the ceiling so the walls collapsed. They lost everything.” Another opportunity for students to serve is coming up as Halloween gets closer — last year, Scaremare used nearly 250

volunteers, according to Kamilla Dening, who coordinates the use of CSER workers. As a result of that volunteer work, an estimated 3,000 people made professions of faith after visiting last year’s Scaremare, she said. Each year, the Volunteer of the Year Christian Service Award is presented to a student whgo demonstrates excellence in Christian service and ministry. Students are nominated by their supervisors at the organizations where they volunteer. For more information, visit www.liberty. edu/cser. Cundiff is a feature reporter.

October 11, 2011

B4/Liberty Champion

Connected 1971

Computers were unavailable for students use.

1980s

Laptops and personal computers began to appear on campus.

1990s

A random collection of classes began to use computers. By the end of the decade, five computer classrooms were constructed in the science hall.

2002

With the expansion of DeMoss, nine computer classrooms were placed on the second floor inside the ILRC.

2004

Expansion brought the number of computers to 418.

2008

The ILRC expanded on to the third floor of DeMoss. The number of ILRC classrooms with computers increased to 15 and the total number of computers almost doubled to 804. Additional labs were also built for the new School of Engineering and Computational Science on the third floor, and other computer centers were located in specialized learning centers around campus.

2011

The number of computers in computer labs continues to increase. A larger emphasis is also being placed on students’ ability to use their own laptops by connecting to any of the 700 wireless access points from almost anyplace on campus. Information supplied by Computer Labs and Facilities Manager Casey Murray.

technological innovation

Advancements in latest technology make learning easier, more enjoyable for students Brittany Laird bhlaird@liberty.edu

The Integrated Learning Resource Center (ILRC) did not exist in the 70s and by the 80s a few students were bringing a new gadget called a laptop to school. The 90s ushered in the computer lab and as buildings went up, miles of hard wire cable were run to connect the computers to the world wide web. By 2000, Liberty met the increase in computer demand with a centralized computer lab and new wireless technology that created a massive web of unseen signals covering the campus. Over the past few years Liberty has been working constantly to give students the best wireless connection on campus possible. The work that goes on behind the scenes in order to keep the internet easy access often goes unnoticed unless there is a glitch. In 2008, the campus switched over to Bradford Endpoint Compliance System from Cisco Clean Access. This change eliminated the need for students to constantly enter their information into their computers in order to access the internet, according to Chief Information Officer Matthew Zealand. Bradford is the system which provides protection for students against potential computer viruses. This particular system is significantly less time consuming for students to use than Cisco Clean Access. Students only have to go through the steps to connect to the internet on a rare occasion as opposed to every time they need to get online. Students are also able to log onto the network via guest mode, a path that allows temporary internet access without requiring the typical steps involved in the connection process.

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TECH RULES— Classrooms and computer labs are equipped with PCs and Macs, and students have access to campus wide wireless internet. The campus is currently ranging between 95 and 98 percent wireless, which is provided through Aruba. The sections that do not have wireless access include places that students do not typically need connection, such as the bookstore parking lot, according to Zealand. Over 700 access points have been strategically positioned throughout the campus in order to give students a positive wireless experience. Each access point can provide service to a maximum of 35 students, according to Zealand. What students don’t realize is that as iPads, iPhones, Androids and other similar technology begins to increase in popularity, the need for wireless access increases as well. A student with a laptop and an

iPhone require the use of two of the 35 spots available for wireless connection. As technology continues to change, the university has been working constantly to keep up with the students’ needs in this area. The access points installed around campus appear in the form of small boxes mounted to the walls or the ceiling in the area in need of wireless connection. Each box is outfitted with several antennae. “I had never even noticed those before today,” freshman Megan Stone said. “I imagine that not many students have.” Buildings such as DeMoss have been outfitted with more access points than other buildings on campus as a direct result of the large number of students who prefer to use their laptops in the ILRC. Areas such as the courtyard and the lawn around the Prayer Chapel have wireless internet through the access points located in the buildings surrounding them. The connection may vary in places such as these depending on the amount of users and the distance to the nearest access point. The Information Technology department takes the time to review the number of users on each access point on a monthly basis. This allows the department to add or remove the access points based on supply and demand. Zealand encourages students who are having difficulties with their connection to the internet to obtain a help ticket from the Information Technology Help Desk. “The more they get that information to us, the more we can respond to their needs,” Zealand said. “We count on the students to help with that feedback.” Laird is a news reporter.

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& Liberty University and Coleman-Adams Construction both reach that impressive milestone this year, 1971-2011. The two are uniquely connected since the first buildings on Liberty’s campus were constructed by Coleman-Adams. And throughout those 40 years, Coleman-Adams and LU have continued to partner on many other dynamic projects. As each moves forward, Coleman-Adams honors Liberty University, its positive impact on our community, and A New Era of expanding its missions and world class facilities. Coleman-Adams and Liberty University celebrate 40 years of building futures together.

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October 11, 2011

B5/Liberty Champion

christian commitment

School prioritizes spiritual health Allison Cundiff

ancundiff@liberty.edu

Liberty University has been just as committed to providing its students with opportunities for spiritual growth as it has been to providing students a quality education in a Christian environment. As the university has grown, it has maintained the spiritual foundations it was started with through traditions unique to Liberty such as convocation, student leadership, school-sponsored mission trips and special emphasis weeks each semester. One of the many factors that has made Liberty’s commitment to a Christian environment possible is student leadership. When new students arrive at their residence halls, there are already leaders in place on each hall to help students — two resident assistants, two spiritual life directors and 10 prayer leaders. “Student leadership is so vital because convocation, church and even the classrooms have a spiritual emphasis, but it’s very hard to get down to the individual students — student leadership allows the chance to connect and be personally discipled as someone loves them and mentors and mobilizes them,” Associate Director of Prayer Leaders and Discipleship Pastor Chris Deitsch said. Hall meetings are held on each hall Tuesday nights to keep students up to date on campus announcements and events. After hall meetings, optional prayer groups are offered to give students a chance to fellowship, study the Bible and share prayer requests.

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STUDENT MENTORING — Liberty University continues to emphasize Christian values in and out of the classroom. “It’s really unique, it separates us from other schools,” said senior Sarah Wells, who served as a prayer leader for three years. “We’re all given the opportunity to be ministered to and be discipled. Even though I was supposed to be ministering to the other girls (in prayer groups)

it became a blessing to me and it was a humbling experience as well, watching how the Lord uses us in each others’ lives. I got to know other girls that I wouldn’t necessarily have gotten to know.” Another way Liberty has stayed true to its mission is through only hiring faculty

members who share the beliefs the university was founded on. “The university has maintained the Christian worldview in the classroom because of the commitment to only hiring those who are authentically saved and committed to the biblical worldview,” Dean of Students Dr. Keith Anderson said. “The professors are challenged to continue to present their discipline of study in a Christocentric format. I believe in the intentionality of the administration and senior leadership to remain faithful to our spiritual foundations.” Although the commitment has remained the same, several things have changed over the years to accommodate the growing student population’s needs and busier schedules. Prayer groups used to be mandatory five nights a week, as were multiple hall meetings, Deitsch said, and church attendance was required. Although hall meetings and convocation are still mandatory, prayer groups and church attendance are now optional. “We made it optional because we didn’t want to be legalistic,” Deitsch said. “We made it voluntary and that way students have a choice whether they want to go. I think one of the things Dr. Falwell was very much a stickler about was that convocation would happen three times a week and that we would never get rid of it. It was and is a time to bring the university together and to remind them of our common mission and our common goal.” Cundiff is a feature reporter.

athletic accomplishment

Flames’ honorable legacy continues on with NCAA Kyle Harvey kharvey@liberty.edu

Life on Life

Deep inside the Football Operations Center there is a man in an office that, like Liberty University’s founder Jerry Falwell Sr., has a vision for Liberty athletes. Dr. Ed Gomes is the Director of the Spiritual Development program for the football team and as the spiritual leader of Liberty’s football program, he personally oversees to the spiritual lives and conditions of the athletes, coaches, trainers and managers of the team. “Just because a school is Christian in name, it doesn’t mean that they are committed to living the Biblical mandates in the Scriptures,” Gomes said. Gomes practices servant leadership, assisting all members of the program in any way he can. He leads weekly Bible studies, meets weekly with players for accountability and discipleship and is a prayer warrior for the football players. “We have a biblical model based on Luke 2:52, and what that verse says is, ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature and in favor with God and man,’” Gomes said. Bearing Luke 2:52 in mind, Gomes has designed a system called the Whole Person Development Model for use in training football players to be champions not only of the Big South but for Jesus Christ. “On the basis of that Bible verse there are four areas that we give attention to

within our athletic program. The first has to do with academics… The second piece is athletics…the next area is socially… the fourth area is to develop the spiritual aspect of the student athlete’s life.” “Jesus built into the three, he built into the 12, and he built into the 70. One of the ways that we are going to impact our whole team is by you making your position your ministry. Let’s pray with each other, let’s pray for each other and let’s pray for the guys in our position. Let’s live out our relationship with God in that position and let God use us,” Gomes said. Gomes intentionally places great significance on accountability and the importance of men working through life together, building up one another’s faith. “The experience the student athletes gain now will be invaluable after Liberty, “ Gomes said. “It’s really life on life. The whole goal of this life on life is so when they graduate and they start working at some newspaper place or wherever it might be, they’ve practiced what they’re going to do when they start the job. You’re going to start looking for people that have the same values and interests that you have and then you’re going to start praying with that person and see how God wants to use you to impact those people you’re with. That’s how discipleship works,” Gomes said to players. Even considering the growth of the athletics program at Liberty in recent years, Gomes is confident that the system in place will secure Liberty’s reputation as

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FAN THE FLAMES — Over the past four decades, the Flames have become a dominant presence in world of college athletics. a program which competes with integrity and sportsmanship while lifting up the name of Jesus. “Sometimes people ask me, ‘Hey, the bigger the school gets you must be doing something to compromise with this or that.’ When I was here in the early 1970s there were guys in the high interest group,

there were guys in the some interest group and there were guys in the no interest group,” Gomes said. “It’s the same. What I’ve got to do is pay attention to where these guys are at and then help them win in these four areas.”

See ATHLETICS, B7

October 11, 2011

B6/Liberty Champion

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

OUTSIDE THE CLASS — Students at Liberty University have the opportunity to take part in concerts, road trips and other activies via the Student Activities department.

student life opportunities

Liberty culture continues to grow in diversity Devin Francis dmfrancis@liberty.edu

Rich (adjective): having high quality; magnificently impressive. The MerriamWebster website must have had student life at Liberty University in mind when defining this term. Snowflex, open mic nights, horseback riding, concerts, movie nights, ice skating and club sports, such as archery and racquetball, are just a few of the many activities offered to Liberty students looking to have a good time outside of the classroom. Dean of Students Keith Anderson said that all of the recreational options at Liberty are above par because they aid in the development of every student in mind, body and spirit. He also credited Liberty’s state of the art facilities with setting the college apart from the competition. “Liberty University is tied to the commitment of our chancellor and founder who more than once proclaimed, ‘If it’s Christian, it ought to be better,’” Anderson said. He also added that Liberty’s current “available capital to fund recreation” has given the university the freedom to offer more events today than when the university first opened. Although Promotions Manager for Student Activities Stephanie Ward believes that Liberty has always excelled in the area of student life, she said that doing background research on what other colleges are currently offering and listening to student feedback gathered from surveys and social media posts have helped the university better itself over the last 40 years. “We don’t create events randomly or just for the sake of having them. We are dedicated to providing what students want and ask for,” Ward said. “We want to fit the style and needs of people today. This allows us to have a variety of events with an actual purpose behind them.” Once student suggestions are taken into account, Student Activities works to

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FYI The Snowflex Centre at Liberty University is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Snowflex was opened to the public Aug. 3, 2009.

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PIPED UP — Liberty state-of-the-art, year-round ski slope, Snowflex, allows students the opportunity to experience multi-level skiing. snowboarding or tubing. make certain each event idea that’s generated accomplishes two main goals: create community within the student body and culturally challenge students. “We want to establish communication

through shared experiences,” Ward said. “We strive to give students a home away from home, to cater to them and provide diversity. And everything is right at their fingertips at a low cost.”

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The Student Activities’ staff, Ward said, engages in multiple weekly meetings, physical labor, the renting of equipment and filling out numerous work orders, among other responsibilities, to ensure that every event and activity presented to Liberty students goes off without a hitch. Anderson said that countless hours of research and the analysis of available data also play a big role in making sure that “students are indeed benefitting from the activities taking place on our campus.” Senior Gregory Smith, who transferred to Liberty in 2010, said that he has definitely benefitted from the school’s clear dedication to student life. “Student life at Liberty engages students with different events outside of class more than the last college I was at, and most importantly, Liberty strives to keep Christ as the head of the student body in all things,” Smith said. Francis is a news reporter.

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October 11, 2011

B7/Liberty Champion

Towns’ family moves to campus peak

Co-founder Dr. Elmer Towns and family’s new address puts them atop the mountain

Jessica Rowell jrowell@liberty.edu

Considering the recent explosion of construction projects on Liberty’s campus, it comes as no surprise that one of the school’s founders, Dr. Elmer Towns, has joined in on the building trend. Towns and his wife recently moved into their newly constructed home, which was completed in August 2011. The home, which took nearly seven months to complete, is located off of Candler’s Mountain Road and features an expansive view of the City of Lynchburg. “All the feedback has been positive,” Construction Coordinator Alan Askew said. “They are very happy, sincerely appreciative and have been a pleasure to work with. It was great to be part of something that honors Dr. Towns work for Liberty University and will provide a great asset for us in the future.” Askew managed the project from its conceptual beginnings in January 2011. Since then, he has supervised the home’s construction in conjunction with Deitz Lilly Builders, Inc. from Forest, Va., who was awarded the contract. “We worked with Dr. and Mrs. Towns to design the residence, worked with engineers on the site layout, brought utilities to the site, solicited bids from contractors and monitored construction progress and budget,” Askew said. “They did a phenomenal job that we’re very proud of and I enjoyed working with

ATHLETICS continued from B5 “No matter how big we get, that never changes,” Gomes said.

Brains and Braun Liberty’s biblical model of Whole Person Development is strengthening our athletes’ academic integrity and boosting classroom performance to new highs. Recently Liberty University was given academic certification by the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics. According their website, the N4A “established a certification program to raise the professional standard among academic support programs and encourage a broader range of understanding of best practices and successful operations.” Liberty joins other prestigious institutions such as Clemson University, Baylor University, Michigan State University and North Carolina State University among others. According to Athletic Director Jeff Barber, the academic success of the athletes in the past year is the biggest victory for the athletic program, as 283 student athletes maintained a 3.0 GPA or greater. “We set records in grade point average and had more 3.0 student-athletes than we have ever had before. Also, we

CAMPUS continued from B1 front of DeMoss Hall. “Jeffersonian architecture is part of the identity of Central Virginia,” Falwell said. Liberty University also received its name from the principles espoused by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. Liberty University has always made the support of Jeffersonian principles of limited govern-

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KING OF THE MOUNTAIN — Completed this past summer, the Towns’ home sits atop a hill with a pleasent view of the City of Lynchburg and the Blue Ridge Mountains. them,” he said. The project went very smooth.” Overall, the new Towns’ home is an investment for both Towns and Liberty

University. The university will retain ownership of the home but will make the home available for Dr. Towns’ use for the rest

of his life, according to Chancellor Jerry

became only the 13th NCAA Division one school to receive academic certification by the N4A. This is a great honor for our program,” Barber said.

around the country to get their changes made before you get moved up on the priority list. The university saw fit to support us from the IT perspective. IT does a great job supporting us and giving us the necessary tools to give a very professional website,” Wetmore said. Under Wetmore the website has blossomed into the primary sports resource for Flames fans. More than 1.3 million people visited the site in the last academic year, which comes out to an average of 200 hits every hour. To keep up with demand, Wetmore’s staff works around the clock to provide up to the hour information, he said “The way we view our website is from August to the end of May, basically from when football season starts to when baseball is done is kind of our season. We average more than five different stories a day. That includes weekends,” Wetmore said. Beyond the written stories, www.libertyflames.com provides significant audio and video content to supplement the statistics and recaps. During the season, there are five new videos per week about the football program. “Right now, our focus is less on written content and more on audio and video content. If you go to espn.com, most people aren’t reading their stories anymore. They want a 90 second clip. That’s all they want,” Wetmore said.

The staff that runs the website is also responsible for producing the various other publications, such as the official football media guide. In 2010, Liberty’s media guide won the title of best in the country at the Football Championship Subdivision level, Wetmore said. “Our goals obviously are to fulfill Jerry Falwell’s vision of playing at the best level as a top 25 division one program. Jeff Barber wants us to not work like we’re in the Big South but work like we are already at that advanced level. We’re charged to work above our conference level right now,” Wetmore said. Looking to the future, Wetmore hinted at the coming of a Liberty athletics app. Presently, Liberty is able to offer the myLibertyU app through Blackboard. Blackboard’s app is a basic template that any school that uses Blackboard has access to. Liberty, however, would like to offer a more specialized app specific to Liberty, Wetmore said “It does get our information out there but the university now has hired mobile app people to try to develop our own unique application. That’s really where the future of things is. As technology grows and phones grow, we will certainly try to keep up with where technology is going,” Wetmore said.

Libertyflames.com draws 1.3 million visitors One staple of a successful football program is a first rate media team. Liberty University has made a large commitment to make this a reality for the program. One of the biggest aspects of sports coverage is www.libertyflames.com. Liberty has a staff of nine individuals that contribute to the content on the site and a small army of information technology personnel. Among the many things that makes www.libertyflames.com unique from other websites. Around the country is that for nearly its entire existence, dating back to 1998, it has been hosted on campus. “Most of the collegiate websites you see out there today are done by professional companies, but we’re one of the very few in the country that still has their website hosted on campus,” Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Media Relations Todd Wetmore said. “Most of the time when you are dealing with an outside vendor, you’re number 64 on a customer list, and you’ve got to wait for a half a dozen other schools

ment, free enterprise and individual liberty part of its core mission.” Liberty’s plan for creating world-class facilities could not have started at a better time. According to the Director of Auxiliary Services, Lee Beaumont, there are a few reasons why Liberty chose this year to start building. “This is a perfect time to build,” Beaumont said. “Interest rates are low and construction costs are low. Another thing is

environmental regulations will

FYI

Finances for expansion are from the $120 million tax-exempt bond from December 2010

be getting tougher and tougher in future years which dramatically increase the cost of construction.”

Falwell Jr. Rowell is a news reporter.

Harvey is a sports reporter.

Transforming the campus to one that exhibits world-class facilities does not come cheap. The majority of finances for construction are from the $120 million tax-exempt bond sale from December 2010. “The target cost was around $120 million,” Director of Planning and Construction Charles Spence said. “But over time, it will cost a little more than that. Most recent numbers are around $150 million but, again, all of that is subject to

change.” In addition to all the changes on the five-year plan, Spence assures students and faculty that there will be a lot more announcements concerning construction in the next five years. “It’s amazing to me…how excited students are about building projects,” Spence said. “You would think nobody cares, but they really do.” Adamson-Olaotan is a news

reporter.

October 11, 2011

B8/Liberty Champion

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

EXPONENTIAL — From a handful of students meeting under a tent in the mud, convocation has grown to over 36,00 in weekly attendance in the Vines Center.

Through the ages The story of Liberty University’s first 40 years Ashley Bollinger akbollinger@liberty.edu

O

ver the past four decades, Liberty University has grown exponentially and with its growth new opportunities have been brought to students and alumni alike. Founded in 1971 by Dr. Jerry Falwell as Lynchburg Baptist College, Liberty was always part of a bigger plan according to Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. “His (Dr. Falwell Sr.) vision for Liberty was a distinctively Christian university where every faculty member was a committed Christian, where the fundamentals of the Christian faith were never compromised and where the code of conduct encouraged behavior that is in keeping with Biblical morality,” Jerry Falwell Jr. said. While Liberty has remained focused on this vision, the school has undergone many changes, both extracurricular and academic, over the past 40 years, Jerry Falwell Jr. said. Liberty University alumni Winnie Taber, Brad Butler, Tamara Park and Darrell Jordan graduated in the class of 1975, 1984, 1993 and 2002 respectively. Each remembers a uniquely different Liberty, but a common thread of foundational faith is found in each of their stories. Graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, Taber went on to receive her Masters in Education as well as her education specialist in Administration. Taber has served as principal of the upper school at Liberty Christian Academy and is now Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at the school. She is also currently a professor at Liberty. Similar to Taber, Butler also found that the foundation he acquired at Liberty was fundamental to his future. Butler graduated with a degree in Political Science. Having worked in Washington for a number of years, Butler discovered that his foundation from Liberty was most necessary when God changed the direction of his career. “God ushered in a number of significant changes for me, one of which was a career change. In that sense, Liberty proved the lessons they taught us there and instilled in us were a benefit,” Butler said. “A career change can be a devastation. I believe it was easier because of the spiritual lessons I learned at Liberty.” Butler is now a Contract Administrator for Wiley Wilson, an architectural, engineering and planning firm. Graduating with a degree in Telecommunications, Park found it was not the university itself that helped her to succeed, but the steps Liberty took to push her forward in her career pre-graduation. “It hasn’t been the degree from Liberty

Photo Provided

ROOTS RUN DEEP — Dr. Jerry Falwell wanted his university to be rooted in the local church. Thomas Road Baptist Church (above) was that anchor. Before Liberty University was born on Liberty Mountain, Lynchburg Baptist College called a downtown plaza and a James River island home. In the late 70s, Lynchburg Baptist College became Liberty Baptist college. It was not until the 80s that Liberty became “Liberty University.”

that has been most beneficial, but rather the experiences and friendships that have enriched me in both career and life,” Park said. “One example, during my sophomore year I did an internship in Brussels, Belgium at a Christian media outlet. Shortly after graduation, I went on to produce videos in Brussels for the next couple of years.” Now a producer and author, Park currently produces a TV series called Nobel Exchange for Halogen. She is also author of the book “Sacred Encounters from Rome to Jerusalem.” Also having entered into the world of communication, Jordan graduated with degrees in both communication studies and sports management. “The greatest things I learned at Liberty were the broadcast production and

Photo Provided

video editing skills that I learned through the communications program,” Jordan said. “Another valuable thing I learned was the value in doing an internship. My sports management program required an internship before graduation. My internship at Comcast SportsNet led to my first job.” Since its beginning, Liberty has been

producing graduates with the drive and ability necessary to succeed in their given field, according to Director of Liberty’s Alumni Relations Tyler Falwell. Beginning in 1971, Liberty’s student body has grown from 154 students to a graduating class of 10,930 and a student

AGES, see B8

October 11, 2011

B9/Liberty Champion

&A

Q

With Chancellor Falwell

Q. What was your father’s vision for the university?

A. Photos Provided

THE FALWELLS — Falwell’s receive the deed to the Ericsson building, which has become Green Hall.

AGES continued from B7 body has grown from 154 students to a graduating class of 10,930 and a student body numbering more than 60, 000. With the growth of the student body many changes have occurred in the academic realm, as well as student recreation. “When I graduated, the school was smaller and a close community where you knew almost everyone,” Taber said. “We were all a family.” Athletics have also played a role in Liberty’s growth, according to Taber. “We had a tremendous men’s basketball team where the coach not only made an impact on his players but also on the students,” Taber said. “His name was Dan Manley. They slowly added other sports like football and cheerleading.” Jordan also appreciates the involvement of sports in student life. “Because I played football, I didn’t participate in many other student recreation opportunities at Liberty,” Jordan said. “Being a part of the team was a great experience for me.” For Butler it is not only the number of students or sports community that made his experience different, but also the presence of the founder. “The biggest difference is that there is no Jerry Falwell Sr.,” Butler said. “The university is moving farther and bigger than any of us thought so soon. Jerry Falwell Jr. is responsible for the extensive growth, but it is a little sad not having Jerry Sr. around to see the dream come true.” The sense of community, Taber remembers, is what sets Liberty apart from many schools — a tradition that started with Falwell Sr. “(Dr. Falwell) knew us by name. I had the opportunity to travel some with him when he would fly to speak at different places. He was a prankster. I also worked as a student in his office area,” Taber said. “You never knew what he was going to do to scare you. I loved the fact that he was not only a pastor with a servant’s heart, but he also was right in there having fun with all of us students.” Carrying his father’s legacy Jerry Falwell Jr. is also a friend to the current student body, Butler said. “Jerry Falwell Jr. emulates his dad to a ‘t’ by really enjoying the student body. Students have a lot of access to him. When I was up in the Chancellor’s booth last Saturday night, I was in awe of how many kids could come through and say hi to the Chancellor,” Butler said. “You don’t see that. It creates openness with the student body. Both Jerry Sr. and Jerry Jr. took that to heart and they exemplify what they talk about. It is that kind of personal involvement with the student body that makes Liberty unique.” As changes have taken place in the number of students, and the face of the leadership, the campus has not been left behind. “(When I was a student) there were two campuses: Treasure Island and The Hotel. We had classes everywhere: the lobby of the church, the balcony of the church, the houses across from the church, the rented Ruffner Elementary School, etc,” Taber said. “We shared the cafeteria with Lynchburg Christian Academy

Photos Provided

GROWING UP— Liberty University has grown from 154 students to more than 60,000 in 2011.

“We can usher in the changes and embrace with confidence that God is watching over us.” — BRAD BUTLER for lunch. Those were the days.” Treasure island is an island in the middle of the James River that once had dormitories and a kitchen for the first group of Liberty students. Liberty still owns the islands, however, the bridge was washed away in the 80s by flooding. So, the university no longer utilizes the island. The hotel was a renovated hotel that students inhabited as they outgrew the island. They hotel is still located in Lynchburg, but is now owned and operated by the YWCA. “We rode to classes on school buses, walked across the bridge at Treasure Island because they were concerned that the bridge would not hold the bus and the students at the same time,” Taber said. “Several times Treasure Island flooded while I was there. We simply put what we brought on the top bunk and left the Island.” Not only have there been architectural changes, but also technological advances that offer current students new opportunities, according to Park. “I suspect a thousand little and large changes have been made since I attended – from dress code to the construction of new buildings,” Park said. “However the most significant change I see is the embrace of technology, especially in the field I’m in (television).” Currently, students have access to facilities and academics comparable to those of other large universities around the world, according to Falwell Jr. “The biggest difference (between 2002 and 2011) at Liberty is the facilities,” Jordan said. “LU’s campus has exploded with new state-of-theart academics and athletic buildings. The place looks totally different than when I was there.” “There was never a dull moment at Liberty — something was always happening,” Jordan said. Not only is Liberty a university that strives to best accommodate their students while they are on campus, but it also strives to maintain those relationships post graduation, according to Tyler Falwell. “The key to all of this is staying

connected. We can have the greatest publications in the world, but if we do not have your current address, telephone number and email then they will never reach you,” Tyler Falwell said. Other alumni keep in touch with the on-goings at Liberty through different methods, too. “I maintain my alma mater by keeping in contact with faculty, like one of my favorite professors Mrs. Deborah Huff,” Jordan said. “In addition, this year I started the position of TV Analyst for the Liberty football broadcasts for Flames Sports Network. This provides a unique opportunity for me to be a part of the sports program.” Liberty serves as more than an institution to its students and alumni, Butler said. “At Liberty I was taught the value of giving my best,” Taber said. “Dr. Falwell drilled into us that if it is Christian, it should be better, and it stuck with me.” The school’s commitment to Christian principles and character are factors that go on to impact students long after they leave, Jordan said. “My LU education provided a solid foundation for academic and personal success,” Jordan said. “Because Liberty stresses the importance of character in addition to academic success, it makes you a better all-around person, which makes you a better employee.” Lessons such as the one Taber and Jordan learned are a common thread between graduates of Liberty, Butler said. “Particularly professor (Dr.) Bill Gribbin who taught the concept of principle that God has a plan even when it is not always evident,” Butler said. “We can usher in the changes and embrace with confidence that God is watching over us and going to take care of us. You don’t learn those values anywhere else, there is a spiritual element you don’t get at other institutions. We learned there are no wasted experiences.” BOLLINGER is the editor in chief.

When Liberty was founded, most conservative Christian colleges had facilities that were inferior, athletic teams that were not competitive at high levels and academic program that were unaccredited with narrow course offerings that, for the most part, trained students to become pastors, church workers and missionaries. Secular universities of the day had become hotbeds of rebellion against authority and anti-American sentiment. Student protests were common and professors were encouraging student to turn away from their Christian beliefs. Students had to either attend a big secular school that would likely destroy their values or a small Christian school that offered an inferior education. Dad envisioned a Christian university that upheld our Judeo-Christian and American values but that also offered evangelical Christian young people the same big college experience that could be found at any major secular university. His vision for Liberty was a distinctively Christian university where every faculty member was a committed Christian, where the fundamentals of the Christian faith were never compromised, where the code of conduct encouraged behavior that is in keeping with Biblical morality. He wanted it to be a place where our nation’s founding principles of limited government, free enterprise and individual liberty were held in high regard. He also wanted it to be where students could also enjoy world class facilities, academic excellence that would train students to work in almost any profession, NCAA Division I athletics competing at the highest levels and all the other activities and programs found at any major secular university. Many believed it could not be done but he believed that, if it was Christian, it should be better and he saw examples like Notre Dame and Brigham Young University that had become world class universities but had also remained true to their faith-based mission. Those schools became sort of a model for Liberty.

Q.

Why do we offer students so many extracurricular activities?

A.

Liberty made a decision long ago not to have fraternities and sororities. Our code of conduct also prohibits some activities that are central to social life at many universities. The extracurricular activities that we offer are meant to be a positive alternative to the types of activities prevalent at other universities that are not in keeping with Liberty’s mission.

Q. Why do you love student interaction? A.

Liberty’s students are special. They are optimistic, friendly and treat others with respect. That is why I go out of my way to interact with them and help them whenever I can. One of the reasons Becki and I invite so many students up to our box at football games is because they seem to enjoy it so much and they are really grateful. Our Commencement speaker this year attended another graduation at an older university soon after Liberty’s and he commented how different the two experiences were. At the other school, the theme seemed to be how the graduates saw themselves as the elite of society and there was talk about what society owed them because of their superiority. He said that, at Liberty, the graduates were all about what they could do for others after graduation. I think this is clear evidence that we are training champions for Christ who are not simply all about making money for themselves. Becki and I enjoy interacting with students because of this attitude that is so pervasive at Liberty.

B10/Liberty Champion

defining

HOMECOMING It’s a family reunion for students, staff, faculty and graduates. It usually involves a football game, a parade, a bon fire, lots of food and laughter. According to the Associated press, Baylor University had the first homecoming celebration in 1909 and The University of Missouri was credited with having the first homecoming alumni game in 1911. Liberty affiliates, past and present, gather together at the school to commemorate its history and celebrate its future during the university’s 40th anniversary.

Danielle Dewitt - Senior

Homecoming gives me a sense of tradition since my family went to Liberty.

Jesse Saunders - Senior

Homecoming is a weekend football game. The campus is very energetic and it creates a great atmosphere to be in.

Alicia Whitecavage - Senior

I love getting free stuff at the parade.

Chris Summers - Senior

Me being on the football team means we have to make sure we are at our best and to make homecoming as joyful as possible by getting that win and representing this university the right way.

Walt Aikens - Junior

Homecoming means tradition.

Sir Chauncey Holloway - Junior It means a lot to me as an athlete.

Chelsea DeWolf - Sophomore

Homecoming is a time to show school spirit. It is a time of unity and a time to support our school. I remember the Homecoming parade and all of the tailgating before the big game, and the huge bonfire, which is great for bonding. It’s a great chance to meet new people.

Elly Meinke - Freshman

Homecoming is all about connecting the generations.

Elizabeth Graham - Alumni

It’s always fun visiting the campus— walking through the hallways of DeMoss, seeing all the new additions, visiting with old friends and watching a football game or hockey game. Homecoming captures all the traditions of Liberty that I hold dear. It feels like home again.

October 11, 2011