Liberty University
Encyclopedia
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia
. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online. LU is currently the largest Evangelical Christian
university in the world.
It was founded as Lynchburg Baptist College in 1971 by Jerry Falwell
, who was also the Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church
. The name was changed to Liberty Baptist College in 1976 before settling on its current name (Liberty University) in 1984, when it obtained university
status. Liberty University will start a medical school in 2013.
and private baths. There is a clubhouse
which offers a swimming pool
, billiards
room, computer
lab, private theater, and a convenience store
. A tunnel connecting the east and west ends of the campus was completed in 2004. A second tunnel is scheduled to be completed in the near future to provide safe pedestrian passage under the Norfolk and Southern Railroad and access nearby shopping opportunities at Wal-Mart
as well as the Wards Crossing retail stores. In addition, a campus bus/shuttle system was added in the fall of 2006, providing transportation both on and off campus until midnight most evenings.
The facilities at Liberty University include the 90000 square feet (8,361.3 m²) LaHaye Student Center, which boasts a lounge, basketball courts, cardio and weight Rooms, cafe, multi-purpose rooms, aerobic rooms and other amenities. The adjacent Tilley Center features TV lounges, game tables, pool room, and social areas as well as a stage for frequent student performances, bands and small concerts. Other projects include a 60-mile Mountain bike
trail system, a motorcross facility, paintball
fields, 3D archery
range, intramural sports program and several club sports such as lacrosse and LU ice hockey
, which plays in an ice rink donated by Drs. Tim
and Beverly LaHaye
, and a new indoor soccer facility.
Williams Stadium, home of the Liberty Flames football program, received a major upgrade in 2010 with the first phase of a construction project. Seating for this phase increased from 12,000 to 19,200. Changes to the stadium include luxury suites, a Club level and a new media area. Additional phases of stadium expansion will increase seating to 30,000 by 2015.
Construction was completed in August 2009 on the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, a synthetic ski slope that features Snowflex
, which was designed by England’s Briton Engineering. The Snowflex Centre includes beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes and is the first of its kind in the United States.
On September 24, 2010, Liberty opened the new Tower Theater. The theater is state of the art and has the ability to seat up to 640 people. The Theater Department at Liberty has arranged for the 2010-11 theater season, with their opening show being Hairspray, and closing in Spring 2011 with The Phantom of the Opera.
In spring semester of 2012, Liberty University will begin construction of the Jerry Falwell Library. The $50 million library will be located behind the Vines Center, and will overlook a new commons area and lake. The 170,000-square-foot building is expected to house over 500,000 books in addition to electronic collections. A robot-assisted storage system will allow for electronic browsing of titles as well as previewing text prior to selection of print material. Liberty University estimates that the book storage and robotic retrieval system will occupy 7% of the library, while 67% will be reserved for collaborative meeting areas and student study spaces, and the remaining 26% will consist of other areas such as a four-story atrium, a two-story food court and a museum.The Jerry Falwell Library will be the most expensive building on campus and is expected to be completed by spring or summer of 2013.
As of August 2011, Liberty offers 148 residential and online undergraduate programs and among those offered are Aeronautics
, Philosophy and Religion
, English, Worship & Music Ministry
, Business
, Criminal Justice
, Education
and Nursing
. Liberty also offers 87 graduate programs and 11 doctoral programs within the residential and online programs.
(SACS) accreditation in 1980, which was most recently reaffirmed in 2006. In addition, it was accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
(TRACS) in September 1984, but resigned its TRACS accreditation on November 6, 2008. Liberty has 60 accredited degree granting programs. The law school, which opened in August 2004, gained provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association
on February 13, 2006. On December 9, 2009, Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced that "Liberty University has received Level VI accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). This is the highest classification from SACS and is reserved for colleges and universities that offer four or more doctoral degrees. The law school received full ABA accreditation on August 5th 2010.
Liberty University also offers a School of Aeronautics, School of Law
, School of Engineering and Computational Sciences, and a Theological Seminary.
. In 2011, Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges ranked Liberty University 535 overall . U.S. News & World Report also ranked Liberty the 80th top school in the list of Regional Universities (South) .
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Liberty University 80th in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges of Regional Universities in the South.
In 2005, Barron
's Profiles of American Colleges ranked LU as a "competitive" college, its fourth-highest of six ranks, indicating that it accepts students in the top 65% of their graduating class.
In 2007 Liberty University School of Law
, provisionally approved by the American Bar Association
, announced an 89% Bar passage rate from its first graduating class of Law Students. The bar passage rate far exceeded the State Average of 72%.
In 2008 the School of Law
announced a 94.4% first time passage rate on the Virginia
Bar Exam, second only to the University of Virginia
In 2009 the School of Business at Liberty University entered candidacy for full accreditation from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
.
In 2010 the Liberty University School of Education received full accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
In 2010, the American Bar Association Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar awarded Liberty University School of Law
full accreditation.
In 2011, the School of Law
achieved a 100% passage rate on the Virginia
Bar Exam for the February exam, but only a 47.83% passage rate for the July exam,
which includes a much larger pool of test-takers and is more commonly taken by recent law school graduates.
, President Ronald Reagan
, President George H. W. Bush
, Rev. Billy Graham
, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
, Lt. Col. Oliver North
, Steve Forbes
, Leonard Davidson, former US Senator Jesse Helms
, Sam Donaldson
, John R. Rice
, Elisabeth Elliot
(wife of the late missionary Jim Elliot
), Skip Erickson, Freddie Gage, Adrian Rogers
, creationist Ken Ham
, governor Tim Kaine
, Sean Hannity
, Bobby Bowden
, Carrie Prejean
, pro-wrestler Lex Luger
, Gianna Jessen
, Clint Hubbard and 2008 Presidential candidates Mike Huckabee
and Ron Paul
. Jerry Falwell regularly spoke at chapel, giving his "Never Give Up" speech in the first semester.
The Liberty Flames are a member of the NCAA
Division I Football Championships Subdivision (FCS) in football (formerly Division I-AA) and NCAA
Division I sports level in other competition. Liberty is a member of the Big South Conference
for 18 sports. Women's Lacrosse competes in the National Lacrosse Conference, while Women's Swimming will join the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association, bringing the university total to 20 sports for the 2010/2011 season. The University regularly competes for the Sasser Cup
which is the Big South's trophy for the university which has the best sports program among the member institutions. Liberty has won the Sasser Cup six times, second only to Coastal Carolina University
, which has won it seven times. Called the "varsity sport of the mind," Liberty's Quiz Bowl team has won Big South Conference Championship five out of the past six years (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, & 2011).
In 1973, the Liberty Flames Football team used Lynchburg's City Stadium as their home stadium. On October 21, 1989, the Flames played their first home game on-campus at their new stadium named Williams Stadium. 12,750 fans were in attendance. Williams Stadium was renovated and re-opened on October 2, 2010. There were over 19,300 fans there to celebrate.
Liberty University is also notable for its basketball programs and its venue, the Vines Center
, that can house up to 8,085 spectators for its games. Several of the Liberty men's basketball (Liberty Flames Basketball
) team have been recruited to the NBA (including Peter Aluma). And the women's basketball team (Lady Flames Basketball) was honored by the Big South "with the Top 25 'Best of the Best' moments in League history from 1983-2008, with Liberty University's 10-year women's basketball championship run from 1996-2007 being crowned the No. 1 moment in the Big South's first 25 years."
Liberty University supports men’s and women’s club hockey teams. Men’s hockey started in 1985 when students at Liberty self-organized a team to compete against surrounding colleges and clubs but has since become a competitive club team competing against much larger schools such as Oklahoma University, University of Delaware, and Penn State University. In 2006, Liberty University opened the 3000-seat LaHaye Ice Center, which was a gift from Drs. Timothy and Beverly LaHaye. Also in 2006, Liberty became the only school in the state of Virginia to host a men’s Division I American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) club hockey team Currently, Liberty University has Division I, II and III men’s teams and Division I and II women’s teams, making it the only school in the ACHA to host 5 club hockey teams. The men’s Division I team is coached by Kirk Handy while the women’s Division I team is coached by Paul Bloomfield.
program, formerly led by Brett O'Donnell, was number one in the overall rankings Championships in the National Debate Tournament
for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.. The overall rankings include varsity, junior varsity, and novice results. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 20th in 2005, 17th in 2006, and 24th in 2007, 12th in 2008, 9th in 2009, 4th in 2010, and 4th in 2011.
The debate program has been criticized in the fundamentalist Christian community. John Lofton
of The American View Christian radio show accused Liberty University of not being "a truly Christian college" when Jerry Falwell gave permission for the debate team to debate in favor of abortion when required. The issue arose when the team was faced with the need to argue for abortion rights or give up the debate program for that year.
Liberty also hosts the Virginia High School League's annual Debate State Championships every April.
Liberty has $530 million in net assets, which is expected by Chancellor Falwell to rise to 1 billion dollars by 2014. On December 7, 2010, Liberty sold $120 million in facilities bonds which will be used to finance recent and future expansion.
As Liberty University is the largest university in Virginia, students received approximately $445 million in federal financial aid money in 2010, the highest total of any school in Virginia and one of the highest in the country. The total, a 56 per cent increase over the prior year, was mostly in the form of student loans, but also included some grants and other forms of aid. The University's financial aid office has 138 employees.
This case dealt a severe financial blow to the University which was unable to fund its construction projects needed to sustain its rapid growth. A subsequent case a few years later involving Regent University
was decided in a similar manner, but was later overturned. The Virginia Supreme Court reviewed the case and based its decision on a more recent US Supreme Court ruling concerning issues of Separation and Sectarianism. Since then, Regent has received approval for bond funding with the stipulation that it may not fund the Divinity School.
, founder of the Unification Church
and the Washington Times, and his wife Hak Ja Han
helped to financially stabilize the University through two of his organizations: News World Communications
(an international media conglomerate which owns the Times and other news media), which provided a $400,000 loan to the University at 6% interest; and the Women's Federation for World Peace
, which indirectly contributed $3.5 million toward the school's debt. Liberty University spokesman Mark DeMoss said the school was not aware of News World's connection to Moon when it obtained the loan through a broker. "I'm not going to be pious and tell you we would have turned it down," DeMoss said. "Because it was a business transaction, we probably would have moved forward even if Falwell or somebody in the organization knew who News World Communications was." Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell stated that the source of the funds does not influence his ministry: "If the American Atheists Society
or Saddam Hussein
himself ever sent an unrestricted gift to any of my ministries, be assured I will operate on Billy Sunday
's philosophy: The Devil's had it long enough, and quickly cash the check."
visited the university and spoke informally with Liberty students. According to organizers, they were turned away from the library when they tried to donate books about homosexuality
. The organizers were also unable to turn over to Jerry Falwell, the founder and chancellor of the university, anonymous letters from alleged current students at Liberty who claim they are gay. They were, however, able to speak with some of the students who attend the school. In March 2006, the Equality Ride returned, resulting in 24 arrests for trespassing when they attempted to cross into campus property after being warned not to.
Don Egle, director of public relations at Liberty, said, "We don’t feel that this situation warrants a comment." When asked about the school's policies toward gay students, Egle said only "we follow Scripture
." Falwell reiterated the University's stance when confronted with the issue, "We do not believe in gay marriage or polygamy or any other family form than a man marrying a woman singly." Jake Reitan, director of youth programs for Soulforce
, said that the group requested the library accept books that could be added "that students could decide to read or not", and called for the University to designate some place on campus where students could talk about being gay without fear of being expelled or having their parents informed.
In early 2005, SoulForce asked to return and was granted permission by Liberty University to sit in quiet protest in one of Liberty University's weekly convocations.
In April 2006, Falwell allowed Reform Rabbi Eric Yoffie
to speak at the university on behalf of gay rights citing legal protections for gay couples. "You oppose gay marriage while we believe in legal protection for gay couples. We understand your reading of the Biblical texts, even if we read those texts in a different way." Falwell said Yoffie's tone was as important as his message.
as an explanation for the appearance of life on earth. The university works with Young Earth creationist organizations including Answers in Genesis
. In biology classes students are taught both creationism
and evolution
and that creationism
offers a better explanation of biological diversity than evolution.
In October, 2006 the university published an advertisement in The Chronicle of Higher Education
in an attempt to recruit staff to its biology department. The advertisement stated that the university was "seeking faculty who can demonstrate a personal faith commitment to its evangelical Christian purpose" and specified that "compatibility with a young-earth creationist philosophy [is] required."
In the same month, biologist Richard Dawkins
was quoted saying the following about Liberty University; "If it's really true that the museum at Liberty University has dinosaur fossils which are labeled as being 3,000 years old, then that is an educational disgrace. It is debauching the whole idea of a university, and I would strongly encourage any members of Liberty University who may be here, to leave and go to a proper university."
In December, 1991 Creation reported, Arlton C. Murray "excavated a dinosaur for Liberty University’s museum", which proclaimed "this dinosaur was the first of its kind in any creationist museum."
, Brian Diaz, revoking the university's recognition of the club. "The Democratic Party
platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian
doctrine," Hine's e-mail stated, citing the party's positions on abortion
and federal funding thereof, same-sex marriage
, hate crimes, LGBT
rights, and socialism
as justification for the dissolution. While the club can still meet on campus, it cannot use the university's name or reserve university facilities.
At a meeting with administration officials, the group was asked to apologize publicly for statements they had made to the media about this controversy. Diaz said he was baffled by the administration's decision, saying, "I want to be able to share the love of Christ, but I guess I can't do that on campus because I'm a Democrat as well."
Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
and Democratic ex-governor Tim Kaine
and 2009 Democratic gubernatorial candidates
Terry McAuliffe
, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds
called on the college to rescind the ban. Then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell
stated that he "personally disagrees" with Liberty's decision, but that because it is a private school, its leaders can make their own decisions.
Liberty University president Jerry Falwell, Jr., subsequently stated that the university had not banned Democrats from campus nor had the club been banned from meeting and that neither the University nor its officials said that a person cannot be both a Christian and a Democrat. On May 28, 2009, members of the club met with LU administration members again, and Falwell stated that he was "optimistic that if the university can work directly with the students that a compromise can be reached.' Hine said that while the email was not clear, he did explain to the College Democrats leadership at the time he sent the email that the group could continue to meet in common areas on campus.
Liberty's decision led some to question the University's tax-exempt status, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State
filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service
, asking for a review of the university’s tax status. Liberty University in turn filed a complaint with the IRS regarding the tax-exempt status of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
.
In late June 2009, Liberty University announced a new policy dealing with all political clubs on campus. The new policy removed official recognition from all political clubs on campus, relegating them to unofficial status. Chancellor Falwell said the previously suspended College Democrats "wouldn’t have to do anything" to be recognized under the new policy. Along with other stipulations, the policy allows unofficial clubs to use the university’s name, but they will not receive any funding from the university. In response, Kaine said Liberty University solved the controversy "perfectly."
is the Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church
and a son of founder, Jerry Falwell. William Franklin Graham IV is an Evangelist, Billy Graham
's grandson. Chuck Baldwin
is a Politician and Pastor of Crossroad Church. Angela Elwell Hunt
is a Christian author. Bill Keller
is a Televangelist. Michael R. Licona
is a Christian Scholar and Apologist. William Schnoebelen
is a Christian Apologist, Author, and Lecturer. Johnnie Moore, Jr.
is a Pastor, author, professor and university administrator. Luc Angers
is a Politician in Quebec, Canada. Scott Baugh
is a Politician. Kevin Grantham is a Colorado Senator. Jeff Coleman
is a Politician and former member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
. Mike Fleck
is a Politician and current member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
. Jamie Radtke
is a Politician and Political Activist. Ben Parkhill
, a Correspondence student of Liberty University, is a Political consultant; Sr. advisor to Miss. Gov. Haley Barbour
. Tony Perkins is the Family Research Council
president and former Louisiana
State Representative (1996–2004). David A. Schauer
is the Executive Director of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP). Kevin Roose, attended Liberty University for one term, is the Author of The Unlikely Disciple. Adrian M. Smith
a U.S. Congressman attended Liberty University for a year-and-a-half.. Susan Wise Bauer
is a professor of English at The College of William & Mary and an author of best selling history books by Peace Hill Press
and W. W. Norton
. Shannon Bream
is a Fox News' Supreme Court reporter. Kevin Beary
is a former Sheriff of Orange County, Florida
. Alan Rowe
is the President and CEO of First Commercial Bank. Penny Nance is the CEO of Concerned Women for America
. Frank Teruel is the Chief Financial Officer at Vormetric. Bethann Shaffer is a former News Anchor 540WFLA, Orlando. Steve Glosson is a Radio Host of the popular podcast, Geek Out Loud, and host of the Big Honkin' Show on WVOH, broadcasting from Hazelhurst, Georgia.
is a Contemporary Christian music artist. Travis Doucette
is a Contemporary Christian Music artist, songwriter and worship leader. Jody McBrayer
is a member of a Christian vocal group named Avalon
. Thad Cockrell
is a Musician. Toby McKeehan
, Michael Tait
(now with Newsboys
), and Kevin Max
are the members of dc Talk
, a Christian hip-hop band. Jonathan Schneck
is a guitarist for the Christian rock band Relient K
. George GQ Quesenberry attended Liberty University for one year and is a Musician, Motivational Speaker, and Author. John Reints is a bass player for Passion, Watermark, Sonic Flood, and Honestly. Guy Penrod
is a former member of the gospel group the Gaither Vocal Band
. Phil Stacey
, a Distance-Learning Student of Liberty University is a singer and was a contestant on [American Idol]]. Dave Pittman is a singer and was a contestant on American Idol
. Shannon Bream
is a Television
Reporter/Anchor. Darrell Farley, a former student of Liberty University, is a Radio Personality and Music Producer. Scotty Curlee is a Filmmaker and Actor. Terry Fator
is a Ventriloquist. His performance was entitled, Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas (2009) commentary. Al Gross
is a radio broadcaster, formerly with KJSL-AM
. Mark Lowry
is a Christian comedian and vocalist. Kera O'Bryon is an Actress, nominated for a Daytime Emmy. Kimberley Miller became Mrs. Ohio America. T.W. Starr is an Award Winning Sports reporter at WAAY-TV, Huntsville, Alabama. Dante Marchitelli is a Co-Host of Magic Overtime Orlando Magic
. Alyson Bruner is an anchor for WFXR in Roanoke. Stephen Christian
is the Lead Singer for Anberlin
. Austin Carty and Laura Morett were contestants on the reality TV Show Survivor. Samantha Steele
is an ESPN Sportscaster. Vic Mignogna
works in Anime
as a voice actor. Trent Garrett
attended Liberty University for one semester and is an Actor
on All My Children
. Kellie Rasberry
, attended Liberty University for one year and is an American Radio Personality, Co-host of Kidd Kraddick
. Don White
is a Producer and Director. John Kearns Jr is a Producer. Lawrence Cameron Steele is an Actor
. Heidi Mueller
is a Television
Actress. Jeremy Nicholson is an Emmy Award
Winning Videographer. Richard Rossi
is a Filmmaker. Bob Sturm is a radio host on Dallas-based KTCK
's BaD Radio. Michelle Wright is a Television
Reporter/Anchor.
,Wayne Haddix
, Mark Mathis
, James McKnight
, Trey Sartin, Stephen Sene
are former NFL players. Sebastian Barrie
is a former NFL
player for Green Bay Packers
, Arizona Cardinals
, and San Diego Chargers
. Fred Banks
is a former NFL
player for Cleveland Browns
, Miami Dolphins
, and Chicago Bears
. Dwayne Carswell
is a former NFL
player with the Denver Broncos
. John Cartwright
is a former football player and Coach. Tony Dews is a Current Recruiting Coordinator and Tight Ends coach at University of Pittsburgh. Kelvin Edwards is a former NFL
player with the New Orleans Saints
and Dallas Cowboys
. Marcus Floyd
is a former NFL
player with the New York Jets
, Buffalo Bills
and Carolina Panthers
. Samkon Gado
is a current NFL free agent. He is a former member of both the Green Bay Packers
and Tennessee Titans
. Eric Green is a former NFL
player. Rashad Jennings
|is a current NFL player with the Jacksonville Jaguars
. Leroy Kinard is a former NFL player with the New York Jets
. is a former NFL player. Vince Redd
is a former NFL player with the New England Patriots
. Donald Smith is a former NFL
player with the Dallas Cowboys
. Erick Harris
is a former NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles
and Kansas City Chiefs
. Richard Shelton
is a former NFL player and current Tennessee Titans scout. Johnny Shepherd
is a former Canadian Football League
and NFL player. Matt Lambros
is a currentCFL
free agent and former player with the Toronto Argonauts
and Montreal Alouettes
. Vic Shealy
is a Football Coach at Kansas University. Joshua Boateng
works as a Professional soccer player for Club Universidad de Guadalajara
. [James Price]] currently coaches Women's soccer at University of Northern Iowa
. Darryl Roberts
is a current soccer player with Denizlispor
. Osei Telesford
currently plays soccer with the Puerto Rico Islanders
. Sly Tetteh
is a former soccer player and president of Liberty Professionals. Doug Brady
is a former MLB
player for Chicago White Sox
. Tony Beasley
is currently MLB
a third base coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Sid Bream
is a former MLB
player. Lee Guetterman
is a former MLB player. Randy Tomlin
is a former MLB player. Rod Delmonico
is a former Tennessee
Baseball Coach. T. J. McCreight
is the current Director and Pro Personnel for the Arizona Cardinals. Peter Aluma
and Julius Nwosu
are former NBA players. Seth Curry
currently plays basketball with Duke University
. Katie Feenstra
is a current WNBA player with the Atlanta Dream
. Megan Frazee
is a current WNBA player with the San Antonio Silver Stars
. Charles Richardson
a Professional Shooting Coach, worked with the rlando Magic]. Sam Chelanga
is a former Cross Country national champ now Professional Runner. Josh Cox
is a Record Holder in the American 50k. Josh McDougal is a former Cross Country national champion. Delethea Quarles is a current track and field assistant coach for the USC
and IAAF World team. Clark Zealand
is a Canadian Ultramarathon runner. ReMike Hall
is an Athletic Director at USC Upstate. Deborah Yow
is the NC State Athletic Director.Karl Hess
is an ACC Official. Jeri Porter
is the current Women's Head Coach at George Mason University
. Michael Burcin is a Current Golf Coach at Wisconsin
. Elena Seiple
is a Body Builder.
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online. LU is currently the largest Evangelical Christian
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
university in the world.
It was founded as Lynchburg Baptist College in 1971 by Jerry Falwell
Jerry Falwell
Jerry Lamon Falwell, Sr. was an evangelical fundamentalist Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and a conservative commentator from the United States. He was the founding pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia...
, who was also the Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church is a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia. It currently claims 24,000 members and is headed by Jonathan Falwell.-History:Started in 1956 by a group of 35, including Jerry Falwell, Thomas Road now claims over 24,200 members...
. The name was changed to Liberty Baptist College in 1976 before settling on its current name (Liberty University) in 1984, when it obtained university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
status. Liberty University will start a medical school in 2013.
Religious foundation
Liberty University describes itself as a Christian academic community. Its mission and aims are stated as promoting both the intellectual and spiritual development of its students. The students of Liberty University and all of its colleges must abide by the code of conduct entitled The Liberty Way.Campus
Main, East and North Campuses
Liberty University continues to invest heavily in capital projects. Liberty University's Campus East housing complex now boasts 30 new multi-story apartment style dormitories, the last six of which were completed in 2007. Students living in these dormitories can cook meals in their own kitchen, and enjoy a living roomLiving room
A living room, also known as sitting room, lounge room or lounge , is a room for entertaining adult guests, reading, or other activities...
and private baths. There is a clubhouse
Community centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
which offers a swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
, billiards
Billiards
Cue sports , also known as billiard sports, are a wide variety of games of skill generally played with a cue stick which is used to strike billiard balls, moving them around a cloth-covered billiards table bounded by rubber .Historically, the umbrella term was billiards...
room, computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
lab, private theater, and a convenience store
Convenience store
A convenience store, corner store, corner shop, commonly called a bodega in Spanish-speaking areas of the United States, is a small store or shop in a built up area that stocks a range of everyday items such as groceries, toiletries, alcoholic and soft drinks, and may also offer money order and...
. A tunnel connecting the east and west ends of the campus was completed in 2004. A second tunnel is scheduled to be completed in the near future to provide safe pedestrian passage under the Norfolk and Southern Railroad and access nearby shopping opportunities at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
as well as the Wards Crossing retail stores. In addition, a campus bus/shuttle system was added in the fall of 2006, providing transportation both on and off campus until midnight most evenings.
The facilities at Liberty University include the 90000 square feet (8,361.3 m²) LaHaye Student Center, which boasts a lounge, basketball courts, cardio and weight Rooms, cafe, multi-purpose rooms, aerobic rooms and other amenities. The adjacent Tilley Center features TV lounges, game tables, pool room, and social areas as well as a stage for frequent student performances, bands and small concerts. Other projects include a 60-mile Mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
trail system, a motorcross facility, paintball
Paintball
Paintball is a sport in which players compete, in teams or individually, to eliminate opponents by tagging them with capsules containing water soluble dye and gelatin shell outside propelled from a device called a paintball marker . Paintballs have a non-toxic, biodegradable, water soluble...
fields, 3D archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
range, intramural sports program and several club sports such as lacrosse and LU ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, which plays in an ice rink donated by Drs. Tim
Tim LaHaye
Timothy F. LaHaye is an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker. He is best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins. He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.-Early life:LaHaye was born in Detroit,...
and Beverly LaHaye
Beverly LaHaye
Beverly LaHaye is an American Christian conservative activist and author.-Biography:Beverly LaHaye is best known for The Act of Marriage, a Christian sex self-help bestseller she co-authored in 1976 with her husband Tim LaHaye, and for founding Concerned Women for America in 1979 in San Diego,...
, and a new indoor soccer facility.
Williams Stadium, home of the Liberty Flames football program, received a major upgrade in 2010 with the first phase of a construction project. Seating for this phase increased from 12,000 to 19,200. Changes to the stadium include luxury suites, a Club level and a new media area. Additional phases of stadium expansion will increase seating to 30,000 by 2015.
Construction was completed in August 2009 on the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, a synthetic ski slope that features Snowflex
Snowflex
Snowflex is a snow sports surfacing product, invented and manufactured by Briton Engineering Developments Ltd of Holmfirth, West Yorkshire in the UK....
, which was designed by England’s Briton Engineering. The Snowflex Centre includes beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes and is the first of its kind in the United States.
On September 24, 2010, Liberty opened the new Tower Theater. The theater is state of the art and has the ability to seat up to 640 people. The Theater Department at Liberty has arranged for the 2010-11 theater season, with their opening show being Hairspray, and closing in Spring 2011 with The Phantom of the Opera.
In spring semester of 2012, Liberty University will begin construction of the Jerry Falwell Library. The $50 million library will be located behind the Vines Center, and will overlook a new commons area and lake. The 170,000-square-foot building is expected to house over 500,000 books in addition to electronic collections. A robot-assisted storage system will allow for electronic browsing of titles as well as previewing text prior to selection of print material. Liberty University estimates that the book storage and robotic retrieval system will occupy 7% of the library, while 67% will be reserved for collaborative meeting areas and student study spaces, and the remaining 26% will consist of other areas such as a four-story atrium, a two-story food court and a museum.The Jerry Falwell Library will be the most expensive building on campus and is expected to be completed by spring or summer of 2013.
Academics
Aeronautics
Aeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...
, Philosophy and Religion
Philosophy of religion
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy concerned with questions regarding religion, including the nature and existence of God, the examination of religious experience, analysis of religious language and texts, and the relationship of religion and science...
, English, Worship & Music Ministry
Worship Music
Worship Music is the tenth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It is their first album of original material since 2003's We've Come for You All and the first to feature original singer Joey Belladonna since 1990's Persistence of Time...
, Business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, Criminal Justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
, Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and Nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
. Liberty also offers 87 graduate programs and 11 doctoral programs within the residential and online programs.
Accreditation
Liberty was founded in 1971 and received Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolsSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
(SACS) accreditation in 1980, which was most recently reaffirmed in 2006. In addition, it was accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is a U.S. national educational accreditation agency for Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries...
(TRACS) in September 1984, but resigned its TRACS accreditation on November 6, 2008. Liberty has 60 accredited degree granting programs. The law school, which opened in August 2004, gained provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
on February 13, 2006. On December 9, 2009, Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced that "Liberty University has received Level VI accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). This is the highest classification from SACS and is reserved for colleges and universities that offer four or more doctoral degrees. The law school received full ABA accreditation on August 5th 2010.
Enrollment Profile
The acceptance rate for new first-time full-time students entering Liberty’s resident program in 2010 was 22%. This figure does not include the 45% acceptance rate for new Liberty University Online students . The 25th-75th SAT percentile ranges for 2010 freshmen were 460-580 for critical reading and 450-570 for math, according to U.S. News & World Report .Liberty University also offers a School of Aeronautics, School of Law
Liberty University School of Law
The Liberty University School of Law is the law school of Liberty University, a private Evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty University School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.-Founding:...
, School of Engineering and Computational Sciences, and a Theological Seminary.
Liberty University Online
Liberty University has an online component which is called LU Online, previously the Distance Learning Program (DLP). This component provides degrees from Associates level to Doctorate. The online component runs unilaterally with the semester program of the brick and mortar component of Liberty University. The difference is that LU Online only enables the student to take 16-week, or semester long, courses for a few of their cataloged courses while the remainder are taken in 8-week subterms which are title B, C, and D. The subterms run chronological 8-week sessions which provide the student the ability to take 8 week sessions while only overlapping for one three week period for the remaining 3-weeks and first 3-weeks of any given course. There is a separation at the 600-level and above where those courses are only offered in the B and D terms.Rankings
LU has been ranked in the Top-10 most conservative colleges in the U.S. by Young America's FoundationYoung America's Foundation
Young America's Foundation is a conservative youth organization, founded in 1969, with a focus on sharing conservative ideas with students through conferences, campus lectures, seminars, posters, and activism initiatives.-History:...
. In 2011, Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges ranked Liberty University 535 overall . U.S. News & World Report also ranked Liberty the 80th top school in the list of Regional Universities (South) .
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Liberty University 80th in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges of Regional Universities in the South.
In 2005, Barron
Barron's Educational Series
Barron's Educational Series, Inc. is an American test preparation company, founded in 1941 as a publisher of materials to help students to prepare for college entrance examinations, and that offers online college entrance exam preparation classes...
's Profiles of American Colleges ranked LU as a "competitive" college, its fourth-highest of six ranks, indicating that it accepts students in the top 65% of their graduating class.
In 2007 Liberty University School of Law
Liberty University School of Law
The Liberty University School of Law is the law school of Liberty University, a private Evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty University School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.-Founding:...
, provisionally approved by the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
, announced an 89% Bar passage rate from its first graduating class of Law Students. The bar passage rate far exceeded the State Average of 72%.
In 2008 the School of Law
Liberty University School of Law
The Liberty University School of Law is the law school of Liberty University, a private Evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty University School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.-Founding:...
announced a 94.4% first time passage rate on the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
Bar Exam, second only to the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
In 2009 the School of Business at Liberty University entered candidacy for full accreditation from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs , formerly the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, is a U.S. organization offering accreditation services to business programs focused on teaching and learning....
.
In 2010 the Liberty University School of Education received full accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
In 2010, the American Bar Association Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar awarded Liberty University School of Law
Liberty University School of Law
The Liberty University School of Law is the law school of Liberty University, a private Evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty University School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.-Founding:...
full accreditation.
In 2011, the School of Law
Liberty University School of Law
The Liberty University School of Law is the law school of Liberty University, a private Evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty University School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.-Founding:...
achieved a 100% passage rate on the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
Bar Exam for the February exam, but only a 47.83% passage rate for the July exam,
which includes a much larger pool of test-takers and is more commonly taken by recent law school graduates.
Convocation
Students who live on campus are required to attend convocation three times per week. At these convocations, they have the opportunity to hear from speakers in all walks of professional life, be entertained by performers and musicians, and participate in live praise and worship. Past convocation speakers have included Presidential candidate John McCainJohn McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
, President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
, Rev. Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Succeeding Thurgood Marshall, Thomas is the second African American to serve on the Court....
, Lt. Col. Oliver North
Oliver North
Oliver Laurence North is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, political commentator, host of War Stories with Oliver North on Fox News Channel, a military historian, and a New York Times best-selling author....
, Steve Forbes
Steve Forbes
Malcolm Stevenson "Steve" Forbes, Jr. is an American editor, publisher, and businessman. He is the editor-in-chief of business magazine Forbes as well as president and chief executive officer of its publisher, Forbes Inc. He was a Republican candidate in the U.S. Presidential primaries in 1996...
, Leonard Davidson, former US Senator Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
, Sam Donaldson
Sam Donaldson
Samuel Andrew "Sam" Donaldson, Jr. is a reporter and news anchor, serving with ABC News from 1967 to the present, best known as the network's White House Correspondent and as a panelist and later co-anchor of the network's Sunday Program "This Week."-Early life and career:Donaldson was born in El...
, John R. Rice
John R. Rice
John Richard Rice was a Baptist evangelist and pastor and the founding editor of The Sword of the Lord, an influential fundamentalist newspaper.-Childhood and Education:...
, Elisabeth Elliot
Elisabeth Elliot
Elisabeth Elliot is a Christian author and speaker. Her first husband, Jim Elliot, was killed in 1956 while attempting to make missionary contact with the Auca of eastern Ecuador. She later spent two years as a missionary to the tribe members who killed her husband...
(wife of the late missionary Jim Elliot
Jim Elliot
Philip James Elliot was an evangelical Christian who was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Waodani people of Ecuador.-Early life:...
), Skip Erickson, Freddie Gage, Adrian Rogers
Adrian Rogers
Adrian Pierce Rogers served three terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention , a Southern Baptist pastor, and a conservative author....
, creationist Ken Ham
Ken Ham
Kenneth Alfred Ham is the Australian President/CEO of Answers in Genesis USA. He is a vocal advocate for a young Earth and a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis, and his cross-country speaking tours and many books make him one of the better known young-Earth...
, governor Tim Kaine
Tim Kaine
Timothy Michael "Tim" Kaine is a Virginia politician. Kaine served as the 70th Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010, and was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011...
, Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
, Bobby Bowden
Bobby Bowden
Robert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is a retired college football coach. He coached the Florida State Seminoles football team from the 1976 to 2009 seasons...
, Carrie Prejean
Carrie Prejean
Caroline Michelle "Carrie" Prejean Boller is an American model, author, former Miss California USA 2009 and Miss USA 2009 first runner-up. Prejean received national attention in 2009 when she told a pageant judge that marriage should be between a man and a woman; pageant judge and gossip blogger...
, pro-wrestler Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
, Gianna Jessen
Gianna Jessen
Gianna Jessen is a recording artist and pro-life activist who is a saline abortion survivor.-Early life:...
, Clint Hubbard and 2008 Presidential candidates Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
and Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
. Jerry Falwell regularly spoke at chapel, giving his "Never Give Up" speech in the first semester.
Athletics
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I Football Championships Subdivision (FCS) in football (formerly Division I-AA) and NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I sports level in other competition. Liberty is a member of the Big South Conference
Big South Conference
The Big South Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference's football teams are part of the Football Championship Subdivision...
for 18 sports. Women's Lacrosse competes in the National Lacrosse Conference, while Women's Swimming will join the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association, bringing the university total to 20 sports for the 2010/2011 season. The University regularly competes for the Sasser Cup
Sasser Cup
The George F. “Buddy” Sasser Cup Trophy is a US trophy awarded annually to the top athletic program in the Big South Conference. Formally called The Commissioner's Cup, it was renamed The Sasser Cup after former Commissioner George F...
which is the Big South's trophy for the university which has the best sports program among the member institutions. Liberty has won the Sasser Cup six times, second only to Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University is an independent, state-supported, liberal arts university in Conway, South Carolina, USA, located eight miles west of Myrtle Beach. Founded in 1954, Coastal became an independent university in 1993. The University enrolls approximately 8,300 students on its campus...
, which has won it seven times. Called the "varsity sport of the mind," Liberty's Quiz Bowl team has won Big South Conference Championship five out of the past six years (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, & 2011).
In 1973, the Liberty Flames Football team used Lynchburg's City Stadium as their home stadium. On October 21, 1989, the Flames played their first home game on-campus at their new stadium named Williams Stadium. 12,750 fans were in attendance. Williams Stadium was renovated and re-opened on October 2, 2010. There were over 19,300 fans there to celebrate.
Liberty University is also notable for its basketball programs and its venue, the Vines Center
Vines Center
The Vines Center is an 8,085-seat multi-purpose arena in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was built in 1990 and is home to the Liberty University Flames and Lady Flames basketball teams. It hosted the Big South Conference men's basketball tournament from 1995–98, and also all rounds of the tourney except...
, that can house up to 8,085 spectators for its games. Several of the Liberty men's basketball (Liberty Flames Basketball
Liberty Flames basketball
-History:The Liberty Men's Basketball program began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley. Liberty University is the second youngest school in NCAA Division I, founded in 1971 . The Flames finished 13-14 in the inaugural season...
) team have been recruited to the NBA (including Peter Aluma). And the women's basketball team (Lady Flames Basketball) was honored by the Big South "with the Top 25 'Best of the Best' moments in League history from 1983-2008, with Liberty University's 10-year women's basketball championship run from 1996-2007 being crowned the No. 1 moment in the Big South's first 25 years."
Liberty University supports men’s and women’s club hockey teams. Men’s hockey started in 1985 when students at Liberty self-organized a team to compete against surrounding colleges and clubs but has since become a competitive club team competing against much larger schools such as Oklahoma University, University of Delaware, and Penn State University. In 2006, Liberty University opened the 3000-seat LaHaye Ice Center, which was a gift from Drs. Timothy and Beverly LaHaye. Also in 2006, Liberty became the only school in the state of Virginia to host a men’s Division I American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) club hockey team Currently, Liberty University has Division I, II and III men’s teams and Division I and II women’s teams, making it the only school in the ACHA to host 5 club hockey teams. The men’s Division I team is coached by Kirk Handy while the women’s Division I team is coached by Paul Bloomfield.
Clubs and organizations
According to Liberty's website, there are over 100 registered clubs on campus. This number includes a wide variety of clubs, each of which is led by students with the aid of a Faculty Advisor. After the University's revocation of the recognition of the College Democrats provoked controversy (see "Political clubs", below), the University removed official recognition from all political clubs on campus.Debate
Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debateInter-Collegiate policy debate
Inter-Collegiate Policy Debate is a form of speech competition involving two teams of two debaters from different colleges or universities based on a resolution phrased as something the United States federal government "should" do...
program, formerly led by Brett O'Donnell, was number one in the overall rankings Championships in the National Debate Tournament
National Debate Tournament
The National Debate Tournament is one of the national championships for collegiate policy debate in the United States. The tournament is sponsored by the American Forensic Association with the Ford Motor Company Fund.-History of the NDT:...
for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.. The overall rankings include varsity, junior varsity, and novice results. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 20th in 2005, 17th in 2006, and 24th in 2007, 12th in 2008, 9th in 2009, 4th in 2010, and 4th in 2011.
The debate program has been criticized in the fundamentalist Christian community. John Lofton
John Lofton
John Lofton is an American conservative political commentator and editor of The American View radio program run by Michael Peroutka. Lofton has also been a newspaper editor, a journalist, a columnist, and a political advisor...
of The American View Christian radio show accused Liberty University of not being "a truly Christian college" when Jerry Falwell gave permission for the debate team to debate in favor of abortion when required. The issue arose when the team was faced with the need to argue for abortion rights or give up the debate program for that year.
Liberty also hosts the Virginia High School League's annual Debate State Championships every April.
Finances
Total enrollment has increased to 12,000 students residentially, and to more than 60,000 students in their distance learning program in the past five years. Tuition has also increased significantly during this time, though not at a pace that exceeds tuition increases at other schools. In 2007 Liberty was between $20 and $25 million in debt, but when Falwell died in May 2007, he had a $34 million insurance policy, which was used to pay off the debt. In January 2009, Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced the university's plans to freeze tuition for Liberty University Online and lower tuition for residential students for the 2009-2010 academic year.Liberty has $530 million in net assets, which is expected by Chancellor Falwell to rise to 1 billion dollars by 2014. On December 7, 2010, Liberty sold $120 million in facilities bonds which will be used to finance recent and future expansion.
As Liberty University is the largest university in Virginia, students received approximately $445 million in federal financial aid money in 2010, the highest total of any school in Virginia and one of the highest in the country. The total, a 56 per cent increase over the prior year, was mostly in the form of student loans, but also included some grants and other forms of aid. The University's financial aid office has 138 employees.
Controversy
1989 bond issue
In 1989, Liberty University applied for $60 million in low interest bonds through the Lynchburg Industrial Development Authority. After the required public hearing period the bond issue was voted upon by the IDA and approved. Shortly thereafter litigation was brought against the IDA and Liberty University by Americans United (AU) and a decision (Habel vs. Lynchburg Industrial Development Authority) was handed down in 1991 denying Liberty the bond issuance. It was ruled that Liberty was too pervasively religious and therefore was not eligible for the bonds.This case dealt a severe financial blow to the University which was unable to fund its construction projects needed to sustain its rapid growth. A subsequent case a few years later involving Regent University
Regent University
Regent University is a private coeducational interdenominational Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. The school was founded by the American televangelist Pat Robertson in 1978 as Christian Broadcasting Network University. A satellite campus located in...
was decided in a similar manner, but was later overturned. The Virginia Supreme Court reviewed the case and based its decision on a more recent US Supreme Court ruling concerning issues of Separation and Sectarianism. Since then, Regent has received approval for bond funding with the stipulation that it may not fund the Divinity School.
1994 debt buy-out
Sun Myung MoonSun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon is the Korean founder and leader of the worldwide Unification Church. He is also the founder of many other organizations and projects...
, founder of the Unification Church
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
and the Washington Times, and his wife Hak Ja Han
Hak Ja Han
Hak Ja Han or Hakja Han Moon is an influential member of the Unification Church and the wife of the church's founder, Sun Myung Moon. They married in April 1960 and have 13 children and 20 grandchildren...
helped to financially stabilize the University through two of his organizations: News World Communications
News World Communications
News World Communications, Inc., is an international news media corporation. It was founded in New York City, in 1976, by Unification Church founder and leader, Sun Myung Moon. Its first two newspapers, The News World and the Spanish-language Noticias del Mundo, were published in New York from...
(an international media conglomerate which owns the Times and other news media), which provided a $400,000 loan to the University at 6% interest; and the Women's Federation for World Peace
Women's Federation for World Peace
The Women's Federation for World Peace is an organization whose stated purpose is to encourage women to work more actively in promoting peace in their communities and greater society. It was founded in 1992 by Hak Ja Han, the wife of Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, and is supported by...
, which indirectly contributed $3.5 million toward the school's debt. Liberty University spokesman Mark DeMoss said the school was not aware of News World's connection to Moon when it obtained the loan through a broker. "I'm not going to be pious and tell you we would have turned it down," DeMoss said. "Because it was a business transaction, we probably would have moved forward even if Falwell or somebody in the organization knew who News World Communications was." Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell stated that the source of the funds does not influence his ministry: "If the American Atheists Society
American Atheists
American Atheists is an organization in the United States dedicated to defending the civil liberties of atheists and advocating for the complete separation of church and state. It provides speakers for colleges, universities, clubs and the news media. It also publishes books and the monthly...
or Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
himself ever sent an unrestricted gift to any of my ministries, be assured I will operate on Billy Sunday
Billy Sunday
William Ashley "Billy" Sunday was an American athlete who, after being a popular outfielder in baseball's National League during the 1880s, became the most celebrated and influential American evangelist during the first two decades of the 20th century.Born into poverty in Iowa, Sunday spent some...
's philosophy: The Devil's had it long enough, and quickly cash the check."
2005 Equality Ride
Liberty made news in 2005 when students from the Equality RideEquality Ride
The Equality Ride is a periodic LGBT rights bus journey across the United States led by young adults and sponsored by Soulforce, a national LGBT nonprofit organization. Its primary goal is to foster dialogue on issues of faith, sexuality, and gender, and discrimination against lesbian, gay,...
visited the university and spoke informally with Liberty students. According to organizers, they were turned away from the library when they tried to donate books about homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. The organizers were also unable to turn over to Jerry Falwell, the founder and chancellor of the university, anonymous letters from alleged current students at Liberty who claim they are gay. They were, however, able to speak with some of the students who attend the school. In March 2006, the Equality Ride returned, resulting in 24 arrests for trespassing when they attempted to cross into campus property after being warned not to.
Don Egle, director of public relations at Liberty, said, "We don’t feel that this situation warrants a comment." When asked about the school's policies toward gay students, Egle said only "we follow Scripture
The Bible and homosexuality
There are a number of direct references to homosexuality in the Bible.In Mosaic law, male homosexuality is identified as an "abomination".In the New Testament, Paul of Tarsus condemns arsenokoitēs, a term related to male homosexuality that is open to much interpretation; it could mean male...
." Falwell reiterated the University's stance when confronted with the issue, "We do not believe in gay marriage or polygamy or any other family form than a man marrying a woman singly." Jake Reitan, director of youth programs for Soulforce
Soulforce (organization)
Soulforce is an American social justice and civil rights organization that supports acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people through dialogue and creative forms of nonviolent direct action...
, said that the group requested the library accept books that could be added "that students could decide to read or not", and called for the University to designate some place on campus where students could talk about being gay without fear of being expelled or having their parents informed.
In early 2005, SoulForce asked to return and was granted permission by Liberty University to sit in quiet protest in one of Liberty University's weekly convocations.
In April 2006, Falwell allowed Reform Rabbi Eric Yoffie
Eric Yoffie
Eric H. Yoffie is a Reform rabbi, and president of the Union for Reform Judaism , the congregational arm of the Reform movement in North America which represents an estimated 1.5 million Reform Jews in more than 900 synagogues across the United States and Canada...
to speak at the university on behalf of gay rights citing legal protections for gay couples. "You oppose gay marriage while we believe in legal protection for gay couples. We understand your reading of the Biblical texts, even if we read those texts in a different way." Falwell said Yoffie's tone was as important as his message.
Biology and fossils
Liberty University teaches Young Earth CreationismYoung Earth creationism
Young Earth creationism is the religious belief that Heavens, Earth, and all life on Earth were created by direct acts of the Abrahamic God during a relatively short period, sometime between 5,700 and 10,000 years ago...
as an explanation for the appearance of life on earth. The university works with Young Earth creationist organizations including Answers in Genesis
Answers in Genesis
Answers in Genesis is a non-profit Christian apologetics ministry with a particular focus on supporting Young Earth creationism and a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis. The organization has offices in the United Kingdom and the United States...
. In biology classes students are taught both creationism
Creationism
Creationism is the religious beliefthat humanity, life, the Earth, and the universe are the creation of a supernatural being, most often referring to the Abrahamic god. As science developed from the 18th century onwards, various views developed which aimed to reconcile science with the Genesis...
and evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
and that creationism
Creationism
Creationism is the religious beliefthat humanity, life, the Earth, and the universe are the creation of a supernatural being, most often referring to the Abrahamic god. As science developed from the 18th century onwards, various views developed which aimed to reconcile science with the Genesis...
offers a better explanation of biological diversity than evolution.
In October, 2006 the university published an advertisement in The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education is a newspaper and website that presents news, information, and jobs for college and university faculty, staff members and administrators....
in an attempt to recruit staff to its biology department. The advertisement stated that the university was "seeking faculty who can demonstrate a personal faith commitment to its evangelical Christian purpose" and specified that "compatibility with a young-earth creationist philosophy [is] required."
In the same month, biologist Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author...
was quoted saying the following about Liberty University; "If it's really true that the museum at Liberty University has dinosaur fossils which are labeled as being 3,000 years old, then that is an educational disgrace. It is debauching the whole idea of a university, and I would strongly encourage any members of Liberty University who may be here, to leave and go to a proper university."
In December, 1991 Creation reported, Arlton C. Murray "excavated a dinosaur for Liberty University’s museum", which proclaimed "this dinosaur was the first of its kind in any creationist museum."
Political clubs
On May 15, 2009, vice president of student affairs Mark Hine sent an e-mail to the president of LU's College DemocratsCollege Democrats
The College Democrats of America is the official youth outreach arm of the Democratic Party. It consists of over 100,000 college and university students from across the United States. The organization has served as a way for college students to connect with the Democratic Party and Democratic...
, Brian Diaz, revoking the university's recognition of the club. "The Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
doctrine," Hine's e-mail stated, citing the party's positions on abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and federal funding thereof, same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
, hate crimes, LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
rights, and socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
as justification for the dissolution. While the club can still meet on campus, it cannot use the university's name or reserve university facilities.
At a meeting with administration officials, the group was asked to apologize publicly for statements they had made to the media about this controversy. Diaz said he was baffled by the administration's decision, saying, "I want to be able to share the love of Christ, but I guess I can't do that on campus because I'm a Democrat as well."
Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
and Democratic ex-governor Tim Kaine
Tim Kaine
Timothy Michael "Tim" Kaine is a Virginia politician. Kaine served as the 70th Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010, and was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011...
and 2009 Democratic gubernatorial candidates
Virginia gubernatorial election, 2009
The Virginia gubernatorial election of 2009 took place on November 3, 2009. The election chose Bob McDonnell as the next Governor, Bill Bolling re-elected as Lieutenant Governor, and Ken Cuccinelli as the next Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The winners were inaugurated on January...
Terry McAuliffe
Terry McAuliffe
Terence Richard "Terry" McAuliffe is a longtime leader and political advisor for the United States Democratic Party. He served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005. He served as Co-Chairman of President William Jefferson Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign and also...
, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds
Creigh Deeds
Robert Creigh Deeds is an American politician who was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia in 2009. He also ran in the 2005 race for Attorney General of Virginia. He was defeated in both of the above races by Bob McDonnell. Deeds lost by just 323 votes in 2005, but was defeated by a...
called on the college to rescind the ban. Then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell
Bob McDonnell
Robert Francis "Bob" McDonnell is an American politician who has been the 71st Governor of Virginia since January 2010. A former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, McDonnell served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1993 to 2006 and served as Attorney General of Virginia from 2006...
stated that he "personally disagrees" with Liberty's decision, but that because it is a private school, its leaders can make their own decisions.
Liberty University president Jerry Falwell, Jr., subsequently stated that the university had not banned Democrats from campus nor had the club been banned from meeting and that neither the University nor its officials said that a person cannot be both a Christian and a Democrat. On May 28, 2009, members of the club met with LU administration members again, and Falwell stated that he was "optimistic that if the university can work directly with the students that a compromise can be reached.' Hine said that while the email was not clear, he did explain to the College Democrats leadership at the time he sent the email that the group could continue to meet in common areas on campus.
Liberty's decision led some to question the University's tax-exempt status, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a group that advocates separation of church and state, a legal doctrine interpreted by AU as being enshrined in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.-Mission:The guiding principle of Americans...
filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
, asking for a review of the university’s tax status. Liberty University in turn filed a complaint with the IRS regarding the tax-exempt status of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a group that advocates separation of church and state, a legal doctrine interpreted by AU as being enshrined in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.-Mission:The guiding principle of Americans...
.
In late June 2009, Liberty University announced a new policy dealing with all political clubs on campus. The new policy removed official recognition from all political clubs on campus, relegating them to unofficial status. Chancellor Falwell said the previously suspended College Democrats "wouldn’t have to do anything" to be recognized under the new policy. Along with other stipulations, the policy allows unofficial clubs to use the university’s name, but they will not receive any funding from the university. In response, Kaine said Liberty University solved the controversy "perfectly."
Religion, Politics, and Media
Jerry Falwell, Jr. is the current Chancellor of Liberty University and a son of founder, Jerry Falwell. Jonathan FalwellJonathan Falwell
Jonathan Pate Falwell is the senior pastor at the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is the son and successor of the late Reverend Jerry Falwell, and the brother of Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr...
is the Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church is a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia. It currently claims 24,000 members and is headed by Jonathan Falwell.-History:Started in 1956 by a group of 35, including Jerry Falwell, Thomas Road now claims over 24,200 members...
and a son of founder, Jerry Falwell. William Franklin Graham IV is an Evangelist, Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
's grandson. Chuck Baldwin
Chuck Baldwin
Charles Obadiah "Chuck" Baldwin is an American politician and founder-pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. He was the presidential nominee of the Constitution Party for the 2008 U.S. presidential election and had previously been its nominee for U.S. vice president in 2004...
is a Politician and Pastor of Crossroad Church. Angela Elwell Hunt
Angela Elwell Hunt
Angela Elwell Hunt is a prolific Christian author, and her books include The Tale of Three Trees, The Debt, The Note, and The Nativity Story, among others.-Career:...
is a Christian author. Bill Keller
Bill Keller
Bill Keller is a writer for the The New York Times, of which Keller was the executive editor from July 2003 until September 2011. On June 2, 2011, Keller announced that he would step down from the position to become a full-time writer...
is a Televangelist. Michael R. Licona
Michael R. Licona
Michael R. Licona is a New Testament scholar and Evangelical Christian apologist. He has a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies which he completed "with distinction" and the highest mark and an M.A. in Religious Studies from Liberty University...
is a Christian Scholar and Apologist. William Schnoebelen
William Schnoebelen
Rev. William Schnoebelen is an American Messianic Christian apologist, author, teacher and lecturer. He is best known as a strong critic of Mormonism, Freemasonry and Wicca. Once primarily published by Chick Publications, he has authored publications in over 14 countries...
is a Christian Apologist, Author, and Lecturer. Johnnie Moore, Jr.
Johnnie Moore, Jr.
Johnnie Moore, Jr. is Vice President for Executive Projects and Media Relations and Campus Pastor of Liberty University. -Biography:Moore is a graduate of Liberty University, where he completed his B.S. in Religion in 2004, and M.A. in Religion in 2006. He was appointed to his position as Campus...
is a Pastor, author, professor and university administrator. Luc Angers
Luc Angers
Luc Angers is a Quebec politician in Gatineau, Quebec. He is the councillor of the district of Les Promenades District in the Gatineau sector.Angers studied and received degrees at three different universities...
is a Politician in Quebec, Canada. Scott Baugh
Scott Baugh
Scott Randall Baugh is a Republican U.S. politician, who served in the California State Assembly from 1995–2000, representing the 67th District in coastal Orange County, which included Huntington Beach, Cypress, Fountain Valley, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Westminster, Rossmoor, Sunset...
is a Politician. Kevin Grantham is a Colorado Senator. Jeff Coleman
Jeff Coleman
Jeff Coleman is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Coleman was born to a Filipino American family at Whidbey Island Naval Base in Washington in 1975. In the 1980s his family returned to Manila, Philippines to serve as missionaries...
is a Politician and former member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
. Mike Fleck
Mike Fleck
Michael E. "Mike" Fleck is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 81st legislative district. He was first elected in 2006 to succeed the retiring Larry Sather....
is a Politician and current member of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
. Jamie Radtke
Jamie Radtke
-Personal background:Radtke is a resident of Chesterfield County, Virginia. She graduated from Liberty University in 1995 and was awarded a Master of Public Policy from The College of William & Mary in 1998....
is a Politician and Political Activist. Ben Parkhill
Ben Parkhill
Benjamin Seaver Parkhill Benjamin Seaver Parkhill Benjamin Seaver Parkhill (born December 7, 1955 in Los Angeles, California is a political consultant within the Republican Party. During the George H. W...
, a Correspondence student of Liberty University, is a Political consultant; Sr. advisor to Miss. Gov. Haley Barbour
Haley Barbour
Haley Reeves Barbour is an American Republican politician currently serving as the 63rd Governor of Mississippi. He gained a national spotlight in August 2005 after Mississippi was hit by Hurricane Katrina. Barbour won re-election as Governor in 2007...
. Tony Perkins is the Family Research Council
Family Research Council
The Family Research Council is a conservative or right-wing Christian group and lobbying organization formed in the United States in 1981 by James Dobson. It was fully incorporated in 1983...
president and former Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
State Representative (1996–2004). David A. Schauer
David A. Schauer
David A. Schauer, ScD, CHP, is the current Executive Director of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements . During his tenure a number of updated and new publications have been issued by the Council.-Biography:...
is the Executive Director of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP). Kevin Roose, attended Liberty University for one term, is the Author of The Unlikely Disciple. Adrian M. Smith
Adrian M. Smith
Adrian M. Smith is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Nebraska Legislature.-Early life, education and career:...
a U.S. Congressman attended Liberty University for a year-and-a-half.. Susan Wise Bauer
Susan Wise Bauer
Susan Wise Bauer is an American author, English instructor of writing and American literature at The College of William and Mary, and founder of Peace Hill Press....
is a professor of English at The College of William & Mary and an author of best selling history books by Peace Hill Press
Peace Hill Press
Peace Hill Press is an American publishing company based in Charles City County, Virginia. Peace Hill Press publishes books that fit within the framework of the classical model of education...
and W. W. Norton
W. W. Norton
W. W. Norton & Company is an independent American book publishing company based in New York City. It is well known for its "Norton Anthologies", particularly the Norton Anthology of English Literature and the "Norton Critical Editions" series of texts which are frequently assigned in university...
. Shannon Bream
Shannon Bream
Shannon Bream is an American journalist for the Fox News Channel. She is Fox News's Supreme Court reporter as well as the Anchor of America's News Headquarters on Sundays from 12:00-2:00 p.m...
is a Fox News' Supreme Court reporter. Kevin Beary
Kevin Beary
Kevin Beary was Sheriff 1993-2009 of Orange County, Florida, United States, heading the Orange County Sheriff's Office, one of the largest law enforcement bodies in the Southeastern United States.-Biography:He was first elected in 1992 as a Republican...
is a former Sheriff of Orange County, Florida
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
. Alan Rowe
Alan Rowe
Alan Rowe was a New Zealand-born English actor, perhaps best known for his appearances on the British science fiction programme Doctor Who.-Career:...
is the President and CEO of First Commercial Bank. Penny Nance is the CEO of Concerned Women for America
Concerned Women for America
Concerned Women for America is a conservative Christian public policy group active in the United States best known for its stance against abortion...
. Frank Teruel is the Chief Financial Officer at Vormetric. Bethann Shaffer is a former News Anchor 540WFLA, Orlando. Steve Glosson is a Radio Host of the popular podcast, Geek Out Loud, and host of the Big Honkin' Show on WVOH, broadcasting from Hazelhurst, Georgia.
Entertainment
JT Turner, Roger Turner, Duke Cuneo, and Nate Smith are members of a metal band named Winter Solstice (Metal Blade Records). Meredith AndrewsMeredith Andrews
Meredith Sooter is a Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian music artist and worship leader.-Childhood:Andrews grew up in Wilson, NC, where she started singing when she was six years old. She attended Wilson Christian Academy, where she graduated. Andrews later attended college at Liberty...
is a Contemporary Christian music artist. Travis Doucette
Travis Doucette
Travis Doucette is a Contemporary Christian Music artist, songwriter and worship leader.-Background:Travis Doucette is originally from Barrie, Ontario, Canada. He grew up attending Bethel Community Church where he founded an inter-denominatial night of worship called "Cutting Edge Praise" in 1999...
is a Contemporary Christian Music artist, songwriter and worship leader. Jody McBrayer
Jody McBrayer
Jody McBrayer is an American singer/songwriter. A former member of the Christian pop group Avalon, with whom he recorded and toured with for nearly twelve years, he departed the group in 2007 due to a rare but manageable form of heart disease, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.He has released one solo...
is a member of a Christian vocal group named Avalon
Avalon
Avalon is a legendary island featured in the Arthurian legend. It first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 1136 pseudohistorical account Historia Regum Britanniae as the place where King Arthur's sword Excalibur was forged and later where Arthur was...
. Thad Cockrell
Thad Cockrell
Thad Cockrell is an American singer-songwriter. He has released three solo albums, along with a collaborative album with Caitlin Cary. Cockrell often writes emotional songs, and is frequently associated with his goal to "put the hurt back in country"....
is a Musician. Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
, Michael Tait
Michael Tait
Michael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
(now with Newsboys
Newsboys
Newsboys are a Christian pop rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia. They have released 15 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold...
), and Kevin Max
Kevin Max
Kevin Max Smith is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk...
are the members of dc Talk
Dc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
, a Christian hip-hop band. Jonathan Schneck
Jonathan Schneck
Jonathan Schneck is a guitarist, banjo player, and bell player for the band Relient K. He joined the band in January 2005, shortly after the release of their fourth full-length album Mmhmm. Schneck is the band's youngest member...
is a guitarist for the Christian rock band Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
. George GQ Quesenberry attended Liberty University for one year and is a Musician, Motivational Speaker, and Author. John Reints is a bass player for Passion, Watermark, Sonic Flood, and Honestly. Guy Penrod
Guy Penrod
Guy Penrod is a gospel music singer mostly known for his work as the lead singer of the Gaither Vocal Band, a position he held from 1994-2008.-Biography:...
is a former member of the gospel group the Gaither Vocal Band
Gaither Vocal Band
The Gaither Vocal Band is a Grammy award-winning Christian music vocal group, headed by Bill Gaither. They originally recorded contemporary Christian music, but after the popularity of the Gaither Homecoming videos, the group has become known for southern gospel.-Group history:The Gaither Vocal...
. Phil Stacey
Phil Stacey
Joel Philip "Phil" Stacey is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show American Idol. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recording contract with Lyric Street Records...
, a Distance-Learning Student of Liberty University is a singer and was a contestant on [American Idol]]. Dave Pittman is a singer and was a contestant on American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. Shannon Bream
Shannon Bream
Shannon Bream is an American journalist for the Fox News Channel. She is Fox News's Supreme Court reporter as well as the Anchor of America's News Headquarters on Sundays from 12:00-2:00 p.m...
is a Television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
Reporter/Anchor. Darrell Farley, a former student of Liberty University, is a Radio Personality and Music Producer. Scotty Curlee is a Filmmaker and Actor. Terry Fator
Terry Fator
Terry Wayne Fator is a ventriloquist, impressionist, comedian, and singer from Dallas, Texas. Fator is capable of doing over 100 ventriloquial impersonations, and uses 16 different puppets in his act. He was the winner of Season 2 of America's Got Talent, and received the million dollar prize...
is a Ventriloquist. His performance was entitled, Terry Fator: Live from Las Vegas (2009) commentary. Al Gross
Al Gross (broadcaster)
Al Gross is an American broadcaster, and host of National Countdown Show. He is President of Signature Media Group, Inc, which syndicates the show. He is also a voice actor, and radio broadcast consultant. Gross was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in Ventura, California. He studied...
is a radio broadcaster, formerly with KJSL-AM
KJSL
KJSL is a Christian talk radio station broadcasting from St. Louis, Missouri.- Overview :Owned and operated by Crawford Broadcasting Company, KJSL is one of 26 radio stations owned by Crawford Broadcasting. This frequency was formerly used by KXOK, the pioneer of the Top 40 radio format in the...
. Mark Lowry
Mark Lowry
Mark Alan Lowry is a Christian comedian, songwriter, and singer, best known for co-writing the song “Mary, Did You Know?”. Lowry performed with the Gaither Vocal Band from 1988–2001 and, in January 2009, he re-joined the group along with other "GVB" alumni Michael English and David Phelps...
is a Christian comedian and vocalist. Kera O'Bryon is an Actress, nominated for a Daytime Emmy. Kimberley Miller became Mrs. Ohio America. T.W. Starr is an Award Winning Sports reporter at WAAY-TV, Huntsville, Alabama. Dante Marchitelli is a Co-Host of Magic Overtime Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
. Alyson Bruner is an anchor for WFXR in Roanoke. Stephen Christian
Stephen Christian
Stephen Christian is the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Anberlin and his side-project Anchor & Braille. He and his bandmates started Anberlin in 2002, after the demise of their previous group, known as SaGoh 24/7...
is the Lead Singer for Anberlin
Anberlin
Anberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.Members of Anberlin originally formed...
. Austin Carty and Laura Morett were contestants on the reality TV Show Survivor. Samantha Steele
Samantha Steele
Samantha Steele is an American sportscaster from Phoenix, Arizona who is currently a reporter/host for the Longhorn Network and ESPN college football and basketball sideline reporter.-Biography:...
is an ESPN Sportscaster. Vic Mignogna
Vic Mignogna
Victor Joseph "Vic" Mignogna is an American Anime Award winning voice actor and musician who has done voice work for many anime series, movies, and video games...
works in Anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
as a voice actor. Trent Garrett
Trent Garrett
Trent Garrett is an American model and actor. He has had small roles on television shows, and has done commercials for Hot Pockets and Pizza Hut's P'Zone campaign as "Mooch". His role in the Hornitos Tequila "Cougar" commercial is now classic...
attended Liberty University for one semester and is an Actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
on All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
. Kellie Rasberry
Kellie Rasberry
Angela Kellie Rasberry is an American radio personality. She is the co-host of the radio talk show Kidd Kraddick in the Morning along with Kidd Kraddick, Big Al Mack, "Psycho" Shanon, Jenna, and J-Si. The show is broadcast from 6-10am CST on weekday mornings and is nationally syndicated in 75+...
, attended Liberty University for one year and is an American Radio Personality, Co-host of Kidd Kraddick
Kidd Kraddick
Kidd Kraddick is an American radio host. His nationally-syndicated morning radio show, Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, is based in Las Colinas, Texas, in Irving, a suburb of Dallas, and airs throughout the United States, syndicated by Kraddick's company, Yea Network.-Early life:Kraddick was born on...
. Don White
Don White
Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer...
is a Producer and Director. John Kearns Jr is a Producer. Lawrence Cameron Steele is an Actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. Heidi Mueller
Heidi Mueller
Heidi Jo Mueller is an American actress. She portrayed the role of Kay Bennett on the NBC daytime soap opera Passions from 2003 until 2008-Career:...
is a Television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
Actress. Jeremy Nicholson is an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
Winning Videographer. Richard Rossi
Richard Rossi
Richard Rossi is an American filmmaker, actor, producer, musician, church planter, and healing evangelist...
is a Filmmaker. Bob Sturm is a radio host on Dallas-based KTCK
KTCK
KTCK , is a sports talk radio station based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The station, currently owned by Cumulus Media, has been made popular by the incorporation of humor alongside the sports talk....
's BaD Radio. Michelle Wright is a Television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
Reporter/Anchor.
Sports
Steve ClarkSteve Clark
Stephen Maynard Clark was an English musician, co-lead guitarist for the British hard rock band Def Leppard up until his death in 1991 due to a combination of alcohol and multiple prescription drugs...
,Wayne Haddix
Wayne Haddix
Samuel LaWayne Haddix is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants , Tampa Bay Buccaneers , and Cincinnati Bengals . Haddix was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1990 after intercepting his only seven interceptions of his career...
, Mark Mathis
Mark Mathis
Mark E. Mathis is a movie producer and media consultant. He is currently the president of Mathis Media, LLC, a media-consulting firm.-Biography:...
, James McKnight
James McKnight
James Edward McKnight is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the Seattle Seahawks , the Dallas Cowboys , Miami Dolphins , and the New York Giants . He spent the 1999 season on injured reserve. McKnight played college football at Liberty...
, Trey Sartin, Stephen Sene
Stephen Sene
Stephen Sene is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Liberty.-External links:*...
are former NFL players. Sebastian Barrie
Sebastian Barrie
Sebastian Barrie is a former defensive end and tackle in the National Football League.-Career:Barrie was a member of the Green Bay Packers during the 1992 NFL season...
is a former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player for Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Fred Banks
Fred Banks
Frederick Bly Banks is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Cleveland Browns , the Miami Dolphins , and the Chicago Bears ....
is a former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player for Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Dwayne Carswell
Dwayne Carswell
Dwayne Carswell is a retired American football tight end and offensive lineman who played from 1994-2005 for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League. He was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Broncos in 1994...
is a former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player with the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. John Cartwright
John Cartwright
John Cartwright may refer to:* Major John Cartwright , supporter of American independence and British political reform* John Robert Cartwright , Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada...
is a former football player and Coach. Tony Dews is a Current Recruiting Coordinator and Tight Ends coach at University of Pittsburgh. Kelvin Edwards is a former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player with the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
and Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Marcus Floyd
Marcus Floyd
Marcus D. Floyd is a minister and former American football cornerback for the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Indiana University.- High School :...
is a former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player with the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. Samkon Gado
Samkon Gado
Samkon Kaltho Gado is an Nigerian-American running back of American football who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Liberty....
is a current NFL free agent. He is a former member of both the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
and Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. Eric Green is a former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player. Rashad Jennings
Rashad Jennings
Rashad Jennings is an American football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Liberty.-College career:He went to Pittsburgh in 2005 and became only the...
|is a current NFL player with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Leroy Kinard is a former NFL player with the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. is a former NFL player. Vince Redd
Vince Redd
Vincent Edward "Vince" Redd is an American football defensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
is a former NFL player with the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. Donald Smith is a former NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player with the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Erick Harris
Erick Harris
Erick Anthony Harris is a gridiron football defensive back for the Kansas City Command of Arena Football 1. He was signed by the Amarillo Dusters as a street free agent in 2005...
is a former NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. Richard Shelton
Richard Shelton
Richard Shelton is an English actor and singer, best known to millions for playing the role of Dr Adam Forsythe on British television's daytime Soap Opera Emmerdale on ITV1...
is a former NFL player and current Tennessee Titans scout. Johnny Shepherd
Johnny Shepherd
Johnny Shepherd was a star college football running back and the Rookie of the Year in the Canadian Football League.-College career:...
is a former Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and NFL player. Matt Lambros
Matt Lambros
Matthew Lambros is a professional Canadian football wide receiver who is currently with the Montreal Alouettes. He was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in the second round of the 2009 CFL Draft. He played college football for the Liberty Flames...
is a currentCFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
free agent and former player with the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
and Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
. Vic Shealy
Vic Shealy
Victor Dalmuth "Vic" Shealy is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He was the defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at the University of Kansas. Shealy joined the coaching staff at Kansas in December 2009...
is a Football Coach at Kansas University. Joshua Boateng
Joshua Boateng
Joshua Boateng is a Ghanaian soccer player who currently plays for Leones Negros in the Liga de Ascenso in Mexico.-Youth and Amateur:...
works as a Professional soccer player for Club Universidad de Guadalajara
Club Universidad de Guadalajara
Club Deportivo Universidad de Guadalajara is a football club that currently plays in the Liga de Ascenso.- History :The Universidad de Guadalajara football club, nicknamed "Leones" was founded the 19th of August, 1970 and started in the tercera división in the Mexican professional league, where...
. [James Price]] currently coaches Women's soccer at University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa is a college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 120 majors across the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral sciences, and graduate college.UNI has...
. Darryl Roberts
Darryl Roberts
Darryl Roberts is a Trinidadian footballer. He is a Trinidad and Tobago national player.-Club career:...
is a current soccer player with Denizlispor
Denizlispor
Denizlispor is a sports club based in Denizli, Turkey. It is known by its distinct green and black colors. The club's branches include football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, chess, and gymnastics...
. Osei Telesford
Osei Telesford
Osei Telesford is a Trinidadian footballer who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
currently plays soccer with the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. Sly Tetteh
Sly Tetteh
Alhaji Ibrahim Sly Tetteh was a Ghanaian former footballer who was the President of Liberty Professionals.-Career:Tetteh won the West African Club Championship with Sekondi Hasaacas in 1982.-Coaching career:...
is a former soccer player and president of Liberty Professionals. Doug Brady
Doug Brady
Stephen Douglas Brady is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman. He played during one season at the major league level for the Chicago White Sox, and one season in the Korea Baseball Organization for the Lotte Giants.He was drafted by the White Sox in the 12th round of the 1991 amateur draft...
is a former MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player for Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Tony Beasley
Tony Beasley
Tony Beasley is a baseball coach currently serving as the Manager of the Harrisburg Senators of the Double-A Eastern League.The 2008 season marked Beasley's 16th with the Pittsburgh organization...
is currently MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
a third base coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Sid Bream
Sid Bream
Sidney Eugene "Sid" Bream is an American former Major League Baseball player. He played his entire 11-year career in the National League...
is a former MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. Lee Guetterman
Lee Guetterman
Arthur Lee Guetterman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from to for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals...
is a former MLB player. Randy Tomlin
Randy Tomlin
Randy Leon Tomlin is a former left-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who attended Liberty University. Tomlin played from 1990 to 1994 and batted and threw left-handed. He went 30-31 in 94 career starts with 297 career strikeouts...
is a former MLB player. Rod Delmonico
Rod Delmonico
Rodney James Delmonico is a baseball coach.Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Delmonico graduated from New Hanover High School in 1976 and Liberty University in 1980 with a bachelors degree in physical education. He lettered in baseball and soccer...
is a former Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
Baseball Coach. T. J. McCreight
T. J. McCreight
T. J. McCreight is an American football executive and former player and coach in the United States. He is currently the Director, Pro Personnel for the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL, a position he has held since 2009. McCreight was previously the Cleveland Browns' Director of Player Personnel and...
is the current Director and Pro Personnel for the Arizona Cardinals. Peter Aluma
Peter Aluma
Peter Aluma is a retired Nigerian professional basketball player. After high school at Okota Grammar School in Isolo, Nigeria, the 6'10" center became a star at Liberty University in Virginia, USA....
and Julius Nwosu
Julius Nwosu
Obinna Julius Nwosu, otherwise referred to as just Julius Nwosu , is a Nigerian professional basketball player. He played briefly for the American National Basketball Association's San Antonio Spurs during the 1994–95 NBA season...
are former NBA players. Seth Curry
Seth Curry
Seth Adham Curry is an American basketball player and native of Charlotte, North Carolina, who plays collegiately for Duke University. He is the son of former Virginia Tech, NBA star, Dell Curry, and former volleyball standout, Sonya Curry...
currently plays basketball with Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. Katie Feenstra
Katie Feenstra
Katharen Ruth Mattera is a female professional basketball player for the WNBA....
is a current WNBA player with the Atlanta Dream
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
. Megan Frazee
Megan Frazee
Megan Frazee is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA, currently playing for the San Antonio Silver Stars. She also plays for Cankaya in the Turkish League .-High School and College:...
is a current WNBA player with the San Antonio Silver Stars
San Antonio Silver Stars
The San Antonio Silver Stars are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; the team moved to San Antonio...
. Charles Richardson
Charles Richardson
Charles Richardson may refer to:*Charles Lennox Richardson , British merchant*Charles Leslie Richardson , British Army General*Charles Douglas Richardson , British artist...
a Professional Shooting Coach, worked with the rlando Magic]. Sam Chelanga
Sam Chelanga
Samuel Chelanga is a Kenyan cross country runner and track and field athlete who currently competes for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He holds the NCAA record for the 10,000 meters run with a time of 27:08.49....
is a former Cross Country national champ now Professional Runner. Josh Cox
Josh Cox
Josh Cox is an American long-distance runner. He is the American record holder in the 50k.-External links:**...
is a Record Holder in the American 50k. Josh McDougal is a former Cross Country national champion. Delethea Quarles is a current track and field assistant coach for the USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and IAAF World team. Clark Zealand
Clark Zealand
Clark Zealand is a Canadian ultramarathoner and CXO of trail running and event management company eco-x. Zealand currently resides in Forest, Virginia, but is originally from Lindsay, Ontario, Canada. Zealand has been running most of his life. From an early age he began putting in long miles and...
is a Canadian Ultramarathon runner. ReMike Hall
Mike Hall
Michael Hall or Mike Hall may refer to:*Mike Hall , British politician*Mike Hall , English rugby league footballer*Mike Hall , Welsh rugby union footballer...
is an Athletic Director at USC Upstate. Deborah Yow
Deborah Yow
Deborah A. Yow is an American college sports administrator and former college basketball coach. She is currently the director of athletics at North Carolina State University, and formerly held the same position at the University of Maryland and Saint Louis University...
is the NC State Athletic Director.Karl Hess
Karl Hess
Karl Hess was an American national-level speechwriter and author. He was also a political philosopher, editor, welder, motorcycle racer, tax resister, atheist, and libertarian activist...
is an ACC Official. Jeri Porter
Jeri Porter
Jeri Porter is the head women's basketball coach at George Mason University. She previously coached for six years at Radford University, where she posted a 93-85 record, including a 43-39 mark in conference play. In 2007, she led Radford to 23 wins, which is the second most ever in school history...
is the current Women's Head Coach at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
. Michael Burcin is a Current Golf Coach at Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Elena Seiple
Elena Seiple
Elena Seiple is an American bodybuilder and strongwoman.Seiple was born in 1973 in Harmony, New Jersey. A gifted athlete from childhood, she excelled in swimming , basketball, soccer, and track. While attending a private Christian school in Pennsylvania, she competed in men's soccer due to the...
is a Body Builder.