Liberty Journal Fall 2014

FALL 2014

Medical School Opens

A Record Semester

Glimpse of the Future

Liberty welcomes its first class, dedicates new building

New year brings new programs and highest on-campus enrollment to date

Campus rebuilding plan develops with more changes ahead

Fall 2014 PUBLISHER Jerry Falwell S E N I O R M A N A G I N G E D I TO R Mitzi Bible GRAPHIC DESIGNER Carrie Bell CO N T R I B U T I N G E D I TO R S Becki Falwell Ronald Kennedy Amanda Stanley S TA F F Ted Allen Heather Bradley Ron Brown Katie Davis Rachel Dugan Tucker Francis Sarah Funderburke Cheryl Job Leslie Keeney Alex Kocman Drew Menard Rebecca Murtha Dawn Neal Josh Rice Kim Shupe Sara Warrender P H OTO G R A P H E R S Joel Coleman David Duncan James Hancock Ty Hester Kevin Manguiob Les Schofer

ON THE COVER

FEATURES

MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE: White coats and all, Liberty’s first class of medical students are training to meet our nation’s health care needs – 4 LIVE HEALTHY LIBERTY: A new campuswide initiative has students, faculty, and staff making commitments to better health – 12 MEET MISS VIRGINIA: Recent graduate Courtney Garrett represented Liberty well in the 2015 Miss America Competition – 17 CAMPUS CHANGES AHEAD: Liberty is getting closer to completing its Master Plan for campus – 24 NOW OPEN: Many new and improved facilities greeted students when they returned from summer break – 28

An expansion to the LaHaye Student Union added 66,000 square feet of new workout space for students, faculty, and staff.

Read more on Page 32.

The first medical students in the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine started classes on Aug. 4. See story, Page 4.

Photo by Kevin Manguiob For more information about the Liberty Journal, call (434) 592-4955 or write to: Liberty University News Office, 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, Va., 24515.

For information on Liberty’s academic programs, call (434) 582-2000.

View past issues of the Liberty Journal at www.Liberty.edu/Journal.

JA ME S H ANCOCK

the admissions process, alumni, or athletics,

NEWS

Highlights and advancements around LU – 34

ATHLETICS

Fall sports schedules, a peek at LU alumni in the pros, a thriving intramurals program, and more athletics news – 40

CHAMPIONS for CHRIST

Members of the Liberty family shine in their careers – 50

Liberty University reached an important milestone this fall with the opening of the Center for Medical and Health Sciences and the arrival of our first class of student doctors in the new Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM). Though a medical school was always a part of our long-term vision, we gained the footing we needed to see the project through to completion just a few years ago. Now the building is a bustle of activity as some of the country’s best doctors train students to become excellent physicians who will rise up to meet our nation’s health care needs.

We celebrated this milestone during a dedication on Aug. 22, where I recognized several individuals who were sent our way to help in this endeavor, including Dr. Ronnie Martin, LUCOM’s dean. He had been the founding dean of another school of osteopathic medicine, and we knew he possessed the knowledge and skills necessary to make our dream a reality. Most importantly, though, he shared our vision. I reiterated a portion of a speech Dr. Martin gave to his inaugural class at its White Coat Ceremony a few weeks earlier: “This is a faith-based institution with a Christian worldview. You will hear that a lot — that faith and worldview will be reflected in these manners. It will be reflected in how we act more than what we say. I tell people that my ministry over the last 35 years has been my practice of medicine — what I have done for people. We’re not going to teach you apologetics or theology. We have a great seminary and School of Religion on campus if you want to learn more about that. I am not a theologian, but I am here to teach you to be the best physicians you can be. Our faculty is also here to be role models and mentors to help you become a quality, faith-based individual and the best osteopathic physician possible — the type of quality individual that patients want. I know it’s trite, but patients really don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. They want to be treated as individuals.”

At the dedication, I explained that Dr. Martin, with that one statement, beautifully summarized my vision for all of Liberty University. We aim to train young people to go into every profession with the highest level of competence and the values that compel them to use their talents and abilities to serve others. His statement also echoed the teachings of Jesus to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. He practices that in his own life, making frequent trips to Guatemala to provide medical assistance to those most in need. Dr. Martin is just one example of our dedicated faculty and staff who view their positions at Liberty as not just a job, but a calling. He has a true servant’s heart and we are blessed to have him here as an example for our students as they train for their future careers and lives of service to others as Champions for Christ.

PRESIDENT JERRY FALWELL

>> “I tell them medicine IS a ministry.

I did go into the ministry,” she said.

Working in the medical field is directly in line with her faith, Rivers said. In her dedication speech, she encouraged students to live out their faith, becoming “more than just a doctor who treats a disease, but one who treats the patient.”

With that statement, Rivers encapsulated the reason Liberty’s administration worked so hard for nine years to research and plan a medical school, putting hands and feet to its mission of Training Champions for Christ who are sensitive to the needs of others and committed to social responsibility.

The project started to take shape three years ago when the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission pledged a $20.5 million matching grant to fund construction of a medical school facility, with the goal of expanding quality health care access throughout regions of the state that have historically been supported by the tobacco, coal, and textile industries.

Ground was broken one year later on land in Campbell County at the southern edge of Liberty Mountain. Overlooking Liberty’s main campus below and with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, the four-story, 144,000-square-foot building certainly boasts one of the best views of any medical school in the country.

The facility features two auditoriums, 16 small group study classrooms, 12 conference rooms, a 7,500-square-foot medical library and learning resource center, and 15,000 square feet dedicated to its anatomy, clinical medicine, and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) laboratories. Each lab is built to accommodate live, broadcastready video feeds and 3D video content for

students to interact with on the floor.

The Center for Medical and Health Sciences is also home to the Master of Public Health program under the School of Health Sciences. The program has about 90 students studying on campus and more than 900 studying online.

Liberty received the Tobacco Commission grant, one of the largest investments in the commission’s history, partly due to LUCOM’s commitment to directly impact those areas of Virginia where the economy has suffered since the decline of the tobacco, textile, and coal industries over the past two decades.

About 67 percent of the patients in Southside Virginia live in medically underser ved areas, and training quality physicians who can serve those areas is a primary goal of LUCOM. The nation as a whole will be facing a shortage of up to 220,000 physicians by 2030.

Del. Kathy Byron, a longtime member of the Virginia House of Delegates and a member of the Tobacco Commission, addressed the crowd at the dedication. She was joined at the event by fellow commission members Del. Terry Kilgore, chairman, and Sen. Frank Ruff, vice chairman.

“The commission participated in this

project because the respective visions of the college and the commission are so closely aligned,” Byron said. “The College of Osteopathic Medicine presented the rare opportunity to fulfill the needs of our region. … Liberty sees a need and responds to it — that is the missionary spirit at work, benefiting our region by enhancing our quality of life by positively affecting people near and far.” >>

DAVID D UNC AN

K E VI N M ANGU I OB

During the dedication ceremony, Ronnie B. Martin, D.O., FACOFP-dist, dean of LUCOM, said that even though the new building is fully equipped with advanced technology to train the next generation of physicians, it will not happen without the perseverance of many people.

“This magnificent structure behind me, alone, will not improve public health, expand access to health care, or promote wellness,” Martin said. “Its strength and its stability will not be measured by the tensile strength of concrete and steel, but rather by the commitment of the hearts, the minds, and the hands of those here today and those that will follow.”

LUCOM’s 52 full-time faculty and staff are ensuring that the rich tradition of osteopathic medicine continues for future generations.

LUCOM is now the 30th college of osteopathic medicine in the nation and the second in Virginia. Doors opened for classes on Aug. 4.

Martin reminded students and staff that the heritage being passed down to them is unique. For more than 130 years, osteopathic medicine has advocated for the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. The profession embraces a philosophy of caring for the body, mind, and spirit, which aligns well with the university’s mission.

Upon completing the four-year program at LUCOM, students will graduate with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. A licensed D.O. has the same unlimited practice rights nationwide as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.).

Osteopathic physicians are practicing in every discipline of medicine today and have become major contributors to the health and welfare of patients across the globe.

About one in every four medical students is pursuing a D.O. degree, making the profession one of the fastest growing vocations in the health care field.

LUCOM received provisional accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA-COCA) in August 2013 and will become eligible for full accreditation in early 2018, just in time for its first graduating class. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Liberty’s accrediting agency, also recently recognized the university’s capacity to develop a D.O. degree program.

Liberty’s medical school has partnered with a number of local and regional hospitals and community health care centers to provide residencies for students, including Centra Health, Halifax Health, Johnson Health, and Lifepoint Medical. >>

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LUCOM officially recognized its first class of student doctors at the inaugural White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 2. Students were coated by a faculty member and given three pins: one bearing LUCOM’s seal; one from the Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (VOMA) recognizing them as members; and the third from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The class then recited the Osteopathic Oath, pledging to uphold the principles of the profession.

The ceremony, instituted in 1993 by the Gold Foundation and celebrated at almost all medical schools in the United States, as well as in 13 other countries, is designed to impress upon the students and the public the importance of the doctor-patient relationship.

LUCOM’s inaugural class represents 30 universities and 25 states (31 students are from Virginia). It is almost equally split between male and female, and the average

age is 25. Nineteen student doctors received their undergraduate degrees at Liberty.

Out of 3,500 applications reviewed, nearly 500 prospective students were interviewed. Admissions staff then identified those who would best advance the mission and vision of the medical school and the university.

More than 50 percent of the applicants who were offered admission decided to come to Liberty, higher than the typical 30-40 percent for a first-year medical school.

Martin said the results show that Liberty’s medical school was the top choice for a large majority of the inaugural class, many of whom had the credentials and experience to choose from a variety of quality institutions.

“The fact that more than 50 percent chose Liberty is a blessing and shows the high regard that people across the country

have for the university,” Martin said. “We are honored that they have placed their faith and futures with us here at Liberty. It is both an obligation and an opportunity that we take seriously.”

Student doctor Arif Haseez feels honored to be a part of this milestone in Liberty’s history.

“The building is beautiful. We have state-of-the art equipment to teach us, and the teachers were handpicked from very prestigious universities. I feel really blessed to be here and to be using all of this,” he said. The first class has quickly become like family, he added, “it’s the camaraderie and togetherness that I’m enjoying the most.”

As a former EMT, Haseez said he hopes to work in an emergency room when he graduates.

“Like Dr. Martin has said, this program is meant for those who want to serve in underserved areas.

I completely enjoy helping people who really need it.” >>

TY HE STER

K E VI N M ANGU I OB

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Center for Medical and Health Sciences two years ago, President Jerry Falwell called the medical school “the last piece of the puzzle” in his father’s original vision for a world-class Christian university.

With full accreditation expected in 2018, Liberty will join the ranks of less than 10 institutions of higher learning in the nation that provide not only an AOA-COCAaccredited medical school, but also an ABAaccredited law school, an ABET-accredited engineering and computational sciences program, and an FAA-certified aviation program.

Liberty has opened a world of opportunity for students who are seeking to enter these high-demand careers while living a life of Christian service at the same time.

Martin is confident that Liberty’s future physicians will greatly impact the health care industry and the communities where they serve.

“We will have the opportunity to witness the fruits of our efforts in advancing the skills, knowledge, and practice of the professionals we will train in this building,” he said. “The result will be improvements in the health systems of our country, the health and wellness of our fellow man, the advancement of medical knowledge, the quality of life in our community, and the individual lives of thousands, if not millions, of patients that will be touched by our graduates.”

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FOCUS ON HEALTH:

Enhanced programs are meeting the nation’s changing health care needs

Quality health care is a cornerstone of any thriving society. And while much uncertainty looms in the ever-changing American system, due in large part to legislative action, Liberty University is committed to producing health care professionals ready to meet the demands of local, regional, and national job markets.

With programs in nearly every area of the health field, Liberty is establishing itself as a leader in medical training. While future doctors train in the new Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, thousands more are preparing to serve as nurses, counselors, athletic trainers, researchers, and more.

Liberty’s goal is to produce professionals who reflect Christ’s love by meeting the physical and psychological needs of others.

Generations of Liberty graduates are already taking lead roles in the health care industry, impacting policy, and ultimately changing it for the better.

Liberty’s School of Health Sciences offers degree programs in biology and chemistry, nursing, health professions, psychology, and counseling and family studies. Associate, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs prepare students for careers in the natural sciences and health disciplines, focusing on holistic wellness — physical, mental, and spiritual.

>Liberty’s Department of Biology & Chemistry prepares students for a variety of graduate and professional schools, including medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and veterinary programs. In recent years, nearly every graduate of the program who has applied for medical school was accepted, and several have scored extremely high

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on the MCAT. The department offers 10 undergraduate majors, including new biopsychology and forensic science programs, providing a well-rounded curriculum (read more on Page 36).

This fall, the department launched its new Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, designed to give students a solid foundation in the sciences before they go on to medical or dental school. >Nursing is one of the most popular academic programs at Liberty, with more than 3,750 students. Last year, over 95 percent of nursing graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination to become registered nurses on their first try. The undergraduate program requires a rigorous 900 hours of hands-on clinical experience.

Liberty’s online RN to BSN program allows working nurses to continue their education and advance their careers. Many registered nurses who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree are now being required to get one due to changes in the health care industry and the introduction of Magnet status (a designation for hospitals that meet stringent quantitative and qualitative standards, defining the highest quality of nursing practice and patient care).

The Department of Nursing also offers advanced degrees including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which launched this fall.

The MSN program is offered completely online and is based on guidelines set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Students complete practicum hours wherever they live, making an MSN attainable for working professionals. The program is

designed to equip future nurse educators and administrators.

The DNP prepares nurses to become nurse leaders, family nurse practitioners, and clinical specialists. As the health care industry adapts to future government-mandated changes, there will be more demand for these professionals. DNP students learn to put evidence-based research into practice in

order to improve patient safety and quality of care. There are two DNP paths available — an online post-MSN and a residential post-BSN — that incorporate additional clinical training to prepare students to take a national certification examination for family nurse practitioners. >Liberty’s Department of Health Professions offers degrees in athletic training, kinesiology, health promotion, exercise science, and medical office assistance (online only).

The athletic training program gives students the opportunity to work alongside clinical instructors who provide care for the more than 450 student-athletes who compete in 20 NCAA Division I sports.

The kinesiology program offers a Virginia-licensure track accredited by the

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Virginia Department of Education. It is designed for students looking to promote healthy, active lifestyles through education or fitness professions.

Community health education specialists are needed across the professional landscape to service businesses, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and government departments, and Liberty’s health promotion program is meeting this need. Students are prepared for the national Clinical Health Education Specialist examination, which certifies them as a health specialist.

Liberty’s exercise science program not only equips students for careers in the health and fitness industry, but it also prepares them for graduate studies in exercise physiology, physical and

occupational therapy, medicine, and more.

chiropractic

>At the graduate level, Liberty offers a Master of Public Health. The degree provides a foundation in epidemiology and biostatistics and offers concentrations in health promotion, global health, and nutrition. Students in the on-campus M.P.H. program study in the state-of-theart Center for Medical and Health Sciences.

for those pursuing careers in mental health agencies, hospitals, private practice, faithbased counseling centers, and other public and private facilities. The degrees available include an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, an M.A. in Human Services Counseling, and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which is designed to meet the Virginia requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Liberty also offers a Ph.D. in counseling.

>Liberty offers undergraduate psychology degrees with concentrations in counseling and human development, and clinical or research counseling. Graduates can then earn master’s degrees at the Center for Counseling & Family Studies, designed

JOE L COL E M AN

LIBERTY JOURNAL

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UPGRADES TO FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS SHOW A CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS

BY DREW MENARD

TY HEST ER

Not everyone is an elite athlete, but anyone can be a champion. Liberty University recognizes the important role that wellness, including physical health, plays in a person’s life. By investing in facilities and programs that encourage activity and proper nutrition, the university is demonstrating its commitment to creating a health-conscious culture for students, faculty, and staff, as well as guests from the surrounding community.

A new campus-wide wellness initiative, Live Healthy Liberty, was launched this semester. Spearheaded by Liberty’s Campus Recreation and Human Resources departments, the initiative brings together multiple entities with the single goal of improving the health of Liberty students, faculty, and staff. The initiative was celebrated during the annual health fair at the LaHaye Student Union on Aug. 20, and grants students, faculty, and staff access to a myriad of resources such as personal training, Wellness Series events, specialty exercise workshops, cooking classes and demonstrations by the campus dietitian, and group exercise classes (including ones exclusively for faculty and staff). Diverse fitness challenges — including bouldering competitions, weightlifting contests, triathlons, and trail races — are put

gluten, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat). Sodexo, Liberty’s dining services provider, was recently ranked No. 7 on the 2014 listing of the Top 10 Gluten Free Accommodating Colleges by BoulderBrands.com.

Dining locations across campus — such as David’s Place, Doc’s, the first floor of DeMoss Hall, and the Tilley Student Center — offer prepackaged “to go” meals (some of which are gluten-free) stamped with the Live Healthy Liberty logo.

Liberty has also recently launched the nation’s first Digital Wellness Center, led by Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd. The center

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on by Live Healthy Liberty throughout the year.

Exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle, and Liberty’s campus offers an array of opportunities for people to engage in activities they enjoy. The newly renovated LaHaye Recreation and Fitness Center houses more than $1 million in new cardio and strength equipment and features a panoramic view of Liberty Mountain. Guests can utilize specialized training areas or test their limits on a 40-foot rock wall and bouldering space for multiple ability levels. Final touches will be completed this semester, adding several multipurpose rooms, two racquetball courts, and an indoor track.

Extended hours for faculty and staff, which now include weekends, allow even more opportunities to work out.

From the fitness center, guests can also access an indoor pool, basketball and volleyball courts, and the Thomas Indoor Soccer Center, but recreational opportunities can be found throughout campus. Tennis courts, an indoor skate park, sand volleyball courts, and Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre — a yearround outdoor snowless skiing, tubing, and snowboarding facility — are among the many athletic amenities at Liberty.

The university sits on more than 7,000 acres of beautiful mountain property, and hiking and biking trails allow anyone, including guests from the community, to stretch their legs and explore nature.

Proper nutrition is also an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. All across campus, Liberty strives to make eating right an easy choice. Many dining locations display nutritional information as well as “dietitian picks” for healthy meals.

The recent remodel of the ReberThomas Dining Hall has doubled the size of the allergen-free Simple Servings station, keeping up with students’ requests for healthier food options. Meals are prepared in a special area of the kitchen and are made without the eight most common food allergens (dairy, egg,

NOT EVERYONE IS AN ELITE ATHLETE, BUT ANYONE CAN BE A

CHAMPI N. educates people on the healthy use of technology, promoting face-to-face social interaction, and exploring how technology shapes our relationships with God and with others. Frejd speaks to various classes at Liberty, writes a Digital Wellness blog, teaches a Digital Wellness course, and offers workshops for students, faculty, staff, and parents.

The university encourages its faculty and staff to take part in local fitness competitions, such as the Strive for Five and 100 Mile challenges sponsored by Live Healthy Lynchburg (the inspiration for Liberty’s initiative). Liberty consistently leads other local businesses in the number of employees who participate in these events.

Year after year, the university also dominates the corporate challenge for The Virginia 10 Miler, which attracts more than 4,000 runners to downtown Lynchburg each year. Liberty offers free registration and a T-shirt for faculty and

staff who sign up to participate in one of the events: a 10- or 4- mile run and a 4-mile walk.

Staff members are also encouraged to take part in the Commonwealth Games of Virginia, which run from July through November and give male and female participants of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to compete in a variety of sports. This year, Senior Vice President for Auxiliary Services Lee Beaumont has led by example by winning 13 medals — including eight gold — in various running, swimming, and field events.

The real prize, however, is the lives that are transformed — both those taking the first step toward a healthier lifestyle and those who are leading others to a more fulfilling, Godhonoring life.

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NEW,

but no stranger...

D AV I D N A S S E R , L O N G T I M E F R I E N D o f L I B E R T Y, N A M E D S E N I O R V I C E P R E S I D E N T for SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

BY MITZI BIBLE They call it the jeans offering.

When David Nasser spoke at Liberty University in Spring 2008 during Spiritual Emphasis Week (a kickoff revival at the start of every semester), he said he felt the Lord leading him to take up an offering for the world’s widows and orphans.

“Make it proportionate to the value of the jeans you’re wearing,” he told students, whether they have a designer label or came from a discount store.

Students responded with much more than the cost of their jeans. They collected more than $80,000 — by far the largest offering ever taken by Liberty’s student body.

During the service, Nasser showed a picture of three teenage siblings living in an orphanage in Ethiopia. He suggested that the offering could go to pay for their adoptions because all they needed were a loving family and the funds to cover expenses. A Liberty student immediately sent a text to her family, who had been praying for an opportunity such as this.

Ten months later, the teenagers had a new home in America. President Falwell offered full-tuition scholarships to each of them if they chose to attend Liberty.

This miracle story was memorable for everyone at Liberty and also for Nasser himself. It is the image that comes to his mind whenever Liberty is mentioned.

“The offering was an incredible gesture,” Nasser said. “Here were three kids who never heard of Liberty or the Falwell family or David Nasser or any of us … but we didn’t care; we just wanted them to hear the name of Jesus and have a home with loving

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parents to take care of them. When I think of Liberty, I think of radical generosity; I think of three orphans who were rescued. I think of great theology, of missiology, of missions.”

In addition to Spiritual Emphasis Week, Nasser has also spoken at Liberty’s Convocations and other special campus events such as Winterfest, the university’s New Year’s music festival.

Definitely not a stranger to the school, Nasser was a perfect fit to take on his new role as Liberty’s senior vice president for spiritual development in August.

“Over the years, I’ve been in the classrooms, and I’ve been in the Vines Center, just pouring into students,” Nasser said. “I may in one sense be the new kid on the block now, but in another sense I am in tune with everything here. I feel like the mission of the school and the mission of my ministry line up. I see a great cohesiveness and alignment in vision.”

Nasser is the founder of D. Nasser Outreach and Christ City Church near Birmingham, Ala., where he most recently served as lead pastor. He has written four books and speaks to more than 500,000 people each year at various events across the country. Born in Iran, Nasser left the country with his family at age 9 during the Iranian Revolution. After almost a year in exile, his family moved to America, and at age 18, he rejected his Muslim heritage and became a Christian. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children.

Nasser now leads Liberty’s spiritual programs, including Convocation, the world’s largest weekly gathering

of Christian young people, and the university’s Center for Global Engagement.

He oversees a team that advances Liberty’s mission by strengthening the theological foundation of the student body and its leaders through gatherings such as Convocation and Campus Church. He is steering the discipleship process of seeing students come to Christ and grow in their faith and will mobilize students and faculty to reach the world for Christ through the global studies degree program, humanitarian efforts, church planting, and cohesive ministry partnerships.

“We are excited to welcome one of the nation’s foremost Christian leaders to Liberty University,” President Jerry Falwell said. “David is a gifted speaker with a passion for students. He is an equally gifted visionary and pastor, essential qualities for leading our spiritual programs.”

Nasser’s responsibilities include some of those previously held by Johnnie Moore, Liberty’s former campus pastor and senior vice president for communications. After a dozen years at Liberty, Moore recently became chief of staff for award-winning film and television producer Mark Burnett, but has remained a consultant to the university through the transition.

“I am humbled and honored to join what I believe to be an incredible force for the kingdom of God — Liberty University,” Nasser said. “There is tremendous momentum here right now at Liberty, with what God is doing. I’m just going to be one more spoke on the wheel, and I’m excited about rolling up my sleeves and serving.”

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so I want them to be future Supreme Court justices, missionaries, lawyers, and doctors who are going to reach the world for Christ. I want to have a voice in that conversation, to speak into their lives, and help shape students to get to bigger places.

I really love the vision for this school, of just raising Champions for Christ. I feel like I could be a cup of gasoline on that fire — and it’s already a pretty big fire.”

K EVI N M ANG UI O B

Nasser said he is privileged to be able to help in the spiritual formation of Liberty students.

“I’m thinking 20 years ahead, that these men and women will be great fathers and mothers, amazing husbands and wives, be devoted to their local church, be great community group leaders and volunteers,” he said. “Liberty is poised to raise up the next generation of leaders,

UPDATE: JOE L COLE M AN

Two of the Ethiopian teens that David Nasser helped bring to America as a result of the “jeans offering” (see story at left) are currently students at Liberty.

Aschalew Wolfe is a senior finishing up a double major in business economics and business administration with a concentration in finance. His younger sister, Genet, is a junior pursing a degree in business.

“We are so grateful for what Liberty University and our new parents (the Wolfe family) have done for us,” Aschalew said. “It is great here at Liberty; it is amazing.”

Genet said that when she was living in Ethiopia six years ago, she never believed it was possible to have this sort of opportunity.

“This is just the biggest blessing to me,” she said. “It is hard for me to believe right now that I am in America and that I am a college student and that Liberty gave me a scholarship.”

Genet loves the atmosphere at Liberty, especially the people, who she describes as “genuine, kind, and very helpful.”

A HIGH-ENERGY CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR The countdown to 2015 begins early at Liberty University with Winterfest, a two-day extravaganza that features live concerts by well-known Christian artists, challenging messages by respected Christian speakers, and access to the many recreational amenities on Liberty’s campus. Winterfest is the largest Christian New Year’s party on the East Coast, held every year on Dec. 30-31. It culminates with a countdown to the New Year, celebrated with balloons and confetti.

This year’s lineup of performers includes Lecrae, Skillet,

LECRAE

SKILLET

Kari Jobe, Jamie Grace, and the Newsboys, who are fronted

by Liberty alumnus Michael Tait. Special speakers are Kirk Cameron and David Nasser.

Winterfest attendees can go swimming, rock climbing, and ice skating on campus, as well as skiing, tubing, and snowboarding at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre.

Though fun is at the forefront of the Winterfest experience, the event has a much deeper focus. Guests are challenged to grow in their faith as they hear Gospel-centered messages from speakers.

KARI JOBE

JAMIE GRACE

#LUWINTERFEST 16

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THE NEWSBOYS

ALUMNA REPRESENTS VIRGINIA, named first runner-up in Miss America Competition

Recent Liberty University graduate Courtney Garrett was the first runner-up in the 2015 Miss America Competition, which aired on ABC on Sunday, Sept. 14. She graduated from Liberty in May after double-majoring in music, with a concentration in vocal performance, and communication, with a concentration in advertising and public relations.

Garrett was crowned Miss Virginia at the Roanoke Civic Center in June, which earned her a $17,500 scholarship and the opportunity to represent Virginia at the Miss America Competition, where she was awarded a $25,000 scholarship for being the first runner-up.

Just three days after the Miss America Competition, Garrett visited her alma mater and spoke to the student body — which she had been a part of only months before.

“It was an honor to be chosen as first runner-up, not only to represent Virginia, but to represent Liberty University,” Garrett said. “To have Liberty on my résumé was something I was so proud of because of what Liberty University stands for. We are unashamedly proud to share the Gospel of Christ.”

Earlier this year, Garrett, a native of Pamplin, Va., was crowned Miss State Fair of Virginia 2014. She was also a finalist in this year’s PRWeek Student of the Year competition. Sarah Corder, who also graduated from Liberty in May, was the winner of that award.

Garrett’s community service platform for the pageants was “Defying Disabilities,” which focused on raising awareness of and empowering the disabled community. Her brother, Austin,

has cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy, making the issue a personal one for Garrett.

Her concern for the disabled is more than just a platform — she plans to start a nonprofit and devote her life to being an advocate for those with disabilities.

“I feel that it is God’s calling on my life to be a voice for that community as well as an advocate for their rights and respect in the community,” she said.

Garrett said Liberty prepared her well for her future career, and that faculty and staff encourage students to develop their unique passion.

“Liberty helps you hone that fire,” she said, “to identify what God has put in your heart and that this is where it starts. (So) let that fire grow.

Liberty is where you get the tools and training to put it to work in the world … and truly make a difference.”

Following her reign as Miss Virginia, Garrett plans to pursue an M.B.A. at Liberty.

GRADUATES SHINE, win the crown in pageants Alumna Kanika Davis (’11), of Lynchburg, Va., was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia 2014 in March, then went on to represent Virginia in the 2015 Ms. Wheelchair America pageant, held Aug. 4-10 in Long Beach, Calif. Davis holds an M.A. in Professional Counseling from Liberty and works as a transition counselor for the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. Her platform, “Life Beyond Limits,” focuses on helping others with disabilities overcome obstacles, move forward, and live life to the fullest.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jasmin Alexander (’13), an intelligence officer, won the 2014 Miss Black USA pageant in August. She was awarded a $5,000 scholarship and a trip to Africa. Alexander graduated in 2013 with an M.A. in Human Services Counseling with a cognate in Executive Leadership. She was selected as Miss Black Colorado USA 2014 on Aug. 1. While serving as Miss Black USA, Alexander will further the cause of the Heart Truth campaign, an initiative that raises awareness about the dangers of heart disease for women and offers healthy living and exercise tips.

Staying

ON MISSION

WITH ANOTHER ACADEMIC YEAR UNDERWAY, LIBERTY CONTINUES TO PURSUE ITS GOAL OF REACHING THE WORLD FOR CHRIST

By Drew Menard At an orientation held two weeks before the semester officially started, Dr. Ronald Godwin, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, challenged new faculty to consider their purpose in joining the ranks of the world’s largest Christian university.

He charged them to become “co-laborers at Liberty as it seeks to produce Champions for Christ, impacting every corner of the world and every sphere of society for the kingdom of God.” The university is striving to accomplish these goals through Christ-centered, academically excellent education. Enrollment numbers are showing that Liberty’s model is an attractive choice. The university hit record enrollment for students studying on campus this year — more than 13,800.

Liberty welcomed its largest incoming class to campus this year — more than 4,200 new and transfer students. About 64 new faculty were also hired, both to serve in new positions or as replacements for ones left vacant.

For Christian educators to impact society on a global scale, Godwin said it is important they first reject elitist and exclusionary educational philosophies. While many in academia seem to think that a university’s

prestige is best demonstrated by how many students it turns away, Liberty believes that a school should be measured by how well the students who are accepted are educated and trained.

“As a teacher, professor, or instructor,” he asked, “do you take pride from what some other teacher taught the students in your classroom before these students ever arrived

TY HE STER

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in your class, or do you take pride from what you yourself teach your students?”

This commitment to both educational excellence and access explains why Liberty prides itself on being foremost a teaching university.

“I believe in honoring those people who most effectively, skillfully, and productively invest themselves in the lives of students,” Godwin said. “I believe that reflects a more biblical philosophy of education.”

Liberty fulfills its commitment to educating students in a number of ways, beginning with equipping students with core competencies during their freshman and sophomore years.

The College of General Studies (CGS) was formed three years ago in order to focus on providing students with the foundational skills necessary for success — both in college and in life.

By tracking student progress in specific areas such as mathematics or writing, or by identifying high-risk students and ensuring that such students are guided through difficult assignments, as well as by providing other methods of assistance, the CGS has increased completion and pass rates for both on-campus and online students to about 90 percent in general education courses.

“We try to actually repair learning deficiencies,” Godwin said. “Students … come to us with a wide variety of disparities in their base knowledge, and we try to assess those students when they come in, and — to the degree that you can in a large school when dealing with large numbers of students — repair, remediate, shore up, and strengthen those students.”

Teachers are also regularly equipped with resources and training to ensure they are both up-to-date on the latest learning technology and continually improving the effectiveness of their instruction. The Center for Teaching Excellence provides resources and professional development training for Liberty’s faculty.

Each school within the university also regularly assesses its curriculum to make sure that it is both relevant and comprehensive.

The Department of Biology & Chemistry has added two new majors — biopsychology and forensic science — as well as an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences (read more on Page 36).

The Department of Nursing has launched its Doctor of Nursing Practice program. In other departments, nearly 30 new courses have been added, and many others have been revised to keep programs up-to-date and better able to prepare students for today’s workplace. The

Department of Studio & Digital Arts, for example, has revamped some of its 100-, 200-, and 400-level classes and added a course in Medieval Art. The Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts will launch this spring.

Several new upper-level English courses in the Department of English & Modern Languages will vary course content each semester, focusing on specific periods, genres, and specialized writing skills.

Liberty’s goal for its students is more than just awarding graduates a diploma, Godwin said. It is to equip them with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career fields.

An important part of Liberty’s commitment to student success is the university’s emphasis on experiential learning.

From nursing clinicals to broadcasting opportunities at Liberty Flames Sports Network to the School of Law’s Lawyering Skills program, Liberty’s degree programs provide hands-on learning opportunities.

Whatever delivery format a student chooses in order to earn their degree at Liberty — be it on campus, online, or a mix of both — Godwin is confident they will find their academic experience to be top-notch, thanks to the dedication of the university’s leadership and faculty.

“I BELIEVE IN HONORING THOSE PEOPLE WHO MOST EFFECTIVELY, SKILLFULLY, AND PRODUCTIVELY INVEST THEMSELVES IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS.” -Ronald Godwin, Provost

19

MORE CAMPUS d a CHANGESAhe

BY MITZI BIBLE

This photo of a 3D model by VMDO architects shows Liberty’s Academic Commons as viewed from Green Hall, with a new landmark tower (center) and DeMoss Hall (left).

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Liberty University is nearing the final stages of developing a Master Plan that includes new construction and upgrades to several existing facilities at one of the fastest-growing college campuses in the country.

The administration has been meeting with architects to more pedestrian-friendly, with traffic routed away from determine how to best accommodate a growing student the main academic areas. Recommendations call for a body and its academic, athletic, and recreational needs. new pedestrian bridge stretching over U.S. 460. A level Liberty is now the largest private, nonprofit university greenway is also planned to make it easier for people to in the nation, the largest university in Virginia, and the walk from main campus to Marie F. Green Hall. largest Christian university in the world. The university The plan also calls for additional parking garages to anticipates 16,000 students studying on campus by 2020. make areas more accessible for students living off campus “We have been working with VMDO architectural firm and guests to the university. for over three years, and we are getting closer to finalizing New facilities for sports teams are also among the our whole campus rebuilding plan,” recommendations. A 4,500-seat said President Jerry Falwell. “This sports arena on East Campus could is a work in progress and includes serve the women’s basketball team, short-term and long-range plans that wrestling team, and men’s and will greatly enhance our offerings for women’s volleyball teams. It could students. The picture is starting to also be used for men’s basketball come into focus.” when smaller crowds are expected Liberty is in the midst of a $500 for certain games. A new NCAA million campus rebuilding, with weightlifting and training facility several new structures that have is also being considered, as well already been completed, including as an expanded hockey arena with the Jerry Falwell Library, new nearly 4,000 seats, and a natatorium PRESIDENT JERRY FALWELL baseball and softball stadiums, and featuring an Olympic-size swimming a new high-rise residence hall. A science hall is currently pool. The next phase of expansion to the east side of under construction and major upgrades have been made Williams Stadium could accommodate 6,000 more Flames to the university’s dining facilities and fitness center (read Football fans. an overview on newly constructed projects on Page 28).

“We have been blessed with the resources to provide VMDO recently presented the university’s leadership state-of-the-art facilities for our students to give them team with a 3D model of a projected campus plan. It is still the best ‘big-college’ experience possible,” Falwell said. in development, and Liberty will have ongoing discussions “These plans are a glimpse of what our students, and with architects to make adjustments according to demand. those who will attend Liberty in the future, could look The proposed changes include efforts to make campus forward to.”

“This is a work in progress and includes short-term and long-range plans that will greatly enhance our offerings for students. The picture is starting to come into focus.”

JOEL COL EMAN

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Liberty University Projected

MASTER PLAN This map is based on architects’ recommendations and shows short-term and long-range plans under consideration.

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LIBERTY JOURNAL

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NEWS BRIEFS School of Aeronautics receives milestone aircraft

Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron, Inc. company, delivered the 10,000th single-engine aircraft from its Independence, Kan., facility to the Liberty University School of Aeronautics on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The milestone aircraft, a Cessna Skyhawk, along with two other Skyhawks, were added to Liberty’s growing flight training fleet.

The Independence team and Liberty representatives marked the occasion with a delivery ceremony of the three Cessna Skyhawks, one of which features a custom decal displaying its title as the 10,000th

type of aircraft, with more than 48,000 having been designed, manufactured, and delivered since 1955.

Since its first single-engine delivery in June 1996, Textron Aviation’s Independence facility has produced the majority of Cessna singleengine piston products, as well as two types of Citation jets.

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the quality of the workforce at our Independence facility, which continues to be a cornerstone of the Textron Aviation manufacturing footprint,” said Lily English, general manager of the Independence facility.

Aviation can now better equip the airport to compete for customers on a regional level.

“That’s our goal, to draw interest to Lynchburg Regional Airport,” Young said.

“Merging the two operations and taking the strengths of each one puts us in a much better competitive position than having more than one fixed-base operator. We want to be competing regionally, competing up and down the East Coast. This merger will increase our business and enhance economic development for the city of Lynchburg and for Central Virginia.”

Liberty’s School of Aeronautics is also in the process of establishing Flight Training Affiliates (FTAs) at airports in Virginia and

across the U.S. This unique educational model will allow students to complete much of their college coursework online while doing their flight training at their local airport. In Virginia, FTAs are already operating in Newport News, Manassas, Leesburg, Warrenton, and Stafford. The FTA in Valparaiso, Ind., opened in June.

Liberty’s operation of Freedom Aviation and Virginia Aviation will create an opportunity for students at FTAs to also spend time in residency at the School of Aeronautics’ Lynchburg Regional Airport campus. They will now be able to participate in the operation of a full-service general aviation, charter, and aircraft maintenance business.

DAVI D DU NC AN

Independence-delivered single-engine aircraft.

“The Skyhawk is the mainstay to the quality flight training we provide to America’s next generation of professional pilots,” said Ret. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Young, assistant provost for aeronautics education at Liberty. “Through the years, we have developed a great relationship with the team here in Independence and continue to choose Textron Aviation products because we trust the craftsmanship that goes into each aircraft.”

The Cessna Skyhawk has become the global standard training platform. There are more Cessna Skyhawks in the world than any other

Freedom Aviation, a subsidiary of Liberty University and a fixed-base operator (FBO) at Lynchburg Regional Airport, finalized the purchase of Virginia Aviation, the other FBO on site, on June 24.

“From my perspective, this is a tremendous opportunity for the public and for the aviation community, and a great move,” said Ret. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Young, assistant provost for aeronautics education and president of Freedom Aviation. “We want to build an aviation center of excellence that rivals anything in the country and anything in aviation higher education.”

He said that rather than competing internally with another FBO, Freedom

34

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Liberty ranked among most influential, engaged colleges on social media Liberty University has been ranked in the top 20 Most Influential Colleges on Instagram and in the top 30 Most Engaged Social Media College Communities by College Atlas. Liberty was ranked alongside major institutions across the U.S., including

state, Ivy League, and other private institutions. On both lists, Liberty was the only Virginia school recognized.

College Atlas, an encyclopedia of higher education, studied the social media efforts of more than 400 colleges and universities.

Liberty was ranked No. 17 for its Instagram

presence, which was determined by number of followers and average number of likes per post.

Liberty ranked No. 28 on the Most Engaged Social Media College Communities list, which focused on the depth and frequency of engagement by the school’s social media community.

JO EL CO LEM AN

USA Today recognizes Liberty’s affordability, growth In an article published by USA Today in May, Liberty’s undergraduate online program was recognized as one of the most affordable in the country based on research provided by The Best Colleges and OnlineU. While offering online tuition rates far lower than its for-profit competitors, Liberty has also managed to keep its residential tuition among the lowest 25 percent of all private universities in America.

“Liberty University would not be the nation’s largest nonprofit online university today if it were not anchored by a major residential Christian university with decades of history and solid academic performance standing behind it,” Liberty President Jerry Falwell said.

“Online students love the fact they are studying at a Christian university that has operated on this campus for decades. They enjoy supporting our athletic teams and traveling to Lynchburg

for intensives and for graduation.”

Approximately 90 percent of Liberty’s online and residential students received financial aid in the 2012-13 school year.

Liberty also offers discounts for active military and emergency response personnel.

Liberty’s student loan default rate is about half the national average, a reflection of its affordability and an indication that its graduates are getting jobs quickly. The university is rated by Standard and Poor’s as one of the 78 strongest schools in the nation financially, with more than $1 billion in net assets.

USA Today sent sports writer Dan Wolken to visit Liberty this past summer to survey the climate of its athletics program, specifically the university’s pursuits to move to the FBS level in football. In his article, Wolken noted Liberty’s growth in enrollment and construction of many new facilities

across campus. He discussed Liberty’s academic reputation, which plays into FBS considerations, and quoted President Jerry Falwell: “The perception is that we’re primarily a small Bible school, and the reality is we’re a liberal arts university with engineering, medicine, and nursing. A lot of people think religion is our No. 1 major, and in reality it’s ninth.” The article stated that Liberty’s aspirations to compete in the FBS won’t stop, as “nothing would be a game-changer quite like the opportunity to play a Baylor or BYU on ESPN.” Falwell told Wolken: “My father used to say there were two universal languages all young people understood — music and athletics — and to build a world-class university those two components have to be a major part of it. Athletics isn’t our mission, but it has the potential to shine a light on our mission like nothing else ever can.”

LIBERTY JOURNAL

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Department of Biology & Chemistry growing in size and reputation

DAVI D D UNCAN

Over the past four years, the Department of Biology & Chemistry has grown by more than 25 percent. Throughout this growth, the department has strengthened the quality of its programs — for the last three years 90 to 100 percent of graduates who applied to medical school were accepted, and 95 percent were accepted into the medical school of their choice this past year. Students and faculty are also repeatedly recognized for their excellence.

As the Department of Biology & Chemistry continues to expand and build upon this success, its facilities and curriculum are being bolstered to ensure continued excellence.

Prestigious Recognition

36

New Science Hall More than triple the size of the old science building, the new Science Hall is progressing rapidly and is expected to be complete by Spring 2015. The four-story, 121,000-square-foot building will house the Department of Biology

Expanded Program Offerings This semester the department has added two new majors — biopsychology and forensic science — raising its total number of majors to 10.

“The goal was to provide students with a curriculum that was focused on their specific interests and needs,” DeWitt said, noting that the department has expanded its offerings tremendously since 2010 when only two majors and three concentrations were available.

A new Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences also launched this fall, with oneand two-year tracks available.

TY H EST ER

Associate Professor of Genetics Dr. Gary Isaacs and four of his former students — Noor Taher (’13), Courtney McKenzie (’12), Rebecca Garrett (’12), and Matthew Baker (’14) — received the J. Shelton Horsley award at the Virginia Academy of Science’s Annual Meeting on May 16 at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. The award is the highest honor conferred by the academy for original research.

The team received the award for an article published in a recent issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

For the third year in a row, Liberty undergraduate students also received recognition at the meeting for best poster

and best oral presentation in the biology/ microbiology category.

Competition is not limited to undergraduate students; half of the submissions are from master’s students, Ph.D. candidates, professors, and research technicians. Judges reviewed published articles, posters, and oral presentations submitted by hundreds of students and faculty members from schools across the state.

Rising senior Amanda Hazy, working under Isaacs’ supervision, won for her poster illustrating how an analysis of cells from blood samples can indicate how genes are turned on and off in the brain.

Ryan Montalvo (’14) won for his talk on how laboratory, commensal, and probiotic E. coli adapts to the intestine and competes with the intestinal microbiome. He received research direction from Associate Professor of Microbiology Dr. Andrew Fabich.

Hannah Drown (’14) was also awarded honorable mention for her poster produced under the supervision of Fabich. Drown’s research focused on the rise of novel antibiotic resistances by bacteria in the intestine.

& Chemistry as well as the Department of Health Professions.

For biology and chemistry students, the number of labs will be increased from 11 to 20, with a cadaver lab, cell culture facility, and several research labs among the new facilities.

“We will be able to accommodate more students and have more open labs where students can work outside of class time for additional training,” said Dr. David DeWitt, professor and chair of the Department of Biology & Chemistry.

The new facility is also being outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment, such as a gene sequencer, GC mass spectrometer, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

While construction continues, the department has been temporarily moved to a former residence hall on Liberty’s Champion Circle. The old science building was demolished to make room for continued improvements to Liberty’s future Academic Commons, now in progress and including an upcoming expansion to DeMoss Hall.

View this issue on the Liberty Today mobile app. Download at www.Liberty.edu/LibertyToday.

FALL 2014

CONVOCATION SCHEDULE

study trips add a new dimension to learning wasn’t seeing all the dignitaries there, but walking down the beach itself, actually being on the sand that the men fought to take from the Nazis and walking on the same ground they did, that was the most moving part.”

The itinerary focused on historical sites from World War II. Students first arrived in London, where they viewed Winston Churchill’s bunkers and the HMS Belfast, which was part of the D-Day forces. They also saw a production of “Les Misérables,” then left for Normandy from Portsmouth at the southern tip of England. A ferry took them to France, following the same course that the American military forces took the day before D-Day. After touring Normandy, the students traveled to Paris, where they visited the Shoah Memorial, dedicated to the 76,000 French Jews deported from France to Nazi concentration camps.

Since May, Liberty’s Study Abroad program has sent students on short-term trips to Israel, Italy, Greece, Ireland, and Guatemala, with students receiving course credit for their studies. The program, also open to Liberty’s online students, offers trips during fall, spring, and winter breaks, as well as semesterlong sessions. Many of the trips include service opportunities.

Dr. David Snead joins class members on Omaha Beach on the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

View past Convocations at www.Liberty.edu/Streaming

A trip to Europe in June gave 15 Liberty University history students the opportunity to go back in time to the largest seaborne military invasion in history.

As part of a 10-day tour through England and France with Liberty’s Study Abroad program, the students attended ceremonies for the 70th anniversary of D-Day at the site where thousands of Americans gave their lives to defeat the Nazis and end World War II. They joined a large crowd of guests, including D-Day veterans, family members of the fallen, and world leaders at the American Cemetery in Colleville sur Mer, France. The cemetery overlooks Omaha Beach, where American troops invaded the northern coast of France on June 6, 1944. More than 9,500 crosses mark the graves of American soldiers.

The trip was led by Dr. Douglas Mann, dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Bruce Bell, associate dean in the College of General Studies; and Dr. David Snead, a history professor who regularly teaches courses on U.S. military history and World War II. Michael Megelsh, who is pursuing his master’s in history, learned about the trip in one of Snead’s classes.

“That was a real selling point for the trip, to be able to be there at Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day,” he said. “It

This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Visit www.Liberty.edu/Convo for the most up-to-date schedule.

9/10: David Nasser – Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development, Liberty University 9/12: Jonathan Falwell – Senior Pastor, Thomas Road Baptist Church 9/15: Nik Ripken – Author 9/17: Roy Peterson – Pastor, Author, President of the American Bible Society Bob Creson – Current Wycliffe President Mart Green – Hobby Lobby Heir, Founder & CEO of Mardel and Every Tribe Entertainment Courtney Garrett - Miss Virginia 9/19: Mac Powell – Lead Singer of Third Day 9/22: Darrell Bock – Christian Scholar 9/24: Mark Gungor – Pastor, Celebration Church in Wisconsin 9/26: KIRK CAMERON – Actor, Producer 9/29: Vernon Brewer – Founder and President of World Help, Liberty’s First Graduate; Children of the World Choir 10/1: Todd Starnes – Fox News Contributor and Author Ed Gillespie – Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate 10/3: Shelene Bryan (Homecoming) – Author of “Love, Skip, Jump” 10/6: Dr. Ed Hindson – Distinguished Professor and Dean, Liberty University School of Religion 10/8: David and Jason Benham – Liberty Graduates, Real Estate Moguls 10/13: J.D. Greear – Pastor, Summit Church in N.C. 10/15: Mark Batterson – Author and Pastor of National Community Church, Washington, D.C. 10/17: Ed Stetzer – Alumnus, Author, President of Lifeway Research Division 10/20: TBA 10/22: Leith Anderson – President of the National Association of Evangelicals 10/24: JIM AND JILL KELLY – Liberty Parents; Jim is a Cancer Survivor and Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback 10/27: Alternative Convocations* 10/29: Jay Strack – President and Founder, Student Leadership University 10/31: Alex Himaya – Senior Pastor of theCHURCH.at in Tulsa, Okla.

11/3: Chris Tomlin – Recording Artist 11/5: Oliver North (Military Emphasis Week) – Author, Military Historian, Former U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel 11/7: LOUIE GIGLIO (College For A Weekend) – Pastor of Passion City Church, Atlanta, Ga., Founder of the Passion Movement 11/10: Rick Santorum – Former Senator, Presidential Candidate 11/12: TBA 11/14: Alternative Convocations* 11/17: Andrew Burian – Holocaust Survivor 11/19: Rush of Fools – Christian Music Group David Nasser – Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development, Liberty University 11/21: Prayer & Praise 12/1: Ken Davis – Christian Comedian *Schools within the university host their own Convocations

SPORTS SCHEDULES This listing only includes events occurring after publication.

View results from earlier in the season on the Liberty Today mobile app.

FOOTBALL

MEN’S SOCCER

VOLLEYBALL

Oct. 11 at Appalachian State, TBA Oct. 25 Gardner-Webb*, 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Presbyterian*, 2 p.m.

Nov. 8 Monmouth*, 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 15 Charleston Southern*, 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 22 at Coastal Carolina*, 1 p.m.

Nov. 29-Jan. 10 NCAA FCS Playoffs *Big South Conference game

Oct. 7 High Point*, 6 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Gardner-Webb*, 1 p.m.

Oct. 14 American, 6 p.m.

Oct. 18 Coastal Carolina*, noon Oct. 22 at Longwood*, 6 p.m.

Oct. 25 UNC Asheville*, noon Oct. 28 at N.C. State, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Presbyterian*, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5 Campbell*, 5 p.m.

Nov. 11-16 Big South Men’s Soccer Championship Nov. 19-Dec. 12 NCAA Tournament *Big South Conference game

Oct. 10 Campbell*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 High Point*, 2 p.m.

Oct. 14 William & Mary, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Charleston Southern*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Coastal Carolina*, 2 p.m.

Oct. 24 Presbyterian*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 Winthrop*, 2 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Radford*, 7 p.m.

Nov. 7 at High Point*, 7 p.m.

Nov. 8 at Campbell*, 2 p.m.

Nov. 14 UNC Asheville*, 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 15 Gardner-Webb*, 2 p.m.

Nov. 20-23 Big South Volleyball Championship (Conway, S.C.) Dec. 5-20 NCAA Tournament *Big South Conference game

WOMEN’S SOCCER Oct. 8 Radford*, 3 p.m.

Oct. 11 at High Point*, 1 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Gardner-Webb*, 4 p.m.

Oct. 22 Winthrop*, 3 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Coastal Carolina*, 6 p.m.

Oct. 28 Longwood*, 3 p.m.

Nov. 2-9 Big South Women’s Soccer Championship Nov. 14-Dec. 7 NCAA Tournament *Big South Conference game

FIELD HOCKEY Oct. 10 at Appalachian State*, 3 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Duke, 1 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Virginia, 6 p.m.

Oct. 19 North Carolina, 2 p.m.

Oct. 23 Pacific*, 3 p.m.

Oct. 28 Georgetown, 4 p.m.

Nov. 6-8 NorPac Tournament (Stockton, Calif.)

Nov. 12-23 NCAA Tournament *NorPac Conference game

CROSS COUNTRY

Oct. 11 at Royal Cross Country Challenge (Charlotte, N.C.), 10 a.m.

Oct. 18 at ISU Pre-National Invitational (Terre Haute, Ind.), 11 a.m.

Nov. 1 at Big South Championships (Boiling Springs, N.C.), 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 7 at Virginia Tech/Hokie Open (Blacksburg, Va.), 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships (Louisville, Ky.), noon Nov. 22 NCAA Division I Championships (Terre Haute, Ind.), noon

MEN’S ACHA DIVISION I HOCKEY Oct. 10-11 at Minot State, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 17-18 Davenport, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23-24 at Arizona State, 8 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Arizona, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at West Virginia, 9 p.m., 4 p.m.

Nov. 7-8 Delaware, 7 p.m.

Nov. 14-15 Stony Brook, 7 p.m Nov. 20 at Davenport, 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 21-22 at Oakland, 8 p.m.

Dec. 6 Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.

Jan. 10-11 at Stony Brook, 8:30 p.m., noon Jan. 16-17 Rochester, 7 p.m.

Jan. 23-24 Ohio, 7 p.m.

Jan. 30-31 at Delaware, 9 p.m., 5 p.m.

Feb. 6-7 Oakland, 7 p.m.

Feb. 13-14 West Virginia, 7 p.m.

Feb. 20-21 Minot State, 7 p.m.

March 5-10 at Nationals (Strongsville, Ohio)

WOMEN’S ACHA DIVISION I HOCKEY Oct. 8-9 at Colorado, 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11-12 at Colorado State, 8 p.m., 9:45 a.m.

Oct. 18-19 at Naval Academy, 12:10 p.m., 10 a.m.

Oct. 24-25 at Robert Morris (Ill.), 8:50 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1-2 Buffalo, 6 p.m., 10 a.m.

Nov. 15-16 Rhode Island, 9:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m.

Nov. 21-22 at Miami, 9:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 5-6 Penn State, 6 p.m., 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 9-10 Grand Valley State, 6 p.m., 3 p.m.

Jan. 30-31 at Lindenwood, 7:50 p.m., 11:10 p.m.

Feb. 7-8 Naval Academy, 2:30 p.m., 10 a.m.

Feb. 13-14 at Buffalo, 8 p.m., 5 p.m.

Feb. 21-22 Tri-City Selects, 2:30 p.m.

March 4 at Nationals (York, Pa.)

MEN’S BASKETBALL Nov. 14 Randolph Nov. 17 Delaware Nov. 19 at Virginia Tech Nov. 22 at Miami, Ohio Nov. 25 at Cancun Challenge (Cancun, Mexico), vs. North Florida Nov. 26 at Cancun Challenge (Cancun, Mexico), vs. Elon/Morgan State Dec. 1 Furman Dec. 6 St. Francis, NY Dec. 13 Bluefield State Dec. 17 at UNC Wilmington Dec. 22 at Princeton Dec. 28 Cincinnati Christian Dec. 31 at Campbell* Jan. 3 Presbyterian* Jan. 8 at UNC Asheville* Jan. 10 Coastal Carolina* Jan. 14 at Charleston Southern* Jan. 17 at Longwood* Jan. 22 Winthrop* Jan. 24 at Radford* Jan. 29 High Point* Jan. 31 Charleston Southern* Feb. 4 at Winthrop* Feb. 6 at Presbyterian* Feb. 10 Campbell* Feb. 14 at Coastal Carolina* Feb. 17 Longwood* Feb. 21 at Gardner-Webb* Feb. 26 Radford* Feb. 28 UNC Asheville* March 4-8 at Big South Men’s Basketball Championship (Conway, S.C.) March 17-18 NCAA Tournament First Four *Big South Conference game

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Nov. 14 Charlotte Nov. 18 VCU (Kids Day) Nov. 22 St. Joseph’s Nov. 25 at Elon Nov. 28 at Georgia State Thanksgiving Tournament (Atlanta, Ga.), vs.

Penn State Nov. 30 at Georgia State Thanksgiving Tournament (Atlanta, Ga.), vs. Georgia State/Samford Dec. 6 at Radford * Dec. 13 Gardner-Webb* Dec. 17 at North Carolina State Dec. 20 at Gopher Classic (Minneapolis, Minn.), vs. Minnesota Dec. 21 at Gopher Classic (Minneapolis, Minn.), vs. South Carolina Dec. 30 at UNC Asheville* Jan. 3 High Point* Jan. 5 Presbyterian* Jan. 8 at Coastal Carolina* Jan. 13 Longwood* Jan. 17 at Charleston Southern* Jan. 20 at Winthrop* Jan. 24 Campbell* Jan. 27 UNC Asheville* Jan. 31 at High Point* Feb. 2 Radford* Feb. 5 at Gardner-Webb* Feb. 7 Coastal Carolina* Feb. 14 at Presbyterian* Feb. 17 at Longwood* Feb. 21 Charleston Southern* Feb. 24 Winthrop* Feb. 28 at Campbell* March 3-8 Big South Women’s Basketball Championship (Conway, S.C.) March 20-21 NCAA Tournament First Round *Big South Conference game

Dates and times are subject to change. Complete schedules can also be viewed at WWW.LIBERTY.EDU/ATHLETICS.

Watch live coverage nationwide on the Liberty Flames Sports Network.

View a list of TV affiliates at WWW.LIBERTY.EDU/LFSN.

LIBERTY JOURNAL

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Garrett Long (#81) plays in the UNC-Liberty football game on Aug. 30, in Chapel Hill, N.C.

UNC LETTERMAN’S FAMILY

FLIPS TRADITION TO FAN THE FLAMES Albert Long has been a Tar Heel his whole life.

As the only four-sport letterman in ACC history (baseball, football, basketball, and

Garrett Long is pictured here with his father, Mike Long (center) and grandfather, Albert Long after this year’s spring game at Liberty.

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track & field), the former University of North Carolina athlete and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Hall of Champions athlete has passed his love for his ’50s alma mater down to his children and his grandchildren.

But on Sunday, Aug. 30, in Chapel Hill, N.C., the Long family sat in the visitors’ section of UNC’s Kenan Memorial Stadium decked out in Liberty University Flames Football red.

That’s because Garrett Long, grandson of Albert Long, is now in his junior year as a tight end for the Flames (#81) and was playing on Kenan field for Liberty’s highly anticipated season opener.

As the lone Flames fan in a sea of pale blue, Garrett’s father, Mike Long, didn’t seem bothered as he visited Sutton’s Drug Store in downtown Chapel Hill, a hub for UNC fans.

“As many times as we would come here for every single football game — from the time (Garrett) was a baby until today,

wearing Carolina blue — for him to run out on that field wearing the Liberty blue and red is going to be really thrilling for the entire family,” Mike Long said before kickoff.

Garrett Long, who is pursuing a degree in criminal justice, was honored to represent Liberty on the field that meant so much to his father and grandfather.

“Ever since I could walk, I was always put in a Carolina shirt,” Garrett Long said. “To step foot on the field that my grandfather played on is just a dream come true (one that I have had) ever since I was a little boy, playing in his backyard in Durham, N.C.” Garrett debuted in the fourth quarter of the game against the then No. 23-ranked Tar Heels, which was broadcast on ESPN3.

It was the first time Liberty had played a nationally ranked FBS opponent. Cheered on by a packed-out visitors’ section, the Flames took the lead in the third quarter but fell to the Tar Heels 56-29.

View this issue on the Liberty Today mobile app. Download at www.Liberty.edu/LibertyToday.

SECOND-YEAR STADIUM RANKED

FIFTH-BEST COLLEGE BALLPARK EXPERIENCE Liberty Baseball Stadium, home of Flames Baseball, was recently ranked No. 5 in best college ballpark experiences of 2014 by the Stadium Journey website. Stadium Journey publishes reviews of sports stadiums from around the world and, to date, has reviewed 1,928 different venues in 41 countries.

According to the website, Liberty Baseball Stadium, which opened in 2013, “has drawn nationwide acclaim in its short time of existence, and it sets a clear standard to which programs of its class should aspire.�

The $20 million facility features 2,500 chairback seats and four luxury suites, accommodating more than twice as many

spectators as the former stadium. It also includes a clubroom and a state-of-the-art press area above the concourse, two concessions areas, a 3,000-square-foot patio with a fire pit, and a picnic area along the third- and first-base lines.

The AstroTurf field reduces the number of games that have to be canceled or postponed due to rain. It is flanked by full-length, major league-style dugouts, and players have access to four indoor batting tunnels, a weight room, and a clubhouse.

Liberty set a program record for Big South Conference victories in 2014, capturing the

BSC regular season title with a 23-2 mark.

The Flames went 22-5 at home, improving to 47-14 in two seasons.

As reflected in the ranking, Liberty finished 2014 in the top 50 in the nation among NCAA Division I schools for regular season average (1,467 fans) and overall attendance for 26 home dates (38,142).

Carolina Stadium, home of the University of South Carolina, was rated as the No. 1 college baseball experience in the country. The Flames played the 2013 NCAA Regionals championship game against the Gamecocks on their home field in Columbia, S.C.

JOEL COL EMAN

LIBERTY JOURNAL

43

A PEEK AT

As Liberty University continues to raise the bar in NCAA Division I athletics and Club Sports, more

THE PROS...

FLAMES IN THE

of its student-athletes are joining the professional ranks each year. Here are some former Flames to watch this year as they take their talents to the toughest levels of competition.

Player Name, Position (Years at Liberty)

PROFESSIONAL RANKS

Hometown Current Professional Team/Organization

FOOTBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Miami Dolphins (NFL)

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla. MBK Reiker Com (Slovakia)

Walt Aikens, DB (2011-13)

Mike Brown, QB (2008-11)

TeeJay Bannister, G (2008)

Larry Blair, G (2004-07)

Hometown: Charlottesville, Va. Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)

Hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Al Gharafa Sports Club (Qatar)

Rashad Jennings, RB (2006-08)

Antwan Burrus, F (2010-14)

Hometown: Forest, Va. New York Giants (NFL)

Hometown: Winterville, N.C. BC Dinamo Bucharest (Romania)

Hunter Steward, OL (2011-13) Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada BC Lions (CFL)

Alex McLean, F (2007-08) Hometown: Bay Shore, N.Y. Rain or Shine (Philippines)

Jesse Sanders, G (2009-12) Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas Limberg United (Belgium)

Anthony Smith, G (2006-09) Hometown: Plano, Texas St. Quentin (France)

Tavares Speaks, G (2012-13) Hometown: Raleigh, N.C. Kirchheim (Germany)

Avery (Warley) Talbert

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Jelena Antic, G/F (2010-11) Hometown: Skopje, Macedonia Radivoj Korac (Serbia)

Megan Frazee, G/F (2006-09) Hometown: Xenia, Ohio Ramat Hasharon (Israel)

Tolu Omotola, F/C (2011-13) Hometown: Houston, Texas Hapoel Rishon Le-Zion (Israel)

Avery (Warley) Talbert, C (2009-12) Hometown: Washington, D.C. New York Liberty (WNBA)

Matt Williams

Robert Karlsson

BASEBALL

Bryan Aanderud, INF (2012-13) Hometown: Fullerton, Calif.

River City Rascals (Independent Frontier League)

Tony Beasley, RHP/SS (1988-89) Hometown: Bowling Green, Va. Washington Nationals (Coaching Staff Field Coordinator)

Ryan Cordell, OF/RHP (2011-13) Hometown: Orangevale, Calif.

Hickory Crawdads (Texas Rangers – South Atlantic League [A])

Ian Parmley, OF/LHP (2011-12) Hometown: Maltby, Wash.

Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays – Midwest League [A])

Hometown: Kalmar, Sweden PGA Tour Canada Sam Chelanga

Hometown: Moses Lake, Wash.

River City Rascals (Independent Frontier League)

CROSS COUNTRY/ TRACK & FIELD

Josh Richardson, RHP (2010-13)

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya Nike Running

Hometown: Chesapeake, Va. Fort Wayne Tin Caps (San Diego Padres Midwest League [A])

Ryan Seiz, INF (2014)

Hometown: Chesapeake, Va. Vienna Wanderers (Austria League)

Trey Lambert, RHP (2012-14)

Michael Solbach, RHP (2005-07)

Hometown: Tazewell, Va. River City Rascals (Independent Frontier League)

Hometown: Woodbridge, Va. Somerset Patriots (Independent - Atlantic League)

Matt Marsh, RHP (2012-14)

Shawn Teufel, LHP (2006-10)

Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.

GCL Yankees 1 (New York Yankees - Gulf Coast League [Rookie])

Hometown: Tequesta, Fla. Camden Riversharks (Independent Atlantic League)

Adam Parks, RHP (2013-14)

Matt Williams, INF (2009-11)

Hometown: Easton, Md. Spokane Indians (Texas Rangers – Northwest League [A Short Season])

Robert Karlsson (2009-12)

Curran Redal, OF (2009-10)

Hometown: Perkasie, Pa. Orem Owls (Los Angeles Angels Pioneer League [Rookie])

Danny Grauer, C (2012-14)

GOLF

Sam Chelanga (2008-11)

HOCKEY

Scott Morongell, Defense (2009-2013) Hometown: Augusta, N.J. Danbury Whalers, USA (FHL)

Scott Morongell

Hometown: Franklin, Tenn.

Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals – Texas League [AA]) Jesse Sanders (formerly played in Australian league)

Ryan Seiz

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POPULAR INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM

COMBINES FITNESS AND FUN

BY RON BROWN

View this issue on the Liberty Today mobile app. Download at www.Liberty.edu/LibertyToday.

DAVID D UNCA N

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program helps us recruit students interested in an active, healthy lifestyle and retain those who intend to become Champions for Christ,” he said. “Liberty University offers so much beyond the classroom walls, and being part of a team helps develop relationships that will last a lifetime.”

Ed Barnhouse (2000), Liberty’s director of Intramural Sports, agreed that the purpose of the program is to provide healthy athletic competition while fostering a sense of community.

“The students decide the composition of their teams, and we schedule them to play against one another,” he said. “The games provide a break from academics and serve as stress relievers and a form of exercise.

Most students just do this for fun.”

The most popular intramural sports are basketball (1,190 participants), outdoor soccer (856), coed volleyball (676), and softball (670). Indoor soccer and broom ball (played on Liberty’s ice hockey rink) are also student favorites.

During peak competition times, there are about 19 intramural games being played per hour across campus, with an average of about 325 games per week.

According to Barnhouse, teams compete up to six times a semester at most schools.

At Liberty, students have the opportunity to play a minimum of 10 times per semester, with some teams playing as many as 16 games.

“The friends I continue to keep in touch with are the ones I played intramurals with 20 years ago,” Barnhouse said. “You learn the true character of a person when they are put in a competitive situation like intramural sports.”

TY H ESTER

Liberty University boasts an Intramural Sports program that has become a significant part of its athletic landscape.

At Liberty, Intramural Sports is a fullfledged member of an athletic system that maximizes opportunities for students to engage in competition.

Liberty has invested heavily in worldclass athletic and recreation facilities used by intramural teams. Projects have included an expansion of the LaHaye Student Union, construction of the Liberty Mountain Intramural Complex with lighted turf fields and sand volleyball courts, and the development of the East Campus Athletic Complex, which includes fields used for lacrosse, field hockey, and intramural soccer. Liberty’s Thomas Indoor Soccer Center and LaHaye Ice Center are also widely used.

Because of these investments and the variety of sports offered, Liberty’s intramural program was ranked among the top 20 in the country last year by BestColleges.com.

About 26 percent of Liberty’s residential students participate in intramural sports, approximately eight percent higher than the national average. The program gives many of Liberty’s NCAA athletes an off-season source of competition. It also employs 100 student workers who supervise, referee, umpire, and keep scores and statistics.

These positions help many students offset the cost of their tuition.

Dr. Larry Hoezee, Liberty’s executive director of residential enrollment management, said the vibrant intramural program plays a significant role in the recruitment and retention of students.

“Our extensive Intramural Sports

DAVI D D UNCAN

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LIBERTY JOURNAL

HALL OF FAME’S FIVE NEW MEMBERS

ELEVATED ATHLETICS PROGRAMS

The Liberty University Athletics Hall of Fame inducted its sixth class at a Sept.

19 ceremony on the Club Pavilion level of the Williams Stadium Tower. The five new members — representing men’s basketball, football, track & field, and cross country, as well as women’s track & field — were also recognized during halftime of the Sept. 20 Flames Football home game against Bryant University.

Established in 2009, Liberty’s Hall of Fame, located on the concourse level of the Vines Center, now has 32 members. Each has left an indelible mark and lasting legacy on Liberty’s Athletics program, which started as a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) affiliate in 1972 and now competes in 20 sports at the NCAA Division I level.

MATT HILDEBRAND Men’s Basketball, 1991-94

MIKE DECKER Men’s Track & Field, 1999-2001

Hildebrand helped usher Flames Basketball into a new era when Liberty joined the Big South Conference during his sophomore season (1991-92). By his senior year in 1994, the native of Sturgis, Mich., had thrust the Flames into the national spotlight against No. 1-ranked North Carolina in the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. He guided them to their first-ever Big South Conference title before facing the top-seeded Tar Heels in the NCAA Tournament opener. Liberty led the game with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, thanks to Hildebrand’s 20 points and five assists. He started every game he played during his stellar 116-game career, finishing with 1,515 career points scored, 3,729 minutes played, and 207 career three-point field goals. He finished with an 88.2 career free-throw shooting percentage (398-of-451), which ranks him among the top 25 in the all-time NCAA Division I record books.

Hildebrand is one of four players in program history to have his jersey retired, and he still holds single-game, season, and career records, including the program mark for best career three-point field goal shooting percentage (42.9 percent, 207-of-483).

Decker came onto the scene as a sophomore and quickly dashed into Liberty’s record books, setting standards that current Flames athletes still chase.

Decker is one of just four athletes in program history to earn three or more All-America honors during their track & field careers — all in the 400 meters (at the 2000 and 2001 indoor nationals and the 2000 outdoor nationals). He was also a U.S. Olympic trials 400-meter dash participant in 2000. The native of Buena Vista, Va., was a three-time Big South Conference Men’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year (1999, 2000, and 2001) and a 20-time Big South champion (12 individual events and eight relays). As a senior, Decker won every Big South and IC4A race (both indoor and outdoor) he competed in.

During his career, he netted Liberty 142 career points at Big South Track Championships and 113 at IC4A Championships. Decker is the program’s current record holder in the 200meter (indoor) and 400-meter (indoor and outdoor) events.

WAYNE HADDIX Football, 1983-86

After transferring to Liberty following her freshman season, Delethea Quarles helped the Lady Flames start a dominating run in the Mason-Dixon Conference and jumpstart the program’s success at the Division I level. The native of Covington, Va., helped Liberty claim indoor and outdoor track championship titles during her junior and senior campaigns (1988 and 1989), sparked by her standout performances in the heptathlon.

She also earned All-America honors in 1987 and 1988, placing fifth in the heptathlon at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Quarles was the first student-athlete in program history (men’s or women’s) to score more than 200 points in a season and one of only 11 in program history to do so at any level of competition (227.5 points as a senior). The 1989 Penn Relays 100-meter hurdles champion held the program record in the event for more than 20 years before it was broken in 2010. >>

JAKE MATTHES Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field Coach, 1976-91 Matthes was the initial architect of one of the most successful programs in the first four decades of Liberty’s Athletics Department.

He started the men’s cross country program in 1976 and the men’s track & field team and women’s track & field and cross country programs the following year. During his tenure as head coach, Liberty won the 1981 NCCAA men’s track & field national title, five Mason-Dixon men’s cross country championships, and eight men’s cross country regional titles.

Matthes, who coached Liberty at four different levels of competition (NCCAA, NAIA, and NCAA Division II and Division I), helped 25 student-athletes earn AllAmerica honors. The native of Mansfield, Ohio, received numerous coaching awards in his 15 years at the helm, including 1981 National Christian College Coach of the Year for men’s track & field and 1985 NCAA Division II South Region Coach of the Year for men’s cross country. In 1991, Liberty’s outdoor track facility — the MatthesHopkins Track Complex — was named after him and Ron Hopkins, who took over the women’s programs shortly after Matthes launched them.

LE S SCHOFE R

Haddix was Liberty’s first standout defensive back when he arrived in Lynchburg from Middletown, Tenn., in 1983. He left his mark on Liberty’s record books with 151 career tackles (85 solo, 66 assisted), five forced fumbles, and eight passes defended. Haddix became the first player in program history invited to the Senior Bowl and the second to play in the BlueGray game. His speed allowed him to lead the Flames in punt returns three of his four seasons, and he still holds the program’s single-game punt return record. Haddix became the 10th player in program history to sign a free agent professional contract (New York Giants, 1987).

He played five seasons in the NFL, highlighted by his seven interceptions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990, when he became the first alumnus to earn a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl.

DELETHEA QUARLES Women’s Track & Field, 1987-89

She served as an assistant coach on Liberty’s staff for eight years (1990-97) before serving in the same capacity at the University of South Carolina, where she has helped more than 20 student-athletes earn All-America honors.

From left: Jake Matthes, Mike Decker, Delethea Quarles, Matt Hildebrand, and Wayne Haddix.

ENCOURAGES ATHLETICS ALUMNI TO MAINTAIN LIBERTY TIES

BY RON BROWN Membership in the new Liberty University Varsity Club climbed to more than 500 members over the summer, surpassing the original goal set for the end of 2014.

The club launched in March with the purpose of keeping Liberty athletes connected to one another and to the university.

The Varsity Club is open to any NCAA or Club Sports athlete who completed at least one season of competition in their respective sport. Liberty currently has more than 500 student-athletes competing in 20 NCAA Division I programs and more than 500 student-athletes on 32 Club Sports teams.

“We want to be as inclusive as possible and make sure that we’re honoring all those who have poured their heart and sweat into making Liberty what it is today

in the athletic sphere,” said Jake Hannon, the club’s director. Hannon is a former member of the ACHA Division I men’s hockey team and currently serves as an assistant coach.

“The membership is free for life,” said Hannon. “We just want to get everyone excited about not only what’s going on in Liberty Athletics and Club Sports today, but also to remember all of the history and all of the success that Liberty athletes have had in the past.”

All Varsity Club members will have the option of activating a free one-year Flames Club membership at the member level. They will also receive discounts on season tickets to a variety of Liberty sporting events.

Contact information for Varsity Club

members is currently being compiled to help former athletes reconnect.

“We’re very active on Facebook and Twitter and our other social media outlets where we share old Liberty Champion articles, pictures, news stories, game reports, memorabilia, and updates on current events within Liberty Athletics,” Hannon said.

In the future, the Varsity Club plans to hold tailgate festivities geared to its members before home football games (outside Williams Stadium) as well as before some men’s hockey games (outside LaHaye Ice Center).

For more information on the Varsity Club or to inquire about membership, go to www.Liberty.edu/VarsityClub, email varsityclub@liberty.edu, or call (434) 592-6188.

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CHAMPIONS for CHRIST Alumna and professor make Christianity Today’s ‘33 under 33’ list Liberty University alumna Alison Howard (’11) and Professor Dr. Joshua Chatraw were recently named to Christianity Today’s readers’ choice “33 under 33” listing.

Chatraw was named as the director for Liberty’s Center for Apologetics & Cultural Engagement (ACE) and the Theology and Apologetics programs at the beginning of the Fall 2014 semester. He earned his Ph.D. at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has co-authored two books. He also served as the Pastor of Preaching and Students at First Baptist Dublin, Ga., for three years before making the move to Liberty.

Howard assumed her current role as the communications director at Washington, D.C.’s Concerned Women for America (CWA) in April 2013. She manages internal and external communications projects concerning the sanctity of life, family values, and religious freedom. She has been featured on Fox News, TheBlaze, The Christian Broadcasting Network, and in World Magazine.

Howard holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Liberty.

Earlier this year, she was named one of “Five New Rising Stars” by the Republican National Committee.

Godparent Home director ministers from the heart Since 1982, the Liberty Godparent Home has been meeting the needs of young women faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Janelle Basham (’07), director of the facility, knows firsthand the fears these women face.

“I’ve had those experiences in my own life, and it fuels a fire in me to serve them,” Basham said.

The Godparent Home, founded by the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, is located near Liberty’s East Campus and is a ministry of Thomas Road Baptist Church. Liberty has been supporting the ministry for many years through the annual Baby Bottle Campaign, in which students are encouraged to fill bottles with change.

They normally raise more than $10,000 each year.

Basham was a resident of the Godparent Home during her unplanned teen pregnancy in 1994. While living

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there, she attended a fundraising event with Dr. Falwell. He heard her testimony at the event and later offered her a full scholarship to Liberty.

Basham recalled how her professors refused to judge her and constantly encouraged her to succeed. She graduated with a degree in Family & Consumer Sciences in 2007 and went on to serve as a caseworker with Family Life Services, an adoption agency that partners with the Godparent Home.

“I’ve been able to use my education in that field to lead this organization,” Basham said. “Just like (Dr. Falwell) was investing in me, I am investing in others now.”

Basham was named director in 2010.

Her duties include marketing, donor relations, licensing requirements, and overseeing the women’s care.

As a resident, Basham chose adoption for her daughter. The young women under

her care now face similar decisions, and she is able to counsel them with firsthand knowledge. According to Basham, the women often face deep emotional pain and require more than routine prenatal care.

“To say, ‘I’ve been there, and you can make it’ speaks volumes to the young ladies,” Basham said. “They know I’m not just talking. I’ve actually done it.”

Engineering professor shares God’s love as he teaches in North Korea

Dr. James Jones and his wife, Victoria, at PUST in North Korea this summer with the first class of students Jones taught.

Dr. James Jones, associate professor of computer science, has had the unique opportunity to teach at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) over the past three summers.

PUST is North Korea’s first privately funded university and is modeled after a similar and very successful institution in China.

The government selects only its most gifted students to attend the school. The founder of PUST, Dr. James Chin-Kyung Kim, is a Christian, as are most of the teachers brought

in to educate the students.

Jones teaches sophomore-level computer programming over the course of four weeks.

Dr. Feng Wang, associate professor of computer engineering, has also taught two summers at PUST. The trip, which began on June 24 and ended Aug. 4 this year, has become an annual labor of love for Jones. It is not without hardship, however. The school often experiences power outages — some lasting up to 48 hours — when temperatures are sweltering, and living conditions are very basic.

“This is the most unreached, and one of the most dangerous, countries in the world,” Jones said. “The love of Christ within me compels me to keep going until either the door closes or He says ‘no.’ Every aspect of this is a miracle of God. At the invitation of the government I am able to do things that they find uncomfortable, within constraints that I find uncomfortable.

We walk by faith, and yet He has been gracious enough to give me evidence. This ministry has opened doors of opportunity to dozens of unbelievers in the U.S. and China.”

Through this endeavor, he has built significant relationships with government officials and students.

As he does at Liberty, Jones takes a personal interest in each of his students’ lives while serving overseas. He hopes to have a lasting impact and, ultimately, to reflect Christ’s love. One thing he does to show he cares is to memorize the name of each one of his students. In addition to remembering the 54 names of his current students, Jones also worked to remember the names of students from previous years. To date, Jones memorized more than 150 names, and students noticed.

They understand that he cares for each one of them individually, Jones said, just as God cares for each one of us.

Former Flames soccer coach reflects on his calling in new book encouraging the Flames to model sportsmanship on the field and reflect the light of Christ in post-game huddles.

“God intervened countless times to allow me to share my testimony with opposing teams,” Bell wrote. “On numerous occasions, players and coaches who had been our adversaries on the pitch immediately became our brothers in Christ.”

After retiring from Liberty in 2000, Bell returned to England and served as the executive director of Within the Walls, a prison ministry he had started with his wife, Mary, in 1993.

“The reality is that we are all in prison when we are without Christ,” Bell wrote. “God was gracious enough to show me His light at the end of my tunnel, and my life’s passion now is to share that light with everyone I meet.”

President Jerry Falwell and current men’s soccer head coach Jeff Alder endorsed the book, which is co-authored by Ron Starner,

who played for Bell at Liberty from 1982-86.

Falwell said Bell’s love and concern for students made an indelible impact on the Flames. “He molded every young man who played soccer for him into a true Champion for Christ,” Falwell wrote.

LES SC HOFER

“The Light at the End of the Tunnel,” an anecdotal autobiography of former Liberty University men’s soccer coach and legendary English professional player Bill Bell, was published in August through Liberty Mountain Publishing.

Bell coached at Liberty from 1980-2000, posting a 198-140-40 record in 21 seasons.

He was integral in the program’s growth, as it moved from the NCCAA to NCAA Division I level competition and joined the Big South Conference. Bell was inducted into the Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.

Born in Scotland, Bell played soccer professionally in England and Scotland for 22 years. He was named one of the top 100 players in the storied history of England’s Leeds United Club.

In his book, Bell tells how God transformed his life from one consumed with soccer to one driven by a passion for the lost.

Bell pursued that passion at Liberty,

Screen Time

Several students, faculty, and alumni contributed to film projects this summer.

Liberty students and graduates serve behind the scenes on set of Kendrick brothers’ film

A group of students from Liberty University’s Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center, together with some recent graduates, spent a portion of their summer working behind the scenes of filmmaking brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick’s fifth movie.

Filmed in the Charlotte, N.C., area from early June through the end of July, “Movie 5,” as it is currently dubbed, is the first Kendrick project to be shot outside their hometown of Albany, Ga. The film focuses on the power of prayer and features New York Times best-selling author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer in her film debut, as well as a cameo by renowned Christian speaker Beth Moore.

It is being produced by Kendrick Brothers Productions (independent of Sherwood Pictures, the movie ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church) and distributed by Provident Films and AFFIRM Films, a division of Sony Pictures. “Movie 5” is just the latest in a string of Kendrick successes, following “Flywheel,” “Facing the Giants,” “Fireproof” (the highestgrossing independent film of 2008), and “Courageous.”

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Ten Liberty film students were hired as paid interns, performing a wide range of production duties from lighting and power, to grip, camera, and wardrobe. Alumni served as assistants in the art and props department, locations department, accounting and payroll, and in the assistant director’s office.

“A lot of [what the students did] depended on what the Kendricks needed and then matching those needs with the students’ skill sets,” said Scotty Curlee, an assistant professor in Liberty’s cinematic arts department. Curlee also had an acting role in the film and served as a liaison for the Liberty students.

Lucas Fairchild of Lovell/Fairchild Communications, which is promoting the film, said Liberty’s cinematic arts department was an ideal source of up-and-coming production talent.

“Liberty has a world-class film program, and it’s growing,” he said. “A huge purpose of the Kendrick brothers is to recruit and mentor young filmmakers and producers.” Liberty alumni twins David and Jason Benham (’98) played an integral role in bringing the film project to Charlotte, where their real estate group, Benham Companies, is headquartered.

More than 1,000 volunteers from 85 churches of various denominations in and around Charlotte stepped up to support production of the film.

For some, such as Liberty graduates Austin Lewis and Kristin Taylor, the experience was an answer to prayer.

“Being able to work on a Kendrick film has been one of the best experiences of my life,” Taylor said. “I’m so honored and blessed to have just a small role on this film. The script is solid and has a message that really needs to be told.”

“I can’t tell you how great it feels to see your work on the big screen, watching all the pieces come together firsthand to create something that viewers will watch in theaters around the world,” Lewis added.

Liberty receives over $1.4 million in recent bequests In recent months, Liberty University has received two generous bequests that will make a significant difference in the lives of Liberty students.

In June, Liberty received a bequest from the estate of Wesley E. Olson in the amount of $832,000.

Olson, of Big Stone County, Minn., was a strong supporter of Liberty and a regular donor from the early 1990s until his death on May 25, 2005. He was an active church member, a licensed lay speaker with the United Methodist Church, and served with the Gideons, as well as in prison ministry.

Olson held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teaching and was a substitute teacher for many years while farming full time.

He was a lifelong learner who loved books and writing.

Including this most recent gift, Olson’s estate has given the university a total of

nearly $1 million.

Another generous bequest was received by the Liberty University School of Law in August, the largest gift in the law school’s 10-year history.

The donation of close to $600,000 from Rosamond “Bunny” Carson Hall will establish scholarships for future Liberty Law students. Hall died June 9, 2013, at the age of 95.

Endowed scholarships will be set up in the name of Hall’s parents, Thomas and Ida Melcher Carson, and her brother, William Carson, starting as soon as the 2015-16 academic year.

A native of rural Missouri, Hall was known for “her beautiful singing voice and her love and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and … America,” according to her obituary. Hall attended a one-room country school as a child before she and her sisters,

Bernice and Lois, moved to New York, where she helped manufacture the first nylon hosiery. She then met her husband, the late Ormsby “Jake” Hall, an accountant, in Columbus, Ohio, before moving back to Missouri. The couple dedicated their lives to “getting people saved and into the kingdom of God.” They demonstrated their faith, love of God, and patriotism to everyone they met.

“We are so thankful for dear friends like Mrs. Hall — servants of God and patriotic Americans who leave a generous legacy for future generations on this earth, even after they have gone to be with the Lord,” said Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty Law. “We will use this gift as an investment in training legal Champions for Christ for years to come until the Lord returns.”

For more information on planned giving to Liberty University, visit www.LUgiving.com.

Nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas gifts archives to library Marcy Pride, dean of the Jerry Falwell Library at the time of Thomas’ visit, said he is the first of many Christian public influencers whom she expects will share their work with the library.

“Cal Thomas’ body of work is certainly at home at Liberty University,” Pride said. “Having all of his columns in one place, catalogued and searchable, will serve as a rich resource for our faculty and students, as well as researchers from around the globe who want to study the Moral Majority and other aspects of the Christian conservative movement. As the work of a conservative icon and prolific writer, Mr. Thomas’ collection is exceptional.”

Thomas’ long relationship with the university began under Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell. Between 1980-85, Thomas was the vice president of communications for the Moral Majority, Falwell’s conservative political lobbying group. Several of Thomas’ children and grandchildren have attended the university throughout the years, a trend he expects to continue through succeeding generations.

“This is a university that I am happy to be identified with, and have my columns identified with,” Thomas said. “I think this is where the future is for serious believers, and it is just great to be back here. It’s exciting and full of energy, and I’m very proud to be associated with it.”

DAV ID D UN CAN

Syndicated columnist, author, and political commentator Cal Thomas visited Liberty University on Sept. 18 to donate his personal collection of columns to the university archives at the Jerry Falwell Library.

The collection spans 30 years, comprising more than 3,000 articles.

“I want students now and in the future to see how a follower of Jesus who has been in journalism takes world and national events and processes them through the Word of God and thinks. … Not every column, of course, can be directly related to biblical truth, but you will see it sparkle throughout, I hope. And then I hope students who are interested in a media career will see how I was able to do it,” Thomas said.

His work has appeared in more than 500 newspapers, and he has written more than 10 books. Thomas is a regular contributor to Fox News and has been a guest on NBC News and CNBC. He is a longtime friend of Liberty, having addressed the student body in Convocation most recently in February 2012.

The President’s Circle 2014 2012 The President’s Circle The President’s Circle This list recognizes donors from January-July 2014. View the complete list at www.Liberty.edu/Circle.

$500,000 - $999,999 Individual Donors Rosamond Carson Hall* Wesley E. Olson*

$100,000 - $499,999

Individual Donors Anonymous Estate Gift - Oklahoma H. Glenn & Rachael Esbenshade Vela L. Gwin Robert A. Maier* Roland W. Pardoe* Lucile Roby* Organizations A.L. Williams Jr. Family Foundation, Inc.

$50,000 - $99,999 Individual Donors Beatrice Dickinson* Barbara W. Lastella

$25,000 - $49,999 Individual Donors Elouise Allen Melvin W. Buster* Warren & Catherine Bridges* Barry & Pam Clarkson Leslie F. Hildreth Robert W. Kreke* Hugo Fred Roberts William T. Roby* Sherwood Songer Mr. & Mrs. Pete Vann

$10,000 - $24,999 Individual Donors Margaret Ashman* Neal & Anita Askew Worth Harris Carter, Jr. Greg & Dottie Clendenin Gayle & Turner Gill Cline & Beverly Hall Norman K. A. Hoffer Carroll & Nancy Hudson Mary C. Landon-Peterson Jon & Margie Lienemann Ronnie & Sherri Martin Gene & Joyce Myers Elaine Peterson* Earl Lloyd Redding Organizations American Bible Society Geico Philanthropic Foundation National Philanthropic Trust Runk and Pratt Timberland Mulch and Farms Inc.

$5,000 - $9,999

Individual Donors Elizabeth W. Boggs Lea Boumenot Douglas F. Diedrichsen Virginia Ecker Olive M. Eckmann* Connie L. Elsaesser Frederick & Barbara Ann Engstrom Joseph A. Furry Ruth A. Gardiner Carey & Denise Green Bonnie J. Holloway Dennis J. Hoshiko Brian P. Natzke Mary Sue Orr Gary G. Pearson Margaret E. Richardson Jim & Patsy Sanders Floyd W Smith* Bo & Kipplyn Summers Roy Unsin*

Organizations Byron Financial L.L.C. Go Tell Ministries Inc. Mabry Automotive Group West Cabarrus Church Inc. WISH-Washington Intern St.Housing ZMJ L.L.C.

$2,500 - $4,999 Individual Donors Dr. & Mrs. Gregg R. Albers Ronald & Jessie Aleo Georgiana L. Arakaki Larry R. Bagley Tim & Kathy Baldree Jimmy Jack & LaJean Beale David & Kristal Bechtold David & Pamela Bell Thomas W. Brake Beth A. Brown William & Dorothy Brown Janet Burnette Benny & Kathy Cunningham Leora Elizabeth Daniel* Robert & Christina Day Steve Deffinger Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Delisle Gregory D. Donmoyer Jim & Brenda Dowd Ruth I. Dunlap Burt & Geraldine Dyson Stephanie J. Frey Monty G. Fritts Keith & Joan Gilroy Wendy K. Goetz Nancy Good Rebecca S. Gordon John D. Grimm Jamey M. Herring Joel & Theresa Hesch Rodney & Melissa Hizy Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hodges Jessie J. Holden Brynne W. Hubbard James Larry Ingram Stephanie M. Jones Ira Stephen Kennedy Hannah A. Lackey B. A. Langley Dale & Brenda Layer Phyliss E. Leeper Jon & Sissie Lenzen Elaine M. McCormick Phil & Holly McLanahan Ryan C. Miller William & Beverly Mock Ivan A. Moore J Arthur Moore* John Nagel Jimmy & Denise O’Grady Dan & Robin Perritt Craig & Cindy Petry Alvan Quinones Morris J. Reddout Edward & Karin Renner Amy Rice Bob Pinto & Dot Richardson Darin Riggins Roger A. Schmidt Adam L. Short Lamar Skarda Peter & Victoria Sorensen Charles Starbuck* Pauline and Oliver Swartz* Martin Taormina Helen Toulantis David & Carolyn Towles Vicky Varghese

Colton Wertsbaugh Scott E. Wheeler Sonny & Sharon White Amanda Wolf Scott & Shelly Wolf Paul N. Young Organizations A J Blosenski Inc. AstroTurf L.L.C. Barnes & Noble College Booksellers Inc. Colonial Heights Baptist Church Computer Resource Team Inc. Cottle Multi Media Inc. Donelson Free Will Baptist Church First Med Inc. Foundation for Hope Inc. Illinois Tool Works Foundation Impact Living Services Innovative Faith Resources Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Liberty Baptist Church Lynchburg Ready Mix Concrete Co. Inc. MH Masonry and Associates Inc. Moneywise Inc. Permanens Capital, LP Precision Marble & Tile Sodexo Inc. Liberty University Location Sonny Merryman Inc. Southeast Builders Inc. The Bolick Foundation The Brooklyn Tabernacle Trane Company Van Boxel & Barnes Charitable Fund Verizon W. C. English Incorporated Wells Fargo Bank * Estate Gift If we have omitted, misspelled, or misplaced your name, please accept our apologies and notify our office by calling toll-free (866) 602-7983.

Charitable gift annuities directly support Liberty’s mission In recent years, Liberty has experienced an increase in the number of people who are choosing to give through charitable gift annuities (CGAs).

In the past fiscal year, donors invested nearly $5 million into Liberty’s annuity program.

Ralph and Joan Campbell, proud parents of Liberty alumni, said they chose this popular avenue for giving early in their retirement because it’s a “win-win situation.”

“A CGA with Liberty is a rewarding financial investment that provides us with supplemental income at a high fixed rate of return that is not subject to the ups and downs of the market. It also provides substantial tax breaks. But most importantly, we experience the satisfaction of knowing that our gift is helping Liberty spread the Gospel by providing an excellent Christ-centered education to the next generation of world-changers.”

An annuity can be established for a minimum of $5,000 with no maximum amount.

The Campbells said they also have financial peace of mind knowing that a CGA with Liberty provides them a guaranteed income for life and is backed by a university that retains a strong credit rating. Liberty was the first evangelical Christian university to surpass $1 billion in net assets, placing it among the nation’s most financially stable private universities.

“It is evident to us that God has blessed Liberty with financial and academic strength, but what has ultimately led us to work with Liberty through the CGA program is our conviction that God is using Liberty to raise up young men and women who are intellectually and spiritually equipped to bear witness to Christ in their chosen fields.”

To receive a personal annuity SINGLE LIFE fact sheet, call (800) 543-5309. GIFT ANNUITY AGE

60 65 70 75 80 85 90

RATE

4.4% 4.7% 5.1% 5.8% 6.8% 7.8% 9.0%

Two-life annuities are available for slightly lower rates.