InstitutionofChangeandTradition

rhroughou t the history of higher education, educators have disagreed about the purpose and function of higher education

Some have contended that the function is thatofcultivatingtheintellect,discipliningthe mind and helping students develop a system of thought that will enable them to function wellinsociety.

Conversely, others have contended that institutions of higher learning exist to serve society and thatcolleges and universities are expressionsoftheage we live in

Certainly, Liberty University is concerned withcultivatingtheintellectanddiscipliningthemind.

It isalsoconcerned with helping students develop a complete systemofthoughtthatwillenable them to make appropriate decisionsand tofunction inallwalks oflife.

To this we add a third dimension

Liberty University also endeavors toprovide a Christ-centered education that is comprehensive in scope yet practical in approach, onethatis geared toproduce students who can cope not only with the problems of their timesbutalsowiththeopportunitiesto live, teach and preach the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world

The history of Liberty University has been a chronology of miraclesandaccomplishments

From itsinception,Liberty has beenadynamicinstitution.While other colleges and universities have been built on years and years of small, calculated steps, God has seen fit tobless and advance usinleapsand bounds As a result, today,Liberty is known as one of the fastest, ifnot the fastest growing university in America Itisalso recognized as one ofthe world's, ifnottheworld'slargestuniversity of itskind

For example, today, according totheSept. 1 issueofthe"Chronicle ofHigher Education," Liberty University isnow the largest private university inthestateofVirginia

This year, the university will enroll more than 12,000students inour resident and adult education programs, representing all 50states and more than 30 foreignnations

W e now have 230 full-time faculty of which 56 percent hold earned doctorates and whose educational experience and background represent more than 360 accredited and recognized institutions of higher learning.

Liberty University believes in academic excellence, and itisnow offering annually morethan$2millioninacademicscholarships.

More importantly,however, isthe impact the university ishaving on the world though itsChristianwitness.Morethan16,000alumni now represent Liberty University acrossthis

And,every year, current students on gospel teams carry our spiritual message tothe ends oftheearth.

But we want tomake even more ofacontribution to Christian higher education We want to capitalize on the breakthrough in learning technology We want to keep pace with change. Our students have a right to expect thatthe preparation they receive here willbe rightinstepwith theirfuture vocation and withsociety

W e want to increase our outside sources of funding We want to enlarge our campus facilities We want to add more dormitories and two more floors to our Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center

The new Thomas Road Baptist Church to be built on property adjacent to campus willbring us a large assembly hallseatingthousands.

Certainly, our future depends on change and advance if we aretobe vitaland dynamic. And yet itdepends on tradition that does not change ifwe are to be ofessentialgood tothis world. The unchanging Christ, His unchanging Word, our unchanging heavenly hope — on these we take our stand. On these, we willnotchange Liberty University now has an opportunity unsurpassed in the history of education to provide a dynamic Christian witness and leadership to the world

Liberty University also has the potential of becoming not only one ofthegreatChristian institutionsofhigherlearning, but also one of the great universitiesofthe world nation and around the world.

Today,more than 1,000 ofourgraduatesare senior pastors of churches. Many others are in related ministries. More than 1,000 are principals, teachers and coaches in elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools

Thousands of our graduates are representing Christ in business, government service, telecommunications,journalism athleticsand many other vocations and professions.

As we begin this new academic year, Itrust the membersofthe administration, the faculty, staffand student body will realize we are a part of history in the making.

As Dr. Francis Schaeffer said, "You can change the world."

Someone has also said, "If you want to change the world, there is no time like the present to prepare yourself for the task at hand.1'

This isthechallenge and charge I place before you as we begin the I4HS-89 academic year