JERRY'S LAST

A s the class of 2010 gathered for the commencemen t ceremony, students reflected on the life of the late Dr. Jerry Falwell and the brief time they were priviiedged to have spent with him as his last class.

trealizehow much Iappreciatedhim untilhe wasgone.Hespokeeverythinghesaidwithsuch seriousnessand passion;youcouldtellwhen hespoke inconvocationand inpersonwithyou. Heloved studentssomuch and wantedsomuch forthemto livelivesforGod,thatiswhy healwaysspokeofbeing championsforChristbecausehewaspassionate aboutit. Hewasalwaysgivingstudentsrides,and one thingthattrulyamazed me washewould remember theirnames.I'veheardseveralaccountsofhimbriefly meetingwithstudentsandstillrememberingtheir nameslater. He lovedtohavefunwithstudentsaswell anddemonstratedthisbyfrequentlyalmostrunning overthem inhisSuburban. Healmostnailed me twice. Hewasdefinitelyaman ofhuge passion, which encouragesme somuch,especiallymy freshmanyear when hewasstill heretotrulyknow whatthingsinlife areworthliving."

-ChrisDeaton,SR

Acrowdof3,390graduatesand23,000friendsandfamilypackWilliamsStadiumduringthe 2009commencementcerermony.Thiswasthelargest-evergraduatingclasswith6,350graduates representingtheresidentialandonlinedegreeprograms

"Oneofmy favoritequotesis afamousonefrom Dr Falwell thatI heardhim say many times;'Nothingofeternal significancecanhappenapart fromprayer'Thisimpacted my lifeasafreshman,and it is impactingme now asasenior. When I walkaroundcampus, I am dailyremindedthat Libertywasfoundedon much prayer,and avisionforthe Lord'sworkthatwas beyond belief.Thischallengesme to batheeverypartofmy lifein prayerand torememberthat my God isabletodofarmore thanIcouldeverimagine."

-HilaryHicks, SR

"I had theprivilegeofhearingJerryspeak "Jerrypulledupin atconvoeveryWednesday my freshman his bigblackvehicle year. Mostofhismessagesinspiredme onedaywhen I was topursuethedreamsthatGod hasgiven walkingbySchilling me,tousemy giftstohelpothersand of Hesaw me on my course, bringglorytoGod However,one phoneand asked storyI heardabouthim afterhisdeathhad ifIwastalkingto anevengreaterimpacton me Someone my boyfriend I told had learnedatJerry'sfuneralthathehad him itwasjustmy beenvaledictorianofhisclass, buthenever dad I loved how braggedaboutit. What hedidbragabout, personablehewas. however,washow many soulshehad won He wentstraightto forChrist.Jerryisaremindertousallthat thedetails instead we shouldkeepourthoughtsonthethings ofjustsaying hello ofourFather,and notthethingsofthis He reallycared." world."

-AprilBroadwater,SR

-CaseyCrooks,SR

STUDENTS RECALLED THE DAYS OF DR. FALWELL

Students who have walked under the columns of DeMoss, sprinted acrossthe turfatWilliams Stadium or satthrough convocation inthe Vines Center knew thattheir presence was the resultofa visionthat was dreamt long before any of them were even born. The dreamer,Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr., had petitioned God inprayer to establish aChristian universitythat was unlikeany other.

For 36 years,Dr Falwell watched thiscollege grow and become the school God shared with him.Three years afterhis death,Dr Falwell continued to have an enduring influence on the livesofhis students.

"I think I miss hispresence the most,"Devon Olson, senior, said. "Hisbooming voice and crazy anticsaround campus were two thingsyou took forgranted;apart ofthisuniversitywe thought that would never go away.Wealsogot tosee that he was justanother human being when he stepped down from the podium and joked around with all ofus."

Most students recalled Dr.Falwell'sconcrete faithand his dedication tothe Lord.Everyone knew that he spent time with God inprayerand devotions every morning,and he regularly read "My Utmost forHisHighest."

"Dr.Falwell'sfaithwas the stuffof legends," LauraElliott, senior, said. "I got to see it inreal life when I came to this school, and I am so grateful for that."

On May 15, 2007,Dr Jerry Falwell, Sr went to be with Lord Students on or offcampus were shocked when they heard the news

"My friendscame to my room and told mehe died,"Emily Long,graduate student,said "I thought they were joking It was one ofthose surreal moments that I feltlikecouldn't be

possible,but it was acompletereality."

The day before he died,Dr Falwell drove up tothe monogram to spend some time with students.SeniorSterling Snyder happened to be driving up tothe monogram witha friend when Dr.Falwell drove by.

"He justrolled down the window and started talking to us," Snyder said. "There are not many Christians inthe world that are 100% real. That is the reason I admired Jerry so much. He was neverhypocritical."

Exactly threeyears afterhisdeath,seniorswillwalk across the platform and receive theirdiplomas on May 15th.For those who have spent theirwhole collegecareer here, they were able to spend at leastone year with Dr.Falwell. These students are the lastclassto laugh athis jokes, shake hishand andto personally witness hiscompassion and loveforthis university

"Dr.Falwellcared about each student personally and theirrelationship with the Lord,"Molly Morgan,graduate student,said. "Hisengaging character and compassion for lives to be dedicated,strengthened and moved by Christ were irreplaceable qualitiesthat everyone who knew him will remember."

Even though Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr.'spresence would no longer be seen on campus,the storiestold by students,professors and hisfamily showed othersthe type of man Dr.Falwell was and the amazing life he led

Senior Jackie Rickwald said, "Dr. Jerry Falwell lefthislegacy upon every person who heard or spoke to him, and even more those who didn'tget achance to hear Dr.Falwellare impacted because ofthe amazing life helived."

Amanda Daugherty, JR

"God has used this school to shape m e in man y ways Since I've been here m y faith has been shaped because of the challenges that m y professors give m e in m y religion classes. They give m e challenges to find the passion that Go d has given m e and to pursue it It is easier to d o this whe n you see that the professors themselves are following the passions that Go d has given them I have been shaped relationally because I have me t som e of the most amazing people here Som e of the people I have met have becom e m y closest friends and have remained really closetom e throughout m y three years here and will continuetobe close to m e for the rest of m y life I have been shaped academically because I have been challengedtoonly get better in the things that I write and d o better o n the tests that I take All the ways that Go d has used to stretch m e while I have been here have also helped to form m e into the person that I a m today."

schooltoor froman immature highschoolstude and transformec intoa matureChristian woman."-Julianna

Rickwald,JR

"IfI coulddoitallover again,thenI wouldchoose thisschooleverysingletime becauseofthe impactithas hadonmeintellectuallyand spirituallyas well."

-Taylor Buckley,SO

"God revealed to m e the purpose for m y life whe n I took the time to sit dow n and contemplate how to utilize m y skills to mak e a difference in the world. After communicating with m y loved ones and praying I came to the realization that all I can do is prayerfully mov e forward, hope for the best and deal with what comes. I a m getting married this spring and a m going to law school in the fall to become an International Huma n Rights Lawyer." -Grace

Woodson, SR

"Iam very blessed because God allowed meto beborn in acountry and time where I was taught about Him from infancy Ihave been learning about what my purpose means forme foras long as I can remember,andI know I willkeep learning about it until Idie I justwant to be an instrument ofGod's grace toas many people as I can Ihave arealdesireto let women know thatthey were created inaspecial, unique way and that the differentgender rolesdescribed inthe Biblecan help them better understand who Godisand how they can have adeep relationshipwith Him -Laura

Elliott,SR

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"Thisschool was thebestchoice I could make when Idecided I wanted togo toaChristian college Itreally isthe most excitingcampus onearth." -Josh McDonald,SO

"Ifeel,aswith anyone,that God gaveme specificgiftsand abilitiestouse for His glory.As anadvertising/ publicrelations majorI believe thatmypurpose isto makea differenceinthe communications world by conducting myselfina Christ-like manner. I have cometorealize thismainlyby prayer, but also byseekingwise counciland askingothers toprayforme."

-Neal Tuley,SR

"God hasacurious way ofrevealing Hispurposefor my life gradually; itisalmostlike watching an artist without knowing theoutcomeof the masterpiece untiltheend. Iknew that I enjoyed people, but itwasn'tuntil coming toschool where I was placed inaseaofthem thatHerevealed His specific purpose forme to enterthefield of public relations

A major isonly a portion ofthe equation; however, my senioryear He finallygave me relief in knowing that I needed towork withchildren's ministryfroman organizational standpoint." -

Kristen Riordan, SR

"Ibelieve that my purpose inlifeis tohelp people physically inthemedical field Asa kidgrowing upIalways had aninterest in medical things When my grandmother started getting sick I would help take care ofher, and itjust came naturally and itfeltright.Iwant tobecome a physician's assistantand help people in medical need. Later onthroughout my career,I would love to usemy medical skillsoverseas inthird world countries onmissionstrips, helping tosave livesaswell asserve God."

-Janice Bilger, SR

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"Ibelievethat God iscallingme to beobedientto servehis people inmanydifferent capacities. He givesmenew passionseach and everydayas I patientlywait for whathehas instorefor my life." -Gabrielle

Brochu,JR

"TheLordhas givenmea passionfor people,for traveland for justiceforthe oppressed I haverecentlyfelt theLordleading me to pursuea lifeofservicein seekingjustice andfreedomfor children,girls andwomenwho areinslavery. I feelcalledtobe thehandsand feetofChristto thosepeople."

- Hannah Swanson,SR

"Goingtoschool herereally put thingsin perspective. Theeducation I receivedhere willguideme through my entirelifeafter college."

-Stephens Schaefer,JR

"God has formed meto beatestimony of His loveand faithfulnessto everyoneI meet Ultimately, I wanttofulfill God'splanfor my life Weall haveaspecific purpose. Each daywewakeup, serve,comfort and lovethose aroundus and sharethe light ofChrist. I do notknow infull detail whatGod hasinstorefor me, butI cannot waittofind out, simplybyliving onedayata time."

-AnnaCribb,SR

"Iwasa huge skepticofgoing toaChristian college, butafter experiencing ayearanda halfofthis school; I have nowrealized thattheplanall alongwas for God to lead me exactlywhere I neededto be."

-Kayleigh Stanaway,SO

"I feel likeGod hascalledmeto thepurposeof mission living. It'snothingout ofthe ordinary. It'sjustliving withthepurpose and intentionof lovingGod and lovingothersin everydaylife. I trulybelievethat itcoulddefine ourgeneration IthinkIamstill justbeginning to realizethe substantial purposeGod has for mylife Itis revealed littleby littleeveryday and theonly thingI haveto doisrespond. Daybydayit'sa choicetolisten andfollow."

EricaHarrison, SO

"I absolutelylove thisschooland Iamconstantly inawewhenwe havepraiseand worshipduring convocation andchurch, becauseIamso thankfulwecan worshipGodthe waywedo ata university. Iam notherejustfor aneducation, but todevelop andgrow spirituallywith Godandhaving encouraging peoplearound me constantlyis awesome."

-Adriane Roberts,SO

"I feel like God iscalling me to somehow in someway minister and tend to the needs of children inthird world countries I think the Lord has given me a love for kids and a love for people and he wants me to use that giftto do his work I definitely feel hiscallingis to dedicate my life to him and to commit my life and career to help, counsel and work with hurt children But for right now, the Lord is calling me to be here to study so that I can finally put to work His calling for the future I am really excited about what the Lord has instore forme."

"Idon'tknow ifIcan say asto what or when Iexactly realized God'sspecific purpose for my life, butI know He has specificplans for me. Ialso know thatthe more Iseek the Lord the more Irealize His plans for my life. The Lordpromises inPsalms 9:8 thatHe will notforsake those who seekHim. The harderIfollow afterChrist and obey the Lordto my utmost the more Irealize Hisspecific purpose for my life." -Jill Fowler, JR

"I plan on becoming a radio DJ ortalkshow host when I get out ofcollege God has formed me by giving me great mentors and leaders hereat this school along with allowing me get involved more inmy spirituallife. My religiousside has grown the most here I am going todouble major in elementary education and child development.I reallyhave a passionfor kidsand helping parents who don't reallyknow how toproperly handle kids. I want to be an expert on thisand be a pre-school director after teaching elementary school fora few years I want to be incharge ofall th^ curriculum and what is going on and measure all psychological aspectsof each child and parent." -Jamerson

Karel, SO

"God has called m e to share the gospel with people wh o have yet to hear. Unreached and unengaged people groups all around the world burden m y heart and I hope I will be a vessel God uses in those parts of the world one day. I also know God has m e here right now, so m y purpose lies in the relationships I can be making with the people of this community. I believe Gods purpose for m y life is revealed through His Word and the command s He gives to us in the Scriptures."

n Gillis, SR

"GOD HASASPECIALPLANTHATNO ONE ELSEINTHEWORLD CAN FULFILL BUT YOU. THAT'S TRUE OF EVERY STAFF MEMBER OF THIS MINISTRY, EVERY FACULTY MEMBER, BUT PARTICULARLY OF EVERY STUDENT. MAY YOU DETERMINE UNDER GOD, I WILL NOT BE A LOSER. MAY YOU DETERMINE IN MY FOUR YEARS HERE, I'M GOING TO BE A CHAMPION. IF GOD CALLS ME TO GET A MASTER'S HERE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE, I'LL BE READY A DOCTORATE HERE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE, I'LL BE READY. IF GOD CALLS ME TO BE ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY, I WILL BE READY. I'M NOT GOING TO BE A SPECTATOR. I'M GOING TO BE A PARTICIPANT. I'M NOT GOING TO BE A LOSER. I'M GOING TO BE A WINNER. I WILL BE A CHAMPION FOR CHRIST."

-Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr.