Prominent leaders set to speak

Scheduled speakers this semester include notable pastors, producers, politicians and bestselling authors

For more than four decades, Liberty University’s Convocation has brought some of the most notable speakers to the multi-faceted Vines Center, inspiring thousands of students.

As I begin my last semester as a junior here at Liberty, I look back on the people who have stood on the stage, imparting their wisdom to thousands of college students.

With a new semester of Convocation in full swing yet again, the Vines Center will soon be hosting numerous prominent speakers. Standouts on the list include Mike Reagan, Glenn Beck and Josh McDowell.

Reagan, scheduled to address the student body Wednesday, March 5, is perhaps best known as the son of President Ronald Reagan. Championing the values that Ronald Reagan held near and dear, Mike Reagan continues that legacy, traveling across the nation as a sought after speaker and a highly regarded flag-bearer of Christian values in politics. He also appears often as a commentator on major news channels.

Set to speak April 25, Beck is a renowned talk show host and New York Times Bestselling author, but not many know of his struggle to overcome an alcohol and drug addiction, draining his passion and joy for broadcast journalism.

Only when he overcame his addiction did he rise above his dark pit and climb to the top of the charts, inspiring millions to hear his words of wisdom.

Beck is no stranger to Liberty’s campus, having appeared as the keynote speaker for Liberty’s class of 2010 commencement address. Students will again hear from one of America’s greatest patriots and television personalities at Liberty’s last Convocation for this semester.

Notable pastors expected to speak at Convocation include Steven Furtick, J.D. Greear and Miles McPherson, among other notable theologians such as McDowell and Darrell Bock.

Students should keep in mind that it is truly a blessing to listen to people who have impacted this world for God. Learning from these extraordinary speakers has been a pleasure, and I look forward to what this next semester brings.

I encourage all to open their hearts and minds to this year’s lineup of Convocation speakers. While studies can sometimes get a bit difficult, Convocation can be a time of encouragement and rejuvenation. Seeing how these notable people overcame their obstacles is a constant reminder for us: Nothing is impossible if we put God first and give it our best.