Our resident students have returned! With the university full of life, there is always progress happening on and around campus. New exciting projects are under way, including the proposed Center for Health and Medical Professions and the Jerry Falwell Library.

When you drive by on Regents Parkway, you can see the progress on the library. Architecturally the library will be two separate buildings with a multi-level connector space. Concrete walls have been poured for the lower level for the larger building of the new library, which is located near the future lake. The same thing will soon occur for the smaller building which will be located near Reber-Thomas Dining Hall. The concrete floor slab will be poured for the larger building and structural steel has recently started to show. It will begin looking like a building soon and with those concrete walls of the smaller building poured, you can start to get a feel for the size of the building — it is impressive.

Check out our construction cameras to follow the progress.

Though construction and improvements can be exciting, there is a greater goal to keep in mind. It’s not the buildings and programs that will change students’ lives; it’s you, our committed faculty and staff that will impact these young Champions for Christ. As staff, you have the opportunity to demonstrate to them what true Christianity is all about.

More than 12,000 students have arrived on campus to begin the Fall 2012 semester. Each life here on campus represents potential for the future. With this in mind, when you see students on campus, be sure to put Liberty’s customer service standards into action!

The new Hancock Welcome Center is now open! Be sure to check out the student and employee sitting area on the ground floor with both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Also be aware of the four upcoming College For A Weekend (CFAW) events scheduled for this school year. During these times be extra patient as these guests and future Champions for Christ come to campus to experience what Liberty has to offer.

Resident Enrollment employees believe in encouraging their colleagues to be healthy and strong both physically and spiritually. One of the ways to encourage them to be physically healthy was to take advantage of the Lt. Governors’ Challenge April 1 - June 30. Throughout this challenge, employees logged in their nutrition and physical activity points.

In early July, team and individual winners were recognized for their efforts at a celebration meeting.

Resident Enrollment's 1st place winner in the physical activity portion was Timi Plyter, who has worked for Liberty for 15 years and participated in the Lt. Governors’ Challenge for the past three. When asked why she participates in the challenge, her response was “I want to be healthier and in good shape to do that which God has called me to do to the best of my ability; in sum, I want to keep my temple healthy.” Plyter was also recognized in the Best Overall category, for her efforts in eating smarter, exercising, and spurring her teammates to do the same.

You Matter and so does your health! Join us in getting fit this fall by signing up for the 100 Mile Challenge or the Virginia 10 miler.

Use #YMfitness on Twitter to share your progress.

The schedule is packed with great speakers coming to Convocation this fall! As an employee, it is a privilege to watch and hear from renowned speakers of national significance from every sphere of society. Every Wednesday, take this opportunity to engage as well as ignite your potential as a leader and Champion for Christ.

“Convocation continues to be the premiere gathering of Christians in North America with a lineup of speakers that is unparalleled.” –Johnnie Moore

Guest speakers include:

• Donald Trump
• Steven Furtick
• Angela Thomas
• David Jeremiah
• Kirk Cameron
• Ben Stein
• Fred Luter
• Bob McEwen

New amenities for students and employees are popping up all around campus, including the Click-fil-A Express in the Tilley Student Center. Since its launch in August, this new venue has been a popular lunch spot in Green Hall for faculty and staff.

Also, for employees located in Green Hall, be sure to enjoy the beautiful weather on your break at the recently opened employee deck.

• As the administration learns about new job opportunities and what is trending in the job market, Liberty is continually evaluating programs and academics to continually be able to implement and offer new programs to students to ensure their success. 
• With extensive résumés, Liberty faculty and professors go beyond academics, to provide their students with real-world implementation and feedback.
• Over 90 percent of Liberty's pre-med students are passing the MCAT and getting into medical school — immediately after graduating from Liberty University.
• The Career Center has a new assessment for all students — Focus 2 — and has an active database of employers looking to hire Liberty students, LU Network.
• We have alumni in all 16 of the government’s “three letter agencies.”
• Liberty’s Honors program currently has 48 National Merit finalists, 23 of which are freshman.

The You Matter Twitter account has been buzzing all throughout August. Here’s a quick re-cap of some of the tweets from You Matter and your fellow employees:

“It’s not the buildings & programs that will change [students] lives, it’s our committed faculty & staff that will.” - Chancellor Falwell