Liberty mourns loss of beloved professor Dr. C. Sumner Wemp

C. Sumner Wemp is photographed in his office in June 1981 at Liberty University (then Liberty Baptist College).

Liberty University is mourning the loss and celebrating the homegoing of one of its first and most beloved campus pastors and Bible professors. Dr. C. Sumner Wemp, 90, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 25, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“Dr. C. Sumner Wemp was truly one of Liberty’s most influential and inspiring founding professors,” said Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. after family members informed him of his passing. “Dr. Wemp has been loved and respected for decades by so many in the Liberty University community. I have fond memories of Dr. Wemp as a friend and as one of my professors at Liberty. He will be greatly missed. An important part of this university’s history was lost this morning but, when I spoke with Dr. Wemp recently, he sounded like we all remember him — upbeat and praising God! He told me how proud he was that Liberty had remained true to its Christian mission.”

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Liberty University in memory of Dr. Wemp.

Wemp first came to Liberty in 1973. He taught classes in pastoral theology and evangelism and served as vice president of Spiritual Affairs for 17 years.