New Center for Chaplaincy working to continue to supply military with qualified graduates

Last fall, Liberty University introduced a new Center for Chaplaincy to sharpen the vision and develop cutting-edge chaplaincy education and programs. Liberty is currently the largest educator of chaplains for the military.

The new center is led by Dr. Steven Keith (Chap. Col. USAF Ret), who formerly served as commandant of the U.S. Air Force Chaplain Corps College and as director of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center at Fort Jackson, S.C. Following retirement, he accepted the director of chaplaincy position with Liberty in 2014. Dr. Keith has been in consultation with senior chaplain officials at the Pentagon to ensure Liberty’s educational programs meet the highest standards and best equip chaplains for ministry in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He is also working with Liberty’s Graduate Senate to make certain that any changes made to strengthen the program meet the highest educational rigor and can be implemented swiftly.

“As the nation’s largest educator of military chaplains, it is paramount that Liberty make every effort to graduate students who are best prepared to serve as pastors in uniform,” Keith said. “Chaplains ensure our military members have the opportunity to exercise their First Amendment right of freedom of religion that they defend with their lives. Liberty University has the God-given opportunity to prepare military chaplains for the task. No doubt, we will continue to improve our chaplaincy programs to meet the nation’s need for highly trained and qualified ministers.”

Liberty is a proud supporter of the military. The university was recently recognized in the Best for Vets listing of military-friendly schools by Military Times Edge. For the second year in a row, Liberty was ranked No. 6 among colleges offering online and nontraditional programs.

Liberty’s military population represents all five branches of the U.S. armed forces, active duty, reserves, and National Guard. More than 27,000 current Liberty students are service members, veterans, or military spouses. More than 8,000 of these military students are currently on active duty or serving in the reserves or National Guard.

Liberty aims to meet the specific educational needs of service members and veterans, whether they are studying on campus or online. Through Liberty’s dedicated Office of Military Affairs, service members and veterans have access to tuition discounts and book vouchers, as well as family resources and student care. As part of its military financial support, Liberty also offers the Heroes Fund Scholarship for veterans wounded in the Gulf Wars and for spouses of those who lost their lives during those conflicts. Liberty has also partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer a Yellow Ribbon Scholarship that provides unlimited tuition scholarship and coverage for most fees for eligible veterans under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

• For more information on military benefits and scholarships, please contact LUMilitary@liberty.edu.