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Liberty honors local contractor on 40th anniversary

Jerry Falwell Jr, A.C. "Buzzy" Coleman, of Coleman-Adams Construction, and Martha Anne Coleman
A.C. ‘Buzzy’ Coleman (middle) with his wife, Martha Anne, and Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.

Liberty University is celebrating 40 years this year, and the school is proud to share the anniversary with a local business that had its own dream to make a mark on the Central Virginia area 40 years ago.

During Liberty’s 38th Baccalaureate service on May 13, a special tribute was made to Coleman-Adams Construction Company and its founder, A.C. “Buzzy” Coleman. Liberty conferred the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree on Coleman based on his accomplishments “as an entrepreneur, a community leader, husband, father and grandfather and in appreciation for the key role he played in the history of Liberty University,” said Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.

From very humble beginnings, Coleman established his company along with his friend, Vince Adams, in 1971 and was soon hired to build Liberty’s new campus. They built the first dorms and classroom buildings on the current campus in 1977 – in record time.

Falwell said Coleman built more buildings for Liberty throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, even when Liberty was struggling financially.

Jerry Falwell Jr and Becki Falwell and family with A.C. "Buzzy" Coleman and family
Coleman and his wife pose with his family and Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. and wife Becki following the service.

“There were many times when Buzzy acted as a bank for Liberty, giving Liberty the time it needed to pay for new construction even though he and his company had to suffer and sacrifice in the process,” he said.  “Without friends like Buzzy Coleman, this university would not be where it is today.”

Falwell commended Coleman for his leadership roles in the community, which include the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, Virginia’s Region 2000, Central Virginia Community College, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Coleman-Adams, now under the leadership of Buzzy’s son, Clif, has continued as a contractor at Liberty and is currently completing the fourth floor of the Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center.

  • View the 2011 Baccalaureate service here.
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