Alumni welcomed to Alumni Weekend at convocation

Dr. Ed Gomes addresses students and alumni at convocation

Liberty University gave a strong Alumni Weekend welcome to its returning graduates at Friday’s convocation.

Director of Alumni Relations and Marketing Melissa Small presented the first-ever Outstanding Alumnus Award to Jeremy Emory (Class of 2000), who came to LU and changed his major to pastoral studies with only a semester left before graduation — an act of reliance and bold faith in Christ, she said. Since that time Emory has served as a youth pastor at Florida “mega church” McGregor Baptist Church and more recently moved to Asheville, N.C., to start a college ministry.

Since current students are the alumni of the future, alumni officers also presented an Outstanding Future Champion for Christ Award from the newly formed Student Alumni Association, a group focused on building a bridge between current students and LU alumni. The award, including a full one-year scholarship, went to Ashley Hunt, an LU freshman pre-med student originally from Arizona.

After the awards, students and alumni viewed a dynamic video chronicling Liberty University’s growth, changes and continued Christian focus throughout the decades, from the 1970s to the present. The video was narrated by Liberty co-founder Dr. Elmer Towns.

Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. also welcomed alumni in attendance and spoke about the university’s steadfast vision, reminding everyone of his father’s words: “He always said, ‘If it’s Christian, it should be better.’”

Dr. Ed Gomes, LU alumnus and Spiritual Life Director for Liberty University Football, then gave his testimony about how God used his love of basketball to bring him to LU when its basketball program was forming, and he recalled men like Towns, who made an impact on his life for Christ.

“Who are you allowing God to use to change your life?” he asked students.

A full schedule of events has been planned for Alumni Weekend, including a pep rally with Coach Danny Rocco and the LU football team tonight at 9 p.m. at the Tilley Student Center (location changed due to weather), a 5K run at 8 a.m. Saturday, the Homecoming parade at 1 p.m. and the football game at 3:30 p.m. against Charleston Southern also on Saturday.

For more information, see the Alumni Weekend web site.