When autocomplete options are available, use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Apply Give

Promotions announced for members of administration

Liberty University announced three promotions to leadership positions within the administration this week, necessitated by the rapid growth of the university and its commitment to meet students’ needs in all areas of campus life.

Lee Beaumont, former director of Auxiliary Services, has assumed the role of vice president of Auxiliary Services; Kirk Handy, former director of Club Sports, has assumed the role of Senior Director of Campus Recreation; and John Gauger, former IT Business Architect, has assumed the role of Director of Specialized Technology Initiatives (servicing the law school, cinematic arts, medical school, and other properties).

Lee Beaumont

Beaumont, a Texas native, has an M.S. in biology from Lamar University, and a B.S. in biomedical science from Texas A&M. At Lamar he received a Sigma Xi grant for his research and taught anatomy and physiology as a teacher’s assistant.

He has been serving at Liberty since 2000, where he started in the External Degree Program (now Liberty University Online) managing all administrative functions.

About five years ago, Beaumont moved to Auxiliary Services where he has overseen projects in almost every area at Liberty outside the classroom. He has been involved with property acquisitions and has served as a liaison to the city of Lynchburg with rezoning and special use permits. He also serves on the Board of Directors for GLTC, the city’s transit system that Liberty contracts with for campus bus service. He has overseen several university operations, including the Liberty University Bookstore, Dining Services, Candler’s Station and the Plaza, Liberty Post Office, warehousing operations, Fulfillment Office, Club Sports, Student Activities, Intramural Sports, Printing Services, transit, vending, Liberty Mountain property, environmental issues related to construction projects, and all recreational facilities.

In his new position, Beaumont will continue to manage these growing areas and take on various projects around the university as it expands its offerings to students.

Beaumont played volleyball in college, beach volleyball throughout graduate school, and coached women’s collegiate volleyball (at the DI and DIII levels) for six years. He remains active to this day, training for and competing in triathlons.

“Lee is one of those guys that gets things done,” said Neal Askew, executive vice president. “We appreciate his hard work. He serves Liberty and the chancellor well and we recognize that.”

Kirk Handy

Handy has been given more responsibility to assist Beaumont in these growing areas. In his new position he will provide leadership for the LaHaye Student Center, LaHaye Ice Center, Liberty Mountain Snowflex Center, Intramural Sports, as well as continuing his responsibilities over Club Sports and serving as head coach of the men’s Division I hockey team.

Handy earned a B.S. in Psychology from Liberty in 1999 and is currently working on a master’s degree. He played four seasons of Flames hockey (1996-2000) before taking over as head coach. Since then, Liberty has captured two conference titles and reached the ACHA National Tournament seven times, including a second-place finish in 2006.

While serving at Liberty he has been instrumental in taking Liberty’s Club Sports program to the national spotlight and was helpful in the planning and development of the LaHaye Ice Center.

“Kirk is a great asset to our team and this promotion is well-deserved,” Beaumont said. “He has done an incredible job creating one of the best hockey programs in the country at Liberty and has built a top-notch Club Sports program.”

John Gauger

Gauger earned an M.B.A. and a B.S. in business from Liberty and is a certified Project Management Professional. He has served Liberty Information Services since 2009 as an IT business architect. In this capacity, he provided technology vision and collaboration services for multiple business units, including Auxiliary Services and the Office of the Chancellor.

“John has consistently demonstrated a willingness and a drive to accomplish projects of any size,” said Matthew Zealand, Chief Information Officer, Information Services. “His collaborative spirit and ability to work well with a wide range of people has lead John to being the obvious candidate for this new role on my team.”

Zealand looks forward to watching Gauger’s talents be put to use to support the university.

“He has a positive energy and creative ability that has proven to be both effective and valuable to IT, and to Liberty University as a whole.”

Chat Live Chat Live Request Info Request Info Apply Now Apply Now Visit Liberty Visit Liberty