LU’s growth, future plans highlighted at all-faculty meeting

Liberty University’s 2,900 faculty members were invited to participate in Wednesday’s all-faculty meeting, which takes place once per semester and is streamed live from Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center.

Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. explained many of the exciting developments happening on campus, including current and upcoming construction projects. He showed renderings of what campus will soon look like, outfitted with new academic facilities, the Jerry Falwell Library, new residence halls, and expansive green space.

Falwell celebrated Liberty’s exponential growth over the past decade and discussed plans for future growth. Liberty remains the world’s largest Christian university with nearly 100,000 students enrolled in its residential and online programs.

He emphasized  Liberty’s financial strength, with more than $1 billion in net assets, and explained how that ensures Liberty will be able to remain true to its values and mission of Training Champions for Christ for generations to come.

Liberty’s unprecedented growth has garnered much national media attention, including a recent front-page article in the Washington Post, which praised the university’s achievements. Falwell talked about his recent appearance on TBN’s “Praise the Lord” with actor/producer Kirk Cameron and Cameron’s fervent support for Liberty.

Falwell said this attention is a credit to Liberty’s unique business model that has enabled Liberty to capitalize on its “national appeal” and grow into the world’s largest Christian university.

“Our goal is to redefine what makes a university prestigious,” Falwell said. “Let’s define a university by how many students we let in, not how many we reject.”

Falwell said Liberty is committed to seeing its students succeed and continues to add relevant programs to give students opportunities to meet the changing needs of the job market.

After his presentation, Falwell took time to answer questions from the faculty and made a point to commend them on the impact they have in students’ lives.

“We are so excited about all that continues to happen here. … Keep doing what you are doing. I keep hearing from students how you are the best faculty in the world, how you take a personal interest, and we appreciate that, and we think it’s what makes Liberty different. It is our privilege and honor to work with each of you every day.”

LU faculty also heard from various deans and members of the administration, who gave updates on a variety of programs and upgrades around campus, including Liberty’s new College of Osteopathic Medicine, progress on the Jerry Falwell Library, expansion of Liberty Flames Sports Network, and growing programs within the School of Communication and Creative Arts.