Out with the Old, In with the New
Changes to come — A welcome center will greet students to campus next fall. The center will be a one-stop shop for students, alumni and families and include a Liberty University Museum and Jerry Falwell Museum. Photo provided
In response to the rapidly growing school, Liberty has begun construction of a new welcome center where the old Hancock Athletic Center once stood. The goal is to better accommodate visitors and potential students who are interested in learning more about the school.
“As I have understood, its doors are to open Sept. 1,” caretaker of the Jerry Falwell Museum, Paula Johnson said.
Johnson was one of the first students to attend Liberty when it opened in 1971.
“I’ve seen it grow from absolutely nothing to this huge school on the mountain,” Johnson said. “It is amazingly thrilling for me to see it and I am very grateful to be part of documenting that history.”
According to New Construction Coordinator Alan Askew the new welcome center will be similar to DeMoss in its appearance.
“We are trying to continue on with the Jeffersonian architecture theme,” Askew said.
The building will consist of three levels, each having a specific, designated purpose. The plans for the top floor are still in the process of being determined.
The lowest level of the welcome center will be built in a manner similar to that of a full walk-out basement according to Askew. This will be made up of the theater, which is currently located in DeMoss, the Jerry Falwell museum and the new 40th Anniversary museum.
The current welcome center in DeMoss will be relocated on the main level of the new building. This floor will also have a banquet facility that will be used for Friendly Friday lunches according to Askew.
There will also be a large patio located on the back of the building, overlooking the soccer field. This will be used for outdoor functions.
The welcome center will be one of the first buildings seen upon entering the campus. Special effort has been made to give this building an appealing appearance.
“You know you only get one shot at a first impression,” Askew said.
A rotunda will add to the appearance of the building. Once inside the welcome center, visitors will be able to look up into the dome from every level in the building. An octagonal opening will be present in the floors of the top two levels.
The name of this new building will be the Hancock Welcome Center, transferring the name from the old building which once stood in that location. The donation for the original building was given by Arthur L. Williams and his wife, Angela, in honor of her parents Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Hancock. Williams Stadium is a result of another large donation from the Williams family.
“We tried to figure out a way to remodel the old Hancock building but it didn’t make economical sense for where we wanted to go,” Askew said.
“I’m excited to see what the new building is going to look like when I come back next semester,” junior Casey Knight said. “I think it will represent our school very well.”