OSPS Prepares For 2025 Liberty University Commencement

The Office of Security & Public Safety relies on several partnerships between its departments to ensure that Liberty University’s Commencement is safe, secure and successful.   

Jeff Hurtak, director of Emergency Management & Community Engagement (EMCE), said he is tasked with facilitating all OSPS departments, as well as outside partnerships including Lynchburg Fire Department, Lynchburg Police Department and Virginia State Police, to prepare for Commencement in accordance to their state-recognized operational plan. Hurtak said the Emergency Operations Center optimizes the efficiency of these essential partnerships should any security need arise. 

“The benefit is if, God forbid it, an incident occurs inside our large events, we then can mitigate it … immediately instead of waiting … for other resources, instead of waiting an hour. … That’s the benefit of having an EOC,” Hurtak said.  

Chris Chambers, associate director of EMCE, emphasized the importance of their connections in coordinating the public safety aspects of Commencement. 

“The only way we could be successful through large scale events, such as Commencement or even football games, is through partnerships. We’ve been very blessed over the last four years being a department … helping to coordinate and facilitate the public safety side … for Commencement operations,” Chambers said.  

Chambers said the School of Aeronautics Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and School of Nursing work in tandem during Commencement. The student-piloted UAS drones provide complete aerial coverage of the entire campus — including off-campus locations — to locate areas of congested traffic, lost children or individuals in need of medical aid. Chambers also said students from Liberty’s School of Nursing are among staff at the first aide station to assist Lynchburg Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services in caring for patients.  

EMCE Senior Community Engagement Analyst John-Wesley Sloan said a button specifically for Commencement will be added to the Champion Safe app and users will receive answers from a Commencement representative in the EOC.  

Andrew Harvey, Liberty University Police Department (LUPD) operations sergeant, said LUPD’s main concern regarding the influx of people on campus during Commencement is for everyone to stay safe as they enjoy the time of celebration. He said LUPD is tasked with conducting canine sweeps of the venues and using Evolv detectors to ensure prohibited items do not enter any of the graduation locations. LUPD will also assist in traffic control and keeping pedestrians safe throughout the weekend. 

Harvey said LUPD partners with Virginia State Police and the police departments of Amherst County, Appomattox County and Campbell County to further assist in maintaining a secure environment throughout Commencement. 

Tyler Edwards, EMCE emergency management planner, said preparation for the event begins months in advance. Edwards said one of the main concerns his team is tasked with is deciding where pedestrian barricades are placed and ensuring those areas are measured correctly. 

Christian Tinsley, support advisor of Access Control, said Access Control has a variety of teams that are assigned different jobs, such as electronic badge access, doors and hardware and locksmith tasks. Leading up to Commencement, Tinsley said Access Control ensures the electronic badge access system runs without any issues and verifies that all doors and locks are properly functioning. 

Jennifer Broggin, emergency communications dispatcher and supervisor, said dispatch adopts an “all-hands-on-deck” mentality. Broggin said dispatch acts as the eyes and ears for officers. She said it is their job to guarantee their officers are provided with accurate information. Dispatch will be available to answer any emergency calls dialed in, and they will man the emergency chat feature of the Champion Safe app. 

Broggin encouraged attendees to notify an officer or dispatch if they notice anything out of the ordinary during Commencement. 

“If your gut is saying, ‘something doesn’t feel right,’ regardless if you think it’s something small, call us and let us know,” Broggin said.  

Robert Drane, senior occupational safety compliance policy and training officer for Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), said EHS conducts safety assessments leading up to Commencement.  

“Leading up to and during the Commencement week, … we will do safety assessments, which are very comprehensive. They cover occupational hazards, like falling, tripping, electrocution, slip, trip and fall … as well as fire and life safety,” Drane said.  

After reviewing all the assessment reports, work orders are placed and action is taken to resolve and prevent any possible hazards. 

Chambers reiterated a common feeling among those tasked with keeping the public safe. 

“We want everyone to not be worried when they come on campus about their safety. We want them to be able to enjoy celebrating their graduates as they’re becoming Champions for Christ and going out into their chosen vocation. … We want everyone to feel like they’re protected,” Chambers said.   

Marcus Tinsley, the vice president of OSPS, said OSPS is excited and ready to serve everyone during Commencement. 

“Commencement 2025 is going to be an amazing experience for all who attend. It is the mission of our team to protect through service and we are excited to fulfill that mission for everyone that will be here on Commencement weekend,” Tinsley said.  

Sturek is the on campus news editor for the Liberty Champion.