Read about the latest openings and updates happening around campus.
Business leadership center
In October, the School of Business cut the ribbon (see photo above) on the T.W. Lewis Center for Student Success, which will integrate leadership principles into existing business courses, offer personal and professional development workshops, host multiple speaker series each semester, provide personal assessments through Indigo Education Company, and more. The center’s namesake, Tom Lewis, is a philanthropist and entrepreneur from Arizona who spent a significant portion of his career in residential home building. Lewis and his wife, Jan, founded the T.W. Lewis Foundation in 2000 and have been generous benefactors of Christian universities and nonprofit organizations around the country. He donated 1,000 copies of his book, “Solid Ground: A Foundation for Winning in Work and in Life,” to be incorporated into courses.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
Aviation advancements
Aeronautics students have a clearer vision and safer flight path toward their careers with two recent additions that will boost their hands-on training. With the school’s first Extra 300, a two-seat aerobatic plane used for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), students are learning how to handle dangerous in-flight scenarios caused by mechanical issues or weather conditions. Liberty is one of only a few collegiate aviation programs with the resources to conduct this training on site. The school also acquired a new Frasca Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD, or flight simulator) with Unreal Engine software that delivers unprecedented realism, scalability, and innovation in pilot training. Liberty is one of two colleges to have the new visual system. The simulator is one of five Level 5 Flight Training Devices (FTDs) in the simulator center in DeMoss Hall.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
On lake time again
Hydaway Lake opened for student use last fall after being closed the last few years to undergo a major expansion. The Campus Recreation department kicked off the grand reopening on Aug. 22 with a Beach Bash. Students enjoyed swimming, canoeing, beach volleyball, fishing, a giant waterslide, water jousting and log rolling competitions, and more. The 31-acre lake is part of the Hydaway Outdoor Center on Liberty Mountain. During the school year, the center provides equipment for students to check out (bikes, canoes, kayaks, fishing equipment, and more). Students can also take advantage of the trails around the lake, part of the vast Liberty Mountain Trail System.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
New pickleball courts
With the growing popularity of pickleball, Liberty will break ground on four more regulation-size courts this spring, located between the turf fields and the softball field at the Liberty Mountain Intramural Complex. Liberty opened its first six courts in July 2024. The courts are open to current students, faculty, and staff. Learn more at Liberty.edu/CampusRec.
Center for Israel
Inspired by the vision of Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell, the center launched in the fall to deepen understanding, foster meaningful relationships, and promote thoughtful scholarship around the shared spiritual heritage between Christians and the Jewish people. Housed within the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, the center collaborates across various academic departments, building on the university’s longstanding commitment to biblical truth and legacy of friendship with the Jewish community. A student interest panel was held on Dec. 2, and the Inaugural Center for Israel Annual Gala and Summit took place March 10-11 featuring pro-Israel leaders, high-profile guests, Liberty leadership, and students.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
Athletics upgrades
NCAA Division I student-athletes benefitted from improvements to their facilities for the academic year, including a 100-acre addition to the Liberty Golf Practice Facility in September featuring a training course with six greens that have various approaches. Players have the ability to play 18 holes with different distances of up to 7,940 yards. In August, Liberty Baseball hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new player development addition at Liberty Baseball Stadium, which includes four batting tunnels and a state-of-the-art pitching lab. Liberty Softball added a new state-of-the-art video board and pitch clock at Liberty Softball Stadium over the summer. The Lady Flames Field Hockey and Lacrosse programs have enjoyed several additions to the East Campus Field House, including new team rooms for both programs and new dugouts on the Liberty Field Hockey Field.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
Wall art
To represent the diversity of disciplines within the School of Communication & the Arts, the school tasked a team of students to create and install environmental graphics on the walls of Marie F. Green Hall to cultivate a creative environment, better define the different departments’ locations, and showcase its exciting programs. While many of the graphics serve as signage, there are also mottos, mosaics of promotional photos taken by department photographers, and elements that represent all departments within one piece. Each department has its own icon and color.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
Library updates
Since its opening in 2014, the Jerry Falwell Library has been known for its innovative design, advanced technology, and unique areas for study, collaboration, and gathering with classmates and friends. In the fall, staff updated outdoor seating, remodeled spaces throughout the building, and added three treadmill desks in the Gallagher Learning Commons on the second floor. The library also offers bicycle desks.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
Virginia State Police partnership
Through a groundbreaking partnership with the Virginia State Police, eligible criminal justice students in the Helms School of Government can complete their undergraduate degrees while simultaneously earning certification through the Virginia State Police Basic Trooper Academy. The announcement was made during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in September attended by former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Col. Matthew Hanley, superintendent of the Virginia State Police. Liberty is the first institution to partner with the Virginia State Police for this unique offering.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
Champion Center
The latest major construction project on campus has taken greater shape in recent months. Scheduled to open for the 2026-27 academic year this fall, the 68,000-square-foot facility is an extension of the Hancock Welcome Center and will serve many functions, all with the goal of presenting and preserving the original mission of Liberty University: Training Champions for Christ. The building will feature a new Event Space with seating for 2,000, making it the largest meeting room of its kind in the Lynchburg area. Students and visitors will also enjoy a rooftop plaza with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and areas to relax and study. Visit LibertyChampionCenter.com.
Read the full story at Liberty.edu/News.
