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Fall 2018 Employee Newsletter

A Word from the President

Photo of President Jerry Falwell

Our 47th year of Training Champions for Christ on Liberty Mountain has begun, and I could not be more excited. The students have returned from Summer Break and have filled our residence halls and classrooms with excitement and energy. Their enthusiasm for this unique university we call home is contagious. I love this campus, the students, and all the people who make this university the best in the world.

For that reason, I always look forward to the start of a new school year and what it will hold. Last year, we presented a strategic plan to employees, and some major parts of that plan are being carried out this year throughout our academic, athletics, and spiritual development programs. Our recent employee meeting highlighted many of these projects, and you can read more about them in this newsletter.

One of the projects mentioned was the expansion of Williams Stadium, which many of you got to experience at our first home football game on Saturday. Congratulations to Coach Gill on Flames Football’s first win in its inaugural season in the FBS. I was thrilled to see so many of our faculty, staff, and students there cheering on the Flames. Thank you for your constant support and encouragement of our athletic teams. The game day atmosphere is better than it’s ever been, and I hope you plan to join us for future games. Our other NCAA athletics teams are also headed for some firsts this year as they join the ASUN Conference, and we are thrilled to see them enter this new season.

I’m hearing a lot of excitement from our students, too. Some spent their summers at internships, in service work, or making special memories with their family and friends. Other students, like my daughter Caroline, are starting their freshman year and cannot wait to settle into their home at Liberty. These students are glad to be at Liberty, and they are not alone. Alumni are also getting excited to come back to Liberty next month as we celebrate Homecoming. Thousands of our alumni will be welcomed as they “Return to the Mountain” to reunite with former classmates and faculty and staff.

There’s a reason that we enjoy returning to Liberty, and it’s because we have a community that is encouraging and uplifting. University guests often tell me that there is an atmosphere here that you can’t find anywhere else, and much of that comes from you, our faculty and staff. I appreciate your hard work throughout the year in helping to create this welcoming culture and to deliver excellent service to our students, alumni, and guests. Thank you for making Liberty University the place we are proud to call home.


Liberty’s Middle America Scholarship

While other institutions are raising tuition costs, Liberty is committed to keeping college affordable. That is why Liberty now offers the Middle America Scholarship for new residential undergraduate students this fall. Most financial aid focuses on merit or need, but this leaves a critical part of our community with little help — children of middle class workers.

For this scholarship, any residential undergraduate student who completes the FAFSA and has an expected family contribution (EFC) of $1,000-$18,000 will be awarded up to the maximum Federal Pell Grant cap, even if they don’t qualify for the Pell Grant and other need-based federal grants. That’s over $5,000 in aid from Liberty!

We are thankful for the opportunity to offer financial aid to students who may have been otherwise overlooked. We are excited to see what these young champions will do.


Homecoming 2018: Return to the Mountain

Homecoming is just around the corner, and we are ready to celebrate as our alumni return to the mountain!

Oct. 19-20 is going to be one of the best weekends on Liberty Mountain, and we want all of our faculty and staff to be part of it. From tailgates with treasured friends to Flames Football, this exciting weekend is not to be missed. Register today.

Let’s make this mountain rumble!

 

 


 Winterfest 2018

Experience two days of spiritual growth and excitement at Winterfest!

Winterfest 2018 will power you up for an incredible 2019. Packed with exciting performances, inspirational speakers, and engaging activities, this is an event you will not want to miss.

For the full schedule and more information, go to LibertyWinterfest.com.

Book your tickets today!

 

 


Major Savings on Football Season Tickets

Be a part of Liberty’s history.

Flames Football needs your support as we begin our inaugural season in the FBS, the NCAA’s highest level of football. Faculty and staff can purchase season tickets for as low as $45 — a 69% savings. Get your seats today and join our rise to the FBS!

The Liberty Flames will be facing other FBS teams, like University of Virginia, Auburn, and Army, so don’t miss out on this exciting year in Liberty Flames history.

 


Liberty Joins the ASUN Conference

On July 1, Liberty University officially joined the ASUN Conference, an NCAA Division I league. Having participated in the Big South Conference for 27 years, the Liberty Flames will now face teams such as Florida Gulf Coast University and Lipscomb University.

All but three of Liberty’s teams have moved to the ASUN. Liberty football will enter its inaugural year in the FBS, while field hockey remains in the BIG EAST Conference and women’s swimming & diving in the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA).

See below for the 2018-19 ASUN Conference Championship calendar, and be sure to come out and support your Liberty Flames!

Oct. 26 | Cross Country at NJIT
Oct. 26, 28, and Nov. 3 | Women’s Soccer (hosted by top-seeded teams)
Nov. 2, 4, and 10 | Men’s Soccer (hosted by top-seeded teams)
Nov. 15-17 | Volleyball at Kennesaw State
Feb. 22-23 | Indoor Track & Field at Liberty
March 1, 6, and 10 | Men’s Basketball (hosted by top-seeded teams)
March 8, 13, and 17 | Women’s Basketball (hosted by top-seeded teams)
April 18-20 | Men’s Tennis at Stetson
April 18-20 | Women’s Tennis at Stetson
April 19-20 | Beach Volleyball at Stetson
April 21-23 | Men’s Golf at The Legends Golf Club in Braselton, Ga.
April 21-23 | Women’s Golf at The Legends Golf Club in Braselton, Ga.
May 2-4 | Women’s Lacrosse at Coastal Carolina
May 8-11 | Softball at FGCU
May 10-11 | Outdoor Track & Field at North Florida
May 22-25 | Baseball at Stetson


Game On Receives 4 Emmy Awards

And the award goes to … Game On, Liberty’s 30-minute weekly sports television program!

Produced by the Liberty Flames Sports Network (LFSN), Game On received seven nominations for the 60th National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Emmy Awards and won four of them, including two from the Religion: Program Feature/Segment category and one from the Audio category for Sound Designer/Audio Mixer.

But the most impressive achievement was winning in the General Sports Feature/Segment category. “This is the first sports award outside of the religious category,” Game On anchor Matt Warner said. “So to win against all the other big affiliates and pro teams that we’re going up against was really exciting to see. Those guys know what they’re doing, so to beat an NFL franchise like that gives credibility to what we’re doing.”

Congratulations, Game On staff, for your excellent work!


 

Introducing the Office of Outreach & Business Engagement

The Office of Outreach & Business Engagement will launch this fall. Led by Vice President Jonathan Whitt, the office serves as the “front door” to the university by engaging with industries and businesses that support Liberty’s values and mission. Its aim is to “connect students with real-world experience and career opportunities, expand applied research and sponsored programs, advance student entrepreneurship, create new business partnerships, and ensure a solid support infrastructure.”

The Office of Outreach & Business Engagement also serves the university by helping faculty, staff, and departments connect with business and industry partners and assists with other opportunities, such as research.

 


Liberty University Merchandise

Show off your Liberty pride!

With designs from Brooks Brothers, FootJoy, and Vera Bradley, Club Level Brands will have you cheering on the Flames in style. Get the latest apparel and accessories at ClubLevelBrands.com today!

You can also purchase Liberty gear from local Lynchburg retailers, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sam’s Club, Target, and Walmart, as well as the Liberty University Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

 

 


Fall Construction Update

Campus construction continues into the fall semester.

The largest projects — Williams Stadium and the School of Business — have made progress in recent months. The School of Business is still on schedule for its completion date of Spring 2019, with brick going up on the exterior and a copper dome and windows being installed. Meanwhile, Williams Stadium nears completion as renovations for the back of the stadium, the eastside press box, and the west side light poles will finish up around Family Weekend (Oct. 13-14). The Football Operations Center will gain an additional 25,000 square feet over the next year as it undergoes a full interior remodel, thus meeting the caliber of other FBS operating centers.

Other projects around campus include a facelift for the Hill Residence Halls — halls 17-19 will have new pitched roofs, while halls 20-23 will be updated over Christmas Break. Plans for a common space between these residence halls is also in the works. Hill City Pharmacy has set up shop in the Commons Residence Halls and is ready for deliveries, although a pick-up option and the pharmacy itself will not be open until October.

Road construction recently finished with University Boulevard and South Campus Bridge now open for traffic.

Off campus, Annex 1 will become housing for married students, and the Liberty Mountain Gun Club is operational. A new lodge at the club is expected to be completed by the end of February.

Liberty Arena will start construction this fall and is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2020. Across the highway, East Campus will gain a parking garage near Residence Halls 93 and 94, as well as a field house outfitted with lacrosse and field hockey locker rooms. A new football stadium for LCA is also in the works.


Commonwealth Games Wrap-Up

Liberty recently hosted the 29th annual Virginia Commonwealth Games. This is the third time the Games have been held on Liberty’s campus. The Commonwealth Games are the largest annual amateur multisport festival in Virginia and feature a variety of sports in which athletes from across Virginia can participate. More than 5,000 athletes competed in 40-plus sporting events this year.

The opening ceremonies took place Friday, July 27, featuring 1992 U.S. Olympic wrestler Anthony “Buddy” Lee and wing racers from Stone Blue Airlines. A tailgate party and inside look at the Williams Stadium renovations capped off the evening.

Competitions hit full swing on Saturday and Sunday. Liberty’s campus provided state-of-the-art facilities ideal for sports, including the gun range and Liberty’s Snowflex Centre. Events in clay shooting, fitness, softball, martial arts, archery, and a host of other sports rounded out the main weekend for the Games.


Have You Visited the Employee Bulletin Board?

Online Communities

Did you know that you can find all of Liberty’s upcoming events and information in one easy location? The Employee Bulletin Board is your one-stop shop for important announcements, special events, and great discounts. Don’t miss out. Visit the Employee Bulletin Board today.

Interested in advertising an event or need to make a campuswide announcement? Contact your project coordinator or email marketing@liberty.edu for more information.

 

 


Employees of the Month

Online CommunitiesCongratulations to our Employees of the Month. You are a tremendous blessing to this university, and we are thankful for you. This recognition is proof that you go above and beyond expectations to consistently produce excellent work with a Christlike attitude and spirit. Thank you for all you do to make Liberty a shining light.

July: Marc Ahoude, Jimmy Bussiere, Corbin Clark, Emily Covington, Emily Evans, David Hart, Christina Haskins, Ryan Helper, Hollie Huff, Zachary Lundborg, Kim Newton, Jessica Pantana, Kelly Ralston, Pattie Silverthorn, and Thomas Starchia.

August: Henry Barbera, Leah Day, Rick Edwards, Karch Frankfield, Jonathan Hobbs, Wayne Hogan, Jacob Johnston, Sharon Kopis, Ivie Brabham Lilly, Chaz McPeake, Meredith Moran, Cheryl Nitz, Josh Owenby, Teresa Rackley, Kathryn Taylor, and Janice Vining.

September:  Alex Auwarter, Josh Bryant, Craig Dixon, Ethan Fisher, Brianne Friberg, Linda Gregory, Courtney Hall, Hannah Honeycutt, Katlin Horton, Tiffany Jackson, Helen Jones, Megan Kinne, Eric Lubeshkoff, Sam Martinaeu, Yoon Patti, Kristi Rabon, Justin Spier, Holly Tubbs, and Colleen Wilson.


You Stand Out

Senior university leadership has been looking for staff members who exemplify an exceptional commitment to Liberty’s customer service standards. Last month, tickets* were handed out as our way of thanking those whose hard work and dedication (often behind the scenes) make a difference.

Congratulations to You Stand Out recipients: Nick Barker, Jonathan Bennefield, Katharine Biddle, Renee Breen, Troy Burnett, Randy Campbell, Sherry Chapman, Rene Close, Nathan Coffey, Allison Davis, Carol Duncan, Kylie Finley, Carmen Foster, Mary Franklin, Karl Freshwater, Aaron Garcia, Justin Gaver, Wanda Gilmarin, Sarah Gleason, Jo-Ellen Goodale, Holly Griswold, Ashley Hamilton, Paula Hendricks, Boyd Hogan, Bethany Holt, Hannah Honeycutt, Anne Howerton, Jessica Johnson, Cody Jones, Stefani Keys, Lisa Kinsley, Timothy LaFountain, Brenda Maloney, Alisa Martin, Connie Martin, Jeddy Mbugua, Theresa McNabb, Bradley Norton, Karen Patrick, Vickie Pettus, Jennifer Rawlings, Andrew Rose, Logan Roush, Ruth Scott, Jody Seavers, Patrick Slagle, Stephanie Smart, Caroline Smith, Ryan Smith, Samuel Smith, Kathleen Spence, Amanda Stanley, Kathryn Taylor, Kaycee Tripp, Sarah Turner, Candice Thorton, Keith Waller, and Quamitria Vaughter.

*Remember, these tickets are redeemable for a Barnes & Noble gift card. Continue to serve others — you never know when someone might notice that You Stand Out!

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