Spring 2015 Employee Newsletter
A Word from the President
When our College of Osteopathic Medicine opened last fall, I called it the “last piece of the puzzle” in my father’s vision for a world-class university. Many of those pieces have been coming together in the last decade, including several new academic and athletic facilities and expanded degree offerings that have created a wonderful picture of what higher education built on a Christian foundation looks like.
That puzzle may have come together, but we are experiencing growth like never before. As it was reported in our last All-Faculty Meeting, enrollment is at an all-time high — a record 13,862 residential students were enrolled at the start of this academic year and there are now more than 95,000 students studying with us online from all over the globe.
The world is hearing about Liberty University. For the second year in a row, Google has listed Liberty among the top 20 most searched-for universities. The blessings we are experiencing now are the result of decades of hard work, perseverance, and prayer.
Many of you are already involved in planning for this year’s Commencement. As we look forward to sending our graduates into jobs and ministries to impact the world for Christ, I am thankful for all those who make this possible year after year — the ones who have come here with hearts to serve God and our students.
Jerry Falwell
President
Employees of the Month
Congratulations 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 normal expectations to consistently produce excellent work with a Christ-like attitude and spirit. Thank you for all you do to make Liberty the shining light that it is.
January: Katie Adams, Bobby Brown, Cherie Ely, Kris Falwell, Chris Glick, Carmolee Hager, Monica Hardin, Jill Lipscomb, Kevin Martin, Walcene Metayer, Vickie Pettus, Keith Waller
February: Jill Acosta, Steve Chamberlin, Mary Deacon, Mike Floyd, Danielle Jacobs, Stephanie Janusz, Victoria Mininger, Ericka Morris, Luis Nodal, John Peterson, Gloria Sandidge, Kimberly Smith
March: Kahlib Fischer, Mike Gibbs, Brian Lee, Drew Menard, Jon Norman, Nick Pavlovic, Gayle Saxon, Laverne Smith
Liberty Personnel Show Dedication in Snowstorm
Some of us may have enjoyed a little extra time at home while the university was closed during the recent snowstorm, but Liberty University’s essential personnel braved the conditions to ensure that our vital operations continued and that we could reopen as soon as possible. These staff members displayed a high level of commitment to the university and a willingness to go above and beyond to serve our students.
Liberty’s essential personnel include individuals from the Liberty University Police Department, Dining Services, Information Technology Services, Field Operations, and the Equestrian Center. Many of them had to extend their shifts to keep services up and running through the night as snow continued to fall. Grounds crews worked through the night plowing roads and salting sidewalks. Our police department was fully staffed around-the-clock to keep the campus safe and operational, working closely with Field Operations to monitor road conditions. Sodexo, Liberty’s dining services provider, maintained its normal operations so our on-campus students never went without a meal.
These personnel are the true heart of the university. They are great examples of the body of Christ working together and demonstrating Christian service to our students, who witness them carrying out their tasks with smiles and friendly attitudes.
We should all take the time to thank these important staff members who make it possible for us to do our jobs safely and efficiently all year long.
Recent Leadership Changes
Dr. Ronald Hawkins
Dr. Ronald Hawkins was named Liberty University’s provost in January. He served as interim provost following the retirement of Dr. Ronald Godwin in October.
Hawkins has held several positions at Liberty, including vice president for Academic Affairs and vice provost. He was dean of the College of Arts & Sciences from 2000-06 and has worked in the university’s counseling program. Hawkins has over 20 years of experience in mental health counseling, counselor training, and consulting. He is also the founding dean of Liberty’s new School of Behavioral Sciences, which was formed last fall.
Hawkins holds an Ed.D. in counselor education from Virginia Tech, a D.Min. from Westminster Theological Seminary, an Ed.S. from Lynchburg College, and an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
“I am deeply honored to be able to finish my career at Liberty in this very important posting,” Hawkins said in a news release. “I have been at Liberty for a long time; I love this place, I love the faculty, the leadership. I will do everything that I can to advance Liberty’s reputation as a world-class university. I am also very grateful that I have such an excellent team of associates and faculty working with me. I am delighted to be able to interact with them and to provide leadership for them.”
Information Technology
Josh Zealand, John Gauger
Liberty’s Information Technology Department recently announced the promotion of Josh Zealand to the role of associate vice president of analytics in the Analytics and Decision Support Department (ADS) (formerly called the Business Intelligence Office). John Gauger was recently promoted to the role of deputy chief information officer. Gauger is responsible for daily leadership and management of IT Operations, IT Support, IT Software Development, IT Communications, and IT Enterprise Architecture.
Randy Smith
Randy Smith joined Liberty University as an executive vice president in January. Before coming to Liberty, Smith was the president at WSET, ABC-13 channel news. He has also served as vice president and general manager of the Lynchburg and Roanoke NBC affiliate WSLS.
Dr. Steve Peterson
Dr. Steve Peterson is the new vice president of admissions for Liberty University Online, where he will be responsible for the overall enrollment of new students. During his 20 years of service to the university, Peterson has worked in financial aid and with the president’s staff, as well as executive director for University Advancement and executive director of admissions for Liberty University Online.
In his new role, he will provide senior leadership to the Online Recruitment and Marketing, Admissions Consulting, Admissions, and Admissions Verification divisions. He is responsible for Liberty’s online recruitment, marketing, and all communication with potential students.
Peterson graduated from Liberty’s undergraduate program in 1996 and completed his doctorate in education in 2014.
A Night at the Ballpark
Join us for a night of baseball at this year’s first Liberty University Night at the Lynchburg Hillcats game on Friday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. Come out and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship with your Liberty family. All students, staff, and faculty will receive FREE admission to the game with their ID. So, be sure to come early, wear your Liberty colors, and stay for the fireworks display after the last inning.
Be sure to mark your calendar for this fun evening — more details about Liberty’s night at the ballpark are coming soon!
Help Flames Baseball Upset No. 1
Come out to the Liberty Baseball Stadium on Wednesday, March 25, at 3 p.m., and support your Flames Baseball team as they take on No. 1 Virginia!
Tickets for faculty and staff will be available for purchase online beginning March 9, and employees can enjoy discounted prices with the special offer code LUSTAFF15.
General public tickets will go on sale March 16, so get your tickets early!
GO FLAMES!
The Liberty Journal Mobile App is a Must-Have
The official magazine of Liberty University is now available in an interactive format through the LU Publications app. The new mobile app connects you to the university like never before, providing exclusive access to additional content available through the app, including videos, photo galleries, and more. Available on your tablet or mobile device, the new app features the same quality articles on Liberty academic programs, athletics, student life, and the impact of alumni in their careers and communities.
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind way to experience the Liberty Journal; download the app for free from iTunes or Google Play!
The Journey 88.3
The all-new Journey 88.3 is your family’s home for exciting, engaging, and encouraging radio!
For 33 years, the Victory Radio Network reached listeners across much of Virginia and into North Carolina with uplifting music and biblical messages of hope and grace. Now, a new day is dawning in the history of this network to carry that ministry into the future.
The Victory Radio Network has become The Journey 88.3. The new programming features music from popular Christian artists such as NEEDTOBREATHE, MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, and many more, as well as real-life stories of hope and transformation.
The Journey is just getting started, and we invite you to be part of our growing community. Visit our new website and like The Journey on Facebook.
Campus Happenings
Liberty University has seen many changes to its campus over the past year. New buildings, new landscaping, and new traffic patterns are just a few of the updates occurring around campus. Additionally, there have been several changes in location for some of the campus dining options. One of the most popular of these choices is Dunkin’ Donuts, which recently found a permanent home on the ground floor of the Residential Commons on main campus.
To the delight of students, faculty, and staff alike, Liberty also opened the doors to a new campus Baskin-Robbins on Friday, Jan. 9. The location serves 31 flavors of ice cream and adds to the other 20 dining venues available on campus. Sodexo coordinated with the construction team in the design of the new location and will be in charge of managing it.
Six additional retail dining options are planned to open in 2016 in the new DeMoss Hall Student Center.
Baskin-Robbins is open from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day, and Dunkin’ Donuts operates from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. on weekends.
Cheer Flames Basketball to Conference Titles!
Liberty University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are heading to the 2015 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Championships! Both teams need your support as they battle for conference titles.
The Flames play on Wednesday, March 4, and the Lady Flames play on Thursday, March 5. You can find game times and tournament schedule information on the men’s basketball and women’s basketball Web pages.
Flames fans wishing to attend the tournament are eligible for discounted hotel rates at the Island Vista Oceanfront Resort. For special rates, call Sheila Shurner at (843) 449-6406, ext. 7221. You can also show your Flames pride by competing in the Big South Basketball Championships Golf Tournament. The 9 a.m. Shotgun Start takes place on Thursday, March 5, at Arcadian Shores Golf Club. Register online using password bscgolf2015. For more information, please contact Jeffrey Wisniewski at jeffrey.wisniewski@nationalgolfmanagement.com or (843) 449-5217.
If either team wins, the Flames Club will host a free reception for fans at the team hotel, the Island Vista Oceanfront Resort, on Friday, March 6, at 5 p.m.
Share your excitement on social media by using #GoFlames and #MyrtleBeachMadness.
We hope to see you there — GO FLAMES!
701 Thomas Road Open House
If you are planning a wedding or special event and looking for the perfect venue, look no further than 701 Thomas Road, one of Lynchburg’s most charming and historic buildings.
Join us on Sunday, April 12, for an open house at 701 Thomas Road. The open house will take place from 1-4 p.m., and guests are invited to enjoy refreshments, meet with vendors, and tour the beautiful facilities. Comprised of two beautifully renovated structures — Old Pate Chapel and The Bottling Co. Reception Hall — 701 Thomas Road is the perfect place for a special occasion. For more information, please call (434) 592-3511 or email events@liberty.edu.
Two Open Houses for Your Kids!
Liberty Christian Academy (LCA) is hosting its Spring Open House, April 7-10, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the facilities, meet with staff, observe the school in action, and speak with the superintendent between 9 and 10 a.m. Parents may also register in advance for their student(s) to shadow an LCA student in their grade. This activity allows them to meet other students, interact with teachers, and see what a day at LCA is like!
For more information about Spring Open House or to register a student, contact Director of Academy Relations, Amy Saylor, at ajsaylor@liberty.edu or (434) 592-4935.
Liberty Christian Academy’s Early Learning Center (ELC) is hosting an open house on March 3, at 6:30 p.m. The ELC provides 2- to 4-year-olds with a secure, loving, Christ-centered environment in which each child’s social, academic, physical, and spiritual needs are met. The ELC open house will provide you with opportunities to learn about available programs, meet leadership and staff, review curriculum, and tour the facilities. You’re sure to be amazed by all that is happening in this wonderful ministry.
To learn how your child can be part of this active learning environment, call the ELC at (434) 592-4935 or visit them online.
You Stand Out
University senior leadership has been looking for staff members who exemplify 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) made a difference.
Congratulations to February’s You Stand Out recipients: Kenneth Bruce, Joseph Moyer, Rhonda Hudson, Theodore Sweet, Bethany Pearson, Stephen Myers, Pamela Watson, Kareen Ousley, Michealle Falwell, Meesha Hickson, Ted Whitney
*Remember, these tickets are redeemable for a Barnes & Noble gift card. Be on the lookout — you never know when someone might notice that You Stand Out!
Send Us Your Feedback
God has been doing great things around Liberty. We would love to hear your thoughts about how the You Matter campaign is affecting Liberty’s campus. Feel free to send us your feedback and ideas.
Email us at youmatter@liberty.edu