Summer 2016 Employee Newsletter
A Word from the President
It is wonderful to see the Liberty family continue to grow. We witnessed 19,430 students graduate and become alumni at our 43rd Commencement, and we look forward to welcoming 3,800 new students in the fall.
The Class of 2016 has joined more than 250,000 Liberty alumni around the world — alumni like our Commencement speaker Rashad Jennings, running back for the New York Giants; Penny Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America; and Dean Parker, technology entrepreneur. Jennings, Nance, and Parker received honorary doctoral degrees at the main ceremony, along with George Rogers, a distinguished World War II veteran and former chief financial officer of the university.
Commencement featured a few surprise guests as well: Mel Gibson, Willie Robertson, Vince Vaughn, and Randall Wallace. To read more about their visit, see the Commencement Recap.
The ceremony closed with Rashad Jennings’ uplifting speech, which encouraged the graduates to maintain a “simple, childlike, Christ-centered faith,” and to become world-changers and Champions for Christ. Jennings embodies the very mission of this university: to see our alumni glorify God in their chosen vocations and make contributions to their workplaces and communities.
You have all played a key role in furthering this mission, not only by leading students along their career paths but also by nurturing them as they develop lives of character and a passion to serve others. Many of you have worked directly with our academic programs to help broaden the degree offerings and opportunities for students. Several have the valuable job of making sure our students have exciting athletics, student life, and spiritual programs to enrich their college experiences. And countless individuals work behind the scenes every day to keep the university running smoothly for our students. In short, the entire Liberty family has contributed to our graduates’ success.
On behalf of Liberty’s administration, I would like to thank each of you for the work you do year-round so that Liberty University can function as an institution of higher education and also as a family.
Jerry Falwell
President
Commencement Recap
Pyrotechnic flame projectors positioned around the stage shot bursts of fire into the air at Williams Stadium, a symbol of the inspiration kindled within Liberty University’s largest graduating class to date: the Class of 2016, 19,430 graduates strong. Watch an inspiring recap of Commencement highlights.
A string of surprise celebrity guests took the stage to challenge the graduates to make their marks on the world. In addition to keynote speaker Rashad Jennings, guests included Willie Robertson from A&E’s “Duck Dynasty,” as well as writer/director Randall Wallace (“Braveheart,” “We Were Soldiers,” “Heaven is for Real”), a native of Lynchburg. Wallace spoke about an upcoming project, “Hacksaw Ridge,” a faith-based World War II biopic about the life of another Lynchburg legend, Desmond T. Doss, a war medic and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Wallace then unveiled another surprise as he brought to the stage two co-laborers on the film: actor/director/producer Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn, one of the film’s stars. As storytellers themselves, Gibson, Vaughn, and Wallace charged the graduates to inspire others with stories from their own lives.
President Falwell used part of his address to honor the nation’s heroes — men and women who are serving or have served in the military as well as military spouses — and thank them for their sacrifice in preserving the freedoms Americans enjoy. As he saluted service members, Falwell recognized several veterans, including his uncle, Gene Falwell, the twin brother of Liberty’s founder Dr. Jerry Falwell; Purple Heart veteran Tim Lee, who spoke at Liberty’s Baccalaureate Service Friday night; and World War II veteran and former POW George Rogers, who worked from 1974-99 as the university’s chief financial officer.
Rashad Jennings’ keynote speech challenged the graduates to endure fiery trials with a dynamic faith in God. Jennings charged them to make their degrees count for His Kingdom: “Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2016. Go set this world on fire.”
Commencement 2016, attended by a record crowd of around 35,000, was indeed a celebration of “Knowledge Aflame.”
Summer Camps
Summertime at Liberty is anything but lazy. Throughout June and July, the campus is bustling with students having a blast at one of the university’s many summer camps. From taking the field at football camp to making a musical debut in theatre to snowboarding down the hill at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, there is something for everyone! Led by experienced coaches, athletes, professors, and industry professionals, Liberty summer camps are an adventure students will never forget.
Visit Liberty.edu/SummerCamps for more information and a full list of available camps.
Faculty and Staff Football Season Ticket Discount
As a faculty or staff member, you can get Flames Football season tickets and enjoy game day at great savings! The Flames have won seven Big South Championships in the past nine seasons and qualified for the 2014 NCAA FCS Playoffs.
While the 2015 season brought record-setting crowds to Williams Stadium, we’re looking forward to an even greater surge of fans this season, creating an electrifying stadium atmosphere. Join Flames Nation on game day as they give Liberty Football the crucial home-field advantage!
Season Ticket Prices
- Club Seats* – $275
- Blue Premium Seats* – $100 ($25 savings)
- Red Reserved Seats* – $60 ($40 savings)
- General Admission Seats – $45 ($20 savings)
*Seats are assigned by Flames Club membership level and loyalty points total and are based on availability. Contact the Flames Club at 434-582-CLUB (2582) or FlamesClub@liberty.edu for additional information.
Order your tickets today by calling 434-582-SEAT (7328) or visiting LibertyFlames.com!
Year in Review: Convocation and Construction
Convocation
The 2015-16 Convocation speakers included Francis Chan, Darryl Strawberry, and Ann Voskamp as well as presidential candidates Ben Carson, Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump. You can watch any of this year’s Convocations you may have missed.
Construction
Exciting changes are always happening on campus. Renovations continue, and foundations have been laid for new facilities.
Freedom Tower
The university broke ground last August at the tower site, located near the Food Court at Reber-Thomas. The 275-foot-tall tower will be the tallest structure in Lynchburg and serve as the campus focal point. Atop the tower will be an observation deck with a 360-degree view and a carillon of bells complementing the university’s Liberty Bell replica. Construction is expected to be completed Fall 2017.
Indoor Track Facility
Work began Fall 2015 on a new, state-of-the-art indoor track & field facility for Liberty’s NCAA Division I program, one that will rival any indoor track in the mid-Atlantic region. The 169,000-square-foot facility will be located below the LU monogram on Liberty Mountain, off of Candlers Mountain Road. It will feature a hydraulically banked (curves can be raised or lowered for different events) 200-meter track, accommodations for field events, locker rooms, weight and training rooms, coaches’ offices, concessions, and seating for 1,500 spectators. Construction is expected to be completed January 2017.
Natatorium
A natatorium connected to the new indoor track complex will elevate Liberty University’s NCAA Division I women’s swimming & diving team. The natatorium will also be home to two new Club Sports teams — men’s swimming (2017) and men’s water polo (2018).
The facility will attract students and community members of all ages. “It will be one of the top swimming facilities on the entire East Coast,” said Lee Beaumont, Liberty’s senior vice president for Auxiliary Services. It will be heavily utilized by Liberty and outside organizations.
The natatorium is already under construction and is expected to be completed by July 2017, in time to host the Commonwealth Games’ long-course swim meet.
Pedestrian Footbridge
A pedestrian footbridge connecting the Student Center and Rawlings School of Divinity was installed in mid-March. Cranes hoisted the approximately 130-foot bridge 35 feet above Reber-Thomas Drive.
School of Music
Construction continues on the School of Music’s Center for Music and the Worship Arts. Scheduled to open this summer, its 1,600-seat fine arts auditorium will be versatile enough to serve as either a concert hall or a performing arts theater, and the layout can be reconfigured to accommodate smaller audiences in a more intimate setting.
The auditorium is the second phase of construction at the 141,000-square-foot facility; a four-story educational center opened last fall.
Student Center
The Student Center is scheduled to open in Fall 2016. Drywall will soon be complete and equipment installed for the bowling alley. The Student Center will also include game rooms, billiards, and an expansive food court.
Visit the Construction Web page for ongoing updates on campus renovations.
Liberty Driving Experience
As part of the You Matter campaign, the Marketing Department has partnered with Stacy Compton’s “Speed Street Experience” to sponsor the “Liberty Driving Experience.” This team-building activity gives Liberty employees the opportunity to drive a 2016 Nissan 370Z or Altima in three race-type activities, including a road course, head-to-head race, and a drag race.
To date, more than 550 employees have signed up to participate. Here are some of the responses from those who have already enjoyed the “Liberty Driving Experience:”
“Thank you for making this experience possible! Very enjoyable time!”
David D. Nemitz, D.Min., Ed.D.
Director, Center for Academic Development
Associate Professor, Rawlings School of Divinity
“What a blast to drive these cool cars and get to hang out with folks from some other departments. We all love and work hard at what we do, so this was a fabulous distraction. Thanks to all who organized and paid for this.”
Stephen Muller, D.Min.
Assistant Professor, School of Music
Read more and watch a video about the “Liberty Driving Experience.”
Farmer’s Market
The Liberty University Farmer’s Market is now open! Enjoy fresh produce, baked products, crafts, and more — Thursdays, now through Nov. 10, from 3:30-6 p.m. in Doc’s parking lot. Sponsored by Sodexo, the market features 30 local vendors, including the following:
- Artful Sojourn
- Beach Hut Shaved Ice
- Hill City Coffee
- Mama Crockett’s Cider Donuts
- Morris Campus Farm
- Seeds of Faith
- Uprooted
LaHaye Recreation and Fitness Center and Live Healthy Liberty!
Stay healthy this summer with a membership to the LaHaye Recreation and Fitness Center. Summer memberships for individuals and families are available May 23-Aug. 23, 2016. Group exercise and personal training — including Live Healthy Liberty employee training programs — are also available.
Live Healthy Liberty Summer Programs:
10-Week Employee Weight Loss Training Program
When: June 7-Aug. 11
Cost: $50 per person (no refunds)
Application Deadline: June 3
Participants can expect to set goals, learn fundamentals of effective fitness programming, gain strength, build endurance, and decrease body fat.
How to apply: Fill out the Weight Loss Training Program Application at the LaHaye front desk. Only 15 applicants will be accepted.
10-Miler Training Program
When/Where: Thursdays, July 21-Sept. 22, 5:30 p.m., various locations
Cost: $50 per person (no refunds)
Application window: June 13-July 7
This program will run for the 10 weeks prior to the Virginia 10-Miler. Participants will receive a personalized training program and will meet for a group training run once a week.
Sign up: LaHaye front desk.
Personalized Wellness
Summer is a great time for your department to receive our personalized wellness service. Available programs range from educational seminars and pop-up fitness classes to consultations with nutrition or fitness professionals. Use this form to request a wellness event for your department!
We hope you’ll join us for one or more of these fun activities. Make healthy a habit this summer!
Liberty University Online Academy
Do you have students in grades K-12? Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA) provides a superior, Christ-centered education in an online format — perfect for today’s on-the-go families.
OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES:
- Affordable and competitive prices with courses costing only $495 each
- Age-appropriate curriculum and engaging activities for grades K-12
- Assignments that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- A dollar-for-dollar tuition scholarship match if your child goes on to attend Liberty University residentially
- The EDGE dual enrollment program, offering select college courses that also count for high school credit
- The flexibility that your busy schedule requires
- Personal attention for your child’s unique academic needs
For more information, contact LUOA at (866) 418-8741
Employee Bulletin Board Reminder
On any given day, there is a lot happening at Liberty University. To help employees stay informed, the Marketing Department created the Employee Bulletin Board — a central Web page for university offices to share information with employees. To see what’s going on across campus, log into your myLU portal or simply bookmark this page in your browser.
Offices or departments that want to post an announcement to the Employee Bulletin Board should submit the information to their Marketing Department project coordinator. Announcements submitted by Tuesday will be posted on Monday of the following week.
Years of Service Celebrations and Employee Appreciation Luncheon
Impacting lives has been, and always will be, the heartbeat of this university. The You Matter initiative was founded on this principle. We appreciate the difference you and your staff are making in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff.
In the spirit of gratitude, Liberty Dining Services by Sodexo hosted its annual employee appreciation luncheon on May 12, and 2,100 employees enjoyed complimentary lunch at the Food Court at Reber-Thomas.
We encourage you to use You Matter money to honor and celebrate your employees’ years of service milestones internally. Other employee achievements can be recognized through the You Stand Out and Employee of the Month campaigns.
Thank you for all you do to further the mission of Liberty University. Your efforts to Train Champions for Christ are making an eternal difference!
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 Christlike attitude and spirit. Thank you for all you do to make Liberty a shining light.
April Employees of the Month were: Josh Giles, Andrew Medford, Tracy Price, Cameron Seavers, Brian Tencher, Heather Todd, Timothy Todd, and Jay Wrenn.
May Employees of the Month were: Christine Bennett, Kayla Blankenstein, Jimmy Bussiere, Alyssa Davis, Sam Landa, Ellen Martin, Charlie Newman, Penni Rogers, and Josh Tucker.
June Employees of the Month are: Mark Edwards, Gabrielle Glass, Ronda Heerspink, Nate Johnson, Luke Levesque, Claudia Puckette, Josh Rotruck, and Chris Thompson