Summer 2018 Employee Newsletter

A Word from the President

Now that the 2017-18 school year has drawn to a close, I look back at this year in amazement. Liberty continues to expand and thrive. Many of our students are changing the world through service trips and internships, while others impact their communities each week through Christian service. We have come far since our school’s early days, and we are not finished yet.

We recently hosted our second annual “Convocation on the Lawn,” where Liberty alumnus Rashad Jennings spoke to our students about thinking outside the box. Former professional baseball player Darryl Strawberry also joined us and prayed over our graduating seniors. As I updated the students on the campus expansion and financial success we have seen at Liberty in recent years, I reminded them of the reason why we work so hard to grow and improve, which is to ensure that the school will be here for their children and grandchildren. We want Liberty to continue impacting lives for generations to come.

The following week, we celebrated our 45^th Commencement and sent about 20,200 Liberty graduates out to change the world for Christ. Our Commencement speaker, former President Jimmy Carter, encouraged the students to make a difference, and I want to remind our faculty and staff that you, too, are making a difference. I am so proud of all of you who put time and energy into making this year’s Commencement a success for our students and guests. No task is too small for such an important event, and all of you contributed in some way. The long hours spent planning, organizing, and implementing paid off. Each year I hear about how welcoming our staff is and how much people have enjoyed their time here. President Carter even said that he had never been treated with more hospitality at any place that he had ever visited publicly. These sentiments are a reflection of your hard work and dedication.

At Liberty, we value excellence and integrity, and our faculty and staff exhibit both of these qualities. From their first class to graduation, our students learn and grow from the professors and staff they interact with every day. We recently awarded our 2018 President’s and Provost’s Awards to members of our faculty who exemplify excellence in teaching and research mentorship. These men and women represent the integrity of our entire faculty.  We appreciate your investment in the lives of our students.

Thank you for serving alongside me as we Train Champions for Christ.

Jerry Falwell
President

Commencement Recap

Commencement 2018 began Friday evening, May 18, at the Baccalaureate service as Dr. David Rhodenhizer brought a message of encouragement to the graduates. He advised them to cling to the Bible as truth upon leaving Liberty and going out into the world. He also encouraged them to rise above discouragement, learn from their mistakes, and to never forget that they are champions of Liberty University.

Then, on Saturday, May 19, thousands of graduates celebrated the conclusion of their time at Liberty by gathering in Williams Stadium for the Commencement Ceremony. Former President Jimmy Carter addressed a large crowd of assembled guests and about 8,000 attending graduates, speaking on the challenges our world faces today. He encouraged the graduates to “use the three gifts that God gives every one of us — life, freedom, and an opportunity to live a completely successful life” as they endeavor to make a difference.

With Liberty’s 45th Commencement Ceremony marking the departure of another class of men and women equipped to change the world for Christ, we were overjoyed to see them step into the next chapter of their lives. This year’s graduates totaled 20,212 students, of which 16,716 were online and 3,496 residential. Included in these numbers are our oldest graduate at 89-years-old with an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies and our youngest graduates at 17-years-old: a young woman with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a young man with a Master of Arts in History.

Congratulations to the graduates, particularly our faculty and staff who graduated this year!

Be sure to check out the Commencement recap video for highlights from the ceremony.

We the Champions

We the Champions has reached the one year mark, and in that time, the students and staff of Liberty University have embraced the project’s values and mission.

The Champion Award is a monthly award given to members of the Liberty family who live out what it means to be a Champion for Christ. Below are the Champion Award winners for Spring 2018.

Aaron Berlin — January

Servant leaders can be found in every corner of Liberty, and Aaron Berlin is a living testament to the difference one can make by doing his work for the Lord and not for man. As the second shift supervisor in Custodial Facilities, he admits that his work can be “mundane and repetitive,” but he finds excitement and purpose in what he does, viewing it as “an opportunity to love and encourage other people.” Berlin doesn’t just internalize this concept — he encourages and empowers those he supervises. They recognize his patience and attitude and find it contagious.

Ali Curtis — February

Ali Curtis hasn’t hesitated to follow God’s calling, even when it contradicts her own plans. As a residential student in 2016, she left Liberty’s campus to help her single mom raise her baby brother while continuing her studies online. Curtis’s commitment extends past meeting the needs of her own family. Since returning to campus, she has become a caregiver for two brothers with autism. Inspired by her autistic stepbrother, she plans to use her degree to work with the special needs community. In August, she will again follow God’s directive to “go” as she joins the World Race, an 11-month journey to serve “the least of these” in 11 countries around the world.

Kristie Beitz – March

“I don’t call it a job — I call it a passion!” Her own words epitomize why Kirstie Beitz shines in her role as the Senior Associate Athletics Director, Academic Affairs for Athletics. She and her team work closely with each athletics program to ensure that every student-athlete has the opportunity to earn a degree and pursue a meaningful career after graduation. A former NCAA Division I athlete herself, Beitz understands the needs of those she serves and challenges herself to “make them better today than they were when I first came across them.” Those who work with Beitz know that she sees the potential in each student-athlete she works with and inspires them to realize it themselves.

Cindy Drohn — April

Cindy Drohn, a nursing professor, has been inspiring her students for years through mentorship, teaching, and friendship. Whether she is meeting with students on weekends or providing daily encouragement, she lives out Liberty’s vision of Training Champions for Christ. Drohn graduated from Liberty in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, so she knows her students’ struggles. Her experience in this field and passion for those around her has instilled joy in her heart as she follows God’s unique calling upon her life.

Taylor DeWolf — May

Taylor DeWolf developed a passion for helping the elderly in her community at a young age. As a social work student, she pursued her calling by connecting with Heritage Green Assisted Living, which she had learned about through Campus Serve. She has since established herself as an inspiring presence at both Heritage Green and Centra’s Hospice Care. Her purpose is to encourage and spend time with those who have weeks or months to live, as well as individuals who have no one else to support them.

We celebrate the contributions of these and the many other champions who resolve to follow God’s calling each day. Thank you for living out this mission and for helping us Train Champions for Christ.

Summer Construction Update

Liberty continues to expand and improve facilities across campus this summer. The Hill residence halls will gain additional floors, adding 200 additional beds and improved pitched roofs. Meanwhile, on the north side of campus, Liberty Christian Academy will soon have an updated football stadium with fresh AstroTurf and bleachers that will hold up to 2,100 people. The Liberty Mountain Gun Club is also breaking ground for a new building that will house a team room with lockers and restrooms, in addition to a new course.

Upgrades for Williams Stadium remain on schedule for the start of the 2018 season. Portions of the expansion have been completed, and although the upper deck was used for Commencement 2018, the official Grand Opening is planned for the Family Weekend football game on Oct. 13.

Construction on the new School of Business will continue through the remainder of this year with an intended completion date of December 2018. As roofing goes on, the 78,000-square-foot building is on its way to being ready for the Spring 2019 semester.

The Student Health Center moved to the bottom floor of the Commons III residence hall during Spring Break 2018. HillCity Pharmacy will also be moving in, providing easy access to medicine.

The Liberty Arena, which will be located between the Vines Center and DeMoss Hall, will commence construction in Fall 2018 with a completion date of Summer 2020.

Spring Sports Wrap-Up

The 2018 Big South Conference recently announced that Liberty University scored No. 1 in the 2017-18 Big South George F. “Buddy” Sasser Cup Standings. Scoring 8.85 overall, Liberty steals the cup from second-place winner Campbell University, while scoring second in both men’s and women’s all-sports standings.

Baseball

Liberty hosted the 2018 Big South Baseball Championship May 22-26 for the second time since 2013. Finishing third in the Big South regular season, Liberty Baseball entered this year’s tournament with a 17-10 record and a 29-24 overall record. They battled their way to Game 13, where they lost to Campbell with a final score of 6-4. The Flames end the season with a 32-26 record.

Softball

Under the guidance of Olympic gold medalist and Head Coach Dot Richardson, Liberty Softball won its third Big South conference title in program history. They defeated Radford University — the No. 3 seed — with a 5-1 victory, extending their winning streak to 17 games. Liberty represented the Big South Conference at the 2018 NCAA Division 1 Softball Championship but lost to South Carolina in the NCAA Colombia Regional Final.

Golf
The team won its fifth Big South title in the past eight years and earned its fourth at-large selection to an NCAA Regional.

Lacrosse

The team recorded its best season in program history in 2018, going 13-4 overall and 6-1 in the Big South. The Flames placed second in the conference and are poised for a deep run in the tournament.

Track & Field

The Flames swept the Big South Conference Championships. For indoor, the men have won 20 consecutive championships, and the women have won 12 championships overall. In outdoor, the men have won 11 in a row and 20 overall, and the women have won three in a row and 16 overall.

Men’s Tennis

The team improved from going winless in the Big South in 2017 to a 4-3 conference record this spring. Chase Burton and Sam Matheson made the All-Conference singles team, with Matheson now ranked as the 112th singles player in the nation. Head Coach Derek Schwandt was also named Big South Coach of the Year.

Women’s Tennis

The Flames finished second in the Big South with a 7-1 conference record and 18-9 overall. The team also made a Big South Championship title match appearance for the second straight season.

Coming Soon: A New Ticket-Buying Experience

Buying tickets online to Liberty events is about to get even easier. The new Liberty ticket website will premiere this summer, offering:

• An improved online purchase experience
• Exclusive faculty/staff ticket prices
• The ability for families to share one account but access it with individual logins

Flames Club members will also gain from this new site with easier access to ticket, membership, and donation history.

In the meantime, purchase tickets for the 2018 Football Season now by going to Liberty.edu/Flames. Theatre fans can purchase tickets for the 2018-19 season by calling (434) 582-SEAT or online by going to Liberty.edu/TheatreProductions.

Are You Ready for Flames Football?

Entering their first season of FBS competition, the Liberty Flames will kick off their 2018 schedule in a newly renovated Williams Stadium against Old Dominion on Saturday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. At home, the Flames will face Old Dominion, Norfolk State, North Texas, Troy, Idaho State, and New Mexico State. On the road, Liberty is slated to play Army, New Mexico, New Mexico State, UMass, Virginia, and Auburn.

Liberty also signed its best recruiting class in school history, accumulating talent from 13 different states, including five 3-star and 11 2-star recruits. With this year’s signing class, the football program sets its sights on a successful FBS season.

Don’t miss Flames Football history — get your season tickets today!

Get Fit This Summer — For Free!

From June 4 to Aug. 21, faculty and staff can use the LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center for free! Faculty and staff can also participate in all summer Group Exercise Classes, as well as the Summer Weight Loss Training Program (June 5 to Aug. 2). For summer hours of operation, a schedule of classes, registration information, and more, visit the Recreation Centers website.

The following memberships are available for faculty and staff:

Bowling Memberships (Montview Student Union)

• $30/person all summer (June 4 to Aug. 21)
• $75/family/month
• $120/family all summer (June 4 to Aug. 21)

Family Bowling and Swim Pass

• $120/month
• $225/all summer (June 4 to Aug. 21)

Family Summer Swim Pass (David’s Place)

• $10/day
• $60/month
• $150/all summer (June 4 to Aug. 21)

LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center Membership (For Spouses of Faculty and Staff)

• $15/week
• $30/month
• $75/all summer (June 4 to Aug. 21)

LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center Membership (Alumni)

• $15/week
• $45/month
• $120/all summer (June 4 to Aug. 21)

All Access Family Membership (LaHaye, Montview, and David’s Place)

• $175/month
• $375/all summer (June 4 to Aug. 21)

Virginia Commonwealth Games

Liberty University will host the Virginia Commonwealth Games from July 27-29. The Virginia Commonwealth Games feature the state’s best amateur athletes of all ages competing in a wide range of sports, including archery, baseball, basketball, field hockey, soccer, and tennis.

For a complete calendar of events, list of sports, or to register, visit CommonwealthGames.org.

 Summer Savings at the IT Marketplace

Students might be gone for the summer, but the IT Marketplace is still here! Treat yourself to a semester well done with an array of technology products and accessories, as well as discounts on hardware and software on Apple®, Dell, and Lenovo products. Visit our in-store location in DeMoss Hall, Room 2414 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and online at Liberty.edu/itmarketplace. Keep an eye out for a bigger and better selection of products and deals.

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 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:  Bryon Andress, Brooke Baily, P.A. Bobbitt, Aaron Coffey, Conway Driskill, Terry Falwell, Audrey Hammond, Daniel Merchant, Rebekah McSherry, Scott Mehorter, Megan Robinson, Greta Rogers, Heidi Schieber, Cerise Smith, Caleb Sweazey, and Steven Wade.

May: Daniel Bowman, Ana Campbell, Hannah Hudnall, Michelle Jack, Jeremiah Koester, Rachel Lloyd, Brenda Maloney, Sarah Rexrode, Caleb Street, Pembrooke Thompson, Jesus Torres, Jesse VanVliet, Julie Whitaker, and Marcus Tinsley.

June:  Ashley Coleman, Rhonda Dickerson, Vicki Firtion, Josh Gerstner, Jared Hornsby, Chris Kidd, Doug Kruse, Steve Lambert, Elizabeth Maier, Dan Maxam, Amy Merrill, John Nelson, Danielle Ott, Leiren Potter, Stephanie Sands, Nathan Schafer, Cameron Seavers, and Scott Wiebe.

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: Jonah Aspegren, Alexandra Barker, Jackson Lee Barrow, Ethan Bell, Bryan Beman, Jerry Brooks, Javon Campbell, Aaron Coffey, Caleb Conner, Carmelita Foster, Brett Gallian, Ryan Hepler, Chad Hotelling, Wes Huffman, Jennifer Jones, Allison Kunkle, Nathan McGlothlin, Raymond Noland, Benjamin Hamilton Ruck, Daniel Smith, Sade Smith, Amy Summy, Taylor Tate, Jade Unroe, and Abigail Zehr.

*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!