Military Insider: Fall 2025 Delta Edition
Welcome to the Fall D subterm!
We’re so glad you chose to pursue your calling and educational goals with us at Liberty! We’re here to help and want to provide some useful resources as you begin the D subterm. Remember the Military Affairs Office Team is here for you and any needs you may have. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need us!
Chaplain’s Charge: Words of Encouragement from the Center for Chaplaincy
Encouragement for the Journey: A Word from Chaplain Woller
By this point in the semester, students are fully immersed in papers, quizzes, exams, discussion assignments, and weekly readings. Many of you may feel like you’re burning the candle at both ends, studying late into the night and rising early each morning for PT, staff duty, or other military responsibilities if you’re actively serving. If you’re a military spouse, you’re balancing household responsibilities while keeping up with coursework. If you’re a reservist, National Guard member, veteran, retiree, or military family member, life has a way of piling up when college coursework is added to the calendar. Regardless of your circumstances, you may have asked yourself more than once this semester, “Is it worth staying up late and waking early to earn this degree? Will I make it through this season of life?” You may be facing discouragement or struggling with your faith and hope in God as the semester wears on and the finish line feels distant.
If you’re currently in a season of discouragement or struggling with your faith in God, consider Asaph—King David’s worship leader and the author of several Psalms. Though not a college student, Asaph experienced intense anguish and doubt. Yet, he chose to turn back to God. Rather than weaponizing his problems against the Lord, Asaph cried out, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26). He recognized that life is finite and full of burdens, but running from God in despair would not bring healing. God becomes the strength of our hearts when we share our burdens with Him through prayer and petition. The author of Hebrews encourages us to “With confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We make God our portion forever, as Asaph did, when we seek ultimate joy and satisfaction in Him—knowing that nothing apart from God can truly fulfill our souls. My prayer is that each of us experiences God’s grace and mercy more fully this term through daily prayer, devotion, and fellowship with other believers, stirring one another to love and good works. May you be reminded daily that God walks with you through every challenge, and may He give you strength to excel in your courses this term to His glory!
In Christ,
Spencer Woller, Military Affairs Contact Center Agent I
Chaplain (1LT), United States Army Reserve
Celebrating the Navy & Marine Corps’ 250th Anniversary
Here at Liberty University, we’re honored to celebrate Two historic milestones are coming up this fall: the 250th birthdays of the United States Navy (October 13, 1775) and the United States Marine Corps (November 10, 1775). For a quarter of a millennium, our Sailors and Marines have safeguarded freedom of the seas, answered the nation’s call in war and peace, delivered humanitarian aid around the world, and embodied courage, discipline, and selfless service. From the earliest days of our Republic to today’s cutting-edge fleet and expeditionary forces, their legacy is one of steadfast readiness and quiet professionalism.
To honor the Navy and Marine Corps, the cities of Philadelphia and New Jersey will be commemorating these milestones with special events, a Naval ship parade, a Blue Angels fly over, special museum exhibits, tours of modern and historic ships, and much more. To join in the celebrations, visit homecoming250.org. Our office salutes our Navy and Marine Corps students, alumni, faculty, staff, and families, past and present whose service strengthens our campus and our country. As we mark these 250-year milestones, we pray God’s protection and favor over all who serve. Semper Fortis, and Semper Fidelis!
Military Appreciation Month is This November
Military Appreciation Month raises awareness and appreciation for those who have served and are serving in the United States military. Our founder, the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, led Liberty University by example, demonstrating the consistency of Christianity, patriotism, and love of country. Military Appreciation Month seeks to carry on this legacy. Once a one-day event on campus, Military Appreciation Month has been expanded to a month-long celebration in order to give greater visibility, support, and recognition to our military and veterans. Events are planned throughout campus during November to show appreciation for the men and women who have served and are serving this great nation.
Learn more about this year’s events, and join us in celebrating!
Join the Murph Challenge
Join us this November in completing the Murph Challenge on Saturday, November 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.! The Liberty University Murph Challenge (LUMC) is a student-led, veteran charity event hosted by the Standing for Freedom Center that brings together military service members, LU students and faculty, and the general public for a day of faith, fitness, and remembrance. Centered around the grueling Murph Challenge workout, LUMC honors our nation’s heroes through intense physical competition, military traditions, and veteran-centered ceremonies.
The main event consists of a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and a second one-mile run. The challenge is a fundraiser, and 100% of all proceeds and donations raised will go towards event expenses and to raise money for the National Center for Healthy Veterans (NCHV) in nearby Altavista, Virginia!
Main Events Include:
- Competitive Murph Challenge
- Non-Competitive Murph Challenge
- Team Murph Challenge
- Kids Hero Workout
- Bench Press Competition
- Squat Competition
- Deadlift Competition
- Military Symposium with veteran ceremonies, speeches, and memorials
Don’t think you’re up to the challenge, but want to support the cause? Feel free to donate and help raise money for the NCHV. Learn more and sign up for the challenge today at https://www.lumurphchallenge.com/!
Alumni Spotlight: Norica Vernon
We are grateful for the many Liberty alumni serving our Lord and our Nation as military chaplains around the globe. One of those alumni is Army Reserve Chaplain (Captain) Norica Vernon who graduated from Liberty Theological Seminary in 2020 with a Master of Divinity in Military Chaplaincy. Chaplain Vernon now serves as an Army Reserve Brigade Chaplain in West Virginia and works full-time as an Army Civilian supporting an Army Reserve Battalion in Virginia. As a chaplain, she is responsible for providing oversight to three battalion-level chaplains and six chaplain candidates. She is responsible for the spiritual care provided to thousands of soldiers and their families throughout multiple states on the east coast. Chaplain Vernon recently completed a ten month deployment in 2022, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. She also has previous active-duty military experience in both the Marine Corps and the Army.
Chaplain Vernon served as an Army Reserve Chaplain Candidate while studying at Liberty Theological Seminary. Her Army Reserve drill schedule often required her to spend long weekends caring for Army Reserve soldiers away from Liberty’s campus, along with occasional calls to training and duty during the school week. Despite her frequent military responsibilities, she felt both supported and accommodated as a military student by her professors. She greatly appreciated the respite provided by Liberty’s Veteran Center, a lounge for service members and veterans to socialize, study, and relax. She also worked with Liberty’s Office of Military Affairs to utilize her Post-9/11 GI Bill® during seminary from her previous military service.
Chaplain Vernon found her seminary years to be a challenging yet fulfilling season, as she began her seminary studies as a single mother of two teenagers. Despite the challenges she faced between balancing raising a family and attending seminary full-time, she found that training to be a chaplain strengthened her relationship with her daughters. Furthermore, she found her professors to be compassionate and caring, always striving to help her further her relationship with God in preparation for chaplaincy. She especially credits Dr. Kevin King for training her in the homiletical skills necessary for effective preaching as a chaplain and she is grateful for Dr. Leo Percer’s continued mentorship that has extended beyond her seminary days. She is eternally grateful to Dr. Steven Keith and Dr. Brian Harvey from Liberty University’s Center for Chaplaincy for the mentorship and wisdom they imparted during seminary.
Chaplain Vernon encourages military servicemembers who are balancing military service with an education at Liberty University to thank their families immensely for their sacrifices! The military lifestyle is already grueling enough on families, and adding school in the margins of life can put a strain on even an emotionally and spiritually healthy family. She also encourages servicemembers to prioritize faith and family while attending college courses. She challenges servicemembers to prioritize faith through practicing Sabbath rest and dwelling in God’s presence through prayer. She encourages servicemembers to prioritize family through finding windows of time to put down study materials and spend quality time with them. Chaplain Vernon is grateful to Liberty University for the world-class education she received that has equipped her to bear the presence and message of Christ to military servicemembers around the globe as an Army Chaplain.
Stay Connected
Follow the Liberty University Office of Military Affairs on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest news, and get reminders about upcoming deadlines and events!
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
