Faculty, staff, students and distinguished guests gathered Friday at Liberty University’s main religion building for the dedication of the new Towns-Alumni Lecture Hall. The new 750-seat lecture hall, named in honor of Liberty co-founder Dr. Elmer Towns, features sloped floors, cushioned chairs and state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced a name change for the whole building: Elmer L. Towns Religion Hall.
“It is still the B.R. Lakin School of Religion, but it is now housed in the Elmer L. Towns Religion Hall,” he explained.
Leadership guru and best-selling author Dr. John Maxwell was the guest speaker, delivering a heartfelt and personal message to Towns, thanking his mentor for showing an interest in his life and crediting him for not wavering from God’s vision.
“Every time I’m with you, you teach me something,” Maxwell told Towns. “On behalf of thousands of men and women who are in ministry today … I salute you.”
Shortly after his speech, Maxwell joined Towns, Falwell Jr., the Rev. Jonathan Falwell, Vice Chancellor Dr. Ron Godwin and LU alumnus Greg Clendenin in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Towns addressed the audience, thanking everyone for making the construction of the lecture hall possible.
“I want to thank first of all the one person who is not here today for this privilege — I’d like to thank Jerry Falwell Sr. I want to thank him for the vision of Liberty University.”
For more on the B.R. Lakin School of Religion, click here.