Faculty gather to kick off spring semester, reinforce their mission to Train Champions for Christ

Before in-person classes begin for residential students for the Spring 2021 semester on Jan. 25, Liberty University faculty gathered in the new Liberty Arena Wednesday morning for a reminder of what it means to be a Liberty professor and how they can impact students’ lives.

Following a worship set led by School of Music Dean Dr. Stephen Müller, Liberty Acting President Jerry Prevo delivered a message of thankfulness to the faculty, who he said are the ones that can likely have the biggest impact on students’ lives while they’re at Liberty. He also encouraged them to continue helping students both in and out of the classroom, caring for them in life’s trials and helping them excel in their respective field.

“When parents send their child here to Liberty University, they’re entrusting us to train them up; they have allowed us to adopt them,” Prevo said. “They’re depending upon us, and they’re depending upon each one of you because you’re really the ones who are going to have more direct contact with their child than anybody else. They’re depending upon us to carry out the vision they’re all familiar with, Training Champions for Christ, and that’s what we want to do here at Liberty University academically, spiritually, and morally.”

Standing on the court of the recently finished arena, Prevo reflected on his many conversations he had with Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell during the school’s early years about the dreams of what Liberty would become. He introduced a video that highlighted Falwell’s vision and Liberty’s beginnings, shown on the arena’s videoboard above center court.

“I remember years ago, (Dr. Falwell) took me up on the mountain and pointed to places and said, ‘One day there will be an arena here, a dormitory there, and so on,” Prevo said. “He saw it in his mind, and we are seeing it here now today.”

Liberty’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer Scott Hicks followed, reemphasizing Liberty’s longtime mission of Training Champions for Christ.

“If we’re going to carry on our founder’s vision, it begins with you,” he told the faculty. “There’s no one on the front lines with our students more than you.”

As an illustration of the tremendous impact Liberty’s professors have had on students, Hicks read two Teacher Appreciation Grams recently submitted by students. Sharing the touching testimonials of how professors have changed their lives — and, in some cases, saved them —Hicks reinforced the idea that professors play an essential role.

“That is indicative of everyone in this room, that you invest day in and day out (in students),” Hicks said. “You’re pouring out to others when no one is pouring into you, you’re doing it through life events, family crises, personal crises, financial crises, economic crises, health crises. That’s what makes Liberty.”

Dr. David Wheeler, professor of evangelism and senior executive director of LU Shepherd, delivered a devotional that reinforced the morning’s theme of joining together in continuing the mission. He explained that the recent struggles due to the COVID-19 pandemic and tumultuous political environment should not dissuade Christians from trusting in God.

“It’s really easy if you’re not careful to be caught up in that and lose track of where we’re going, but this is a time for us to reset, and I believe God’s hand is on it,” Wheeler said. “Our God did not abdicate the throne because 2020 happened. Satan always works in isolation, but we are built in community. We need to realize that nothing else we can read this year is as important as the Word of God.”

For many in attendance, this was their first time stepping foot inside the new arena, which due to COVID-19 has only allowed limited occupancy for sporting events.

Before the closing prayer for the morning, Hicks invited Müller and John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Dean Dr. Troy Temple to stand in front of the crowd, where he officially named them as deans of their respective programs (both had previously been serving as interim deans).

Throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon, the Center for Teaching Excellence supported faculty by hosting virtual workshops, roundtables, and conferences.