Liberty raffles off three trips to Fiesta Bowl during annual Christmas reception for faculty and staff

Liberty University hosted its annual President’s Christmas Reception at the new Reber Thomas Dining Center on Thursday to thank staff and faculty for their efforts during the 2023 fall semester, with the additional opportunity to win an all-expenses paid trip to Glendale, Ariz., to cheer on Flames Football at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl.

“The most important thing about Liberty University is our people,” said President Dr. Dondi Costin, who drew the names of the raffle winners. “It would not be the Fiesta Bowl if we didn’t have the right people to fiesta with. I’m so excited that these Flames who help the university run day after day are going to be able to celebrate with us.”

Rebekah Trittipoe, who serves as a career coach for the university, said that she was “flabbergasted” when she heard that she had won the trip.

“When I told my granddaughter, she said, ‘You’re so lucky.’ I said, ‘No, I’m not lucky. God is so gracious, kind, and sovereign. This is in His plan, and we are so grateful for that,’” she said.

Hancock Welcome Center community liaison Terry Falwell, a cousin of Liberty’s late founder, Dr. Jerry Falwell, also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to cheer on the Flames in Glendale.

“It’s been a blessing to be at Liberty University and win this gift,” he said.

Brittany Minard, morning co-host for the university-owned radio station WRVL The Journey, said that this generous gesture by the university brought her to tears because it enabled her and her husband to make the trip to Arizona.

“I’m beyond excited and beyond words,” she said. “I cried when I found out because my husband and I really wanted to go and couldn’t swing it. This is Christmas for us, and we are so excited and so thankful to Liberty for sending us to the Fiesta Bowl to cheer on the Flames.”

The Christmas reception welcomed faculty and staff to enjoy a complementary lunch that included a variety of options fitting for the holiday season, including turkey, roast beef, shrimp, various pies, and more.

The Flames will take on the No. 8 Oregon Ducks at 1 p.m. EST on Jan. 1, 2024, at State Farm Stadium. Liberty enters this game with a perfect 13-0 record on the season and with a program-highest rank of No. 23 in the College Football Rankings. Fans unable to attend the event can catch the action on ESPN.