Alumni Reception welcomes new graduates into the Liberty family during Commencement

On Thursday and Friday during Liberty University’s Commencement, the Office of Alumni Relations hosted an Alumni Reception to welcome the Class of 2025 to the alumni community. For many graduates who completed their degrees through Liberty University Online Programs, Commencement is their first time to see campus and get connected with other Liberty alumni.

Drink stations and food trucks were provided throughout the event, along with games, photo opportunities, alumni resources, and ways to connect with alumni chapters throughout the country. Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Dr. Greg Tilley said alumni are a valued part of the Liberty community.

“What we want to do is embrace and engage the recent grads and show them what it’s like to be an alum because once they’ve walked across the stage, they are in the elite group of Liberty alumni,” Tilley said. “We’re going to communicate the message that alumni matter here at Liberty University.”

The Class of 2025 is the largest graduating class in university history — over 30,000 — and joins a growing family of over 276,000 alumni across all 50 states, 94 nations, and 15 chapters. As part of the Liberty family, alumni have access to thousands of discounts and other benefits as well as multiple resources through the Champion Connect app.

Liberty President Dondi E. Costin, along with Chancellor Jonathan Falwell, Executive Vice President of Development Brian Mentzer, and Tilley, spoke briefly at the reception to welcome the graduates into the alumni family.

“We’re going to be joined this weekend by 60,000 of our closest friends,” Costin said with his wife, Vickey, on stage with him on Thursday. “I’m a two-time graduate of Liberty University, and I would not be anywhere without Liberty; thanks be to God for what (He) has done on this mountain.”

For graduate Anthony Feige, who received an executive certificate in psychology and is on the road to obtaining a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology, this weekend holds special significance. He received a master’s degree in pastoral counseling with a focus in military resilience in 2022, but he wasn’t able to attend graduation on Liberty campus. He was excited to be on campus this time around and attend the Alumni Reception as part of graduation events.

“I love this school; I think it’s great. I love that I’m able to use my faith as a foundation to my learning,” said Feige, who served 20 years in the United States Army and attended Liberty’s Military Graduate Recognition Ceremony earlier in the day. “Being an alum and coming back is really exciting because it’s the first time I’ve gotten to see the graduation, and I look forward to my next one.”

Feige loved the reception and said he was glad that he and his wife and kids could enjoy it together.

Sarah Bogert, who graduated with a master’s in social work through Liberty University Online Programs in December, was excited to experience campus during graduation.

“It’s really fun (to be in the alumni community),” she said. “I did online school, so being here on campus, it’s so full of life. Especially since it’s a Christian school and I went to a state school for my undergraduate, it’s just a completely different experience, and it’s been so wonderful.”

Master’s in history graduate Abrielle Lamb, who also earned her degree online, attended the reception with her family, including her husband, Matthew, who said they hope to encourage the next generation of their family to attend Liberty.

“I’m very proud to be part of the Liberty family and what they stand for,” Lamb said.

Her mother, Kelly Mullins, said she takes comfort in knowing that Lamb is in a valued alumni community like Liberty.

“We love Liberty; she has received a wonderful education, and I’m really proud that she’s part of these alumni because it means something so much bigger.”