Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin addresses largest graduating class in Liberty University history

Liberty University welcomed the 74th Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin to deliver the keynote address for the 52nd Commencement Main Ceremony on Friday night in Williams Stadium, which celebrated Liberty’s largest graduating class in history.

Honoring over 32,000 graduates, the ceremony was part of a weekend packed with over 30 campus events, including 28 degree presentation ceremonies Thursday through Saturday.

Following a time of worship by School of Music ensemble group LU Praise and the Liberty Worship Collective, Friday’s ceremony began with an invocation by Liberty Chancellor Jonathan Falwell as he welcomed guests to the stadium and prayed over the event. He then invited Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Tim Lee to the stage.

Lee spoke about Liberty’s history and commitment to Christian education, noting that “true education rests on a moral and spiritual foundation,” and that many of country’s leading educational institutions have turned away from truth and abandoned their Christian mission.

“Liberty University has not made that turn; we have no intention of making that turn. We are standing right where we always have been,” he said. “We have maintained the mission and vision of our founder and friend, Dr. Jerry Falwell, with an uncompromising doctrinal statement and a Christian worldview focus on academic excellence. At Liberty, we are awake, but we are not woke.”

President Dondi E. Costin acknowledged the board members, faculty, and staff of the university and honored the obstacles and barriers many graduates overcame to reach graduation.

“When I look around this stadium, I don’t see just caps and gowns. I see miracles,” he said. “Some of you walked a hard road to get here. You’ve overcome losses, illnesses, career changes, and life detours you never planned. Yet, here you are as a testament to the power of a miracle-working God who loves you and wants the best for you. Don’t try to take the pen from His hand; let Him write the story only He can.”

He used the acronym S.T.O.N.E. (Stand in Faith, Take courageous action, Operate in the power of God, Nurture a legacy for Christ, Exalt in God’s glory) to exhort the graduates to follow David’s example in the Bible, when he used a single stone to slay the giant Goliath.

“Class of 2025, trust me when I tell you that one stone can change the course of history,” he said. “As Champions for Christ, we have one stone, one faith, one mission, one God, and one victory in Jesus Christ. That diploma in your hand is like a slingshot in David’s hand. The battle is the Lord’s, and it’s your turn now. Go get ’em, Flames. Burn hot for God. The best is yet to come.”

Costin then welcomed Youngkin to the stage. Youngkin is a Virginia native, born in Richmond and raised in both Virginia’s capital and Virginia Beach. He earned degrees in mechanical engineering and management studies from Rice University, where he played basketball. He later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Youngkin spent 25 years at The Carlyle Group, eventually serving as co-CEO from 2018-20 before committing to the gubernatorial race in 2020.

As governor, he has prioritized educational excellence, job growth, and tax relief. He oversaw historic investments in education and significant business development, supported law enforcement, and initiated $5 billion in tax relief for working families.

Joined by Falwell and Liberty Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Scott Hicks, Costin presented Youngkin an honorary Doctor of Humanities.

Youngkin opened his keynote address by recognizing the proud history of distinguished Commencement speakers.

“It is so humbling be here with the amazing First Lady Suzanne Youngkin and my son Grant Youngkin and to have an opportunity to be back at this wonderful institution,” he said. “It’s an institution that is respected all around the world because it is rooted not in the temporal, but in the eternal.”

He acknowledged the people who supported the graduates along their academic journey, including family, professors, coaches, staff, and administration.

“Above all, we rightly give glory and thanks to God, because He is due everything. He blessed this university and every Liberty graduate who came before you — graduates who sat exactly where you are and graduates who laid the foundation for this incredible moment.”

Youngkin highlighted graduates’ accomplishments, including more than 6,300 graduating with honors, 4,100 graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA, and 7,129 graduates with military ties.

“With over 32,000 graduates, the Class of 2025 is not only the largest in Liberty’s storied history, it’s also one of the most impressive since Jerry Falwell Sr. had a vision and opened the doors of this school more than five decades ago.”

Youngkin thanked the graduates for their support when he ran for office in Fall of 2021, and said he was grateful for their service to their community, from helping residents recover from Hurricane Helene to protecting the lives of the unborn.

“You marched for life with me in Richmond, and you stood up for those who can’t stand up for themselves,” he said as the audience erupted into applause.

“You partnered with organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Blessing; you did more than aid those who have lost everything — you showed what it meant to be a Champion for Christ, and that is the utmost demonstration of love in action,” he said.

Youngkin reminded the students that there are seasons to life, and there will be seasons when they will hear God’s voice asking who He will send out for His purpose. Youngkin discussed the many Virginians in our nation’s history — such as Patrick Henry, Desmond Doss, Barbara Johns who protested segregation at 16 years old, Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee who founded Operation Smile, and more — who obeyed God’s call and responded with “Here I am. Send me,” as Isaiah 6:8 states.

“Whether it was any of them or countless others, all of these Virginians heard and answered the call to be sent,” Youngkin said. “But this faithful courage that says ‘send me’ doesn’t just belong in the history books. It is also with us right here in Williams Stadium. I know all of you have known or will know this calling at some point.”

But Youngkin warned the graduates that God’s callings aren’t always “comfortable” or “convenient,” and may come at unexpected times, even when they feel they are already fulfilling the Lord’s calling. He shared his own story of following God’s call in the middle of a successful 25-year business career.

“In 2020, I had what I thought was my dream job,” he said. “I was married to the love of my life for 26 years then, and we were raising our amazing four children. I thought I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and the Lord had other plans. He put a stop sign in my prayer life – a stop sign impossible to ignore.”

It was on a Friday night that year that Youngkin revealed his plans to his wife to run for governor, and they prayed together for guidance, wisdom, and strength. Youngkin said they have never regretted running for governor.

“Other than the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Suzanne said, ‘Yes, I will marry you,’ I have never felt more purposeful in my life,” he said. “Each of you will have a different story. And I don’t know how your chapter will unfold or what your specific callings will be. … .But I know this for sure: the Class of 2025, you are ready to hear the invitation, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I am so confident that you will stand up and say ‘Send Me.’”

As he closed, Youngkin told the graduates that what they have learned at Liberty will set them apart, and he closed by saying a prayer for them.

“From this moment on, in every room you enter, you will be bringing the unique formation of a Liberty education, and what a blessing that will be to everyone whose path you will cross,” he said. “The world needs your witness. It needs your intellect, it needs your promise, it needs your commitment. The world needs more Champions for Christ. Above all, it needs your faith, it needs your hope, it needs your love. And remember — the greatest of these is love.”

Hicks conferred the degrees, exhorting the students that God will be guiding them and will not leave them or forsake them during trials and persecution.

At the end of the ceremony, Liberty Co-founder Dr. Elmer Towns gave the benediction, before 300 drones illuminated the sky and told a Liberty-themed story, with special narration by Liberty Founder Jerry Falwell Sr.

Jonathan Bost, a graduate celebrating two bachelor’s degrees in computer engineering and applied mathematics and statistics, said he enjoyed participating in Commencement.

“I know Liberty puts an emphasis on us being Champions for Christ,” he said. “A big part of that is we can’t stay at Liberty forever. We have to graduate, go out into the world, and impact others for Christ and for the Gospel.”

Bost also loved the drone show at the end of the ceremony.

“It was really cool how they integrated the show with Dr. Falwell’s quotes that we all know from Convocation and the different symbols from Liberty, like Sparky and Demoss Hall,” he said.

Aviation maintenance management graduate Blane Cook said graduating brings a mix of emotions.

“Commencement is bittersweet because it’s the end of a college career that was full of excitement,” he said. “It couldn’t have been better, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

“It’s also the beginning of a new chapter,” he added. “I think that’s the best part — I’m leaving this, but I’m opening up a new chapter in life and who knows what (will happen). It’s exciting because studying here and getting not only the spiritual knowledge, but also the technical knowledge in aviation — there’s a lot you can do with that.”

Cook was excited to hear from Youngkin and left inspired by his words.

“It’s cool to hear (Youngkin) speak, because not only does he hold a huge position in Virginia as the governor, but he approaches that with a Christian worldview and relates everything he does as governor to what Christ did. It’s awesome hearing him speak.”

For more stories from the Class of 2025, visit Liberty.edu/News.