Liberty University presents Bill and Gloria Gaither with honorary Doctor of Music degrees
October 17, 2025 : By Office of Communications & Public Engagement
Liberty University presented gospel music legends Bill and Gloria Gaither with honorary Doctor of Music degrees during its Convocation on Wednesday, recognizing their over 60 years of faithful service to the Lord.
The Gaithers have written over 1,000 songs, many of which have been recorded by musical artists like Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, Phil Wickham, Michael W. Smith, and more. They have received eight Grammy Awards and over 40 Dove Awards, with 75 of their recordings going gold, platinum, or multiplatinum. Their various online music channels receive over 1 million views daily and over 3 billion views annually. The Gaithers are members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
After the Liberty Worship Collective opened Convocation with “Because He Lives,” which the Gaithers released in 1971, Liberty President Dondi E. Costin invited the couple on stage to honor their extensive contributions to sharing Christ’s love through music.
“The Gaithers have inspired millions of people with the Gospel,” Costin said. “In recognition of their unwavering service to Christ through their God-given talents and by the power invested in me by the Board of Trustees of Liberty University, we hereby award both Bill and Gloria Gaither the honorary Doctor of Music for their service to the Church of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, with all the honors, rights, privileges, and responsibilities there unto appertaining.”
The Gaithers addressed the students, noting their longstanding relationship with Liberty’s founder, the late Dr. Jerry Falwell.
“We are overwhelmed,” Bill Gaither said. “I knew (Dr. Falwell) and loved him so well. What a good, good man he was. We were there at the beginning when he started raising funds for all of this (Liberty). He would have been moved today, too. It is overwhelming to see this many kids sing, ‘Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.’ Thank you very, very much. It’s an honor.”
Citing a line in the play “A Raisin in the Sun” about how you can’t live without hope, Gloria Gaither said, “I look around here and I see hope multiplied by 10,000. Thank you for giving us and the world hope. You’re beautiful. Thank you.”
Chancellor Jonathan Falwell then led a prayer thanking God for the millions of lives who have been touched by the Gaithers and their music.
The Gaithers are in Lynchburg this weekend for two Bill & Gloria Gaither and Friends Homecoming concerts at Thomas Road Baptist Church, on Friday and Saturday, with appearances by the Gaither Vocal Band, Liberty alumnus Mark Lowry (’80), and other special guests.
