University launches ‘We the Champions’ project

Training Champions for Christ has been Liberty University’s tagline since its founding in 1971. But what does it mean to be a champion?

Mirroring the U.S. Constitution’s first line of “We the People,” the university launched its new initiative, “We the Champions,” on Wednesday. The campaign is designed to unite the diverse university community around the singular vision of the school – Training Champions for Christ. The campaign will better explain what Liberty is all about: a place where champions are not just victors, but people who exhibit Christian virtues such as service, humility, gratitude, compassion, and perseverance in their everyday lives. A new “We the Champions” website features stories of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are bringing Liberty’s mission to life.

In another nod to U.S. history, the “We the Champions” campaign also includes a Declaration that conveys how those Christian ideals function within a collegiate setting. The words of the Declaration are now displayed on the steps of the Montview Student Union. Students will start seeing the ideals of the Declaration across campus and have opportunities to participate personally in the campaign over the coming months.

A special “We the Champions” launch video was shown during the first Convocation of the school year Wednesday, showing Liberty’s history and its rise to national prominence. The Convocation featured Liberty sophomore and racecar driver William Byron, whom President Jerry Falwell called a fitting example to help kick off the campaign.

Liberty sophomore Emily Golden and senior Hunter Hall said they were excited about the new initiative.

“As the body of Christ, we are champions for the Gospel,” said Golden, who is studying exercise science. “I think when people see ‘We the Champions’ outside of the Liberty community, they’ll be curious what Liberty is about.”

Hall, who is studying music and worship, said this was a chance for the student body to express themselves in a unique way and highlight how the Liberty family are using their gifts and abilities to be a force for good in the world.

“It was great to see leadership come on stage during Convocation and talk about (‘We the Champions’),” he said. “To me, (this initiative) means that we can champion serving Jesus in every way. That’s especially encouraging, because our entire body is made up of different majors. I want to go into full-time ministry, but someone else is studying to be an engineer. What matters most is what we want to do for the Gospel.”

To kick off the campaign, students were given an opportunity to champion those currently in need by donating toward Hurricane Harvey relief. LU Send Now, the university’s disaster relief effort, will send a team of 12 to assist Samaritan’s Purse with Hurricane Harvey cleanup efforts in Victoria, Texas. There was also a time of prayer on the Academic Lawn following Convocation for those affected by the flooding in Texas.

Have you seen gratitude, humility, integrity, joy, love, perseverance, service, or unity demonstrated in someone at LU? Whether it’s in an academic, athletic, or social setting, we want to hear about it. And then we want to help you share it with the world. Go to the We the Champions website to share the story, and while you’re there — get a closer look at what it means to be a champion at Liberty University.