Commuter Appreciation Week
We’re Celebrating You Monday, April 13 – Friday, April 17, 2026
Commuter Appreciation Week is our way of celebrating YOU—Liberty’s hardworking, resilient, and community-driven commuter students! Whether you’re balancing classes, work, or off-campus life, we see you, appreciate you, and want to make this week one to remember. Each day will feature a unique event designed to bring fun, food, and connection to your commuter experience, leading up to our grand finale: Commuter Life Gala!
Don’t miss out on this week of appreciation, exclusive giveaways, and exciting moments made just for you.
Start Here: Your CAW 2026 Passport
Don’t miss the adventure and all the ways we’re celebrating you this week. First stop? Grab your CAW 2026 Passport.
The Commuter Appreciation Week Passport ties the entire week together. Inside, you’ll find details on every CAW event and space to collect stamps as you attend throughout the week.
Bring your passport to each event to receive a stamp. The more stamps you collect, the more memories you make — and your completed passport also serves as your entry to win a grand prize.
Where to pick up your passport: Passports will be available on Monday, April 13 in the Commuter Lounge and at Coast-to-Coast Bingo, through Wednesday, April 15 at the Rooftop Refresher, while supplies last.
Prepare for the CAW Adventure
Nominations Closed
Check your email to Cast Your Vote for The Vickey’s — Commuter Life’s Annual Awards Ceremony.
Reserve your seat for the Commuter Life Gala — an elegant evening celebrating commuters to close the week.
Explore participating Lynchburg businesses offering discounts exclusively for commuters on Thursday, April 16.
CAW 2026 Event Schedule
Coast to Coast Bingo
Le Café Commuter
Rooftop Refresher
Commuter Discount Day
Commuter Life Gala
Coast to Coast Bingo
Date: Monday, April 13 | 7-9 PM
Location: LaHaye Event Space
Kick off CAW with a cross-country road trip–themed, team-based Bingo night. Compete for prizes and start collecting passport stamps.
Le Café Commuter
Date: Tuesday, April 14 | 9 AM – 12 PM
Location: Commuter Lounge
The Commuter Lounge transforms into a Parisian café. Enjoy curated coffees and bakery-style treats served café-style as you ease into the day.
Rooftop Refresher
Date: Wednesday, April 15 | 4-7 PM
Location: DeMoss Roof (5th Floor)
A midweek recharge with refreshing beverages, crafts, and board games — all set against a rooftop backdrop designed for connection and rest.
Commuter Discount Day
Date: Thursday, April 16 | All Day
Location: Various Lynchburg area businesses
Celebrate commuter life beyond campus with exclusive discounts at participating Lynchburg restaurants and businesses.
Commuter Life Gala
Date: Friday, April 17 | 5:30–9:30 PM
Location: Warehouse Theatre; 519 Commerce St, Lynchburg, VA
Close out the week with an elegant evening featuring dinner, dancing, and the annual Vickey’s Award Ceremony.
The Commuter Life Gala is the culminating celebration of Commuter Appreciation Week — a formal evening honoring your commuter journey and the community built throughout the year.
Date: Friday, April 17 | 5:30–9:30 PM
Location: Warehouse Theatre; 519 Commerce Street, Lynchburg, Virginia
RSVP: Required by April 15
Come enjoy a seated dinner, dancing, and the presentation of the Vickey’s awards, including peer-nominated categories. Attendees are encouraged to dress formally and bring their completed CAW Passport for prize eligibility.
The Evening
The Vickey’s
The Vickey’s are peer-nominated awards presented annually at the Commuter Life Gala. Named in honor of a posture of hospitality, care, and attentiveness toward commuters, these awards recognize the everyday faithfulness and impact of undergraduate commuters across campus.
These awards are stories of resilience, welcome, leadership, and presence — told by commuters about commuters.
Award Categories
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Most Hospitable:For the student who makes others feel welcome, always has a smile, and whose off-campus residence is a community space.
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Best Connector:For the student who helps build bridges between peers, plugs people into hangouts, or introduces friends who otherwise wouldn’t have met.
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Best Trailblazer: For the student who embraces opportunities, tries new things, and inspires others to step out of their comfort zone.
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Most Resilient: For the student who has displayed exceptional perseverance and grit through their commuter journey.
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Best All-Around Commuter: For the student who exceedingly embodies the heart of Commuter Life: Christ-centered, belonging, connection, and celebration.
Nomination & Voting Timeline
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Nominations Open: March 1-20
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Finalists Announced: April 6
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Student Voting: April 6-10.
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Winners Revealed: Live at the Commuter Life Gala
Undergraduate commuters are invited to nominate their peers and participate in the voting process.
FAQs
Commuter Discount Day Locations
On Thursday, April 16, commuters can enjoy exclusive discounts at the following Lynchburg-area businesses as part of Commuter Discount Day:
- Kinship Roasters — 25% Off Coffee
- The Bagel & I — Free bagel with Creme Cheese Coupon (Available for Pickup at Rooftop Refresher on Wednesday))
- Joe Beans — Buy One Get One Coupon (Available for Pickup at Rooftop Refresher on Wednesday)
- Kline’s Dairy Bar — Free Cone Coupon (Available for Pickup at Rooftop Refresher on Wednesday)
- Nothing Bundt Cakes — 20% Off Bundtlets
- Rookie’s — 25% off (up to $5 off max)
- Mission House Coffee — 20% Specialty Coffee
- Bruster’s Real Ice Cream — Buy One Get One, Small Waffle Cone
- Benny Scarpetta’s — $9 meal deal (Any Slice + Any Drink + Bag of Chaps + Any Dipping Sauce)
- Blue Ridge Bagels — Free Small Iced Coffee