Construction Uncovers a New Boulder to Reinstate the Beloved LU Spirit Rock Tradition
“Spirit Rock,” a tradition dating back to 1993, was reestablished Aug. 4 at DeMoss Hall with hopes that students can show off their school spirit, personal messages and artistic flair on the rock once again.
Liberty’s Vice President of Major Construction Daniel Deter was managing the construction of the new Food Court at Reber-Thomas when he and his crew discovered a massive stone under the project. Deter knew that the first “Spirit Rock” broke in 2018 when the School of Business was being built, and he came up with the idea to use this large stone as the new “Spirit Rock.”
Deter said that he drove up on the construction site, saw the stone and immediately requested that the Marketing Department come over. He wanted to ask them if they would be interested in this stone becoming the new “Spirit Rock.” They thought it was a great idea.
Deter wanted students to continue the tradition of painting the rock, as thousands of students have been painting it for the last 25 years.
“I think [the Spirit Rock] is a way for students to continue a tradition…it’s a way for students to express themselves,” Deter said. “Back in the day after the Virginia Tech shooting, somebody went to the ‘Spirit Rock’ and decorated it to say ‘All Hokies’ as a remembrance of the victims.”
The “Spirit Rock” has been a big part of Liberty’s history and a symbol of creativity, hope and love that Liberty students have not only for the university but for each other as well. According to the Liberty University website, since its establishment in 1993, the old “Spirit Rock” had been painted to celebrate Liberty events, show off school spirit, express creative images and pay tribute to people who have passed away.
“What had happened over the years was the ‘Spirit Rock’ not only got spray painted by students, but it also got moved,” Deter said. “People would like to push it over or push it around. So in order to protect our students and staff we installed a concrete foundation underneath the ‘Spirit Rock’ and reinforcing bars were drilled into the foundation to hold the rock to the ground to prevent this from continuing.”
According to Deter, the damage done to the rock during construction for the School of Business was unfixable.
But now, the “Spirit Rock” is back, sitting proudly near the DeMoss Hall bus stop. It is around the same size as the old rock, standing 5 feet tall and 11 feet wide. It is also sporting a fresh new paint job celebrating Liberty’s 50th anniversary.
Deter said he doesn’t know exactly when students can start painting the new “Spirit Rock,” but that he knows that Student Activities will most likely make announcements or events to decorate the rock throughout the year.
Deter also said he cannot wait to see the creativity students bring to the new rock and is excited to see that school spirit and old Liberty traditions are made great again.
Kaitlyn Wallace is a News Reporter.