Commencement: Franklin Graham will be the keynote speaker of the main ceremony

Liberty University’s new graduates will hear from Franklin Graham, evangelist and president of Samaritan’s Purse, during the Commencement Main Ceremony May 12. 

Commencement this year will include three days of festivities for over 25,000 degrees. Individual degree presentation ceremonies will take place at different campus locations May 11-13. 

“Who better to send the class of 2023 out into the world as Champions for Christ than Franklin Graham,” Liberty Interim President Jerry Prevo said. “The Graham family has been faithful friends and supporters of Liberty for a very long time.”

Prevo also recognized Graham’s faithfulness to the Lord through his ministries.

“We have seen God use (the Graham family) to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world and come to the aid of so many families and countries in times of great disaster through the ministries of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association,” Prevo said. “We are looking forward to hearing Franklin commission our new graduates to do the same as Champions for Christ.”

Graham currently serves as the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which was founded by his father Billy Graham. He has spoken on Liberty’s campus many times, including speaking at Convocation in 2020, as well as when he delivered the keynote address at Commencement in 2001. 

For more information on Commencement, visit the commencement website. 

Smith is the news editor for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on Twitter