In the fall, Liberty University surpassed 16,000 residential students for the first time. Over 4,400 new incoming undergraduates arrived on campus, and with the opening of the new high-rise Commons IV residence hall, more students are now living on Liberty’s campus than ever before — over 8,400. The current residential population includes students from all 50 states and 77 countries. Here’s what some of our new students had to say about making Liberty their new home away from home.
Caleb Hammett
Caleb Hammett, originally from Hanover, Mass., and known as The Drip King (@dripking) to his combined 4 million followers on various social media platforms, joined the men’s lacrosse team as a premier faceoff specialist last semester. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Hammett enrolled at Liberty to pursue a graduate certificate in business. He said he chose Liberty because of its faith-based foundation and community. “All the other schools I was looking at didn’t even compare whatsoever in that way. I spoke to (a coach and a captain) over the phone, and they just had so many great things to offer on the spiritual side outside of the sport that I was really attracted to.”
Hammett said he felt welcomed when he came on campus, despite being the farthest away from home he had ever been. He said the team community has spurred him on in his faith through Bible studies, a team chaplain, and even going on a retreat where many of the players were saved and baptized.
“I think community was one of the things that I was lacking the last few years in school. Now I’m just so grateful for how different (Liberty) is, where it’s like everywhere you go, you have so much community of people who really want to help your walk with the Lord.”
Nicolas Chism
Freshman youth ministry student Nicolas Chism from Hollidaysburg, Pa., chose Liberty for its Christian values despite not having grown up in a Christian household. He began his faith journey in high school when he was invited to a Bible study. Desiring to explore the Christian faith deeper, he researched Christian universities and talked with friends who attended Liberty. During the first Campus Community service in August, Chism surrendered his life to Christ after an altar call from Chancellor Jonathan Falwell, and he was baptized in November.
“Everyone around me (at Campus Community) was putting a hand on me, and when I walked down there, I was very supported, and it was incredible.”
He found additional support from his community group leader, whom he said has been a “big inspiration” in his life. When Chism went home on Thanksgiving Break, he said his family noticed a change.
“Liberty is changing me, and it’s for the better too. I wouldn’t say I was a bad person when I came here, but I wasn’t like who I am now. It’s just a blessing. It’s amazing.”
Caroline Meehan
Caroline Meehan, a freshman aviation student from Wilmington, N.C., looked at 13 universities before deciding that Liberty was the best fit for her goals. She was interested in commercial flight training through the School of Aeronautics and was impressed by the school’s use of high-tech simulators and the way professors integrate biblical principles into their teaching.
Meehan said college was a big transition, and she is grateful for the multitude of welcome events Liberty held during her first few weeks that kept her busy and helped her integrate into the Liberty community quickly.
“The culture here is so edifying to the Lord. I have lunch with two of my friends every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and we just talk about the Lord the whole time. Just knowing that all my friends are also really trying to glorify the Lord through their academics is so fun.”
One of Meehan’s favorite campus activities is Convocation every Wednesday and Friday. She said it is a great way to start her day.
“I love the worship, and you get to hear from all different perspectives. It widens your horizons, which I really like because there are a lot of points of view to hear from.”
Her favorite speaker last semester was Cliffe Knechtle, a Christian apologist, author, and evangelist.
Kacy Smith
Freshman Kacy Smith of Ashburn, Va., came to Liberty to pursue a degree in business administration with a focus in sales. She wanted to attend a school that would challenge her academically but also teach her how to study Scripture and serve others.
“Service and evangelism are something that I personally feel called to, and I definitely want to get out in the community and help others. Liberty has a lot of opportunities to do that.”
During her first semester, Smith was selected to serve on a student-led servant evangelism team, where she was involved in outreach opportunities on and off campus and made connections with other students who have become her friends.
Having been homeschooled, Smith said it was hard to be away from home for the first time and adjust to a college schedule, but her professors have helped her along the way.
“I’ve been able to meet with my advisor, and she helped me set classes and just figure that out. I’ve also gotten to meet with my professors one-on-one. I had a great group of professors my freshman semester, so communicating with them has made a big difference.”
Alexandra Knight
Freshman Alexandra Knight from Purcellville, Va., is studying molecular biology and biochemistry with minors in violin performance and mathematics. As a National Merit Scholarship recipient, she wanted a Christian university with academic excellence.
“I love the integration of Christianity into the classes. My parents and I both agreed that for undergrad, at least, I really wanted to be in a Christian environment and have an education, especially when it comes to science, from a Christian perspective.”
Knight said she worried about making the leap from high school, but that changed as soon as she stepped on campus.
“Transitioning to college life was so much easier than I thought it would be. I came and right away from move-in everyone was helping get my stuff up to my room. My parents really liked it too, and they really felt comfortable with Liberty. I loved it from the very first day.”
Knight said she found deep and intentional community within her residence hall, Commons I. As a member of Liberty’s Honors College, she lives on the Honors floor, where she has the opportunity to socialize and connect with peers who have similar goals and ambitions.
“There’s a lot of activities as a whole, like hall dinners, to participate in and put yourself out there. It’s been really nice to meet the people (and have) like-minded community.”
DID YOU KNOW?
While enrollment at many colleges nationwide continues to trend downward, Liberty has experienced steady increases for six straight years. Founded in 1971, Liberty remains one of the youngest universities to experience rapid enrollment growth in the last 10 years — up 13.1% from 13,685 residential students in Fall 2014 and up 33.2% from 67,612 online students the same year (Liberty hit a record 124,000 online students in the 2023-24 academic year). Overall enrollment for 2024-25 has surpassed 140,000 students.
