Spring 2016 Employee Newsletter

A Word from the President

The goal of higher education is to prepare students for successful careers in the world’s most demanding fields by providing them with the best resources, facilities, hands-on experiences, and professional guidance possible.

In a couple short months, we will see the fruit of this labor as we confer degrees to over 10,000 graduates from our residential and online programs.

But at Liberty University our job is much more — we Train Champions for Christ. We not only teach students how to make a living, but also how to live. The critics have questioned how we can remain committed to developing Christian character while still offering world-class academics. Our results speak for themselves.

Last month, we got news that Liberty has been reclassified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral University. This new classification is a big move for Liberty academically, placing us among only 335 universities in the country to receive this designation for research activity. It is our understanding that this significant change, reported by the Washington Post, will positively affect Liberty’s position in U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings.

This news doesn’t simply happen — it comes from years of work by dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators who are steadfast in their endeavors to equip our students with everything they need to succeed. Thank you for being the “newsmakers” and, most importantly, the teachers, mentors, and supporters that our students depend on every day to chart the course for their futures.

And I would especially like to thank the Field Operations crew who worked tirelessly to clear nearly 13 miles of roadways and 18 miles of sidewalks around campus during recent snowstorms. This crew, as well as other essential personnel, always goes to great lengths to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe and our campus open for business.

I am honored to work among professionals who care so much for our students on a daily basis.

Jerry Falwell
President

Quality Enhancement Plan is Underway

The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a course of action developed and implemented by Liberty University every five years to enhance undergraduate student learning and to fulfill a reaccreditation requirement from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Liberty’s QEP, entitled “Illuminate: Cultivating a Community of Research,” offers opportunities for undergraduate students to improve their research skills.

Faculty involved in “Illuminate” will mentor and collaborate with undergraduate students on research and scholarship projects through various levels of research. They will be supported by professional development opportunities offered through the newly formed Center for Applied Research & Scholarship (CARS).

Visit www.Liberty.edu/QEP to learn more about the QEP “Illuminate” initiatives and activities at Liberty as well as announcements about upcoming events.

Alumni Featured in the Liberty Journal

Now, more than ever, Liberty University is preparing graduates for a life of success and service. In the latest issue of the Liberty Journal, we highlighted alumni who stand out in their fields.

At only 23 years old, alumna Sarah Stevens (’12) was named chief of staff and communications director for Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa), making her the youngest person to hold such a post on Capitol Hill.

Rev. Steve Markle (’92) and his church made headlines recently after tipping a pizza delivery driver $1,000. News reports noted that the driver — a single mother who had missed a week of work due to illness and was facing eviction — was an assistant manager and did not typically make deliveries. She broke into tears at the church’s act of kindness.

We are proud of these men and women who are impacting their professions as well as the world around them.

Live Healthy Liberty!

Live Healthy Liberty is a campus-wide initiative to educate, motivate, and empower Liberty students, faculty, and staff to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. It’s not too late to join the spring semester Wellness Challenge. Earn points for exercise, nutrition, and wellness tasks. You can also form teams with co-workers and compete with other employees to win great prizes. The top three students and employees will win prizes, as will the top student and employee.

Make healthy a habit this spring!

The 2016 Commonwealth Games Are Coming!

Save the dates — July 22-24! Plan to attend or participate in the Virginia Commonwealth Games at Liberty.

This annual event is open to all ages and skill levels. From archery to wrestling, the Games offer competition in over 65 different sports. With the goal of inspiring wellness and encouraging a friendly spirit of competition, the Games have been a fixture of Virginia life for 26 years.

Last year, Liberty staff and faculty members Lee Beaumont, Louis Cambeletta, Terry Falwell, Russ Martin, Melany Pearl, Danny Rodriguez, and Jim and Heather Schoffstall garnered numerous medals for their athletic achievements in CrossFit, disc golf, racquetball, softball, swimming, and track & field.

For more information, please visit the Virginia Commonwealth Games website.

Gear Up for Spring Sports!

Come out and support the Liberty Flames as they compete in NCAA Division I baseball, lacrosse, softball, tennis, and track & field. To purchase tickets, visit the Liberty Flames website, email the ticket office, or call 434-582-SEAT (7328).

Liberty Baseball Employee Appreciation Week!

Want to save money on Liberty Baseball tickets? March 11-20 is Employee Appreciation Week. General Admission tickets are available for $1; Premium Seating is $2. Purchase these specially priced tickets online with promo code STAFFBSB for the following games:

• March 11 vs. Central Connecticut State | 5 p.m.
• March 12 vs. Evansville | 1 p.m.
• March 13 vs. Central Connecticut State | 1 p.m.
• March 13 vs. Evansville | 5 p.m.
• March 18 vs. Kent State | 5 p.m.
• March 19 vs. Kent State | 2 p.m.
• March 19 vs. Kent State | 5 p.m.
• March 20 vs. Kent State | 1 p.m.

Big South Basketball Championships

The Flames and Lady Flames basketball teams are preparing to enter the Big South Championships in March. The men’s team — under first-year Head Coach Ritchie McKay — will be heading to Campbell University in North Carolina. The tournament will be held March 3-6, and the first round can be watched on the Big South Network. If Liberty progresses to the quarterfinals or semifinals, the games can be watched on ESPN3. The championship will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The women’s team will be headed to UNC Asheville for the Big South Championship March 10-13. The first round will be broadcast on the Big South Network, and subsequent games will be broadcast on ESPN3. Liberty is the reigning Big South Champion in women’s basketball.

For more information, visit the Big South Championships website.

LU Send NOW Update

LU Send Now is a ministry that equips students, faculty, and staff as relief workers when catastrophes arise. Teams that serve with LU Send Now are Champions for Christ — ambassadors for Him and this university. To date, LU Send Now has made four domestic disaster-relief trips — two to South Carolina following Hurricane Joaquin and one to Mississippi after recent tornadoes there.

On Feb. 20, workers returned from LU Send Now’s first international trip. Six students and three leaders served in Greece at a camp for refugees seeking asylum. The team ministered to families and provided for physical needs by distributing hats, gloves, jackets, clothes, and food.

The most recent deployment was to Flint, Michigan, and that group — consisting of three leaders, six students, and one Liberty staff member — returns March 4. They are working with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia Disaster Relief to install water filters and to distribute bottled water.

LU Send Now is part of Liberty’s longstanding tradition of meeting needs in communities, both locally and abroad. We are proud of those serving with this vital ministry. If you would like more information about LU Send Now, email lusend@liberty.edu.

Don’t Miss a Single Game!

Can’t attend an athletics event in person? Catch it on Liberty Flames Sports Network (LFSN). LFSN is the premier destination for keeping up with all the Flames action. Live television broadcasts of Liberty athletics are available on LFSN through national and regional platforms, including DirecTV, Dish Network, the Big South Network, ESPN3, Verizon Fios, and AT&T U-Verse.

You can also get weekly commentary with “Game On,” a 30-minute program about collegiate sports, including feature stories and athlete and coach profiles. Additionally, the show regularly provides commentary from LFSN guest analysts and hosts special guests that often include notable athletes and coaches from across the sports spectrum. Digging deeper into the important issues facing college and professional athletics, “Game On” provides a spiritual point of view that reminds viewers not only what matters most in sports, but also what matters most in life. In Central Virginia, “Game On” is available on WFFP-24 (check your local cable provider for channels and availability). And join the sports conversation by connecting with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Spring Open House Events at Liberty Christian Academy and Early Learning Center

Liberty Christian Academy (LCA) is hosting its Spring Open House, March 29–April 1, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the facilities, meet with staff, and observe the school in action. Parents may also register in advance for their student(s) to shadow an LCA student in their grade. This activity allows them to meet other students, interact with teachers, and see what a day at LCA is like!

For more information about Spring Open House or to register a student, contact the Director of Academy Relations, Amy Saylor, at ajsaylor@liberty.edu or (434) 592-4935.

Liberty Christian Academy’s Early Learning Center (ELC) is hosting an open house on March 3 at 6:30 p.m. The ELC provides 2- to 4-year-olds with a secure, loving, Christ-centered environment in which each child’s social, academic, physical, and spiritual needs are met. The ELC open house will provide you with opportunities to learn about available programs, meet leadership and staff, review curriculum, and tour the facilities.

To learn how your child can be part of this active learning environment, call the ELC at (434) 592-4935 or visit them online.

Employees of the Month

Congratulations to our Employees of the Month. You are a tremendous blessing to this university, and we are thankful for you. This recognition is proof that you go above and beyond normal expectations to consistently produce excellent work with a Christlike attitude and spirit. Thank you for all you do to make Liberty a shining light.

January Employees of the Month were Brad Burgess, Elicia Charlesworth, Sheldon Donigan, Phillip Martin, Allison Moyer, Janeil Pyton, Cassie Stone, and Kayla Torres.

February Employees of the Month were Vicki Firtion, Mel Fox, Melody Harper, Reed Kerr, Tracey Norvelle, Nicole Poullath, Ruth Ronk, Matt Wiese, and Michele Worley.

March Employees of the Month were Elizabeth Counts, Tim Lavender, Katie Lundy, Amanda Mitchell, Jennifer Nodal, Tiffany Towne, Jeff Welch, and Jo Anna Webb.

You Stand Out

University senior leadership has been looking for staff members who exemplify exceptional commitment to Liberty’s customer service standards. Last month, tickets* were handed out as our way of thanking those whose hard work and dedication (often behind the scenes) made a difference.

Congratulations to the following You Stand Out recipients: Dan Bolton, Maria Cruz, Joe Donaruma, Terry Falwell, Pam Judd, Tim Lavender, Jessica Marshburn, Michaelle McCarthy, Sue Misjuns, Nicholas Pierce, Quinton Prinsloo, Kevin Rawls, Megan Robinson, Brad Russell, Cindy Schmidt, Megan Smith, Suzanne Campbell, Craig Daliessio, Derek Schmell, Connie Allison, Thomas Starchia, Katrina Chase, Christoph Williams, Eric Viets, Amanda Berry, Carey Roberts, D. Kate Calland, and Nathan Ziemkowsky

*Remember, these tickets are redeemable for a Barnes & Noble gift card. Be on the lookout — you never know when someone might notice that You Stand Out!

Send Us Your Feedback

God has been doing great things around Liberty. We would love to hear your thoughts about how the You Matter campaign is affecting Liberty’s campus. Feel free to send us your feedback and ideas.

Email us at youmatter@liberty.edu