Liberty’s faithful are honored at annual President’s Circle Dinner

Liberty University hosted its annual President’s Circle Dinner on Saturday for its generous friends and supporters who have partnered with the university to advance its mission of Training Champions for Christ. 

The event, held in the Montview Alumni Ballroom, featured a time of fellowship with appreciative messages from university leadership and testimonies from students who have themselves benefitted from the donors’ generosity.

Chancellor Jonathan Falwell highlighted the many incredible resources and opportunities provided to students at Liberty as a direct result of the faithful giving of others, noting the university’s heart of sharing Christ’s love with the world.

“Ultimately, what (Liberty) really is, is a place where we always want to use everything that we do and every opportunity that we have to point people to the one thing that can bring hope, life, and a future. That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said.

Falwell also shared stories of students he had met who were able to attend college solely because of scholarship funding.

“If we could parade across the all 16,000-plus (Liberty students) who are on campus right now, every one of them would say, ‘Thank you for your investment in this place,’ he said. “Thank you for the investment you continue to make in the lives of these young people.”

Nursing junior Katlyn Cox told the donors that her education at Liberty has prepared her to enter the healthcare profession after graduation. She cited her Liberty professors as role models who helped her grow both academically and spiritually, stating they have prepared her to effectively serve as a “Christ-centered caregiver.”

“I am deeply grateful for your generosity and support, which make it possible for Liberty to offer such incredible programs led by amazing professors,” she said. “Through opportunities like simulation labs for nursing students and hearing from inspiring speakers at Convocation, we are equipped to grow and thrive in all aspects of life. Your kindness and generosity provide the resources for education and allow students like me to pursue my goals with competence and faith.”

Government senior Jacob Bull shared his journey to Liberty, which included one year at another university before transferring to LU because of the other school’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Bull participates on Liberty’s Moot Court team and serves as a member of the editorial board of the Undergraduate Law Review. He is also the president of the LU MURPH CHALLENGE, an annual student-led veteran charity event dedicated to raising awareness for veteran suicide and raising operational funds for the National Center for Healthy Veterans in Altavista, Va.

“You are building the university with us,” he told the dinner guests, “and to that I say, ‘Thank you.’  …. Thank you for taking this lost 18-year-old kid and transforming him into a Champion for Christ. I speak not just on my behalf, but of every student here. Your investment is changing lives. You’re changing lives for the Kingdom. You’re changing lives for the eternal perspective on what we can do as Christ followers.”

Liberty President Dondi E. Costin also addressed donors, emphasizing the impact of any gift, no matter the size.

“Whether it’s in a big way or a small way, all of it is important because everything you do impacts the lives, the careers, and the passion for Christ of every student that we touch. … Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to ensure the mission of this place continues long after we’re gone. We are grateful for you. The world is better off every time a Liberty graduate goes to a new job and says, not always by their words but always by their actions, ‘I’m a Champion for Christ.’”

Liberty Executive Vice President of Development Brian Mentzer echoed Costin’s gratitude after the dinner.

“The evening was a tremendous celebration of God’s faithfulness to Liberty University as well as a heartfelt thank you to all our donors who have impacted the lives of countless students through their generosity,” he said. “Through their partnership with us and because of their continued investment in LU, we are changing the future by “Training Champions for Christ!”

Brandon Lowkaran, fund manager for Bryax Capital in Alexandria, Va., first visited Liberty’s campus in September when he attended the 2024 CEO Summit. He said he was thoroughly impressed with the students’ kindness and initiative and that propelled him to support the university’s mission. He said he appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from LU students during Saturday’s dinner.

“Yes, it’s fun to meet other people and come have dinner, but ultimately, it’s really cool to hear the voice of the students and hear how our dollars are being used to impact their lives and the world.”

Lamar and Connie Skarda of El Paso, Texas, longtime partners with Liberty, said this was their second time on campus. They took a tour over the weekend and said they were honored to see their names on a donor plaque on the top floor of the Freedom Tower.

Connie said they have faithfully supported LU for over 20 years because they resonated with the vision of founder Dr. Jerry Falwell to create a training ground for future Christian leaders.

“We heard the vision,” she said, noting Falwell had first become influential in their spiritual lives through the Old-Time Gospel Hour. “You see (the vision) develop little by little over the years, and then you come after seeing (the university) develop. It’s amazing what one man’s vision can be when God is behind it and gives that man the faith and the strength to do it. It’s overwhelming.”

“God’s going to use, starting right now, all of the young people coming out of this university. It’s a blessing to be a part of it,” Lamar added.

The President’s Circle is a list recognizing generous donors who have contributed to making Liberty’s mission a reality. For more information on preserving Christ-centered education and Training Champions for Christ, visit Liberty.edu/Giving or call (800) 543-5309.