[From the class of 09]

Ok, not really but the Baccalaureate speaker is Luis Palau.

In the past the Commencement Speaker has caused controversy any ideas on this years?

Legendary evangelist Luis Palau to keynote Baccalaureate
Liberty University has announced evangelist Luis Palau as the keynote speaker for this year’s Baccalaureate Service on Friday, May 11, at 6 p.m.

“Dr. Palau is among the most influential Christian leaders of all time. For more than 50 years he has preached the Gospel around the globe, touching the lives of more than 1 billion people,” said Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. “I can’t imagine a more fitting speaker to inspire our largest graduating class ever to keep the Great Commission and the Great Commandment as first priorities in their lives.”

Palau has dedicated his entire life and career to presenting the claims of Jesus Christ. He has ministered in more than 73 nations and reached more than 1 billion people through television, radio, print and live events.

He is the author of more than 40 books, host of three international daily radio programs and the head of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association.

Liberty will soon be announcing the keynote speaker for the 2012 Commencement Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m.

http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=53375

[BJWilliams]

My editor was in that meeting and she was sworn to secrecy as to who it was. (all four of us who work in the news office asked)

[phoenix]

I'm hoping it's someone I wouldn't want to hear -- I'm supposed to walk, but I'm not going to be able to because of scheduling conflicts.

[prototype]

BJ - is the rumor correct? Are you the commencement speaker or is that just a rumor?

[BJWilliams]

LOL! Just a rumor proto...Im not famous enough to warrant being asked to speak commencement or all the honorary stuff that goes with it.

I havent heard any names but I would expect this to be released soon

[Hold My Own]

Gov. Mitt Romney to deliver 2012 Commencement address

http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?P ... &MID=53438

Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. announced today that Gov. Mitt Romney will address Liberty University graduates at the 2012 Commencement ceremony to be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, at Arthur L. Williams Stadium.

“We are delighted that Governor Romney will join us to celebrate Commencement with Liberty’s 2012 graduates," said Liberty Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. "This will be a historic event for Liberty University reminiscent of the visits of Governor, and then presidential candidate, Ronald Reagan to Liberty’s campus in 1980 and of President George H.W. Bush who spoke at Liberty’s 1990 Commencement ceremony.”

This will be Governor Romney’s first appearance at Liberty University. Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. will also be making remarks during the ceremony.

Liberty University's 39th Commencement will celebrate the achievement of more than 14,000 graduates with more than 34,000 guests expected to attend. The ceremony will also be broadcast by streaming video to the families of Liberty’s 70,000+ online students around the world.

[From the class of 09]

Not going to lie kinda impressed also irritated. When Jerry said he wanted Lib to be like BYU what exactly did he mean?

[LUconn]

I'm impressed. Of course I guess he does need this voting segment. But still, running for president, this is a potentially historical person. Sure beats Glen Beck who was just kind of a conservative flavor of the month.

[jbock13]

I guess we love Mormons now? Not that I care either way, I think it's a good choice but...

[prototype]

This is great!! And a huge win for Liberty and Romney.... Good Jon Jerry, Jr!!

I'm going to be nuts around campus that day - I love it.

[From the class of 09]

I'm impressed. Of course I guess he does need this voting segment. But still, running for president, this is a potentially historical person. Sure beats Glen Beck who was just kind of a conservative flavor of the month.

Yeah I'd much prefer Romney to Beck. If you're digging for a 2nd tier speaker like Beck why not get a Christian guy.

Libery U training conservatives for America. God bless the USA.

But seriously I'm impressed with Romney being the speaker I guess I'm just not over Beck.

[BJWilliams]

One thing you cant fault the school for is they wont shy away from bringing in people from all walks and segments of life to speak to the students at Liberty

[flamehunter]

Let the media circus begin!

As for Beck, I'm not his biggest fan, but I thought his speech that day was very good and a great challenge to the graduates (among whom was my eldest daughter!). It was not like you hear on the radio, seemed a lot more genuine and down to earth.

[ALUmnus]

Of course we love Mormons, we just think they need Jesus.

If you look from Romney's perspective, I wonder if he knows what Liberty teaches about Mormons, and if that would be a problem for him.

[ballah09]

One thing you cant fault the school for is they wont shy away from bringing in people from all walks and segments of life to speak to the students at Liberty

if they are a conservative republicans. Liberty is more of a conservative school then a christian school. something i don't like.


now we need an atheist to speak. SE Cupp! she thinks Obama is icky and Homos are evil

[LUconn]

Liberty is more of a conservative school then a christian school. something i don't like.

Come on. It may project itself that way, but if you've ever been in any of the classrooms (other than maybe govt) you know that's not true.

[Humble_Opinion]

One thing you cant fault the school for is they wont shy away from bringing in people from all walks and segments of life to speak to the students at Liberty

if they are a conservative republicans. Liberty is more of a conservative school then a christian school. something i don't like.


now we need an atheist to speak. SE Cupp! she thinks Obama is icky and Homos are evil

That's just about the silliest statement I've read in a while. We spend LOADS of money on convo speakers from all walks of the Christian faith every year, we sponsor all kinds of ministries/outreaches, we center our curriculim around the Christian faith, we invite one of the greatest evangelical leaders of our time to the baccalaureate, we have gone out of our way to find world class professors that are Christian and just because we have someone who isn't a Christian give the Commencement Address - you're going to make a statement like that? Seriously?

[SuperJon]

It's a huge deal to pull in Romney because of his political position, but I would rather have someone who isn't part of a religion that's completely opposed to Christianity. We're training champions for Christ. On a day where we send those champions out into the world, there needs to be an actual Christian giving them their marching orders.

Just a thought:

2012 - Mormon conservative politician
2011 - Christian entertainer
2010 - Mormon conservative political commentator
2009 - Jewish commentator/entertainer
2008 - Christian entertainer
2007 - Unethical Catholic "conservative" politician
2006 - Christian conservative politician
2005 - Catholic conservative political commentator
2004 - Unchurched conservative politician

[Old School]

Great choice by Chancellor Falwell....can't wait to hear him and really can't wait for him to become the NEXT President of the United States.

[belcherboy]

It's a huge deal to pull in Romney because of his political position, but I would rather have someone who isn't part of a religion that's completely opposed to Christianity. We're training champions for Christ. On a day where we send those champions out into the world, there needs to be an actual Christian giving them their marching orders.

Just a thought:

2012 - Mormon conservative politician
2011 - Christian entertainer
2010 - Mormon conservative political commentator
2009 - Jewish commentator/entertainer
2008 - Christian entertainer
2007 - Unethical Catholic "conservative" politician
2006 - Christian conservative politician
2005 - Catholic conservative political commentator
2004 - Unchurched conservative politician

I don't think you need "an actual Christian" to be the commencement speaker at Liberty's graduation. Every one of those kids have had countless bible classes, and have been preached at by the best christian speakers in the world for several years. I can understand the hesitation because of his religion, but this guy could easily be the leader of the free world in about 8 months from now. IMO, I don't think there is a more inspirational guy, from a human perspective, than a guy like Mitt Romney. He's had great success in business and in politics. He's done it all while remaining squeaky clean in his personal life (marriage, kids, etc.) If I were a graduate, I would love to have him speak at my commencement. It sucks he is a mormon, but this isn't a church service.

[jbock13]

I'm just shocked it wasn't Gingrich. A lot of the higher-ups had huge mancrushes on him!

[HenryGale]

It's a huge deal to pull in Romney because of his political position, but I would rather have someone who isn't part of a religion that's completely opposed to Christianity. We're training champions for Christ. On a day where we send those champions out into the world, there needs to be an actual Christian giving them their marching orders.

Just a thought:

2012 - Mormon conservative politician
2011 - Christian entertainer
2010 - Mormon conservative political commentator
2009 - Jewish commentator/entertainer
2008 - Christian entertainer
2007 - Unethical Catholic "conservative" politician
2006 - Christian conservative politician
2005 - Catholic conservative political commentator
2004 - Unchurched conservative politician

I don't think you need "an actual Christian" to be the commencement speaker at Liberty's graduation. Every one of those kids have had countless bible classes, and have been preached at by the best christian speakers in the world for several years. I can understand the hesitation because of his religion, but this guy could easily be the leader of the free world in about 8 months from now. IMO, I don't think there is a more inspirational guy, from a human perspective, than a guy like Mitt Romney. He's had great success in business and in politics. He's done it all while remaining squeaky clean in his personal life (marriage, kids, etc.) If I were a graduate, I would love to have him speak at my commencement. It sucks he is a mormon, but this isn't a church service.

Yes...these kids have been preached at all 4 years at LU...but how many friends/family will be at graduation that have never heard the gospel?

[Humble_Opinion]

It's a huge deal to pull in Romney because of his political position, but I would rather have someone who isn't part of a religion that's completely opposed to Christianity. We're training champions for Christ. On a day where we send those champions out into the world, there needs to be an actual Christian giving them their marching orders.

Just a thought:

2012 - Mormon conservative politician
2011 - Christian entertainer
2010 - Mormon conservative political commentator
2009 - Jewish commentator/entertainer
2008 - Christian entertainer
2007 - Unethical Catholic "conservative" politician
2006 - Christian conservative politician
2005 - Catholic conservative political commentator
2004 - Unchurched conservative politician

I don't think you need "an actual Christian" to be the commencement speaker at Liberty's graduation. Every one of those kids have had countless bible classes, and have been preached at by the best christian speakers in the world for several years. I can understand the hesitation because of his religion, but this guy could easily be the leader of the free world in about 8 months from now. IMO, I don't think there is a more inspirational guy, from a human perspective, than a guy like Mitt Romney. He's had great success in business and in politics. He's done it all while remaining squeaky clean in his personal life (marriage, kids, etc.) If I were a graduate, I would love to have him speak at my commencement. It sucks he is a mormon, but this isn't a church service.

Yes...these kids have been preached at all 4 years at LU...but how many friends/family will be at graduation that have never heard the gospel?

Henry - I'm willing to bet that very few people who will attend the graduation ceremony have not heard the gospel, and if they haven't then they will merely just by showing up. But if that's your argument then why are you on here wasting time complaining about this instead of going out and preaching the gospel?

It's a commencement speech... The fact that he's coming here gives credence and legitimacy to everything we are at Liberty University. Think about it. A man that will be in the middle of ramping up his campaign for the highest office in the land chose to come here to our little part of the country. Were you Jerry Jr. would you really turned that down? Give me a break...

[jbock13]

A man that will be in the middle of ramping up his campaign for the highest office in the land chose to come here to our little part of the country.

I'm not one to guess Romney's personal intentions, but I'd be shocked if Virginia being a battleground state didn't have anything to do with it. Kind of when the White House (I can't say the word I want to use,) pushed out Moochelle Obama to speak at Virginia Tech. I doubt Liberty would allow Romney to do something like that.

[belcherboy]

It's a huge deal to pull in Romney because of his political position, but I would rather have someone who isn't part of a religion that's completely opposed to Christianity. We're training champions for Christ. On a day where we send those champions out into the world, there needs to be an actual Christian giving them their marching orders.

Just a thought:

2012 - Mormon conservative politician
2011 - Christian entertainer
2010 - Mormon conservative political commentator
2009 - Jewish commentator/entertainer
2008 - Christian entertainer
2007 - Unethical Catholic "conservative" politician
2006 - Christian conservative politician
2005 - Catholic conservative political commentator
2004 - Unchurched conservative politician

I don't think you need "an actual Christian" to be the commencement speaker at Liberty's graduation. Every one of those kids have had countless bible classes, and have been preached at by the best christian speakers in the world for several years. I can understand the hesitation because of his religion, but this guy could easily be the leader of the free world in about 8 months from now. IMO, I don't think there is a more inspirational guy, from a human perspective, than a guy like Mitt Romney. He's had great success in business and in politics. He's done it all while remaining squeaky clean in his personal life (marriage, kids, etc.) If I were a graduate, I would love to have him speak at my commencement. It sucks he is a mormon, but this isn't a church service.

Yes...these kids have been preached at all 4 years at LU...but how many friends/family will be at graduation that have never heard the gospel?

Then the graduates need to make sure their friends/family go hear the baccalaureate speaker. I'm sure Palau will give out the gospel. Regardless, Jerry Jr. has a chance to give the gospel before Romney gets up to speak if he so chooses to do so.

Again, this isn't a church service. I don't know why some insist it be a church service. This is a celebration of 4, sometimes more, years of work for a graduation class whom 90%+ will use their degrees in a non-christian based vocation. Bringing in a guy who isn't a christian, but has lived an exemplary life in comparison to christian morals, and has had a GREAT deal of success in business and political realms is a IMPRESSIVE thing for Liberty. They should be praised for getting Mitt Romney 6 months before an election that may make him the POTUS....even if he is a mormon and will not be sharing the gospel in his speech.