[From the class of 09]

At Evangelical Colleges, Leadership Is Often the Family Business
MAY 9, 2014

By MARK OPPENHEIMER

During the past school year, several leading American universities, including Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth and Carnegie-Mellon, welcomed new presidents. These men were leading scholars, and they were experienced administrators; in some cases, they held degrees from the universities they now lead. And none of them — not one — inherited the job from his father or mother.

That goes without saying, right? Nonprofit, tax-exempt universities are not typically family dynasties. People would think it queer if Drew Gilpin Faust’s daughter succeeded her mother as president of Harvard. But at evangelical Christian colleges, including some of the most prominent, there are different expectations.

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Interesting to see what will happen in the third generation at Lib...

[jcmanson]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/10/us/at ... .html?_r=0

Interesting to see what will happen in the third generation at Lib...

Interesting read, thanks for sharing

[TH Spangler]

At the current rate, Liberty won't be recognizable as a Christian university in 30 years.

America doesn't need another Wake Forest ..... Okay school, but one just like it on every corner.

[From the class of 09]

At the current rate, Liberty won't be recognizable as a Christian university in 30 years.

It will be interesting to see if the legacy is of a Christian school or a Conservative school.

[prototype]

At the current rate, Liberty won't be recognizable as a Christian university in 30 years.

I think this statements is unfounded... I think Liberty has every incentive (financially) to make sure to hold on to it's Biblical foundation. What gives you the impression that this will change? Because of our growth? Because of the rules getting softer?

What rules do you think the University and it's board will get rid of? Drinking? (Not happening), Girls and Boys in the same dorm? (Not happening), No Convocations (Not happening). What else can they lighten up on?

Sad that most think we can't grow to be a large University without giving up our values... I think it's going to continue to be a huge separating factor and a BIG reason we stay financially strong in the next 10-20 years.

[ALUmnus]

At the current rate, Liberty won't be recognizable as a Christian university in 30 years.

I think this statements is unfounded... I think Liberty has every incentive (financially) to make sure to hold on to it's Biblical foundation. What gives you the impression that this will change? Because of our growth? Because of the rules getting softer?

What rules do you think the University and it's board will get rid of? Drinking? (Not happening), Girls and Boys in the same dorm? (Not happening), No Convocations (Not happening). What else can they lighten up on?

Sad that most think we can't grow to be a large University without giving up our values... I think it's going to continue to be a huge separating factor and a BIG reason we stay financially strong in the next 10-20 years.

I think it has more to do with current leadership, and complete lack of spiritual leadership, that has most concerned, especially in light of many recent poor decisions. It's also a trend a lot of people are seeing.

[jcmanson]

We have our Chancellor out there saying Mormonism isn't a cult

reference?

[SuperJon]

Liberty, while still known as the world's largest Christian university, is making the switch from that to the world's largest Republican university.

[adam42381]

Liberty, while still known as the world's largest Christian university, is making the switch from that to the world's largest Republican university.

Agreed.

[From the class of 09]

Liberty, while still known as the world's largest Christian university, is making the switch from that to the world's largest Republican university.

That's what bothers me, some in leadership don't seam to see any difference.

[UVALibertyFan]

Liberty, while still known as the world's largest Christian university, is making the switch from that to the world's largest Republican university.

Agreed. I would like to see Liberty thrive as a Christian university, not a Republican university. Don't get me wrong, I would consider myself conservative and vote Republican, but I have Christian friends, even friends who were raised Baptist (gasp) who don't vote Republican all the time. Christian values do not follow party lines and conservative does not equal Christian. I hope that the "higher-ups" at Liberty will realize this before it's too late.

I believe that Liberty should be a university where Christian students go to get a quality education while growing in their faith, that the emphasis should be on spiritual growth more so than who wins an election.

[Humble_Opinion]

I understand that certain statements of a blatant political notion should not be made by university leadership; however, I don't understand the weak kneed comments I'm seeing in this discussion. We shouldn't be party boys (Republican or Democrat), but I think expressing the importance of the country's Judeo-Christian values as they relate to government in the U.S. is an important and necessary part of who we are.

Some of your comments make it seem like you don't understand, or are unaware that there is an attack on religion (esp. Christianity) in this country. There is also an attack on private education too, and from a general standpoint politically speaking, the sources of these typically stem from the Democrats. We should avoid painting broad strokes in our statements of critique and analysis on current day events, but I see no harm with university leadership speaking out against current day events that represent a direct threat to the health and sustainability of LU, much less the country as we have known it.

In the past, I think there have been some egregious mistakes by leadership regarding the use of inflammatory language and we should make a concerted effort to diminish that type of speech. But coming out in favor of limited government, support of private industry, support of property rights, ensuring separation of church and state is a TWO WAY street, etc. are all very valid reasons to speak out as long as it is done in accordance with Ephesians 4:15.

[jcmanson]

We have our Chancellor out there saying Mormonism isn't a cult

reference?

http://www.pajamapages.com/jerry-falwel ... mormonism/

thank you

[SumItUp]

We have our Chancellor out there saying Mormonism isn't a cult

reference?

http://www.pajamapages.com/jerry-falwel ... mormonism/

I did not follow the discussion about Romney speaking at commencement, so this is the first that I saw this comment and I'm flabbergasted. I don't even know how to respond. If this statement were made publicly by anyone else in the University, I would be strongly suggesting that the person be removed from their position. This is a core belief of Christianity.

[Purple Haize]

I have no problem with Beck speaking at Convo or Graduation. Convo is NOT chapel. Having a variety of speakers with different points of view is a good thing. The Christian Right often laments the lack of various World Views on Secular Campus' (Campii?)
Now,mod I have a problem with the explanation? Yes. But it's not like our PR/Communication apparatus will be mistaken for a real one

[SumItUp]

I also have no issue with non-Christian speakers for Convo or Graduation.

This is not a PR/Communication issue. This is a statement that contradicts the core beliefs of Christianity. There are plenty of theological issues that are up for debate, but this is not one of them.

[jcmanson]

Could it be that Jr doesn't know what Mormons believe?

[From the class of 09]

At least we're still for small government and capitalism, the true tenants of the Bible

[Purple Haize]

I also have no issue with non-Christian speakers for Convo or Graduation.

This is not a PR/Communication issue. This is a statement that contradicts the core beliefs of Christianity. There are plenty of theological issues that are up for debate, but this is not one of them.

ANY statement by the Chancellor is a PR/Communication issue. Jerry Jr was very non committal in his statement. Which makes it worse

Could it be that Jr doesn't know what Mormons believe?

[Purple Haize]

At least we're still for small government and capitalism, the true tenants of the Bible

Don't forget guns!

[From the class of 09]

At least we're still for small government and capitalism, the true tenants of the Bible

Don't forget guns!

[SuperJon]

There is an attack on Christianity in this country right now and we absolutely deserve it. We bullied people for far, far too long. Now they've ganged up on us.

I'm a Christian, work at a church, am involved in a small group, and I routinely disagree with the Republican party. According to leadership at Liberty, that's looked at as being less of a Christian because our conservative values trump all.

[musicguy]

I love this thread. As an LU graduate who really enjoyed my years there, I struggle so much with the political aspect of things and that they seem to be getting more political. I'm glad there are others who feel the same way. I live far away but have family near there so we visit and people will say, "Are you trying to talk your kids into going there?" when we check out the amazing growth (which is very cool) but I'm so hesitant with the "republican/conservative" is a key part of Christianity. I wish they'd focus on Christ instead of that. I feel that could be a major downfall for the school and can hurt the cause of Christ.

[jcmanson]

I love this thread. As an LU graduate who really enjoyed my years there, I struggle so much with the political aspect of things and that they seem to be getting more political. I'm glad there are others who feel the same way. I live far away but have family near there so we visit and people will say, "Are you trying to talk your kids into going there?" when we check out the amazing growth (which is very cool) but I'm so hesitant with the "republican/conservative" is a key part of Christianity. I wish they'd focus on Christ instead of that. I feel that could be a major downfall for the school and can hurt the cause of Christ.

Thanks for chiming in! Don't wait another year before you post again!

[TH Spangler]

We have our Chancellor out there saying Mormonism isn't a cult after Glenn Beck was allowed to use convocation

Wish Beck would stick to politics when at Liberty. He loses me when he start trying to teach religion. I respectfully voiced my opinion to the powers that be. If enough nobodies like myself say something, maybe together we will equal one somebody.

I still think LU gets it 95% right, I would send my kid there as a first choice. You'll never get everyone to agree on everything. Here's a more positive assessment of where we've been and where we are.

http://www.newsmax.com/libertyuniversity/