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Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 5:56 pm
by Jonathan Carone
Let’s bring that discussion here.

What qualifications do you want them to have?

What changes would you like to see made?

Who is on your short list?

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 6:05 pm
by thepostman
A. I'd like it to be a person with strong faith in the academic world. I do not want a business person or pastor in that role.

B. The focus should be made in developing the current talent we have a LU and building programs up. Less focus on profit and more on academic growth. This is crucial if we truly want to be respected in the workplace but this must be done without forgetting that Christ is the foundation which is why having a person of strong faith in that role is important.

C. I'm not sure. I do know that I don't want a pastor in that role which rules out Jonathan. That should go without saying but I've heard rumblings that the board likes the idea of Jonathan filling that role.

Looking forward to hearing other thoughts and ideas on this.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 6:11 pm
by ATrain
Qualifications: Strong Christian (denomination doesn't have to be Baptist), not politically motivated, history of sound financial management, preferably nonprofit executive experience
Changes: Strengthening the academic reputation of the school, both in-person and online programs, while not sacrificing the Christian aspect of it. The original vision was for us to be to evangelicals what Notre Dame is for Catholics and what BYU is for Mormons. I'd also like to see the university build even stronger ties with the local community and national organizations which will help newly minted alumni obtain jobs.
Who: Not sure

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 6:15 pm
by ballcoach15
New President has to be a Baptist. Non negotiable.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 6:18 pm
by thepostman
Why? We are a non-denominational school officially.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 6:18 pm
by Just John
ballcoach15 wrote: August 24th, 2020, 6:15 pm New President has to be a Baptist. Non negotiable.
I'm good with a non-denom with Baptistic beliefs.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 6:21 pm
by RubberMallet
does Ze even need to be a Christian? *hands over head and runs out of the room*

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 6:27 pm
by Class of 20Something

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 7:39 pm
by Purple Haize
ballcoach15 wrote: August 24th, 2020, 6:15 pm New President has to be a Baptist. Non negotiable.
Just when I think you don’t have any credibility left to lose you can always come up with gems like this. Surprised you didn’t add “must wear a suit and tie at all times “

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 7:41 pm
by LUAlum1215
First and foremost a strong and public Christian. Someone who will take ownership of the spiritual life of the university and grow it. Someone who will build on our academics and focus on residential graduate and research programs. As a business person they should be a natural leader with respect for their employees. As a former employee I didn't feel valued or respected and in fact was told I was replaceable at a moments notice (though that department was and still is very much under staffed). Having a passion for athletics would be nice, but academics needs to be the focus.

The next president should not be a politician or attorney. I also don't know that a pastor would be a great fit, but a business leader or career educator would be best.

I don't have much in the way of name suggestions but CO20 suggestion if Dondi Costin is hard to disagree with.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 7:47 pm
by olldflame
Purple Haize wrote: August 24th, 2020, 7:39 pm
ballcoach15 wrote: August 24th, 2020, 6:15 pm New President has to be a Baptist. Non negotiable.
Just when I think you don’t have any credibility left to lose you can always come up with gems like this. Surprised you didn’t add “must wear a suit and tie at all times “
Not specific enough...... black suit and red tie.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 7:48 pm
by TH Spangler
Purple Haize wrote: August 24th, 2020, 7:39 pm
ballcoach15 wrote: August 24th, 2020, 6:15 pm New President has to be a Baptist. Non negotiable.
Just when I think you don’t have any credibility left to lose you can always come up with gems like this. Surprised you didn’t add “must wear a suit and tie at all times “
Suit pants can't be skinny legged.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 7:52 pm
by Jonathan Carone
I wrote last week about the three things I wanted in the next version of Liberty:

Let the gospel unite us, not politics.

Use athletics as a vehicle, not as an idol.

Value people over profits.

https://thisisnthighschool.com/an-open- ... niversity/

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 7:55 pm
by ballah09
Someone that has experience in christian academia and that's not political. I'm just hoping its not a politician.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 7:59 pm
by Purple Haize
I’ve always been an advocate of elevating up from the multitude of smaller Christian Colleges and Universities. The talent and leadership are out there.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 8:03 pm
by ATrain
Purple Haize wrote: August 24th, 2020, 7:59 pm I’ve always been an advocate of elevating up from the multitude of smaller Christian Colleges and Universities. The talent and leadership are out there.
Cedarville? King College? Abilene Christian?

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 8:04 pm
by ballcoach15
A retired Army General.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 8:06 pm
by Jonathan Carone
Ballcoach wants a Baptist retired Army general who will agree to always wear suits.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 8:12 pm
by LUAlum1215
I said I didn't want a politician and stick by that, but for arguments sake what about Condolezza Rice? PhD and former Provost at Stanford.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 8:28 pm
by Class of 20Something
LUAlum1215 wrote: August 24th, 2020, 8:12 pm I said I didn't want a politician and stick by that, but for arguments sake what about Condolezza Rice? PhD and former Provost at Stanford.
And former CFP Committee member.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 8:33 pm
by Sly Fox
Honestly it is much tougher to identify a President or Chancellor than a Head Football Coach. The latter are visible and the former typically rise through the ranks of academia or slide into a role coming out of public life.

I am fine with someone stepping out of the political space as long as they are spiritually focused. But honestly I can't thnk of too many viable candidates.

I actually like the idea of a pastor as long as they have strong academic credentials. Again I don't think that would be a very long list.

Frankly I like the idea of a spiritual leader as Chancellor and an academic leader as President.

On a related note, I wonder if it is too late to install Emily Heady as provost for this calendar year. She is already in town.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 8:36 pm
by LUAlum1215
Little help... what's the difference between chancellor and president? I know we called Jerry chancellor while I was a student but it became president several years ago. I figured it was ego that wanted the change as he's held both offices but didn't realize they were different.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 8:41 pm
by jbock13
Jonathan Carone wrote:Ballcoach wants a Baptist retired Army general who will agree to always wear suits.
Don’t forget a conservative politician who loves America, loves mom’s apple pie, prayer in the schools, and hates those commie pinkos.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 9:05 pm
by rogers3
ballcoach15 wrote: August 24th, 2020, 6:15 pm New President has to be a Baptist. Non negotiable.
That is a nonsensical comment.

Re: Next President of Liberty University

Posted: August 24th, 2020, 9:08 pm
by rogers3
Class of 20Something wrote: August 24th, 2020, 6:27 pm Not backing down.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dondi_E._Costin

Poach him.
When I'm agreeing with TH, that says something!