[LUconn]

It seems as though the powers that be have been planning this for a long time. Jerry has let his son take over the earlier service, and he has been phasing in other leaders to take the helm. But I can't shake the feeling that this school, the chuch, and even the town is gonna be shakey for some time to come. My brother said he can already feel Lynchburg sliding off the map. Will we be able to keep up this growth? Will we be able to be a fund raising machine without our chancellor? Will we lose our contacts with donnars or other important folks? I guess only time will tell, but I believe that history will show that this is the school's most pivotal time. You only have one founder.

[SuperJon]

I mentioned it in the other thread but I'm wondering about finals. No one knows anything. I believe they'll go on as scheduled, but I know a lot of people are shaken up about this.

As far as a school, we'll be fine. I honestly believe that. Jerry Jr. will be able to lead us. We're founded on Jesus, and as long as we keep that foundation, we'll never go wrong.

[bigsmooth]

indeed a great topic, but i think a tad too soon. SJ put it well. we will be fine. jerry jr. and jonathan will lead the ministry and take it to greater heights.

[LUconn]

As far as a school, we'll be fine. I honestly believe that. Jerry Jr. will be able to lead us. We're founded on Jesus, and as long as we keep that foundation, we'll never go wrong.

troof. But it's the bold part that I think we all have to worry about. Not that I think anybody has some kind of sinister plan, but it was easy for us to keep that foundation with a man like Falwell at QB.

[SuperJon]

We've got too many donors and alumni waiting in the wings with torches if we lose our foundation.

[jmdickens]

We had finals at 2:00 today......we will continue to move forward and our university will grow on a national level

[Sly Fox]

I think LUconn's concerns were at the heart of the preparations for this very day. We all know about Dr. Falwell saying we need to burn the campus down if it strays from the principles it was built upon. I don't see a problem in the near future.

[PAmedic]

such a sad time, but I had the same thought in the back of my mind.

Gotta be tough for the family right now, but I'm confident his vision will be fulfilled.

[jcmanson]

I've always wondered the same, but now that it's here, I think the University will be stronger. My passion for LU, as strong as it already was, is doubled over by today's events. I want to do all I can to uphold Jerry's vision and carry his flag.

[4everfsu]

If LU stays true to the word of God, not even the gates of Hell can stop it. The falwell and LU families will need our prayers, and finanical supports.

[Fumblerooskies]

I mentioned it in the other thread but I'm wondering about finals. No one knows anything. I believe they'll go on as scheduled, but I know a lot of people are shaken up about this.

From an email sent out by Dr. Rist:

Faculty who are administering finals this afternoon should go ahead with their exams. There will be many issues to sort out concerning finals for the rest of the week, and I will provide you information/guidance just as quickly as possible.

[PAmedic]

Praying that someone will step up with the ability to fully fund Jerry's BHAG

1 billion $ endowement, all in one shot- imagine that!

would really be a testament to the work Dr J accomplished

[SuperJon]

If we see some fluke plays next football season, we can know it's our own version of "Angels on the Gridiron."

[Fumblerooskies]

My intitial questions...

...What will happen to enrollment over the next 2-3 years, as I wonder how many parents sent their children to LU BECAUSE of Jerry's presence?

...What will happen to donations...from those generous benefactors who dontate BECAUSE of Jerry's prescense?

...What will become of his vision...the engineering program is just getting started...and the med school he wanted to create?

I have a feeling that Liberty University will be just fine...just as God has had His hand on the university while Jerry was with us...that God will continue His work while Jerry is with Him.

[PAmedic]

If we see some fluke plays next football season, we can know it's our own version of "Angels on the Gridiron."

"THAAAAAAAT'S JERRY!!!"

first time I've been able to smile in an hour or so

[PAmedic]

My intitial questions...

...What will happen to enrollment over the next 2-3 years, as I wonder how many parents sent their children to LU BECAUSE of Jerry's presence?

...What will happen to donations...from those generous benefactors who dontate BECAUSE of Jerry's prescense?

...What will become of his vision...the engineering program is just getting started...and the med school he wanted to create?

I have a feeling that Liberty University will be just fine...just as God has had His hand on the university while Jerry was with us...that God will continue His work while Jerry is with Him.

part of me worries, to be honest.

but then I think of the impact he's had on a poor sap like ME and can only assume that those with the means to do so, that were similarly affect by the doc's life and testimony, will show their committment to his vision for God by financially making it happen.

[TDDance234]

The plan to take over if Dr. Falwell passed has been in motion since last October. The schools spiritual climate will be controlled indirectly by Jonathan Falwell and directly by Johnnie Moore, Dwayne Carson and to a lesser extent, Caner. They have all been hand picked by Doc and given his full blessing of confidence.

Jerry Jr. will run the day to day operations.

Honestly, while things will def. be a little weird for awhile, the fruit of Doc's ministry will be displayed in how LU perseveres through the loss of the only leader we've ever known. I think the passing of Doc could have two outcomes, the first being that the current donors will backoff and say that's it or two, they will be even more willing to open up to ensure Doc's legacy does not fade away.

This university has grown to be it's own machine. If anything, enrollment may slow down a bit but in the long run, is that such a bad thing?

[Libertine]

My intitial questions...

...What will happen to enrollment over the next 2-3 years, as I wonder how many parents sent their children to LU BECAUSE of Jerry's presence?

...What will happen to donations...from those generous benefactors who dontate BECAUSE of Jerry's prescense?

...What will become of his vision...the engineering program is just getting started...and the med school he wanted to create?

I have a feeling that Liberty University will be just fine...just as God has had His hand on the university while Jerry was with us...that God will continue His work while Jerry is with Him.

Honestly, if Jonathan and Junior weren't waiting not quite in the wings, I'd be a lot more concerned. A lot of the growth that the university in the last decade can be directly attributed to Junior. In that sense, we'll be just fine. Spiritually speaking, Jonathan isn't the galvanizing presence that his father was but, at this stage in the game, he doesn't have to be. He just has to keep focus and that part will be fine, too.
This early, it's easy to get panicky especially b/c Jerry was the face of the organization for so long but the day's when Jerry was the university or the church went away a long time ago.

[TIMSCAR20]

Not to compare Jerry to Christ but much like Christianity, the message and the vision will continue on without the visionary. I believe the University and the Church are in very capable hands. Someone will have to step up and be the face of the University and that someone will probably be Jonathan...I hope the TV ministry doesn't suffer but if anything falls off it could be that. However Jonathan is an anointed preacher of God's word so we need to have faith that the TV ministry will not only continue but grow exponentially for the cause of Christ. As some have mentioned, this day has been planned for a long time. No one wanted to see him leave us and some of us believed he would live much longer. This is really tough emotionally to talk about though. We are all hurting right now.

[qkslvrsrfrboy]

i think this will help the school. Liberty University is now on the front page of every paper in america, its more nationally known, kids will continue to come. Jerry Jr. and Johnathon were not rebellious kids, they know their fathers goals and dreams and will work to get them accomplished. Donors will now help even more to accomplish Jerry's dreams. Dr. Falwell will definatly not be forgotten, and his death is his last gift to LU. On another note, me and my friends were discussing how this shows the difference between Left wing and Right wing, because you know that if Jesse Jackson or Rosie O'donnell died, Jerry would be praying over them and mourning along with the left wing and right wing. But the left wing is eating this up. I read a couple of comments on one article from home saying "i wish i could drive to lynchburg and p--- on his grave" as well as " tonight he knows what hell truly is. I bet the devil wishes he never created a place like hell for a man like jerry to have to live in." Its absolutely disgusting.

[BJWilliams]

Link removed.

[absturgill]

Even thought we do not agree with them, we need to remember that these are people who ultimately need to hear the gospel and see what true Christian love is.

[Sly Fox]

Over here in Houston, the local pundits all thought Lakewood Church would fade away after John Osteen's sudden death. But his son named Joel who had never preached before hasn't exactly withered away building Lakewood into the largest church in America. The point being that we have no idea what will occur int he future. But its good to know we weren't caught unprepared to move forward today.

[givemethemic]

SJ, I didn't see this answered but in my many conversations with Dr.Godwin today he told me that exams and everything else will go on as scheduled.

[SuperJon]

It's been answer and posted about three times now. Thanks though.