[absturgill]

I just spoke with a friend and with 90 minutes to go Williams Stadium is almost filled to total capacity

[Sly Fox]

From WDBJ:

May 18, 2007
Liberty University students prepare for graduation without Falwell

By this time tomorrow, Liberty University will have 3,600 new alumni as thousands of students prepare to receive their degrees from the Reverend Jerry Falwell's university.

But Falwell's death earlier this week has cast a shadow on the events.

Students say they're excited to have finished their collegiate careers and to be moving on with their lives, but the loss of their chancellor has left a hole in many of their hearts.

Click Here for Full Story and Links to Video

[Sly Fox]

From Richmond Fishwrap:

Falwell's legacy seen at Liberty graduation
Commencement today marks new beginning for school he founded

Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 12:09 AM Updated: 02:11 AM

By CARLOS SANTOS AND PAMELA STALLSMITH
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITERS

LYNCHBURG -- The Rev. Jerry Falwell planned to save America through his students, 3,598 of whom will graduate today from Liberty University inculcated with his evangelical, conservative vision.

"The reason he built this place was to change the world," said Liberty student Mark Krom. "It's easy for me to buy into that. He was training champions for Christ."

Click Here for Full Story

[TDDance234]

They did an excellent job at remembering Dr. Falwell without overshadowing the commencment.

I teared up when Dr. Godwin announced the new chancellor of Liberty and the new Thomas Road Baptist Church pastor, Jerry Jr. and Jonathan, respectively. I really about lost it for Jerry Jr. when he spoke a few words.

All in all -- a great commencement. Everybody did a great job.

[TallyW]

How was Newt?

[TDDance234]

Newt was very good. He basically summed up his new/old book in his speech. He quoted a lot of FDR and his public prayers over the radio, etc. Had a very familiar Dr. Falwell feel to it.

I believe they gave him an honorary doctorate before speaking.

[TDDance234]

Probably the coolest moment is that the graduating class started doing the wave and it made it's way all around the Stadium probably 6-7 times. Fun stuff. Once the students quit doing it, the professors started it.

[BJWilliams]

if you want a sign of what makes Liberty great, when teh sounds of Liberty were singing "When I Think About The Lord" (one of Dr Falwell's favorite songs), You could see many of the graduates and people in attendance that were down on the field standing and worshipping

[Libertine]

I watched graduation on TV and was just awed by the number of people in the stadium. Couldn't help but think that we're not so very far away from making that a regular occurrence. The introduction of Junior and Jonathan as chancellor and pastor, respectively, was awesome. I had never heard Junior speak publicly before.

[Fumblerooskies]

Junior speaking was a very touching moment...
...and overall, I thought an excellent job was done balancing celebrating the graduates and mourning Dr. Falwell
(except for Newt recognizing Dr. GOODwin...)

[TallyW]

Up until this week I've always thought his name was GOODwin too


Is there going to be anywhere where we can see this? At least the speakers?

[Sly Fox]

Here is the recap from the AP:

Gingrich lauds Falwell at Liberty commencement, urges grads to fight 'radical secularism'

By BOB LEWIS
Associated Press Writer
May 19, 2007

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Liberty University's graduating class Saturday to honor the spirit of school founder Jerry Falwell by confronting "the growing culture of radical secularism" with Christian ideals.

Gingrich, who is considering a 2008 presidential run, quoted Bible passages to a mournful crowd of about 17,000 packed into the university's football stadium four days after Falwell's death.

Despite the somber tone of the day, graduates who covered the football field chanted "Jerry! Jerry!" in tribute to Falwell.

Click Here for Full Story

[BrysOn_G]

Here is the recap from the AP:

Despite the somber tone of the day, graduates who covered the football field chanted "Jerry! Jerry!" in tribute to Falwell.

Click Here for Full Story

that would have been awesome to hear. i hate i missed it.

[JDUB]

17,000? i thought it only held somewhere around 14,000

[jcmanson]

It does, but there were seats on the field, and we know we can put people on the grass, in extra bleachers, etc.

[SuperJon]

17,000? i thought it only held somewhere around 14,000

12,000

[Fumblerooskies]

Here is the recap from the AP:

Gingrich lauds Falwell at Liberty commencement, urges grads to fight 'radical secularism'

By BOB LEWIS
Associated Press Writer
May 19, 2007

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Liberty University's graduating class Saturday to honor the spirit of school founder Jerry Falwell by confronting "the growing culture of radical secularism" with Christian ideals.

Gingrich, who is considering a 2008 presidential run, quoted Bible passages to a mournful crowd of about 17,000 packed into the university's football stadium

Click Here for Full Story

17,000? Just for TBGBGBRBG....
...Kevin Keys had the official number at closer to 9500.

[whmatthews]

Commencement was awesome. The big screens on each side of the stage were awesome. The guy behind me in line as we were walking down was like "if you wave, you'll see yourself on the screen", so I did... and, I did (see myself, that is). We all got a copy of Newt's book and the video put together of Jerry was very emotional. The wave was hillarious, if we could get that going at football games now!

[Sly Fox]

We need the video posted online post haste.

[TallyW]

WDBJ Roanoke has a good video summary. The opening has the wave. I wish I were there today. I plan to get over there tomorrow or Monday morning. I'm packing a tent hoping to get into the church. Are people camping out?

(I'm not really bringing a tent but I'll be there very early.)


Here is the link: http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6539670

[Fumblerooskies]

The video tribute was nice...I was moved more by the one that was posted earlier on YouTube.

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the link, Tally.

[mrmacphisto]

Is there going to be anywhere where we can see this? At least the speakers?

I doubt the Liberty Channel will rerun the graduation, but hopefully someone recorded it and will convert/post it somewhere online. They sell DVDs every year don't they?

[PAmedic]

from the N/A

http://newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellit ... 6751&path=

PHOTO RESTROSPECTIVE: http://media.gatewayva.com/lna/specials ... small.html

[PAmedic]

From Ron Brown

http://newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellit ... 2953&path=

LU class of 2007 celebrates and remembers the founder

By Ron Brown
rbrown@newsadvance.com
May 19, 2007

Even before Liberty University’s graduation began Saturday, the crowd of 20,000 started doing the wave.

And then, the chant began.

“JER-Ry! JER-Ry! JER-Ry!”