History of Liberty University in Timeline
Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns, it is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. Liberty is recognized as one of the world's largest Christian universities and ranks among the largest private non-profit universities in the United States based on total student enrollment.
1923: Carter Glass Mansion Built
The Carter Glass Mansion, also called Montview, was built in 1923 for Carter Glass.
1964: Civil Rights Act Enacted
In July 2024, Liberty University was sued for $300,000 for allegedly violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it fired a transgender employee.
1971: Liberty University Founded
In 1971, Liberty University, originally named Lynchburg Baptist College, was founded by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns in Lynchburg, Virginia.
1971: Lynchburg Baptist College Founded
In 1971, Lynchburg Baptist College was founded by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns, with Falwell serving as the first chancellor.
1973: Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity Founded
In 1973, the Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Divinity School) was founded.
1976: Name Change to Liberty Baptist College
In 1976, Lynchburg Baptist College changed its name to Liberty Baptist College to distance itself from the name Lynchburg and to capitalize on enthusiasm for the United States Bicentennial.
1979: Falwell Sr. Heads the Moral Majority
From 1979, Jerry Falwell Sr. also headed the Moral Majority, a right-wing political organization, until the late 1980s.
1980: Regional Accreditation
In 1980, Liberty received regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
1983: Big South History
The women's Liberty Lady Flames was honored by the Big South "with the Top 25 'Best of the Best' moments in League history from 1983–2008.
September 1984: TRACS Accreditation
In September 1984, Liberty was accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).
1984: Name Change to Liberty University
In 1984, Liberty Baptist College changed its name to Liberty University.
1985: Launch of Distance-Learning Program
In 1985, Liberty University launched a distance-learning program by mailing VHS tapes to students, which was the start of its current online program.
1985: Men's Hockey Team Started
In 1985, Liberty students organized a team to play surrounding colleges and clubs, marking the start of the men's hockey team.
1987: Tax-Exempt Status Recognized
In 1987, Liberty University's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status was formally recognized by the IRS.
October 21, 1989: First Home Game at Williams Stadium
On October 21, 1989, the Flames played their first home game at Williams Stadium, using it as their home stadium, formerly Lynchburg's City Stadium.
1989: Williams Stadium Opened
Williams Stadium, the home field for the Liberty Flames football team, opened in 1989.
1990: George H.W. Bush Speaks at Commencement
In 1990, 41st U.S president George H. W. Bush was the first sitting U.S. president to speak at Liberty's commencement.
1990: University Debt Totaled $110 Million
In 1990, Liberty University's debt totaled $110 million.
1990: University Debt in 1990
In 1990, the debt-saddled university owed $110 million.
1992: Culture of Underreporting Crime Statistics
In 2023, a report stated that the university's culture of substantially and systematically underreported crime statistics might trace back as far as 1992.
1994: Funding from Women's Federation for World Peace
In 1994, the Women's Federation for World Peace funneled $3.5 million to Liberty University.
1994: Donation from Unification Church
In 1994, the university received $3.5 million through Sun Myung Moon's Women's Federation for World Peace.
1996: University Debt Totaled $40 Million
In 1996, Liberty University's debt totaled $40 million.
1996: Clarence Thomas Gives Commencement Address
In 1996, U.S. Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas gave the commencement address at Liberty University.
1996: University Debt and Loan from News World Communications
In 1996, the university owed $40 million. News World Communications loaned $400,000 to Liberty.
1996: 10-year women's basketball championship run
Liberty University's 10-year women's basketball championship run from 1996–2007 was crowned the No. 1 moment in the Big South's first 25 years."
1999: Informal Relationship with SBC
Since 1999, Liberty has had an informal relationship with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (Southern Baptist Convention); two of its members sit on the university's board of trustees.
August 2004: Law school opening
Liberty University school of law opens in August 2004.
2004: School of Government Named for Jesse Helms
In 2004, Liberty University named its School of Government for Jesse Helms, a former U.S. senator.
2005: Undergraduate Admission Ranked as "Competitive"
In 2005, Barron's Profiles of American Colleges ranked undergraduate admission to Liberty University as "competitive".
2005: Debate Team Varsity Ranking
In 2005, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate team finished 20th in varsity rankings.
2006: Men's Hockey Achieves Division I Status and LaHaye Ice Center Opens
In 2006, Liberty became the only Virginia school with a men's ACHA Division I club hockey team; and the 3,000-seat LaHaye Ice Center opened.
2006: Debate Team Ranked First Overall
In 2006, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall for their division at the National Debate Tournament. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 17th in 2006.
2006: Law School Accreditation
In 2006, the law school, which opened in August 2004, gained provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA).
2006: University Net Assets
In 2006, the university had net assets—cash, property, investments and other holdings—of roughly $100 million.
May 15, 2007: Death of Jerry Falwell
Jerry Falwell died at his desk on May 15, 2007, in the Carter Glass Mansion, which housed his main office.
2007: Jerry Falwell Jr. Becomes Chancellor and President
After Jerry Falwell Sr. died in 2007, his son Jerry Falwell Jr. became Liberty University's second chancellor and fourth president.
2007: Assets at Start of Falwell Jr.'s Presidency
At the start of Jerry Falwell Jr.'s presidency in 2007, the university listed $259 million in assets.
2007: Liberty University Online Academy Established
Established in 2007, the Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA) is a K-12 private school serving about 18,000 students worldwide.
2007: Josh McDougal Becomes NCAA Division I Champion
In 2007, Josh McDougal became an individual NCAA Division I champion.
2007: Debate Team Ranked First Overall Again
In 2007, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall for their division at the National Debate Tournament. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 24th in 2007.
2007: 10-year women's basketball championship run
Liberty University's 10-year women's basketball championship run from 1996–2007 was crowned the No. 1 moment in the Big South's first 25 years."
November 6, 2008: Resignation of TRACS Accreditation
On November 6, 2008, Liberty resigned its TRACS accreditation.
2008: Debate Team Varsity Ranking
In 2008, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate team finished 12th in varsity rankings.
2008: Big South History
The women's Liberty Lady Flames was honored by the Big South "with the Top 25 'Best of the Best' moments in League history from 1983–2008.
August 2009: Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre Completed
Construction was completed in August 2009 on the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, a synthetic ski slope featuring Snowflex.
December 9, 2009: Level VI Accreditation
On December 9, 2009, Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced that Liberty University has received Level VI accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
2009: Samuel Chelanga Becomes NCAA Division I Champion
From 2009–2010, Samuel Chelanga became an individual NCAA Division I champion.
2009: LU Stops Recognizing Democratic Student Group
In 2009, Liberty University ceased recognizing the LU Democratic Party student group, citing conflicts between the Democratic Party platform and the school's conservative Christian values.
2009: Recognition of Young Democrats Club Withdrawn
In 2009, Liberty University withdrew official recognition of the student Young Democrats club due to conflicts with the school's political positions.
2009: Debate Team Ranked First Overall Once Again
In 2009, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall for their division at the National Debate Tournament. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 9th in 2009.
December 2010: Sale of Facilities Bonds to Finance Expansion
In December 2010, Liberty sold $120 million in facilities bonds to finance expansion.
2010: Largest Evangelical Christian University
As of 2010, when including online students, LU was the largest Evangelical Christian university in the world.
2010: Samuel Chelanga Becomes NCAA Division I Champion Again
From 2009–2010, Samuel Chelanga became an individual NCAA Division I champion.
2010: Federal Financial Aid Money Received
In 2010, Liberty University students received about $445 million in federal financial aid money, the highest total of any school in Virginia.
2010: Debate Team Ranked First Overall For the Fourth Time
In 2010, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall for their division at the National Debate Tournament. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 4th in 2010.
2010: Law School Full Accreditation
In 2010, Liberty's law school, which opened in August 2004, was granted full accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA).
2011: Black Population
In 2011, Liberty's Black population was 19.9 percent.
2011: Debate Team Ranked First Overall For the Fifth Time
In 2011, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall for their division at the National Debate Tournament. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 4th in 2011.
2011: Overall Acceptance Rate
In 2011, the overall acceptance rate, which includes online students, was 51 percent.
January 2012: Sale of Taxable Bonds to Finance Capital Projects
In January 2012, Liberty sold an additional $100 million in taxable bonds to help finance $225.2 million of planned capital projects around the campus over the next five years.
May 2012: Falwell Jr. Announces Asset Growth to $1 Billion
In May 2012, Falwell Jr. said the university's assets had risen to $1 billion, thanks to proceeds from its online learning program and from accelerated facility expansion.
December 7, 2012: Hancock Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
On December 7, 2012, the Hancock Welcome Center celebrated its ribbon cutting ceremony.
2012: Donald Trump Receives Honorary Doctorate
In 2012, Donald Trump spoke at Liberty University's Convocation and received an honorary Doctor of Business degree.
2012: Liberty Wins Fifth Consecutive Sasser Cup
In 2012, Liberty became the first Big South school to win five consecutive Sasser Cups.
2012: Departments Merge
In 2012, the departments of worship and music studies and of music and humanities merged into a school of music, composed of two distinct centers.
June 2013: Liberty Baseball Stadium Completed
In June 2013, the Liberty Baseball Stadium was completed.
2013: Largest Private Non-Profit University
As of 2013, LU was the largest private non-profit university in the United States.
2013: Bond Rating Upgrade
In 2013, Liberty's bonds received an upgraded rating of "Aa3" along with a "stable outlook" projection from Moody's Investors Services based on "the increasing scope of the University's activity", "its large pool of financial reserves", "uncommonly strong operating performance", and "discipline around building and maintaining reserves".
2013: Observatory Center Opened
In spring 2013, the Observatory Center opened next to the Equestrian Center, serving purposes of instruction, public nights and research.
January 2014: Jerry Falwell Library Opened
The Jerry Falwell Library opened in January 2014 with advanced technological features and a large collection of items.
August 2014: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine Opened
The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) opened in August 2014, funded in part by a $12 million matching grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
2014: Field Hockey Team Before the League's Demise
Before the 2014 season, the field hockey team belonged to the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference before that league's demise.
2014: Medical School Accreditation
In 2014, the medical school, which opened in 2014, is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA-COCA).
2014: Sponsorship of William Byron Begins
Since 2014, Liberty University has sponsored NASCAR driver William Byron, also a LU student, in a late model program run by Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports.
July 2015: Liberty Mountain Medical Group LLC Opened
In July 2015, the college of osteopathic medicine opened Liberty Mountain Medical Group LLC, a primary care clinic.
December 5, 2015: Jerry Falwell Jr.'s Controversial Convocation Speech
On December 5, 2015, President Jerry Falwell Jr. encouraged students to obtain concealed handgun permits and made controversial comments about Muslims following the San Bernardino attack, which drew public condemnation.
2015: Tuition Denied
In 2015, Liberty University denied the discounted tuition to same-sex and trans spouses of military personnel that it offered to heterosexual military couples.
2015: Women's Hockey Wins National Championship
In 2015, Liberty University's women's club ice hockey team won an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D1 national championship.
2015: Honor Code Revision
In 2015, Liberty revised the honor code to allow students to watch R-rated movies and to play video games rated "M".
2015: VHSL Stopped Holding Debate Competitions At Liberty
In 2015, VHSL stopped holding debate competitions at Liberty after Chancellor Falwell's controversial statement about Muslims. League officials cited the need for an "environment free from harassment, personal threat, or physical or mental harm."
2015: Liberty Baseball Stadium Ranked Among Best College Ballpark Experiences
In 2015, the Liberty Baseball Stadium was ranked No. 4 among college ballpark experiences by Stadium Journey website.
2015: Field Hockey Team Competes as Independent
In the 2015 season, the women's field hockey team competed as an independent.
2016: Donald Trump Speaks at Convocation
In 2016, Donald Trump spoke at Liberty University Convocation before his election as U.S. President, marking another instance of his connection with the university.
2016: Most Conservative College Ranking
In 2016, Liberty was ranked as the "Most Conservative College in America" by niche.com.
2016: Reaffirmation of Accreditation
In 2016, Liberty's regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) was reaffirmed.
2016: Censorship of Student Newspaper Articles Critical of Trump
In 2016, a student editor reported that Jerry Falwell Jr. censored an opinion column critical of Donald Trump, marking the beginning of reported censorship incidents at Liberty University.
2016: Textbook Omission
In 2016, the university ordered a version of a psychology textbook that omitted sections with LGBTQ+-focused content.
2016: Field Hockey Team Joins Big East Conference
In the 2016 season, the women's field hockey team joined the Big East Conference.
2016: Liberty Hosted Debate State Championships Through 2016
Through 2016, Liberty hosted the Virginia High School League's annual Debate State Championships each April.
March 2017: Falwell Jr. Announces Endowment and Financial Responsibility Score
In March 2017, Falwell Jr. said that the university's endowment stood at more than $1 billion and gross assets are in excess of $2 billion. The U.S. Department of Education rated Liberty as having a "perfect" financial responsibility score.
May 2017: President Trump Receives Honorary Degree and Delivers Commencement
In May 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and delivered the commencement address at Liberty University, solidifying the university's close relationship with the Trump administration.
August 2017: Programs Offered
As of August 2017, Liberty University offered over 550 total programs, and is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
2017: University Endowment Exceeds $1 Billion
As of 2017, Liberty University's endowment stood at more than $1 billion and gross assets exceeded $2 billion.
2017: Forbes Ranking
In 2017, Forbes's list of America's Top Colleges ranked Liberty University No. 585 of 650 "Top Colleges" and gave it a "Forbes Financial Grade" of B+.
2017: New Center for Law and Government Announcement
In 2017, Liberty announced its new Center for Law and Government will be led by former U.S. representative Robert Hurt.
2017: Liberty Buys CAER Facility
In 2017, Liberty bought The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) facility in Bedford, Virginia.
2017: Ray Rice Lecture
In 2017, Liberty invited Ray Rice, who had been videotaped beating his fiancée three years earlier, to give a lecture on domestic violence.
2017: Debate Team Sweeps National Debate Tournaments
In 2017, Liberty's debate team finished atop the final rankings of all three national debate tournaments (American Debate Association, Cross Examination Debate Association, and National Debate Tournament) for the eighth time, being the only school to do so in a single year.
2017: President Donald Trump's Commencement Speech
In 2017, President Donald Trump delivered his first college commencement speech as a sitting president at Liberty University, marking a significant event in the university's history and aligning it with the conservative political landscape.
2017: Indoor Practice Facility Opened
In 2017, an indoor practice facility was opened at Williams Stadium at a cost of $29 million.
2017: Student Protests and Alumni Diploma Returns After Trump's Charlottesville Remarks
In 2017, some students protested, and alumni returned their diplomas to Liberty University after President Trump's controversial remarks regarding the Charlottesville rally, citing incompatibility with the university's values.
2017: Independent Newspaper Launch
In 2017, student journalists launched an independent newspaper, the Lynchburg Torch, to cover stories the administration tried to suppress.
2017: Curfew Policy Change
In 2017, the curfew policy was changed to permit students age 20 and over to sign out and stay out past curfew.
2017: Students Receiving Federal Aid
In 2018, ProPublica and The New York Times reported that Liberty University students were sixth in terms of receiving federal aid for the year 2017.
2017: Acceptance Rate
In fall 2017, the acceptance rate for new first-time, full-time students entering Liberty's resident program was 30%.
2017: Undergraduate Demographics
Including online students, Liberty's undergraduate population in 2017 was 51% White, 26.5% race/ethnicity unknown, 15.4% Black or African American, 2.3% two or more races, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, 1.4% non-resident alien, 0.9% Asian, 0.6% American Indian or Alaskan native, 0.2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.
February 2018: Freedom Tower Completed
The 17-story Freedom Tower, completed in February 2018, became the tallest building in Lynchburg.
March 2018: Inaugural Competitive Swimming Event
The inaugural competitive swimming event held in the Liberty Natatorium swimming pool was the 2018 TYR Junior National Cup in March 2018.
October 2018: Release of 'The Trump Prophecy' Film
In October 2018, Liberty's Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Center co-produced "The Trump Prophecy," a feature film about a retired firefighter who believed God revealed Trump would become president, and it was shown in some cinemas.
2018: Report on Taxpayer-Funded Revenue
According to a 2018 report by The New York Times, most of Liberty University's revenue comes from taxpayer-funded sources.
2018: Football Player's Accusations
From 2018 to 2022, a football player remained on the team despite accusations of rape and stalking a university employee. The 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Education revealed this.
2018: Employment Rate of the Liberty University School of Law's Class
In 2018, 82% of Liberty University School of Law's Class obtained full-time, bar passage, or JD-required employment nine months after graduation, according to ABA-required disclosures.
2018: On-Campus Shooting Range Opened
In 2018, Liberty University opened a $3.2 million on-campus shooting range to train students to protect themselves against shooters and terrorists.
2018: Support for Brett Kavanaugh and Melania Trump's Visit
In 2018, Liberty University students showed support for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and First Lady Melania Trump, along with cabinet officials, received a standing ovation during a visit to the university.
2018: Women's Hockey Wins Another National Championship
In 2018, Liberty University's women's club ice hockey team won another American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D1 national championship.
2018: Enrollment Numbers
In 2018, Liberty was among the ten colleges that enrolled the most undergraduates in the fall semester and, when including online students, enrolled the most students of any U.S. university.
2018: Most Conservative College
In 2018, Liberty was ranked as the "Most Conservative College in America" by niche.com.
2018: Liberty's School of Aeronautics Enrollment
In 2018, Liberty's School of Aeronautics had more than 1,200 students in-person and online.
2018: Football Team Begins Competing in FBS
In 2018, Liberty's football team began competing in the FBS as an independent.
2018: Report on Federal Aid and Sales Practices
In 2018, ProPublica and The New York Times reported that Liberty University students were sixth in terms of receiving federal aid for the year 2017 and reported on aggressive sales tactics used by the university.
2018: NYT Reports on LUOA Course Quality
In 2018, The New York Times reported that Liberty faculty acknowledge that courses taken via the lucrative Liberty University Online program are worse than the university's traditional in-person classes.
2018: Jimmy Carter's Commencement Speech
In 2018, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivered the commencement speech at Liberty University, marking a notable event despite the university's general alignment with conservative figures.
2018: Initial Accreditation and Launch of Residency Program
In 2018, the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine received initial accreditation and launched its first residency program.
2018: Student Government Resolution Rejection
In 2018, the administration rejected a resolution from the student government that would have allowed off-campus drinking, "profane language", and the use of tobacco.
2018: Firing of Student Editors for Critical Articles
In 2018, two student editors were reportedly fired for publishing articles critical of Donald Trump, leading to one editor losing a scholarship.
February 2019: Virginia Bar Exam Pass Rate
In February 2019, all Liberty University School of Law graduates who took the Virginia Bar Exam passed.
November 2019: Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty Launched
In November 2019, Liberty and Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA launched a think tank subsidiary called the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty.
2019: Accusations of Financial Misuse by Falwell Jr.
In 2019, Falwell Jr. was accused of using the university for his family's financial benefit. He responded by asserting that the FBI would investigate a "criminal conspiracy" to damage his reputation.
2019: Federal Funding Received
In 2019, Liberty University reportedly received about $700 million in federal funding.
2019: Decline in Black Population
In 2019, Liberty's Black population has declined to 10.4 percent, with a graduation rate of 17% among full-time Black students.
2019: Vice President Mike Pence's Commencement Address and CPAC Satellite Location
In 2019, Vice President Mike Pence gave the commencement address at Liberty University. Also in 2019, Liberty served as a satellite location for CPAC, hosting numerous conservative speakers on its campus.
2019: Criticism of Liberty's "Culture of Fear"
In 2019, Will E. Young, a former editor, described a "culture of fear" at Liberty University, criticizing its intolerance for new ideas and its need to address its racist past.
2019: Experiences Recalled
In 2019, Will Young, a former editor of the Champion, recalled his experiences in a lengthy Washington Post article, noting the censorship and thought-control imposed by school officials.
2019: Allegations of Rigging Online Polls for Trump
In 2019, reports surfaced that Liberty CIO John Gauger allegedly accepted cash to rig two online polls for Donald Trump before his candidacy, through his IT consulting firm.
2019: FIRE Ranks Liberty Among Worst for Free Speech
In 2019, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) ranked Liberty University among the worst universities for free speech due to censorship incidents and other factors.
2019: School of Business Building Nearing Completion
In 2019, the School of Business was nearing completion of a new 78,000-sq.-ft. building.
2019: Men's Basketball Wins Atlantic Sun Conference and Upsets Mississippi State
In 2019, the men's basketball program won the Atlantic Sun Conference basketball tournament and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA basketball tournament. Liberty earned its highest ranking ever as the No. 12 seed in the East Region and set a school record with their 29th win as they upset Mississippi State 80–76 in the first round of the East Region in the 2019 NCAA tournament.
2019: Lynchburg Torch Closure
The Lynchburg Torch, an independent student newspaper, operated from 2017 to 2019.
August 7, 2020: Jerry Falwell Jr. Placed on Indefinite Leave
On August 7, 2020, Jerry Falwell Jr. was placed on indefinite leave as president of Liberty University following media reports of personal and professional impropriety.
August 24, 2020: Jerry Falwell Jr.'s Resignation
On August 24, 2020, Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned from his position as president of Liberty University amid various scandals and allegations of impropriety.
November 2020: Bob Good Wins Seat in US House of Representatives
In November 2020, Liberty University graduate Bob Good won a seat in the US House of Representatives, becoming the first Liberty graduate to be in the House.
2020: Kenyon C. Knapp Deanship
As of 2020, Kenyon C. Knapp was the dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences.
2020: Falkirk Center Paid for Political Facebook Ads
During the 2020 election campaign, the Falkirk Center paid for political Facebook ads promoting Trump and other Republican candidates.
2020: Jerry Falwell Jr. Leaves Liberty University
In 2020, Jerry Falwell Jr. departed from Liberty University amidst allegations of personal and professional impropriety and was later sued by the university.
2020: Student Enrollment
In 2020, Liberty University enrolled approximately 15,000 students in its residential program and 80,000 online.
2020: Football Team Enters AP Poll Rankings
In 2020, Liberty's football team entered the rankings in the AP Poll at 25 for the first time in program history. They finished the season being ranked 17 in the AP Poll and 18 in the Coaches Poll.
2020: Controversial Decision to Reopen During COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberty University allowed some students to return to campus, facing criticism and leading to the university pushing for charges against reporters investigating the decision.
2020: Criticism Over Resistance to Diversity Following Falwell Jr.'s Departure
In 2020, following Jerry Falwell Jr.'s resignation, Liberty University faced growing criticism over perceived resistance to diversity, marked by the departures of key figures and the replacement of David Nasser by Jonathan Falwell.
2020: Diving Platform Collapsed
In 2020, one of the diving platforms at Liberty Natatorium collapsed for an unknown reason.
2020: Second Cure Bowl Win
In 2020, the Flames won the Cure Bowl for the second year in a row.
2020: Reform Efforts: Save71, BLM Protest, Falkirk Center Petition
In 2020, three reform efforts took place at Liberty University: the organization of Save71, a Black Lives Matter protest on campus, and a petition to shut down the Falkirk Center.
2020: Revenue from Online and Residential Tuition
In fiscal year 2020, Liberty University received $800 million from online tuition and $361 million from residential student tuition.
2020: Liberty Arena Opened
The Liberty Arena, the home of the men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball, opened in 2020.
March 2021: Organization Renamed "Standing for Freedom Center"
In March 2021, the university renamed the organization the "Standing for Freedom Center", having chosen not to renew Kirk's contract several months earlier.
June 2021: Liberty University Financials
In June 2021, Liberty University had $3.94 billion in assets and $474 million in liabilities. Its operating revenue was $1.15 billion and its operating expenses were $840 million.
July 2021: Discrimination Lawsuit by LeeQuan McLaurin
Also in July 2021, Liberty University diversity retention officer LeeQuan McLaurin, a black gay man, filed a discrimination lawsuit against the school, claiming that his supervisor's view that Christianity condemns homosexuality forced him to quit.
July 2021: Lawsuit Alleging Title IX Violations
In July 2021, twelve anonymous women, including two employees, sued Liberty University, alleging the university created an environment that increased the likelihood of sexual assault and rape in violation of federal Title IX law.
October 6, 2021: Scott Lamb's Termination
On October 6, 2021, Scott Lamb was fired for telling school officials about staff members' failure to report sexual assaults appropriately. Lamb told ProPublica that he was fired on October 6, 2021, for telling school officials about staff members' failure to report sexual assaults appropriately
October 2021: ProPublica Report on Sexual Assault Handling
In October 2021, a ProPublica report detailed how Liberty University discouraged and dismissed students reporting sexual assault, manipulated statements, and neglected to report cases to the Title IX office or law enforcement.
November 2021: Standing for Freedom Center Hosts Prominent Figures
In November 2021, the Standing for Freedom Center hosted former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, author Eric Metaxas, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.
2021: Student Body Demographics
As of 2021, the residential student body is 74% White, 5% Latino, 4% Black, 3% two or more races, and 2% Asian or Pacific Islander, less than 1% Native American, and 7% "other". Its male-to-female ratio is 45% to 54%.
2021: Restrictions on LGBT States of Mind
As of the 2021 version of The Liberty Way, the student handbook, words and actions indicating "LGBT states of mind" are prohibited for students.
2021: Jerry Prevo's comments on political influence
In 2021, Interim President Jerry Prevo expressed the goal for Liberty University to become a more effective political player by influencing elections and electing conservative candidates, raising concerns about the university's non-profit status.
2021: Lawsuit Filed
In 2021, a dozen anonymous women sued the school, charging that it failed to curb domestic violence and sexual assault on campus.
2021: Class Action Lawsuit
In 2021, a former Liberty University student was part of a class action lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Education alleging that the institution should not be eligible to receive federal funding because of its discriminatory practices against LGBT students.
2021: Lawsuit Filed Regarding Honor Code
In 2021, a lawsuit alleged that Liberty University's honor code, the "Liberty Way", made it difficult to report sexual violence.
2021: COVID-19 Outbreak and Shift to Online Classes
In the fall of 2021, a COVID-19 outbreak at Liberty University forced all classes on the Lynchburg campus to go online-only for two weeks, with over 400 students and 50 staff members testing positive and the campus having no vaccination, mask, or social distancing requirements.
2022: School of Education Enrollment
As of 2022 the School of Education enrolled 4,441 students.
2022: Liberty University Retains Trump's Honorary Degrees
As of 2022, Liberty University has not rescinded the two honorary degrees it granted to Donald Trump, despite other institutions revoking his honorary degrees.
2022: Washington Monthly Ranking
Liberty University was ranked 428 out of 442 schools by the Washington Monthly in 2022.
2022: Jamey Chadwell Becomes Head Coach
Since 2022, the Flames' head coach has been Jamey Chadwell.
March 31, 2023: Dondi Costin Named President of Liberty University
On March 31, 2023, Dondi Costin was named president of Liberty University.
July 1, 2023: Dondi E. Costin Assumes Presidency
Dondi E. Costin assumed the position of president of Liberty University on July 1, 2023.
2023: Department of Education Report
According to a preliminary 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Education, Liberty sought for years to conceal campus crime and safety statistics.
2023: Conservative College Ranking
By 2023, Brigham Young University replaced Liberty as the "Most Conservative College in America" by niche.com.
2023: Athletics Program Joins Conference USA
In 2023, Liberty University's athletics program became a full member of Conference USA.
2023: Women's Hockey Wins National Championship Again
In 2023, Liberty University's women's club ice hockey team won another American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D1 national championship.
2023: Endowment
In 2023, Liberty had an endowment of $1.71 billion, 43rd-largest among U.S. colleges and universities.
2023: U.S. Department of Education Preliminary Report on Liberty University
In 2023, a preliminary report by the U.S. Department of Education alleged that Liberty University officials failed to report campus crime and safety statistics, destroyed evidence of assaults, and retaliated against an employee who raised concerns about Clery Act violations. Crimes covered up included sexual assault, stalking, and intimate partner violence.
2023: Undefeated Season and CUSA Championship
In 2023, the Flames went undefeated (12–0) in the regular season, the first Division-I team from Virginia to do so, and won the CUSA Championship Game.
2023: U.S. News & World Report Ranking
Liberty University was listed as 394-to-435th among "National Universities" in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report.
2023: Jerry Falwell Sr. Center Opening
The Jerry Falwell Sr. Center: Inspiring Champions for Christ, is set to open in 2023, attached to the Hancock Welcome Center.
January 1, 2024: First New Year's 6 Bowl Game
On January 1, 2024, Liberty played in their first New Year's 6 bowl, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, against the Pac-12 Oregon Ducks, but lost 45–6.
March 2024: Department of Education Fine
In March 2024 the U.S. Department of education fined the university $14 million for its treatment of sexual assault survivors and the misclassification or underreporting of crimes.
March 2024: Liberty University Fined $14 Million for Clery Act Violations
In March 2024, Liberty University was fined $14 million for Clery Act violations, following a report documenting "serious, persistent, and systemic violations" by officials who discouraged crime reporting and mishandled incidents.
July 2024: Lawsuit Alleging Title VII Violation for Firing Transgender Employee
In July 2024, Liberty University was sued for $300,000 by Ellenor Zinski, who alleged that the university violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it fired Zinski, who is transgender, citing Zinski's gender as the reason for her firing. The university defended the decision citing religious policies.
2024: School Ranking
In 2024, the school is ranked 140 out of 196 law schools ranked by the U.S. News & World Report.
2024: Member of Advisory Board of Project 2025
Liberty University is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025 in 2024, a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals.
2025: Member of Advisory Board of Project 2025
Liberty University is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025 in 2025.
2026: Sponsorship Deal with Byron and Hendrick Motorsports Through 2026
Liberty is in the midst of a deal with Byron and NASCAR Cup Series team Hendrick Motorsports that runs through 2026.
