Full History Of Liberty University In Timeline From 1923

1923: Construction of Carter Glass Mansion

In 1923, the Carter Glass Mansion, also known as Montview, was built for Carter Glass, who was a newspaper publisher, U.S. senator, U.S. treasury secretary under President Woodrow Wilson, and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and President Pro Tempore of the Senate during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1964: Civil Rights Act

In July 2024, Liberty University was sued for allegedly violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

1971: Lynchburg Baptist College Founded

In 1971, Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns founded Lynchburg Baptist College. Falwell, who was also the pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, became the first chancellor.

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. The institution is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (Southern Baptist Convention).

1976: Name Change to Liberty Baptist College

In 1976, Lynchburg Baptist College changed its name to Liberty Baptist College. The change aimed to distance the school from the name Lynchburg and align with enthusiasm for the United States Bicentennial.

1979: Falwell Sr. Heads Moral Majority

From 1979, Jerry Falwell Sr. also led the Moral Majority, a right-wing political organization.

1980: Regional Accreditation

In 1980, Liberty University received regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation.

1983: Big South 'Best of the Best' Moments

In 1983, the Big South honored the women's Liberty Lady Flames with the Top 25 'Best of the Best' moments in League history from 1983–2008.

September 1984: TRACS Accreditation

In September 1984, Liberty University was accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).

1984: Name Change to Liberty University

In 1984, Liberty Baptist College officially changed its name to Liberty University.

1985: Launch of Distance Learning Program

In 1985, Liberty University introduced a distance-learning program. VHS tapes were mailed to students as part of the program, which served as a precursor to the online program.

1985: Men's Hockey Team Started

Men's hockey started in 1985 when Liberty students organized a team to play surrounding colleges and clubs.

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 after using Lynchburg's City Stadium as their home stadium.

1989: Opening of Williams Stadium

In 1989, Williams Stadium, the home field for the Liberty Flames football team, was opened with seating for 25,000 spectators.

1990: University Debt Totals $110 Million

In 1990, Liberty University's debt reached a total of $110 million, contributing to a period of financial instability.

1990: George H.W. Bush Speaks at Liberty's Commencement

In 1990, the 41st U.S. President, George H. W. Bush, became the first sitting U.S. president to deliver a speech at Liberty University's commencement ceremony.

1990: University Debt

In 1990, the university owed $110 million.

1992: Systematic Underreporting of Crime Statistics

In 2023, a preliminary report by the U.S. Department of Education stated that the university's culture of underreporting 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, associated with Sun Myung Moon, contributed $3.5 million to Liberty University.

1996: University Debt Totals $40 Million

By 1996, Liberty University's debt had decreased to $40 million.

1996: Women's Basketball Championship Run

From 1996, 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.

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

In 1996, the university owed $40 million, and News World Communications loaned $400,000 to Liberty.

1999: Affiliation with Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia

Since 1999, Liberty University 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 Opens

In August 2004, Liberty University's law school opened.

2004: School of Government Named for Jesse Helms

In 2004, Liberty University named its School of Government in honor of Jesse Helms, who was a former U.S. senator from North Carolina and a friend of the Falwell family.

2005: Undergraduate Admission Ranked as Competitive

In 2005, Barron's Profiles of American Colleges ranked undergraduate admission to Liberty University as "competitive."

2005: Debate Program Varsity Ranking

In 2005, Liberty's varsity debate program finished 20th in the national rankings.

2006: Men's Hockey Becomes ACHA Division I

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 Program Ranked First Overall

In 2006, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall at the National Debate Tournament for their division. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 17th.

2006: Law School Gains Provisional Accreditation

In 2006, the Liberty University law school gained provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA).

2006: 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 Sr.

On May 15, 2007, Jerry Falwell Sr. died at his desk in the Carter Glass Mansion. He and his wife were buried on the rear lawn of the mansion, and a memorial was placed there.

2007: Jerry Falwell Jr. Becomes Chancellor and President

After Jerry Falwell Sr.'s death in 2007, his son Jerry Falwell Jr. took over as Liberty University's second chancellor and fourth president. At this time, the university reported $259 million in assets.

2007: Assets

At the start of Jerry Falwell Jr.'s presidency in 2007, the university listed $259 million in assets.

2007: Josh McDougal NCAA Champion

In 2007, Josh McDougal became an individual NCAA Division I champion.

2007: Liberty University Online Academy Formed

In 2007, Liberty University Online Academy was established, initially serving 23 students.

2007: Women's Basketball Championship Run

In 2007, 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.

2007: Debate Program Ranked First Overall

In 2007, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall at the National Debate Tournament for their division. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 24th.

November 6, 2008: Resignation from TRACS Accreditation

On November 6, 2008, Liberty University resigned its TRACS accreditation.

2008: Debate Program Varsity Ranking

In 2008, Liberty's varsity debate program finished 12th in the national rankings.

2008: Big South 'Best of the Best' Moments

In 2008, the Big South honored the women's Liberty Lady Flames with the Top 25 'Best of the Best' moments in League history from 1983–2008.

August 2009: Completion of Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre

In August 2009, the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, featuring Snowflex synthetic ski slope technology, was completed. It was designed by Briton Engineering and is the first of its kind in the United States.

December 9, 2009: Level VI Accreditation from SACS

On December 9, 2009, Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced that Liberty University received Level VI accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

2009: LU Stops Recognizing Democratic Party Student Group

In 2009, Liberty University stopped recognizing its Democratic Party student group, citing that the party's platform conflicts with the school's conservative Christian principles.

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. The College Republicans club retained official recognition.

2009: Debate Program Ranked First Overall

In 2009, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall at the National Debate Tournament for their division. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 9th.

2009: Samuel Chelanga NCAA Champion

In 2009, Samuel Chelanga became an individual NCAA Division I champion.

December 2010: Facilities Bonds Sold

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, Liberty University was the largest Evangelical Christian university in the world.

2010: Liberty Students Receive High Federal Aid

In 2010, Liberty University students received approximately $445 million in federal financial aid, which was the highest total of any school in Virginia and one of the highest in the United States.

2010: Debate Program Ranked First Overall

In 2010, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall at the National Debate Tournament for their division. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 4th.

2010: Samuel Chelanga NCAA Champion

In 2010, Samuel Chelanga became an individual NCAA Division I champion.

2010: Law School Receives Full Accreditation

In 2010, the Liberty University School of Law received full accreditation from the American Bar Association.

2011: Internet Access to News & Advance Blocked

In 2011, Liberty University blocked campus internet access to the website of the News & Advance, a local newspaper, after it reported that the university received more federal financial aid than any other school in Virginia. The block was lifted one day after the article was published.

2011: Overall Acceptance Rate

In 2011, Liberty University's overall acceptance rate, including online students, was 51 percent.

2011: Black Population Percentage

In 2011, Liberty's Black population was 19.9 percent.

2011: Debate Program Ranked First Overall

In 2011, Liberty's Inter-Collegiate policy debate program ranked first overall at the National Debate Tournament for their division. In varsity rankings, Liberty finished 4th.

January 2012: Taxable Bonds Sold

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: University Assets Reach $1 Billion

In May 2012, Falwell Jr. said the university's total 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

On December 7, 2012, Liberty University celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Hancock Welcome Center, a 33,000-square-foot building.

2012: Donald Trump Awarded Honorary Degree

In 2012, Donald Trump was awarded an honorary doctor of business degree from Liberty University and spoke at the university Convocation.

2012: Merger Creates School of Music

In 2012, Liberty University's departments of worship and music studies and of music and humanities merged to create a school of music.

2012: Fifth Consecutive Sasser Cup Win

In 2012, Liberty became the first Big South school to win five consecutive Sasser Cups.

June 2013: Liberty Baseball Stadium Completed

The Liberty Baseball Stadium was completed in June 2013.

2013: Largest Private Non-Profit University

As of 2013, Liberty University was the largest private non-profit university in the United States. It is the 7th-largest four-year university and the largest university in Virginia.

2013: Bond Rating Upgraded

In 2013, Liberty's bond offering received an upgraded rating of "Aa3" along with a "stable outlook" projection from Moody's Investors Services.

2013: Observatory Center Opened

In spring 2013, the Observatory Center opened next to the Equestrian Center. It houses a 20-inch RC Optical Systems Truss Ritchey-Chrétien telescope and several Celestron CPC 800 telescopes. The Observatory Center serves instruction, public nights and research purposes.

January 2014: Jerry Falwell Library Opens

In January 2014, the Jerry Falwell Library opened. The library is a four-story, 170,000-square-foot building with over 250,000 items.

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August 2014: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine Opens

In August 2014, the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) was opened. It was funded in part by a $12 million matching grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission.

2014: Liberty University Sponsoring William Byron

In 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.

2014: Medical School Opens

In 2014, the Liberty University medical school opened and is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA-COCA).

2014: Field Hockey Team Conference Change

In 2014, the women's field hockey team belonged to the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference before that league's demise.

July 2015: Opening of Liberty Mountain Medical Group LLC

In July 2015, the Liberty Mountain Medical Group LLC, a primary care clinic serving the greater Lynchburg area, was opened by the college of osteopathic medicine.

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, stating, "If more good people had concealed-carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walked in." His statement was met with public condemnation, but Falwell later clarified he was referring to the Muslim shooters in the San Bernardino attack.

2015: Falwell's controversial Statement

In 2015, Chancellor Falwell said students should arm themselves to "end those Muslims" who committed the San Bernardino attack, which led VHSL to seek an "environment free from harassment, personal threat, or physical or mental harm."

2015: Discounted Tuition Denied to Same-Sex Spouses

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: Honor Code Revised

In 2015, Liberty University revised its honor code to allow students to watch R-rated movies and to play video games rated "M".

2015: Women's Hockey National Championship

In 2015, Liberty University's women's club ice hockey team won an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D1 national championship.

2015: Baseball Stadium Ranked Fourth

In 2015, the Liberty Baseball Stadium was ranked No. 4 among college ballpark experiences by Stadium Journey website, and several Liberty Flames baseball players were drafted during the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.

2015: Formation of the Rawlings School of Divinity

In 2015, the Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity was formed through a merger of the School of Religion with Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, offering a variety of on-campus and online programs.

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's Convocation.

2016: Textbook Revision

In 2016, Liberty University ordered a version of a psychology textbook that omitted sections with LGBTQ+-focused content.

2016: SACS Accreditation Reaffirmed

In 2016, Liberty University's regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) was reaffirmed.

2016: Censorship of Student Newspaper Article Criticizing Trump

In 2016, a student editor reported that Jerry Falwell Jr. censored an opinion column in the student newspaper that criticized Donald Trump for his lewd comments caught on an Access Hollywood tape.

2016: Field Hockey Team Joins Big East Conference

In the 2016 season, the women's field hockey team joined the Big East Conference.

2016: VHSL Stopped Hosting Debate Competitions

Through 2016, Liberty hosted the Virginia High School League's annual Debate State Championships. VHSL stopped holding debate competitions at the school.

March 2017: 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: Trump Receives Honorary Degree and Delivers Commencement Speech

In May 2017, as U.S. president, Donald Trump was the keynote speaker at Liberty University's commencement, where he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

August 2017: University Program Statistics

As of August 2017, Liberty University offered over 550 total programs, with 366 on-campus and 289 online. Additionally, the university holds recognition as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

2017: University Endowment Exceeds $1 Billion

As of 2017, Liberty University's endowment surpassed $1 billion, and gross assets exceeded $2 billion.

2017: Forbes Ranking for Liberty University

In 2017, Forbes ranked Liberty University No. 585 of 650 "Top Colleges" and gave the university a "Forbes Financial Grade" of B+.

2017: Ray Rice Invited to Lecture

In 2017, Liberty University invited Ray Rice, who had been videotaped beating his fiancée three years earlier, to give a lecture on domestic violence.

2017: Curfew Policy Changed

In 2017, Liberty University's curfew policy was changed to permit students age 20 and over to sign out and stay out past curfew.

2017: Undergraduate Population Demographics

In 2017, Liberty University's undergraduate population, including online students, 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. All 50 states and Washington, D.C., are represented along with 86 countries.

2017: New Center for Law and Government Announced

In 2017, Liberty announced the new Center for Law and Government will be led by former U.S. representative Robert Hurt. The center will house the Liberty University School of Law and the Jesse Helms School of Government.

2017: Liberty Buys The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research

In 2017, Liberty bought The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) facility in Bedford, Virginia.

2017: Debate Team Sweeps National Tournaments

In 2017, Liberty's debate team swept the final rankings of all three national debate tournaments for the eighth time, being the only school to finish first in the American Debate Association (ADA), the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA), and the National Debate Tournament (NDT) 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.

2017: Report on Liberty University federal aid

In 2017, ProPublica and The New York Times reported that Liberty University students were sixth in terms of receiving federal aid for the year 2017. Most of Liberty University's revenue came from taxpayer-funded sources.

2017: Indoor Practice Facility Opened

In 2017, an indoor practice facility opened at Williams Stadium, costing $29 million.

2017: Student Protests After Trump's Charlottesville Remarks

In 2017, some Liberty University students protested after President Trump criticized both white supremacists and counter-protesters at the Charlottesville rally. Falwell Jr. voiced his support for Trump's remarks, leading some alumni to return their diplomas.

2017: Lynchburg Torch Launched

In 2017, student journalists, frustrated with administration suppression, launched the Lynchburg Torch, an independent newspaper.

2017: Acceptance Rate for Resident Program

In fall 2017, the acceptance rate for new first-time, full-time students entering Liberty's resident program was 30%.

February 2018: Completion of Freedom Tower

In February 2018, the 17-story Freedom Tower was completed, becoming the tallest building in Lynchburg, Virginia. The tower includes a carillon with a replica of the Liberty Bell.

March 2018: Inaugural Swimming Event at Liberty Natatorium

In March 2018, the Liberty Natatorium hosted its inaugural competitive swimming event, the 2018 TYR Junior National Cup.

October 2018: Release of "The Trump Prophecy" Film

In October 2018, Liberty's Zaki Gordon Cinematic Arts Center co-produced the film "The Trump Prophecy", which was shown in some cinemas. The film is about a firefighter who believes God told him in 2011 that Trump would become president.

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2018: Revenue Sources

According to a 2018 report by The New York Times, most of Liberty University's revenue comes from taxpayer-funded sources.

2018: Football Player Accusations

From 2018 to 2022, a football player was allowed to remain on the team despite accusations of rape and stalking a university employee.

2018: Employment Success for Law School Graduates

In 2018, 82% of Liberty University School of Law's Class obtained full-time, bar passage, or JD-required employment nine months after graduation.

2018: On-Campus Shooting Range Opened

In 2018, Liberty University opened a $3.2 million on-campus shooting range. It was designed to train students to protect themselves.

2018: Women's Hockey National Championship

In 2018, Liberty University's women's club ice hockey team won an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D1 national championship.

2018: High Undergraduate Enrollment

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 America

In 2018, Liberty was ranked as the "Most Conservative College in America" by niche.com.

2018: Growth of Liberty's School of Aeronautics

In 2018, Liberty's School of Aeronautics had more than 1,200 students in-person and online, offering 11 bachelor's degrees in aeronautics and working with airlines to alleviate pilot shortages.

2018: Report on Liberty University 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. Most of Liberty University's revenue came from taxpayer-funded sources.

2018: Jimmy Carter Gives Commencement Speech

In 2018, former 39th U.S. president Jimmy Carter gave the commencement speech at Liberty University.

2018: Students Support Trump and His Nominee

In 2018, some Liberty University students went to Washington, D.C., to support President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. That same year, students at the university gave a standing ovation to First Lady Melania Trump and several Trump cabinet officials who spoke at a town hall about the drug epidemic.

2018: Rejection of Student Government Resolution

In 2018, the Liberty University administration rejected a resolution from the student government that would have allowed off-campus drinking, "profane language", and the use of tobacco.

2018: Initial Accreditation and First Residency Program

In 2018, the college received initial accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA-COCA). Also in 2018, the medical school launched its first residency program, focusing on neuromusculoskeletal treatment.

2018: Football Team Competes in FBS

In 2018, the football team began competing in the FBS as an independent.

2018: Student Editors Fired for Critical Articles

In 2018, two student editors were reportedly fired for running articles critical of Donald Trump. One of the student editors also lost a $3,000-a-semester scholarship.

February 2019: Law School Graduates Pass Virginia Bar Exam

In February 2019, all graduates of Liberty University School of Law 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: Decline in Black Population and Graduation Rate

By 2019, Liberty's Black population had declined to 10.4 percent, with a graduation rate of 17% among full-time Black students.

2019: Falwell Accused of Misusing University Funds

In 2019, Falwell Jr. was accused of using the university for his family's financial benefit, funneling tuition money into real estate investments.

2019: Liberty University Receives Federal Funding

In 2019, Liberty University reportedly received approximately $700 million in federal funding.

2019: School of Business Building Nears Completion

In 2019, Liberty University's School of Business was nearing completion of a new 78,000-sq.-ft. building. The school offers 46 bachelor's, 67 master's, and 14 doctoral degrees and is accredited by ACBSP.

2019: Allegations of Rigged Online Polls for Trump

In 2019, The Wall Street Journal and Inside Higher Education reported that Liberty CIO John Gauger allegedly accepted cash, through his IT consulting firm, to rig two online polls for Donald Trump before he became a candidate.

2019: Vice President Mike Pence's Commencement Address

In 2019, Vice President Mike Pence delivered the commencement address at Liberty University. Additionally, Liberty served as a satellite location for CPAC 2019, hosting numerous conservative speakers on campus.

2019: Will E. Young Describes a "Culture of Fear"

In 2019, Will E. Young, a former editor-in-chief of Liberty's Champion student newspaper, described a "culture of fear" at Liberty University, stating the school has "zero tolerance for new questions and ideas" and advocated for addressing its racist past and including people of color and LGBTQ people in decision-making.

2019: Allegations of Censorship at the Champion

In 2019, Will Young, a former editor of the Champion, recalled his experiences in a Washington Post article, alleging that school officials often overrode student editors' decisions and imposed censorship.

2019: FIRE Ranks Liberty University Poorly for Free Speech

In 2019, censorship and other factors led the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) to rank Liberty University among the worst universities in terms of free speech.

2019: Cure Bowl Win

In 2019, the Liberty Flames won the Cure Bowl.

2019: Men's Basketball Team Wins Atlantic Sun Conference

In 2019, the men's basketball program won the Atlantic Sun Conference basketball tournament, earned an automatic bid to the NCAA basketball tournament, and upset Mississippi State 80–76 in the first round of the East Region in the 2019 NCAA tournament, setting a school record with their 29th win.

August 7, 2020: Jerry Falwell Jr. Placed on Indefinite Leave

On August 7, 2020, Jerry Falwell Jr. was placed on indefinite leave from his position as president of Liberty University after media reports surfaced regarding allegations of personal and professional impropriety. He resigned a few weeks later and claimed entitlement to $10.5 million in compensation from the university.

August 24, 2020: Falwell Jr.'s Resignation and Subsequent Events

On August 24, 2020, Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned amidst accusations of nepotism, racism, alcohol use, and sex scandals. The university later sued Falwell Jr. for $40 million for breach of contract, and replaced acting chairman Allen McFarland with Tim Lee.

November 2020: Bob Good Wins Seat in US House of Representatives

In November 2020, Bob Good, a Liberty University graduate and athletics booster, won a seat in the US House of Representatives, becoming the first Liberty graduate to serve in the House.

2020: University Assets and Leadership Changes

At the end of Jerry Falwell Jr.'s presidency in 2020, Liberty University had over $2.5 billion in assets. Following Falwell's resignation, criticism arose regarding the university's perceived resistance to diversity, leading to leadership changes including Jonathan Falwell replacing David Nasser.

2020: Jerry Falwell Jr. Leaves Liberty University

In 2020, Jerry Falwell Jr. departed from his position at Liberty University amidst allegations of personal and professional impropriety. The university later sued him. Dondi E. Costin is the current President of Liberty University.

2020: Student Enrollment Statistics

In 2020, Liberty University's enrollment included approximately 15,000 students in its residential program and 80,000 students enrolled in online courses.

2020: Football Team Enters AP Poll Ranking

In 2020, Liberty's football team entered the rankings in the AP Poll at 25 for the first time in program history and finished the season ranked 17 in the AP Poll and 18 in the Coaches Poll.

2020: Diving Platform Collapses at Liberty Natatorium

In 2020, a diving platform at the Liberty Natatorium collapsed for an unknown reason.

2020: Political Ads

In 2020, the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty paid for political Facebook ads promoting Trump and other Republican candidates.

2020: Opening of Liberty Arena

In 2020, the Liberty Arena opened as the home of the men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball team. The 125,000-square-foot space seats 4,000 spectators.

2020: School of Behavioral Sciences Dean

In 2020, the dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences was Kenyon C. Knapp. The school includes four departments: Community Care & Counseling, Counselor Education & Family Studies, Psychology, and Social Work.

2020: Online and Residential Tuition Revenue

In fiscal year 2020, Liberty University received $800 million from online tuition and $361 million from residential student tuition.

2020: Reform Efforts and Protests

In late 2020, three reform efforts took place at Liberty University: alumni organized Save71, athletes organized a Black Lives Matter protest, and students created an online petition to shut down the Falkirk Center.

2020: Liberty's Response to COVID-19 and Media Investigation

In spring 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberty University allowed some students to return to campus after spring break, defying the mayor's objections and the practices of most U.S. colleges. When ProPublica and The New York Times investigated, the university pushed for trespassing charges against the reporters.

March 2021: Falkirk Center Renamed

In March 2021, Liberty University renamed the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty to the "Standing for Freedom Center", not renewing Kirk's contract.

June 2021: Assets and Liabilities

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. Its endowment was valued at $1.71 billion in fiscal year 2021.

July 2021: Discrimination Lawsuit Filed 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 his supervisor's view that Christianity condemns homosexuality forced him to quit.

July 2021: Lawsuit Alleging Title IX Violations

In July 2021, Liberty University was sued by twelve anonymous women alleging the university fostered an environment that increased the likelihood of sexual assault and rape, violating federal Title IX law. The lawsuit included allegations of honor code obstacles, a tacit policy condoning sexual violence, and retaliation against women who reported such incidents.

October 6, 2021: Scott Lamb Fired for Reporting Sexual Assaults

On October 6, 2021, Scott Lamb, a former Liberty University official, was fired after reporting the university staff members' failures to appropriately report sexual assaults. He described the leaders' ignoring of such reports as "a conspiracy of silence".

October 2021: ProPublica Report on Sexual Assault Handling

In October 2021, a ProPublica report revealed that Liberty University discouraged students from reporting sexual assault and threatened them with punishment. School officials were accused of manipulating statements and neglecting to report cases to Title IX or law enforcement. Sexual assault victims also reported being misinformed about reporting to the police and being pressured to sign non-disclosure agreements, while one student was expelled for supporting a sexual assault victim. In October 2021, Politico reported accusations that the school invested in "Republican causes and efforts to promote the Trump administration".

November 2021: Standing for Freedom Center Hosts Event

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: Residential Student Body Demographics

As of 2021, Liberty University's 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: Prohibition of 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. Sexual relations are only permitted in a Biblically ordained marriage between a man and a woman. Kissing, holding hands, or dating a member of the same sex are also prohibited.

2021: Jerry Prevo expresses desire to influence elections

In 2021, Interim President Jerry Prevo told Scott Lamb that he wanted Liberty to become "a more effective political player by helping to influence elections," stating that electing conservative candidates was "one of our main goals."

2021: Lawsuit Alleging Failure to Curb Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

In 2021, a dozen anonymous women sued Liberty University, charging that it failed to curb domestic violence and sexual assault on campus.

2021: Class Action Lawsuit Against U.S. Department of Education

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: LendingTree Bowl Win

In 2021, the Liberty Flames won the LendingTree Bowl.

2021: COVID-19 Outbreak Leads to Online Classes

In fall 2021, a COVID-19 outbreak at Liberty University's Lynchburg campus forced all classes to move online for two weeks after more than 400 students and 50 staff members tested positive. The university did not require vaccinations, masks, or social distancing and continued with outdoor events.

2022: School of Education Enrollment

As of 2022, the School of Education enrolled 4,441 students.

2022: Liberty University Retains Honorary Degrees Granted to Trump

As of 2022, while three honorary degrees granted to Donald Trump by other institutions have been rescinded, Liberty University has not rescinded the two honorary degrees it granted Trump.

2022: Football Player Accusations

From 2018 to 2022, a football player was allowed to remain on the team despite accusations of rape and stalking a university employee.

2022: Washington Monthly Ranking

In 2022, Liberty University was ranked 428 out of 442 schools by the Washington Monthly.

2022: Jamey Chadwell Becomes Head Coach

Since 2022, Jamey Chadwell has been the head coach of the Liberty Flames.

March 31, 2023: Dondi Costin Named President of Liberty University

On March 31, 2023, Dondi Costin was officially named the president of Liberty University.

July 1, 2023: Dondi Costin Becomes University President

On July 1, 2023, Dondi E. Costin officially assumed the role of university president, succeeding Jerry Prevo.

2023: Report on Concealing Campus Crime and Safety Statistics

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: Ranking as Most Conservative College Changes

By 2023, Liberty had been replaced by Brigham Young University as the "Most Conservative College in America" by niche.com.

2023: Liberty University Endowment

In 2023, Liberty University had an endowment of $1.71 billion, making it the 43rd-largest among U.S. colleges and universities.

2023: U.S. News & World Report Ranking

In 2023, Liberty University was listed as 394-to-435th among "National Universities" in the U.S. News & World Report.

2023: Athletics Program Joins Conference USA

In 2023, Liberty University's athletics program, known as the Liberty Flames, became a full member of Conference USA.

2023: Women's Hockey National Championship

In 2023, Liberty University's women's club ice hockey team won an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D1 national championship.

2023: Opening of Jerry Falwell Sr. Center

In 2023, the Jerry Falwell Sr. Center: Inspiring Champions for Christ is scheduled to open, connected to the Hancock Welcome Center.

2023: Undefeated Regular Season and CUSA Championship

In 2023, the Liberty Flames went undefeated (12–0) in the regular season, becoming the first Division-I team from Virginia to do so, and won the CUSA Championship Game.

2023: Department of Education Preliminary Report

In fall 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. The report also mentioned that the university's culture of underreporting crime statistics might trace back to 1992. Liberty faces a potential fine of up to $37.5 million for Clery Act violations.

January 1, 2024: First New Year's 6 Bowl Game

On January 1, 2024, the Liberty Flames played in their first New Year's 6 bowl, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, against the Pac-12 Oregon Ducks, losing 45–6.

March 2024: Liberty University Fined $14 Million for Clery Act Violations

In March 2024, Liberty University was fined $14 million for Clery Act violations. The investigators' report documented serious and systemic violations, including discouraging students from reporting crimes, failing to adequately respond to incidents of sexual violence, failing to inform the campus about criminal activities or dangerous situations, and failing to maintain an accurate list of crimes.

March 2024: Fine for Mishandling Sexual Assault Cases and Crime Reporting

In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Education fined Liberty University $14 million for its treatment of sexual assault survivors and the misclassification or underreporting of crimes.

July 2024: Lawsuit Alleging Title VII Violation

In July 2024, Liberty University was sued for $300,000 by Ellenor Zinski, a transgender woman. The lawsuit alleges that the university violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it fired Zinski because of her gender identity.

2024: Relaunch of Liberty Theological Seminary

In 2024, Liberty Theological Seminary, which administers graduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and certificate divinity programs, was relaunched as the nation's largest seminary by enrollment.

2024: Member of Advisory Board of Project 2025

In 2024, Liberty University is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025, a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals.

2024: Law School Ranking by U.S. News & World Report

In 2024, the U.S. News & World Report ranked Liberty University School of Law 140 out of 196 law schools.

2025: Member of Advisory Board of Project 2025

In 2025, Liberty University is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025, a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals.

2026: Sponsorship Deal

Liberty is in the midst of a deal with William Byron and NASCAR Cup Series team Hendrick Motorsports that runs through 2026.

History of Liberty University in Timeline