Difference between revisions of "Liberty University"
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==Criticisms== | ==Criticisms== | ||
| − | Liberty has faced criticism from conservatives for allowing, and even funding, the advocacy of [[abortion]] by its debate team.<ref>http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=590 | + | ===Debate Team Advocacy for Abortion=== |
| + | Liberty has faced criticism from conservatives for allowing, and even funding, the advocacy of [[abortion]] by its debate team.<ref>http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=590</ref> | ||
| + | But it is otherwise known to be a strongly [[conservative]] college, and the ''Liberty Way'' strictly prohibits students from having abortions, prescribing harder punishments for having an abortion than for committing misdemeanor crimes.<ref>https://www.liberty.edu/media/1210/Student_Honor_Code.pdf</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Political Support for [[Donald Trump]]=== | ||
Liberals and the Republican [[Never Trump movement]] (along with some Christians) have criticized the institution because of university president Jerry Falwell Jr's endorsement of [[Donald Trump]], although the much larger pro-Trump movement sees this as a good thing. Liberty University was honored to host President Trump as a speaker at its 2017 commencement ceremony. | Liberals and the Republican [[Never Trump movement]] (along with some Christians) have criticized the institution because of university president Jerry Falwell Jr's endorsement of [[Donald Trump]], although the much larger pro-Trump movement sees this as a good thing. Liberty University was honored to host President Trump as a speaker at its 2017 commencement ceremony. | ||
| − | Liberty | + | ===Hiring of Disgraced Former Baylor Athletic Director=== |
| + | Current Athletic Director Ian McCaw was hired by Liberty only a few months after McCaw was forced to resign as [[Baylor University]] Athletic Director in the wake of Baylor's scandal involving football players assaulting females and the university not taking appropriate action to protect them. | ||
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| + | ===Convocation<ref>Convocation is a thrice-weekly gathering of the student body, featuring music and a guest speaker; attendance is mandatory for students except they are allowed two excused absences a year, to be approved ahead of time.</ref> Speakers=== | ||
| + | Liberty has also been criticized, even by alumni and supporters, for inviting speakers to its Convocations who do not necessarily agree with the school's doctrinal position or having past conduct issues. Among the criticized invitees are: | ||
*socialist Presidential candidate [[Bernie Sanders]] | *socialist Presidential candidate [[Bernie Sanders]] | ||
*former NFL running back [[Ray Rice]] (who was infamously captured on video assaulting his then-fiancée in an elevator) | *former NFL running back [[Ray Rice]] (who was infamously captured on video assaulting his then-fiancée in an elevator) | ||
*former NFL quarterback [[Michael Vick]] (who went to prison for his role in a dogfighting operation)<ref>http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=255717</ref> | *former NFL quarterback [[Michael Vick]] (who went to prison for his role in a dogfighting operation)<ref>http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=255717</ref> | ||
| − | *recently fired Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, who was under investigation for NCAA recruiting violations and was alleged to have | + | *recently fired Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, who was under investigation for NCAA recruiting violations and was alleged to have hired a female escort service (despite being married) |
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 01:29, February 3, 2018
| Liberty University | |
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| City: | Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Type: | Private |
| Sports: | baseball, basketball, cheerleading cross country running, football, golf, ice skating, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball, wrestling[1] |
| Colors: | red, blue |
| Mascot: | Flames (Sparky the Flaming Eagle) |
| Website: | http://www.liberty.edu/ |
Liberty University is a Christ-centered University located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty was founded in 1971 by then-Chancellor Dr. Jerry Falwell; originally an Independent Baptist institution, the university is now non-denominational[2]. Reverend Falwell created the school to provide an opportunity for students to gain the benefits of a rich and diverse academic environment while simultaneously offering the opportunity to become closer to God.
Liberty has many opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. The school also shines in extra-curricular pursuits. The school's debate team has been recently ranked #1 in the country, and the Quiz Bowl team recently finished fifth in a national competition. Athletically, the women's basketball team made it to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament in 2005.[3], and the 2017 football team upset FBS Power 5 Conference member Baylor University in its home stadium.
Criticisms
Debate Team Advocacy for Abortion
Liberty has faced criticism from conservatives for allowing, and even funding, the advocacy of abortion by its debate team.[4]
But it is otherwise known to be a strongly conservative college, and the Liberty Way strictly prohibits students from having abortions, prescribing harder punishments for having an abortion than for committing misdemeanor crimes.[5]
Political Support for Donald Trump
Liberals and the Republican Never Trump movement (along with some Christians) have criticized the institution because of university president Jerry Falwell Jr's endorsement of Donald Trump, although the much larger pro-Trump movement sees this as a good thing. Liberty University was honored to host President Trump as a speaker at its 2017 commencement ceremony.
Hiring of Disgraced Former Baylor Athletic Director
Current Athletic Director Ian McCaw was hired by Liberty only a few months after McCaw was forced to resign as Baylor University Athletic Director in the wake of Baylor's scandal involving football players assaulting females and the university not taking appropriate action to protect them.
Convocation[6] Speakers
Liberty has also been criticized, even by alumni and supporters, for inviting speakers to its Convocations who do not necessarily agree with the school's doctrinal position or having past conduct issues. Among the criticized invitees are:
- socialist Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
- former NFL running back Ray Rice (who was infamously captured on video assaulting his then-fiancée in an elevator)
- former NFL quarterback Michael Vick (who went to prison for his role in a dogfighting operation)[7]
- recently fired Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, who was under investigation for NCAA recruiting violations and was alleged to have hired a female escort service (despite being married)
Notes
- ↑ http://www.libertyflames.com/
- ↑ Although Dr. Falwell led his church into the Southern Baptist Convention, the university is not affiliated -- formally or informally -- with the SBC
- ↑ http://www.ncaasports.com/basketball/womens/brackets/viewable/2005/DI
- ↑ http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=590
- ↑ https://www.liberty.edu/media/1210/Student_Honor_Code.pdf
- ↑ Convocation is a thrice-weekly gathering of the student body, featuring music and a guest speaker; attendance is mandatory for students except they are allowed two excused absences a year, to be approved ahead of time.
- ↑ http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=255717