Jerry’s Mountain May 23, 2007
Posted by atjohnson in About Jerry, Business, Education, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University, Uncategorized.add a comment
From washingtonpost.com:
‘Jerry’s mountain’
”Realtor Brenda Phelps likes to point out the sights to those contemplating a move to Lynchburg: ‘There’s Jerry’s church. There’s Jerry’s mountain.’ Once, when asked if Jerry Falwell personally owned that land overlooking the city, she said no, Liberty University did — ‘but it’s Jerry’s mountain.’
”Lynchburg is one of those cities that, in the Roman tradition, claim to be built on seven hills, and Jerry Falwell, who died on May 15 at age 73, was a man of many mountains. He’s probably best known for founding the Moral Majority in 1979 and quickly growing it to 6.5 million members: It played a major role in electing Ronald Reagan but faded in the late 1980s.
”Liberty University is another Falwell mountain: It began as Lynchburg Baptist College in 1971 and … now claims almost 10,000 students in residence, with 15,000 more in distance learning programs. He hoped some day to have Liberty play Notre Dame in football and joked … that he was officially Liberty’s chancellor but primarily its athletic director.”
– Marvin Olasky, writing on “Jerry’s Mountains,” in the May 26 issue of World
From Facebook.com
Liberty’s Future May 18, 2007
Posted by atjohnson in About Jerry, Business, Financial, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University.add a comment
As I have mentioned before, Liberty has been preparing for a change of command for some years now. The school is on outstanding financial ground, thanks largely to the donation of an old cell phone plant to the school (from Hobby Lobby) which now houses a new student center and the law school.
Pam had a follow up in the paper this morning with comments from Tim LaHaye (LaHaye Ice Center ) and Mark DeMoss (DeMoss Learning Center.)
The interesting thing will not be how the school continues to grow — it will continue, I assure you — but how the perception of the institution might change. Jerry Jr. is not as outspoken in his beliefs as was his father. Perhaps the school will finally be seen for the economic driver it is, not for Falwell Sr.’s outlandish comments.
Shanna Flowers had a great column today.
Larry Flynt on Jerry Falwell (Thanks, Kantor)
“The Reverend Jerry Falwell and I were arch enemies for fifteen years. We became involved in a lawsuit concerning First Amendment rights and Hustler magazine. Without question, this was my most important battle – the l988 Hustler Magazine, Inc., v. Jerry Falwell case, where after millions of dollars and much deliberation, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in my favor.
“My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling.
“The most important result of our relationship was the landmark decision from the Supreme Court that made parody protected speech, and the fact that much of what we see on television and hear on the radio today is a direct result of my having won that now famous case which Falwell played such an important role in.”
Falwell Dies May 16, 2007
Posted by atjohnson in About Jerry, Business, Education, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University, Religion.add a comment
Sorry for getting this up late but I rushed to Lynchburg yesterday to cover the Rev. Falwell’s death.
Campus was very quiet. Many people were in shock. Students thought Falwell was invincible. Some commented that they believed he would live another 10 or even 15 years.
My partner in crime, Pam Podger, and I wrote for The Roanoke Times.
Although this is a sad event, I can tell you that things will change very little at the University. Administration was preparing for something like this — evident in Jerry Jr.’s growing responsibilities at the school in the past few years.
Jerry Jr. will replace Falwell as Chancellor.
Here is another story on his influence from TRT.
Breaking News! May 15, 2007
Posted by atjohnson in About Jerry, Business, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University, Uncategorized.5 comments
Falwell Sr. was found unconscious in his office this morning
LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — The Rev. Jerry Falwell was hospitalized in “gravely serious” condition Tuesday after being found unconscious in his office Tuesday, a Liberty University executive said.
Ron Godwin, executive vice president of Falwell’s university, said Falwell was found unconscious after missing an appointment Tuesday morning.
Falwell, a television evangelist who founded the Moral Majority, became the face of the religious right in the 1980s. He later became president of the conservative Liberty University. Falwell was hospitalized twice in early 2005 for heart and lung problems.
Insurance May 8, 2007
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According to this article, LU is funding its endowment and athletics program through use of life insurance plans.
I don’t really get this — any guidance out there? Is this a popular form of funding this stuff?
Liberty Shopping May 8, 2007
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LU has applied for a land permit that would give permission for the school to build a shopping mall on the south side of east campus.
Businesses there will be similar in nature to those at River Ridge Mall. This could mean trouble for the mall, which has struggled to become a popular destination for the local community.
LU plans to sell the land to a shopping center developer for the price of $200,000 per acre.
That explains above average profits.
Checking in May 2, 2007
Posted by atjohnson in Business, Education, Expansion, Financial, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University.2 comments
The VA Tech shooting has pretty much ruled my life for the past few weeks, as I’m sure it has for everyone.
I had the bitter sweet opportunity to go to Blacksburg and string for TIME Magazine — good folks, good workers…
As for Falwell, it looks like he has plenty on his plate for right now. The new tax forms should be coming in sometime this month… It will be interesting to compare “profits” from the last fiscal year.
LU does have a tidbit on its Web site on that new mirrored pinout technology I blogged about. No news there, just waiting on a patent and continuing to market through their new company, TopLine.
The new school of engineering and sciences opens in the Fall.
“Falwell Aviation: 32,000 feet closer to God.” April 13, 2007
Posted by atjohnson in About Jerry, Business, Expansion, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University, Technology, Uncategorized.9 comments
I had no clue Falwell (ACTUALLY HIS FAMILY –HIS OWN INVOLVEMENT IS NOT YET KNOWN) had his own plane service. But, alas, Falwell Aviation is located in Lynchburg, is privately owned, has a flight school and charter’s planes to business professionals and other individuals. The business has been around for 50 years, according to the snazzy Web site, and has a private airport off Route 460.
Andrew Kantor, technology reporter at The Roanoke Times, has decided the motto for the company should be: “32,000 feet closer to God.”
Liberty Race Car April 13, 2007
Posted by atjohnson in About Jerry, Business, Education, Expansion, Financial, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University, NASCAR, Technology.2 comments
I missed this one last week, as reported from the Bedford Bulletin. Liberty University is sponsoring a race car.
Stephen Berry, a freshman at LU, got the university to sponsor his #71 Monte Carlo Late Model Stock Car for the full NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at the Motor Mile Speedway in Radford.
Among the “associate” sponsors are Falwell Aviation (I had not clue that existed), Liberty Dining and Barnes and Noble at Liberty University.
According to the LU Web site, “Liberty’s sponsorship of the team and the association to the sport of racing and NASCAR’s 90 million fans will provide great exposure for the team and the University. “
Anyone out there know how much it costs to sponser a car like this?
Comparing Liberty Profits April 11, 2007
Posted by atjohnson in Business, Education, Financial, Jerry Falwell, Liberty University.1 comment so far
Here is a rundown of the profits of some other Christian universities. The information is from each institutions 2005 form 990 from guidestar.org. Profit was calculated by taking total revenue and subtracting total expenses.
Colorado Christian University- $407,409
Oklahoma Christian University- $85,878
Cincinnati Christian University- $552,127
Northwest University- $757,426
