This list of Liberty University people includes notable graduates, professors, honorary degree recipients, and other people affiliated with Liberty University.
Founders
edit- Jerry Falwell, founder
- Elmer Towns, founder
Alumni
editAcademics
edit- Tracy Packiam Alloway, cognitive psychology instructor at University of North Florida
- Susan Wise Bauer, author and English instructor at The College of William & Mary
- Tony Campbell, political science instructor at Towson University
- Joshua Crockett, president of Bob Jones University
- Dondi E. Costin, current president of Liberty University, former President of Charleston Southern University
- Lynne Coy-Ogan, president of Husson University
- Thaddeus S. Lott Sr., educator
- Alex McFarland, director of Christian World View at North Greenville University
- Mary Jo Podgurski, sex expert and professor at Washington and Jefferson College
Business
edit- Tad Skylar Agoglia, founder of First Response Team of America
- Patrick Ayota, Ugandan businessman, Deputy Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund of Uganda
- Lakeysha Hallmon, founder of the Village Market
Entertainment
edit- Patricia Abravanel, daughter of Silvio Santos; Brazilian TV producer and host
- Laurie Bartram, actress
- Shannon Bream, Fox News host[1]
- Jean Doumanian, television producer
- Tiffany Espensen, actress known for playing Piper on Nickelodeon's Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures
- Courtney Garrett, Miss Virginia
- Trent Garrett, actor and model
- Vic Mignogna, anime voice actor
- Sanaz Minaie, Iranian television chef and cookbook author
- Jessica Moore, journalist at WCBS-TV
- Heidi Mueller, soap opera actress[2]
- Samantha Ponder, ESPN host
- Lindsley Register, actress, producer, and writer best known for her role as Laura on The Walking Dead and as Dharma on Six
- Sadie Robertson, member of Duck Dynasty, attended for one semester.
- Richard Rossi, filmmaker, actor, and evangelist[3][4]
- Phil Snyder, voice actor known for Disney's Jiminy Cricket
Literature and journalism
edit- Mike Bullock, author known for Lions, Tigers and Bears
- Angela Elwell Hunt, Christian author
- Victoria Henley, model who appeared on America's Next Top Model
- Tim LaHaye, Christian author
- Kevin Roose, reporter for The New York Times, attended for a semester
- Daniel Whyte III, Christian author
Music
edit- Meredith Andrews, contemporary Christian music singer
- Hector Cervantes, member of Casting Crowns
- Stephen Christian, lead singer for Anberlin[5]
- Thad Cockrell, Christian country singer
- Anthony Evans, Jr., Christian singer-songwriter
- Terry Fator, singer and ventriloquist
- Chad Graham, member of Christian rock band Anthem Lights
- Caleb Grimm, member of the Christian rock band Anthem Lights
- Corey Horn, bassist for Christian rock band Remedy Drive
- Paris Jones, singer and rapper
- Kyle Kupecky, former member of the Christian rock band Anthem Lights
- Tim Lambesis, former founding member of As I Lay Dying
- Joy Lippard, Contemporary Christian music singer
- The Lone Bellow, members Brian Elmquist and Zach Williams both attended in the early 2000s
- Mark Lowry, Christian singer and comedian
- Kevin Max, singer for Christian group Audio Adrenaline; former member of Christian rock band DC Talk
- Jody McBrayer, former singer for Christian group Avalon
- Nightbirde, former contestant on America's Got Talent
- Guy Penrod, former singer for gospel group Gaither Vocal Band
- Alan Powell, member of the Christian rock band Anthem Lights
- Lynda Randle, southern gospel singer
- Jon Schneck, member of Christian rock band Relient K
- Phil Stacey, contestant on the sixth season of American Idol[6]
- Michael Tait, lead singer for Christian group Newsboys; former member of DC Talk
- TobyMac, Christian hip hop artist; former member of DC Talk
- Shaun Tomczak, member of the band Sidewalk Prophets
Politics and government
edit- Les Adams, Virginia House of Delegates
- Chuck Baldwin, Constitution Party presidential nominee in the 2008 US presidential election
- Allison Ball, Kentucky State Treasurer
- Scott Baugh, California State Assembly
- Kevin Beary, former sheriff of Orange County, Florida
- Ken Borton, Michigan House of Representatives
- Fernando Cabrera, council member in New York
- Lee Chatfield, Michigan House of Representatives
- Mike Cherry, Virginia House of Delegates
- Joshua G. Cole, Virginia House of Delegates
- Jeff Coleman, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Chris Epps, former commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections[7]
- Mike Fleck, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Bob Good, United States House of Representatives
- Kevin Grantham, president of the Colorado Senate
- Murray A. Hansen, Wisconsin Air National Guard general
- Janet Vestal Kelly, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Pete Kelly, president of the Alaska Senate
- Teresa King, first female commandant of the United States Army Drill Sergeant School in Fort Bragg
- Tim Krieger, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Jeffrie Long Jr., Maryland House of Delegates
- Jean Elizabeth Manes, United States Ambassador to El Salvador
- Chad Mayes, California State Assembly
- Troy Nehls, United States House of Representatives
- John O'Neal, West Virginia House of Delegates
- Reagan Paul, Maine state legislator[8]
- Tony Perkins, Louisiana House of Representatives and president of the Family Research Council
- Mats Persson, director of Open Europe
- Jena Powell, Ohio House of Representatives
- David A. Schauer, former executive director of National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
- Adrian Smith (non-degreed), US Congressman from Nebraska
- Jennifer Sullivan, Florida House of Representatives
- Jeffrey Thompson, Idaho House of Representatives
- Wendell Walker, Virginia House of Delegates
- Jackie Walorski (non-degreed), United States House of Representatives
- Will Wampler, Virginia House of Delegates
Religion
edit- Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Christian theologian
- Jurnee Carr, founder of Jurnee's Journey Foundation
- Jonathan Falwell, son of Jerry Falwell and senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church
- William Franklin Graham IV, evangelist; grandson of Billy Graham
- Bill Keller, televangelist and host of Live Prayer
- Michael R. Licona, New Testament scholar and apologist and professor of theology
- Gabe Lyons, founder of the Fermi Project
- Johnnie Moore, Jr., author and CEO of the Kairos Company
- Ed Stetzer, Christian author and missionary
- Chris Surber, pastor and author
Sports
edit
Baseball
edit- Tony Beasley, manager of the Syracuse Chiefs
- David Bote, outfielder for Chicago Cubs transferred out after one semester [9]
- Doug Brady, former second baseman for the Chicago White Sox[10]
- Sid Bream, former MLB first baseman
- Ryan Cordell, former MLB outfielder
- Rod Delmonico, former coach for the University of Tennessee and the Dutch national team
- Lee Guetterman, former MLB pitcher
- Ian Parmley, outfielder for Toronto Blue Jays
- Randy Tomlin, pitching coach for the Harrisburg Senators
Basketball
edit- Peter Aluma, former center for the Nigerian national team
- Seth Curry, guard for the Dallas Mavericks
- Octavio De La Grana, assistant coach and head scout for the Miami Heat[11]
- Katie Feenstra-Mattera, former WNBA player, head coach of the Cornerstone University women's team
- Megan Frazee, forward for CCC Polkowice in Poland, former WNBA player
- Tomasz Gielo, forward for the Joventut Badalona and the Poland national basketball team
- Caleb Homesley, former player for the Washington Wizards and current player for the Zenit Saint Petersburg
- Scottie James, basketball player for Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Julius Nwosu, former NBA player
- Jeri Porter, former head coach of the George Mason University women's team
- Jesse Sanders, guard for S.L. Benfica
- Andrew Smith, basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League and member of the Latvia national basketball team
- Itoro Umoh-Coleman, former head coach of the Clemson University women's team
- Avery Warley, former center for the Phoenix Mercury
Football
edit- Walt Aikens, defensive back for the Miami Dolphins
- Daijahn Anthony, defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Fred Banks, former wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, and Chicago Bears
- Sebastian Barrie, former defensive end and tackle for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and San Diego Chargers
- Elijah Benton, defensive back for the Cleveland Browns
- Mike Brown, former wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers
- Dwayne Carswell, former tight end and offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos
- John Cartwright, former Liberty coach
- Demario Douglas, wide receiver for the New England Patriots
- Kelvin Edwards, former wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys
- Jason Elam, former Kicker for the Denver Broncos[12]
- Marcus Floyd, former cornerback for the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Carolina Panthers
- Kevin Fogg, defensive back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Nick Foles, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LII MVP[13]
- Samkon Gado, former NFL running back
- Antonio Gandy-Golden, former wide receiver for the Washington Football Team
- Eric Green, former NFL tight end
- Wayne Haddix, former defensive end for the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers
- Erick Harris, former NFL and arena football defensive end
- Rashad Jennings, former NFL running back
- Dominique Jones, tight end for the Indianapolis Colts
- Jennifer King, first black woman coach, assistant running backs coach for the Washington Football Team
- Matt Lambros, CFL free agent
- Jessie Lemonier, current defensive end for the Los Angeles Chargers
- Mike Lucas, football coach for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- James McKnight, former wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins; coach at Cypress Bay High School
- Vince Redd, NFL free agent
- Stephen Sene, former offensive tackle for the New England Patriots
- Rocky Seto, former NFL coach
- Vic Shealy, head coach at Houston Baptist University
- Richard Shelton, scout for the Tennessee Titans
- Johnny Shepherd, former running back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Buffalo Bills, and New York Knights
- Donald Smith, former CFL cornerback and All-star
- Hunter Steward, offensive lineman for the BC Lions
- Chris Summers, former wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings
- Paul Troth, former assistant football coach at ECU
- Malik Willis, former quarterback for the Liberty Flames
- Brian Witherspoon, former New York Giant
- Josh Woodrum, former quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens
Soccer
edit- Darren Amoo, forward for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
- Willie Bell, former coach and Leeds United forward
- Joshua Boateng, midfielder for AC Oulu in Finland
- Coy Craft, midfielder for the FC Dallas
- Gabrielle Farrell, forward for the Jamaica women's national football team
- Juan Guzman, midfielder for the Charlotte Eagles
- Tresor Mbuyu, forward for the Charlotte Independence
- Kevin Mendoza, forward for the Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Darryl Roberts, striker for the Charlotte Eagles and the Trinidad and Tobago national team
- Osei Telesford, midfielder for the Puerto Rico Islanders and the Trinidad and Tobago national team
- Sly Tetteh, former president of Liberty Professionals in Ghana
Track and field
edit- Joaquín Ballivián, Chilean shot putter
- Sam Chelanga, professional runner
- Josh Cox, long-distance runner
- Jhon Perlaza, track and field olympian from Colombia
Other sports
edit- Michael Andrew, Olympic swimmer represents United States[14][15]
- Marc-André Bourdon, former defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers[16]
- William Byron, NASCAR driver
- Charles Fernandez, Olympic pentathlete that represents Guatemala
- Tuffield Latour, US men's bobsled coach
- Elena Seiple, bodybuilder
- Debbie Yow, athletic director at North Carolina State University[17]
Faculty and staff
editAdministration
edit- Babbie Mason, School of Music Advisory Council member
- Jerry Prevo, former president of Liberty University
- Ricky Skaggs, School of Music Advisory Council member
Faculty
edit- Charles Billingsley, former worship leader at Thomas Road Baptist Church
- James A. Borland, professor of philosophy and theology
- Dan Gordon, visiting professor of cinematic arts
- Tony L. Cothron, professor of government
- Gary Habermas, chairman of the department of philosophy and theology
- Michael S. Heiser, professor of theology
- Mark Horstemeyer, distinguished professor and Dean of Engineering
- Robert Hurt, former dean of the School of Law and Government
- Thomas Ice, former executive director of the Pre-Trib Research Center, associate professor of theology
- Karen Kingsbury, visiting professor of English (received Honorary Doctor of Letters in 2017)
- Phill Kline, professor of law
- Michael W. Smith, professor for Liberty School of music
- Randall Wallace, visiting professor of cinematic arts
Staff
edit- Carey Green, head women's basketball coach
- Jamey Chadwell, head football coach
- Ian McCaw, athletic director
- Ritchie McKay, head basketball coach
- Dot Richardson, head softball coach
Honorary degree recipients
edit- Shannon Bream (Honorary Doctor of Law 2013), journalist on Fox News[18]
- George H. W. Bush (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 1990), 41st president of the United States of America[19]
- Jeb Bush (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2015), 43rd governor of Florida[19]
- Ben Carson (Honorary Doctor of Sciences 2018), neurosurgeon and United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development[18]
- Jimmy Carter (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2018), 39th President of the United States[18]
- S. Truett Cathy (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2012), founder of Chick-fil-A[20]
- Rashad Jennings (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2016), New York Giants running back[21]
- Jerry Johnston, founding pastor of the former First Family Church of Overland Park, Kansas; now vice president of Houston Baptist University
- Mike Lindell (Honorary Doctorate of Business 2019), founder and CEO of My Pillow, Inc
- Chuck Norris (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2008), actor[22]
- Lacey E. Putney (Honorary Doctor of Humanities, 2014), former member of the Virginia House of Delegates[23]
- Mitt Romney (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2012), former Governor of Massachusetts[20]
- Tim Tebow (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2021), Jacksonville Jaguars tight end and Denver Broncos quarterback
- Donald Trump (Honorary Doctorate of Business 2012, Honorary Doctor of Laws 2017), 45th president of the United States[24][25]
- Randall Wallace (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2011), screenwriter known for Braveheart[26]
References
edit- ^ Dunham, Teresa (1 April 2009). "Supreme Dedication". Liberty Journal. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ "'Duck Dynasty' crew films on campus » Liberty News". 12 August 2015.
- ^ McMillen, Gabrielle (January 12, 2015). "Saint Roberto Clemente? Former pastor pushes canonization for Pirate". Sporting News Media. Sporting News. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ Karen Kane (May 19, 1995). "No-contest plea entered for assault". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. A1.
- ^ "Star Pupils". Relevant. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ Jackson, Kevin (12 April 2007). "Stacey, Christian Stars Survive 'Idol' Cut". The Christian Post. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ Mitchell, Jerry and Jimmie E. Gates. "Chris Epps, Cecil McCrory plead guilty to corruption" (Archive). The Clarion-Ledger. February 25, 2015. Retrieved on February 27, 2015.
- ^ "Reagan Paul". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Smokies' David Bote takes winding route to being All-Star".
- ^ "Doug Brady Baseball Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
- ^ "Directory: Octavio De La Grana | Miami Heat". Nba.com. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
- ^ "Award-winning Christian Newspaper | Christian Examiner".
- ^ "It's Super Bowl time for Liberty University student Nick Foles". Liberty.edu. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
- ^ Menard, Drew (August 15, 2013). "Youngest U.S. pro swimmer enrolls in Liberty Online Academy". Liberty University. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ Allen, Ted (May 31, 2016). "Olympic hopeful balances time spent in pool and school". Liberty University. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ "Marc-Andre Bourdon – Men's D1 Hockey – Liberty Flames". www.liberty.edu.
- ^ "NC State Athletics – Staff Directory". gopack.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
- ^ a b c name= http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=276984
- ^ a b "Jeb Bush to deliver 2015 Commencement keynote address – Liberty University". www.liberty.edu.
- ^ a b "Commencement 2012: Paying tribute to Liberty". www.liberty.edu.
- ^ "Class of 2016 inspired to burn brightly in the world – Liberty University". www.liberty.edu. 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Graduation 2009 – complete coverage – Liberty University". www.liberty.edu. 8 May 2009.
- ^ University, Liberty. "Liberty Journal – 2014 Commencement". Liberty Journal.
- ^ "LU confers seven honorary doctorates to world changers, including President Trump – Liberty University". www.liberty.edu. 13 May 2017.
- ^ "Donald Trump addresses largest Convocation crowd, praises Liberty". www.liberty.edu. 24 September 2012.
- ^ Barry, Liz. "'Braveheart' screenwriter tells Liberty grads, 'Love with faith'".