Jerry Falwell, Jr.

Jerry Falwell, Jr.
Born Jerry Lamon Falwell, Jr.
(1962-06-17) June 17, 1962
Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
Alma mater Liberty University (B.A.)
University of Virginia (J.D.)
Occupation Academic administrator, President - Liberty University
Religion Christian

Jerry Lamon Falwell, Jr. (born June 17, 1962) is the president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, appointed in 2007 upon his father's death.

Falwell attended private schools in the Lynchburg area, attending Lynchburg Christian Academy, where he graduated in 1980, and attended Liberty University, where he obtained his B.A. in Religious Studies in 1984. Falwell then attended the University of Virginia School of Law, where he obtained his J.D. in 1987.

Falwell is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to practice law in Virginia, United States District Courts in both Eastern and Western districts of Virginia, the Fourth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals, and before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Since 1987, he has served in private practice, being the General Counsel of his father's entities, serving on the Board of Trustees of Liberty University in 2000, and later serving as Vice Chancellor from 2003 until his father's death, and as Chancellor since then.

Growth of Liberty University

Under Falwell's leadership, Liberty University has grown from about 37,000 students to more than 90,000 students, with more than 80,000 of them taking courses through Liberty University Online. More than 13,800 residential students are currently enrolled.[1]

Bond Sale

In December 2010, Falwell helped Liberty University secure $120 million in tax-exempt facilities bonds after the school received a AA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s. The school plans to use the bonds for facilities upgrades, a new health sciences building, a visitor’s center and to pay for capital projects.[2]

Family

Shortly after obtaining his law degree, he married Becki Tilley of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They have three children: Jerry III (known as Trey), Charles Wesley (who goes by Wesley), and Caroline Grace. They live in Bedford County, Virginia.

He is also the brother of Jonathan Falwell, senior pastor at the Thomas Road Baptist Church.

Views

Support of conceal carry permits

Falwell stated during one of the University's Convocations that he thought that, if, speaking of the 2015 San Bernardino attack, "some of those people had got what I have in my back pocket right now," that it would not have happened. He said that he was astounded that President Barack Obama's answer to the problem was more gun control. He "always thought that, if more good people had concealed-carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walked in and killed them."

His comments were criticized by both Christians[3] and Muslims.[4] According to one report, Falwell was only heard saying "then we could end those Muslims before they walked in", with the "and killed them" part drowned out by applause. Falwell later said he was referring to Muslims committing terrorist attacks and not Muslims in general.[5]

Endorsement of Donald Trump

On January 26, 2016 Falwell announced his endorsement of Donald Trump for the Republican Nomination in the 2016 Presidential Election; causing Liberty University alumni and other Christians to express concern that Falwell had "sold his soul."[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Record number of students on campus this semester | Liberty University". Liberty.edu. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
  2. ↑ Archived January 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/12/jerry-falwell-jrs-troubling-remarks-on-guns/419019/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ Wheaton, Oliver. "University President: 'If more people had guns, we could end those Muslims'". Metro. Retrieved 2015-12-06. Falwell has been accused of ‘anti-Muslim bigotry’ by Ibrahim Hooper from the Council on Islamic-American Relations.
  5. ↑ Tobi Walsh and Jessie Pounds. "Update:Falwell defends convocation remarks - 'I'm not backing down'". Lynchburgh New and Advance. Retrieved 2015-12-06.
  6. ↑ http://christiannews.net/2016/01/26/liberty-university-alumni-express-concerns-about-falwell-after-soul-selling-trump-endorsement/. Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links

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