Jerry's Legacy

[eddantes]

I'm heading out, so I won't be long in this subject. But this thread was started in the football board, and I'm posting a refresher to catch people up:

Realist (Guest):I think LU may make more progress publicly once he has passed the reins on to another person.
I hope that makes sense.

Me: LU is done once Falwell passes the reigns.

PAMedic: I wouldn't go THAT far- the man is enough of visionary that he will have put good leadership in place to take over when that day comes.

GRM: LU will always be, in the foreseeable future in the public eye, tied to and evaluated according to the good Rev. That's all part of the deal. As far as the success factor, who comes to town, even if that "coming" is a "return," starts with nothing, and then, by the grace of God, sees a church and university like ours? I don't believe it has ever happened before. Taken from this perspective, his leadership is "off the boards." There is no standard of comparison - he's it.

Me: GRM - here are two who fit that description: Oral Roberts and Pat Robertson.

[grm]

I used to watch Oral on t.v. when he had his healing tent services. I think he is a league or two behind the good Rev.
Roberston? Well, he's done a great job in a different way - I guess.
Seeemingly, everybody disagrees with everybody else on something, but Dr. Falwell still has the word Baptist on the door, and I like that, and he still holds to the basic doctrines, and I like that. The results of his ministry are astounding. If you speak of a D-1 Christian University,
what and who in the entire world can be mentioned in the same breath as LU?

[GetRealLU]

I would hope that Jerry's legacy would be more than having 25,000 resident students on campus and 25,000 students DLP. I would hope that Jerry would be known for, not just having the largest Christian university but, a school with better academic integrity. I don't know if anybody else feels the same way but at the moment Liberty seems to accept anybody. I wish Jerry would raise the requirement levels for admissions standards.

I wish Jerry would lower the cost to go to Liberty. I'm not convinced that LU is being as efficient with spending as it could. I thought Liberty was a school, not a business!

In short I want the Legacy of Jerry's university not to be just the numbers in the school but the quality of the education, the students and the Christian atmosphere.

[SCAR]

Higher Education and Athletics IS a Business. A multi-Billion dollar one at that.

[GetRealLU]

scar said:

Higher Education and Athletics IS a Business. A multi-Billion dollar one at that.

So you're saying Jerry only founded Liberty to make a profit? I don't think that's true.

What I'm calling for is for financial responsibility. Not to cut funding to the athletic department.

[Sly Fox]

For the record, I don't see Liberty crumbling after Jerry is gone. It seems everything he has done in recent years is to prepare the school financially for the future.

As for the choice to carry the torch, I just hope they keep the central principles of the school in mind. But we will never again have someone as high profile as Dr. J at the helm.

I actually agree with Realist (now there's a switch) that the athletic department may be a beneficiary of not being tied to Jerry's image. But that's yet to be determined.

[SCAR]

Actually I was not making a value judgement about colleges and universities, merely stating a fact. Good or bad you have to run a university and an athletic department as if it is a business or you will get swallowed up by the competion ie, institutions known for athletics, academics or both. I agree that Liberty should be held to a high standard in some areas. No I do not think Dr. J started Liberty to make a profit but having said that, Liberty along with every school in the country regardless of athletics, is trying to raise revenue. That is what I mean by it is a business. Getreal I also agree with you about the legacy of Liberty being more than just numbers. Hopefully it will be more than that. So many other historically Christian schools or at least schools founded with Christian principles have gotten away from that foundation. If Liberty continues to grow at this rate and ultimately reaches its athletic goals but still stays strongly centered on Christianity, THAT will be its legacy because it would be truely a first.

[ATrain]

Jerry Jr. gets the reins after his dad has passed on...and Jerry Jr. is a little more fiscally conservative than his dad and I think he'll also raise the admission requirements as well.

[cheer95]

Jr. will be good but he is not Dr. Falwell. He has no charisma and Jonathan will then be the face and Jr. the brains. Liberty is a cheaper Christian institution than any I have seen and if you want academics it is there.

[PAmedic]

good tiopic, I'm admittedly late to the party- but you all were probably waiting for my words of wisdom.

Here's my take- the powers that be are not naive: MARKETING is the key to financial stability/success. When Jerry steps aside (lets put it that way, other than another possibility) I guarantee there will be a VERY high profile subject placed at the helm- even though he/she might be a figure head.

You can still have Jr and co. behind the scenes, but for fundraising, publicity, etc- you need a FACE. who, I have no idea- but LU always does things in a big way- it will be BIG. My guess- some big name conservative, active or formerly active in politics.

Think someone like a Ronald Reagan, etc (I know the man is dead, don't start- you get my point!)

End of sermon

[El Scorcho]

getreallu said:

I'm not convinced that LU is being as efficient with spending as it could.

Please elaborate.

[eddantes]

PAMedic, in reference to you thinking that a high-profile conservative is going to step in after Jerry steps out... with all due respect, I think you're smoking crack.

There is no way that someone of a Ronald Reagan (pause for moment of silence) stature will be stepping in. After all, there are only a few people of the Ronald Reagan (pause for moment of silence) mold that actually exist.

The most likely possibility, if Jerry won't give complete control over to Jerry Jr. and Jonathan, is for some Baptist church leader of a large church that you may or may not have heard of and probably spoke in convo once - to come in and "lead."

As for LU, Jerry's stepping aside will do a serious blow to marketing Liberty on a national level. LU will start to lose money, and then make that up by cutting some costs and increasing enrollment towards the 25,000 goal.

(Of course, that 25,000 thing is ridiculous in my book -- and I think that if Liberty does reach that figure, the school is done - not dead, but done as an institution of higher learning. What, are we trying to be Arizona State?)

[Sly Fox]

Actually, I tend to agree with PAmedic (wait, someone please check my mediciation). I won't be at all surprised to see someone of stature from the political arena step into the chancellor role as a figurehead. Jerry's greatest influence and source of income in recent years has been somewhat politically motivated. Like it or not, we are known as much nationwide for being ultraconservative as we are for our Christian roots.

At the same time its no accident that megachurch leaders like Rick Warren & Ed Young are starting to become more visible. They could be key factors in funneling students for us to reach our 25k goals.

[HarrisburgFlame]

I really have no clue what will happen. The only thing I know on the subject - from my point of view Liberty is Jerry Falwell. It was built on his back and the school was his vision. I can't imagine Liberty without him even though we will face that one day.

[PAmedic]

sumner said:

Actually, I tend to agree with PAmedic (wait, someone please check my mediciation).

thank you, thank you.

(ED, I can't afford crack- I could barely afford STRYPER tickets last week)