Liberty University
On this page you’ll find all of our investigative reporting on Liberty University and the Falwell family.
Liberty University and Jerry Falwell Jr. Reach Settlement Agreement
Former president had sued school for retirement and accused them of misappropriating his father’s name.
Liberty University and its former president Jerry Falwell Jr. have reached an agreement to settle all outstanding disputes and lawsuits between the two parties.
Liberty University Fined $14 Million by Department of Education
The review process began in 2022.
The federal Department of Education imposed its largest-ever fine under the Clery Act against Liberty University as part of a settlement agreement it reached with the school.
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK: Three Evangelical Institutions Worth Saving
New Leaders at Liberty University, Museum of the Bible, and David C. Cook Have Great Opportunities, Daunting Challenges
For Liberty, Museum of the Bible, and David C. Cook, this changing of the guard is not hypothetical.
Liberty Facing “Unprecedented” $34.7 Million in Fines
Liberty University President Dondi E. Costin, said the school faces an “unprecedented fine” of $34.7 million.
Image over substance?
Liberty University claimed it was a safe campus while repeatedly breaking federal safety regulations
Liberty University repeatedly broke federal safety regulations, destroyed records, and failed to warn students about both executives and students involved in episodes of sexual violence, according to a confidential report.
Jerry Falwell’s Legal Battle With Liberty University — and His Brother — Escalates
Falwell Jr. alleged several board members diverted university funds to private causes and overlooked sexual misconduct by former leaders.
The ongoing legal battle between Liberty University and Jerry Falwell Jr. has taken yet another twist, with the disgraced former president of the school alleging misconduct by its board of directors and attempting to ban the university from using images of his late father.
Solving The Christian Higher Education Crisis
Regular MinistryWatch readers know that Christian colleges and universities are in a state of crisis.
50 Largest Christian Colleges and Universities in the U.S.
Samford & Abilene Christian Move Into Top 10, Moody Bible Institute Is Biggest Mover
This list is compiled from the most recent data available from the Internal Revenue Service, which in all cases but one (North Park University) means we used 2022 data.
Falwell Jr. Sues Liberty University, Alleging Trademark Infringement
In a statement, a Liberty University spokesperson insisted the school 'is confident it will ultimately prevail in this case.'
Jerry Falwell Jr., the former president of Liberty University, is suing the school, arguing administrators are committing trademark infringement by using the late Jerry Falwell Sr.’s likeness without consulting with the family.
What Would Jesus Fly? – April 2023
Liberty University Again Tops “Pastors and Planes” List
April was a busy month for pastors and their planes.
Liberty University Names New President
Liberty University has named as its new president Dondi E. Costin, the outgoing president at Charleston Southern University.
Jerry Falwell Jr. Sues Liberty University, Claiming School Owes Him $8.5M in Retirement Benefits
Jerry Falwell Jr. is suing Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, claiming his former employer has withheld $8.5 million in retirement benefits that were previously promised to him.
Former Liberty Administrator Sues University for Firing Him as Whistleblower
A former administrative dean for academic operations is suing Liberty University (LU) for $20 million, alleging they fired him because he was a whistleblower.
New Hulu Documentary Recaps Rise of Moral Majority and Downfall of Jerry Falwell Jr.
The new documentary “God Forbid” includes the claims by Giancarlo Granda of a yearslong sexual relationship with Becki Falwell under the blessing of her husband, the then-president of Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr.
At Liberty University, Veterans’ Complaints Keep Coming
At Liberty University, Veterans’ Complaints Keep Coming
Women Settle Suit Alleging Liberty Mishandled Assault Cases
A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit twelve women brought last summer against Liberty University, accusing the Christian institution of fostering an unsafe environment on its Virginia campus and mishandling cases of sexual assault and harassment.
Liberty University’s Handling of Sexual Assaults Under Investigation by Department of Education
This story was published by ProPublica. It is reprinted with permission. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. The federal Department of Education has begun investigating Liberty University’s handling of student reports of sexual assault. In a statement to ProPublica, the school pledged its “full cooperation” with the investigation. Last October, ProPublica revealed how the school, which was founded by…
Lawsuit Accuses Liberty University of Inadequately Addressing Rape Complaint
A Washington, D.C.-area law firm has filed a complaint in a Virginia District Court alleging Liberty University failed to properly investigate a student’s report that she was raped by another student and retaliated against her after she made the report.
Jerry Falwell, Jr.’s Sad Story
Recently, Jerry Falwell, Jr. and his wife, Becki, were interviewed in the pages of Vanity Fair about their precipitous fall from grace.
Rachael Denhollander, Liberty Students to Hold Rally Calling for Abuse Investigation
A group of Liberty University students and alumni plans to hold a prayer rally on the school’s campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, today (Nov. 4), calling for an independent, third-party investigation of Liberty’s handling of sexual assault and harassment cases.
‘The Liberty Way’: How Liberty University Discourages and Dismisses Students’ Reports of Sexual Assaults
Universities across the country have long faced scrutiny for their handling, and mishandling, of sexual assault cases. But Liberty University’s responses to such cases stand out.
Former Liberty University Spokesman Scott Lamb Sues School for Retaliation
A former vice president of Liberty University is suing one of the nation’s largest Christian schools, alleging he was fired after he complained about how Liberty handled sexual assaults on campus.
Lawsuit Accuses Liberty University of ‘Enabling On-Campus Rapes’
12 anonymous women filed suit Tuesday in the U.S. District Court
A new lawsuit against Liberty University claims the Lynchburg, Virginia-based evangelical Christian school has “intentionally created a campus environment” that makes sexual assaults and rapes more likely to occur.
Liberty University Sued by Former Diversity Officer, NFL Player Kelvin Edwards
The school said in a statement that President Jerry Prevo had determined that hiring Edwards was ‘among his predecessor’s mistakes.’
A former NFL player who served as a diversity officer at Liberty University has sued the Christian school for $8 million, claiming his firing violated the Civil Rights Act and the Virginia Human Rights Act.
‘Gangster Capitalism’ Podcast’s Third Season Documents Jerry Fallwell Jr.’s Fall From Grace
Jerry Falwell Jr., his rise and fall from grace at Liberty University, and his support of former President Donald Trump constitute the subject of the third season of the C13Originals podcast “Gangster Capitalism,” hosted by filmmaker and TV producer Adam Jenks.
Liberty University Sues Former President Jerry Falwell Jr. for $10 million, Citing Conspiracy, Breach of Contract
Liberty University claims its former president failed to live up to the school's moral code.
Liberty University, one of the nation’s largest Christian universities, is suing former President Jerry Falwell Jr. for $10 million, citing a breach of contract and a conspiracy to mislead the university’s board.
Jerry Falwell Sr.’s son Jonathan Falwell to Replace Resigning Liberty University Campus Pastor
Liberty University has named Rev. Jonathan Falwell as the university’s new campus pastor following the resignation Wednesday of David Nasser, who will leave at the end of the semester.
Liberty University Shake-Ups Continue as Falwell Jr.’s Son Leaves Post as VP
The son of former Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. has left the school, vacating his post as vice president of university operations roughly eight months after his father resigned in the wake of scandal.
Charlie Kirk Out at Liberty University’s Falkirk Center
Liberty University has declined to renew the contract for conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the think tank he founded along with Jerry Falwell Jr. Kirk has also revealed that he will be pivoting to a new faith-rooted initiative.
Liberty University Sues Governor Over Financial Aid Changes
Liberty University sued Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday (Jan. 8), accusing his administration of wrongfully denying financial aid to some of the evangelical school’s online students.
Student-Led Petition Calls For Liberty University To Close Falkirk Center
A new petition from a group calling itself Liberty United Against Falkirk is calling for Liberty University to shut down the Falkirk Center, a conservative political think tank at the evangelical Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia. The petition reportedly had been signed by more than 400 Liberty students and recent graduates as of Tuesday (Dec. 29), according to The Christian Post. “Students at Liberty are tired of having our witness tarnished by association with a…
Jerry Falwell Jr. Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Liberty University
Former Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. has dropped a lawsuit in which he claimed the school he once led defamed him after he resigned this summer in the wake of a sex scandal.
Falwell Sues Liberty Over Ouster
Former Liberty University president Jerry Falwell announced Monday that he is suing Liberty University, saying the school damaged his reputation after his resignation from the school.
Investigation into Liberty University Now Open
Liberty confirmed in a statement Tuesday (Oct. 20) that the Virginia-based school has retained Baker Tilly US, a global forensic accounting firm, to conduct the wide-ranging review of business practices during the tenure of Jerry Falwell Jr. The inquiry, as first announced by the school board at the end of August, will cover financial, real estate, and legal matters.
Christian Colleges Feel the Tuition Squeeze
Several Christian colleges and universities freeze or cut tuition to make Christian education more accessible
Gordon College is among several Christian colleges and universities cutting or freezing tuition this year in an effort to make private Christian higher education more accessible.
Falwell’s Use of NASCAR Owner’s Yacht Comes Under Scrutiny
A key reason for Jerry Falwell, Jr.’s departure from Liberty University was an Instagram photo showing Falwell with his pants unbuttoned, on a luxury yacht. According to Politico, the yacht is owned by billionaire NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick. Falwell’s family has been using the yacht for family vacations since Liberty University committed to a lucrative sponsorship deal with Hendrick Motorsports.
Report: Jerry Falwell Injured in Fall While Drinking According to 911 Call
Less than a week after resigning as president of Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr. was injured in a fall after drinking, according to 911 transcripts and audio obtained by the Huffington Post.
Liberty Announces Investigation into Falwell Jr.’s Tenure
Liberty University is opening an independent investigation into Jerry Falwell Jr.’s tenure as president, a wide-ranging inquiry that will include financial, real estate, and legal matters, the evangelical school’s board announced Monday.
The Falwell Fiasco: Where Was The Board?
Jerry Falwell, Jr., has behaved in ways that would have gotten him fired from leadership in most Christian organizations, and many non-Christian organizations.
Jerry Falwell Jr. to Receive $10.5 Million as Part of Severance Package
Falwell: “I haven’t done anything.”
Jerry Falwell Jr. will get $10.5 million as part of his severance package after resigning as president from Liberty University following allegations of a sex scandal.
Jerry Falwell Jr resigns from Liberty University
Jerry Falwell Jr., the embattled president of Liberty University, has resigned from the evangelical Christian university founded by his father.
Falwell Says Wife’s Affair Contributed to Depression
Jerry Falwell Jr. says that his wife’s affair and the strain of keeping it secret has contributed to his depression.
To Prevent the Next Christian Scandal, Shrink the Integrity Gap
Unfortunately, in many cases, the longer leaders remain in leadership, the more relaxed they become about their principles and convictions. They lose sight of their original purpose, living disconnected from what they preach to others.
Social Media Proved To Be Undoing For Jerry Falwell Jr.
Lessons for Ministry Leaders
For leaders of religious institutions, social media can be another way to share their public messages and a peek into their private lives. But it can also backfire.
Liberty University Board Names Jerry Prevo as Acting President with Falwell on Leave
Jerry Prevo, who has served as chairman of the school’s board of trustees since 2003 and recently retired as the senior pastor of a Baptist church in Alaska, will assume the role of acting president immediately, Liberty said in a news release.
Falwell On “Indefinite Leave of Absence” From Liberty University
The Executive Committee of Liberty University’s Board of Trustees, acting on behalf of the full Board, met today and requested that Jerry Falwell, Jr. take an indefinite leave of absence from his roles as President and Chancellor of Liberty University, to which he has agreed, effective immediately. The board’s action is a response to Falwell posting a photo of himself with a woman on his yacht, both had their shirts hiked up and their pants…
Falwell Responds to Instagram Photos
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. spoke to a local radio station about Instagram photos that sparked controversy earlier this week.
Liberty President Falwell Apologizes for “Offensive Image”
Black LU Alumni Calling for Resignation
Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. apologized yesterday as black alumni demanded his resignation for tweeting an offensive image as part of a jab at Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s social distancing policies.
Liberty University Makes Cuts to Philosophy, Divinity Departments
Liberty University philosophy professor Mark Foreman wrote on his Facebook page yesterday: “Liberty University has chosen to completely dissolve the philosophy department. As of June 30, I am unemployed.” Liberty University’s philosophy department has seven faculty members, including Gary Habermas, one of the best-known Christian apologists in the nation. Habermas is 69 years old. UPDATE May 15: Habermas reported on social media that he had not been laid-off. He confirmed that the philosophy department had been eliminated, and…