List of Liberty University people

This list of Liberty University people includes notable graduates, professors, honorary degree recipients, and other people affiliated with Liberty University.

Founders

• Jerry Falwell, founder
• Elmer Towns, founder

Alumni

Academics

• 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, Adolescent sexuality & childbirth expert and professor at Washington and Jefferson College

Business, entrepreneurship, and philantrophy

• 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
• The Benham Brothers, real estate moguls
• Doug Dalton, owner of FutureBars
• Hayden Davis, protagonist in the $Libra cryptocurrency scandal
• Lakeysha Hallmon, founder of the Village Market
• Kyle Morgan, Chief People Officer of Hamilton Healthcare System
• Penny Young Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America
• Johnnie Moore, Jr., CEO of the Kairos Company
• Moradeun Ogunlana, founder and CEO of African Women Health Project International

Entertainment

• Patricia Abravanel, daughter of Silvio Santos; Brazilian TV producer and host
• Laurie Bartram, actress
• 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
• Victoria Henley, model who appeared on America's Next Top Model
• Vic Mignogna, anime voice actor
• Sanaz Minaie, Iranian television chef and cookbook author
• Heidi Mueller, soap opera actress ^[1]
• 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 ^{[2] [3]}
• Phil Snyder, voice actor known for Disney's Jiminy Cricket

Government, law, and public policy

• 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
• Dondi E. Costin Major General USAF, Ret.; led the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps and served as Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force
• Robert F. Dees Major General USA, Ret.; Vice Director for operational plans and interoperability for the Department of Defense
• Chris Epps, former commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections ^[4]
• Mike Fleck, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
• Bob Good, United States House of Representatives
• Kevin Grantham, president of the Colorado Senate
• Murray A. Hansen Brigadier general National Guard
• Doug Joseph, former President of Reynoldsburg City Council, in Ohio
• 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
• Leonardo Lightbourne, Bahamian politician from the Progressive Liberal Party
• 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 ^[5]
• 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, US Congressman from Nebraska
• Jennifer Sullivan, Florida House of Representatives
• Jeffrey Thompson, Idaho House of Representatives
• Wendell Walker, Virginia House of Delegates
• Jackie Walorski, United States House of Representatives
• Will Wampler, Virginia House of Delegates

Literature and journalism

• Shannon Bream, Fox News host ^[6]
• Mike Bullock, author known for Lions, Tigers and Bears
• Angela Elwell Hunt, Christian author
• Tim LaHaye, Christian author
• Jessica Moore, journalist at WCBS-TV
• Samantha Ponder, ESPN host
• Kevin Roose, reporter for The New York Times , attended for a semester

Music

• Meredith Andrews, contemporary Christian music singer
• Hector Cervantes, member of Casting Crowns
• Stephen Christian, lead singer for Anberlin ^[7]
• 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 ^[8]
• 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

Religion

• 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
• Ed Stetzer, Christian author and missionary
• Chris Surber, pastor and author
• Benjamin Szumskyj, pronomian Christian scholar

Sports

Liberty University Flames stadium

Baseball

• Tony Beasley, manager of the Syracuse Chiefs
• David Bote, former 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
• Fraser Ellard, pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
• Mason Fluharty, pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
• Lee Guetterman, former MLB pitcher
• Ian Parmley, former outfielder for Toronto Blue Jays
• Randy Tomlin, pitching coach for the Harrisburg Senators
• Will Wagner, second baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays

Basketball

• Peter Aluma, former center for the Nigerian national team
• Seth Curry, NBA guard for the Charlotte Hornets
• Jason Dixon, former professional basketball player. Guangdong Southern Tigers retired his number 15.
• Octavio De La Grana, assistant coach and head scout for the Miami Heat ^[11]
• Katie Feenstra-Mattera, former WNBA player, assistant coach of the Liberty Lady Flames basketball
• Megan Frazee, former 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
• Jeremy Luther, Head Coach of Gardner–Webb University
• Darius McGhee, NBA G-League guard for the Indiana Mad Ants
• Julius Nwosu, former NBA player
• Taelon Peter, guard for the Indiana Pacers
• Jeri Porter, former head coach of the George Mason University women's team
• Jesse Sanders, former professional basketball player
• 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

• Walt Aikens, former 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, former defensive back for the Cleveland Browns
• Mike Brown, Wide receivers coach for Notre Dame and former NFL wide receiver
• Charlie Brewer, former CFL quarterback
• Dwayne Carswell, former tight end and offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos
• John Cartwright, former Liberty coach
• Kei'Trel Clark, cornerback for Arizona Cardinals
• Steve Clark, former NFL player
• Quinton Cooley, CFL running back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
• Demario Douglas, wide receiver for the New England Patriots
• Tony Dews, Running backs coach 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, former NFL and CFL player
• Nick Foles, former 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
• Frankie Hickson, CFL free agent
• Storey Jackson, professional football linebacker for San Antonio Brahmas
• Rashad Jennings, former NFL running back
• Dominique Jones, former tight end for the Indianapolis Colts
• Steve Kearns, former CFL Slotback
• Jennifer King, first black woman coach, assistant running backs coach for the Washington Football Team
• Matt Lambros, former CFL player
• Jessie Lemonier, former 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, former NFL player
• 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, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers
• Brian Witherspoon, former New York Giant
• Josh Woodrum, former quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens

Soccer

• 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

• Joaquín Ballivián, Chilean shot putter
• Sam Chelanga, professional runner
• Josh Cox, long-distance runner
• Jhon Perlaza, track and field olympian from Colombia

Other sports

• Michael Andrew, Olympic swimmer represents United States ^{[14] [15]}
• Marc-André Bourdon, former NHL defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers ^[16]
• William Byron, NASCAR driver
• Charles Fernandez, Olympic pentathlete that represents Guatemala
• Tuffield Latour, US men's bobsled coach
• Paris-Gail Isaacs, field hockey player South Africa women's national field hockey team
• Agueda Moroni, field hockey player Italy women's national field hockey team
• Elena Seiple, bodybuilder
• Debbie Yow, athletic director at North Carolina State University ^[17]

Faculty and staff

Administration

• Babbie Mason, School of Music Advisory Council member
• Jerry Prevo, former president of Liberty University
• Ricky Skaggs, School of Music Advisory Council member

Faculty

• 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

• 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

• 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), former NFL player, philanthropist, and sports media broadcast analyst
• Donald Trump (Honorary Doctorate of Business 2012, Honorary Doctor of Laws 2017), 45th and 47th president of the United States ^{[24] [25]}
• Randall Wallace (Honorary Doctor of Humanities 2011), screenwriter known for Braveheart ^[26]

References

1. "'Duck Dynasty' crew films on campus » Liberty News". August 12, 2015. Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
2. McMillen, Gabrielle (January 12, 2015). "Saint Roberto Clemente? Former pastor pushes canonization for Pirate". Sporting News Media. Sporting News. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
3. Karen Kane (May 19, 1995). "No-contest plea entered for assault". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. A1.
4. 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.
5. "Reagan Paul". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
6. Dunham, Teresa (April 1, 2009). "Supreme Dedication". Liberty Journal. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
7. "Star Pupils". Relevant. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
8. Jackson, Kevin (April 12, 2007). "Stacey, Christian Stars Survive 'Idol' Cut". The Christian Post . Retrieved June 11, 2012.
9. "Smokies' David Bote takes winding route to being All-Star". Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
10. "Doug Brady Baseball Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
11. "Directory: Octavio De La Grana | Miami Heat". Nba.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
12. "Award-winning Christian Newspaper | Christian Examiner". Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
13. "It's Super Bowl time for Liberty University student Nick Foles". Liberty.edu. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
14. Menard, Drew (August 15, 2013). "Youngest U.S. pro swimmer enrolls in Liberty Online Academy" Archived 2021-07-21 at the Wayback Machine . Liberty University . Retrieved July 21, 2021.
15. Allen, Ted (May 31, 2016). "Olympic hopeful balances time spent in pool and school" Archived 2021-07-21 at the Wayback Machine . Liberty University . Retrieved July 21, 2021.
16. "Marc-Andre Bourdon – Men's D1 Hockey – Liberty Flames". www.liberty.edu. Archived from the original on April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
17. "NC State Athletics – Staff Directory". gopack.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
18. name= http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=276984
19. "Jeb Bush to deliver 2015 Commencement keynote address – Liberty University". www.liberty.edu. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
20. "Commencement 2012: Paying tribute to Liberty". www.liberty.edu. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
21. "Class of 2016 inspired to burn brightly in the world – Liberty University". www.liberty.edu. May 14, 2016. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
22. "Graduation 2009 – complete coverage – Liberty University". www.liberty.edu. May 8, 2009. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
23. University, Liberty. "Liberty Journal – 2014 Commencement". Liberty Journal. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
24. "LU confers seven honorary doctorates to world changers, including President Trump – Liberty University". www.liberty.edu. May 13, 2017. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
25. "Donald Trump addresses largest Convocation crowd, praises Liberty". www.liberty.edu. September 24, 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
26. Barry, Liz. "'Braveheart' screenwriter tells Liberty grads, 'Love with faith'". Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2017.