Jerry Falwell, Jr
Encyclopedia
Jerry Lamon Falwell, Jr is the chancellor
of Liberty University
in Lynchburg, Virginia
, appointed in May 2007 shortly after his father's
death in 2007.
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 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 Vice Chancellor from 2003 until his father's death, and as Chancellor since then.
, the director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
, alleged that Falwell and Liberty University violated their non-profit status and used university resources in a Virginia House of Delegates (State Legislature) race in the 2009 elections.
In a letter to the IRS, Americans United says Falwell and other Liberty officials used the official school newspaper, Liberty Champion, to repeatedly attack incumbent Shannon Valentine and endorse her opponent, Scott Garrett. Garrett won the election by about 200 votes after returns came in from a precinct heavily populated by Liberty students.
Liberty University denied that it violated any IRS election laws. The IRS rejected the complaint filed against Liberty University. Liberty University issued a public statement accusing Barry Lynn and Americans United for Separation of Church and State of filing many similar frivolous complaints against politically conservative churches and nonprofit organizations while ignoring blatant violations committed by other liberal organizations. Liberty University then filed a detailed complaint with the IRS against Americans United for Separation of Church and State alleging that the organization violated the IRS election laws by filing harassing complaints only against politically conservative groups.
He is also the brother of Jonathan Falwell
, senior pastor at the Thomas Road Baptist Church
.
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of Liberty University
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online...
in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
, appointed in May 2007 shortly after his father's
Jerry Falwell
Jerry Lamon Falwell, Sr. was an evangelical fundamentalist Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and a conservative commentator from the United States. He was the founding pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia...
death in 2007.
Falwell attended private schools in the Lynchburg area, attending Lynchburg Christian Academy
Lynchburg Christian Academy
Liberty Christian Academy is a Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia. LCA was founded by Jerry Falwell in 1967 as Lynchburg Christian Academy, and was developed as a ministry of Thomas Road Baptist Church...
, where he graduated in 1980, and attended Liberty University
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online...
, where he obtained his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Religious Studies
Religious studies
Religious studies is the academic field of multi-disciplinary, secular study of religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.While theology attempts to...
in 1984. Falwell then attended the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
, where he obtained his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
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 the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
.
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 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 60,000 students, with more than 50,000 of them taking courses through Liberty University Online. More than 12,000 students are currently enrolled in course on campus.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.Allegations of Election Law Violations
On February 22, 2010, Barry LynnBarry W. Lynn
Barry W. Lynn, Esq. has been the Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State since 1992. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and a prominent leader of the American religious left...
, the director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a group that advocates separation of church and state, a legal doctrine interpreted by AU as being enshrined in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.-Mission:The guiding principle of Americans...
, alleged that Falwell and Liberty University violated their non-profit status and used university resources in a Virginia House of Delegates (State Legislature) race in the 2009 elections.
In a letter to the IRS, Americans United says Falwell and other Liberty officials used the official school newspaper, Liberty Champion, to repeatedly attack incumbent Shannon Valentine and endorse her opponent, Scott Garrett. Garrett won the election by about 200 votes after returns came in from a precinct heavily populated by Liberty students.
Liberty University denied that it violated any IRS election laws. The IRS rejected the complaint filed against Liberty University. Liberty University issued a public statement accusing Barry Lynn and Americans United for Separation of Church and State of filing many similar frivolous complaints against politically conservative churches and nonprofit organizations while ignoring blatant violations committed by other liberal organizations. Liberty University then filed a detailed complaint with the IRS against Americans United for Separation of Church and State alleging that the organization violated the IRS election laws by filing harassing complaints only against politically conservative groups.
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, and Caroline Grace. They live in Bedford County, Virginia.He is also the brother of Jonathan Falwell
Jonathan Falwell
Jonathan Pate Falwell is the senior pastor at the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is the son and successor of the late Reverend Jerry Falwell, and the brother of Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr...
, senior pastor at the Thomas Road Baptist Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church
Thomas Road Baptist Church is a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia. It currently claims 24,000 members and is headed by Jonathan Falwell.-History:Started in 1956 by a group of 35, including Jerry Falwell, Thomas Road now claims over 24,200 members...
.