Falwell's insurance erases LU debt. Thanks to a substantial life insurance policy on the late Jerry Falwell, the university he founded is now debt-free, according to university officials. Jerry Falwell Jr., Liberty University's chancellor and son of its founder, announced the $34 million policy during a fall briefing with faculty and staff Aug. 10. Part of the money also went to nearby Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg. The senior Falwell founded the church in 1956. It is now pastored by another of his sons. Now that it is debt-free, Liberty will “aggressively focus its fundraising efforts on solidifying the university's endowment,” according to Liberty's website. The school had struggled with debt since a series of defaults in the 1980s. It reached a debt of $82 million in 1992, according to Associated Press reports. According to the AP, the debt had since been reduced to $27 million. At the Aug. 10 meeting, Falwell also announced a second endowment gift of $2.5 million from Sherwin Cook, owner of White Oak Management Company in Lynchburg. It is the largest donation in the school's history. Falwell founded the school in 1971. It now claims an enrollment of approximately 10,500.
Associated Baptist Press
Garage image of Christ sold on eBay. A slab of concrete with a smudge of driveway sealant that resembles some depictions of Christ was sold on eBay Aug. 8 for $1,525.69. A Forest, Va., family put the stain up for auction in late July and received hundreds of messages from around the world. In describing the stain on eBay, the Serio family wrote: “It does not change, cry or manifest itself in any other way. It is an uncanny icon of Christ.” John Serio has hired a contractor to excavate the marked section of concrete from the garage floor. The auction winner will receive that chunk. Deb Serio, an active Lutheran, said, “I don't consider myself someone who needs a Christ-like image to fortify my beliefs. … There are some people who need this kind of thing to sort of start them on their faith journey. I don't. That's why I don't mind parting with it.”
Lynchburg News & Advance
William & Mary cross restored. An 18-inch brass cross that was at the center of an uproar when it was removed last fall from a chapel at the College of William and Mary is back, in a locked, Plexiglas-like case near the altar. Inside the case, the cross rests on a walnut base with a plaque describing “the College's unique Anglican heritage.” It can be removed from the case and placed on the altar by request. The now-public university was founded by royal charter in 1693 with a mission that included training Anglican ministers. University President Gene Nichol removed the cross from permanent display in the Wren Chapel to make students and visitors of non-Christian faiths feel more welcome. Opponents argued it was an attack on Christianity and dishonored the school's heritage. Thousands of alumni, students and others signed petitions, some alumni fired off angry emails and one donor rescinded pledges to give $12 million to the school. Angry state lawmakers weighed in on the matter and some outraged alumni and students sought to remove Nichol from office. A study committee appointed last March by Nichol to examine the role of religion at the school recommended the cross be displayed in a case as a compromise.
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot