“The selection by the trustees of a national executive recruiter clearly demonstrated Liberty’s commitment to excellence and its determination to work with the absolute best advisors to help us identify the right leaders to guide Liberty University into the future,” said Board Chairman Tim Lee. “With CarterBaldwin’s objective help, we looked near and far, and we believe we have found the right leaders at the right time for the future of Liberty University. The combination of President Costin and Chancellor Falwell not only bring the gravitas and experience necessary to lead the University exceptionally well, but with perfect cultural alignment. They will ensure Liberty University remains focused entirely on Training Champions for Christ to impact the world in every vocation.”
Liberty University Board of Trustees Appoints Chancellor and President
As a member of Liberty University’s founding generation, Pastor Falwell brings to the University as Chancellor an invaluable depth of experience. Falwell has spent his lifetime associated with the ministries of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University, serving at Thomas Road Baptist Church for nearly 30 years and as its senior pastor since 2007. He has also served on the Board of Trustees of Liberty University for over 30 years. Previously at Liberty University, Falwell held the title of vice chancellor for spiritual affairs and he is presently the University’s executive vice president for spiritual affairs/campus pastor. He is also twice an alumnus of Liberty University and he holds a juris doctor. In addition to his church ministry, Pastor Falwell has been a successful entrepreneur, an author, a widely published photographer, and a commercial pilot. He and his wife, Shari, have been married since 1992 and they have four children (three are married) and two grandchildren.
Reporting independently to the Board of Trustees, both Pastor Falwell and Dr. Costin will work alongside the University’s spiritual and academic leadership to provide comprehensive oversight of the institution’s operations and mission.
The appointments also mark the formal transition of Jerry Prevo from the position of Interim President to President Emeritus of the University. This begins the next chapter in Prevo’s own 40-year relationship with Liberty University, including as the longtime chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees.
Prevo has been an active member of the search committee and helped develop the timeline for the planning, launching, and execution of the search to identify his own successor.
“We are so grateful for the stable, competent and strong leadership Jerry Prevo has provided during this transitional season,” said executive committee chairman Carroll Hudson. “Prevo’s exceptional tenure as interim president has been marked by record enrollment, a refocusing of the University on its original mission, and substantive, institutional reforms which will provide effective governance of Liberty University going forward, protecting the original mission and vision for future generations. Prevo has made a profound contribution to Liberty University.”
The University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the title of President Emeritus for Prevo to honor the historic contributions he has made to the University.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Liberty University,” said Prevo, “and I am humbled to continue serving in my new role as President Emeritus.”
During the spring meeting of the Board of Trustees, the members took the opportunity to reflect on the contributions of the late Gilbert “Bud” Tinney, Jr. to Liberty University and presented a resolution honoring those contributions to his wife, Margee. Tinney served as the chairman of the Presidential and Chancellor Search Committee until his sudden passing on Feb. 20, 2023 at 85 years old. Tinney had dedicated 48 years of his life in service to the Liberty University Board of Trustees.
