Liberty University’s 14th annual Military Graduate Recognition Ceremony celebrated a record-breaking number of military graduates. Held at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., on Thursday, the gathering was nearly standing room only.
“When faced with the demands of full and often overwhelming military life, alongside the pursuit of your education, you chose both. That is worthy of recognition,” said Ret. Maj. and Chaplain Brian Harvey, the assistant director of Liberty’s Center for Chaplaincy, in his welcome remarks to the graduates, which were streamed online and viewed by Military.com.
“You have chosen an uncommon and admirable path, one that will shape you into a stronger leader, a faithful servant, and a man or woman capable of accomplishing the mission while genuinely caring for those entrusted to you,” Harvey said.
According to the university, of the 32,000 graduates in the Class of 2026, 8,003 have military ties, including 2,958 military spouses and 2,581 active military. Thursday’s ceremony saw 785 service member graduates and 3,771 family and friends of service member graduates in attendance.
Liberty President Praises Military Graduates
Harvey’s welcome was followed by a prayer of dedication from Liberty University President Dr. Dondi E. Costin, who cheered the graduates as a Liberty graduate himself.
“I wish you could see what I’m seeing right now, because before me, I see a sea of awesomeness. I thank God for you. I praise God that he called you. I praise God that you have done hard things,” President Costin said. “I once was one of you, as a second lieutenant and then a first lieutenant, I earned two degrees from Liberty University. The university was there when I needed the kind of education only Liberty University can provide, and I am so grateful.”
President Costin also expressed his pride and gratitude to the graduating class of military service members for their commitment to keeping our country safe.
“Because on the day I retired, and not for a single day [since] have I wondered whether my freedom was going to be protected,” he said. “Because I knew that when I left the service, I knew that all of you had my back, and I am so grateful for the sacrifices that you have made, and you continue to make.”
This year’s keynote speaker was retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Tony Cothron, who also serves as associate professor of government at Liberty. He commended the graduates for answering the call to duty.
“A culture of service builds a society that is strong, resilient, and builds people who stand up and are accountable for their actions, and they do the right thing,” Cothron said. “In choosing to study at Liberty, you have not just gained a degree. You’ve been blessed to study your profession through a biblical worldview.”
Ceremony Included Symbolic Military Moments
The recognition ceremony included the singing of the national anthem performed by U.S. Navy veteran and Associate Professor in Liberty’s School of Music, Chief Musician Dr. Daryl Duff. He also performed a rendition of “A Hero for Today.”
Later in the ceremony, graduates from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces were invited to stand and be honored during the “Armed Forces Medley,” performed by the 29th Infantry Division Band of the Virginia Army National Guard. Also, a slideshow played during the ceremony showing the inspiring stories of more than 100 Liberty military graduates.
The ceremony ended with presentations of commemorative coins to each graduate as tokens for them to remain steadfast in their sacrifice to America. The Director of Liberty’s Center for Chaplaincy, Ret. Air Force Col. Steven E. Keith, delivered the closing prayer.
“Lord in the midst of some good healthy rivalry between our service branches, we stand in awe of you, that you love each of us completely and equally and without measure,” Col. Keith said in his prayer during the service.”I thank you for these graduates that have not only raised their hand in oath to our country and our constitution, but have raised their hands and have said, ‘yes lord, here am I.'”
Founded in 1971, Liberty University is a wide-ranging liberal arts university with 15 schools and colleges offering more than 700 programs from the certificate to the doctoral level. Teaching disciplines range from medicine, biology, chemistry, and engineering to design, music, religion, law, and more.
On its website, the university says Liberty has grown from a small college of 154 students into a university with a residential student body of over 16,000. Notably, the university has a longstanding reputation for supporting active military, veterans, and their families by offering a wide variety of benefits for service members.
The university was designated as a Purple Heart University in 2017 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), the first of its kind in Virginia.
Liberty also offers many military benefits and scholarships for active duty, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Department of War employees, and spouses of service members and veterans and has repeatedly been designated a top military supportive college for service members and their families.
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