Liberty University Hires Search Firm to Find Permanent President

Prevo has been in the top college role since former president Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned in 2020 amid accusations that he and his wife were involved in a sex scandal. Falwell Jr. had also been accused of failing to adequately handle claims of sexual harassment and sexual assault by Liberty University students.

In a statement, Gilbert “Bud” Tinney, Jr., a member of Liberty’s Board of Trustees and chairman of the search committee, said the firm will work hard to find a candidate for president of the school.

“During this season of institutional transition, Liberty University has benefited tremendously from a combination of stabilizing leaders with vast institutional experience and some of the nation’s best outside experts,” Tinney said.

“The selection of CarterBaldwin demonstrates clearly Liberty’s ongoing commitment to excellence and its determination to work with the absolute best advisors to find the right individual to lead Liberty University into its next 50 years.”

CarterBaldwin has previously worked with other faith-based and nonprofit organizations and placed more than 100 CEOs in faith-based institutions.

“Liberty University isn’t just one of the world’s largest institutions of higher education, it is also a unique institution with unique characteristics and nonnegotiable values,” Harding stated.

“We are excited about partnering with the search committee to find the right leader. Along the way we will bring to the university our commitment to always providing objective counsel and the best available expertise in executive search.”

Liberty is expected to finish its position profile in mid-September, which will allow the search committee to begin recruiting and evaluating candidates.

The Liberty Board of Trustees have said they hope to have a new president in place before the 2023-2024 school year.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla/Staff

Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.