Liberty University The Hybrid Campus Tour
Ed ParkerAssociate Director of The Visitors Center
Overview• Who we are• Types of tours and events offered
– Daily Tours– Single Day Events– College For A Weekend– Summer Camps– Winterfest
• Tour Logistics• Visitors Center Team• Guest Feedback• Conclusion
Liberty University Motto“Training Champions for Christ”
“One thing I really appreciate about Liberty is that their motto “Training Champions for Christ” is not just a motto, but it is truly at the core of everything Liberty University does. Being trained as a champion for Christ is the most important education one can have.”-Victoria
Who We Are• Four Year Private Liberal Arts University
– 16 Colleges and Schools – Most popular resident undergraduate programs of study; Business, Cinematic
Arts, Education, Nursing, Phycology and Religion
• Founded 1971, 154 students• Fall 2015 projections
– Resident campus 14,300 students (4,300 new + 10,000 returning)– Online campus 95,000 + students– Combined creating the 5th largest university in the nation
• Maintained Campus size 700 acres (7,600+ acres)
Visitors Center• Our Goal: Leading prospective students to the next step through
providing a memorable campus visit experience • The Visitors Center is the first impression of Liberty University
Serving as an Admissions & Campus Information Center• We Provide:
– Daily Tours– Special Events
• Single Day Events• College for a Weekend• Summer Camps • WinterFest
– Campus Concierge Services
Daily Tours• Include:
• 10-minute Welcome & Introduction Video • Student-led campus tour of the academic, athletic,
recreational and residence facilities (1 hr. 45 minutes to 2 hrs.) Hybrid walking and driving tour
• General group admissions session geared to answer guests’ questions regarding the application process, University scholarships and financial aid (15 minutes)
• Individual admissions appointments for Junior and Senior students following general session
Two Parts to the Tour• Part One
• Walking tour highlights– Model resident hall-barrack style– Brief university history– Academic highlights shared in classroom setting– Tour of Library– Tour of Dining Hall– Attend Convocation (M/W/F Fall & Spring
semesters)
Two Parts to the Tour• Part Two
• Driving tour highlights– Vines Center– Model resident hall-apartment style– Student recreation facilities– Window tour of major campus facilities while moving
between tour points of interest• Athletic facilities, Snowflex, Monogram, Commons I & II &
Campus Bookstore
Driving Tour Logistics
• Student guides provide driving tours via 14-passenger mini-buses–Must be 21 years of age with clean driving
record–Provide proficiency in driving university
vehicle–Driver is then placed on university insurance
policy
Driving Tour Logistics
• All university drivers assume responsibility of $500.00 deductible–One Visitors Center student driver has
experienced this via payroll deduction since 2008• This due to multiple infractions
Driving Tour Logistics
• Vehicle responsibilities –University Transportation Dept. serves as
primary for vehicle upkeep and maintenance –Visitors Center team monitors basic items
• Fuel and fluid levels• Weekly cleaning
Guest Feedback• “Wow, I don’t have to walk all the tour?”• “Thank you, I felt like a queen touring my new
kingdom”• “Amazing! Tour well done.”• “How good are your student drivers?”• “That was convenient”• “What?!?! No 2 hour ‘death march’?”-Jeff
Kallay
“The Fleet” • Four 14-passenger Mini-buses• One 5 passenger Club Car• Use of university owned Black
Suburban–For high profile special
guest tours
Flexibility • Transport guests in comfort to remote facilities
on 7,000+ acre campus–College of Osteopathic Medicine –School of Law–Equestrian Stables–Snowflex Centre–LaHaye Student
Union
LU Campus Spring 2015
Flexibility• Provide tours for special
guests –High Profile prospective
students• Children of politicians • Children of celebrities
–Prospective Faulty Members • Campus & Community
The Visitors Center Team• 14 Full Time staff• 1 Part Time staff• 21 Student staff (fall & spring)
– 17 Federal & university funded– 4 100% university funded
• 12 Student staff (summer)– University funded
• 15 additional Enrollment Management Full Time Staff
Hancock Welcome Center • Hours of operation
– Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm– Saturday 8:30 am – 6:00 pm– Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Ponder This…
Mr. James Cash Penney was asked this simple question; “How do you train your people to be so
friendly?”
Consider This…His reply:
“That’s easy…..you simply hire Friendly People.”
Liberty University
Parting Thoughts and QuestionsEd Parker
Associate Director of The Visitors CenterLiberty University, Lynchburg, VA
Contributors: Joy Federico & Katherine Madrid