University of Lynchburg celebrated the opening of its 115th academic year on Thursday with a new message about “Always Becoming.”
A new video published Thursday morning celebrates the history of the college, including its evolution from a small school in 1903 to a university today, and looks forward to a future of continued enhancements to the educational experience, campus facilities, and the strength of the Lynchburg community.
The College also published a new page at www.lynchburg.edu/always-becoming to share information about recent developments and upcoming initiatives, as well as news related to the transition to the name University of Lynchburg next summer. The page includes an explanation of the decision to use “Lynchburg” when when abbreviating the name of the institution.
University of Lynchburg President Kenneth R. Garren shared the information with the on-campus community and alumni in two email messages.
“This will be a year of transition as we prepare to adopt the name University of Lynchburg next summer. But we are doing more than changing signage and business cards,” he wrote to alumni. “We will move forward on the goals of Vision 2020 this year by strengthening our academic program, designing enhanced facilities, and investing in the student experience. We also have great plans for celebrating our history as University of Lynchburg.”
He asked students, faculty, and staff to reflect on the meaning of being part of the University of Lynchburg community. “We became a college that changes lives because we help each member of our community become something,” he wrote. “Working together, we touch each other’s lives. Each person leaves a mark on the College, too. This year, let’s learn from our neighbors on this campus and become better versions of ourselves. Let’s leave a mark on University of Lynchburg, and the University of Lynchburg, too.”
The “Always Becoming” message is based on the words of Dr. M. Carey Brewer, a member of the class of 1949 who served as the president of University of Lynchburg from 1964 to 1983. More than fifty years ago, he stated, “A great college is always in the process of becoming, rather than being.” Those words ring true and continue to inspire the community to make progress and constantly improve the Lynchburg experience.
