4 Things You Didn't Know About Jerry Falwell Jr.
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. is set to speak tonight at the Republican National Convention.
Donald Trump is not the typical candidate Falwell would support, but Falwell was an early Christian supporter for the Republican nominee. "We need someone other than a career politician," Falwell said at a rally for Trump in Iowa back in January 2016. Since then, he's urged other evangelicals to back Trump.
Here are some facts you may not have know about the religious leader:
He has a degree in religious studies.
He attended the private school Lynchburg Christian academy where he graduated in 1980. Afterwards, he went to Liberty University where he received his B.A. in religious studies. He then moved on to the University of Virginia to get his law degree.
He is the president of Liberty University.
Since his father's death, Jerry has been appointed president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia where he helped grow the school from 37,000 students to 90,000.
He helped Liberty University raise $120 million in bonds.
According to Liberty Student News, Liberty University was award a AA rating from Standard & Poors in 2010. He used this to help secure tax-exempt bonds for the school to upgrade facilities such as a visitor center and health and science building.
Liberty University Alumni are concerned with Falwell's support of Trump.
After his public support for Trump many of the alumni are scared that he "sold his soul." They even created a Facebook page titled Liberty Alumni Against Donald Trump. The page reads, "There is NOTHING about Trump that reflects the values of Jesus Christ or Liberty University. The thousands of alumni across America call on Jerry Falwell Jr. to gracefully renounce his endorsement."
