REAL STORIES of IMPACT
MESSAGE from the PRESIDENT
Looking back on the past year, I am truly grateful for your steadfast support of Liberty University and our mission to Train Champions for Christ. You've made a real difference to our students, to those who serve them, and to the communities we serve together.
That's why I'm delighted to share with you a handful of Real Stories of Impact from 2025 — examples from among many testimonies of transformation and hope that show the real effect of your support. You're helping to create a legacy that will endure.
In this year's look-back you'll meet an inspiring pair of students who share a name: Mr. and Mrs. Shalom Kaseketi. Their receipt of a donor-funded scholarship came at a critical time and enabled the couple to keep working toward their shared goal
of bettering their nation of origin.
You'll also meet donors Tim and Lauren Stephan, whose children attend Liberty University — and whose generous scholarship fund extends their impact to other students. Donations like this mean so much to students facing financial hardship.
The whole Liberty community came together in a similar spirit of generosity for Giving Day 2025. Donors chose from over 110 campaigns, targeting their support to align with their passions in every aspect of our mission: schools, teams, clubs, ministry groups, campaigns for those in need, and more. The result was an inspirational, record-setting success.
As we recognize these stories of impact, the Apostle Paul's prayer of gratitude in Philippians 1:3-5 hits home: “I thank
my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.”
Liberty University continues its mission to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrow's world. You are a part of this mission and its impact, and we thank you for standing with us.
In the year to come, may you experience God's blessing and the joy of Kingdomminded generosity as you invest your resources in what matters most.
In Him,
Dondi E. Costin, Ph.D. President
FAITH AND PERSEVERANCE:
The Kaseketis' Story
Shalom and Shalom Kaseketi, a married couple from Zambia, came to Liberty University with a shared vision: to prepare for careers that would transform lives for Christ. Shalom (Mrs.) is pursuing biomedical sciences with hopes of entering medical school and founding a children’s hospital to address critical healthcare gaps in her home country. Shalom (Mr.) is studying business administration and data analysis, aiming to create entrepreneurial opportunities that uplift communities. Their journey has been marked by faith and perseverance. As international students, financial challenges threatened their ability to continue their education.
Despite working campus jobs and seeking internships, visa restrictions and outstanding balances made progress difficult. The donor-funded CEO Summit Scholarship arrived at a pivotal moment — lifting the burden of tuition, enabling them to work during the summer, and allowing them to focus fully on academics and ministry preparation.
For the Kaseketis, this scholarship is more than financial aid; it is a testimony of God’s provision through generous donors. “Your act of generosity has broken me in gratitude,” Mrs. Kaseketi shares.
“It’s the greatest reminder that God’s been listening.” Her husband echoes this sentiment, saying “Your giving has a generational impact. We are not in school for self-gain — we are being trained as Champions for Christ.”
The couple prays that donors know
the eternal significance of their gifts.
“What a gift and joy it is to partner with Him, to empower young people like us to obey Him and steward education,” Mr. Kaseketi says. Their gratitude is profound, and their commitment unwavering: to use their Liberty education as a launchpad for Kingdom work — whether through healthcare innovation or entrepreneurial ventures that strengthen families and communities.
MRS. SHALOM KASEKETI
Biomedical Sciences
School of Health Sciences
MR. SHALOM KASEKETI
Business Administration and Data Analysis
School of Business
GENEROSITY IS A CALLING:
Tim and Lauren Stephan
Tim and Lauren Stephan of Williamsburg, Virginia, have built a life centered on faith, family, and giving. Tim, originally from the Midwest, spent over three decades as a chemical engineer and capital project manager with Anheuser-Busch before retiring. Lauren, a Long Island native, worked in the financial industry for more than 20 years before stepping away to raise their family. Today, they are proud parents of identical twin daughters, Alyssa and Kristina, seniors at Liberty University and members of the Spirit of the Mountain Color Guard. Faith has always been central to Lauren’s life, and Tim’s spiritual journey deepened
as a young adult. When it came time for their daughters to choose a college, the Stephans wanted a Christ-centered environment. A providential campus visit introduced them to Liberty’s mission and vibrant worship culture. “We pretty much decided right then and there: this was it,” Lauren recalls.
Over the past four years, the Stephans have embraced Liberty wholeheartedly — attending games and events and watching their daughters perform with the Spirit of the Mountain Color Guard. They’ve loved seeing their girls grow academically and spiritually while forming lifelong friendships. “We love that our girls are being taught to stand strong for Christ,” Lauren says. Their generosity stems from compassion for students facing financial hardship.
"To think a band member would have to quit? That breaks my heart," Lauren shares. Motivated by Liberty’s mission to build Champions for Christ, Tim and Lauren established The Tim and Lauren Stephan Endowed Scholarship Fund, a $50,000 endowed scholarship designed to help juniors and seniors who need a little extra financial support to finish their last few semesters. “We want to make sure students who have worked so hard can cross the finish line,” Tim explains.
For the Stephans, generosity is a calling.
“Everything we have is God’s,” Lauren reflects. Their hope is that their legacy inspires others — and their own children — to give joyfully. “If it’s in your heart to do so, prayerfully do it,” Tim adds.
“Liberty is a special place, equipping young people to make an impact for Christ.”
GIVING DAY 2025
DONORFUNDED IMPACT
Liberty University’s Giving Day was more than a record-breaking event — it was a powerful testament to the heart of the Liberty family. In just 24 hours on October 22, 2025, over 7,100 gifts poured in to over 110 unique campaigns, totaling an incredible $7.46 million — surpassing last year's total by almost $1.8 million (31.8%).
Behind every number is a story of transformation: scholarships that open doors for students who never thought college was possible, resources that strengthen academic programs, and opportunities that prepare graduates to boldly live out their calling. These gifts ripple far beyond campus — they shape lives, deepen faith, and advance Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ. Donors are fueling academic, athletic, and ministry experiences for students that will equip them to impact the world for eternity.
Executive Vice President of Development Brian Mentzer captured the spirit of the day: “We just experienced the greatest Giving Day in the history of Liberty University, and we greatly appreciate the tremendous outpouring of generosity and support by the amazing Liberty family.”
This Giving Day wasn’t just about dollars raised — it was about lives changed. Every gift is an investment in champions who will carry the Gospel into every corner of the world.
Friends and Supporters,
Living generously is one of the most meaningful ways we reflect the heart of God — our ultimate example of grace and provision. Throughout 2025, your choice to live generously has been the foundation of the remarkable growth and transformation we’ve witnessed here at Liberty.
The stories we’re honored to share in this year’s Real Stories of Impact are a powerful reflection of the difference your support continues to make in the lives of our students and those they will impact for the Gospel.
Your support not only underscores Liberty University’s crucial mission of Training Champions for Christ — it inspires us to reach higher, dream bigger, and serve more faithfully. As we look ahead to 2026, we are filled with anticipation for all that God will do through our continued partnership.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Liberty family. May God richly bless you for your generosity and unwavering commitment.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Brian Mentzer Executive Vice President Office of Development