Rename Liberty University

Liberty University, which calls itself an "independent, fundamentalist Baptist university located in Lynchburg, Virginia," recently disbanded the school's College Democrats when the chapter refused to affiliate with an anti-abortion group. To some observers, that sounds like the opposite of liberty. (Not to mention a violation of the rules for federal tax-exempt status.) So Dan Casey, metro columnist for the Roanoke Times, is sponsoring a contest to rename Liberty U. First prize is an autographed copy of Jon Winokur's The Big Book of Irony (which, ironically, is a small book—and an indispensable reference).

I'm sure Fritinancy readers will have some excellent suggestions for Dan, so why not go over to his blog right now and enter the contest? Deadline is Monday, June 8, 12.01 a.m. EDT.

There are some amusing nominations already. I especially like SSA University ("ASS" backward). And there would be a certain poetic justice to naming the college after its founder, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. Yes, Falwell University: FU in headlines and on scoreboards.

Or how about Hypocrisy College? Sanctimony Tech? Everyone But U.?

For extra credit (and fun), I'm accepting nominations for a motto for the renamed institution. Latin, mock-Latin, or Pig Latin preferred. Leave a comment below.

UPDATE and reminder: If you want your comment to be published, you must include an authentic email address. The email address is for my eyes only; it tells me that you're legitimate and reachable in case of questions. No email address, no published comment.

UPDATE #2: For the last couple of days TypePad, which hosts this blog, has been automatically removing commenters' URLs. I've filed a Help ticket and have been assured the problem will be fixed. When it is, I'll paste in any URLs that were stripped out. (This applies only to those commenters who have websites or blogs that you'd like viewers to know about.) My apologies!

UPDATE #3: This nonobservant Jew hadn't known there was a special Christian definition of "liberty."

UPDATE #4: In an email, columnist Dan Casey informed me that Liberty University's motto is "Knowledge Aflame." I offer this information in hopes it spurs your creativity. (See the official seal  here; it's configured to prevent copying, which kinda figures.)

Comments

[Mike Lane]

Non Sequitur

[Marie]

I enjoy reading your blogs about words and PR, but entries like this sour my interest on the whole. A private university can establish rules and expect its students to abide by them, certainly when these rules are in line with the institution's stated beliefs and mission. Students do not enter into such environments blind. And it matters not what people outside the university think - the rules are not for them. Additionally, as a lover of words, you should know that liberty has more than one definition. Liberty as a Christian term, as well as liberty in an autonomous nature, make the name appropriate for such a school.

[Jessica]

Wow, after reading the unbelievably burdensome and restrictive (and unenforceable, in many cases) licensing and use requirements for that "most revered symbol," I'd say that at least in the field of intellectual property law, a more accurate motto would be "Knowledge Extinguished."

[WIIIAI]

Given that Liberty University was created by Jerry Falwell, of whose other progeny it was often said "The Moral Majority is Neither," it's appropriate that Lib U also has a Holy Roman Empire name.

"Knowledge Aflame" is perfect since, I assume, Lib U has a large incinerator in place of a library. "Ignorance is Strength" would also do.

[Duchesse]

Qualification U. They have qualified the chapter's charter, but since students hope to amass qualifications with a degree, the name may placate those who prefer education in the form of indoctrination.