Liberty University hires executive recruiter to find new president

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Liberty University announced Wednesday that it is hiring a company called CarterBaldwin to find a new president for the Christian school.

"An extensive and national search" will take place to find the next president by CarterBaldwin.

SEE ALSO: 'Weaponization of the Liberty Way:' LU punishes women reporting sex assaults, lawsuit says

“During this season of institutional transition, Liberty University has benefited tremendously from a combination of stabilizing leaders with vast institutional experience and some of the nation’s best outside experts,” says search committee chairman Gilbert “Bud” Tinney. “The selection of CarterBaldwin demonstrates clearly Liberty’s ongoing commitment to excellence and its determination to work with the absolute best advisors to find the right individual to lead Liberty University into its next 50 years.”

Liberty University's current and interim president Jerry Prevo has been serving as the president since August 2020. His rise to the position followed former president Jerry Falwell Jr.'s firing from the role.

RELATED: 'Full of lies and half truths:' Falwell Jr. fires back following Liberty lawsuit

Prevo also chaired on the Board of Trustees for years prior to becoming president of the university.

“Liberty University will always be indebted to President Prevo for stepping out of retirement for these three years to serve Liberty tirelessly and sacrificially. His exceptional work will ensure a good start for our next leader and his own contribution to Liberty University will be remembered, and celebrated, for generations,"said Board Chairman Tim Lee.

READ MORE: Settlement reached in claim Liberty University hid rapes, punished victims

In September a full position profile will be released by the university to begin the official process of soliciting and evaluating candidates for the presidency position.

The target date for a new president's selection is before the 2023-24 school year. Prevo will continue in his role as president until the new president has been selected.

SEE ALSO: 'It was just a power grab:' Jerry Falwell Jr. says Liberty University seized his power

The university will be releasing a full position profile mid-September in order to begin the official process of soliciting and evaluating potential candidates.