Liberty University, in Lynchburg, VA, is finding itself in the heart of a storm after its president Jerry Falwell Jr., the son of late evangelist Rev. Jerry Falwell, tweeted a racist photo in the wake of George Floyd's murder.
Nearly three dozen Black alumni of the school denounced Falwell’s actions in a public letter, and a highly regarded Black female athlete at the school, Asia Todd, has decided to enter the transfer portal citing racial insensitivity.
"I pray that you guys respect my decision and that you guys can pray for me as I am seeking for a new home and a great fit," Todd said.
The schools director of diversity LeeQuan McLaurin, and a faculty member Dr. Christopher House have also resigned in protest. McLaurin, told MSNBC in an email that Liberty’s student body has gone from 10 percent black to 4 percent over time from 2007 to 2018.
Falwell and avid supporter of Donald Trump, has since apologized for the tweet.
The growing national civil unrest, in the aftermath of the brutal killing of George Floyd at the hands of police office in Minneapolis, has caused a growing number of Black students and student athletes to consider attending HBCUs.