Jerry’s Kids: Meet Dane Pascoe

Back in February, I announced a new blog series, called “Jerry’s Kids,” in which I’d be interviewing students, faculty, and alumni of Liberty University “every Monday or so.”  Ha.   Anyway, I’m continuing the series this week with a Liberty student who is a little less iconoclastic than the last one I interviewed.  He signs his notes, “For the KING,” and has Philippians 3:10 (“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead”) as his e-mail signature.  He comes from Hawaii, works as a lifeguard at the LaHaye Student Center, and has a weakness for blondes. Blog readers, meet Dane Pascoe.

Name: Dane Pascoe

Class year: Sophomore

Major: Biblical Studies

Why/how did you end up at Liberty?

During my junior year of high school, some students went to a college fair at a local college. After a couple hours of walking around hearing about different colleges and not particularly liking anything I heard, I became pretty discouraged. When it was time to go, I noticed an attractive blonde representative smiling at me on my way to the exit. She was holding up a sign that read “Liberty University.” Having nothing to lose, I approached her and flirtatiously asked about Liberty. I quickly forgot about how gorgeous she was, and became more and more fascinated with the idea of attending Liberty.  I liked that Liberty was Christian, has a big student body/campus, is affordable, has D1 athletics, and is in Virginia.  God baited me.

What’s your favorite thing about Liberty?  Your least favorite?

Favorite thing: Despite the direction our culture and country is headed, Liberty is a place where students can come and get a great Christian college education. There aren’t too many colleges nowadays who hold true to their original mission.  I’m also extremely thankful for the generous amount of financial aid I’m receiving!

Least favorite: That 96% of applicants get in.  I’d like to see a degree from Liberty actually mean something– right now admission to LU doesn’t mean much. With the amount of applications the admissions office boasts about receiving each year, I’d like to see LU get a little more selective.

Who’s the most inspiring person you’ve met at Liberty?

Dr. Don Fowler, a religion prof, has had a tremendous impact on my life. Fowler is a very busy guy, yet he’s always taken the time to hang out and talk with me. He’s taught me a great deal and I’m very thankful for him. Fowler is the man.

What’s the most reprimands you’ve gotten for a single rule violation?  What was the violation?

I’ve actually never gotten a reprimand, although I definitely should have multiple times.  Freshman year, my buddy Pete and I climbed up into the ceiling of our dorm and went around lifting up the tiles to say “hi” to guys chilling in their rooms. We had gracious RAs that decided not to punish us.

Do you think Liberty students are more or less tolerant than their non-Christian counterparts?

I consider myself moderate leaning left, and when I’ve espoused my political opinions I’ve encountered both tolerance and intolerance. I’ve been told that while the individual didn’t agree with me, they respected my opinion.  I’ve also been told I’m not a Christian because I like the president, who happens to be pro-choice (even though I am not).  At Liberty, it’s customary to identify with the conservative platform—even you don’t have the slightest idea what that is. Basically, if you like Obama at Liberty, be ready to be called a “socialist” (and know why he isn’t).

Liberty students/faculty/alumni: Want to be interviewed?  E-mail me.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at 10:09 am .