Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will give the commencement address May 12 at Liberty University, an ultra conservative Christian college in Lynchburg, Va., the school announced Thursday.
The university, founded by late evangelical pastor Jerry Falwell, has hosted many presidential contenders, dating back to then-candidate Ronald Regan in 1980. In the run up to the Republican presidential primaries last fall, Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin all made appearances on the campus.
Romney is making his first visit to the campus at a time when he’s trying to shore up conservative support in a swing state to which President Obama has committed significant resources.
“This will be a historic event for Liberty University reminiscent of the visits of governor, and then-presidential candidate, Ronald Reagan to Liberty’s campus in 1980 and of President George H.W. Bush, who spoke at Liberty’s 1990 commencement ceremony,” said Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., the founder’s son.
Romney will address 14,000 graduates, 34,000 guests and more than 70,000 families viewing online.
