Dan Casey is The Roanoke Times' metro columnist.

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Dan Casey

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Wow!

I launched a little contest last week to rename Liberty University, in light of its administrators' decision to revoke the status of the College Democrats.

I had little inkling then that so many folks felt strongly about that Lynchburg institution. I certainly have one now -- after more than 300 submissions (and counting) to the contest poured in.

The top prize, a signed copy of Jon Winokur's "The Big Book of Irony," goes to Steve Aldridge of New Haven, Conn. His nomination was "Holier Than U," which implies a superior piety and is a neat twist on a common phrase.

The runner-up and winner of an unsigned copy of the same book is Sharon Rapoport of Roanoke, the first of many players to suggest "Lobotomy University." A chief advantage with that is Liberty would not have to change its logo.

"I am quite ambitious when it comes to collecting awards of disparagement and infamy," Rapoport kidded.

She barely beat out Juan Roman of Roanoke County, who suggested "Limbaughty University" after the famous radio talk-show host. Others submitted a single-letter change to "Lie-berty University."

Many, many players suggested Falwell University, or Failwell University and one proposed Fundagelical U. But it appears their entries were driven by the shock value of those initials on T-shirts, bumper stickers and the mountain in Lynchburg where the big LU stands today.

"How about NO LIBERTY University?" wrote Carl Correll, of Christiansburg.

"Dan," he added, "I think this ... was an excellent exercise in how many people can have independent thought and a sense of humor ... as long as they aren't one of Jerry's Kids."

But some readers bridled at the contest. One was Brittney Ryan of Colonial Heights.

"All these names are coming from the media's weak and shallow attempts at bashing Christianity in the 21st century," Ryan wrote. "Sure, joke at a funny name, but stop being so hateful to college kids who are bettering themselves with a college education."

Another is Will Roberts of Roanoke: "Why don't you people quit spending all this time bashing a great man and his legacy, including his university, and start looking for ways to change the world for the better like Rev. Falwell spent most of his life doing?"

Roberts suggested "True Freedom Through Christ University" or "You Shall Know the Truth and the Truth Shall Set You Free University."

Some readers far more intellectual than I divined names from dead languages. Biologist Jim Palmieri of Roanoke County suggested Didaskaleinophobia U, (fear of going to school or leaving a place of trust). Artist Fleda Ring of Roanoke suggested Sinistrophobia U (fear of things to the left) or Eleutherophobia U (fear of freedom).

Thomas Brighton of Roanoke recommended a sign at the front gate: "Please leave your God given Free Will at the Door." And Becky Witt of Salem suggested "Our Way or No Way U."

But more than one reader argued that when the late Rev. Jerry Falwell named the university, it had little to do with the concept of political freedom -- which to me is what made its action against the Democrats seem so deliciously ironic.

California writer Nancy Friedman referred me to an essay about Christian liberty by minister and evangelical writer John MacArthur. He outlines the concept as "the freedom to function by the internal working of the Spirit. Because Christian liberty begins with faith in Jesus Christ."

So perhaps my contest was off the mark. It would not be the first time. In any event, I sincerely thank you for playing along, folks.

Dan Casey's column runs Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.