Chuck Norris to speak at Liberty University commencement

By Christa Desrets

Published: March 26, 2008

Six-time world karate champion, movie and television star and Internet phenomenon Chuck Norris is coming to Lynchburg May 10 as Liberty University’s commencement speaker.

“He’s a strong Christian, he’s a strong conservative, and he’s honored to be coming to Liberty University,” Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced at the school’s Wednesday-morning convocation service. “We’re honored to have him.”

Falwell said the idea to host Norris as the commencement speaker came from graduating seniors.

Falwell’s wife, Becki, had asked around for ideas, “and one name kept coming back over and over,” Falwell said.

Jonathan Carone, a senior graduating with a degree in sports management, was one student who asked for Norris, who’s perhaps best known for his long-running role on the CBS television series “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

Norris also was in the news this year for endorsing former Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee, who also spoke at Liberty.

Carone got the idea of asking Norris to speak at commencement, he said, from an ongoing Internet joke called “Chuck Norris Facts.”
In the past few years, the satirical phenomenon has been used to poke fun at roles the actor has
portrayed.

Typically, the jokes insinuate that Norris has super powers like those of characters he has played on TV and in the movies.

In October 2006, Norris wrote a column about the “facts” for World Net Daily, a conservative news Web site.
One “Chuck Norris Fact” that he responded to states that, “There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.”

“It’s funny. It’s cute,” Norris wrote in the column. “But here’s what I really think about the theory of evolution: It’s not real. It is not the way we got here. In fact, the life you see on this planet is really just a list of creatures God has allowed to live. … Without Him, I don’t have any power. But with Him, the Bible tells me, I really can do all things — and so can you.”

“Some (facts) are funny. Some are pretty far out,” he wrote. “And, thankfully, most are just promoting harmless fun. … I neither take offense nor take these things too seriously. I’m so grateful for my fans.”

Carone, too, had heard the “Chuck Norris Facts” and started his own jest — that the Hollywood star should speak at his commencement.

“It started off as a joke really but we just thought it would be really cool,” Carone said. “I just thought it would be funny to be able to say that Chuck Norris spoke at my graduation.”

Plus, he said, it would make his graduation day special.

“It will be more fun listening to him than some politician that I don’t care about,” he said. “I’d rather have a fun day than someone preaching to me about how they’re going to change the world.”

At convocation, Falwell read an e-mail to the audience sent by Norris’ wife, Gena, confirming her husband’s appearance.

“We really feel that this is something that the Lord wants him to do,” Falwell read from the e-mail. “We say ‘no’ to about 98 percent of the wonderful things that we are asked to visit in order to be able to say ‘yes’ to the few things God has called us to do. We are really excited about this.”

Falwell said the school previously had invited First Lady Laura Bush to speak at the event, but she had a scheduling conflict because of her daughter Jenna’s wedding.

“Maybe we can do that another year,” Falwell said.

He said the school is happy to host Norris on May 10 at the school’s Williams Stadium.

“They cheered and cheered and cheered,” he said, referring to students at convocation hearing the news. “The students are really excited.”