
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 8, 1990                   TAG: 9003082083
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Medium

FALWELL INVITATION IRKS SOME AT MCV

Some students at the Medical College of Virginia have asked the school's administration to withdraw its invitation to the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who is scheduled to speak at graduation ceremonies this spring.

"His positions on a variety of issues - abortion rights, women's rights, gay rights, creationism - we just don't believe he's an exemplary role model for graduating physicians," student Robert Christie said during an interview.

Christie was one of 21 students who met for an hour Wednesday with Dr. Stephen M. Ayres, dean of the School of Medicine.

"I didn't give up four years of my life and put up $27,000 . . . to go hear someone who is intolerant of nearly every group I support," Marc Rozner told Ayres.

Ayres said Falwell, whose daughter, Jeannie, is one of 155 seniors scheduled to graduate from MCV in May, has been invited to march in the academic procession and to speak for five to seven minutes on the practice of medicine and healing.

Graduating students' parents who are members of the clergy are traditionally asked to participate in graduation, Ayres said.

"We're not asking him for his opinions on gays or abortions," said the dean, who chastized the students for being "intolerant."

Falwell, a Lynchburg television evangelist, founded the Moral Majority in the 1980s. The group, which was dismantled last year, supported a variety of conservative causes, including voluntary prayer in public schools and a ban on abortion.

"It's not what he says there; it's what he stands for," said Rozner.

Christie said he wouldn't object to Falwell's giving the invocation or the benediction at graduation, but he opposes allowing Falwell to give a speech.

"Some people are considering a boycott or a walkout," Christie said.

After the meeting, Ayres said the invitation would not be withdrawn.

"He'll be speaking. We haven't decided yet what his participation will be," Ayres said. "I'm willing to consider an alternative."

Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University and pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, was traveling yesterday and couldn't be reached for comment.

by CNB