Lynchburg is a city in the central part of the state of Virginia. The city and the surrounding area make up the fifth-largest metro area in the state.
It is best known as the birthplace and residence of conservative Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell and the institutions he founded: Thomas Road Baptist Church, Liberty University, and Liberty Christian Academy. However, the city also has several other institutions of higher learning: Central Virginia Community College (public community college), Lynchburg College (private, affiliated with the Disciples of Christ), Randolph College (private non-sectarian co-educational), Sweet Briar College (private non-sectarian female), and Virginia University of Lynchburg (private non-sectarian, historical black college).