MONTREAT, N.C. -- Montreat College students, faculty and staff gathered at the campus student center to watch a broadcast of Rev. Billy Graham's funeral on Friday.
The campus is just down the road from the home where Rev. Graham lived during the last decade of his life. Sophomore Deanna Lewis watched the funeral during a break between classes.
"It's amazing," Lewis said. "He's amazing, and knowing that he lived right up the road, it's amazing."
Professor Cynthia Howell first heard Rev. Graham as a child at one of his crusades, and she frequently reminded her students of the pastor's impact.
"I believe they're the next generation," Prof. Howell said. "I believe whether they saw him or not, they know this is an important time in history."
Senior Sean Doman also watched Rev. Graham as a child.
"I grew up having parents, they would watch Billy Graham on TBN [Trinity Broadcasting Network], and my mom, she would just tell me to come look at him preaching," Doman recalled. "I would feel a huge presence from his voice, and just how he'll shared the gospel."