PRINCETON -- A Johston County  high school student made national headlines when he was arrested on Monday and faces expulsion for accidentally leaving a shotgun in his pickup truck in the school parking lot. Now, he has been offered a full scholarship at a Virginia university founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., while traveling in North Carolina, learned of Cole Withrow's story. The 18-year-old was wearing a “Liberty Football” T-shirt. Falwell followed up with him, discovering his sister was a graduate.

School officials learned that Withrow has accidentally left a shotgun in his truck after skeet shooting over the weekend when he used a phone in school office to notify him mom. The conversation was overheard by a school official.  While it was first reported he would be suspended for a year and and day, school officials later said he could finish his work at an alternative school. His family is appealing the move and many in the community have rallied to his cause.

Falwell issued the following statement on offering a scholarship: "When I reached out to encourage this responsible and impressive young man, I learned that he wanted to go to Liberty University, but couldn't afford it. I told him that we would do whatever he needed so that he can attend Liberty. Anti-gun zealots tried to vilify him for doing the right thing, so Liberty has decided to award him the help he needs to attend a private Christian college. I was really impressed with Cole. He is a humble and meek Christian kid who only wants to do the right thing! We want students like Cole Withrow."