Colleges & Seminaries

Colleges & Seminaries highlights the schools and training programs that prepare leaders for lifelong service in the church. Explore articles on Christian higher education, ministry formation, theological training, campus life, and the work of colleges and seminaries connected to churches and the Restoration Movement. You’ll find news, profiles, interviews, and updates about programs, initiatives, and events—along with stories that inform and encourage students, faculty, alumni, and church leaders. This hub helps readers stay connected to the people and institutions shaping future ministry.

October 7, 2019

Christian Standard

McCormick Announced as LCU’s Next President

The selection of Dr. Silas McCormick as the eighth president of Lincoln (Ill.) Christian University was announced Friday. McCormick will assume that position on June 1, 2020, succeeding Dr. Don Green, who has been president since 2014. McCormick, who has served the university as executive vice president since June 2018, was the unanimous selection of the school’s board of trustees. He also has served LCU as vice president of enrollment and marketing and twice as the university’s chief academic officer. According to an LCU news release, a succession team made up of trustees, faculty, and staff was drawn to both

October 2, 2019

Christian Standard

Johnson Considers Adding Trails, Public Access to River at Tennessee Campus

Johnson University Tennessee is considering providing public access to the French Broad River which borders part of campus. Adding multi-use trails to that same area is also a possibility. The announcement was made at the 2019 Legacy Parks Luncheon which Johnson hosted Friday. The Royal Scribe, a Johnson student publication, reported on the event. “Over the coming year, the university will begin a feasibility study looking at [creating] public access to the French Broad River from this very site,” said Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for the community to enjoy

September 11, 2019

Christian Standard

Several Christian Colleges Shine in ‘U.S. News’ Rankings (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon A handful of Christian church and church of Christ-affiliated colleges had strong showings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 rankings of best colleges. William Jessup University, Rocklin, Calif., earned three No. 2 rankings: Regional Colleges West (tied with California State University—Maritime Academy), Best Colleges for Veterans, and Best Undergraduate Teaching (tied with Oral Roberts University). Milligan College in Tennessee ranked No. 4 in Best Value Schools and No. 13 in Regional Universities South (tied with Longwood University). Milligan also ranked No. 43 in Top Performers in Social Mobility for “enrolling and graduating

September 4, 2019

Christian Standard

Kentucky Christian Will Celebrate 100th at Homecoming (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Kentucky Christian University will celebrate its 100-year anniversary during its Fall Homecoming Sept. 27-29. Friday highlights will include soccer matches, a banquet featuring speaker Ernie Perry, and two performances by 64 to Grayson. On Saturday there will be a tailgate and a football game. And Sunday morning worship is set for 10 a.m. Go to kcc.edu to register. The school was cofounded in 1919 by J. W. Lusby and J. O. Snodgrass. The cofounder’s son, J. Lowell Lusby, served as president for 40 years. His book about the school’s founding and history, For

August 20, 2019

Christian Standard

Allcorn Named President of Kentucky Christian University

Dr. Terry Allcorn has been named the sixth president in the 100-year history of Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Ky. The 1985 KCU graduate will replace outgoing president Dr. Jeffrey Metcalf, who announced last September that he intended to serve only until Aug. 26 of this year. Metcalf has served as president and CEO of KCU for 10 years. “I am thrilled and privileged to be the next president of Kentucky Christian University and follow in the footsteps of men I admire greatly and to work with a team that is so experienced and strong as this one,” Allcorn shared

August 14, 2019

Christian Standard

Lincoln, Great Lakes Students Win SCJ Competition (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Students at Lincoln Christian Seminary and Great Lakes Christian College took home top awards in the Stone-Campbell Journal Student Paper Competition. In addition, an Abilene Christian University graduate student won the Isaac Errett Award for his paper. Andrew Nichols, of LCS, won the graduate division with a paper called “Divine Medicine: Trials According to John Cassian.” Kalman Mate, of GLCC, won the undergraduate division with a paper called “Begetting a Man: Eve’s Response in Genesis 4:1 to the Power Move Made by Adam after the Fall.” ACU grad student Joel Childers won the

August 13, 2019

Christian Standard

Challenges to Higher Education in Independent Christian Churches

By Bill Thompson According to the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, there were approximately 900 accredited, religiously affiliated institutions of higher education in the United States as of 2010. Reports indicate many of these church-affiliated schools are financially stressed. Unfortunately, many of the colleges and universities affiliated with the independent Christian churches of the Stone-Campbell Movement are financially stressed as well. In fact, in the article “Six Stepped Down” published in Christian Standard in August 2015, five of six former presidents of such schools mentioned finances as their greatest challenge. Another challenge is dealing with the tension between academia

July 31, 2019

Christian Standard

Milligan Mourns Passing of Communications Professor Carrie Swanay (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Milligan College is mourning the death of Dr. Carrie Beth Swanay, 55, longtime professor of communications. Swanay died July 24 after a lengthy battle with cancer. A memorial service was Sunday. Swanay served the Tennessee college for 29 years, starting there when the communication major was still just emerging. For 10 years, she was area chair for performing, visual and communicative arts, Milligan reported. During her tenure, she led the faculty and the arts program through several curriculum changes, and she was instrumental in the creation of several recent majors, including graphic design

June 26, 2019

Christian Standard

KCU Recruiting Bass Fishers

By Jim Nieman Bass fishing has been added as a scholarship sport at Kentucky Christian University. That may strike some as odd, but certainly not the new head coach and the school’s associate athletic director. “Bass fishing fits Kentucky Christian University perfectly,” says Brian Slone, who was selected to coach the bass fishing team. “After all, Jesus chose fishers first” when recruiting disciples. “With the abundance of outdoor sporting activities in this region, and the popularity of this new sport on college campuses, this decision was just a natural,” said associate AD Bruce Dixon. Slone said bass fishing is becoming

June 22, 2019

Christian Standard

10 Creative Ideas for How Christian Colleges and Churches Can Collaborate . . . and Make Both Stronger

By David Fincher Christian colleges want to work with local churches to enrich the school and its students, as well as the congregation and its members. Such collaboration helps our Christian higher education institutions maintain their core mission of training church leaders. Most Christian colleges and universities work hard to recruit potential students from the church, provide professional candidates to fill staff openings, and send preachers or teachers when asked. Christian churches need to use these important resources, and Christian colleges need to clearly communicate theservices it can offer congregations. Here are 10 ideas for creative collaborationforChristian colleges and churches

May 22, 2019

Christian Standard

Point and Jessup Cited as ‘Enrollment Success Stories’

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities published an article on “Enrollment Success Stories” that features two of our Restoration Movement colleges: Point University in West Point, Ga., and William Jessup University in Rocklin, Calif. The story describes how, in 2006, Point University had 423 students, limited course offerings, and outdated facilities. “A firm of consultants estimated that it would take $17 million to make facilities fit for its current number of students,” the article stated, “as well as a $50 million investment to accommodate 1,200 students.” Much has changed over the past dozen-plus years. As of fall 2018, more

April 30, 2019

Christian Standard

Alexander to Succeed Derry as President of Hope International University

When Dr. Paul H. Alexander assumes the presidency of Hope International University in August, he will become the first alumnus of the institution to serve in that role. Alexander has been selected to succeed Dr. John L. Derry as president by HIU’s board of trustees. Alexander will begin serving as the institution’s seventh president on Aug. 16, upon Derry’s retirement. A presidential inauguration at the school in Fullerton, CA, is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 17. “I consider Paul one of my best friends and have had the privilege of working closely with him for nine years in his role as

April 17, 2019

Christian Standard

Four Christian Universities Celebrating Milestone Anniversaries

By Jim Nieman At least four Christian colleges are celebrating significant anniversaries in 2019: Mid-South Christian College is turning 60, Great Lakes Christian College is marking 70 years, Lincoln Christian University turns 75, and Kentucky Christian University will mark its 100th anniversary. KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Kentucky Christian University in Grayson will celebrate its 100th birthday during Fall Homecoming Sept. 27-29, and again on Dec. 1, the actual anniversary of its founding. The Homecoming plans are still being finalized but will include a performance by 64 to Grayson, a Christian music group that formed at KCU; live performing artist (speed painter),

April 13, 2019

Christian Standard

Updated Listing of Christian College Enrichment Activities

Christian colleges have been offering numerous opportunities for fellowship and spiritual enrichment throughout the spring. We found some additional activities being offered over the next several weeks that weren’t part of the original list we posted Feb. 6. Below is an updated chronological listing of events yet to happen. “Love Your Story . . . Embrace His Glory,” the Lincoln (Ill.) Christian Women’s Conference, is scheduled for April 24. Featured speakers will include Debbie Strater Sempsrott and Sheila Walsh. Learn more at lincolnchristian.edu. Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, Mich., will host a Women’s Spring Celebration at 6:30 p.m. April 26.

February 6, 2019

Christian Standard

Christian Colleges Offer Fellowship and Enrichment Opportunities This Spring

Christian colleges have planned numerous opportunities for fellowship and spiritual enrichment this spring. We scoured their websites and came up with this calendar of activities. If we happened to miss an event or two, please let us know at **@********************ia.com and we will be happy to add to this chronological list. _ _ _ Summit Christian College, Gering, Neb., is offering a series of “Bridge Seminars” throughout the spring. Attend the free events in person or online. Seminars led by SCC professors begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and last about 45 minutes. Church groups are welcome. Learn more at www.summitcc.net.

January 31, 2019

Christian Standard

The Origins of Hope International University

Announcement of John Derry’s retirement as president of Hope International University this coming August after 15 years in that office served to remind me it is the 90th anniversary of that institution, which originally was known as Pacific Bible Seminary. Christian Standard announced the launch of that school with a front-page story Dec. 1, 1928, and also with an editorial in that same issue. Following are excerpts from the article, but some of its details open up a bit of mystery. _ _ _ Pacific Bible Seminary New School for the Training of Loyal Christian Preachers Is Launched in Los

October 25, 2018

Christian Standard

Reporting on Johnson University’s Origins

Johnson University is hosting its 125th Anniversary Celebration today through Saturday at its Knoxville, Tenn., campus. We congratulate and extend best wishes to Johnson University, and pray for their continued success. In that spirit, we thought it would be fun to look back on the first few mentions of the school in the pages of Christian Standard . . . from way back in the 1890s. But before we do that, we should provide a few historical facts not contained in our reporting. Johnson University was founded as the School of the Evangelists on May 12, 1893, by Ashley and

September 19, 2018

Christian Standard

Crossroads College Will Transform into HIU-Minnesota

By Jim Nieman After suspending classroom instruction in August 2016, Crossroads College in Rochester, Minn., seemed to be an educational institution in name only, but work has been going on behind the scenes and two significant steps forward have occurred this summer. The college sold its 37-acre campus to Bear Creek Christian Church at the end of June (click here to read that story), and on Sept. 8, Crossroads’ representatives signed a memorandum of understanding with Hope International University, Fullerton, Calif., to establish HIU–Minnesota. The next goal, according to Curtis McGinnis, chief operating officer of Crossroads College, is to begin

July 14, 2017

Christian Standard

Mid-Atlantic Christian University Founder Dies

ELIZABETH CITY, NC “” The founder and first president of Mid-Atlantic Christian University, George W. BonDurant, died July 11 at the age of 101. He grew up in Mt. Rainer, MD, the son of William W. and Helen Lawrence BonDurant, who were committed leaders in the Restoration Movement. He received a four-year scholarship to Columbia University, New York City, but his mother, concerned about his faith in a hostile atmosphere, sent him to Erieside Christian Service Camp. After one year at Columbia, he transferred to the Cincinnati (OH) Bible Seminary. There he met and married Sarah Lou Presley. The couple helped

May 9, 2017

Christian Standard

Johnson University’s President Planning to Retire

Dr. Gary Weedman, president of Johnson University, has announced he will be retiring, effective June 30, 2018. During Weedman”s tenure as president, Johnson University experienced tremendous growth in enrollment, academic programs, and facilities. Next year will mark his 11th year as president, 18th year at Johnson, 50th year in Christian higher education, and his 75th birthday. “The words “˜thank you” hardly seem adequate for the 11 years Gary and Janis have faithfully served Johnson University, nor do the words “˜you”ve done a great job” convey sufficiently the praise they are due,” wrote L.D. Campbell, chairman of Johnson”s board of trustees.

Help Keep Christian Standard Free & Accessible with a Tax Deductible Donation

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Does Your Church Want to Support Christian Standard?

Would your church consider including support for Christian Standard in its annual missions budget? Your support would help us not only continue the 160-year legacy of this unifying ministry, but also expand the free resources, cooperative opportunities, and practical guidance we provide to strengthen churches in the U.S. and around the world.

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Secret Link