New name of Baptist Bible College & Seminary of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania:
Baptist Bible College & Seminary Obtains University Status
Baptist Bible College & Seminary Obtains University Status
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Summit University
- Thread starter Jerome
- Start date
Greektim
Well-Known Member
Bible colleges tend to decrease in size and enrollment when they do this. Mine sure did. I hope not for them.
Dropping "Bible" from a college that is fully accredited and offering many liberal arts programs is not necessarily bad. But a historic "Baptist" school dropping that moniker and then just going after a secular/neutral name like "Summit" (which sounds like any community college in America) is troublesome.
It is a sign of deep change within philosophy.
A few decades ago, BBC's sister school and also "approved" by the GARBC (General Assoc. of Regular Baptist Churches) changed its name. Evolution since 1975
Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College
Grand Rapids Baptist College
Cornerstone College
Cornerstone University
Today it has NO tie to "Baptist" (proudly, in their publications) or their founding principles.
It is a sign of deep change within philosophy.
A few decades ago, BBC's sister school and also "approved" by the GARBC (General Assoc. of Regular Baptist Churches) changed its name. Evolution since 1975
Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College
Grand Rapids Baptist College
Cornerstone College
Cornerstone University
Today it has NO tie to "Baptist" (proudly, in their publications) or their founding principles.
That is the school my younger brother graduated from......its in Clarks Summit Pa. I'm sure he will be happy with the University Status. It was originally a Jesuit RC school. Do you see any evidence of it in the architecture?
Given the history of the "Bible college" movement, this is another step in a fascinating journey.
I can honestly say that I don't find it surprising that they've made this turn. You've got to wonder though, how the founders of all these institutions would react. The whole intent of the Bible college plan was to offer a non-university, exclusively ministry oriented institution that focused on training up pastors and missionaries who remained faithful to certain theological tenants amid a university structure that was increasingly marginalizing those positions.
By diversifying their educational platform certainly helps with bringing in funds, and access to the federal student loan program does that even more so, but that wasn't the original vision of these institutions. These were to be separate, distinctive institutions with a singular purpose.
Just a curious development I suppose. I'm not at all opposed to it.
I can honestly say that I don't find it surprising that they've made this turn. You've got to wonder though, how the founders of all these institutions would react. The whole intent of the Bible college plan was to offer a non-university, exclusively ministry oriented institution that focused on training up pastors and missionaries who remained faithful to certain theological tenants amid a university structure that was increasingly marginalizing those positions.
By diversifying their educational platform certainly helps with bringing in funds, and access to the federal student loan program does that even more so, but that wasn't the original vision of these institutions. These were to be separate, distinctive institutions with a singular purpose.
Just a curious development I suppose. I'm not at all opposed to it.
A point of clarification - BBS (the original name was Baptist Bible Seminary and located in Binghamton, NY) bought the Campus of the Jesuit Roman Catholic School ( I think that was in'69).
BBS/BBC was never affiliated with the Catholics other then purchasing the campus.
I know my alma mater was Maranatha Baptist Bible College founded by Dr B Myron Cedarholm. Historic fundamental, totally independent.
It is high quality education, fully accredited, nursing, ROTC, 40 majors, D-3 NCAA Football etc. About 25 years ago they STOPPED the Bible major (used to have 30 credits of your 132 in Bible and earned a "major") but simply made those credits part of a 55-credit "core" every student had to take. BUT you had to have a "real" major/minor, not just "Bible".
LOTS of complaints but kept Bible in the college name. Achieved university status and just a year ago changed to Maranatha Baptist University. They wanted the "spiritual" impact of Maranatha so as not to be confused with a community college named after a city or buzz-word. And administration thought long and hard about keeping "Baptist" in the new name.
This distinguishes the school, laying out foundation that might be missing in schools that let the name slide.
But would not be surprised in 10 years to see it simply Maranatha University - so not throwing stones at Summit
I've been on their "new" campus in Clarks Summit and it is lovely.
It is high quality education, fully accredited, nursing, ROTC, 40 majors, D-3 NCAA Football etc. About 25 years ago they STOPPED the Bible major (used to have 30 credits of your 132 in Bible and earned a "major") but simply made those credits part of a 55-credit "core" every student had to take. BUT you had to have a "real" major/minor, not just "Bible".
LOTS of complaints but kept Bible in the college name. Achieved university status and just a year ago changed to Maranatha Baptist University. They wanted the "spiritual" impact of Maranatha so as not to be confused with a community college named after a city or buzz-word. And administration thought long and hard about keeping "Baptist" in the new name.
This distinguishes the school, laying out foundation that might be missing in schools that let the name slide.
But would not be surprised in 10 years to see it simply Maranatha University - so not throwing stones at Summit
I've been on their "new" campus in Clarks Summit and it is lovely.
Greektim
Well-Known Member
Since the bible college movement is all but defunked, I think bible colleges, in order to stay relevant and open, need to make these kind of changes. My only worry is whether they can keep their heads above water while doing so. There are so many Christian universities out there to compete with that are large, affluent, and well established. These schools are coming late into the game with a strange foundation (strange in comparison w/ the other universities). While it is a good change, it may be dead before it ever gains speed. Then again, it may just flourish in its own right.
As I said, my alma mater did this and they are dwindling. I expect them to be closed in 10 years.
As I said, my alma mater did this and they are dwindling. I expect them to be closed in 10 years.
In 2004, Practical Bible Institute (founded early 1900's) changed its name to Davis College. The reason given was that students found it harder to find secular employment in jobs such as teaching -with only a "Bible institute" degree.
Summit University sued by cult over name; ex-faculty of failed Mid-Continent University also trying to use same name:
https://dockets.justia.com/docket/montana/mtdce/1:2015cv00071/49075
["Church Universal and Triumphant" says they've copyrighted the name for their indoctrination seminars]
Former professor at bankrupted Mid-Continent University is trying to make his dream of starting his own school come true, wants to call it Summit University too:
http://www.paducahsun.com/PrintPage/092915_PS_Summit
"Former MCU faculty member Keith Roach told the Graves Fiscal Court on Monday that he and several others are proposing a new school that would be called Summit University."
https://dockets.justia.com/docket/montana/mtdce/1:2015cv00071/49075
["Church Universal and Triumphant" says they've copyrighted the name for their indoctrination seminars]
Former professor at bankrupted Mid-Continent University is trying to make his dream of starting his own school come true, wants to call it Summit University too:
http://www.paducahsun.com/PrintPage/092915_PS_Summit
"Former MCU faculty member Keith Roach told the Graves Fiscal Court on Monday that he and several others are proposing a new school that would be called Summit University."
Lawsuit from cult holding trademark prompts school to abandon name after less than a year:
http://theabingtonjournal.com/news/...y-formerly-baptist-bible-college-and-seminary
http://theabingtonjournal.com/news/...y-formerly-baptist-bible-college-and-seminary
Now it's 'Clarks Summit University':
Summit University of Pennsylvania Applies for Name Adjustment
"the university’s mission and doctrine will remain the same as it has since its inception in 1932.”
Summit University of Pennsylvania Applies for Name Adjustment
"the university’s mission and doctrine will remain the same as it has since its inception in 1932.”
The official Website is still Summit University