Cincinnati Christian University

Main Entrance to CCU's campus from Glenway Avenue

Cincinnati Christian University (formerly Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary) is a private Christian university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. CCU is supported by the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, which are part of the Restoration Movement.

Heritage and History

Cincinnati Christian University was formed in 1924 by the merger of two institutions — McGarvey Bible College in Louisville, Kentucky, and Cincinnati Bible Institute — to form the Cincinnati Bible Seminary.^[1]

CCU has offered both undergraduate and graduate studies since its inception in 1924. Since then, the graduate program has grown and expanded, having enjoyed its own identity since 1956 and a separate faculty since 1965. In 1987, the corporate name of the institution was changed to Cincinnati Bible College & Seminary. In 2004, the Center of Adult Learning and Leadership began offering adults an evening accelerated format to complete undergraduate degrees; that same year the corporate name became Cincinnati Christian University. Today CCU’s academics are governed by the Foster School of Biblical Studies, Arts & Sciences; Russell School of Ministry; School of Education & Behavioral Sciences; School of Business; Center of Adult Learning and Leadership; and Cincinnati Bible Seminary.^[1]

According to their founding charter, the purpose of CBS was "to prepare men and women for Christian service." At that time, the university’s founders wanted to meet the pressing leadership needs of independent local churches that were associated with the Restoration Movement fellowship and they wanted to provide students with an education that was well-grounded in the Word of God.^[1]

1924: Price Hill campus consisted of two large residences and a rented church building
1939: Campus moved to present location after purchase of 27 acres with 5 buildings
1941: University purchased a Presbyterian church building for use for chapel services until 1983
1968: Edwin G. Crouch Memorial Building was erected to house the library and the graduate school.
1968: Adjoining properties were added to campus.
1983: Presidents Hall, a multi-purpose facility, was dedicated..
2004: Worship and Ministry Center was dedicated
2007: Presidents Hall entry pavilion and outdoor plaza added and dedicated
2015: The Price Hill campus now includes fifty-four acres, and CCU has established extension sites in Springdale, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana. ^[1]

Campus

TO EAT: There are two dining options available on campus, offering students flexibility in their choices and eating schedules. The Student Union^[2] is CCU's main Dining Hall. Located in Presidents Hall, it is open at specific times throughout the day and offers a wide variety of hot meals, grill options and a large salad bar. In the lower level of the Worship and Ministry building, the Hill Top Coffee Shop^[3] serves soups and sandwiches throughout the day as well as snacks and a wide variety of coffees and teas.

TO PLAY: There is always something happening around campus to keep students engaged. Whether it’s attending an athletic event, playing instruments, participating in a student organization, or just hanging out with friends, students have no problems finding things to keep them occupied. The Eagle's Nest (Student Center), located in the Worship and Ministry Building, is a constant hub of activity that features the Hill Top Coffee Shop, pool tables, a TV lounge, ping-pong and group study areas.

TO STUDY: When it is time for homework or to study for an exam, the students have all the resources they need. The George Mark Elliott Library^[4] provides the CCU community with resources and services to get the information they need. The library has a collection of over 150,000 books (both print and electronic), microforms, and audio-visual media with access to thousands of more resources through their databases and affiliations. Additionally, there are wireless internet hotspots throughout campus so students can study virtually anywhere on our hill.

TO LIVE: CCU’s urban location means that they have a higher commuter-rate than many Christian colleges, but some students are required to live on campus. There are two dormitories at CCU where students reside. Each dorm has a Hall Coordinator who lives in the building and is responsible for all aspects of dorm life. Additionally, each floor has a Resident Assistant (RA), a student who counsels, guides, and assists residents with any issues. Some CCU upperclassmen reside in The CCU Village, made up of 6-8 houses within a short walk of the campus.

The university's main campus is located in Cincinnati's western neighborhood of just a few miles west of downtown Cincinnati, but classes are also offered at extension sites in Sharonville, Ohio, and in Indianapolis. In 2009 CCU began offering classes in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and in the Greater Louisville area.

Academics

The university is structured into five schools: Biblical Studies, Arts, and Sciences;^[5] Ministry;^[6] Education^[7] and Behavioral Sciences;^[8] Business;^[9] and Adult Learning^[10]. Bachelor's degrees or minors are offered in Biblical Studies, English, Communication Arts, Public Theology, Signing/Interpretation (ASL), Preaching Ministry, Youth Ministry, Urban & Intercultural Ministry, Music,^[11] Early Childhood Education, Adolescent/Young Adult English, Psychology, and Business Management with concentrations in Accounting, Sports Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Information Technology.^[12] Graduate degrees are offered in Counseling (MAC),^[13] Religion (MAR),^[14] and Divinity (MDiv).^[15]

Cincinnati Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.^[16] Cincinnati Bible Seminary is also accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.^[16] CCU is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities, an organization including all of the accredited colleges and universities in the area. This consortium relationship gives students access to course offerings of the other institutions through a cross-registration arrangement as well as access to library resources of the other schools in the consortium.

CCU is a member of the Association of Schools of Jerusalem University College (formerly known as the Institute of Holy Land Studies) and is approved to offer the Master of Arts in Counseling program by the Ohio Counseling and Social Worker Board. The Master of Arts in Counseling degree is pre-approved as a qualifying degree for licensure as a professional counselor by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. The Department of Behavioral Sciences has been approved under The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).^[17]

Athletics

Cincinnati Christian's athletic teams, nicknamed the Eagles, are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC). The Eagles also compete as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I level. Men's sports include basketball, baseball, volleyball, cross country, golf and soccer; while women's sports include women's basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Men's golf and women's softball were announced December, 2014.^[18]

On June 1, Cincinnati Christian University announced the addition of NAIA varsity football to begin play in 2016. David Fulcher was announced the program’s first head coach. Fulcher, a three-time All-American, was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft. Fulcher had a distinguished eight-year professional career, was a three-time All-Pro selection, and played in Super Bowl XXIII against the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Fulcher is up for the challenge of starting the university’s newest sport and declared, "I’m ready to go. I’m excited for Eagle football at CCU." The football team will compete in the Mid-South Conference.^[19]

Notable alumni

• George W. BonDurant BA 1936, founder and former president of Atlanta Christian College and Mid-Atlantic Christian University.
• Terry Bradds BA 1980, jazz guitarist.
• Dan Burton member of United States House of Representatives from Indiana. Also former university campus minister
• Jackson Cottrell BA 1959, Christian theologian. Wayne Grudem's favorite Arminian theologian.
• William A. Griffin MA 1979, former president of Mid-Atlantic Christian University.
• Rich Mullins, Christian musician.
• Michael A. O'Donnell MA 1983, former professor of Family Studies and founding Executive Director of the Southwest Center for Fathering at Abilene Christian University.
• James E. Smith, Biblical scholar and professor at Johnson University Florida.
• Mindy Smith, singer/songwriter.
• James D. Strauss, theologian.
• Seth Wilson BA 1936, Dean of Ozark Christian College.
• Michael J. Fawks Godfather of author Periwinkle Kudzu.
• Tim Peace Christian Musician and singer songwriter.
• Tom Thatcher prominent scholar in Johannine Studies

Presidents

On November 11, 2015, the Board of Trustees of Cincinnati Christian University announced the appointment of Dr. David Ray as the university’s interim president. The Board selected Dr. Ray to ensure a smooth leadership transition to the next full-time president of CCU. He will serve as interim president until CCU's 9th President is appointed by The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.^[20]

References

External links

• Cincinnati Christian University Official Website
• Cincinnati Christian University Official Athletics Website