Crichton College
Encyclopedia
Victory University, formerly Crichton College, is a private for-profit Christian
, liberal arts
college
located in Memphis, Tennessee
.
Victory University is a four-year, coeducational institution owned by California
-based Significant Education. The institution intends to combine higher education with evangelical Christian faith and to integrate learning with the needs of people in contemporary society. Victory University intends to base its academic programs, philosophy, and the life of the University on Biblical
principles.
Victory University offers majors in psychology, biblical studies, business, biology, chemistry, professional education, pre-nursing, English, history, liberal studies, and pre-law. The faculty is encouraged to motivate students to practice a reasoned and vital religious faith to enable them to lead mature and creative lives. While the faculty attends different churches, they are selected as dedicated Christians committed to the ideals of free inquiry in the pursuit of truth and respect for all people. The student body is stated to represent diverse churches, races, and social backgrounds.
Victory University endeavors to offer students a well-rounded educational experience, which allows them to explore all dimensions of their personalities while, at the same time, receiving instruction in the pursuit of a career. The institution also endeavors to promote whole person development, recognizing that under the sovereignty of God all people possess intellectual, spiritual, psychological, and physical dimensions.
As of January 2010 there were approximately 700 students enrolled, and tuition was approximately $3900 per semester.
The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
(SACS).
, established an evening Bible study class in Memphis, Tennessee. The response to the class was so encouraging that a group of Christian men began investigating the potential of establishing a permanent institution that would provide an opportunity for the study of the Bible and Bible-related subjects. On December 13, 1944, a Board of Directors met to establish such an institution as allowed under the laws of the State of Tennessee. Dr. T. Stanley Soltau was the first Chairman of the Board and the Reverend Thomas McKinney was the Director of the Mid-South Bible Center. The MSBC received its charter of incorporation on December 19, 1944.
Reverend McKinney resigned in 1947 and was succeeded by Dr. J. Howard Goddard in 1948. Under Dr. Goddard’s direction the MSBC established a three-year Bible Institute and enrolled ten students in the fall semester of 1948. The State of Tennessee authorized an amendment to the Charter of the MSBC to change the name to Mid-South Bible Institute. In May 1955 Dr. James B. Crichton was elected as the successor of Dr. Goddard. A non-credit Adult Education Program was established in September 1955 and, simultaneously, a one-year Basic Bible Course was introduced in the Day School curriculum.
On February 14, 1957, the Education Committee recommended to the Board that the Mid-South Bible Institute introduce a four-year Bible college program into the curriculum. The program was formally approved on April 10, 1958 and was introduced that fall. A second amendment was granted by the state on May 26, 1960 changing the college name to Mid-South Bible College. Mid-South Bible College was first accredited by the Association of Biblical Higher Education in 1971. Mid-South Bible College began a Teacher Education program in 1982 to prepare Christian men and women to teach in schools. Majors were offered in social sciences, natural sciences, elementary education, music education, and church music. The decision was subsequently made to seek accreditation by the College Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation was granted in January 1986. A four-year Bachelor’s degree program in Psychology was added in the fall of 1985 and a major in Business Administration was added in 1987.
Dr. James B. Crichton, long-time President of the College, died in 1984 and was replaced by Dr. Robert J. Hilgenberg. The Board of Directors approved another name change in 1987 to honor President Dr. James B. Crichton. The name change also reflected the academic changes in the school, from a Bible college to a Christian liberal arts college. In 1989, Crichton moved to 6655 Winchester Road, in the urbanized Southeastern part of Shelby County between Germantown
and Memphis. There, Crichton shared a campus with local megachurch
, Central Church. Under the guidance of Presidents Dr. Lawrence McGrath and Dr. Larry R. Brooks, the college began offering a successful degree completion program in the early 1990’s. President Dr. Ronald R. Schmidt led the school’s relocation to Highland Avenue in 2002 and retired in 2003 due to illness. The Board of Directors elected Dr. Larry B. Lloyd as President in 2004.
During 2009, Dr. John M. Borek, Jr. was appointed President and California-based Significant Federation bought the financially-troubled institution, which became a for-profit business.
In 2010 the College announced that the Board of Directors, SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), and THEC (Tennessee Higher Education Commission) had approved the name of the college to change to Victory University. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
was given the title of Chancellor
and became a fundraiser for the institution, although Huckabee did not take up residence in Memphis.
(B.A.) degree and Bachelor of Science
(B.S.) degrees in a range of disciplines and interdisciplinary studies. An Associate of Science in Christian Ministry is the only two-year degree offered. It also offers certificate programs in teacher education, biblical studies and urban youth ministries.
Prior to 2006, Victory University was a member of the NCCAA, the National Christian College Athletic Association
; In 2006, VU joined the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) in the NAIA
, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In the 2009-2010 school year Crichton left the NAIA. Intercolegiate athletic programs were suspended in the Spring of 2009 because of the financial troubles of the institution, but are being re-instated, beginning with basketball
.
In April 2010, President John M. Borek, Jr. announced that Scott Robinson was appointed Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach. Membership applications have been filed with the NAIA and NCCAA.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
located in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
.
Victory University is a four-year, coeducational institution owned by California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
-based Significant Education. The institution intends to combine higher education with evangelical Christian faith and to integrate learning with the needs of people in contemporary society. Victory University intends to base its academic programs, philosophy, and the life of the University on Biblical
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
principles.
Victory University offers majors in psychology, biblical studies, business, biology, chemistry, professional education, pre-nursing, English, history, liberal studies, and pre-law. The faculty is encouraged to motivate students to practice a reasoned and vital religious faith to enable them to lead mature and creative lives. While the faculty attends different churches, they are selected as dedicated Christians committed to the ideals of free inquiry in the pursuit of truth and respect for all people. The student body is stated to represent diverse churches, races, and social backgrounds.
Victory University endeavors to offer students a well-rounded educational experience, which allows them to explore all dimensions of their personalities while, at the same time, receiving instruction in the pursuit of a career. The institution also endeavors to promote whole person development, recognizing that under the sovereignty of God all people possess intellectual, spiritual, psychological, and physical dimensions.
As of January 2010 there were approximately 700 students enrolled, and tuition was approximately $3900 per semester.
The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
(SACS).
History
In the fall of 1941 the Reverend Thomas McKinney, a recent graduate from Dallas Theological SeminaryDallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary is an evangelical theological seminary located in Dallas, Texas. It is known for popularizing the theological system known as Dispensationalism...
, established an evening Bible study class in Memphis, Tennessee. The response to the class was so encouraging that a group of Christian men began investigating the potential of establishing a permanent institution that would provide an opportunity for the study of the Bible and Bible-related subjects. On December 13, 1944, a Board of Directors met to establish such an institution as allowed under the laws of the State of Tennessee. Dr. T. Stanley Soltau was the first Chairman of the Board and the Reverend Thomas McKinney was the Director of the Mid-South Bible Center. The MSBC received its charter of incorporation on December 19, 1944.
Reverend McKinney resigned in 1947 and was succeeded by Dr. J. Howard Goddard in 1948. Under Dr. Goddard’s direction the MSBC established a three-year Bible Institute and enrolled ten students in the fall semester of 1948. The State of Tennessee authorized an amendment to the Charter of the MSBC to change the name to Mid-South Bible Institute. In May 1955 Dr. James B. Crichton was elected as the successor of Dr. Goddard. A non-credit Adult Education Program was established in September 1955 and, simultaneously, a one-year Basic Bible Course was introduced in the Day School curriculum.
On February 14, 1957, the Education Committee recommended to the Board that the Mid-South Bible Institute introduce a four-year Bible college program into the curriculum. The program was formally approved on April 10, 1958 and was introduced that fall. A second amendment was granted by the state on May 26, 1960 changing the college name to Mid-South Bible College. Mid-South Bible College was first accredited by the Association of Biblical Higher Education in 1971. Mid-South Bible College began a Teacher Education program in 1982 to prepare Christian men and women to teach in schools. Majors were offered in social sciences, natural sciences, elementary education, music education, and church music. The decision was subsequently made to seek accreditation by the College Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation was granted in January 1986. A four-year Bachelor’s degree program in Psychology was added in the fall of 1985 and a major in Business Administration was added in 1987.
Dr. James B. Crichton, long-time President of the College, died in 1984 and was replaced by Dr. Robert J. Hilgenberg. The Board of Directors approved another name change in 1987 to honor President Dr. James B. Crichton. The name change also reflected the academic changes in the school, from a Bible college to a Christian liberal arts college. In 1989, Crichton moved to 6655 Winchester Road, in the urbanized Southeastern part of Shelby County between Germantown
Germantown, Tennessee
Germantown is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee. The population was 38,844 at the 2010 census.Germantown is a suburb of Memphis, bordering it to the east. Germantown's economy is dominated by the retail and commercial service sectors; there is no heavy industry in Germantown...
and Memphis. There, Crichton shared a campus with local megachurch
Megachurch
A megachurch is a church having 2,000 or more in average weekend attendance. The Hartford Institute's database lists more than 1,300 such Protestant churches in the United States. According to that data, approximately 50 churches on the list have attendance ranging from 10,000 to 47,000...
, Central Church. Under the guidance of Presidents Dr. Lawrence McGrath and Dr. Larry R. Brooks, the college began offering a successful degree completion program in the early 1990’s. President Dr. Ronald R. Schmidt led the school’s relocation to Highland Avenue in 2002 and retired in 2003 due to illness. The Board of Directors elected Dr. Larry B. Lloyd as President in 2004.
During 2009, Dr. John M. Borek, Jr. was appointed President and California-based Significant Federation bought the financially-troubled institution, which became a for-profit business.
In 2010 the College announced that the Board of Directors, SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools), and THEC (Tennessee Higher Education Commission) had approved the name of the college to change to Victory University. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
was given the title of Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
and became a fundraiser for the institution, although Huckabee did not take up residence in Memphis.
Degrees Offered
Victory University offers Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(B.A.) degree and Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
(B.S.) degrees in a range of disciplines and interdisciplinary studies. An Associate of Science in Christian Ministry is the only two-year degree offered. It also offers certificate programs in teacher education, biblical studies and urban youth ministries.
Student life
Victory University offers activities and entertainment for students at the Bryce Student Center. Seminars and conferences on the career planning, maintaining a successful family life, and developing a passion for missions are part of the college's annual program of events.Athletics
VU has a long history of athletics; varsity and club athletics (men’s baseball and basketball and women’s soccer) and an intramural program are offered. Prior to 1985 VU varsity teams were known as the Saints, from 1985 to 1989 as the Crusaders, from 1989 through 1996, as the Cougars, in 1996, as the Cardinals, and in 2005 as the Comets.Prior to 2006, Victory University was a member of the NCCAA, the National Christian College Athletic Association
National Christian College Athletic Association
The National Christian College Athletic Association is an association of approximately 100 Christian universities, colleges, and Bible colleges in the United States and Canada which see collegiate sports primarily as an opportunity for Christian fellowship and ministry. The national headquarters...
; In 2006, VU joined the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) in the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In the 2009-2010 school year Crichton left the NAIA. Intercolegiate athletic programs were suspended in the Spring of 2009 because of the financial troubles of the institution, but are being re-instated, beginning with basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
.
In April 2010, President John M. Borek, Jr. announced that Scott Robinson was appointed Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach. Membership applications have been filed with the NAIA and NCCAA.
Notable alumni
- Kiley & Rachel Butler, President and Director of Operations, AreaOne Ministries
- Dr. Roy Gingrich, late author of Roy Gingrich Bible Commentaries and author of many books presenting the Bible in outline form
- Dana Key, Producer, Ardent Recording Studios
- Brad Kimberlin, Athletic Director, SBEC (Southern Baptist Educational CenterSouthern Baptist Educational CenterSouthern Baptist Educational Center is a college preparatory school located in Southaven, Mississippi. SBEC was founded by a group of Baptist ministers looking to establish a school in the Whitehaven section of Memphis, Tennessee, in 1972. Programs for kindergarten through Grade 8 began in 1973,...
), Southaven, MS - Toni Lamparter Mabry, Author, "Chance Encounters: The Story of the Innkeeper's Son"
- Bobby McGraw, http://www.bobbymcgraw.com, National Speaker with New Hand Industries and Global Youth Ministry
- Willis T. Yates, President, Y&W Technologies
- Melvin D. Watkins Jr., Pastor, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood, Memphis, TN