Southwestern College (Arizona)
Encyclopedia
Arizona Christian University (formerly Southwestern College) is a private, non-profit Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona
.
In 1959, 13 years after Ida’s death, 35 acres of her land was donated to the Arizona Baptist Convention to create a Christian college. Under the leadership of pastors from the Sun Valley Conservative Baptist Association, a proposal was adopted in June 1960 to found a Christian college under the name “Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College.” Classes were initially held at Bethel Baptist Church while construction for the new campus began. In September 1964, 40 students and 16 faculty members transitioned moved to the current campus in north Phoenix.
In 1965, Dr. Wallace Woods, the first President of (1965-1975), wrote, “We want to be current in our thinking and up-to-date in our methods. We want to be relevant to the changing needs of people. Nevertheless, there are foundations upon which we stand as a Bible college, and we fix our anchor in the authority of the Scriptures. By God’s grace, we want to be flexible in the application of Biblical principles to the training of students for effective service in their respective careers and yet hold steadfastly to the Statement of Faith which has characterized the College since its founding.”
In subsequent years, the college continued to grow under the leadership of Dr. Donald H. Launstein (1975-1982), Dr. Kenneth Stephens (1982-83), Dr. Wesley A. Olsen (1983-1992), Dr. Donald R. Engram (1992-95), and Dr. Brent D. Garrison (1995-2010).
While in the early years the university placed particular emphasis on preparing young men and women for careers in vocational ministry and missions, that vision began to expand in in 1975 when the university received approval to offer a degree program in education. Today, the university still serves as a training ground for those entering vocational ministry, but also seeks to equip influential Christ-followers in multiple areas of influence, including business, couseling, music and education, with additional majors proposed for the years ahead.
Notable graduates include Dr. Mark Bailey, President of Dallas Theological Seminary
.
ACU’s desire to serve the broader evangelical community was reflected in the decision in 2009 to become a non-denominational Christian liberal arts university, while at the same time remaining grateful for its roots in the Conservative Baptist
denomination.
In 2010, Len Munsil
assumed the presidency of Arizona Christian University. President Munsil is a constitutional attorney and has a background in Christian non-profit and public policy work and was the 2006 Republican nominee for governor of Arizona. President Munsil’s agenda has included increasing school visibility, expanding the number of majors offered, engaging in campus renovations and attracting and inspiring students who are called to provide Christian leadership in every arena of influence in society. The decision in January 2011 to embrace the name “Arizona Christian University” was the final, formal step in preparing ACU for its future as Arizona’s only private, accredited, non-profit Christian liberal arts university.
Starting in Fall 2010, Arizona Christian University started offering the emphasis areas of Pre-Law and Pre-Medical. The University has also sought approval from the Higher Learning Commission to add degrees in Political Science, Communication and Biology.
church. Regularly scheduled chapel attendance is required for full-time students as well. The college also requires that students maintain a minimum standard of conduct based on Biblical principles.
include:
Arizona Christian University is a member of the NAIA
and will be a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference
beginning with the 2012-13 season.
Mission Statement
The goal of the college is to graduate students who will:
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
.
History of ACU
Arizona Christian University traces its roots to Ida Clouse, a devout Christian missionary and registered nurse from the Midwest. On September 29, 1917, Ida’s adventurous nature led her to Cactus, Arizona, where, under the Homestead Act, she settled 160 barren acres. In the years to follow, Clouse Ranch became a favorite spot for Christian conferences for people all over the southwest.In 1959, 13 years after Ida’s death, 35 acres of her land was donated to the Arizona Baptist Convention to create a Christian college. Under the leadership of pastors from the Sun Valley Conservative Baptist Association, a proposal was adopted in June 1960 to found a Christian college under the name “Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College.” Classes were initially held at Bethel Baptist Church while construction for the new campus began. In September 1964, 40 students and 16 faculty members transitioned moved to the current campus in north Phoenix.
In 1965, Dr. Wallace Woods, the first President of (1965-1975), wrote, “We want to be current in our thinking and up-to-date in our methods. We want to be relevant to the changing needs of people. Nevertheless, there are foundations upon which we stand as a Bible college, and we fix our anchor in the authority of the Scriptures. By God’s grace, we want to be flexible in the application of Biblical principles to the training of students for effective service in their respective careers and yet hold steadfastly to the Statement of Faith which has characterized the College since its founding.”
In subsequent years, the college continued to grow under the leadership of Dr. Donald H. Launstein (1975-1982), Dr. Kenneth Stephens (1982-83), Dr. Wesley A. Olsen (1983-1992), Dr. Donald R. Engram (1992-95), and Dr. Brent D. Garrison (1995-2010).
While in the early years the university placed particular emphasis on preparing young men and women for careers in vocational ministry and missions, that vision began to expand in in 1975 when the university received approval to offer a degree program in education. Today, the university still serves as a training ground for those entering vocational ministry, but also seeks to equip influential Christ-followers in multiple areas of influence, including business, couseling, music and education, with additional majors proposed for the years ahead.
Notable graduates include Dr. Mark Bailey, President of Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas 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...
.
ACU’s desire to serve the broader evangelical community was reflected in the decision in 2009 to become a non-denominational Christian liberal arts university, while at the same time remaining grateful for its roots in the Conservative Baptist
Conservative Baptist Association of America
-History:The first organization of Conservative Baptists was the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society , now called WorldVenture, formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1943. The Conservative Baptist Association of America was organized in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1947. The Association operates...
denomination.
In 2010, Len Munsil
Len Munsil
Len Munsil is the President of Arizona Christian University. He was the Arizona Republican Party nominee for Governor of Arizona in the Arizona gubernatorial election, 2006, coming from behind to upset Don Goldwater in the Republican primary in his first run for any elective office...
assumed the presidency of Arizona Christian University. President Munsil is a constitutional attorney and has a background in Christian non-profit and public policy work and was the 2006 Republican nominee for governor of Arizona. President Munsil’s agenda has included increasing school visibility, expanding the number of majors offered, engaging in campus renovations and attracting and inspiring students who are called to provide Christian leadership in every arena of influence in society. The decision in January 2011 to embrace the name “Arizona Christian University” was the final, formal step in preparing ACU for its future as Arizona’s only private, accredited, non-profit Christian liberal arts university.
Degree Offerings
Today, Arizona Christian University offers bachelor's degrees in:- Behavioral Health
- Biblical Studies
- Business Administration
- Christian Ministries
- Elementary Education
- Family Studies
- Music, Ministry
- Music, Praise & Worship
- Music, Vocal Performance
- Music Education
- Secondary Education
Starting in Fall 2010, Arizona Christian University started offering the emphasis areas of Pre-Law and Pre-Medical. The University has also sought approval from the Higher Learning Commission to add degrees in Political Science, Communication and Biology.
Student life
Students are required to be born-again believers attending a ChristianChristian
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...
church. Regularly scheduled chapel attendance is required for full-time students as well. The college also requires that students maintain a minimum standard of conduct based on Biblical principles.
Athletics
Member of the NCCAA and NAIANational 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...
include:
- Men's Baseball
- Men's Basketball
- Men's Cross-Country
- Men's Golf
- Men's Soccer
- Women's Basketball
- Women's Cross-Country
- Women's Golf
- Women's Soccer
- Women's Volleyball
Arizona Christian University is a member of 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...
and will be a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference
Golden State Athletic Conference
The Golden State Athletic Conference is a college athletics conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics . The conference commissioner is Cliff Hamlow of Azusa Pacific University. Conference leadership is shared among the member institutions. The conference was formed in...
beginning with the 2012-13 season.
Mission statement and goals of the college
As of 2005, the stated mission and goals of Arizona Christian University are as follows:Mission Statement
- Arizona Christian University provides a biblically integrated education that prepares its graduates to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in ministries and professional occupations.
The goal of the college is to graduate students who will:
- Acquire biblical concepts that will enable them to evaluate knowledge in the light of biblical truth and apply that knowledge in everyday life.
- Understand people as a special and beloved creation and act toward them in a responsible and compassionate way as modeled by Jesus Christ.
- Develop critical judgment and analytical reasoning skills.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary for competence in a vocation.
- Participate in the ministry of the local church to encourage spiritual growth, and help fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19-20).