Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster Bible College Seal
Former names
Lancaster School of the Bible (19331973),
Lancaster Bible College & Graduate School (19962010)
Type Private bible college
Established 1933 (1933)
Affiliation Non-denominational
Academic staff
66 full-time, 72 part-time[1]
Administrative staff
92 full-time, 22 part-time
Students 1,600[1]
Undergraduates 1,175
Postgraduates 417
Location Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States USA
40°4′30″N 76°17′17″W / 40.07500°N 76.28806°W / 40.07500; -76.28806Coordinates: 40°4′30″N 76°17′17″W / 40.07500°N 76.28806°W / 40.07500; -76.28806
Campus Suburban, 109 acres (.45 km2)
Hymn "My Hope Is in the Lord"
Colors Red and White          
Athletics NCAA Division III,
NCCAA Division II, NECVA
11 varsity sports
Nickname LBC
Mascot Charger
Affiliations Association for Biblical Higher Education Middle States Association
Website lbc.edu

Lancaster Bible College (LBC) is a private, coeducational Bible college and graduate school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that "exists to educate Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving him in the Church and society."[1]

Lancaster Bible College offers a full range of collegiate programming from non-credit courses, to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. The college offers several Master of Arts and Master of Education degree programs,[1] along with three Doctorate programs.[2]

In addition to their Lancaster location which houses most of their traditional undergraduate student learning, LBC has six satellite locations that offer accelerated undergraduate degrees for adult students, and/or graduate programs. These satellite locations are in Greenbelt, MD, Philadelphia, PA, Indianapolis, IN, Springfield, IL, Boca Raton, FL, and Memphis, TN.

History

Founded in 1933 by Henry J. Heydt, the original name of the school was Lancaster School of the Bible.[3] In 1957, the college made the move to its current location in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In 1973, the school took on its current name, and in 1981 the Pennsylvania Department of Education gave LBC official approval to offer the Bachelor of Science in Bible degree.

In 1994, LBC's graduate school was approved to award Master of Arts in Bible, Ministry, Counseling, and Master of Education degrees in School Counseling and Consulting Resource Teacher.

In July 2012, LBC announced the launching of a Philadelphia campus through its partnership with the Center for Urban Theological Studies (CUTS).[4] "The new partnership creates the Lancaster Bible College at CUTS program [or LBC@CUTS], one that establishes a satellite campus enabling students who attend CUTS to receive fully-accredited LBC diplomas beginning in September. CUTS organizers also have plans on consolidating its academic and administrative offices into one location: the former Tastykake factory in Hunting Park."[5]

In August 2012, the college's $12-million Student Learning Commons was opened during Commencement for the 2012-2013 academic year. "The [43,000-square-foot] building is fitted with three new classroom spaces, 11 collaborative study spaces, [the Charles and Gloria Jones Library] with more than 300,000 items, a music media lab, a writing center and disability services. The new structure utilizes environmentally sustainable features such as use of daylight, high-efficiency lighting and geothermal heating and cooling. Another feature of the student commons is the Bennee's Bistro, which offers food and beverages, outdoor patio seating and a hospitality suite available to outside groups."[6][7]

In January 2013, Lancaster Bible College announced that it had acquired the academic programs of Washington Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Maryland extension is called Capital Seminary and Graduate School. "It will serve adult learners in non-degree and graduate education courses, available in traditional, online and blended formats."[8][9] This latest initiative is part of the Bible.edu system of biblical higher education "committed to training Christian leaders for global impact."[10]

Since that time, LBC has added satellite locations at Indianapolis IN, Springfield IN, Boca Raton FL, and Memphis TN offering a limited number of graduate or undergraduate degrees.

In early 2015, LBC is planning on beginning construction of the Charles Frey Center, as well as construction on a new dorm building.

Academics

LBC’s undergraduate education grants six bachelor's degrees, one associate degree, and two one-year certificates. Over one hundred and seventy faculty (part-time and full-time) teach at the college, 33 of whom have doctorates. Students can select from 30 undergraduate programs in the following departments: Arts & Sciences, Bible & Theology, Church & Ministry Leadership, Counseling & Social Work, Education, Health & Physical Education, and Worship & Performing Arts. LBC also offers nine minors. The institution's graduate education grants six master's degrees and nine graduate certificates. Graduate students can select from 14 graduate programs in the areas of Divinity, Christian Counseling & Discipleship, Biblical Studies, Consulting Resource Teacher, Professional Counseling, Ministry, and School Counseling. The school's Charles and Gloria Jones Library comprises one of the largest holdings among Bible colleges worldwide with 192,000 items and over 300,000 shared ebooks.[11]

Lancaster Bible College currently offers three doctorate programs in Leadership, Biblical Studies, and Ministry.

Lancaster Bible College is classified by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a bible college with a high-undergraduate enrollment profile.[12] The college is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and Association for Biblical Higher Education, and is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[13][14]

Students on average receive about $3,000 in financial aid from the college.[15] Reduced tuition for one class per semester is offered to junior and senior high school students.

LBC's current president is Peter Weer Teague.[16] He was preceded by Gilbert A. Peterson (1979–1999), Dr. Stuart E. Lease (1961–1979), Dr. William J. Randolph (1953–1961), and Dr. Henry J. Heydt (1933–1953).

LBC's mission statement is as follows: "Lancaster Bible College exists to educate Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society." LBC's vision statement is: "Lancaster Bible College will be a premier learning community that intentionally develops the head, heart and hands of servant ministry leaders for global impact." [17]

Student life

Lancaster Bible College has an enrollment of more than 1,452 students, 217 of whom are graduate students. They come from 32 states and 15 foreign countries. As of 2014, LBC had 422 residents and 347 traditional undergraduate commuters.

It is a tradition for students to receive a towel along with their diploma as they graduate, as a symbol of foot washing and a reminder to use their education to serve others.[18]

Athletics

Lancaster Bible College teams participate as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II and the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. The Chargers are a member of the NCAA's North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Facts about LBC". Lancaster Bible College. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  2. "New PhD in Leadership Program Launched" (Press release). Lancaster Bible College. February 8, 2011.
  3. "Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School". The Princeton Review. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  4. "LBC to Launch an Additional Location in Philadelphia this Fall". Lancaster Bible College. July 6, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  5. "Seminary Expands Program at Hunting Park Site". Philadelphia Tribune (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). August 9, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  6. "Lancaster Bible College to open newly completed Student Learning Commons". Intelligencer Journal. Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania). August 27, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  7. "Student Learning Commons Officially Named". Lancaster Bible College. October 5, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  8. "Lancaster Bible College extends reach into Maryland". Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania). January 29, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  9. "Lancaster Bible College in the Capital Region". Lancaster Bible College. January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  10. "Bibe.edu". January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  11. "Library". Lancaster Bible College. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  12. "Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School". The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  13. "Lancaster Bible College". National Center for Educational Statistics. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  14. "Lancaster Bible College". Pennsylvania Department of Education. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  15. Reilly, PJ (July 18, 2010). "The Hunting Connection; Sportsman's Odyssey Helps Lancaster Bible College Develop Partnerships And Long-Term Friendships". Sunday News (Lancaster, Pennsylvania). p. C9.
  16. "http://www.lbc.edu/about/our-president/index, reviewed April 14, 2014". External link in |title= (help);
  17. "Mission and History". Lancaster Bible College. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  18. Harris, Bernard (December 18, 2010). "Bible College Grads Are Urged To Serve; Fifty-Nine Graduates Receive Towels, Degrees And Words To Live By During Commencement At Good Shepherd Chapel". Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania). p. B1.

External links

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