- Victory University
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Coordinates: 35°08′21″N 89°56′45″W / 35.139046°N 89.945927°W
Victory University 
Motto Think Critically. Grow Spiritually. Change Our World. Established 1941 Type Private, for-profit Chancellor Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee President Dr. John M. Borek, PhD Provost Dr. W. Donald Crump, PhD Academic staff 75 Students 731 Location Memphis, Tennessee, United States Campus Urban, 25 acres Colors Scarlet & Black Affiliations Non-denominational Christian Website http://www.victory.edu/ 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).
Contents
History
In the fall of 1941 the Reverend Thomas McKinney, a recent graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary, 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.[1]
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.[1]
Degrees Offered
Victory University offers Bachelor of Arts (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.
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; 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.[1]
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 Center), 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
External links
- www.crichton.edu Official web site
References
- ^ a b c Callahan, Jody Former Arkansas Governor Huckabee to be a fundraiser for Victory University. Memphis Commercial Appeal. July 12, 2010
Colleges and universities in the Memphis Metro Area Baptist College of Health Sciences • Christian Brothers University • Harding University • LeMoyne-Owen College • Memphis College of Art • Memphis School of Preaching • Memphis Theological Seminary • Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary • Mid-South Community College • Rhodes College • Southern College of Optometry • Southwest Tennessee Community College • Union University • University of Memphis • University of Tennessee Health Science Center • Victory UniversityCategories:- Universities and colleges in Tennessee
- Educational institutions established in 1941
- Council of Independent Colleges
- Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Victory University
- Universities and colleges in Memphis, Tennessee
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