Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University
Motto	χαρις και αληθεια (Grace and Truth)
Established	1914
Type	Private
Religious affiliation	Interdenominational
President	William L. Armstrong
Students	3,400+
Location	Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Campus	Suburban
Former names	Denver Bible Institute, Rockmont College, Colorado Baptist University, Colorado Christian College
Colors	Navy Blue , Gold
Athletics	NCAA Division II 12 varsity teams
Mascot	Cougars
Affiliations	Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Website	http://www.ccu.edu

Colorado Christian University (CCU) is a private, interdenominational Christian liberal arts university in Lakewood, Colorado in the United States. CCU was founded in 1914 as the Denver Bible Institute.

CCU's mission is to "cultivate knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world."^[1]

History

CCU’s heritage dates back to the formation of Denver Bible Institute in 1914. In 1945, Denver Bible Institute was granted a state charter to become a four-year Bible college known as Denver Bible College. Expansion continued with the formulation of three main academic schools, including the College of Liberal Arts, the Theological School, and the Bible Institute, Denver Bible College became Rockmont College in 1949.

In 1981, Rockmont College was awarded accreditation by the North Central Association, and four years later merged with Western Bible Institute to become Colorado Christian College. Colorado Christian College merged with Colorado Baptist University, in 1989, to become what is now Colorado Christian University.^[2]

Campuses

The main campus of Colorado Christian University is located near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb 10 miles (16 km) west of Denver. The Lakewood campus houses CCU's College of Undergraduate Studies for traditional students. The University’s College of Adult and Graduate Studies has regional learning centers throughout Colorado: Denver Tech Center and Global Online Center (Englewood), Lakewood Center (Lakewood) Northern Colorado Regional Center (Loveland), Northglenn Center (Northglenn), Southern Colorado Regional Center (Colorado Springs), Sterling Center at Northeastern Junior College (Sterling), Western Colorado Regional Center (Grand Junction).^[3]

Colorado Christian University's Main Campus in Lakewood, Colorado

In 2009, Colorado Christian University submitted a preliminary proposal to the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HCRA) to purchase about 100 acres (0.40 km²) for the development of a new campus in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Due to opposition from the residents, the University officially withdrew its bid to purchase land from Highlands Ranch on January 11, 2010.

Academics

The University comprises two colleges: the College of Undergraduate Studies and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. CCU offers 45 degree programs as well as licensure and certification programs. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities,^[4] the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities,^[5] and the Council for Independent Colleges.^[6]

The College of Undergraduate Studies provides academic programs for traditional undergraduate students and also offers off-campus study opportunities through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities’ Best Semester Program,^[7] Focus on the Family’s Focus Leadership Institute,^[8] and Jerusalem University College^[9] in Israel.

The College of Adult and Graduate Studies offers undergraduate degree completion, educator licensing, and certificate programs for working professionals.^[10] The college offers master’s degrees and graduate certificate programs.^[11] Students may take courses through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies Centers throughout Colorado or through the college’s Global Online Center.

Student life

Lifestyle Covenant

All traditional undergraduate students are required to sign the Lifestyle Covenant to attend Colorado Christian University. By signing this document, students commit to themselves and each other that they will pursue the challenge of living a life defined by a higher standard. The Lifestyle Covenant states a commitment "to educate men and women in the process of integrating their faith and education. This agreement also expresses our commitment to providing an atmosphere for study, personal exploration, involvement in interpersonal relationships, spiritual life, and growth that is conducive to students achieving goals, while enjoying living and learning in community". Students not signing the covenant are subject to immediate dismissal or suspension.^[12]

Chapel

Chapel attendance is required of all traditional undergraduate students who are taking 12 credit hours or more. Over a four-year period, 180 chapel credits are required to obtain clearance to graduate. For transfer students, or students who will graduate in less than four years, 45 credits per year of attendance at CCU is required.

Community service

"In order to graduate, upon entering CCU within the CUS [College of Undergraduate Studies] program, every student must complete 22.5 hours of service per semester with a maximum of 180 volunteer hours through a local or international ministry during his or her college career."^[13][14]

Global outreach

Colorado Christian University sponsors several service-based, short-term mission trips through its CCU2theWorld organization.^[15] The affluence of the countries visited is wide-ranging, though emphasis is typically placed on helping the underprivileged.

Athletics

The CCU Cougars participate in both NCAA Division II and NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association). CCU athletics are currently under the direction of Darren Richie, Athletic Director. The university competes in 12 intercollegiate sports^[16][17] including:

Colorado Christian Cougars logo

• Men’s Baseball
• Men’s Basketball
• Men’s Cross Country
• Men’s Golf
• Men’s Soccer
• Men’s Tennis
• Women’s Basketball
• Women’s Cross Country
• Women’s Golf
• Women’s Soccer
• Women’s Tennis
• Women’s Volleyball

The CCU Cougars compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Notable alumni

• Betty Sparrow Doris, former Secretary of Work Force Development, State of New Mexico^[18][19]
• David Delaplane, founding member of Colorado Mountain College
• John Eldredge, Christian author and founder of Ransomed Heart^[20]
• Ben Haley and Patrick Meese from the band Meese^[21]
• Kevin Lundberg, Colorado State Senator
• Dr. Gary McIntosh, internationally recognized author, speaker, and consultant on church growth^[22][23]
• Leanor Ortega, saxophonist for Five Iron Frenzy and currently on staff with Scum of the Earth Church^[24]
• Greg Stier, founder and CEO of Dare 2 Share^[25]

Notes and references

1. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/welcome/mission.asp
2. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/welcome/history.asp.
3. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/ccu/a/locations/
4. ^ http://www.cccu.org/members_and_affiliates/?member_type=mbr&all=true
5. ^ http://www.naicu.edu/member_center/members.asp
6. ^ http://www.cic.org/about/membership/membership_map.asp
7. ^ http://www.bestsemester.com/
8. ^ http://www.focusinstitute.org/Display.asp?Page=academicpartnerships
9. ^ http://www.juc.edu/index.html
10. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/ccu/a/programs/
11. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/ccu/grad/programs/
12. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/studentlife/community/agreement.pdf
13. ^ http://catalog.ccu.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=98#ministry_hour
14. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/lifedirections/service.asp
15. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/CCU2theWorld/
16. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/athletics/
17. ^ http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=AK+CO&pg=2&id=126669
18. ^ http://www.workforceconnection.state.nm.us/pdf/OWTD_Newsletter.pdf
19. ^ http://www.swjobconnect.org/ChgDWS.pdf
20. ^ http://www.ransomedheart.com/
21. ^ [1]
22. ^ http://www.churchgrowthnetwork.com/drmcintoshbio.htm
23. ^ http://www.ccu.edu/admissions/spotlight/spotlight.asp?iSpotID=945
24. ^ http://www.scumoftheearth.net/staff/leanor-till/
25. ^ http://www.dare2share.org/

External links

• www.ccu.edu -- Official web site
• www.CollegeSouls.com -- CCU's Internet Student Ministry