Amridge University

infobox University


motto = "“Where Traditional and Online Education Merge”"
name = Amridge University
established = 1967
endowment = US $174,505
type = Private
calender = Semester
president = Stanley Douglas Paterson
"(Interim President)"
undergrad = 366
postgrad = 346
staff = 96
city = Montgomery
state = AL
country = US
campus = Urban, convert|9|acre|km2
affiliations = Churches of Christ
website = [http://www.amridgeuniversity.edu/ www.amridgeuniversity.edu]

Amridge University is an accredited coeducational private university affiliated with the Churches of Christ with its main campus in Montgomery, Alabama. It was previously known as Alabama Christian School of Religion, Southern Christian University, and Regions University, and is a successor institution to Alabama Christian College.

Founded in 1967 as the Alabama Christian School of Religion, its primary function historically has been as a theological seminary to train ministers in Bible and Christian Counseling. However, Amridge has expanded its curricula to other degrees. Seminary training offered by the Turner School of Theology, named in honor of founder Rex Allwin Turner, Sr. and his wife Opal Shipp Turner, continues to be a core undertaking, with all levels of ministry and theological degrees available. Amridge offers both residential and online education opportunities. [National Center for Education Statistics (2008). "Amridge University". Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=100690.]

History

Key institutional events

* 1942 Montgomery Bible School, founded by Rex Allwin Turner, Sr., Calvin Leonard Johnson, and Joseph B. “Joe” Greer, offered both high school and first year college courses, and became a junior college with an elementary and secondary department
* 1949 Expanded curricula to include a third year of Bible and related courses
* 1953 Granted first baccalaureate degrees
* 1954 Institution’s name changed to Alabama Christian College
* 1966 Discontinued upper‑level program in religious studies to satisfy accreditation requirements as a junior college
** High school department became Alabama Christian Academy [http://www.aca.pvt.k12.al.us/] , a regionally accredited elementary and secondary school
** Junior college department became what today is Faulkner University [Foster, D. A., Blowers, P. M., Dunnavant, A. L., & Williams, D. W. (Eds.; 2005). The encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 333. ISBN 0802838987.]
* 1967 Alabama Christian School of Religion founded to assume the upper-level program, offering classes in the new facilities of the College Church of Christ at 5315 Atlanta Highway
* 1972 Expanded curricula to include graduate degree programs
* 1974 Moved to new property jointly purchased with the Landmark Church of Christ at 6020 Atlanta Highway
* 1977 Expanded curricula to include a three‑year graduate program offering the Master of Theology degree
* 1985 Applied for accredited membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
* 1988 Replaced the Master of Theology degree to conform to standard nomenclature and practice with the Master of Divinity degree, generally recognized as the first professional degree in ministry
* 1987 Sold its interest in the jointly owned property to the Landmark Church of Christ and built its own new campus on nine acres of land well situated on Interstate 85 alongside Auburn University at Montgomery. The School of Religion moved to this new campus at 1200 Taylor Road that summer.
* 1989 Received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to grant degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels
* 1991 Institution’s name changed to Southern Christian University to reflect the widened geographical area served by the institution and emphasized the academic level and the emerging direction of the institution
* 1992 Expanded curricula by adding the Doctor of Ministry degree and the distance-learning program
* 1994 Reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools including the two aforementioned substantive changes
* 1994 Changes in Alabama state licensure law in Family Therapy grandfathered the institution to permit reconfiguration of its counseling program
* 1999 Selected by the US Department of Education to help pilot the [http://www.ed.gov/programs/disted/index.html Distance Education Demonstration Program] [Martin, V. D. W. (1999). Colleges picked for project on aid to distance-learning students. "Chronicle of Higher Education, 45"(44), A34.]
* 2002 Purchased convert|185|acre|km2 of land alongside Interstate 85, located convert|15|mi|km from the main campus to accommodate future growth
* 2003 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved Doctor of Philosophy in Family Therapy degree program
* 2005 Decadal reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools including the following substantive changes in its curricula
** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – General Business
** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Information Communication
** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Information Systems Management
** Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies degree
* 2006 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved Associate of Arts degree program
* 2006 Institution’s name changed to Regions University
* 2008 Institution’s name changed to Amridge University

Presidents

* Rex Allwin Turner, Sr., J.D. 1967 – 1983
* Rex Allwin Turner, Jr., Ed.D. 1983 – August 2008
* Stanley Douglas Paterson, Ed.D. "(interim)" August 2008 - present

Academics

=Accreditation=

* Amridge University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1989 to award Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees
* The Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education has authorized Amridge University to operate a private school pursuant to the Alabama Private School License Law
* The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has authorized Amridge University, which must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility
* Amridge University’s Turner School of Theology is an Associate Member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)
* Amridge University is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students

Programs of study

Majors. In keeping with its Christian heritage, Amridge University provides educational opportunities through five schools that each have its own special purpose within the overall purpose and institutional goals of the University.
* College of Business and Leadership
** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - General Business
** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Information Communication
** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Information Systems Management
** Master of Science in Leadership and Management
** Master of Arts in Behavioral Leadership and Management
* College of General Studies
** Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies
** Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies
** Bachelor of Science in Human Development
** Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Leadership
** Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
** Bachelor of Science in Management Communication
** Bachelor of Science in Ministry/Bible
** Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Business/Organization Security
** Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Criminal Justice
** Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Homeland Security
* School of Human Services
** Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling
** Master of Science in Ministerial Leadership
** Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
** Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
** Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy
** Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling
** Master of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling
** Master of Divinity in Ministerial Leadership
** Doctor of Ministry in Family Therapy I
** Doctor of Ministry in Family Therapy II
** Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy
** Doctor of Philosophy in Professional Counseling
* Turner School of Theology
** Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
** Master of Arts in Practical Theology
** Master of Divinity
** Doctor of Ministry
** Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies
* School of Continuing Education

Memberships and affiliations

* [http://www.alacrao.org/ Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (ALACRAO)]
* [http://www.aaicu.net/ Alabama Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (AAICU)]
* [http://www.aasfaaonline.org/ Alabama Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (AASFAA)]
* [http://www.alabamaplannedgiving.org/ Alabama Planned Giving Council (APGC)]
* [http://www.aapicu.org/ American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU)]
* American Association of Veterans Affairs (AAVA)
* American Council on Education (ACE)
* American Theological Users Group (ATUG)
* [http://www.afpnet.org/ Association of Fund Raising Professionals (AFP)]
* Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)
* [http://www.cael.org/ Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)]
* [http://www.dantes.doded.mil/ Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)]
* [http://www.nacubo.org/ National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)]
* National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)
* [http://www.nasfaa.org/ National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)]
* National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
* [http://www.ncpg.org/ National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG)]
* [http://www.soc.aascu.org/ Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC)]
* [http://www.soc.aascu.org/soccoast/Default.html Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges for the Coast Guard (SOCCOAST)]
* Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
* [http://www.sasfaa.org/ Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA)]

Facilities

Campuses

The institution’s main campus in Montgomery, Alabama lies alongside Auburn University Montgomery just north of Interstate 85 at the Taylor Road exit. The campus consists of a single two-story complex, the Morgan W. Brown Building, that houses classrooms and the library on the ground floor and administrative offices upstairs. Classrooms are equipped with extensive multimedia equipment to allow live Internet streaming of instruction and lecture. Instructors can also transmit computer data, video, or still pictures. Each student's desk has a computer workstation. There is building-wide Wi-Fi access.

Additionally, Amridge University maintains satellite campuses in Phoenix, Arizona and Nashville, Tennessee.

Libraries

The Amridge University library features a large collection of religious books and theological reference works. It holds 80,000 titles, 1,200 serial subscriptions, and 800 audiovisual materials. [Peterson's (2007). "Colleges in the South 2008". p. 52. Lawrenceville, NJ: Nelnet. ISBN 0768924197.] The library is linked with other libraries across the US to ensure availability of books that may be borrowed through interlibrary lending. Its card catalog is accessible for online searching by students, faculty, and staff.

Litigation

Recent name changes

On August 2, 2006, Southern Christian University’s board of regents voted to change the institution’s name to Regions University. They expected this would enhance the institution’s opportunities, complementing its purpose and vision while expanding its scope of educational and religious heritage to all the regions of the world. [Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority – Alabama (2006). Southern Christian changes name to Regions. "Counselor Connection, 10"(1). 2. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://www.kheaa.org/pdf/cc/al/alccX1.pdf.] The name change, however, sparked a civil lawsuit by Regions Financial Corporation filed on September 29, 2006 for trademark infringement. [Regions Asset Company, Plaintiff v. Regions University, Inc., Defendant. Civ. No. 2:2006cv00882. Alabama Middle District Court.] Consequently, on January 31, 2008, the board of regents resolved to change the institution’s name again, this time to Amridge University, preserving its mission and vision to expand its operations worldwide. [Clifton, M. (2008, February 6). Regions University undergoes name change. "BrotherhoodNews.com". Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://gospelnews.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/regions-university-undergoes-name-change/.]

Disgruntled student

In 2007, a former student sued Amridge University and its board of directors, alleging that they breached an implied contract to provide her with a complete education and that they discriminated against her because of her religion (she is a non-practicing Jew). The university filed a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. The student contested the motion and moved for default judgment.

While a Connecticut resident, a student enrolled in a Amridge University distance learning program, which permitted her to take courses over the internet. The student had difficulty finding a counselor to supervise her required clinical hours. After she moved to Delaware, the student completed her non-clinical requirements, but she was still unable to complete her clinical training hours. Amridge contended that the court lacked jurisdiction under Delaware's long-arm statute, Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 3104(c). The university's primary campus was in Alabama, it had no personal or real property in Delaware, it had no employees or agents in the state, and its website was only informational and not commercial.

The court dismissed the suit, as Amridge's only contact with Delaware was its website and the residence of two students. Although the university's website could be accessed by Delaware residents, the institution did not purposely avail themselves of doing business with Delaware citizens. Further, except for the part that permitted students to submit online admissions applications, Amridge's website was completely informational. Thus, there was insufficient commercial activity for jurisdiction.

The court granted Amridge's motion to dismiss the complaint. [Joan T. Kloth, Plaintiff, v. Southern Christian University, Board of Directors, Defendants. Civ. No. 06-244-SLR. US District Court for the District of Delaware.] The student has further appealed the case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which is pending.

Further reading

* Adkins, R. M. (1998). "The differences in students' perception of learning between extended learning program students and on-campus students at Southern Christian University". Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
* Carnevale, D. (2002). Questions linger over rise and fall of online program. "Chronicle of Higher Education, 48"(21), A27.
* Clifford, A. C. (2007). "Focus on teachers: Shaping professionally and becoming technology integrators". Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.
* McQueen, A., & Wright, S. W. (1999). Distance learning just got a little easier. "Community College Week, 11"(24), 28.
* Peterson's (2004). "Guide to four-year colleges 2005". pp. 2404-2405. Lawrenceville, NJ: Nelnet. ISBN 0768913799.
* Smith, N. C., & Jackson, J. F. L. (2004). Religious institutions in the United States: Research challenges. "New Directions for Institutional Research, 2004"(124), 31-48.
* Turner, Rex A. (1972). "Sermons and addresses on the fundamentals of the faith." Montgomery, AL: Alabama Christian College. ISBN 0913586048.
* Turner, Rex A. (1977). "A study of the present status of faculty tenure as perceived by boards, administrators, and faculty of public universities in Alabama with projections and implications for the future". Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.
* Waller, S., & Waller, L. (2004). Higher education doctoral degrees of certain American clergy: Ethics and antics. "Christian Higher Education, 3"(2), 171-183.
* Woodrow, J. (2004). Institutional

References

External links

* [http://www.amridgeuniversity.edu/ Official Site]