Clarks Summit University
| Type | Private Bible college |
|---|---|
| Established | 1932 |
| President | Jim Lytle |
| Students | 1,220 |
| Location | Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Colors | Royal Blue, Silver, Black |
| Nickname | Defenders |
| Affiliations | Baptist |
| Website |
www |
Clarks Summit University is a higher education institution located in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania, just outside the city of Scranton.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
On April 20, 2015 Baptist Bible College & Seminary was granted university status by the State of Pennsylvania and was renamed Summit University of Pennsylvania.
A range of academic degrees are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These include a high-school dual enrollment option, one-year Bible certificate, as well as associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Programs are offered on-campus and through online distance learning.[7]
Annual enrollment is more than 1,100. About 43% of undergraduates are drawn from Pennsylvania. Roughly 56% are from 29 other states, with about 1% from outside the United States.
History
The school was founded in 1932 in Johnson City, New York.
For its first 36 years, the college used the facilities of First Baptist Church in Johnson City. Additional buildings were purchased or built to accommodate the growing student body.
A steady growth of enrollment by the 1960s prompted school leaders to search for a new location. In 1968, a site in Clarks Summit was found with the help of Gov. William Scranton.
Baptist Bible Seminary began classes in 1972. Graduate studies began in 1989.
On April 20, 2015 Baptist Bible College & Seminary was renamed Summit University of Pennsylvania.[8]
Campus
Clarks Summit University is located on a 141-acre suburban campus. The site includes 17 major buildings, athletic facilities, and a 4.5-acre lake. Major facilities on campus include:
Jackson Hall - The main classroom and administrative building, this four-story building is the largest on campus. Jackson Hall is home to the Murphy Memorial Library.
Buckingham Hall - Occupied by the Music Department, this building contains classrooms, practice rooms, and offices.
Phelps Student Center - This building contains the Huckaby Gymnasium, an athletic training room, locker rooms, a cafeteria, game room, student lounges and health services.
Nordling Hall - Home to the Maintenance Department, this three-story building also houses video communications, Seminary student housing, health services, storage, and the Foundations Christian Counseling Center.
Residence Halls - On-campus housing for undergraduate students is provided in six women's and five men's residence halls. Housing is also available for married students and seminary students.
Recreation Center - A 60,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose building; the Recreation center houses 3 basketball courts, a stage (for chapel, conferences, concerts. etc.), brand new weight room and additional cardio/workout room (over $100,000 in new equipment for faculty/staff and students), offices, student study/hang out areas, classrooms, locker room(s) including showers/changing areas, and an indoor climbing wall. This project began in the Spring of 2009, and opened during the Summer of 2013.
Academics
Clarks Summit University is accredited by The Commissions on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and The Association of Biblical Higher Education. All degrees have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[9]
Education graduates meet Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for certification, enabling them to teach in public and private schools. Currently, Pennsylvania has certification reciprocity with numerous states that accept Pennsylvania state certification as fulfillment for their requirements.
Undergraduate students can choose a major from more than 40 programs of study. Undergraduate students dual-major in Bible and a chosen area of concentration. Students earn a bachelor's degree in their concentration area, such as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. They may also choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Bible.
Graduate students can choose from three degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Education and Master of Science in Counseling.
Baptist Bible Seminary grants six different degrees: Master of Ministry, Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Master of Arts degree in Biblical Apologetics, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy.
Online distance learning is available for high school dual enroll, undergraduate, graduate and seminary students.
Surrounding area
The Clarks Summit campus is located about 10 miles from Scranton, the largest city in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the county seat of Lackawanna County.
Baptist Bible Seminary
Seminary classes began in 1972 under the name Baptist Bible School of Theology. In 1987, the name was changed to Baptist Bible Seminary.
Baptist Bible Seminary offers students a blend of academic content and hands-on applications. Six advanced degrees are available in several flexible formats
Student Community
Residence Hall Life - The unique design of the 11 residence halls on campus promotes community among students.[10] Rather than a traditional dormitory style layout, the halls contain suites made up of three student rooms and one bathroom. Rooms are set up for two students each.
Events - Socials and campus events enhance the community environment on campus. Hosted mainly by student groups, socials occur throughout the year.
Other annual events include the Golf Classic (held in May), LYFE Women's Conference (held in May & June), Teen Leadership Camp (held in July and August) and other camps and special events for junior-high and high-school students.[11]
Defender Basketball and Soccer camps are offered for high-school student athletes.[12]
Big Blue Basketball and Soccer camps are offered for elementary and middle school student athletes.[12]
The Music Department hosts multiple concerts and performances.[13]
The Theatre Department performs two major theatrical events each year.[14]
Chapel - Chapel is held Tuesday through Thursday. All students and faculty meet for prayer, worship, spiritual instruction and challenge. Chapel services feature faculty members, pastors, missionaries, students and other special speakers.
Athletics
The Clarks Summit University Defenders field teams in several sports.
Men's teams include soccer, basketball, golf, cross-country, tennis, and baseball.
Women's teams include basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
Clarks Summit University is affiliated with both the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, and the Colonial States Athletic Conference.
Athletic history includes 75 NCCAA Division II East Regional Championships in seven sports and 23 NCCAA Division II National Championships in six sports. Defender teams have appeared in three NCAA Division III national tournaments.
Name controversy
Three months after the school's official name change from Baptist Bible College to Summit University of Pennsylvania, a suit was filed by another Summit University located in Montana[15] on July 23, 2015, on the grounds of trademark infringement. The institution was aware of the original Summit University's existence, but determined the school's full name was different enough from that of the Montana campus.[16] The school changed the name to Clarks Summit University and started using the new name July 5, 2016.[17][18]
References
- ↑ "Summit University". bbc.edu. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ↑ "Summit University". 50states.com. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ↑ "Summit University". cappex.com. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ↑ "Summit University". internationalstudent.com. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ↑ "Summit University". colleges.niche.com. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ↑ "Summit University". collegestats.org. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ↑ "Academics". summitu.edu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ↑ "New Name for Baptist Bible College - Summit University". summitu.edu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ↑ "Approved Certification Programs" (PDF). Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ↑ "Residence Hall Life". summitu.edu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ↑ "Events". summitu.edu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- 1 2 "The Official Athletics Site of the Clarks Summit University Defenders". summitudefenders.com. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ↑ "Music - Ensembles - Clarks Summit University". summitu.edu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ↑ "Student Life - Theatrical Production - Clarks Summit University". summitu.edu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ↑ "Summit University | Where Science and Religion Meet". summituniversity.org. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ Journal, Abington. "Trademark infringement brings on another name change for Summit University, formerly Baptist Bible College and Seminary - Abington Journal - theabingtonjournal.com". Abington Journal. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ Hall, By Sarah Hofius. "Former BBC may modify name to Clarks Summit University". thetimes-tribune.com. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ "Modification of University Name". Clarks Summit University. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
External links
Coordinates: 41°29′42″N 75°41′06″W / 41.495°N 75.685°W