Louisiana Baptist University (LBU, originally called Baptist Christian University) is a theologically conservative Christian university founded in 1973 and is located in Shreveport, Louisiana.
LBU has both an on-campus program and a distance education program which primarily teaches subjects pertaining to the Bible and Baptist theology. Classes are grouped in five areas: School of Biblical Studies, School of Communications (Music, Creative writing), School of Counseling, School of Christian Education, and Theological Seminary. Distance education courses are offered by mail and via web-based delivery.
History
Louisiana Baptist University & Seminary - A brief introduction to Louisiana Baptist University and Seminary.
In 1973, Baptist Christian University was founded by Jimmy G. Tharpe (1930â€"2008) as part of the Baptist Tabernacle, offering distance education for full-time ministers to complete degrees without leaving their pastorates. In February 1993, the trustees restructured the school's charter and changed the name to Louisiana Baptist University.
Kathleen Blanco, then governor of Louisiana, declared the month of April 2005 as "Louisiana Baptist University Month".
In its beginning, LBU was housed in the Centrum Building on Hollywood Avenue. It later relocated to a 12,500-square-foot (1,160Â m2) facility off Interstate 20 at 6301 Westport Avenue in the center of West Shreveport, where the campus remains today.
In May 2013, the university expanded their campus with the completion of the Neal Weaver Conference Center. The center is equipped with the latest audio/video equipment which enables the university to host webinars in addition to their conferences.
Accreditation
LBU is not accredited by any accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Because the university only grants non-secular degrees for use in various areas of ministry, it operates under religious-exempt status in Louisiana.
Academics and staff
The school employs some fifty people as faculty and staff. A majority of the faculty list degrees from LBU, including its previous name, Baptist Christian University.
LBU accepts a limited amount of three types of non-traditional credit: experiential learning credits, military experience credits, and credit by examination. The university also allows students to transfer credits from other universities as well as approved Christian educational organizations. For example, at LBU alumnus Chuck Missler's Koinonia Institute (unaccredited), students can earn credits toward a degree at Louisiana Baptist University.
The current president of LBU is Dr. Neal Weaver. Mr. Weaver holds no doctorate from an accredited university. LBU's faculty page list a Ph.D. from Holy Trinity Seminary. Holy Trinity Seminary does not issue degrees, and is a non degree granting institute.
Controversy
In 1998, LBU announced plans to begin offering a Business Administration degree. The university contacted the Regents to see if additional approval was necessary. In July 1998, Wayne Brown, Deputy Commissioner for Planning, Research and Performance, visited the campus. In a letter dated August 17, 1998, commissioner Brown stated that after visiting the university's campus and reviewing the university's Statement of Purpose he would recommend that the program be approved in the board meeting on August 26, 1998, provided that the Statement of Purpose be included in the university catalog and all documents pertaining to the Business Administration degree." This caused controversy over schools awarding degrees with substandard instruction. As a result, on December 10, 1998, the Board of Regents unanimously voted to deny the university an operating license for its business education programs, and required it to cease admitting students and cease advertising. Students matriculated at the time were allowed until December 31, 1999, to finish their degrees. Then, reversing its prior decision, on April 22, 1999, the Board voted to accept the recommendation of the Planning, Research and Performance Committee to exempt the university under the religious institution exemption provided for by Act 129 of 1991, allowing it to operate as a religious institution.
Alumni
Seminary
- Carl Baugh â€" author and founder of Pacific International University.
- Mal Couch â€" author and founder of Tyndale Theological Seminary.
- Rick Scarborough â€" author, activist, and founder of Vision America.
University
- Larry Bagley â€" member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 7, beginning 2016; received Bachelor of Arts in elementary education at Baptist Christian College
- Bob Cornuke â€" author and director of the Bible Archaeology Search and Exploration Institute (BASE).
- Bill Gothard â€" former president of the Institute in Basic Life Principles
- Grant Jeffrey â€" author and teacher
- Roland S. Martin â€" American journalist, syndicated columnist, and author.
- Chuck Missler - author and founder/operator of Koinonia Institute in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
- Robert Morey â€" author and founder of the unaccredited California Biblical University and Seminary.
- Mark Tronson â€" founder of Sports and Leisure Ministry (Sports Chaplaincy Australia Inc), and Well-being Australia
- Ryland Whitehorn â€" Assistant Pastor, Ministry of Education at First Baptist Church of Dallas under pastor Robert Jeffress
See also
- List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
- Higher education accreditation in the United States
References
External links
- Louisiana Baptist University â€" Official website
