Louisiana Baptist University

Louisiana Baptist University (LBU), originally called Baptist Christian University, is a theologically conservative Christian university founded in 1973 and is located in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Louisiana Baptist University
TypePrivate
Established1973
AffiliationBaptist Bible Fellowship International
PresidentNeal Weaver
Academic staff
44
Students650 (in 2010[1])
Location
Shreveport
,
Louisiana
,
USA
Websitehttp://www.lbu.edu/
Louisiana Baptist University is located off Interstate 20 in Shreveport.

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

In 1973, Baptist Christian University was founded by Jimmy G. Tharpe (1930–2008) as part of the Baptist Tabernacle, offering distance education for full-time ministers to complete degrees without leaving their pastorates.[2] 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".[3]

In its beginning, LBU was housed in the Centrum Building on Hollywood Avenue. It later relocated to a 12,500-square-foot (1,160 m2) facility off Interstate 20 at 6301 Westport Avenue in the center of West Shreveport, where the campus remains today.[4]

In May 2013, the university expanded their campus with the completion of the Neal Weaver Conference Center.[5] 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.[6] Because the university only grants non-secular degrees for use in various areas of ministry, it operates under religious-exempt status in Louisiana.[7] LBU however is Recognized by the Louisiana Board of Regents to Grant Degrees. It is a member of Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and it is an Affiliate of Association of Biblical and Higher education (ABHE).

Academics and staff

The school employs some fifty people as faculty and staff.[8] 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.[9]

The current president of LBU is Dr. Neal Weaver.[10] Mr. Weaver holds no doctorate from an accredited university. LBU's faculty page list a Ph.D.[11] from Holy Trinity Seminary.[12] 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."[13] This caused controversy over schools awarding degrees with substandard instruction.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15]

Alumni

Seminary

University

See also

References
  1. "Louisiana Baptist University". Association for Biblical Higher Education. 2010. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  2. http://www.lbu.edu/download/LBU%20Catalog%202012-2013.pdf LBU 2012-2013 Catalog pg 20
  3. United States of America, State of Louisiana, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Proclamation Signed March 29, 2005. Archived October 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Tharpe, Mr. Baptist, pp. 135-137
  5. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151530148444492.1073741826.264062789491&type=3 LBU Official Facebook Page
  6. Swanson, Doug (August 23, 2014). "Problems persist for high-profile back surgery firm, patients". Dallas News. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  7. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/rpt/2007-R-0023.htm Pinhel, EXEMPTIONS FROM THE HIGHER EDUCATION LICENSING PROCESS FOR RELIGIOUS COLLEGES
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2014-03-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) LBU Staff
  9. Koinonia Institute degrees Archived 2007-11-03 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2014-03-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) LBU Staff Page
  11. http://www.lbu.edu/faculty-staff
  12. http://www.holytrinityseminary.org/
  13. "Unlicensed "colleges" worry state officials: Legislation being prepared to tighten rules for nonprofit schools". The Advocate. November 22, 1998. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
  14. "Minutes of Board of Regents December 10, 1998". Louisiana Board of Regents. December 10, 1998. Retrieved 2007-03-13. Orders LBU to stop admitting students.
  15. "Minutes of Board of Regents April 22, 1999". Louisiana Board of Regents. April 22, 1999. Retrieved 2007-03-13.
  16. Tobia, P.J. "Reading, Writing and Jesus: What nearby schools don’t know about the Bible class they soon may be teaching" Archived 2008-01-20 at the Wayback Machine, Nashville Scene, October 19, 2006. Accessed December 19, 2007. "While there are a few reputable legal and theological minds from solid universities associated with the group, they are far outnumbered by the likes of Carl Baugh, who holds a Ph.D. in theology from Louisiana Baptist University."
  17. Perkes, Kim Sue Lia. "Fort Worth school sues to call itself "seminary'", Austin American-Statesman, April 15, 1999. "Tyndale has about 350 seminary students, about two-thirds of them taking courses by correspondence, said Mal Couch, the school's president and founder. He said he holds five degrees, including a doctorate of theology from Louisiana Baptist Seminary..."
  18. Murray, Shailagh. "Filibuster Fray Lifts Profile of Minister: Scarborough Has Network and Allies", The Washington Post, May 8, 2005. Accessed December 19, 2007. "After receiving a master's of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and a doctorate in ministry from Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary, Scarborough hit the national revival and crusade circuit for 14 years."
  19. Rick Scarborough Archived 2006-09-09 at the Wayback Machine Vision America
  20. "Larry Bagley". plus.google.com. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  21. Wilson, Jennifer. "Is Noah's Ark on mount in Iran? Man scours the world looking for religious artifacts" Archived 2012-07-07 at Archive.today, Deseret Morning News, August 11, 2006. Accessed December 19, 2007. "Bob Cornuke doesn't have a degree in archaeology; he holds a doctorate in Bible and theology from Louisiana Baptist University."
  22. Knowles, Francine (June 18, 2014). "Ex-head of religious group acted inappropriately, not criminally: investigation". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  23. Arellano. "Dr. Jihad" Archived 2007-11-10 at the Wayback Machine, OC Weekly, March 2, 2006. Accessed December 19, 2007. "Morey also claims to have received a doctorate from Louisiana Baptist University. Two problems: LBU is unaccredited by the United States government, which means no serious academy would recognize it. Then there's this: LBU doesn’t offer a Ph.D. in Islamic studies."

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