Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University(CCU) is aprivateChristian university inLakewood, Colorado,United States. CCU was founded by Clifton Fowler in 1914 as theDenver Bible Institute.

Colorado Christian University
Former names
Denver Bible Institute (1914–1945)
Denver Bible College (1945–1949)
Rockmont College (1949–1985)
Colorado Christian College (1985–1989)
Colorado Baptist Junior College (1968–1985)
Colorado Baptist University (1985–1989)[1]
Mottoχαρις και αληθεια
(Grace and Truth)
TypePrivate university
Established1914;110 years ago(1914)
Religious affiliation
Christian
Academic affiliations
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Endowment$4.85 million (2019)[2]
PresidentEric Hogue
Students10,149 (fall 2023)[3]
Undergraduates8,068 (fall 2023)
Postgraduates2,081 (fall 2023)
Location,
Colorado

39°42′45.9″N105°05′40.2″W/ 39.712750°N 105.094500°W/39.712750; -105.094500
CampusSuburban
NewspaperCougMedia
ColorsNavy blue, gold, capri
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IIRocky Mountain
MascotCougars
Websitewww.ccu.edu

History

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CCU's heritage dates back to the formation of Denver Bible Institute in 1914. By 1919 the institute had grown immensely, and the first permanent home location was purchased by Denver businessmen. 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.[4]

In 1981, Rockmont College was awarded accreditation by theNorth Central Association.[5]It became Colorado Christian College after merging four years later with Western Bible College, known as Western Bible Institute before becoming a college in the 1970s.[4]Colorado Christian College merged with Colorado Baptist University, in 1989, to become what is now Colorado Christian University.[5]

CCU hosts the Western Conservative Summit in conjunction with their think tank The Centennial Institute.[6]

Campuses

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The main campus of Colorado Christian University is located near the foothills of theRocky MountainsinLakewood, Colorado,a suburb 10 miles (16 km) west ofDenver.The Lakewood campus houses CCU's college of undergraduate studies for traditional students as well as options for married student housing and graduate students. The university's college of adult and graduate studies has regional learning centers throughout Colorado:Denver Tech Centerand Global Online Center (Englewood), Lakewood Center (Lakewood) Northern Colorado Regional Center (Loveland), Southern Colorado Regional Center (Colorado Springs), Sterling Center at Northeastern Junior College (Sterling), Western Colorado Regional Center (Grand Junction).[7]

Leprino Hall

In 2002, CCU began searching for a new campus nearKen Caryl, Colorado,after attempting to develop their Foothills Campus nearMorrison, Colorado.[8][9]For over 40 years, CCU held classes on the 53-acre site, which the university shared withChristian radiostationKWBI(later purchased byK-Love). Plans failed to rezone additional property at the site for future use, and it has since been abandoned and demolished.

Campus renovation

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Colorado Christian University is currently undergoing a major campus renovation of their Lakewood, Colorado location.[10]The renovation is scheduled to take 7–9 years to complete at a cost of over $120 million.[11]In 2012, former CCU PresidentWilliam Armstrongspearheaded the campus renovation project.[12]The university created the Armstrong Legacy initiative as an effort to secure $30.2 million for the Armstrong Center, and $19.2 million for our second new academic building. An additional $50 million will also be pursued to provide a new endowment fund for need-based student scholarships.[12]

The new academic building, Leprino Hall, was opened in Fall 2014. This building is the first of the CCU renovation. The 43,000 square foot building cost $30 million to build and was completed in the summer of 2014.[13][14]

CCU opened a new residence hall to students in August 2015. The new housing has been named "Yetter Hall" after the president of Rockmont College from 1954 to 1963, Archie Yetter.[15]The residence hall houses around 300 students in 53 apartment units. Each unit includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, full sized kitchen, and washer and dryers.[16]

Anschutz Student Center

On August 24, 2017, the Anschutz Student Center opened.[17]It is located at the center of CCU's campus and has 55,000 square feet of space, including food services, offices, and a gym. The Anschutz Student Center's upper floor is a hangout space for students and includes a game room, along with Student Life and Student Activities offices. The main floor of the student center has a canteen. The Great Room is available for different gatherings of students and visitors on campus.[18]

Dedicated August 21, 2019, Rockmont Hall is the second new residence hall constructed as part of the university's campus redevelopment campaign. The 115,000-square-foot facility is named in honor of one of CCU's heritage institutions.

Fundraising is currently underway for the Armstrong Center. The facility will serve as the backbone of the academic quad; it will house the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics, the Clifford Fowler Library, and the university's first dedicated chapel space; and allow the School of Music to return to the heart of campus. Future plans also include the construction of a second dedicated academic building.

Academics

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The university comprises two colleges: the college of undergraduate studies and the college of adult and graduate studies. CCU offers over 100 degree programs as well as licensure and certification programs. The university isaccreditedby theHigher Learning Commission.It is also a member of theCouncil for Christian Colleges and Universities,[19]theNational Association of Independent Colleges and Universities,[20]and the Council for Independent Colleges.[21]

The college of undergraduate studies offers 30 academic majors as well as 37 minors. 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,[22]andJerusalem University College[23]in Israel.

The college of adult and graduate studies offers undergraduate degree completion, educator licensing, and certificate programs for working professionals. The college offers master's degrees and graduate certificate programs.[24]Students may take courses through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies Centers throughout Colorado or through the college's Global Online Center.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the school has an open enrollment admissions policy;[25]however, applicants are required to present a "strong spiritual recommendation" from a pastor, youth pastor, or "spiritual mentor", which can speak to their "Christian testimony and growth".[26]

Rankings

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In the 2020U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking,Colorado Christian University ranked 68th in Regional Universities West, with an overall score of 38/100.[27]

Student life

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Lifestyle covenant

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All traditional undergraduate students are required to sign a "Lifestyle Covenant" to attend Colorado Christian University. 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". Those who sign the lifestyle covenant are required to attend church services and chapel. Additionally, students under the lifestyle covenant are expected to remain in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Students who fail to sign the covenant are subject to immediate dismissal or suspension.[28]

Chapel

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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.[29]

Community service

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CCU requires traditional undergraduate students to be involved in giving back to the community.[30]In order to graduate from the traditional undergraduate college, every student must complete an average of 45 ministry hours per year for a total of 180 hours of service through a local or international ministry, non-profit organization or business during his or her college career. "[31]

Global outreach

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Colorado Christian University sponsors several service-based, short-term mission trips through its CCU2theWorld organization.[32]The affluence of the countries visited is wide-ranging, though emphasis is typically placed on helping the underprivileged. Over the past twenty years, CCU has sent over 270 short-term missionary teams to more than 60 countries around the world and throughout the United States.

Athletics

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The CCU Cougars participate in bothNCAA Division IIand NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association). The Cougars compete in 15 intercollegiate sports, with over 200 athletes between the teams, and currently compete in theRocky Mountain Athletic Conference. In 2016, the women's soccer team took part in the RMAC tournament. They went on to participate in the NCCAA (Division I) tournament inKissimmee, Florida,where they won 1–0 againstOklahoma Baptist University.

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^"Then and Now — CCU Milestones".ccu.edu.Colorado Christian University.Retrieved22 November2022.
  2. ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2018-05-22.Retrieved2022-02-16.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^"Facts & Stats | Colorado Christian University".ccu.edu.
  4. ^ab"100-Year Timeline | Colorado Christian University".ccu.edu.Retrieved2018-11-27.
  5. ^ab"History - Colorado Christian University".Ccu.edu.RetrievedJanuary 21,2020.
  6. ^"Western Conservative Summit 2022".ccu.edu.Retrieved2022-09-26.
  7. ^"Maps, Directions, Locations | Colorado Christian University".Ccu.edu.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  8. ^"Archives: The Rocky Mountain News".Nl.newsbank.com.2002-04-08.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  9. ^"Archives: The Rocky Mountain News".Nl.newsbank.com.2002-01-25.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  10. ^"The Campaign for Colorado Christian University".Ccu.edu.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  11. ^"Anschutz Student Center | The Campaign for Colorado Christian University".Ccu.edu.Archived fromthe originalon 2016-12-31.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  12. ^ab"Armstrong Legacy".ccu.edu.Retrieved2020-04-02.
  13. ^"Leprino Hall & Phase One - Campus Redevelopment - CCU".Ccu.edu.Archived fromthe originalon 2016-11-04.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  14. ^Davis."COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY – LEPRINO ACADEMIC HALL".davispartnership.com.Retrieved2018-12-04.
  15. ^"Yetter Hall | The Campaign for Colorado Christian University".Ccu.edu.2015-08-19.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  16. ^"Phase Two | The Campaign for Colorado Christian University".Ccu.edu.Archived fromthe originalon 2016-09-05.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  17. ^"Anschutz Student Center".Colorado Christian University.Retrieved29 August2017.
  18. ^Davis."Colorado Christian University - Anschutz Student Center".davispartnership.com.Retrieved2018-12-04.
  19. ^"Council for Christian Colleges & Universities - Members & Affiliates".Cccu.org.26 July 2016.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  20. ^"NAICU - Member Directory".Naicu.edu.Archived fromthe originalon 2015-11-09.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  21. ^"Members of CIC".Cic.org.2016-03-07.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  22. ^"BestSemester".BestSemester.com.2015-02-12.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  23. ^"Jerusalem University College - Index Home Page".Juc.edu.Archived fromthe originalon 2018-08-27.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  24. ^"Degree programs from Colorado Christian University | CCU".Ccu.edu.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  25. ^"College Navigator - Colorado Christian University".
  26. ^"Applying to CCU".
  27. ^"U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges".
  28. ^"Lifestyle Covenant".Ccu.edu.Retrieved2018-11-26.
  29. ^"Chapel | Colorado Christian University".ccu.edu.Retrieved2018-11-27.
  30. ^"Meaningful Service | Colorado Christian University".ccu.edu.Retrieved2018-12-02.
  31. ^"Life Directions Center - Colorado Christian University - Acalog ACMS™".Catalog.ccu.edu.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  32. ^"CCU2theWorld | Colorado Christian University".Ccu.edu.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  33. ^"Chris McClellan (2008) - Hall of Fame".Colorado Christian University Athletics.Retrieved2021-09-02.
  34. ^"Northwest Nazarene University".Nnusports.com.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  35. ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2012-05-25.Retrieved2009-11-23.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  36. ^"Ransomed Heart Ministries".Ransomedheart.com.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  37. ^"Scum of the Earth Church – Denver, Colorado » Leanor Inez Ortega Till".2011-07-24. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-24.Retrieved2016-08-01.
  38. ^Lập pháp viện (2013-07-23)."Lập pháp viện".Lập pháp viện(in Chinese (Taiwan)).Retrieved2021-09-02.
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