Wikipedia

Pensacola Christian College

30°28′15″N87°13′57″W/ 30.4709°N 87.2325°W/30.4709; -87.2325 Pensacola Christian College(PCC) is aprivateChristiancollege inPensacola, Florida.Founded in 1974 by Arlin and Beka Horton,[3]it has beenaccreditedby theTransnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schoolssince 2013.[4]

Pensacola Christian College
College seal
MottoStrength. Truth. Beauty.
TypePrivate college
Established1974
FoundersArlin and Beka Horton
AccreditationTRACS
Religious affiliation
Independent Baptist[1]
PresidentTroy Shoemaker
Vice-presidentJon Lands
Students4,882 (2017)[2]
Location
Pensacola
,
Florida
,
U.S.
ColorsBlue, white, yellow
NicknameEagles
Sporting affiliations
NCCAADivision II – South
MascotEagor
Websitewww.pcci.edu
Palm tree surrounded by a rectangle and the letters 'PCC'

History

edit

Arlin and Beka Horton graduated fromBob Jones Universityin 1951,[5]and moved toPensacola, Florida,in 1952 to found a Christian grade school. That school, Pensacola Christian Grade School, opened in 1954; it was later renamedPensacola Christian Academy.[6]

In 1974, the Hortons opened Pensacola Christian College to further their vision of "Education from a Christian Perspective." The college had 100 students its first year open, and was based in a single building, Ballard Hall.[7]

Pensacola Theological Seminary, an extension of PCC's graduate school, was founded in 1998. Its avowed purpose is "to fill each student's mind and heart with what the Bible says."[7]

In February 2012, Arlin Horton announced that he would be retiring from the ministry after May 2012. The school's board voted unanimously to install Troy Shoemaker, a PCC graduate, as president of the college.[8]Shoemaker, a former administrator at Pensacola Christian Academy,[9]completed his undergraduate education at PCC and holds aDoctor of Educationdegree from the institution as well as aneducation specialistdegree from theUniversity of West Florida.[10]In July 2019, Shoemaker hired Jon Lands as the executive vice president. Lands completed his undergraduate education at PCC, graduating with a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministries. He also received his honorary doctorate from PCC in 2011.

A concert at the school on February 11, 2023, by the Britisha capellaensemblethe King's Singerswas cancelled with two hours' notice due to "concerns" about the "lifestyle" andsexual orientationof a member of the group.[11]Pensacola Christian College's Articles of Faith classify homosexuality as a form of sexual immorality along withadultery,fornication, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography, citing passages in theBook of Matthew,theFirst Epistle to the Corinthians,and theBook of Hebrews.[12]

Academics

edit
The main entrance to the main academic and administration building

PCC has nine academic divisions including Bible, business, education, engineering and computer science, humanities, natural sciences, nursing, performing arts, and visual arts.[13]Graduate degrees are offered through the graduate school at PCC and through Pensacola Theological Seminary in the fields of Bible, business administration, communicative arts, divinity, education, ministry, music, and nursing.[14]

The college markets its education programs as being specifically intended to prepare educators for employment at Christian schools rather than public schools, though graduates of the programs have been eligible to apply for public school teacher certification in Florida since 2000.[15]

Because the college accepts a literal interpretation of theGenesis creation narrativefrom the Bible and rejectsevolutionand other mainstream theories about the origins and age of Earth, students are taughtyoung Earth creationism,[16]and that God created the Earth in six literal 24-hour days.[16]PCC's biology classes are based on creationism.[17]

Accreditation

edit
The Campanile at PCC

Since 2013, Pensacola Christian College has been accredited by theTransnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools(TRACS), a religiousnational accreditation agencyrecognized by the U.S. Department of Education, to offer associates to doctorate degrees.[4]However, Pensacola Christian College does not participate in any federal or state funded financial aid programs.[18]In consequence, the college is exempt from federal guidelines concerning many forms of discrimination (e.g.,Title IXof theEducation Amendments of 1972), investigations into accusations of sexual abuse, and sharing of information about crimes on campus (Clery Act).[19]

From 1974 until 2011, Pensacola Christian College did not seek accreditation. In numerous publications the school explained that it eschewed accreditation, indicating that an outside agency that did not share its religious and moral views might try to pressure the college to change or eliminate its beliefs[citation needed].

The college changed course on November 9, 2011, when the administration informed its students that PCC had been awarded candidacy for accreditation, a pre-accreditation status, by Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.[20]In October 2013, PCC was officially accredited by TRACS.[4]

The baccalaureate and master's degrees in nursing at Pensacola Christian College are also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing, and the baccalaureate degree in engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.[21]

Student life

edit

Athletics

edit
Main article:Pensacola Christian Eagles
Arlin R. Horton Sports Center

PCC participates in theNational Christian College Athletic Association(NCCAA) for intercollegiate sports. Sports include men's basketball and soccer and women's basketball and volleyball. The men's wrestling team won the NCCAA national championship in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998, the last year before the NCCAA discontinued the sport.[22][23]The Men's Eagles Basketball games as well as the Lady Eagles basketball games are played in the arena level of the Sports Center. PCC also hosts a number of invitational high school sporting tournaments and camps.[24]

In addition to intercollegiate athletics, PCC students are also afforded the opportunity to play intramural sports through their Collegians. Sports offered through collegians include soccer,basketball,softball,volleyball,and broom-hockey among others,[25]and the Eagles have acheerleadingsquad called the Blue Crew.[26]Every fall Collegian Soccer culminates with the winners of the playoffs facing each other in the annual Turkey Bowl held over the Thanksgiving weekend.[27]In the spring, students can play softball and basketball.

Recreation

edit

The campus offers opportunities for individual or group recreation, such as theArlin R. Horton Sports Centerwhich originally opened in 1993.[28]The sports center has facilities for ice skating, bowling, racquetball, miniature golf, table tennis, and weight lifting.[29]In addition with an expansion completed in 2008 by Hewes & Company, LLC, it includes a surfing wave, water cannons, an inline skating track, a rooftop sun deck, a snack bar, escape room andclimbing walls.[30][29]The campus also has the John Ray Hall Field House in which students can play basketball, swim, work out in the weight room, and play tennis. For students willing to make the 30-minute drive, the West Campus has 24Hobie catamaranswith classes "offered in sailing, kayaking, swimming, and lifeguarding."[31]

Rules and regulations

edit
The main dining facility

PCC policies govern many aspects of the students' lives, including dress, hairstyles, cleanliness of residence hall rooms, styles of music, borrowing, off-campus employment, and Internet access.[32]For example, "All students are expected to dress modestly, in conservative fashions and... men are not to wear effeminate hairstyles or apparel."[33]

PCC also prohibits physical contact and interaction between unwed members of the opposite sex. Mixed groups must obtain a "3+ Pass" to hang out off campus, however, men and women are not allowed to ride in the same vehicle to the destination without an approved chaperone. Students over the age of 23 are not required to have a chaperone on a date, but cannot go to a beach or a park after dark.[34]

Most stairwells, elevators, and parking lots on campus aresegregatedby gender.

Other prohibited activities at PCC include "fornication, adultery, homosexual behavior, or any other sexual perversion. Also, any involvement in pornography or sexual communications, including verbal, written, or electronic."[35]In addition, "most forms of dancing," profanity, hazing, discrimination, gambling, stealing and "witchcraft, séances, astrology, or any other satanic practices" are also banned. Students are also not allowed to use, possess, or "associate" with alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.[36]Policy violations also include visiting movie theaters, patronizing unauthorized area businesses, being off campus after hours, and being in a residence hall belonging to a member of the opposite sex.[36]

Demerits and discipline

edit
Area outside of the student union, known as the Commons building

PCC has three levels ofpunishment;students can be given "infractions,"[37]"demerits," or beexpelled.[38]The school operates a "demerit" system where "demerits" are "recorded on a student's record for the purpose of limiting continued misconduct, given for continued neglect of responsibilities or for more serious offenses."[36]Students may be given notices, charges, demerits, or be expelled.[36]Students who have these demerits are subject to administrative review by the Student Court, during which demerits are assigned or canceled corresponding to the degree of the infraction or circumstantial conditions surrounding the incident in question. "[36]

In the past (at least until 2008), students who acquired a certain number of demerits in a semester were "campused," meaning they were not allowed to leave campus for a period of time.[36]Students suspected of more serious violations could be subject to being "shadowed," where they were assigned to a Residence Assistant (a fellow student who was selected by PCC to provide leadership in the residence hall and to enforce college regulations).[36]This included being required to attend the Residence Assistant's classes and moving to the Residence Assistant's room.[38]While being shadowed the student was prohibited from speaking with any student other than with the Floor Leader who was shadowing them.

The rules and disciplinary policies at Pensacola Christian College have been the subject of criticism. In 1996 a PCC alumnus started an electronic newsletter entitledThe Student Voice,which criticized PCC, particularly the school's rules and demerit system.[39]It was originally published in a newsletter format distributed exclusively via e-mail, and it was later published at www.pensacolachristiancollege.com. Following numerous attempts by the college to have the website shut down through arbitration and lawsuits, the website's owners relinquished control of the domain to the college, who has redirected the domain to the main PCC website.[39][40][41][42][43]

Students may also be written up for infractions such as but not limited to- frayed pants, going off campus with a person of the opposite sex, watching movies rated PG-13 or higher, and listening to "worldly music".

Faith and King-James-only debate

edit

PCC rejectshyper-Calvinism,Modernism,Neo-orthodoxy,and the modern daycharismatic movementand specifically states that "Pensacola Christian is not a part of the 'tongues movement' and does not allow students to participate in or promote any charismatic activities, nor do we permit students to promote hyper-Calvinism."[44]

PCC also states the belief that theTextus Receptusis the superior Greek text of the Bible and upon this basis uses theKing James Versionof the Bible for all pulpit ministry and classroom Bible instruction.[44]

Affiliated ministries of PCC

edit

The Campus Church

edit
The Crowne Center, which serves as an auditorium and campus church, was built in 2001

The Campus Church, anIndependent Baptistchurch,[45]meets in the 6200 seat, 314,000 Sq. Ft.[46]Crowne Center on Pensacola Christian College's campus and has Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday evening services.[47]The Campus Church is not a department of the college, but is a separate entity operating alongside the college.

Rejoice in the Lord

edit
Crowne Center Auditorium

The Campus Church holds weekly services from the Crowne Center at Pensacola Christian College. The services are recorded and edited for the weekly television broadcast ofRejoice in the Lord.The programming ofRejoice in the Lordconsists of musical numbers performed by the Rejoice Choir, various PCC musical ensemble groups, congregational singing recorded in the Campus Church and preaching by Pastor Jeff Redlin. The hour-long television program is broadcast at 8 p.m. Eastern on Sundays on theDaystar Television Network.[48]

WPCS

edit
Main article:WPCS (FM)

Pensacola Christian College owns radio stationWPCS89.5 FM, known on-air as Rejoice Radio. WPCS is the main station of the Rejoice Broadcasting Network (sometimes referred to as "RBN" ). The content heard on Rejoice Radio consists primarily of inspirational music and syndicated Christian radio programming.

Abeka

edit

Abeka,formerly known as A Beka Book, is apublisheraffiliated with Pensacola Christian College that produces K–12curriculummaterials that are used byProtestant fundamentalist[49][50]and otherconservativeEvangelical Christianschools, as well as non-fundamentalist Christian schools[citation needed]andhomeschoolingfamilies around the world. It is named after Rebekah Horton, wife of college president Arlin Horton, both of whom founded both PCC and Abeka, administering them simultaneously. Abeka andBJU Press(formerlyBob Jones UniversityPress) have been considered the two major publishers of Christian-based educational materials in America.[51]

Abeka has been criticized for selling works that do not follow a scientific consensus regarding theorigins of the universe,origins of life,andevolution.InAssociation of Christian Schools International et al. v. Roman Stearns et al.,a judge upheld theUniversity of California's rejection of Abeka publications for preparatory use because the books are "inconsistent with the viewpoints and knowledge generally accepted in thescientific community."[52][53]

In 1996, state and federal agencies requested millions of dollars of unpaid taxes between 1988 and 1995 from A Beka Book, at the time a division of PCC.[54]In a settlement without any admission of wrongdoing, Pensacola Christian College paid $44.5 million in federal taxes. The organization also voluntarily paid $3.5 million Florida state taxes in full even though it had received legislative relief from them and no longer bore any legal liability for them, to avoid any appearance of offense or subsidization by the state.[55]

Chris-Tex

edit

Chris-Tex is a public foundation based in Pensacola, Florida that was founded in 1998 made to function as the investment and endowment manager for Pensacola Christian College. For the fiscal year 2022, revenue was $61 million with assets reported of $1.36b.[56][57]

Notable alumni

edit

References

edit
  1. ^"Articles of Faith".Pensacola Christian College. 2013.RetrievedJanuary 13,2013.
  2. ^Joseph Baucum (May 22, 2017)."Escambia County approves vacating Rawson Lane to PCC".Pensacola News Journal.Gannett.
  3. ^"Founders · Pensacola Christian College".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedMarch 20,2019.
  4. ^abc"Pensacola Christian College".Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.November 26, 2019.
  5. ^CLA [Christian Law Association] Defender,4:9 (September 1981), 19; Bob Jones UniversityVintage(yearbook), 1951, 183.
  6. ^"Pensacola Christian Academy - History".Pensacola Christian Academy.RetrievedJanuary 27,2019.
  7. ^ab"History of PCC · Pensacola Christian College".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedJune 17,2017.
  8. ^Horton, Arlin."President Horton Announces Retirement".RetrievedFebruary 8,2012.
  9. ^"President".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedJanuary 27,2019.
  10. ^"Board & Administration".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedJanuary 27,2019.
  11. ^"The King's Singers' Florida Concert Canceled due to Homophobia".OperaWire.February 14, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 14,2023.
  12. ^"Biblical Principles".self published by Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedFebruary 18,2023.
  13. ^"Academics · Home · Pensacola Christian College".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedMarch 20,2019.
  14. ^"Catalog 2013"(PDF).Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.
  15. ^"Academics FAQ".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedJune 13,2018.
  16. ^ab"We believe God created the heavens and earth in six literal days, and that God created all life (Gen. 1). We reject the man-made theory of evolution occurring over millions of years and believe the earth is 6,000 years old.""Catalog 2013"(PDF).Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.page 7
  17. ^"Catalog 2012"(PDF).Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 20, 2012.RetrievedMarch 24,2013.page 208
  18. ^"Finances · Frequently Asked Questions · Pensacola Christian College".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedAugust 1,2019.
  19. ^Caputo, Ibby; Marcus, Jon (July 7, 2016)."How Some Religious Colleges Avoid Rules Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation".The Atlantic.RetrievedJuly 28,2024.
  20. ^"Announcement from PCC's President".Pensacola Christian College. November 12, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.
  21. ^"Accreditation and Authorization · Pensacola Christian College".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedAugust 1,2019.
  22. ^"PCC".RetrievedJanuary 17,2017.
  23. ^"Men's Wrestling Archives"(PDF).NCCAA.RetrievedJanuary 19,2017.
  24. ^"Youth Outreach Ministry - Home Page".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedAugust 9,2022.
  25. ^"Collegians · Pensacola Christian College".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedMarch 20,2019.
  26. ^"PCC Eagles - Cheerleading".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedAugust 9,2022.
  27. ^"Athletic Opportunities · Pensacola Christian College".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedMarch 20,2019.
  28. ^"Arlin R. Horton Sports Center – Pensacola Christian College Eagles".December 28, 2019.
  29. ^ab"Sports Center".Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.
  30. ^"Hewes & Company, LLC".
  31. ^"West Campus".Pensacola Christian College. 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.
  32. ^"PCC Pathway to College Success Student Resource Guide 2013–2014"(PDF).Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.pages 14–17
  33. ^"PCC Pathway to College Success Student Resource Guide 2013–2014"(PDF).Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.page 15
  34. ^"PCC Pathway to College Success Student Resource Guide 2013–2014"(PDF).Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.pages 40
  35. ^"Code of Conduct · Student Responsibilities · Pathway · Pensacola Christian College".Pensacola Christian College.
  36. ^abcdefg"PCC Pathway to College Success Student Resource Guide 2013–2014"(PDF).Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.
  37. ^"Accountability · Student Responsibilities · Pathway · Pensacola Christian College".www.pcci.edu.RetrievedMarch 20,2019.
  38. ^abBartlett, Thomas.""A College That's Strictly Different"".The Chronicle of Higher Education.
  39. ^ab"Thou shalt not steal? Christian college, alum end battle over domain name".Fox News.April 7, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.
  40. ^"Pensacola Christian College Sues Former Graduate for $100,000 Over Domain Name".Christian Post.April 1, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.
  41. ^"Pensacola Christian College sues over website".Pensacola News Journal.March 31, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.
  42. ^"PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE INC v. GAGE".Justia Dockets & Filings.RetrievedAugust 1,2019.
  43. ^http://www.pensacolachristiancollege.com redirects to thehttp://www.pcci.eduwebsite.
  44. ^ab"Spiritual Life FAQ".Pensacola Christian College.RetrievedMay 1,2020.
  45. ^"Detail by Entity Name".search.sunbiz.org.RetrievedSeptember 8,2017.
  46. ^"Crowne Centre Auditorium At Pensacola Christian College Upgrades With HARMAN's Studer Consoles and BSS Audio Processors".BSS Networked Audio Systems.July 11, 2012.RetrievedJuly 28,2024.
  47. ^"Catalog"(PDF).Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 29,2013.page 13
  48. ^"Rejoice in the Lord".www.rejoicetv.org.RetrievedSeptember 8,2017.
  49. ^Wagner, Melinda Bollar (1991).God's schools: choice and compromise in American society.Rutgers University Press. p.157.ISBN978-0-8135-1607-3.Pensacola Christian College beka books fundamentalist.
  50. ^Parsons, Paul F (1988).Inside America's Christian Schools.Mercer University Press. p. 89.ISBN978-0-86554-303-4.
  51. ^Parsons, Paul F (1988).Inside America's Christian Schools.Mercer University Press. p. 42.ISBN978-0-86554-303-4.
  52. ^"Creationist lawsuit against UC system to proceed".National Center for Science Education.August 10, 2006.RetrievedNovember 18,2009.
  53. ^"Judge throws out religious discrimination suit".North County Times.August 8, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon August 15, 2008.RetrievedAugust 24,2008.
  54. ^Wallsten, Peter (July 7, 1996)."Taxpayers Foot Religious School's Tax Tab".Tampa Bay Times.pp. 17, 22.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024– via newspapers.com.
    Page 22
  55. ^"College Pays Millions in Taxes".October 28, 1996 – via christianitytoday.com.
  56. ^ProPublica, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Ken Schwencke, Brandon Roberts, Alec Glassford (May 9, 2013)."Chris Tex Inc - Nonprofit Explorer".ProPublica.RetrievedFebruary 14,2021.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  57. ^ProPublica, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Ken Schwencke, Brandon Roberts, Alec Glassford (May 9, 2013)."Chris Tex Inc, Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer".ProPublica.RetrievedFebruary 14,2021.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  58. ^"'Apprentice' connection,"Pensacola News Journal,January 14, 2005
  59. ^"Micah Van Huss - Home".www.micahvanhuss.com.RetrievedAugust 1,2019.
  60. ^"Representatives - TN General Assembly".www.capitol.tn.gov.RetrievedAugust 1,2019.
  61. ^"Major League Debut of Umpire John Libka (84)".www.closecallsports.com.
  62. ^"District 22 Sen. Garrett Mason | Maine State Legislature".legislature.maine.gov.RetrievedSeptember 8,2017.
  63. ^"PCC Graduates in Government".Pensacola Christian College. 2011. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2013.RetrievedMarch 24,2013.
  64. ^"The Voter's Self Defense System".Vote Smart.RetrievedAugust 1,2019.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pensacola_Christian_College&oldid=1258133906"