Arizona Christian University

Arizona Christian University
Motto	"Transforming Culture with Truth"
Established	1960 (1960)
Type	Private
Religious affiliation	Christian, Non-denominational
President	Len Munsil, Esq.
Provost	Dr. Gary Damore
Academic staff	83
Admin. staff	29
Students	600
Location	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Campus	Urban, 35 acres (14 ha)
Former names	Southwestern College
Colors	Phoenix Red and Firestorm Yellow
Athletics	NAIA
Sports	Baseball Basketball Cross country Golf Soccer Volleyball
Nickname	ACU
Mascot	Firestorm
Affiliations	GSAC (Starting 2012-13)
Website	www.arizonachristian.edu

Arizona Christian University (formerly Southwestern College) is a private, non-profit Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona.

History of ACU

Arizona Christian University traces its roots to Ida Clouse, a devout Christian missionary and registered nurse from the Midwest. On September 29, 1917, Ida’s adventurous nature led her to Cactus, Arizona, where, under the Homestead Act, she settled 160 barren acres. In the years to follow, Clouse Ranch became a favorite spot for Christian conferences for people all over the southwest.

In 1959, 13 years after Ida’s death, 35 acres of her land was donated to the Arizona Baptist Convention to create a Christian college. Under the leadership of pastors from the Sun Valley Conservative Baptist Association, a proposal was adopted in June 1960 to found a Christian college under the name “Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College.” Classes were initially held at Bethel Baptist Church while construction for the new campus began. In September 1964, 40 students and 16 faculty members transitioned moved to the current campus in north Phoenix.

In 1965, Dr. Wallace Woods, the first President of (1965-1975), wrote, “We want to be current in our thinking and up-to-date in our methods. We want to be relevant to the changing needs of people. Nevertheless, there are foundations upon which we stand as a Bible college, and we fix our anchor in the authority of the Scriptures. By God’s grace, we want to be flexible in the application of Biblical principles to the training of students for effective service in their respective careers and yet hold steadfastly to the Statement of Faith which has characterized the College since its founding.”

In subsequent years, the college continued to grow under the leadership of Dr. Donald H. Launstein (1975-1982), Dr. Kenneth Stephens (1982-83), Dr. Wesley A. Olsen (1983-1992), Dr. Donald R. Engram (1992-95), and Dr. Brent D. Garrison (1995-2010).

While in the early years the university placed particular emphasis on preparing young men and women for careers in vocational ministry and missions, that vision began to expand in in 1975 when the university received approval to offer a degree program in education. Today, the university still serves as a training ground for those entering vocational ministry, but also seeks to equip influential Christ-followers in multiple areas of influence, including business, couseling, music and education, with additional majors proposed for the years ahead.

Notable graduates include Dr. Mark Bailey, President of Dallas Theological Seminary.

ACU’s desire to serve the broader evangelical community was reflected in the decision in 2009 to become a non-denominational Christian liberal arts university, while at the same time remaining grateful for its roots in the Conservative Baptist denomination.

In 2010, Len Munsil assumed the presidency of Arizona Christian University. President Munsil is a constitutional attorney and has a background in Christian non-profit and public policy work and was the 2006 Republican nominee for governor of Arizona. President Munsil’s agenda has included increasing school visibility, expanding the number of majors offered, engaging in campus renovations and attracting and inspiring students who are called to provide Christian leadership in every arena of influence in society. The decision in January 2011 to embrace the name “Arizona Christian University” was the final, formal step in preparing ACU for its future as Arizona’s only private, accredited, non-profit Christian liberal arts university.

Degree Offerings

Today, Arizona Christian University offers bachelor's degrees in:

• Behavioral Health
• Biblical Studies
• Business Administration
• Christian Ministries
• Elementary Education
• Family Studies
• Music, Ministry
• Music, Praise & Worship
• Music, Vocal Performance
• Music Education
• Secondary Education

Starting in Fall 2010, Arizona Christian University started offering the emphasis areas of Pre-Law and Pre-Medical. The University has also sought approval from the Higher Learning Commission to add degrees in Political Science, Communication and Biology.

Student life

Students are required to be born-again believers attending a Christian church. Regularly scheduled chapel attendance is required for full-time students as well. The college also requires that students maintain a minimum standard of conduct based on Biblical principles.

Athletics

Member of the NCCAA and NAIA include:

• Men's Baseball
• Men's Basketball
• Men's Cross-Country
• Men's Golf
• Men's Soccer
• Women's Basketball
• Women's Cross-Country
• Women's Golf
• Women's Soccer
• Women's Volleyball

Arizona Christian University is a member of the NAIA and will be a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference beginning with the 2012-13 season.

Mission statement and goals of the college

As of 2005, the stated mission and goals of Arizona Christian University are as follows:

Mission Statement

• Arizona Christian University provides a biblically integrated education that prepares its graduates to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in ministries and professional occupations.

The goal of the college is to graduate students who will:

• Acquire biblical concepts that will enable them to evaluate knowledge in the light of biblical truth and apply that knowledge in everyday life.
• Understand people as a special and beloved creation and act toward them in a responsible and compassionate way as modeled by Jesus Christ.
• Develop critical judgment and analytical reasoning skills.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary for competence in a vocation.
• Participate in the ministry of the local church to encourage spiritual growth, and help fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19-20).

External links

• Official web site
• Official athletics web site