The King's College (New York City)

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Coordinates: 40°42′24″N 74°0′44″W / 40.70667°N 74.01222°W / 40.70667; -74.01222
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This article is about the present-day college in New York. For the historical New York college, see Columbia College, Columbia University.

The King's College
The King's College (New York) shield.svg
Arms of The King's College
TypePrivate liberal arts college
Established1938
AccreditationMSCHE
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational Christian[1]
PresidentSteven French
ProvostMatthew Parks
Academic staff
26 full-time
Students550
Location
56 Broadway, New York, New York
,
U.S.

40°42′24″N 74°0′44″W / 40.70667°N 74.01222°W / 40.70667; -74.01222
CampusUrban
ColorsBlue and white
NicknameLions
Sporting affiliations
USCAA
HVIAC
MascotLion
Websitetkc.edu

The King's College (TKC or simply King's) is a private non-denominational Christian liberal arts college in New York City. The predecessor institution was founded in 1938 in Belmar, New Jersey, by Percy Crawford. The King's College draws more than 500 students from 37 states and 15 countries. The college has faced significant financial challenges and announced its possible closure in 2023.[2] On May 26, 2023, its accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, announced it was withdrawing accreditation.[3][4]

History[edit]

The Briarcliff Lodge, the main facility of the school's former Briarcliff Manor campus, c. 1980s

Percy B. Crawford founded The King's College in 1938 in Belmar, New Jersey.[5] The school re-located in 1941 to the Lexington mansion on the 65-acre former estate of Major Philip Reybold near Delaware City, Delaware,[6] and again in 1955 to the former Briarcliff Lodge site in Briarcliff Manor, New York.[7] At Briarcliff, The King's College sponsored the King's Tournament, a sports tournament in which East Coast Christian college athletes competed each year.[5]

After Crawford's death,[8] Robert A. Cook became the college's second president in 1962.[9] The college prospered under his leadership, with enrollment growing to a high of 870 students in 1980.[10] After 23 years as president, Cook retired and became the college's chancellor in 1985, a position which he held until his death in 1991.[9] Friedhelm Radandt succeeded Cook to become the college's third president.[11] Nine years later, in December 1994, the New York Commissioner of Education ordered the college to shut down after the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools revoked the school's accreditation.[12] [13] By 1994, the college had experienced years of declining enrollment, financial troubles, and the deterioration of the Briarcliff campus.[10] The college had purchased property for a new campus at Sterling Forest, but was prevented from selling the Briarcliff campus in a timely fashion. The college declared bankruptcy, owing more than $25 million to its creditors, mostly from the mortgage on the new campus.[14]

Reestablishment in New York City[edit]

The college charter first granted by the New York Board of Regents in 1955 remained in force.[15] In 1997, the college's charter was amended to make Campus Crusade for Christ the sole member of the corporation.[15] Together with Campus Crusade founder Bill Bright, J. Stanley "Stan" Oakes, then the director of Faculty Commons,[16] a Campus Crusade ministry, began work to pay off the institution's debts and re-establish it in New York City. Instrumental in this process was the acquisition of Northeastern Bible College, which was founded by a friend of Percy Crawford but had experienced a similar decline and closure to that of King's.[17] In 1999, King's leased 45,000 square feet (4,200 m2) of space on three floors of the Empire State Building in New York City for classrooms, a student recreation center, and administrative offices.[7] Radandt remained president, with Oakes as chairman.[15] In January 2003, Oakes became the fourth president. Five years later, Oakes became chancellor and board member Andy Mills served as interim president.

Following treatment for brain cancer, Oakes reassumed the presidency on January 1, 2009. In December 2009, the college announced that Oakes would take a year-long sabbatical while Andy Mills again served in an interim role.

On August 23, 2010, the college announced the appointment of the conservative writer Dinesh D'Souza as its new president. On October 18, 2012, D'Souza resigned his post at the school shortly after it became known that he booked a room at a hotel with a woman who was not his wife. After it became clear that D'Souza was having an affair, he claimed to be engaged to another woman,[18] despite the fact that he was still married to his now former wife.[19] While a search committee was formed to select a permanent president, Andy Mills filled in for a third time.[20]

In 2012, the college relocated from the Empire State Building to a new location one block south of Wall Street on Broadway (Manhattan). The college also became independent of Campus Crusade in 2012.[1][21]

On July 11, 2013, the college announced the appointment of Gregory Alan Thornbury, former dean of the School of Theology and Missions at Union University, as the sixth president of the institution.[22][23][24][25][26][27]

On November 21, 2017, the college announced that Thornbury would become its Chancellor and retired Air Force Brigadier General Tim Gibson would serve as Interim President. Mark Hijleh, formerly Vice President for Academic Affairs, was concurrently appointed Provost, and Brian Brenberg, Associate Professor of Business and Economics and chair of the programs in business and finance, was appointed an Executive Vice President.[28] Thornbury served as Chancellor during the transition period, and later stepped down to give greater place to scholarly and artistic pursuits. This included post-publication opportunities related to his book on the Christian rock-and-roll artist Larry Norman. In June 2018, the college purchased a former hotel in the Financial District to become a student residence. Gibson was formally appointed the seventh president of King's on August 21, 2018.[29] Gibson resigned in August 2022.[30][31] Stockwell Day, former Canadian finance minister, was appointed as the interim president.[32][33] On May 8, 2023, Steven French was appointed interim president. [34]

Possible closure[edit]

In March 2023, the university began notifying students that the school may soon close due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The recent addition of online learning at King's was unable to fully address the issues. An emergency loan, from an executive at the firm partnered with the college to offer online learning, reportedly extended the school's survival through the end of the spring 2023 semester.[2] Later in March, students living in apartments arranged by the college received eviction notices due to back rent the college owed the landlords, as the $2 million loan was not enough to cover the rent.[35][36] King's pursued negotiation with seven other colleges to create preferred transfer agreements. The schools included Providence Christian College, Houghton University, and Cairn University.[37]

In February 2023, its accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education sought additional information regarding its "teach-out plan."[38] In March, MSCHE placed the college on "show cause" status after rejecting its plan.[38][39] This requires the college to prove to the commission that it is in compliance with the commission's standards or the commission will revoke the college's accreditation. The order requires the college to do this by April 18.[39] In the meantime, the college remains accredited.[4]

Academics[edit]

The college is authorized by the Board of Regents to grant Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Business degrees in a total of nine majors.[40] Students are also able to pursue 16 different minors.[41]

All students at King's take an 18-course Core Curriculum, an interdisciplinary,[42] Great Books-style curriculum[43] focused on Christian scripture; politics, philosophy and economics; and the traditional liberal arts.[42][44]

The King's College also offers semester-long visiting students programs in journalism, theater, and business for undergraduates from other schools. The New York City Semester program has 34 partner schools, including Biola University, University of Mississippi, and Uganda Christian University.[45]

Accreditation[edit]

Since 2009, The King's College has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.[46] Accreditation was reaffirmed in 2015.[47] In 2023, MSCHE has requested more information to determine whether The King's College continues to be in compliance with necessary standards after the accreditor rejected the school's proposed teach-out plan.[39]

Student life[edit]

During the 2016–2017 academic year, the college enrolled over 220 new students from 10 countries and 43 states, for a total enrollment of over 600 students.[48] The average ACT score of the 2015 incoming class was 26, and the average SAT score was 1730 (on a 2400 scale). The King's College adopted the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as a third admissions option for students since the summer of 2016.[49]

Residence life[edit]

King's does not require attendance at chapel services, and students are not required to sign a statement of faith, although faculty and staff are required to do so.[50] Instead, students sign an honor code pledging not to "lie, steal, cheat, or turn a blind eye to those who do. Every student is honor bound to confront any other student who breaches the code."[51] This is described by the school as "the minimum standard of ethical behavior that all students have contracted to live by."[51] Students live in groups of three or four[52] in apartments in high-rise apartment buildings in the Financial District and Brooklyn.[53] During the summer, King's leases these apartments to students in the city for summer internships.[54]

King's has a house system.[55] All incoming students are assigned to one of ten established houses, which are named after historic leaders: Ronald Reagan, C.S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Corrie ten Boom, Queen Elizabeth I, Margaret Thatcher, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Winston Churchill, and Clara Barton.[55] Students are encouraged to develop strong ties within their houses. During the year, they participate in inter-house competitions such as "The Great Race," a scavenger hunt throughout the city[55] and the House GPA contest, where each house attempts to achieve the highest average GPA.[7][55] The competitions are tracked throughout the year, with the winning house receiving the "House Cup."[56] Houses also host events including dinners, dances, and annual events like the Super Bowl Party traditionally hosted by the House of Bonhoeffer, and the annual Red & Green Affair dance, hosted by the houses of Lewis and Thatcher.

As upperclassmen, students are eligible for election by their peers to one of four house leadership positions: President, Scholar, Helmsman, and Chamberlain. Each position has certain spiritual, academic, or residence life responsibilities within the house.[55]

All students are required to participate in Interregnum, a semi-annual weekend of academic competitions centered around an annual theme.[57] The theme is chosen to prompt moral and ethical questions, and is paired with 1–6 required readings. The various competitions, such as parliamentary debate, performing arts, and a 24-hour film competition, are completed as a part of the House Cup and are inspired by the annual theme and various readings. Interregnum also includes an annual lecture from a speaker pertinent to the theme, traditionally as an opening to the spring semester activities.

Extracurricular activities[edit]

King's has many student groups, including The King's Debate Society, which was ranked 53rd in the world in 2013 worldwide ranking by the International Debate Education Association (IDEA), and Mock Trial, which puts students in the shoes of courtroom lawyers and witnesses, competing against other colleges at a regional and national level.

REFUGE is a bi-weekly worship service held on campus. During lunch on Mondays, the community participates in the public reading of Scripture. Other clubs include The King's Players, resident theater company, which puts on plays once a semester, and The King's Dancers, which schedules dance practices, performances, and outings.

Other organizations include The King's Council, the King's student government group; the Empire State Tribune, the King's student newspaper; and The King's Players. King's students are encouraged to start groups they see a need for at the college.[58]

Athletics[edit]

The King's Baseball team, Fall 2011

The King's athletic teams are the Lions. The college is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), primarily competing in the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) since the 2004–2005 academic year. The Lions formerly competed as a member of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA); as well as a founding member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) (currently an athletic conference in the Division II ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)) from 1961–1962 to 1988–1989.

The King's competes in 10 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, rugby, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, track & field and volleyball.

Most teams at The King's were student-started and run as club teams before transitioning to varsity status.[59]

Notable faculty[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "King's to become independent of Campus Crusade". The Empire State Tribune - The Award-Winning Student Newspaper of the King's College. October 11, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Stack, Liam (March 17, 2023). "The Second Life of a Christian College in Manhattan Nears Its End". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  3. ^ Biever, Nicole (May 26, 2023). "MSCHE Withdraws Accreditation from The King's College (NY)". Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Moody, Josh (March 30, 2023). "The King's College Hit With Show Cause Order". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "About King's – The King's College". Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  6. ^ Crawford, Dan (2010). A Thirst for Souls: The Life of Evangelist Percy B. Crawford (1902–1960). Selinsgrove: Susquehanna University Press. ISBN 978-1575911489.
  7. ^ a b c Segal, David (February 20, 2008). "God And The City". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  8. ^ The Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. "'As This Is Our First Broadcast...': Biography of Percy B. Crawford". Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  9. ^ a b Narvaez, Alfonso A. (March 16, 1991). "Rev. Robert Cook, Author, Dies at 78; Led King's College". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Briarcliff Lodge and The King's College". www.hudsonvalleyruins.org. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  11. ^ "History". The King's College. November 12, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  12. ^ Bird, Warren (November 14, 1994). "State Closes King's College". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  13. ^ "The King's College to Close This Month". The Chronicle of Higher Education. December 7, 1994. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Carnes, Tony (February 9, 1998). "King's College Resurrection Signals Big Apple's Renewal", Christianity Today, p. 60. Retrieved November 10, 2009
  15. ^ a b c "Regents Item". www.regents.nysed.gov. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  16. ^ "Our History | Faculty Commons". www.facultycommons.com. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  17. ^ Aviv, Rachel (April 4, 2006). "On High." The Village Voice. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
  18. ^ "Dinesh D'Souza Resigns as President of The King's College". October 18, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  19. ^ Peretz, Evgenia (May 2015). "Get a Rare Glimpse of Dinesh D'Souza's Life After Conviction". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  20. ^ "Staying the Course – The King's College". October 25, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  21. ^ Leedy, David (May 4, 2012). "The End of an Era". The King's College. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  22. ^ "Gregory Alan Thornbury Named as Sixth President – The King's College". July 11, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  23. ^ "The King's College Announces New President, Eight Months After Dinesh D'Souza's Resignation". July 11, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  24. ^ "Press Releases: Carter Baldwin". www.carterbaldwin.com. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  25. ^ "Greg Thornbury named president of The King's College in NYC – News Release". July 11, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  26. ^ Service, Adelle M. Banks Religion News (July 13, 2013). "Meet The New Leader Of King's College". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  27. ^ "King's College Announces New President, Gregory Thornbury, to Succeed D'Souza". July 11, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  28. ^ "The King's College Board of Trustees Announces Leadership Restructuring – The King's College". The King's College. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  29. ^ "Tim Gibson Named Seventh President of The King's College – The King's College". The King's College. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  30. ^ Giatti, Ian M. (August 23, 2022). "'Time for a change': Tim Gibson to step down as president of The King's College". The Christian Post. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  31. ^ Huspen, Melinda; Garcia Au, Myrian (August 14, 2022). "President Tim Gibson Resigns from The King's College". Empire State Tribune. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  32. ^ "Stockwell Day". The King's College. April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  33. ^ "'Different Campaign, Different General' – Q&A With King's Interim President, Stockwell Day". Empire State Tribune. September 15, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  34. ^ "Steve French". The King's College. May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  35. ^ Chang, Clio (March 10, 2023). "Christian-College Students Got Eviction Notices at Their Luxury Dorms". Curbed. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  36. ^ "The Importance of Christian Higher Education". Empire State Tribune. March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  37. ^ Huspen, Melinda (March 2, 2023). "King's Reveals Seven Transfer Schools at Latest Community Update". Empire State Tribune. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023.
  38. ^ a b "King's College, The". Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023.
  39. ^ a b c "MSCHE Requires The King's College (NY) To Show Cause". Middle States Commission on Higher Education. March 29, 2023. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023.
  40. ^ "Academics". The King's College. June 21, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  41. ^ "Minors". The King's College. August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  42. ^ a b "Academics". The King's College. June 21, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  43. ^ Hebel, Sara (June 17, 2005). "An Evangelical College Fends for Itself in the Heart of Manhattan". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  44. ^ "Core Curriculum". The King's College. June 21, 2019. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023.
  45. ^ Toole, Talbert (October 18, 2018). "The King's College in NYC Offers Advanced Opportunities for Journalism Students – HottyToddy.com". HottyToddy.com. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  46. ^ "Institution Directory: King's College, The". Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  47. ^ "King's College, The". Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  48. ^ "King's Welcomes New Students on Campus – The King's College". September 2, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  49. ^ "King's Welcomes New Students to Campus – The King's College". August 27, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  50. ^ "God Is in the Basement of the Empire State Building". NYMag.com. July 22, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  51. ^ a b "Student Handbook" (PDF). The King's College. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  52. ^ Paumgarten, Nick (July 24, 2005). "The Good News". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  53. ^ "Apartment Life – The King's College". Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  54. ^ NYC Intern About Us. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  55. ^ a b c d e "House System – The King's College". Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  56. ^ "House Competition Standings". The King's College. November 25, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  57. ^ "Interregnum XIX". Interregnum XIX. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  58. ^ The King's College Student Organizations "The King's College". Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2010.. Retrieved March 5, 2010
  59. ^ [1] Archived November 21, 2010, at the Wayback Machine

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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