Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Clarks Summit University

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Type
  
Private Bible college

President
  
Jim Lytle

Campus
  
Suburban

Acceptance rate
  
41% (2012)

Mascot
  
Defenders

Established
  
1932

Students
  
1,220

Undergraduate tuition and fees
  
22,510 USD (2016)

Total enrollment
  
870 (2011)

Location
  
Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Address
  
538 Venard Rd, South Abington Township, PA 18411, USA

Similar
  
Bible college, Keystone College, Cairn University, Marywood University, Lancaster Bible College

Profiles

Campus tour clarks summit university


Clarks Summit University is a higher education institution located in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania, just outside the city of Scranton.

Contents

On April 20, 2015 Baptist Bible College & Seminary was granted university status by the State of Pennsylvania and was renamed Summit University of Pennsylvania.

A range of academic degrees are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These include a high-school dual enrollment option, one-year Bible certificate, as well as associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Programs are offered on-campus and through online distance learning.

Annual enrollment is more than 1,100. About 43% of undergraduates are drawn from Pennsylvania. Roughly 56% are from 29 other states, with about 1% from outside the United States.

Clarks summit university 2016 semester wrap up


History

The school was founded in 1932 in Johnson City, New York.

For its first 36 years, the college used the facilities of First Baptist Church in Johnson City. Additional buildings were purchased or built to accommodate the growing student body.

A steady growth of enrollment by the 1960s prompted school leaders to search for a new location. In 1968, a site in Clarks Summit was found with the help of Gov. William Scranton.

Baptist Bible Seminary began classes in 1972. Graduate studies began in 1989.

On April 20, 2015 Baptist Bible College & Seminary was renamed Summit University of Pennsylvania.

Campus

Clarks Summit University is located on a 141-acre suburban campus. The site includes 17 major buildings, athletic facilities, and a 4.5-acre lake. Major facilities on campus include:

Jackson Hall - The main classroom and administrative building, this four-story building is the largest on campus. Jackson Hall is home to the Murphy Memorial Library.

Buckingham Hall - Occupied by the Music Department, this building contains classrooms, practice rooms, and offices.

Phelps Student Center - This building contains the Huckaby Gymnasium, an athletic training room, locker rooms, a cafeteria, game room, student lounges and health services.

Nordling Hall - Home to the Maintenance Department, this three-story building also houses video communications, Seminary student housing, health services, storage, and the Foundations Christian Counseling Center.

Residence Halls - On-campus housing for undergraduate students is provided in six women's and five men's residence halls. Housing is also available for married students and seminary students.

Recreation Center - A 60,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose building; the Recreation center houses 3 basketball courts, a stage (for chapel, conferences, concerts. etc.), brand new weight room and additional cardio/workout room (over $100,000 in new equipment for faculty/staff and students), offices, student study/hang out areas, classrooms, locker room(s) including showers/changing areas, and an indoor climbing wall. This project began in the Spring of 2009, and opened during the Summer of 2013.

Academics

Clarks Summit University is accredited by The Commissions on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and The Association of Biblical Higher Education. All degrees have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Education graduates meet Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for certification, enabling them to teach in public and private schools. Currently, Pennsylvania has certification reciprocity with numerous states that accept Pennsylvania state certification as fulfillment for their requirements.

Undergraduate students can choose a major from more than 40 programs of study. Undergraduate students dual-major in Bible and a chosen area of concentration. Students earn a bachelor's degree in their concentration area, such as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. They may also choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Bible.

Graduate students can choose from three degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Education and Master of Science in Counseling.

Baptist Bible Seminary grants six different degrees: Master of Ministry, Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Master of Arts degree in Biblical Apologetics, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy.

Online distance learning is available for high school dual enroll, undergraduate, graduate and seminary students.

Surrounding area

The Clarks Summit campus is located about 10 miles from Scranton, the largest city in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the county seat of Lackawanna County.

Baptist Bible Seminary

Seminary classes began in 1972 under the name Baptist Bible School of Theology. In 1987, the name was changed to Baptist Bible Seminary.

Baptist Bible Seminary offers students a blend of academic content and hands-on applications. Six advanced degrees are available in several flexible formats

Student Community

Residence Hall Life - The unique design of the 11 residence halls on campus promotes community among students. Rather than a traditional dormitory style layout, the halls contain suites made up of three student rooms and one bathroom. Rooms are set up for two students each.

Events - Socials and campus events enhance the community environment on campus. Hosted mainly by student groups, socials occur throughout the year.

Other annual events include the Golf Classic (held in May), LYFE Women's Conference (held in May & June), Teen Leadership Camp (held in July and August) and other camps and special events for junior-high and high-school students.

Defender Basketball and Soccer camps are offered for high-school student athletes.

Big Blue Basketball and Soccer camps are offered for elementary and middle school student athletes.

The Music Department hosts multiple concerts and performances.

The Theatre Department performs two major theatrical events each year.

Chapel - Chapel is held Tuesday through Thursday. All students and faculty meet for prayer, worship, spiritual instruction and challenge. Chapel services feature faculty members, pastors, missionaries, students and other special speakers.

Athletics

The Clarks Summit University Defenders field teams in several sports.

Men's teams include soccer, basketball, golf, cross-country, tennis, and baseball.

Women's teams include basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

Clarks Summit University is affiliated with both the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, and the Colonial States Athletic Conference.

Athletic history includes 75 NCCAA Division II East Regional Championships in seven sports and 23 NCCAA Division II National Championships in six sports. Defender teams have appeared in three NCAA Division III national tournaments.

Name controversy

Three months after the school's official name change from Baptist Bible College to Summit University of Pennsylvania, a suit was filed by another Summit University located in Montana on July 23, 2015, on the grounds of trademark infringement. The institution was aware of the original Summit University's existence, but determined the school's full name was different enough from that of the Montana campus. The school changed the name to Clarks Summit University and started using the new name July 5, 2016.

References

Clarks Summit University Wikipedia