Lancaster Bible College

History

Founded in 1933 by Henry J. Heydt, the original name of the school was Lancaster School of the Bible. In 1957, the college made the move to its current location in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In 1973, the school took on its current name, and in 1981 the Pennsylvania Department of Education gave LBC official approval to offer the Bachelor of Science in Bible degree.

In 1994, LBC's graduate school was approved to award Master of Arts in Bible, Ministry, Counseling, and Master of Education degrees in School Counseling and Consulting Resource Teacher.

In July 2012, LBC announced the launching of a Philadelphia campus through its partnership with the Center for Urban Theological Studies (CUTS). "The new partnership creates the Lancaster Bible College at CUTS program [or LBC@CUTS], one that establishes a satellite campus enabling students who attend CUTS to receive fully-accredited LBC diplomas beginning in September. CUTS organizers also have plans on consolidating its academic and administrative offices into one location: the former Tastykake factory in Hunting Park."

In August 2012, the college's $12-million Student Learning Commons was opened during Commencement for the 2012-2013 academic year. "The [43,000-square-foot] building is fitted with three new classroom spaces, 11 collaborative study spaces, [the Charles and Gloria Jones Library] with more than 300,000 items, a music media lab, a writing center and disability services. The new structure utilizes environmentally sustainable features such as use of daylight, high-efficiency lighting and geothermal heating and cooling. Another feature of the student commons is the Bennee's Bistro, which offers food and beverages, outdoor patio seating and a hospitality suite available to outside groups."

In January 2013, Lancaster Bible College announced that it had acquired the academic programs of Washington Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary in Greenbelt, Maryland. LBC's graduate school is called Capital Seminary and Graduate School. "It will serve adult learners in non-degree and graduate education courses, available in traditional, online and blended formats." This latest initiative is part of the Bible.edu system of biblical higher education "committed to training Christian leaders for global impact."

Since that time, LBC has added satellite locations in Boca Raton, Florida and in Memphis, Tennessee that offers a limited number of graduate or undergraduate degrees.

LBC completed construction of the Charles Frey Academic Center, as well as construction on a new dorm building, in early 2016. The Charles Frey Academic Center houses an online radio station and a video production suite.

Academics

LBC’s undergraduate education grants six bachelor's degrees, one associate degree, and two one-year certificates. Over one hundred and seventy faculty (part-time and full-time) teach at the college, 33 of whom have doctorates. Students can select from 30 undergraduate programs in the following departments: Arts & Sciences, Bible & Theology, Church & Ministry Leadership, Counseling & Social Work, Education, Health & Physical Education, and Worship & Performing Arts. LBC also offers nine minors. The institution's graduate education grants six master's degrees and nine graduate certificates. Graduate students can select from 14 graduate programs in the areas of Divinity, Christian Counseling & Discipleship, Biblical Studies, Consulting Resource Teacher, Professional Counseling, Ministry, and School Counseling. The school's Charles and Gloria Jones Library comprises one of the largest holdings among Bible colleges worldwide with 192,000 items and over 300,000 shared ebooks.

Lancaster Bible College currently offers three doctorate programs in Leadership, Biblical Studies, and Ministry.

Lancaster Bible College is classified by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a bible college with a high-undergraduate enrollment profile. The college is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and Association for Biblical Higher Education, and is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Students on average receive about $3,000 in financial aid from the college. Reduced tuition for one class per semester is offered to junior and senior high school students.

LBC's current president is Dr. Peter W. Teague. He was preceded by Gilbert A. Peterson (1979–1999), Dr. Stuart E. Lease (1961–1979), Dr. William J. Randolph (1953–1961), and Dr. Henry J. Heydt (1933–1953).

LBC's mission statement is as follows: "Lancaster Bible College exists to educate Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society." LBC's vision statement is: "Lancaster Bible College will be a premier learning community that intentionally develops the head, heart and hands of servant ministry leaders for global impact."

Student life

Lancaster Bible College has an enrollment of more than 1,970 students, 468 of whom are graduate students. They come from 32 states and 14 foreign countries. As of 2015, LBC had 449 residents and 337 traditional undergraduate commuters. There are also over 10,000 Alumni.

It is a tradition for students to receive a towel along with their diploma as they graduate, as a symbol of foot washing and a reminder to use their education to serve others.

Athletics

Lancaster Bible College teams participate as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II and the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. The Chargers are a member of the NCAA's North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.