Maranatha Baptist University

History

Founded on September 14, 1968 by Dr. B. Myron Cedarholm, a member of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International, the college was named for the Aramaic phrase Maranatha, which means "Lo, He cometh" (I Corinthians 16:22). The college records more than 4,000 graduates since its founding. Maranatha was chartered by the State of Wisconsin in 1968.

The current president is Dr. Marty Marriott, who began his duties during the Spring semester of 2010 and was installed on March 18, 2010.

On December 13, 2013, Marriott announced that Maranatha had changed its name to Maranatha Baptist University to reflect "what Maranatha is and has been for many years.”

Wisconsin Governor (and candidate for the United States presidential elections, 2016) Scott Walker spoke at a chapel assembly on February 5th 2015.

Accreditation and memberships

Maranatha is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission.

The teacher education programs at the school are recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for purposes of teacher certification.

The Nursing Department is approved by the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing Department and accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Maranatha is a member of American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries, National Christian College Athletic Association- Division II, National Collegiate Athletic Association- Division III.

Old Main

Construction of Old Main was started in 1873 and completed in four phases over the course of 21 years. Originally home to Sacred Heart College, the building was purchased from the Brothers of Holy Cross by B. Myron Cedarholm in 1968. It now houses three floors of classrooms, administrative offices, Maranatha Baptist Academy, and two fine arts performance halls.

Dining Complex

The 40,568-square-foot (3,768.9 m²) Dining Complex was completed in 2005, and serves nearly 1,500 meals every weekday. It seats almost 400 in a variety of seating arrangements. It also has several classrooms, two computer labs, and wireless networking.

Cedarholm Library

Opened in 1996, the Cedarholm Library has resources for research and casual reading. A web-based OPAC (online public access catalog), computer-equipped workstations, a media center, and instructional material curriculum are some of the resources available.

Gymnasium

The Gymnasium houses Maranatha's athletic facilities, including two gymnasiums, a weight room, fitness area, trainer and faculty offices, several locker room facilities, and the Alumni Hall of Fame. The main gymnasium also doubles as an auditorium, which is used for daily chapel services, special meetings, drama performances, and music concerts.

Hanneman Hall

Named after the late Robert Hanneman, Jr., a potato geneticist at the University of Wisconsin and friend of the college, Hanneman Hall houses Maranatha's nursing program and science department.

Dormitories

Maranatha has five men's and five women's dormitories; Spurgeon, Judson, Leland, Armitage, and Carey are the men's halls, while Day, Weeks, Melford, Hilsen, and Gould are the women's halls.

Mission Statement

Maranatha's mission is preparing leaders to serve locally and internationally "To the Praise of His Glory.” The school's mission and doctrinal statements are the foundations of its "Guiding Core Values": fidelity, learning, integrity, charity, leadership, unity, balance, family, and excellence.

Maranatha’s academic philosophy combines a Bible college environment with a liberal arts focus. The school incorporates an academic program with a traditional independent fundamental Baptist philosophy. Students take 24 hours of Bible credits and 31 hours of liberal arts credits in addition to program requirements for majors and minors. Students can graduate with a unique blend of Bible credits, liberal arts courses, and an academic major with the possibility of an additional minor.

Maranatha requires its students to follow a biblical code of personal conduct. Those who violate Maranatha's student life policies are subject to disciplinary action.

Student life

Students can participate in a variety of campus activities, including intramural sports, blood drives, special lectures, and college-sponsored games. Daily chapel services are also a part of life at Maranatha.

All undergraduate students are required to live on campus until age 23, unless living with parents and commuting to classes. Dorm leadership consists of "room leaders," "resident assistants," and "dorm supervisors." Resident assistants' responsibilities include completing room checks to ensure that all beds are made, trash cans have been emptied, and halls are generally tidy. Room leaders lead room devotions and take responsibility for leadership within the room. Dorm supervisors' roles are self-explanatory.

Students may also be elected to student body office, where they participate in planning campus events, and leading special student meeting and programs. Additional leadership opportunities exist in numerous resident student organizations on campus.

Extra-curricular activities

College clubs:

Army ROTC

Maranatha's ROTC detachment, Charlie Company of Badger Battalion, partners with the University of Wisconsin to produce United States Army Officers for the Active, Reserve, and National Guard components. The Color Guard provides support for all major College events. Cadets are also offered the opportunity to compete in Ranger Challenge, a national competition commonly referred to as the varsity sport of ROTC. Charlie Company has won the five-man category of the Ranger Challenge competition two of the last three years.

Athletics

Maranatha sports teams compete in NCCAA Division II and NCAA Division III. Men can participate in baseball, basketball, cross country, and soccer. Women can compete in basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball. The athletics teams were named the Crusaders, but in the fall of 2014, the name was changed to the Sabercats, while keeping the colors blue and gold. MBU also participates in men's club volleyball. As of February 2, 2017 Maranatha has discontinued their football program after 47 years.

Music Groups

Notable alumni