Spring Arbor University

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Spring Arbor University


Motto	"Spring Arbor University is a community of learners, distinguished by our lifelong involvement in the study and application of the liberal arts, total commitment to Jesus Christ as the perspective for learning, and critical participation in the contemporary world."
Established	1873
Type	Private
President	Dr. Gayle Beebe
Undergraduates	1570
Location	Spring Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Campus	Rural
Affiliations	Free Methodist
Website	http://www.spring.arbor.edu

Spring Arbor University, located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, United States is an evangelical Protestant university affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, with professional and graduate studies for about 3,700 students. As of the 2007-08 school year, there were 1,913 undergraduates, 1,091 graduate and 697 off-campus degree completion students. The university employs approximately 100 full-time faculty. Spring Arbor University has extention sites in Alpena, Battle Creek, Bay City, Flint, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Metro-Detroit, Petoskey, Traverse City, Troy, and Metro-Toledo, Ohio.

The university is currently under the presidency of Gayle Beebe, a Quaker. Beebe has previously served in the administration of several Christian institutions. The university offers over 40 program majors and is recognized for its strong Liberal Arts curriculum and Christian atmosphere. Most students are from various Protestant denominations, over 42 denominations are represented on the campus. Around 86% of students are from Michigan, 13% are from 22 other states and 1% are international.

1 History
2 Spiritual Life
3 University Media
4 Accreditation
5 Athletics
6 Recent History
7 References
8 External links

[edit] History

Spring Arbor University was founded in 1873 by leaders of the Free Methodist Church. Called to minister to the poor, the early Free Methodists advocated freedom for slaves and free pews for all worshippers. In 1860, the year Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States, B.T. Roberts organized the Free Methodist denomination in New York. Three years later Edward Payson Hart began evangelistic meetings in Michigan. Hart was the driving force behind the establishment of Spring Arbor Seminary—an academy for elementary and secondary grades. Located near the site of a former Potawatomi Indian village, the academy was built upon “some old school property” that once belonged to Michigan Central College (now Hillsdale College). Devoted to the “promotion of earnest Christianity and sound, solid learning,” Spring Arbor Seminary was open to all children, regardless of “religious convictions or beliefs.”

Spring Arbor Seminary’s enrollment grew to around 200 students in 1907, declined during World War I, but recovered after the Armistice. As one of its principals, H.A. Millican observed the academy remained committed to its original aim to “urge holiness of life and thorough Christian training, together with the highest type of mental culture.” In 1923, as the school celebrated its 50th anniversary, the board of trustees voted to add a junior college to the academy. Some first- and second-year courses were offered over the next few terms, and in 1929 the school became Spring Arbor Seminary and Junior College. As the emphasis shifted toward higher education, primary and intermediate classes were discontinued in 1930. In 1960, when the school achieved accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (see Accreditation for contact information), the trustees changed the name of the institution to Spring Arbor College. Soon the high school program was dropped, as plans were developed to make Spring Arbor a four-year college. Under the leadership of President David McKenna, Spring Arbor College launched its four-year program in 1963, graduating its first senior class in 1965.

The College continued its expansion, adding locations and degrees over the subsequent years. In the early 1980s, the College began offering the first of its degree completion programs for adult learners in nearby Jackson. The initial class of students to earn a degree in management of human resources graduated in 1983. New programs and new locations soon followed, as the College developed degrees in health-related fields and opened sites in Lansing and Flint. Over the past decade, Spring Arbor has become a leader in the design of degree completion programs and the University has a network of 20 affiliate colleges that have adopted or adapted the Spring Arbor curriculum.

At present, the university's School of Adult Studies operates four regional centers located in Kalamazoo, Gaylord, Dearborn and Flint and offers four bachelor programs through those centers at various teaching locations within each region. Current degree options include management and organizational development (formerly MHR), family life education, business and nursing. Teacher certification at the elementary level is now offered in a 2+2 format at Alpena Community College, North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing and Jackson Community College. Currently, over 1,000 students are enrolled in these off-campus programs.

Graduate education began at Spring Arbor in 1994, with the inauguration of the Master of Arts in Management degree, which is now the Master of Business Administration. Soon afterward, the University began to offer its Master of Arts in Education. Spring Arbor is one of the few schools among Christian universities with accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 1999, the Master of Arts in Organizational Management was introduced. The Master of Arts in Counseling began in the fall of 2001.

MAC, MAE and MAOM degrees are offered through some of the University's regional centers. At present, over 1,000 students are enrolled in Spring Arbor's graduate degree programs, with an additional 100 students attending graduate courses for professional development. The Master of Arts in Family Studies began fall 2002 and the University's first entirely-online graduate program, the Master of Arts in Communication, began the following year.

On April 30, 2001, Spring Arbor College became Spring Arbor University. In part, recognizing the wide ranging growth of its degree offerings, its locations and its structure, the change in name also acknowledges new aspirations and an ambitious vision for the future. The move clarifies the school's status internationally, positions the institution to better reach a growing constituency, pushes the entire collegiate community to guard our spiritual heritage and challenges the organization to excel academically and administratively.

[edit] Spiritual Life

Spring Arbor University requires that all students attend a chapel service on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:10 am.

[edit] University Media

Spring Arbor University has two local radio stations 106.9 HOME.fm and 89.3 the Vibe. Publications include the Crusader, a weekly student run newspaper, and the Echo, a video year book. An annual student film festival is held every April.

[edit] Accreditation

The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and plays an active role in both local and world communities. The university is also accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Spring Arbor University Concept is, "Spring Arbor University is a community of learners distinguished by our lifelong involvement in the study and application of the liberal arts, total commitment to Jesus Christ as the perspective for learning, and critical participation in the contemporary world."

[edit] Athletics

The school has 15 intercollegiate sports teams that compete within the NAIA and NCCAA. The Spring Arbor Cougars are represented in men's basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, tennis and soccer and women's softball, tennis, basketball, cross country, soccer and volleyball.

National Championships (16):

1981: Women's Cross Country - NCCAA
1982: Women's Outdoor Track and Field - NCCAA
1982: Women's Cross Country - NCCAA
1983: Women's Basketball - NCCAA Division I
1987: Women's Basketball - NCCAA Division I
1992: Women's Volleyball - NCCAA Division I
1992: Baseball - NCCAA
1993: Baseball - NCCAA
1996: Men's Golf - NCCAA
1997: Men's Golf - NCCAA
1998: Baseball - NCCAA
1998: Men's Golf - NCCAA
2000: Women's Cross Country - NCCAA Division I
2005: Men's Basketball - NCCAA Division I
2005: Softball - NCCAA Division I
2006: Men's Basketball - NCCAA Division I

National Runners-up (3; NCCAA runners-up besides 1987 men's soccer not included):

1987: Men's Soccer - NCCAA Division I
1999: Women's Cross Country - NAIA
2006: Baseball - NCCAA

[edit] Recent History

[edit] Literacy in public schools

SAU works with Jackson Public Schools to advance literacy.

When budget cuts forced Jackson Public Schools to lay off three Reading Recovery teachers last year, a large gap was left in reading programs at local schools. To accommodate the literacy needs of area youth, Spring Arbor University teamed with JPS to supply a literacy program that would enhance both organizations by connecting aspiring teachers with youth struggling to read.

Since SAU teacher education students are required to gain 120 hours of field experience prior to student teaching, SAU students were matched with JPS students who needed additional literacy help as "reading buddies." While this solution does not replace the reading recovery program, it has provided a mentoring program as a part of a wider JPS reading intervention program.

[edit] John/Julie Nemecek

Spring Arbor University received media attention when the Citizen Patriot, a local Jackson newspaper, published the story of adjunct professor Julie Marie Nemecek, formerly John Nemecek. With personal counsel present in fall of 2005, Nememcek revealed herself to be transgendered, or as having gender identity disorder to the administration of Spring Arbor University. Nemecek's contract was re-negotiated for undisclosed reasons for the fiscal year starting in June 2006. In early Fall 2006, Nemecek filed a discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In late December 2006, the University notified Nemecek that there will be no contract renewal after June 2007. On January 19, the claim was amended. In January 2007, the Nemecek family and counsel was interviewed for the first article that was published in local paper on February 4, 2007. In late February, Nemecek was relieved of all teaching and administrative duties but was paid for the remainder of the contract. ^[1]

The case between Nemecek and Spring Arbor University began working toward mediation on March 6th, 2007 and concluded on March 12th, 2007. The terms of the agreement were not made public and the discrimination claim has been withdrawn. Nemecek is no longer employed by the university in any capacity.^[2] ^[3]

[edit] Partners in Michigan Higher Education

"Spring Arbor University remains committed to delivering quality educational experiences to students across Michigan through its partnership with community colleges such as Jackson Community College and Lansing Community College."

"Starting next fall, Spring Arbor University" hopes "to expand its association with LCC as part of their newest initiative—University Center. Scheduled to open in Fall 2007 in downtown Lansing, the center will provide more opportunities for mid-Michigan residents to advance their education through bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees." Spring Arbor University's place in this partnership has been placed on hold as Lansing Community College reviews the discriminatory claims of former professor Julie Nemecek. Jackson Community College will continue the relationship that is currently in place with Spring Arbor University.

"At the University Center, Spring Arbor University will offer a post baccalaureate endorsement program in education as well as a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Spring Arbor University will help the University Center fit the goals outlined by Lt. Governor John Cherry's Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth. Michigan has a significantly larger share than the national average of adults who have taken some college courses and/or have some credits but have failed to complete a degree or obtain another credential of value. The University Center will help eliminate the obstacles of traveling across the state to achieve academic goals that provide a path to high paying careers."^[4]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Spring Arbor University official web site
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities official web site

Mid-Central College Conference (NAIA)
Bethel College • Goshen College • Grace College • Huntington University • Indiana Wesleyan University • Marian College • Spring Arbor University • Taylor University • University of St. Francis