Colorado Christian University
Encyclopedia
Colorado Christian University (CCU) is a private, interdenominational Christian liberal arts university in Lakewood, Colorado
in the United States
. CCU was founded in 1914 as the Denver Bible Institute.
CCU's mission is to "cultivate knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world."
In 1981, Rockmont College was awarded accreditation by the North Central Association, and four years later merged with Western Bible Institute to become Colorado Christian College. Colorado Christian College merged with Colorado Baptist University, in 1989, to become what is now Colorado Christian University.
in Lakewood, Colorado
, a suburb 10 miles (16.1 km) west of Denver. The Lakewood campus houses CCU's College of Undergraduate Studies for traditional students. The University’s College of Adult and Graduate Studies has regional learning centers throughout Colorado: Denver Tech Center and Global Online Center (Englewood), Lakewood Center (Lakewood) Northern Colorado Regional Center (Loveland), Northglenn Center (Northglenn), Southern Colorado Regional Center (Colorado Springs), Sterling Center at Northeastern Junior College (Sterling), Western Colorado Regional Center (Grand Junction).
In 2009, Colorado Christian University submitted a preliminary proposal to the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HCRA) to purchase about 100 acre (0.404686 km²) for the development of a new campus in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Due to opposition from the residents, the University officially withdrew its bid to purchase land from Highlands Ranch on January 11, 2010.
of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
, and the Council for Independent Colleges.
The College of Undergraduate Studies provides academic programs for traditional undergraduate students and also offers off-campus study opportunities through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities’ Best Semester Program, Focus on the Family
’s Focus Leadership Institute, and Jerusalem University College
in Israel.
The College of Adult and Graduate Studies offers undergraduate degree completion, educator licensing, and certificate programs for working professionals. The college offers master’s degrees and graduate certificate programs. Students may take courses through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies Centers throughout Colorado or through the college’s Global Online Center.
). CCU athletics are currently under the direction of Darren Richie, Athletic Director. The university competes in 12 intercollegiate sports including:
The CCU Cougars compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
.
Lakewood, Colorado
Lakewood is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous city in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Lakewood is the fifth most populous city in the State of Colorado and the 172nd most populous city in the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that in April 1, 2010...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. CCU was founded in 1914 as the Denver Bible Institute.
CCU's mission is to "cultivate knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world."
History
CCU’s heritage dates back to the formation of Denver Bible Institute in 1914. In 1945, Denver Bible Institute was granted a state charter to become a four-year Bible college known as Denver Bible College. Expansion continued with the formulation of three main academic schools, including the College of Liberal Arts, the Theological School, and the Bible Institute, Denver Bible College became Rockmont College in 1949.In 1981, Rockmont College was awarded accreditation by the North Central Association, and four years later merged with Western Bible Institute to become Colorado Christian College. Colorado Christian College merged with Colorado Baptist University, in 1989, to become what is now Colorado Christian University.
Campuses
The main campus of Colorado Christian University is located near the foothills of the Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
in Lakewood, Colorado
Lakewood, Colorado
Lakewood is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous city in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Lakewood is the fifth most populous city in the State of Colorado and the 172nd most populous city in the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that in April 1, 2010...
, a suburb 10 miles (16.1 km) west of Denver. The Lakewood campus houses CCU's College of Undergraduate Studies for traditional students. The University’s College of Adult and Graduate Studies has regional learning centers throughout Colorado: Denver Tech Center and Global Online Center (Englewood), Lakewood Center (Lakewood) Northern Colorado Regional Center (Loveland), Northglenn Center (Northglenn), Southern Colorado Regional Center (Colorado Springs), Sterling Center at Northeastern Junior College (Sterling), Western Colorado Regional Center (Grand Junction).
Academics
The University comprises two colleges: the College of Undergraduate Studies and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. CCU offers 45 degree programs as well as licensure and certification programs. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning CommissionThe Higher Learning Commission
The Higher Learning Commission is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Higher Learning Commission oversees the accreditation of degree-granting colleges and universities in nineteen Midwestern and South-Central states, including Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa,...
of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is an organization designed to help primarily Protestant and evangelical Christian institutions of higher education cooperate and communicate with one another...
, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Founded in 1976, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities is an organization of private US colleges and universities...
, and the Council for Independent Colleges.
The College of Undergraduate Studies provides academic programs for traditional undergraduate students and also offers off-campus study opportunities through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities’ Best Semester Program, Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
’s Focus Leadership Institute, and Jerusalem University College
Jerusalem University College
Jerusalem University College, founded in 1957 as the American Institute of Holy Land Studies is an undergraduate and graduate academic institution operated by a consortium of 100 American theological seminaries and Christian colleges and universities. It provides a two-year graduate program of...
in Israel.
The College of Adult and Graduate Studies offers undergraduate degree completion, educator licensing, and certificate programs for working professionals. The college offers master’s degrees and graduate certificate programs. Students may take courses through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies Centers throughout Colorado or through the college’s Global Online Center.
Lifestyle Covenant
All traditional undergraduate students are required to sign the Lifestyle Covenant to attend Colorado Christian University. By signing this document, students commit to themselves and each other that they will pursue the challenge of living a life defined by a higher standard. The Lifestyle Covenant states a commitment "to educate men and women in the process of integrating their faith and education. This agreement also expresses our commitment to providing an atmosphere for study, personal exploration, involvement in interpersonal relationships, spiritual life, and growth that is conducive to students achieving goals, while enjoying living and learning in community". Students not signing the covenant are subject to immediate dismissal or suspension.Chapel
Chapel attendance is required of all traditional undergraduate students who are taking 12 credit hours or more. Over a four-year period, 180 chapel credits are required to obtain clearance to graduate. For transfer students, or students who will graduate in less than four years, 45 credits per year of attendance at CCU is required.Community service
"In order to graduate, upon entering CCU within the CUS [College of Undergraduate Studies] program, every student must complete 22.5 hours of service per semester with a maximum of 180 volunteer hours through a local or international ministry during his or her college career."Global outreach
Colorado Christian University sponsors several service-based, short-term mission trips through its CCU2theWorld organization. The affluence of the countries visited is wide-ranging, though emphasis is typically placed on helping the underprivileged.Athletics
The CCU Cougars participate in both NCAA Division II and NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic AssociationNational Christian College Athletic Association
The National Christian College Athletic Association is an association of approximately 100 Christian universities, colleges, and Bible colleges in the United States and Canada which see collegiate sports primarily as an opportunity for Christian fellowship and ministry. The national headquarters...
). CCU athletics are currently under the direction of Darren Richie, Athletic Director. The university competes in 12 intercollegiate sports including:
- Men’s Baseball
- Men’s Basketball
- Men’s Cross Country
- Men’s Golf
- Men’s Soccer
- Men’s Tennis
- Women’s Basketball
- Women’s Cross Country
- Women’s Golf
- Women’s Soccer
- Women’s Tennis
- Women’s Volleyball
The CCU Cougars compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States, mostly in Colorado with some members in Nebraska and New Mexico...
.
Notable alumni
- Betty Sparrow Doris, former Secretary of Work Force Development, State of New Mexico
- David Delaplane, founding member of Colorado Mountain CollegeColorado Mountain CollegeColorado Mountain College is a network of seven junior college campuses in western Colorado. Three of the campuses are residential campuses with student residence halls and cafeterias, and are located in Steamboat Springs, Leadville, Edwards and Glenwood Springs...
- John Eldredge, Christian author and founder of Ransomed Heart
- Ben Haley and Patrick Meese from the band Meese
- Kevin LundbergKevin LundbergKevin Lundberg is a Republican member of the Colorado State Senate, representing the Colorado 15th Senate District, encompassing rural Larimer County, the city of Loveland, and the towns of Wellington, Berthoud, and Estes Park...
, Colorado State Senator - Dr. Gary McIntosh, internationally recognized author, speaker, and consultant on church growth
- Leanor OrtegaLeanor OrtegaLeanor Ortega Till is best known as the saxophonist for Five Iron Frenzy. Once more commonly known as Jeff the Girl, she was the sole female during the band's tenure...
, saxophonist for Five Iron FrenzyFive Iron FrenzyFive Iron Frenzy is a Christian ska band formed in Denver, Colorado in 1995 and disbanded in 2003. The band announced they were recording new material on November 22, 2011....
and currently on staff with Scum of the Earth Church - Greg Stier, founder and CEO of Dare 2 Share
External links
- www.ccu.edu -- Official web site
- www.CollegeSouls.com -- CCU's Internet Student Ministry