Cornerstone University
Encyclopedia
Cornerstone University is an independent, non-denominational Christian
university in Grand Rapids
, Michigan
. The university emphasises the trinitarian belief in the triune God
and the literal
interpretation of the Bible
. The university states that its mission is "to empower men and women to excel as influencers in our world for Christ by offering a student-focused learning community where Jesus Christ is central."
Cornerstone University has undergraduate and graduate programs, two seminaries (Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
and Asia Baptist Theological Seminary based in Chiang Mai
, Thailand
) and a radio division called Cornerstone University Radio (WCSG, WAYG, WAYK, HisKids.net, Mission Network News). It offers programs in the humanities, sciences, business, religion, education, and fine arts. The school colors are navy and "old gold." The mascot is The Golden Eagles.
In the 1990s and early 2000s Cornerstone University expanded and transformed, changing its name, becoming a university, increasing enrollment, adding facilities and improving the campus, introducing an adult program including the MBA and a leadership development experience, adding an Honors Program and "Civitas" Core Curriculum, changing its mascot, colors, and logo, and winning a men's national basketball championship. Tenure for new faculty was suspended in 2008 but reinstated in 2010.
Students are required to abide by a "Lifestyle Statement" intended to reflect trinitarianism and the literal interpretation of the Bible. The university offers 60 academic programs in the arts, sciences, humanities, Bible, teacher education, computers and business and journalism.
Cornerstone University is nationally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
and the National Association of Schools of Music
. In sports, it is a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA). Cornerstone's social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Cornerstone had an enrollment of 3,000 students including professional and graduate studies and both seminaries.
1944–1948: Baptist Bible Institute and School of Theology of Grand Rapids, Michigan
1948–1963: Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary and Bible Institute
1963–1972: Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College and Seminary
1972–1994: Grand Rapids Baptist College and Seminary
1994: merged with Grand Rapids School of the Bible & Music and renamed as Cornerstone College
1994–1999: Cornerstone College and Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary (28 March 1994);
legally renamed as Cornerstone Baptist Educational Ministries (CBEM)
1999: Renamed Cornerstone University (8 April 1999)
2003: Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary became Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
On Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006 the W. Wilbert and Meryl Welch Tower was dedicated during Cornerstone's 2006 Homecoming
. The clock tower has a four faced clock near its top. The tower stands 110 feet (33.5 m) tall, and also has a WOOD-TV traffic camera on the southeast side of the tower. The clock tower is located between the Gainey Conference Center and Bolthouse Hall on campus. It is visible from the East Beltline, Interstate 96 and Leonard Street.
published during the school year. It has a weekly circulation of 2,000, which includes faculty, staff, students and numerous local businesses along Beltline and Leonard Avenues. Founded 10 October 1966, The Herald celebrated its 40 year anniversary as it began its online presence. An integral part of the school's journalism program, The Herald was named the Best College Newspaper in its division for 2008 in the Michigan Collegiate Press Association Newspaper Contest. It received a 1st place General Excellence award from the Michigan Press Collegiate Association, along with 13 additional awards in the state wide contest.
for high school
students is held the last week of July at Cornerstone University. High school students live on campus for a week while receiving instruction from university professors as well as from guest instructors who are full-time newspaper reporters and editors from newspapers such as The Grand Rapids Press and the Indianapolis Star. The Cornerstone Journalism Institute is run by CJI Executive Director Alan D. Blanchard, associate professor of journalism.
The Cornerstone University Golden Eagles compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA) and are members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
. CU competes in volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's track and field, women's track and field and softball.
National Championships:
National Runners-up:
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
university in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The university emphasises the trinitarian belief in the triune God
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
and the literal
Fundamentalist Christianity
Christian fundamentalism, also known as Fundamentalist Christianity, or Fundamentalism, arose out of British and American Protestantism in the late 19th century and early 20th century among evangelical Christians...
interpretation of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. The university states that its mission is "to empower men and women to excel as influencers in our world for Christ by offering a student-focused learning community where Jesus Christ is central."
Cornerstone University has undergraduate and graduate programs, two seminaries (Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of Cornerstone University is a multidenominational evangelical Christian seminary located in Grand Rapids, Michigan...
and Asia Baptist Theological Seminary based in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province , a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
) and a radio division called Cornerstone University Radio (WCSG, WAYG, WAYK, HisKids.net, Mission Network News). It offers programs in the humanities, sciences, business, religion, education, and fine arts. The school colors are navy and "old gold." The mascot is The Golden Eagles.
In the 1990s and early 2000s Cornerstone University expanded and transformed, changing its name, becoming a university, increasing enrollment, adding facilities and improving the campus, introducing an adult program including the MBA and a leadership development experience, adding an Honors Program and "Civitas" Core Curriculum, changing its mascot, colors, and logo, and winning a men's national basketball championship. Tenure for new faculty was suspended in 2008 but reinstated in 2010.
Students are required to abide by a "Lifestyle Statement" intended to reflect trinitarianism and the literal interpretation of the Bible. The university offers 60 academic programs in the arts, sciences, humanities, Bible, teacher education, computers and business and journalism.
Cornerstone University is nationally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...
and the National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of Schools of Music
The National Association of Schools of Music is an association of post-secondary music schools in the United States and the principal U.S. accreditor for higher education in music...
. In sports, it is a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
The Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference of ten colleges and universities in the U.S. states of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Founded in 1992, the conference was created as a successor group for the now-defunct NAIA District 23...
and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(NAIA). Cornerstone's social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Cornerstone had an enrollment of 3,000 students including professional and graduate studies and both seminaries.
History
Cornerstone was founded in 1941 as the Baptist Bible Institute. It was accredited in 1972 as a degree-granting college. It merged with the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music in 1993.Timeline
January 1941–1944: Baptist Bible Institute of Grand Rapids, Michigan- modeled after the Baptist Bible Institute of ToledoToledo, OhioToledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... - located in educational wing of Wealthy Street Baptist ChurchWealthy Street Baptist ChurchWealthy Park Baptist Church is an American church, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.-History:Originally known as the Wealthy Avenue Baptist Church, the congregation called Oliver Willis Van Osdel to become its pastor in 1909...
in Grand Rapids
1944–1948: Baptist Bible Institute and School of Theology of Grand Rapids, Michigan
1948–1963: Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary and Bible Institute
- first seminary graduating class of two students, Spring 1949, one of whom was Victor M. Matthews, who immediately began teaching at the school
1963–1972: Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College and Seminary
- In Fall 1964, first students arrive at new campus at Leonard & East Beltline NE
1972–1994: Grand Rapids Baptist College and Seminary
- January 1977, the new Leon J. WoodLeon J. WoodLeon James Wood was an American theologian.He is the author of one of the few books on the Ruach HaKodesh as portrayed in the Tanakh as opposed to the B'rit Chadashah , in which work he writes, "The evidence that spiritual renewal, or regeneration, was true of such Old Testament people lies...
Seminary Building opened (dedicated the following month)
1994: merged with Grand Rapids School of the Bible & Music and renamed as Cornerstone College
1994–1999: Cornerstone College and Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary (28 March 1994);
legally renamed as Cornerstone Baptist Educational Ministries (CBEM)
1999: Renamed Cornerstone University (8 April 1999)
2003: Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary became Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
Presidents
- David Otis FullerDavid Otis FullerDavid Otis Fuller was a graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and Princeton Theological Seminary...
(1941–1944) - Norman F. DoutyNorman F. Douty-Biography:Douty was born in Central Pennsylvania on January 14, 1899. He came to faith in 1910 and was licensed to preach in 1919. After graduating from seminary, he served as a pastor in several churches before taking up an itinerant ministry throughout the USA...
(1944–1945) - Paul Jackson (1945–1946) (acting president)
- Gerard Knol (1946–1953)
- Leon J. WoodLeon J. WoodLeon James Wood was an American theologian.He is the author of one of the few books on the Ruach HaKodesh as portrayed in the Tanakh as opposed to the B'rit Chadashah , in which work he writes, "The evidence that spiritual renewal, or regeneration, was true of such Old Testament people lies...
(1953–1954) (acting president) - J. Edward HakesJ. Edward HakesJ. Edward Hakes left his mark on Christian higher education, his book being assigned as required reading in the classrooms of several Christian colleges...
(1954–1958) - Howard A. Keithley (1958–1959) (acting president)
- W. Wilbert WelchW. Wilbert WelchWalter Wilbert Welch joined the teaching faculty of Cornerstone University in 1941, becoming president in 1959, and Chancellor in 1985.-Cornerstone University:Welch is a pastor and holds the degree of Ph.D....
(1959–1983) (Chancellor: 1983— ) - Charles U. Wagner (1983–1990)
- W. Wilbert WelchW. Wilbert WelchWalter Wilbert Welch joined the teaching faculty of Cornerstone University in 1941, becoming president in 1959, and Chancellor in 1985.-Cornerstone University:Welch is a pastor and holds the degree of Ph.D....
(1991) (interim president) - Rex M. RogersRex M. RogersRex M. Rogers serves as President of , the American promotion and fundraising arm of , a Christian satellite television ministry by and for the people of the Middle East and North Africa...
(1991–2008) - Joseph M. Stowell, IIIJoseph M. Stowell, IIIJoseph M. Stowell III is the president of Cornerstone University and the author of over 20 Christian books. He is a graduate of Cedarville University and Dallas Theological Seminary and was honored with a doctor of divinity degree from The Master's College in 1987.From 1987-2005, Dr. Stowell...
(2008— )
Campus
Homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
. The clock tower has a four faced clock near its top. The tower stands 110 feet (33.5 m) tall, and also has a WOOD-TV traffic camera on the southeast side of the tower. The clock tower is located between the Gainey Conference Center and Bolthouse Hall on campus. It is visible from the East Beltline, Interstate 96 and Leonard Street.
Journalism Department
Beginning in autumn 2009, Cornerstone's Journalism Department offers a three year BS Degree in Journalism. There are three emphases: News-Editorial, Public Relations and Visual Communication. Students may also minor in journalism, public relations and photojournalism.Campus newspaper
The Herald is Cornerstone's award-winning campus newspaper. It is a weekly broadsheetBroadsheet
Broadsheet is the largest of the various newspaper formats and is characterized by long vertical pages . The term derives from types of popular prints usually just of a single sheet, sold on the streets and containing various types of material, from ballads to political satire. The first broadsheet...
published during the school year. It has a weekly circulation of 2,000, which includes faculty, staff, students and numerous local businesses along Beltline and Leonard Avenues. Founded 10 October 1966, The Herald celebrated its 40 year anniversary as it began its online presence. An integral part of the school's journalism program, The Herald was named the Best College Newspaper in its division for 2008 in the Michigan Collegiate Press Association Newspaper Contest. It received a 1st place General Excellence award from the Michigan Press Collegiate Association, along with 13 additional awards in the state wide contest.
Cornerstone Journalism Institute
Founded in 2003, the Cornerstone Journalism Institute is an annual summer campSummer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
for high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
students is held the last week of July at Cornerstone University. High school students live on campus for a week while receiving instruction from university professors as well as from guest instructors who are full-time newspaper reporters and editors from newspapers such as The Grand Rapids Press and the Indianapolis Star. The Cornerstone Journalism Institute is run by CJI Executive Director Alan D. Blanchard, associate professor of journalism.
Athletics
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(NAIA) and are members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
The Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference of ten colleges and universities in the U.S. states of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Founded in 1992, the conference was created as a successor group for the now-defunct NAIA District 23...
. CU competes in volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's track and field, women's track and field and softball.
National Championships:
- 1999 - Men's Basketball - NAIA Division II
- 2007- Women's Track and Field - Stephanie Allers - 200 Meter Dash
- 2007 - Men's Track and Field - Derek Scott - 1500 Meters
- 2010 - Men's Track and Field - Zach Ripley - Steeplechase
- 2010 - Men's Track and Field - Joel Leong - 35 lb Weight Throw
- 2011 - Men's Basketball - NAIA Division II
National Runners-up:
- 2002 - Women's Basketball - NAIA Division II