An Excellent Education
海角原创 is an institutionally accredited member of The Higher Learning Commission, one of six accrediting organizations in the United States. After 30 years of membership, it might be easy to take accreditation for granted and forget the pathway we have traveled and the blessings we have inherited by God鈥檚 gracious hand. So, let鈥檚 raise an Ebenezer, remember the journey, and praise God.[1]
When 海角原创 was founded in 1968, no one thought about academic accreditation. In fact, according to former Academic VP Dr. John Brock, essentially no one at the time thought it was a good idea for a conservative Baptist institution to become accredited by a secular organization.[2]
But as 海角原创 entered the 1980s, the landscape began to change. 海角原创鈥檚 administration began to explore the benefits of some type of academic accreditation, and a seven-year journey to institutional accreditation commenced in 1987.[3]聽 At first, progress was slow, and many forms of accreditation were explored. 海角原创鈥檚 Board of Trustees and 海角原创 alumni needed to be reassured that the pursuit of outside accreditation would not lead to institutional compromise or the surrender of biblical principles. At times, sister institutions did not understand 海角原创鈥檚 intentions.[4]
But in January 1989, the 海角原创 Board of Trustees gave their blessings for the college to apply for institutional accreditation with the North Central Association (today named the Higher Learning Commission 鈥 HLC). 海角原创 decided to attempt the highest form of university accreditation with the same organization that accredited The University of Minnesota, Michigan State, Notre Dame, the University of Wisconsin, and hundreds of institutions of higher learning in the central United States. It was indeed a leap of faith. Dr. Brock mused about those days, 鈥淐ould a little, faith-based, fundamental Baptist college like 海角原创 fit into such a land of giants?鈥[5]
海角原创 soon saw the Lord鈥檚 hand of blessing. 海角原创 was granted Candidate status in HLC in March 1991, and at surprising speed, 海角原创鈥檚 leadership moved toward full approval. With the hard work of the faculty and administration, and with God鈥檚 great blessing, 海角原创 was able to navigate through the candidacy status in two years 鈥 usually, a three-to-six-year process, culminating in official approval of institutional accreditation by HLC in February 1993. With the Lord, nothing is impossible.[6]
Looking back on the move to seek accreditation 30 years ago, 海角原创 clearly sees God鈥檚 wonderful grace and guidance. 海角原创鈥檚 institutional accreditation has blessed decades of students. The driving rationale that began the process in 1987 has proven to be both visionary and accurate.
Several conclusions drove MBU to choose initial accreditation with HLC. Through the years, the accuracy of those conclusions has been tested, and the evidence clearly shows that institutional accreditation brings significant benefits to the institution and its students. 聽Institutional credibility and accountability were at the forefront of the early conversation and are still premier by-products of the association with HLC.[7]
The credibility of a college or university is vitally important. A student attending a university without credibility might have difficulty transferring credits or gaining acceptance into graduate programs at other universities. From the beginning, 海角原创 wanted to make sure other institutions properly recognized the value of 海角原创鈥檚 students鈥 credits and academic standing. According to John Brock, 鈥淭he administration felt an acute sense of responsibility to preserve the utility of 海角原创 credits for its graduates.鈥[8] 聽Without question, this noble goal has been met. Throughout the 30 years since 海角原创 received its institutional accreditation, 海角原创 students have been welcomed into graduate programs worldwide, and MBU credits effortlessly transfer to other institutions. No MBU student worries that their MBU transcript will be slighted or disregarded.
Accountability is foundational in assuring the public that an educational institution has quality. The presence of an outside stamp of approval 鈥渁ssures parents and students that a program is legitimate, credible, and recognized.鈥[9] The 30-year association with HLC has profoundly improved the quality at MBU. Without being prescriptive, HLC accreditation guidelines have helped the university remain current with changing technology and trends. It has also produced an atmosphere of continuous improvement, and it has bolstered academic excellence. HLC has often commended 海角原创 before its peers for being creative, flexible, and innovative. Most recently, MBU was praised by HLC for its 鈥渃ollaborative and inclusive approach to assessment work 鈥 and for the institution鈥檚 ability to be flexible.鈥[10]聽 The HLC commendation ended with high praise: 鈥淥verall, the MBU quality initiative is simply outstanding. This type of assessment and the institutional lessons learned from them are precisely what is intended by the Commission in engagement in continuous quality.鈥[11] Overall, 海角原创鈥檚 accountability to HLC has significantly strengthened the credibility and excellence of an MBU education.
Over the past 30 years, the journey has abundantly demonstrated biblical convictions put to action, abiding faith in the Lord鈥檚 provision and protection, the faithfulness of God鈥檚 people, and God鈥檚 hand of blessing. 鈥淐ould a little, faith-based, fundamental Baptist college like 海角原创 fit into such a land of giants?鈥[12] The answer is yes. It could fit nicely, and without compromise, to the praise of His glory.
DR. WILLIAM LICHT聽joined the MBU faculty in 1993. Prior to his appointment to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, he served as Chair of the Department of Humanities and then the Dean of the School of Education along with his faculty responsibilities. Dr. Licht continues to teach selected undergrad History courses and graduate courses in the MEd 辫谤辞驳谤补尘.听
[1] I Samuel 7 :12. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the聽Lord聽helped us.
[2] John Brock. Personal notes on the accreditation process. 2009
[3] Kim Ledgerwood. Rich in Mercy, p. 127-128. 2008
[4]聽 James Deuink, Ed. The Accreditation Trap, Balance, 1987
[5] John Brock. Personal notes on the accreditation process. 2009
[6] Luke 18:27. And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
[7] MBBC. Accreditation: A Biblical Perspective. 1993.
[8] John Brock. Personal notes on the accreditation process. 2009
[9] MBBC. Accreditation: A Biblical Perspective. 1993.
[10] HLC. Open Pathway Quality Initiative Report. 2022.
[11] HLC. Open Pathway Quality Initiative Report. 2022.
[12] John Brock. Personal notes on the accreditation process. 2009