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Pensacola Christian College

Coordinates: 30°28′15″N 87°13′57″W / 30.4709°N 87.2325°W / 30.4709; -87.2325
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Pensacola Christian College
College seal
MottoStrength. Truth. Beauty.
TypePrivate college
Established1974
FoundersArlin and Beka Horton
AccreditationTRACS
Religious affiliation
Independent Baptist[1]
PresidentTroy Shoemaker
Vice-presidentJon Lands
Students4,882 (2017)[2]
Location
Pensacola
,
Florida
,
U.S.
Colors    Blue, white, yellow
NicknameEagles
Sporting affiliations
NCCAA Division II – South
MascotEagor
Websitewww.pcci.edu
Palm tree surrounded by a rectangle and the letters 'PCC'

30°28′15″N 87°13′57″W / 30.4709°N 87.2325°W / 30.4709; -87.2325 Pensacola Christian College (PCC) is a private Christian college in Pensacola, Florida. Founded in 1974 by Arlin and Beka Horton,[3] it has been accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools since 2013.[4]

History

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Arlin and Beka Horton graduated from Bob Jones University in 1951,[5] and moved to Pensacola, Florida, in 1952 to found a Christian grade school. That school, Pensacola Christian Grade School, opened in 1954; it was later renamed Pensacola Christian Academy.[6]

In 1974, the Hortons opened Pensacola Christian College to further their vision of "Education from a Christian Perspective." The college had 100 students its first year open, and was based in a single building, Ballard Hall.[7]

Pensacola Theological Seminary, an extension of PCC's graduate school, was founded in 1998. Its avowed purpose is "to fill each student's mind and heart with what the Bible says."[7]

In February 2012, Arlin Horton announced that he would be retiring from the ministry after May 2012. The school's board voted unanimously to install Troy Shoemaker, a PCC graduate, as president of the college.[8] Shoemaker, a former administrator at Pensacola Christian Academy,[9] completed his undergraduate education at PCC and holds a Doctor of Education degree from the institution as well as an education specialist degree from the University of West Florida.[10] In July 2019, Shoemaker hired Jon Lands as the executive vice president. Lands completed his undergraduate education at PCC, graduating with a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministries. He also received his honorary doctorate from PCC in 2011.

A concert at the school on February 11, 2023, by the British a capella ensemble the King's Singers was cancelled with two hours' notice due to "concerns" about the "lifestyle" and sexual orientation of a member of the group.[11] Pensacola Christian College's Articles of Faith classify homosexuality as a form of sexual immorality along with adultery, fornication, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography, citing passages in the Book of Matthew, the First Epistle to the Corinthians, and the Book of Hebrews.[12]

Academics

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The main entrance to the main academic and administration building

PCC has nine academic divisions including Bible, business, education, engineering and computer science, humanities, natural sciences, nursing, performing arts, and visual arts.[13] Graduate degrees are offered through the graduate school at PCC and through Pensacola Theological Seminary in the fields of Bible, business administration, communicative arts, divinity, education, ministry, music, and nursing.[14]

The college markets its education programs as being specifically intended to prepare educators for employment at Christian schools rather than public schools, though graduates of the programs have been eligible to apply for public school teacher certification in Florida since 2000.[15]

Because the college accepts a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative from the Bible and rejects evolution and other mainstream theories about the origins and age of Earth, students are taught young Earth creationism,[16] and that God created the Earth in six literal 24-hour days.[16] PCC's biology classes are based on creationism.[17]

Accreditation

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The Campanile at PCC

Since 2013, Pensacola Christian College has been accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), a religious national accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, to offer associates to doctorate degrees.[4] However, Pensacola Christian College does not participate in any federal or state funded financial aid programs.[18] In consequence, the college is exempt from federal guidelines concerning many forms of discrimination (e.g., Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), investigations into accusations of sexual abuse, and sharing of information about crimes on campus (Clery Act).[19]

From 1974 until 2011, Pensacola Christian College did not seek accreditation. In numerous publications the school explained that it eschewed accreditation, indicating that an outside agency that did not share its religious and moral views might try to pressure the college to change or eliminate its beliefs[citation needed].

The college changed course on November 9, 2011, when the administration informed its students that PCC had been awarded candidacy for accreditation, a pre-accreditation status, by Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.[20] In October 2013, PCC was officially accredited by TRACS.[4]

The baccalaureate and master's degrees in nursing at Pensacola Christian College are also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing, and the baccalaureate degree in engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.[21]

Student life

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Athletics

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Main article: Pensacola Christian Eagles
Arlin R. Horton Sports Center

PCC participates in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) for intercollegiate sports. Sports include men's basketball and soccer and women's basketball and volleyball. The men's wrestling team won the NCCAA national championship in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998, the last year before the NCCAA discontinued the sport.[22][23] The Men's Eagles Basketball games as well as the Lady Eagles basketball games are played in the arena level of the Sports Center. PCC also hosts a number of invitational high school sporting tournaments and camps.[24]

In addition to intercollegiate athletics, PCC students are also afforded the opportunity to play intramural sports through their Collegians. Sports offered through collegians include soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, and broom-hockey among others,[25] and the Eagles have a cheerleading squad called the Blue Crew.[26] Every fall Collegian Soccer culminates with the winners of the playoffs facing each other in the annual Turkey Bowl held over the Thanksgiving weekend.[27] In the spring, students can play softball and basketball.

Recreation

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The campus offers opportunities for individual or group recreation, such as the Arlin R. Horton Sports Center which originally opened in 1993.[28] The sports center has facilities for ice skating, bowling, racquetball, miniature golf, table tennis, and weight lifting.[29] In addition with an expansion completed in 2008 by Hewes & Company, LLC, it includes a surfing wave, water cannons, an inline skating track, a rooftop sun deck, a snack bar, escape room and climbing walls.[30][29] The campus also has the John Ray Hall Field House in which students can play basketball, swim, work out in the weight room, and play tennis. For students willing to make the 30-minute drive, the West Campus has 24 Hobie catamarans with classes "offered in sailing, kayaking, swimming, and lifeguarding."[31]

Rules and regulations

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The main dining facility

PCC policies govern many aspects of the students' lives, including dress, hairstyles, cleanliness of residence hall rooms, styles of music, borrowing, off-campus employment, and Internet access.[32] For example, "All students are expected to dress modestly, in conservative fashions and . . . men are not to wear effeminate hairstyles or apparel."[33]

PCC also prohibits physical contact and interaction between unwed members of the opposite sex. Mixed groups must obtain a "3+ Pass" to hang out off campus, however, men and women are not allowed to ride in the same vehicle to the destination without an approved chaperone. Students over the age of 23 are not required to have a chaperone on a date, but cannot go to a beach or a park after dark.[34]

Most stairwells, elevators, and parking lots on campus are segregated by gender.

Other prohibited activities at PCC include "fornication, adultery, homosexual behavior, or any other sexual perversion. Also, any involvement in pornography or sexual communications, including verbal, written, or electronic."[35] In addition, "most forms of dancing," profanity, hazing, discrimination, gambling, stealing and "witchcraft, séances, astrology, or any other satanic practices" are also banned. Students are also not allowed to use, possess, or "associate" with alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.[36] Policy violations also include visiting movie theaters, patronizing unauthorized area businesses, being off campus after hours, and being in a residence hall belonging to a member of the opposite sex.[36]

Demerits and discipline

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Area outside of the student union, known as the Commons building

PCC has three levels of punishment; students can be given "infractions,"[37] "demerits," or be expelled.[38] The school operates a "demerit" system where "demerits" are "recorded on a student's record for the purpose of limiting continued misconduct, given for continued neglect of responsibilities or for more serious offenses."[36] Students may be given notices, charges, demerits, or be expelled.[36] Students who have these demerits are subject to administrative review by the Student Court, during which demerits are assigned or canceled corresponding to the degree of the infraction or circumstantial conditions surrounding the incident in question."[36]

In the past (at least until 2008), students who acquired a certain number of demerits in a semester were "campused," meaning they were not allowed to leave campus for a period of time.[36] Students suspected of more serious violations could be subject to being "shadowed," where they were assigned to a Residence Assistant (a fellow student who was selected by PCC to provide leadership in the residence hall and to enforce college regulations).[36] This included being required to attend the Residence Assistant's classes and moving to the Residence Assistant's room.[38] While being shadowed the student was prohibited from speaking with any student other than with the Floor Leader who was shadowing them.

The rules and disciplinary policies at Pensacola Christian College have been the subject of criticism. In 1996 a PCC alumnus started an electronic newsletter entitled The Student Voice, which criticized PCC, particularly the school's rules and demerit system.[39] It was originally published in a newsletter format distributed exclusively via e-mail, and it was later published at www.pensacolachristiancollege.com. Following numerous attempts by the college to have the website shut down through arbitration and lawsuits, the website's owners relinquished control of the domain to the college, who has redirected the domain to the main PCC website.[39][40][41][42][43]

Students may also be written up for infractions such as but not limited to- frayed pants, going off campus with a person of the opposite sex, watching movies rated PG-13 or higher, and listening to "worldly music".

Faith and King-James-only debate

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PCC rejects hyper-Calvinism, Modernism, Neo-orthodoxy, and the modern day charismatic movement and specifically states that "Pensacola Christian is not a part of the 'tongues movement' and does not allow students to participate in or promote any charismatic activities, nor do we permit students to promote hyper-Calvinism."[44]

PCC also states the belief that the Textus Receptus is the superior Greek text of the Bible and upon this basis uses the King James Version of the Bible for all pulpit ministry and classroom Bible instruction.[44]

Affiliated ministries of PCC

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The Campus Church

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The Crowne Center, which serves as an auditorium and campus church, was built in 2001

The Campus Church, an Independent Baptist church,[45] meets in the 6200 seat, 314,000 Sq. Ft.[46] Crowne Center on Pensacola Christian College's campus and has Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday evening services.[47] The Campus Church is not a department of the college, but is a separate entity operating alongside the college.

Rejoice in the Lord

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Crowne Center Auditorium

The Campus Church holds weekly services from the Crowne Center at Pensacola Christian College. The services are recorded and edited for the weekly television broadcast of Rejoice in the Lord. The programming of Rejoice in the Lord consists of musical numbers performed by the Rejoice Choir, various PCC musical ensemble groups, congregational singing recorded in the Campus Church and preaching by Pastor Jeff Redlin. The hour-long television program is broadcast at 8 p.m. Eastern on Sundays on the Daystar Television Network.[48]

WPCS

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Main article: WPCS (FM)

Pensacola Christian College owns radio station WPCS 89.5 FM, known on-air as Rejoice Radio. WPCS is the main station of the Rejoice Broadcasting Network (sometimes referred to as "RBN"). The content heard on Rejoice Radio consists primarily of inspirational music and syndicated Christian radio programming.

Abeka

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Abeka, formerly known as A Beka Book, is a publisher affiliated with Pensacola Christian College that produces K–12 curriculum materials that are used by Protestant fundamentalist[49][50] and other conservative Evangelical Christian schools, as well as non-fundamentalist Christian schools[citation needed] and homeschooling families around the world. It is named after Rebekah Horton, wife of college president Arlin Horton, both of whom founded both PCC and Abeka, administering them simultaneously. Abeka and BJU Press (formerly Bob Jones University Press) have been considered the two major publishers of Christian-based educational materials in America.[51]

Abeka has been criticized for selling works that do not follow a scientific consensus regarding the origins of the universe, origins of life, and evolution. In Association of Christian Schools International et al. v. Roman Stearns et al., a judge upheld the University of California's rejection of Abeka publications for preparatory use because the books are "inconsistent with the viewpoints and knowledge generally accepted in the scientific community."[52][53]

In 1996, state and federal agencies requested millions of dollars of unpaid taxes between 1988 and 1995 from A Beka Book, at the time a division of PCC.[54] In a settlement without any admission of wrongdoing, Pensacola Christian College paid $44.5 million in federal taxes. The organization also voluntarily paid $3.5 million Florida state taxes in full even though it had received legislative relief from them and no longer bore any legal liability for them, to avoid any appearance of offense or subsidization by the state.[55]

Chris-Tex

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Chris-Tex is a public foundation based in Pensacola, Florida that was founded in 1998 made to function as the investment and endowment manager for Pensacola Christian College. For the fiscal year 2022, revenue was $61 million with assets reported of $1.36b.[56][57]

Notable alumni

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Notable Pensacola Christian College alumni
Name Achievements Relationship with PCC
Maria Boren Job candidate on the second season of NBC's reality TV show, The Apprentice in 2004[58]
James Van Huss Tennessee politician[59] Huss graduated from PCC with a degree in Computer Science in 2003.[60]
John Libka Professional baseball umpire[61]
Garrett Mason Maine politician[62] Mason graduated from PCC with a degree in Management in 2006.[63]
Cathy McMorris Rodgers Washington state politician[64]
Tom Vasel Podcaster, designer, and reviewer of board games

References

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  1. ^ "Articles of Faith". Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  2. ^ Joseph Baucum (May 22, 2017). "Escambia County approves vacating Rawson Lane to PCC". Pensacola News Journal. Gannett.
  3. ^ "Founders · Pensacola Christian College". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Pensacola Christian College". Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. November 26, 2019.
  5. ^ CLA [Christian Law Association] Defender, 4:9 (September 1981), 19; Bob Jones University Vintage (yearbook), 1951, 183.
  6. ^ "Pensacola Christian Academy - History". Pensacola Christian Academy. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "History of PCC · Pensacola Christian College". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  8. ^ Horton, Arlin. "President Horton Announces Retirement". Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  9. ^ "President". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  10. ^ "Board & Administration". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  11. ^ "The King's Singers' Florida Concert Canceled due to Homophobia". OperaWire. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "Biblical Principles". self published by Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  13. ^ "Academics · Home · Pensacola Christian College". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  14. ^ "Catalog 2013" (PDF). Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  15. ^ "Academics FAQ". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  16. ^ a b "We believe God created the heavens and earth in six literal days, and that God created all life (Gen. 1). We reject the man-made theory of evolution occurring over millions of years and believe the earth is 6,000 years old.""Catalog 2013" (PDF). Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013. page 7
  17. ^ "Catalog 2012" (PDF). Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2013. page 208
  18. ^ "Finances · Frequently Asked Questions · Pensacola Christian College". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  19. ^ Caputo, Ibby; Marcus, Jon (July 7, 2016). "How Some Religious Colleges Avoid Rules Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation". The Atlantic. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  20. ^ "Announcement from PCC's President". Pensacola Christian College. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  21. ^ "Accreditation and Authorization · Pensacola Christian College". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  22. ^ "PCC". Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  23. ^ "Men's Wrestling Archives" (PDF). NCCAA. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  24. ^ "Youth Outreach Ministry - Home Page". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  25. ^ "Collegians · Pensacola Christian College". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  26. ^ "PCC Eagles - Cheerleading". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  27. ^ "Athletic Opportunities · Pensacola Christian College". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  28. ^ "Arlin R. Horton Sports Center – Pensacola Christian College Eagles". December 28, 2019.
  29. ^ a b "Sports Center". Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  30. ^ "Hewes & Company, LLC".
  31. ^ "West Campus". Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  32. ^ "PCC Pathway to College Success Student Resource Guide 2013–2014" (PDF). Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013. pages 14–17
  33. ^ "PCC Pathway to College Success Student Resource Guide 2013–2014" (PDF). Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013. page 15
  34. ^ "PCC Pathway to College Success Student Resource Guide 2013–2014" (PDF). Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013. pages 40
  35. ^ "Code of Conduct · Student Responsibilities · Pathway · Pensacola Christian College". Pensacola Christian College.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g "PCC Pathway to College Success Student Resource Guide 2013–2014" (PDF). Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  37. ^ "Accountability · Student Responsibilities · Pathway · Pensacola Christian College". www.pcci.edu. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  38. ^ a b Bartlett, Thomas. ""A College That's Strictly Different"". The Chronicle of Higher Education.
  39. ^ a b "Thou shalt not steal? Christian college, alum end battle over domain name". Fox News. April 7, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  40. ^ "Pensacola Christian College Sues Former Graduate for $100,000 Over Domain Name". Christian Post. April 1, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  41. ^ "Pensacola Christian College sues over website". Pensacola News Journal. March 31, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  42. ^ "PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE INC v. GAGE". Justia Dockets & Filings. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  43. ^ http://www.pensacolachristiancollege.com redirects to the http://www.pcci.edu website.
  44. ^ a b "Spiritual Life FAQ". Pensacola Christian College. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  45. ^ "Detail by Entity Name". search.sunbiz.org. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  46. ^ "Crowne Centre Auditorium At Pensacola Christian College Upgrades With HARMAN's Studer Consoles and BSS Audio Processors". BSS Networked Audio Systems. July 11, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  47. ^ "Catalog" (PDF). Pensacola Christian College. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013. page 13
  48. ^ "Rejoice in the Lord". www.rejoicetv.org. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  49. ^ Wagner, Melinda Bollar (1991). God's schools: choice and compromise in American society. Rutgers University Press. p. 157. ISBN 978-0-8135-1607-3. Pensacola Christian College beka books fundamentalist.
  50. ^ Parsons, Paul F (1988). Inside America's Christian Schools. Mercer University Press. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-86554-303-4.
  51. ^ Parsons, Paul F (1988). Inside America's Christian Schools. Mercer University Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-86554-303-4.
  52. ^ "Creationist lawsuit against UC system to proceed". National Center for Science Education. August 10, 2006. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
  53. ^ "Judge throws out religious discrimination suit". North County Times. August 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 15, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  54. ^ Wallsten, Peter (July 7, 1996). "Taxpayers Foot Religious School's Tax Tab". Tampa Bay Times. pp. 17, 22. Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
    Page 22
  55. ^ "College Pays Millions in Taxes". October 28, 1996 – via christianitytoday.com.
  56. ^ ProPublica, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Ken Schwencke, Brandon Roberts, Alec Glassford (May 9, 2013). "Chris Tex Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved February 14, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  57. ^ ProPublica, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Ken Schwencke, Brandon Roberts, Alec Glassford (May 9, 2013). "Chris Tex Inc, Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved February 14, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  58. ^ ""Apprentice" connection". Pensacola News Journal. January 14, 2005.
  59. ^ "Micah Van Huss - Home". www.micahvanhuss.com. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  60. ^ "Representatives - TN General Assembly". www.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  61. ^ "Major League Debut of Umpire John Libka (84)". www.closecallsports.com.
  62. ^ "District 22 Sen. Garrett Mason | Maine State Legislature". legislature.maine.gov. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  63. ^ "PCC Graduates in Government". Pensacola Christian College. 2011. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  64. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
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