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Cornerstone University

Coordinates: 42°58′46″N 85°35′35″W / 42.97944°N 85.59306°W / 42.97944; -85.59306
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Cornerstone University
TypePrivate Christian College
Established1941
Endowment$6.4 million[1]
PresidentJoseph M. Stowell, III
Academic staff
118
Students3,000[2]
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
,
USA
Campus130 acres, suburban
ColorsRoyal Blue and Gold
   
AffiliationsCouncil for Christian Colleges and Universities
MascotGolden Eagles
Websitewww.cornerstone.edu

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 Christian men and women to excel as influencers in Christ's world for Christ by offering a Christ-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 (decade) 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[3] 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,[4] the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada[5] and the National Association of Schools of Music.[6] 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).[citation needed]

As of 2011 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.[7] On July 1, 1999, following approval by the State of Michigan, Cornerstone College and Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary became Cornerstone University. In June 2003, the graduate theological school became Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.[8]

Timeline

January 1941–1944: Baptist Bible Institute of Grand Rapids, Michigan

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. Wood 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

Campus

The Welch Tower

On Saturday, October 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 (34 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 at Cornerstone

Journalism Department

Cornerstone's Journalism Department offers a three-year and a four-year BS Degree in Journalism. Students also gain invaluable experience from completing 3 to 4 separate internships prior to graduation as well.

Campus newspaper

The Herald is Cornerstone's award-winning campus newspaper. It is a weekly 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 and again in 2012 in the Michigan Collegiate Press Association Newspaper Contest.

Cornerstone Journalism Institute

Founded in 2003, the Cornerstone Journalism Institute is an annual summer camp 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.

Athletics

A view of the Bernice Hansen Center

Cornerstone University teams are known as the Golden Eagles. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

National Championships:

  • 1999 - Men's Basketball - NAIA Division II
  • 2007 - Stephanie Allers - Women's Outdoor Track and Field - 200 meters
  • 2007 - Derek Scott - Men's Outdoor Track and Field - 1500 meters
  • 2010 - Zach Ripley - Men's Outdoor Track and Field - Steeplechase
  • 2010 - Joel Leong - Men's Indoor Track and Field - 35lb. Weight Throw
  • 2011 - Men's Basketball - NAIA Division II

National Runners-up:

  • 2002 - Women's Basketball - NAIA Division II
  • 2005 - Shannon Burmaster - Women's Indoor Track and Field - High Jump
  • 2005 - Cathi Velzen - Women's Outdoor Track and Field - Heptathlon
  • 2006 - Stephanie Allers - Women's Outdoor Track and Field - 200 meters
  • 2008 - Danielle Rowe - Women's Indoor Track and Field - High Jump
  • 2009 - Brandi Hagan - Women's Indoor Track and Field - Pole Vault
  • 2011 - Kris Shear - Men's Indoor Track and Field - 3,000 meter Racewalk
  • 2012 - Cody Risch - Men's Indoor Track and Field - 3,000 meter Racewalk
  • 2012 - Anita Souza - Women's Indoor Track and Field - 60 meter hurdles
  • 2012 - Cody Risch - Men's Outdoor Track and Field - 5,000 meter Racewalk
  • 2013 - Ryan Versen - Men's Indoor Track and Field - 400 meters
  • 2013 - Louis Falland - Men's Indoor Track and Field - Mile

References

  1. ^ As of February 4, 2013. = PDF "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2012Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change* in Endowment Market Value from FY 2011 to FY 2012". 2012 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved April 15, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); line feed character in |title= at position 84 (help)
  2. ^ About Cornerstone University - Cornerstone University
  3. ^ http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/02/cornerstone_university_shifts.html
  4. ^ "Currently or Previously Affiliated Institutions - 01/10/2013". 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  5. ^ ATS website
  6. ^ NASM website
  7. ^ http://www.grsbm.com/tp40/page.asp?ID=66465
  8. ^ http://www.cornerstone.edu/our-history

42°58′46″N 85°35′35″W / 42.97944°N 85.59306°W / 42.97944; -85.59306

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