San Diego Christian College

San Diego Christian College
Former names
Christian Heritage College (1970–2005)
TypePrivate university
Established1970
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational Christian
Academic affiliations
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
PresidentKevin Corsini
Students681[1]
Location
Santee, California
,
U.S.

32°50′33″N 116°58′42″W / 32.84250°N 116.97833°W / 32.84250; -116.97833
CampusSuburban
ColorsNavy Blue, Sky Blue & Gold
     
NicknameHawks
Sporting affiliations
NAIA – GSAC
MascotMoe Hawk
Websitewww.sdcc.edu

San Diego Christian College (SDCC) is a private evangelical university in Santee, California. Founded in 1970, SDCC offers traditional, non-traditional, and graduate programs.

History

In January 1970, Tim F. LaHaye, pastor of the former Scott Memorial Baptist Church of San Diego and co-author of the fictional Left Behind series of books, Art Peters and Henry M. Morris discussed the need for a Christian college on the West Coast where studies could be developed within the framework of creationism based on the Genesis creation narrative. That year, classes began at Christian Heritage College, supported by Scott Memorial Baptist Church.[2] The first degrees were awarded in 1973.

In 1984, it was first accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In 2005, the college changed its name to San Diego Christian College. In 2015, it moved to its new location in Santee, California.

Campus

In 2005, Christian Heritage College became San Diego Christian College and in 2014, SDCC moved to its new campus in Santee. The new campus consists of five buildings, with an athletic annex office and residential apartments which are located 1.8 miles off campus.

Its five buildings include smart classrooms, laboratories, chapel auditorium, cafeteria, counseling rooms, a library and faculty and staff offices. The library has a growing collection of over 450,000 items. Aviators train at Gillespie Field in El Cajon.

SDCC's fountain displays the institution's core values of truth, purpose, and impact.

Academics

The institution offers Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science degrees as well as Master of Arts and Master of Science Degrees, and teacher's credentials.

San Diego Christian College has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1984.[3] On June 23, 2006, WASC reviewed San Diego Christian College and placed its accreditation on probation.[4] This was because the institution was unable to demonstrate its "autonomy."[5] The commission on February 2, 2007, found the institution had taken a "number of significant and positive steps" in addressing its concerns, but still found it to be in "noncompliance," so another visit was scheduled for the Spring of 2008.[6] In June 2008, San Diego Christian College received a reaffirmation of accreditation.[3]

In its 2024 rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked San Diego Christian College as #98 in its "Regional Universities West" category.[1]

Athletics

The San Diego Christian College (SDCC) athletic teams were called the Hawks. The institution was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) from 1999–2000 to 2022–23. The Hawks were also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the West Region of the Division I level.

SDCC competed in 14 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis; while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

Tennis

In just their first year of a program in 2015, the SDCC men's tennis team went to the NAIA National Tournament held in Mobile, Ala. The Hawks lost in the Quarterfinal round against eventual winner and No. 1 team Georgia Gwinnett. The Hawks were ranked as high as No. 8 in the NAIA Top 25 Poll during the season.

Baseball

In 2014, the SDCC baseball team was a finalist in the NAIA World Series after a record breaking year. The Hawks finished with a 42-20 overall record that included a GSAC Regular Season Championship as well as being ranked fifth in the NAIA Top 25 Poll.

Men's basketball

Competing at that time in the NCCAA, the Hawks won the NCCAA men's basketball championship in 1990, 1997, 1998 and 2004. They were second in 2000, losing to Bethel by a score of 83–82. They finished third in 1996 and 2003. They also went to the 2001 NAIA final four in Men's Basketball.[7]

Women's basketball

The Hawks won the NCCAA women's basketball championship in 2003.[8] The women's Volleyball team won the first National titles for the school in volleyball 1998, 2000 and took second in 1996 and 1999.

Notable people

Students and alumni

Name Known for Relationship to school
Matt Krause Member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2013; lawyer from Fort Worth, Texas Hawks basketball player, 1998-2002[9]
Shannon Taylor Film producer, musician and actress Studied communications in 2009[10]
Jeremiah Trueman New Zealand basketball player [citation needed]
Liam Simmons Collegiate basketball head coach Graduated in 2007, played guard for three years[11]

Faculty and employees

Name Known for Relationship to school
Duane Gish Speaker on creationism Researcher when the Institute for Creation Research was part of the college in the 1970s.
Swen Nater Former NBA basketball player Coached SDCC's basketball team from 1985 to 1995[12]

References

  1. ^ a b U.S. News & World Report: San Diego Christian College. Accessed March 15, 2019.
  2. ^ History of SDCC Archived 2008-04-23 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b "San Diego Christian College Profile". Western Association of Schools and Colleges. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
  4. ^ Fulbright, Leslie (July 31, 2007). "Progressive New College in academic, fiscal mess". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
  5. ^ Lauren Morgan, "Accreditation team visits PLNU this week," The Point Weekly, October 1, 2007. Archived January 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Public Statement" (PDF). Western Association of Schools and Colleges. 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-08. [dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Men's Basketball D1 History" (PDF). The NCCAA. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  8. ^ "Women's Basketball D1 History" (PDF). The NCCAA. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  9. ^ "State Rep. Matt Krause District 93 (R-Fort Worth)". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  10. ^ Pfingsten, Tom (2009-01-24). "FALLBROOK: Young band completes fifth trip to Russia; no signs of slowing down". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on 2024-01-02. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  11. ^ "Liam Simmons Hired As Men's Basketball Head Coach". Colorado Christian University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  12. ^ Broussard, Chris (January 11, 2004). "THEN AND NOW -- Swen Nater; Big Man Loved the Game, Then Learned to Play It". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-08.