Pensacola Christian College facts for kids
College seal
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| Motto | Strength. Truth. Beauty. |
|---|---|
| Type | Private college |
| Established | 1974 |
| Founders | Arlin and Beka Horton |
| Accreditation | TRACS |
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Religious affiliation
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Independent Baptist |
| President | Troy Shoemaker |
| Vice-president | Jon Lands |
| Students | 4,882 (2017) |
| Location |
,
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U.S.
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| Colors | Blue, white, yellow |
| Nickname | Eagles |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCCAA Division II – South |
| Mascot | Eagor |
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Pensacola Christian College (PCC) is a private Christian college located in Pensacola, Florida. It was started in 1974 by Arlin and Beka Horton. The college has been officially recognized, or accredited, by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools since 2013.
Contents
History of Pensacola Christian College
Arlin and Beka Horton finished their studies at Bob Jones University in 1951. They moved to Pensacola, Florida, in 1952. Their goal was to open a Christian school for younger students. This school, Pensacola Christian Grade School, opened in 1954. It is now known as Pensacola Christian Academy.
In 1974, the Hortons started Pensacola Christian College. They wanted to offer "Education from a Christian Perspective." In its first year, the college had 100 students. It operated from one building, called Ballard Hall.
Pensacola Theological Seminary was founded in 1998. It is a part of PCC's graduate school. Its aim is to teach students what the Bible says.
In 2012, Arlin Horton announced his retirement. Troy Shoemaker, a former student and administrator, became the new president. In 2019, Jon Lands joined as executive vice president. Both Shoemaker and Lands are graduates of PCC.
Academics at PCC
PCC has nine main study areas. These include Bible studies, business, education, and engineering. Other areas are computer science, humanities, and natural sciences. Nursing, performing arts, and visual arts are also offered. Students can earn advanced degrees through PCC's graduate school. Pensacola Theological Seminary also offers graduate degrees. These degrees are in fields like Bible, business, and education.
PCC's education programs prepare teachers for Christian schools. Since 2000, graduates can also apply to teach in Florida's public schools.
The college teaches that God created the Earth in six literal days. This is based on a literal reading of the Genesis creation narrative from the Bible. They teach young Earth creationism and do not teach evolution. Biology classes at PCC are based on creationism.
Accreditation and Recognition
Since 2013, Pensacola Christian College has been accredited. This means it is officially recognized by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). TRACS is a religious accreditation group. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. PCC can offer degrees from associate to doctorate levels.
For many years, PCC did not seek accreditation. They believed an outside group might try to change their beliefs. In 2011, PCC began the process to become accredited. By October 2013, they were officially accredited by TRACS.
PCC's nursing degrees are also accredited. This is done by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing. Their engineering degree is accredited by ABET.
Student Life and Activities
Athletics and Sports
PCC's sports teams are called the Eagles. They play in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Sports for men include basketball and soccer. Women's sports include basketball and volleyball. The men's wrestling team won national championships in the 1990s.
Besides college teams, students can play intramural sports. These are fun games played among students. Sports like soccer, basketball, and softball are offered. There is also a cheerleading squad called the Blue Crew. A big event is the annual Turkey Bowl soccer game.
Recreation and Fun
The campus has many ways for students to have fun. The Arlin R. Horton Sports Center opened in 1993. It has ice skating, bowling, and miniature golf. There are also places for racquetball and weight lifting. An expansion in 2008 added a surfing wave and climbing walls.
The John Ray Hall Field House offers more activities. Students can play basketball, swim, and use the weight room. They can also play tennis. For those who like water sports, the West Campus has sailboats. Classes are offered in sailing, kayaking, and swimming.
Rules and Campus Guidelines
PCC has rules for many parts of student life. These rules cover how students dress and their hairstyles. They also cover how clean dorm rooms should be. Students are expected to dress modestly. Men are asked to have conservative hairstyles.
There are rules about how male and female students interact. Students need special permission to go off campus in mixed groups. Some areas on campus, like stairwells and elevators, are separated by gender.
Certain activities are not allowed. These include most forms of dancing and gambling. Students are also not allowed to visit movie theaters. Being off campus after certain hours is also against the rules.
PCC uses a system to help students follow the rules. If a student breaks a rule, it is recorded. This system helps encourage good behavior.
Faith and Beliefs
PCC has clear beliefs about faith. They do not support certain modern religious movements. They believe the Textus Receptus is the best Greek text of the Bible. Because of this, they use the King James Version of the Bible. This version is used for all church services and Bible classes.
PCC's Other Ministries
The Campus Church
The Campus Church is a separate church. It meets in the Crowne Center on PCC's campus. The Crowne Center is a very large building. The church holds services on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings.
Rejoice in the Lord
The Campus Church services are recorded. They are then shown on a weekly TV program called Rejoice in the Lord. This program includes music from the Rejoice Choir. It also features singing and preaching by Pastor Jeff Redlin. The show is broadcast on the Daystar Television Network.
WPCS Radio Station
PCC owns a radio station called WPCS 89.5 FM. It is known as Rejoice Radio. This station is part of the Rejoice Broadcasting Network. Rejoice Radio plays inspirational music. It also broadcasts Christian radio programs.
Abeka Publishing
Abeka is a publishing company connected to Pensacola Christian College. It creates learning materials for students from kindergarten to high school. These materials are used by many Christian schools and homeschooling families. Abeka was named after Rebekah Horton, one of PCC's founders.
Abeka's materials are based on their Christian beliefs. They teach about the origins of the universe and origins of life from a creationist viewpoint.
Notable Alumni of PCC
Many people who studied at Pensacola Christian College have done interesting things.
- James Van Huss - A state representative in Tennessee.
- Tom Vasel - A podcaster and designer of board games.
- Maria Boren - Was a candidate on the TV show The Apprentice.
- Garrett Mason - Was a state senator in Maine.
- Cathy McMorris Rodgers - A member of the United States House of Representatives from Washington state.
- John Libka - An umpire for Major League Baseball (MLB).
