Philadelphia Biblical University

Philadelphia Biblical University, formerly called Philadelphia College of Bible, is a school located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania founded in 1913. Every undergraduate student graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Bible. In addition, students may work towards a dual degree, such as Business, Education, Music, and Social Work. There is also a Graduate School which offers Master of Science degrees as well as a Master of Divinity degree. On October 11, 2007, the Board of Trustees announced that President W. Sherrill Babb will become the University's first Chancellor on January 1, 2008, and that Provost Todd Williams will be elevated as the University's fifth president.

History

Origins

The university is the result of the merger of two Bible schools: the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia School of the Bible. On July 8 1913, W. W. Rugh founded the National Bible Institute of Philadelphia. After teaching public school in his earlier days, Rugh spent several years walking a circuit to teach Bible classes throughout eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Originally an extension of the National Bible Institute of New York, the Philadelphia branch became independent of the New York school on October 8, 1921, and changed its name to Bible Institute of Pennsylvania.

Over a year later, C. I. Scofield and William L. Pettingill co-founded Philadelphia School of the Bible on October 1 1914. Both men were leading Bible teachers of their day, in which Scofield was known internationally for his Bible teaching and his work on the Scofield Reference Bible. One year later, Scofield became the first president and Pettingill was the first dean of Philadelphia School of the Bible.

Thirty-seven years later, in 1951, the schools merged to become Philadelphia Bible Institute, offering a three-year Bible diploma. At the time of the merger, William A. Mierop was appointed president and Clarence E. Mason, Jr., academic dean. By 1958, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the institute approval to offer a four-year program leading to the bachelor of science in Bible degree, and then changed its name to Philadelphia College of Bible.

Since the merge the school had four presidents: William A. Mierop, 1951 to 1956; Charles C. Ryrie, 1958 to 1962; Douglas B. MacCorkle, 1963 to 1977; and W. Sherrill Babb, 1979 to the present. Todd Williams will become the University's fifth president effective January 1, 2008.

1979-2007

W. Sherrill Babb's appointment coincided with the move from Center City, Philadelphia to the new campus in Langhorne Manor. Under his leadership, in 2000, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the college approval to become a university. Degrees offered have increased from three to eleven; six Graduate programs have been implemented; four extension campuses have been established; and student enrollment, faculty, and facility space have more than doubled.

Notable alumni

One of the university's alumni is the Christian author Robert C. Gage, pastor of the First Baptist Church in the City of New York. Gage received his bachelor of science degree from PBU in 1964.

External links

• Philadelphia Biblical University website

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