Seeing the Light: Religious Colleges in Twenty-First-Century America

by Samuel Schuman

Overview

Samuel Schuman examines the place of religious colleges and universities, particularly evangelical Protestant institutions, in contemporary American higher education.

Many faith-based schools are flourishing. They have rigorous academic standards, impressive student recruitment, ambitious philanthropic goals, and well-maintained campuses and facilities. Yet much of the U.S. higher-education community ignores them or accords them little respect. Seeing the Light considers, instead, what can be learned from the viability of these institutions.

The book begins with a history of post secondary U.S. education from the perspective of the religious traditions from which it arose. After focusing briefly on nonevangelical institutions, Schuman next looks at three Roman Catholic institutions—the College of New Rochelle, Villanova University, and Thomas Aquinas College. He then profiles evangelical colleges and universities in detail, discovering the factors contributing to their success. These institutions range from nationally recognized to little known, from rich to poor, with both highly selective and open admission requirements. Interviews with key administrators, faculty, and students reveal the challenges, the successes, and the goals of these institutions.

Schuman concludes that these schools—Baylor University, Anderson University, New Saint Andrews College, Calvin College, North Park University, George Fox University, Westmont College, Oral Roberts University, Northwestern College, and Wheaton College—and others like them offer important and timely lessons for the broader higher-education community.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801893728
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	01/18/2010
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Samuel Schuman is Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Minnesota, Morris. He is the author of Cyril Tourneur: A Reference Guide, The Theatre of Fine Devices: Emblems and the Emblematic in the Plays of John Webster, and Vladimir Nabokov: A Reference Guide.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Part I: Introduction
1. An Agenda for the Study of Religious Colleges and Universities
2. Contexts Historical and Denominational
3. Three Roman Catholic Colleges and Universities
Part II: Baptist Schools
4. Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana: Baylor University, Waco, Texas
5. A Civil College: Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina
Part III: Denominational Colleges
6. "At the Front Lines of the Culture Wars": New Saint Andrews College, Moscow, Idaho
7. "To Clear Some Part of the Human Jungle": Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
8. Swedes and the City: North Park University, Chicago, Illinois
Part IV: Nondenominational Christian Colleges and Universities
9. Friends and/or Friendly? George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon
10. An Island of Piety . . . in a Sea of Riches: Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California
11. "Expect a Miracle": Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma
12. A Christian Walk Up North: Northwestern College, St. Paul, Minnesota
13. "For Christ and His Kingdom": Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
Part V: Conclusions
14. What Can We Learn?
Appendix: Interview Questions for Institutions and Parents
Notes
Essay on Sources
Index

Editorial Reviews

Both this book and its extensive bibliographic essay are worth reflection.
—Susan E. Henking, Religious Studies Review

This ambitious book is an important addition to the burgeoning literature on Christian higher education.
—Robert Benne, Journal of Higher Education

An important book . . . Paints a rich picture of the exceptional things small colleges can do.
—Academe

Brilliantly written and thoroughly convincing. After reading this work, the reader will possess a newfound appreciation for these institutions of higher education and an understanding of their vital role.
—Education Review

In the tradition of a true liberal arts scholar, [Schuman] invites thoughtful dialogue, challenges academic tradition, and persuades readers to explore alternatives.
—Hancock Record

From the Publisher

Brilliantly written and thoroughly convincing. After reading this work, the reader will possess a newfound appreciation for these institutions of higher education and an understanding of their vital role.

Education Review

In the tradition of a true liberal arts scholar, [Schuman] invites thoughtful dialogue, challenges academic tradition, and persuades readers to explore alternatives.

Hancock Record

An important book . . . Paints a rich picture of the exceptional things small colleges can do.

Academe

This ambitious book is an important addition to the burgeoning literature on Christian higher education.

Journal of Higher Education - Robert Benne

Both this book and its extensive bibliographic essay are worth reflection.

Religious Studies Review - Susan E. Henking

This ambitious book is an important addition to the burgeoning literature on Christian higher education.

— Robert Benne

Journal of Higher Education

Both this book and its extensive bibliographic essay are worth reflection.

— Susan E. Henking

Religious Studies Review