Johnson University is a private, Christian, co-educational university with its main campus located six miles (10 km) southeast of Knoxville, Tennessee in the Kimberlin Heights community.
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University System
The University System consist of two physical campuses, an Online Campus, and located ExtendEd programs in various cities across the United States.
The Tennessee campus is located in the upper Tennessee River valley on the banks of the French Broad River just upstream from where the French Broad and Holston Rivers form the Tennessee. The Online Campus is also located at the Tennessee Campus.
The Florida Campus, Johnson University Florida, is located at the site of the former Florida Christian College, in Kissimmee, Florida, just minutes south of Orlando, Florida.
The ExtendEd campus offers two unique opportunities. ExtendEd Adult offers the opportunity for adults seeking a faith-based bachelor's degree by taking classes at a local church in cities across the US. ExtendEd Residency offers Full-time programs integrating classroom learning with hands-on experience at a local church. ExtendEd Adult locations are in Indianapolis , Knoxville, and Louisville. ExtendEd Residency locations are in Indianapolis, Orlando, and Phoenix.
Johnson Bible College Video
History
The original name of the school was The School of the Evangelists. The school was renamed Johnson Bible College in 1909 after Ashley Johnson agreed to have the school named after him. This name was used for 102 years until the college became Johnson University on July 1, 2011.
The idea for a new school was first introduced in a sermon by Ashley S. Johnson at the Bearden Christian Church in 1892 when Johnson proposed the idea of a college level school for the gospels. In May 1893, guests boarded a steamboat in Knoxville to go up to the college for the laying of the cornerstone of the Main Building. The Main Building, with "its five-story square tower that offered a sweeping view of the French Broad, was completed in 1895." The original Main Building served the school until Dec 1, 1904, when a fire broke out from a chimney and completely destroyed the building. Following the fire a new building was constructed of brick and the dedication was held 1905.
Johnson served the school until his death in 1925. Upon his death, his wife Emma Johnson served as the college president until her death in 1927. Alva Ross Brown was chosen as the third president from that year until his 1941 death. Expansion occurred under the following president, Robert M. Bell, who died in office in 1968. David L. Eubanks assumed the presidency in 1969 and served until retiring in 2007, overseeing the expansion of academic offerings and the construction of buildings at the base of the hill upon which the college was founded. Following his retirement, Gary E. Weedman became the president; during his tenure, the college assumed the style of a university.
Johnson University is the second oldest continuing Bible college in the United States and the oldest Bible college affiliated with the Christian churches and churches of Christ.
Accreditation
Johnson University first received regional accreditation in 1979 from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its professional programs are accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education. The teacher education program is accredited by the Tennessee State Board of Education and the Association of Christian Schools International.
Courses of Study
Johnson University is accredited to offer associate, bachelors, master's and doctor's degrees. All undergraduates at Johnson major in Bible. Students may also choose a program that has a double major.
Honors program: The University maintains an honors program which offers majors in History, English, and Apologetics.
Graduate programs: Johnson University offers master's degrees in business administration, education, New Testament and preaching, and marriage and family therapy/counseling, and offers a Ph.D. degree in leadership studies.
Campus Facilities
Since its founding, Johnson University has had many different buildings - some have been demolished, others have been refurbished and repurposed.
Current Facilities
- The White House - Built 1890 (Restored home of Dr. and Mrs. Johnson) http://www.knoxheritage.org/node/529
- Old Main Building - Built 1905 (Old Chapel, Archeological Museum and Research Project)
- Clark Hall - Built 1905 (Former Dormitory attached to Old Main)
- Gymnasium and Pool - Built 1949
- Myrtle Hall - Built 1951 (Counseling Center, former women's dormitory)
- Bell Hall - Built 1955 (Student/Staff Apartments)
- Alumni Memorial Chapel - Built 1961 (Chapel & Music Department)
- Glass Memorial Library - Built 1964, enlarged 1989 (Served as Presidents Office on middle level until the Eubanks Activity Center's completion in 1989. Original library woodwork and alcoves on upper floor.)
- Phillips-Welshimer Building - Built 1975 (Dining Hall, Administrative/Faculty Offices, classrooms, Auditorium/Gym)
- Eubanks Activity Center - Built 1989 (Office of President, Student Center, Science Labs, Media Communications Department)
- Johnson Hall - Built 2000 (Women's Dorm)
- Brown Hall - Built 2000 (Men's Dorm)
- Richardson Hall - Built 2001 (Teacher Education Department, Missions Department, classrooms)
- Gally Commons - Built 2007 (Dining Hall, Bookstore and Student Post Office)
- Russell Preaching Center - Renovated section of Phillips-Welshimer Building 2007 (Former Dining Hall)
Former Facilities
- Original Main Building - 1893-1904 (Wooden structure destroyed by fire December 1, 1904)
- Industrial Hall "Old Dusty" - 1898-1960 (Wooden structure located at the top of the hill. The Lower level contained the wood shops with Women's dorm rooms on upper floor.)
- Irwin Library - 1912-2000 (Three story brick building located on the hill near the Old Main Building (1905). Contained Marble covered Library in basement with classrooms on upper 2 levels)
- Brown Hall - 1971-2000 (3 story facility, former men's dormatory)
- Johnson Hall - 1972-2000 (3 story facility with rooms arranged in suites, former women's dormatory)
- Dairy Barn - 1800s to 1970s (The college's Dairy Barn was located where the P-W Building sits today) The pond in the rear was used by the cows. This was the home to the Dixie Holstein Herd.
Pictures
Presidents
The college has only had six Presidents in its 124-year history. After the death of Ashley Johnson, Emma Johnson became president. Mrs. Johnson was one of the first women to be elected and serve as president of any college in the United States. Dr. David L. Eubanks was the first President to retire from office but remains one of the longest serving college presidents in the US and later served as the Chief Operating Officer of Johnson University Florida. All other past presidents of the College are buried in the College Cemetery across from the Old Main Building.
In 1896, during his tenure as the college's president, Ashley Johnson wrote the Condensed Biblical Encyclopedia.
Notable alumni
Graduates of Johnson University include ministers, missionaries, educators, counselors, business leaders and owners, physicians, lawyers, broadcast and media journalists, developers and entrepreneurs, airline pilots, community leaders, legislators, and church leaders, etc. Individually notable alumni include:
- Grover Cleveland Brewer (1884-1956), minister in the Churches of Christ
- Fred Craddock (1928-2015), minister in the Disciples of Christ and Emory University scholar of homiletics
- Alex Grigsby (2012-2015), founded the world renowned IHCC kayak club in 2016
- Oren E. Long (1889-1965), first Democrat to represent Hawaii in the United States Senate
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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