An Excellent Education
Maranatha Baptist University is a regionally accredited member of The Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional accrediting organizations in the United States. After 30 years of membership, it might be easy to take accreditation for granted and forget the pathway we have traveled and the blessings we have inherited by God’s gracious hand. So, let’s raise an Ebenezer, remember the journey, and praise God.[1]
When Maranatha was founded in 1968, no one thought about academic accreditation. In fact, according to former Academic VP Dr. John Brock, essentially no one at the time thought it was a good idea for a conservative Baptist institution to become accredited by a secular organization.[2]
But as Maranatha entered the 1980s, the landscape began to change. Maranatha’s administration began to explore the benefits of some type of academic accreditation, and a seven-year journey to regional accreditation commenced in 1987.[3] At first, progress was slow, and many forms of accreditation were explored. Maranatha’s Board of Trustees and Maranatha alumni needed to be reassured that the pursuit of outside accreditation would not lead to institutional compromise or the surrender of biblical principles. At times, sister institutions did not understand Maranatha’s intentions.[4]
But in January 1989, the Maranatha Board of Trustees gave their blessings for the college to apply for regional accreditation with the North Central Association (today named the Higher Learning Commission – HLC). Maranatha decided to attempt the highest form of university accreditation with the same organization that accredited The University of Minnesota, Michigan State, Notre Dame, the University of Wisconsin, and hundreds of institutions of higher learning in the central United States. It was indeed a leap of faith. Dr. Brock mused about those days, “Could a little, faith-based, fundamental Baptist college like Maranatha fit into such a land of giants?”[5]
Maranatha soon saw the Lord’s hand of blessing. Maranatha was granted Candidate status in HLC in March 1991, and at surprising speed, Maranatha’s leadership moved toward full approval. With the hard work of the faculty and administration, and with God’s great blessing, Maranatha was able to navigate through the candidacy status in two years – usually, a three-to-six-year process, culminating in official approval of regional accreditation by HLC in February 1993. With the Lord, nothing is impossible.[6]
Looking back on the move to seek regional accreditation 30 years ago, Maranatha clearly sees God’s wonderful grace and guidance. Maranatha’s regional accreditation has blessed decades of students. The driving rationale that began the process in 1987 has proven to be both visionary and accurate.
Several conclusions drove MBU to choose initial accreditation with HLC. Through the years, the accuracy of those conclusions has been tested, and the evidence clearly shows that regional accreditation brings significant benefits to the institution and its students. Institutional credibility and accountability were at the forefront of the early conversation and are still premier by-products of the association with HLC.[7]
The credibility of a college or university is vitally important. A student attending a university without credibility might have difficulty transferring credits or gaining acceptance into graduate programs at other universities. From the beginning, Maranatha wanted to make sure other institutions properly recognized the value of Maranatha’s students’ credits and academic standing. According to John Brock, “The administration felt an acute sense of responsibility to preserve the utility of Maranatha credits for its graduates.”[8] Without question, this noble goal has been met. Throughout the 30 years since Maranatha received its regional accreditation, Maranatha students have been welcomed into graduate programs worldwide, and MBU credits effortlessly transfer to other institutions. No MBU student worries that their MBU transcript will be slighted or disregarded.
Accountability is foundational in assuring the public that an educational institution has quality. The presence of an outside stamp of approval “assures parents and students that a program is legitimate, credible, and recognized.”[9] The 30-year association with HLC has profoundly improved the quality at MBU. Without being prescriptive, HLC accreditation guidelines have helped the university remain current with changing technology and trends. It has also produced an atmosphere of continuous improvement, and it has bolstered academic excellence. HLC has often commended Maranatha before its peers for being creative, flexible, and innovative. Most recently, MBU was praised by HLC for its “collaborative and inclusive approach to assessment work … and for the institution’s ability to be flexible.”[10] The HLC commendation ended with high praise: “Overall, the MBU quality initiative is simply outstanding. This type of assessment and the institutional lessons learned from them are precisely what is intended by the Commission in engagement in continuous quality.”[11] Overall, Maranatha’s accountability to HLC has significantly strengthened the credibility and excellence of an MBU education.
Over the past 30 years, the journey has abundantly demonstrated biblical convictions put to action, abiding faith in the Lord’s provision and protection, the faithfulness of God’s people, and God’s hand of blessing. “Could a little, faith-based, fundamental Baptist college like Maranatha fit into such a land of giants?”[12] The answer is yes. It could fit nicely, and without compromise, to the praise of His glory.
DR. WILLIAM LICHT joined the MBU faculty in 1993. Prior to his appointment to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, he served as Chair of the Department of Humanities and then the Dean of the School of Education along with his faculty responsibilities. Dr. Licht continues to teach selected undergrad History courses and graduate courses in the MEd program.
[1] I Samuel 7 :12. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
[2] John Brock. Personal notes on the accreditation process. 2009
[3] Kim Ledgerwood. Rich in Mercy, p. 127-128. 2008
[4] James Deuink, Ed. The Accreditation Trap, Balance, 1987
[5] John Brock. Personal notes on the accreditation process. 2009
[6] Luke 18:27. And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
[7] MBBC. Accreditation: A Biblical Perspective. 1993.
[8] John Brock. Personal notes on the accreditation process. 2009
[9] MBBC. Accreditation: A Biblical Perspective. 1993.
[10] HLC. Open Pathway Quality Initiative Report. 2022.
[11] HLC. Open Pathway Quality Initiative Report. 2022.
[12] John Brock. Personal notes on the accreditation process. 2009