Johnson University Florida Explained

Johnson University Florida
Motto:Faith, Prayer, Work
Established:1976
Closed:2024
Type:Private university
President:Tommy Smith
Provost:Gregory Linton
City:Kissimmee
State:Florida
Country:United States
Campus:Suburban, 44 acres
Former Names:Central Florida Bible College (1975–1986)
Florida Christian College (1986–2013)
Colors:
Navy Blue, Orange and White
Religious Affiliation:Restoration Movement
Faculty:25
Administrative Staff:31
Students:188[1]
Athletics Affiliations:NCCAA – Division II South
Sports Nickname:Suns
Website:www.JohnsonU.edu

Johnson University Florida was a private Christian university in Kissimmee, Florida. It was part of the Johnson University system with its main campus outside Knoxville, Tennessee, and an online campus. It was affiliated with the Independent Christian Church of the Restoration Movement.[2] The campus was closed in 2024.

History

Johnson University Florida was founded in 1975 as Central Florida Bible College. Following a move to its current main campus in 1986, the name changed to Florida Christian College.

In its last decade operating as Florida Christian College (FCC), the campus faced increasing financial challenges. Those challenges were greatly exacerbated by the onset of the Great Recession in 2008. On December 10, 2012, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked Florida Christian College's regional accreditation, effectively terminating the college's ability to function independently.[3] Although the college appealed the committee's decision, SACS denied the appeal in February 2013.[4] Under the administrative guidance of Johnson University, the college sought an injunction against SACS in order to restore its regional accreditation and proceed with a planned merger between the two schools.[5] On March 8, 2013, the U.S. District Court of Northern Georgia granted the injunction restoring probationary status of FCC as a member of SACS.[6]

Acquisition by Johnson University

Johnson University purchased the Florida campus, simultaneously permitting financial oversight of the college and erasing its debt. Next, FCC President Bill Behrman stepped down and David L. Eubanks, former president of Johnson University, became the chief operating officer.[7] Lastly, the trustees of Johnson University voted to incorporate the Florida property into its system, and the campus officially became Johnson University Florida on July 1, 2013.

Closure

On July 7, 2023, Johnson University announced that its Florida campus would be closing on June 30, 2024. The university cited a failure to increase enrollment after the creation of a "turnaround plan" in 2021 that attempted to revitalize enrollment, retention, and income.[8] The university offered students the opportunity to transfer to the Tennessee campus, complete their degree online, or transfer to nearby universities in Florida.

Academics

The curriculum offered courses in a variety of majors. All students were required to take a core of Bible and theology classes along with their chosen major. The college offered multiple undergraduate programs, including certificates, Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science programs, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs, and a Master of Strategic Ministry program.

Johnson University Florida had been nationally accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education since 1985 and was regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools from 1995 to 2012.[9] After losing its accreditation with SACS, it was acquired by Johnson University and was once again regionally accredited. It was a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities.

The university was organized into seven schools:

Athletics

The athletic teams of the Johnson–Florida (JUFL) campus were called the Suns. The campus was a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the South Region of the Division II level.

JUFL competed in five intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, soccer and volleyball.

The men's baseball team earned second place in the 2012 NCCAA D-II National Championship and third place in the 2013 National Championship.[10] [11]

The men's basketball team won the 2012 and 2020 NCCAA D-II South Regional Championship.[12]

Notable people

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fast Facts . 30 October 2018.
  2. Web site: Announcement of JUFL Campus Closure. Johnson University.
  3. Web site: Doug Lederman . December 12, 2012 . Headline-Driven Accreditation . December 19, 2012 . Inside Higher Ed.
  4. Web site: SACS Disclosure Statement . Dec 29, 2012 . SACSCOC.
  5. Web site: Archived copy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130827160822/http://www.fcc.edu/about/documents/Eubanks-Letter.pdf . 2013-08-27 . 2013-04-06.
  6. Web site: Archived copy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130503070027/http://sacscoc.org/2012%20December%20Actions%20and%20Disclosure%20Statements/floridachristiancollegemarch2013.pdf . 2013-05-03 . 2013-05-21.
  7. Web site: Johnson University - Dr. Eubanks to Florida Christian College . 2013-04-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130403020830/http://johnsonu.edu/About/JohnsonU-Blog/March-2013-(1)/Dr--Eubanks-to-FCC.aspx . 2013-04-03 .
  8. Web site: Announcement of JUFL Campus Closure. Johnson University.
  9. Web site: SACSCOC List of Accredited Schools . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722052548/http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/webmemlist.pdf . 2011-07-22 .
  10. http://www.thenccaa.org/custompages/History%20PDF%20Files/Baseball%20DII%20History.pdf
  11. Web site: National Christian College Athletic Association Division II Baseball National Championship – May 8-11, 2013. May 11, 2013. National Christian College Athletic Association. March 23, 2016.
  12. http://www.thenccaa.org/custompages/History%20PDF%20Files/Men%27s%20Basketball%20DII%20Archives.pdf