Evangel University soars to 50

Much will be celebrated, including the dedication of a new 67,000 square foot, three-story academic building.

But the biggest causes for celebration are not in the changed elements of campus life; they are in the fundamental principals that remain unwavering, according to university officials.

‘Perfect storm’

In September 1955, Evangel College (its name changed in 1998), began its first semester on the grounds of the old O’Reilly General Army Hospital.

Bible colleges already were set up throughout the country, but it was the first liberal arts college founded by the Assemblies of God, said Paul K. Logsdon, director of public relations and publications.

“Their sole purpose was to train pastors and missionaries. And there came a point after World War II, where the discussion was, ‘We need to be training our lay leaders. … And we need to make sure that we’re training them with just as good an education as the Bible schools are training missionaries,’” Logsdon said.

The decision to start a liberal arts college came at a good time: the G.I. Bill created a demand for higher education, and soon, a facility with ready-made classrooms, dormitory space, food-service space, administrative offices and central heating would become attainable.

“When this military facility became available, it was like the perfect storm: ‘OK, there’s a pent up demand, we see a need, here’s the facilities available.’ Everything just came together perfectly for this to be the location of Evangel,” Logsdon said.

Then and now

The first school year saw 93 students enrolled in classes; there were eight full-time faculty members, and the school’s operating budget was $204,116. Cost of tuition was $10 per credit hour, and the campus covered 59 acres.

“At one point, we had nearly 90 barracks on campus. We’re down to two small clusters now, which are strictly administrative buildings,” Logsdon said.

Today, there are 2,019 students enrolled in classes, and there are 98 full-time faculty members. The campus now encompasses 80 acres, tuition is $354 per credit hour and the 2005 budget is $30,363,781.

A 10-year, $38 million campus renovation program has changed the appearance and updated the capabilities of Evangel.

“It’s been a total facelift, and there’s a lot still on the agenda,” said Dr. Marcus McCorcle, chairman of the university’s board of directors.

McCorcle, who graduated from Evangel in 1973, said he was one of the first students to get a telephone in his dormitory room.

“It was such a big deal; they had one pay phone in every dorm and that was just about it at the time,” McCorcle said. “Now, each room is wired for full Internet.”

The scope of the school’s academic programs also has widened. In addition to 80 undergraduate programs, Evangel University now offers eight graduate programs, and it is the only university in the southern half of the state that offers an accelerated adult degree completion program, Logsdon said.

“There’s a misperception that this is just a, quote, Bible school,” McCorcle said.

“We’re getting into grad programs and degree completion programs, and we’re slowly going to be adding more as we become more proficient and feel that we can confidently provide a quality program.”

Financing these improvements may have been one of the most difficult challenges the school has faced in its 50 years, said Evangel President Robert H. Spence, who brought the school out of debt during the recession in Jimmy Carter’s presidency.

Spence said that financial challenges were overcome with increased enrollment numbers and the growing number of Evangel graduates that contributed dollars to the school.

“It really came from the alumni reaching a point in their own careers where they could participate in the funding of projects,” Spence said.

Meanwhile, school officials say the school is sticking to its moral roots.

“When we have children we want to let go out on their own – and it’s difficult, but you’ve got to do it – it’s nice to know that there’s a college with good, Christian values,” said McCorcle, who has two children attending Evangel University and another already graduated.

The small size of the school also helps to create an atmosphere where most of the students know one another, and it’s not uncommon to be on a first-name basis with professors, he added.

“A lot of times it’s referred to as ‘the family of Evangel’ and it’s really true,” McCorcle said. “The friendships that you develop and the networking that you develop is something that you carry lifelong.”