Louisiana Christian University

Louisiana Christian University was founded as Louisiana College on October 3, 1906, in Pineville, across the Red River from the larger city of Alexandria. The college began in tents with four professors and nineteen students. Since 2006, LCU has reported an enrollment growth of 50 percent.[3]

Baptist clergyman and educator Edwin O. Ware, Sr., is considered to have been the principal founder of the institution. From 1906 to 1907 Ware was the college financial agent, and its first president from 1908 to 1909. LCU is the successor to two earlier Louisiana Baptist schools, Mount Lebanon College, sometimes called Mount Lebanon University, and Keatchie Female College. The first, a men's school founded in 1852 by the North Louisiana Baptist Convention, was located in the community of Mount Lebanon in Bienville Parish. The women's college, founded in 1857 by the Grand Cane Association of Baptist Churches, was located in the community of Keatchie in De Soto Parish south of Shreveport.

After a history beset with financial difficulties, both schools came under the control of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in 1899. An Education Commission was selected by the state convention to administer the schools, with the understanding that both would be succeeded by a more centrally located institution as soon as a suitable campus could be selected. When Louisiana College was opened in 1906, Mount Lebanon College closed, followed by Keatchie a few years later. Since the first class of nineteen students in 1906, more than ten thousand students have graduated from the institution.

Until 1921, Louisiana College was administered by the Education Commission. The new charter established a board of trustees. The first administrative head of Louisiana College was W. F. Taylor, whose title was chairman of the faculty. Since its opening under President Edwin Ware, LC has had nine presidents:

• W. C. Friley, 1909–1910, also the first president of Hardin–Simmons University in Abilene, Texas
• Claybrook Cottingham, 1910-1942
• Edgar Godbold, 1942-1951
• G. Earl Guinn, 1951-1975
• Robert L. Lynn, 1975-1997
• Rory Lee, 1997-2005
• Joe W. Aguillard, 2005-2014
• Argile Smith, 2014-2015 (interim)
• Rick Brewer, 2015–Present

In 2012, the Louisiana Baptist Convention granted approval to Louisiana College to seek $12 million in donations from member churches within the state as part of the institution's $50 million capital improvements program. The $12 million had been intended to be used for improvements to on-campus housing. Although the campaign has since been abandoned, many residence halls were renovated shortly after the inauguration of Rick Brewer as a part of his "Campus Beautification" campaign. LC ended its fiscal year on July 31, 2012, with a $1.3 million deficit; the institution spent $30.5 million during that time but collected only $29.2 million in revenues.[4]

In December 2013, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) reaffirmed LC's regional accreditation after two years of warning status.[5] Less than three months later, SACS announced that it would investigate after LC officials were accused of having submitted documents that contain forged signatures and other inconsistencies in its official reports to the agency.[6] Three months later, SACS placed the university on probation because of an "'integrity issue,' as well as its failure to comply with the accreditor's standards regarding 'external influence,' personnel appointments, administrative staff evaluations, control of finances, and its administration of federal student aid funds."[7]

Some students called for a strike against Aguillard on March 24, 2014, at LC's Guinn Auditorium.[8] Three days later, LC trustees asked Aguillard to resign[9] and the following day ten LC trustees released a public letter critical of his leadership.[10]

On April 15, 2014, the trustees removed Aguillard as president and named Argile Smith, the associate dean of Christian ministry of the Caskey School of Divinity, as the interim leader, and began the search for a permanent successor.[11]

The college was granted an exception to Title IX in 2015 which allows it to legally discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons.[12]

In 2020, the college was admitted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, giving student athletes greater opportunity for positive national coverage.[13]

On September 24, 2020, President Rick Brewer announced that the college would be undergoing an organizational restructuring. Part of this restructuring included naming a Provost, a first for the historic institution. Dr. Cheryl Clark, who had previously served as Vice President of Academic Affairs, was named provost.[14]

At the start of the fall semester in 2021, the college welcomed its largest freshman class ever, with 350 students showing up for the opening day of Wildcat Welcome Weekend: the largest freshman class in the school's 115-year history.[15]

Louisiana College in Pineville formally announced its new name Louisiana Christian University on November 16, 2021, during a meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, according to a Wednesday news release,[16] although in November 2022 it was brought to the attention of the Louisiana Baptist Convention that the school had failed to legally change its name with the state of Louisiana. A motion was brought before the convention to refer to LCU by its legal name (Louisiana College) until such a time as the school's legal name had changed but the motion was denied.[17]

Louisiana College withdrew from the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) in 2019 because CCCU supported civil rights protections for LGBT students. The college states that one should "seek to live in purity before the Lord" by rejecting feelings of same-sex attraction.[22]

LCU maintains a close relationship with Alliance Defending Freedom, a designated hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has referred to same sex marriage as a public health crisis and advocates for the sterilization of transgender individuals.[23] During the 2021–2022 school year, LCU held multiple events featuring ADF Regional Director Shannon Kendrick, as well as senior counsel Gregory S. Baylor.[24] The events were held as part of the university's "Christ Church Culture" series, which are mandatory attendance for students receiving various scholarships provided by the school, comprising over half of the student body population.[25]

In September 2022, LCU graduate and founder/executive director of anti-LGBT group Living Hope Ministries,[26] Ricky Chelette, spoke at both C3[27] and LCU's weekly chapel service,[28] attendance of which is mandatory for students.[29]

Louisiana Christian University supports the teaching of Intelligent Design, a pseudo-scientific theory on the origin of life. In Alexandria Hall, the famous Sebastian C. Adams' Synchronological Chart of Universal History (1881) charts the biblical history narrative as it intersects with contemporary history. Notably, this chart covers a 6,000-year period, which is compatible with young-earth creationist views on biblical history. Dr. Wade Warren, who holds the Cavanaugh Chair in Biology, has endorsed the inclusion of language in educational standards that cast doubt on the validity of Darwin's theory of evolution. Moreover, Dr. Warren has publicly argued that "the evidence today is suggesting that the Darwinian model is failing and that life itself was intentionally designed."[30] In late 2019, Ken Ham, the founder of Answers in Genesis was scheduled to speak at the annual Values and Ethics Conference.[31] Ultimately, Ham was unable to visit due to personal reasons.[32]

Toilet paper hanging from the trees from the annual rolling of Cottingham Forest during Mom's weekend

Louisiana Christian University have several treasured traditions carried out by its students. While LCU lacks a large variety of student organizations, traditions are handed down mostly through word of mouth. One of the first traditions learned about at LCU is the marriage swing located in front of Cottingham Hall. Legend holds that if a couple sits on the swing at the same time they are destined to be married. This of course leads to apprehension to sit on the swing, although many take their chances. Several have even proposed at the marriage swing. However, unknown to most LCU students, the original marriage swing was broken in the spring semester of the 2010–2011 school year and replaced by a replica. Even had this tragedy not occurred, the purported mystical effects of the marriage swing would have been rendered null in the spring of 2015 when the student government paid to have every swing on campus replaced.[41] Another tradition once held was the annual rolling of Cottingham Forest during Mom's Weekend. Every year LCU would hold a Mom's Weekend event when girls and their moms would share time together on campus. On the first night of this weekend the male students of LCU would collect toilet paper and use it to TP the trees immediately in front of Cottingham Hall. In the morning the girls would awake to a white wintery wonderland. The practice ceased shortly after current LCU president Rick Brewer took leadership of the school, lending credence to rumors that he disapproves of this much-beloved tradition. Another tradition is the fabled Moses statue in front of the Weathersby Fine Arts Building. Legend says that it holds the power of good luck. Individuals receive this power by rubbing the top of the statue's head. This phenomenon has been investigated by many, but few are able to offer sufficient explanations for it. The echo spot is the name given to a place near Alexandria Hall that acts like a natural megaphone for voices, jokes, music, etc. Many students gather around it and shout "echo" or other phrases, then giggle at the strange effect. Throughout the school year Louisiana Christian University holds several annual events. Homecoming Honey is an event held during homecoming week; male students compete for the hotly contested title of "homecoming honey" by showing off their talents and personalities. The winner is then selected by a panel of judges. Christmas Gala is a treasured tradition at Louisiana Christian University. This is LCU's equivalent of prom without a dance. Students bring a date to a formal dinner and enjoy well prepared meals. After the meal students file into an auditorium for a Christmas presentation put on by professors and students. During this presentation the Gala Court is announced and presented to the student body. Cochon De Lait is another event put on by LCU's Union Board. Cochon is a campus-wide crawfish boil with all you can eat crawfish. This event is much anticipated and students' families often participate. There are often inflatable games and live music.

• Charles J. Cavanaugh, Professor of Biology, taught for 32 years and retired in 1977. Built a strong pre-med program.[46]

• Chris Broadwater, District 86 state representative from Tangipahoa Parish (January 2012-December 2017)
• Jackson B. Davis (1918–2016), former state senator; attended LC from 1933 to 1934
• Jimmie Davis (1899–2000), popular singer and 47th Governor of Louisiana (1944–1948 and 1960–1964). The former governor has a tuition-free scholarship in his name for incoming freshman, along with a historic marker located near Alexandria Hall. Member of the Country Music Hall of Fame
• C. H. "Sammy" Downs (Class of 1932, 1911–1985), member of both houses of the Louisiana state legislature from Rapides Parish and advisor to Governors Earl Kemp Long and John McKeithen
• Rufus D. Hayes (1913–2002), first Louisiana insurance commissioner, 1957–1964
• Edith Killgore Kirkpatrick (born 1918), member of Louisiana Board of Regents; state Baptist official; wife of Claude Kirkpatrick
• Richard Land (born 1946), member of Board of Reference for establishment of Judge Paul Pressler School of Law in Shreveport
• George S. Long (1883–1958), U.S. representative from the defunct Eighth Congressional District
• Lance Harris (born 1961), Republican majority leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Rapides Parish since 2012; attended LC, dates unavailable[47]

• Winston De Ville (born 1937), Louisiana genealogist and publisher.
• Baylus Benjamin McKinney (1886–1952), singer, songwriter, and music editor; composed "The Nail Scarred Hand", "I Am Satisfied with Jesus", and "Wherever He Leads I'll Go".
• Tinka Milinović, Bosnian-American recording artist.

• Jeremy Vujnovich (Born 1990), former NFL offensive lineman
• Ben McLaughlin (Born 1986), former LCU quarterback. 2010 Melberger Award winner; 2010 Gagliardi Trophy finalist; 2010 All-LSWA Offensive Player of the Year
• Ernie Duplechin (1932-2020) Former head football coach and athletic director at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
• Jesse Hickman (1939-2022), former professional baseball player with the Kansas City Athletics of the MLB[48]
• John T. Curtis, Jr. (Born 1947), head football coach and headmaster at John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge, Louisiana. Winningest high school football coach in Louisiana history and second winningest high school coach all-time nationally[49]

• G. Earl Guinn (1912–2004), first LC graduate to be president of the college (1951–1975)
• Garnie W. McGinty (1900–1984), Louisiana historian began his studies at LC but graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches

• Wilmer Clemont Fields (1922–2018) (BA), Southern Baptist minister and SBC executive.[50]