BIG SANDY--After 50 years of operation, Ambassador University will close at the conclusion of the spring semester in May.
In its Dec. 29 board meeting, the regents reluctantly reached the decision to place the university for sale. Based on economic realities and national trends in higher education, the Board felt this step to be necessary and prudent at this time in order to best provide for the academic plans of students and career considerations of administration, faculty and staff.
Regents cited lack of sufficient external financial support, the end of financial subsidy and other support from the Worldwide Church of God, declining enrollment due to decreased membership in the church, and the impact of increasing tuition on the present student body.
If Ambassador cannot be sold as a going institution during its final semester, it will be closed in May and the physical plant sold. The university has adequate reserves to meet all its obligations.
President Russell Duke announced the decision to faculty and staff members at a special meeting this morning (Dec. 30). Some students who have remained on campus for winter break also attended the meeting.
Ambassador is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, but operated for years with only state approval to grant degrees. During that time, it was owned and fully subsidized by the WCG.
"In 1990, the church's cash subsidy to Ambassador was $14.5 million," said Duke, who has served as president since September 1995. "University administrators began working at that time on a plan that anticipated gradual annual reductions in subsidy from the church. By last year the church's subsidy had been reduced to $5 million."
This year, however, the WCG had to eliminate any planned subsidy to Ambassador. The church's ability to assist the university has been affected by diminishing income in the wake of major doctrinal changes announced by the WCG in late 1994.
The Worldwide Church of God, founded by the late radio and television evangelist Herbert W. Armstrong, had been known for strict adherence to practices that originated in the Old Testament, including observance of the seventh-day sabbath, the feasts of Israel and dietary laws that prohibited pork, shellfish and other foods considered to be "unclean."
Church members were also expected to set aside as many as three literal tithes, or as much as 30 percent of household income, for personal and corporate ecclesiastical purposes.
Those doctrinal practices were reversed in decisions announced by Armstrong's successor in the WCG, Joseph W. Tkach, in December 1994.
Tkach announced that the church had been incorrect in its understanding of New Testament teachings and that the church would not judge members on such things as Saturday sabbath-keeping, tithing or what foods they chose to eat.
Observers in the evangelical Christian community hailed the WCG's doctrinal reforms as unprecedented and historic. Duke said Ambassador supported the changes in the WCG.
But reaction among some WCG ministers was swift, and within months a new church was formed that drew away thousands of WCG members who sought to retain Armstrong's teachings.
The university was affected by the church split, as many students whose families left the WCG chose to withdraw from the university. Enrollment dropped from 950 in 1994-95 to 750 the next year, and this year it stood at 650.
In addition, WCG income dropped severely after the split, and that affected the church's ability to support Ambassador, according to Duke.
Duke said the WCG now plans to place emphasis on the needs of its youths and the education of its ministers in settings other than a church-sponsored university.
"It's been a challenging couple of years," said Duke. "We've had many alumni and other friends from the East Texas and Christian communities come forward with their support and encouragement in the midst of some difficult times, and we're grateful for that.
"I'm convinced that Ambassador has made a positive contribution in the world of higher education during its 50 years. We are extremely proud of our graduates. For decades they have distinguished themselves as leaders in all walks of life."
University administration will work closely with students to aid them in transferring to other schools to complete their degree plans. Faculty and staff who qualify will receive severance pay upon termination of their employment.
"This is a sad and difficult time for us, but we have an obligation to complete the academic year and provide for a smooth transition for our students and employees," said Duke. "We want to make the next several months as positive as we can for everyone associated with Ambassador."
Jan. 21, 1997, Worldwide News, page 3
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