Vennard College
Encyclopedia
Vennard College was a non-denominational Christian college located in University Park, Iowa
. It was announced on Nov. 12, 2008 that the college would close at the end of the 2008 fall semester due to a decline in enrollment and financial difficulty. The college held its final commencement on Nov. 22, 2008 and it is now closed.
In 1951, the school moved to University Park, Iowa
, where it was renamed Vennard College in 1959. The move to the beautiful, rural setting brought Vennard into a familial relationship with the graduates of the three other Christian colleges which formerly occupied the campus: Central Holiness University, John Fletcher College, and Kletzing College.
Dr. Vennard's presidency was followed by the leadership of Dr. Harry E. Jessop. Presidents of Vennard College have included Dr. H. M. Couchenour, Dr. J. Sutherland Logan, Dr. Merne A. Harris, Dr. Warthen T. Israel, Dr. Burnis Bushong (interim president) and Dr. Blake J. Neff.
In 1996, Vennard College was newly incorporated to continue the tradition of Christian higher education on this historic campus with Dr. W. Edward Rickman as president. In 2002, Dr. Bruce E. Moyer picked up the reigns of leadership, but unfortunately, the College was unable to remain open.
Vennard College announced on Nov. 12, 2008 that it would close at the end of the 2008 fall semester, according to the Des Moines Register. The academic records have been transferred to the University of Iowa
, and the transcripts can be obtained from the Registrar's Office of the University of Iowa.
Vennard College archives have been transferred to MidAmerican Nazarene University in Olathe, KS.
Vennard College offered intercollegiate sports in men and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball and men’s soccer. Vennard College was a member of NCCAA
Division II and the Midwest Christian College Conference
. All teams were eligible for conference and post season tournaments. Individual players were eligible for All Conference, All Region and All American Teams.
University Park, Iowa
University Park is a city in Mahaska County, Iowa, United States. The population was 536 at the 2000 census. The city is named for Central Holiness University.-Geography:University Park is located at ....
. It was announced on Nov. 12, 2008 that the college would close at the end of the 2008 fall semester due to a decline in enrollment and financial difficulty. The college held its final commencement on Nov. 22, 2008 and it is now closed.
History
In 1910, Dr. Iva Durham Vennard founded Chicago Evangelistic Institute (CEI) in Chicago, Illinois, for the purpose of providing "effective training for Christian service." Her stated goals were to send Spirit-filled people into the ministry and to promote Scriptural Holiness.In 1951, the school moved to University Park, Iowa
University Park, Iowa
University Park is a city in Mahaska County, Iowa, United States. The population was 536 at the 2000 census. The city is named for Central Holiness University.-Geography:University Park is located at ....
, where it was renamed Vennard College in 1959. The move to the beautiful, rural setting brought Vennard into a familial relationship with the graduates of the three other Christian colleges which formerly occupied the campus: Central Holiness University, John Fletcher College, and Kletzing College.
Dr. Vennard's presidency was followed by the leadership of Dr. Harry E. Jessop. Presidents of Vennard College have included Dr. H. M. Couchenour, Dr. J. Sutherland Logan, Dr. Merne A. Harris, Dr. Warthen T. Israel, Dr. Burnis Bushong (interim president) and Dr. Blake J. Neff.
In 1996, Vennard College was newly incorporated to continue the tradition of Christian higher education on this historic campus with Dr. W. Edward Rickman as president. In 2002, Dr. Bruce E. Moyer picked up the reigns of leadership, but unfortunately, the College was unable to remain open.
Vennard College announced on Nov. 12, 2008 that it would close at the end of the 2008 fall semester, according to the Des Moines Register. The academic records have been transferred to the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, and the transcripts can be obtained from the Registrar's Office of the University of Iowa.
Vennard College archives have been transferred to MidAmerican Nazarene University in Olathe, KS.
Athletics
Vennard's mascot was the Cougar and the official school colors were purple and white.Vennard College offered intercollegiate sports in men and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball and men’s soccer. Vennard College was a member of NCCAA
National Christian College Athletic Association
The National Christian College Athletic Association is an association of approximately 100 Christian universities, colleges, and Bible colleges in the United States and Canada which see collegiate sports primarily as an opportunity for Christian fellowship and ministry. The national headquarters...
Division II and the Midwest Christian College Conference
Midwest Christian College Conference
The Midwest Christian College Conference is a college athletic conference that is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association and the Association of Christian College Athletics .Current member schools:...
. All teams were eligible for conference and post season tournaments. Individual players were eligible for All Conference, All Region and All American Teams.
Recreation
Vennard College boasted many opportunities to participate in a variety of intramural sports that included dodge ball and indoor soccer. The campus was home to a miniature golf course that was open to the public.Further reading
- Harris, Merne A. The Torch Goeth Onward Still-- University Park, Iowa: Vennard College Alumni Association, 2000.
External links
- Vennard College official website (active as of October 14, 2010)
- Vennard College Alumni Association