wfn.org | Phillips Seminary plans campus move to

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

Tulsa
Date: May 22, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-31

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Anticipated financial
savings and a potential for increased student
enrollment have led to a plan to move the primary
campus of Disciples-related Phillips Theological
Seminary from Enid, Okla., to Tulsa. 

     The move was approved by the PTS board of
trustees, meeting in Enid May 16-17. The former
Phillips University graduate school was
incorporated as a separate institution in 1987.
PTS now serves 220 students on the two campuses,
both of which have full degree programs. 

     The decision stems from a 1996 task force
recommendation to consolidate the programs at one
campus. The committee, however, encouraged the
continuation of off-campus course offerings. 

     Expenses involved in maintaining separate
academic and administrative structures sparked the
initial decision to consolidate programs,
according to the Rev. Stephen V. Cranford,
Jefferson City, Mo. With the May meeting, the
regional minister of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Mid-America finished his
term as president of the seminary board of
trustees.

     The new location in a major metropolitan area
will increase the pool of students served by the
seminary. The average age of seminarians is now
40, Cranford said. And with potential students
often having families, homes and other careers,
many are choosing a seminary in a place that is
convenient to them. 

     Seminaries also are becoming increasingly
regional in scope, Cranford added. The Tulsa
location also will enable PTS to more readily
serve the seven Disciples regions with which it
has covenantal or "comity" relationships.  
  
     "We wish the seminary the very best," said
Michael Sohn, Phillips University public relations
director. "Obviously we understand its position in
trying to grow into the next century. We hope to
maintain the relationship we've had."

     PTS's main administrative offices have
remained on the Phillips University campus, where
it leases classroom and office space. The new
plan, however, envisions the construction of
facilities adjoining the University of Tulsa,
which currently houses the PTS/Tulsa program. The
new building would house the seminary classes and
administrative offices.

     The seminary will have a continuing presence
in Enid, according to Cranford. A full course of
studies will be offered there through the 1997-1998
academic year. In the future, courses will be
offered in Enid as well as in other communities
served by PTS. Courses are now offered in Oklahoma
City, Wichita, Kan., Springfield, Mo., and Rogers,
Ark.

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DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director