Clarks Summit University


Clarks Summit University is a Christian university located in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, just outside the city of Scranton.
A range of academic degrees are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These include a high-school dual enrollment option, as well as associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Programs are offered on-campus and online.
Annual enrollment is less than 700. About 43% of undergraduates are drawn from Pennsylvania. Roughly 56% are from 29 other states, with about 1% from outside the United States.

History

The school was founded in 1932 in Johnson City, New York.
For its first 36 years, the college used the facilities of First Baptist Church in Johnson City. Additional buildings were purchased or built to accommodate the growing student body.
A steady growth of enrollment by the 1960s prompted school leaders to search for a new location. In 1968, a site in Clarks Summit was found with the help of Gov. William Scranton.
Baptist Bible Seminary began classes in 1972. Graduate studies began in 1989. "As a Christian college,...CSU clearly affirms biblical sexuality. We clearly communicate to all prospective students that we adhere to biblical truths, and expect them to do the same." In 2018, a former student was not allowed to re-enroll after administration officials discovered that he was gay.
The name was changed to the current Clarks Summit University in 2016.

Campus

Clarks Summit University is located on a 141-acre suburban campus. The site includes 17 major buildings, athletic facilities, and a 4.5-acre lake.

Academics

Clarks Summit University is accredited by The Commissions on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and The Association of Biblical Higher Education. All degrees have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Athletics

The Clarks Summit University Defenders field teams in several sports.
Men's teams include soccer, basketball, golf, cross-country, tennis, and baseball.
Women's teams include basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
Clarks Summit University is affiliated with both the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III, and the Colonial States Athletic Conference.
Athletic history includes 75 National Christian College Athletic Association Division II East Regional Championships in seven sports and 23 NCCAA Division II National Championships in six sports. Defender teams have appeared in three NCAA Division III national tournaments.
Clarks Summit University has had 2 individual National Collegiate Wrestling Association champions in wrestling. There is currently no wrestling at any level at the school.