Southeastern University (Florida) - History

History

Southeastern University was founded in 1935 by Assemblies of God Alabama District Superintendent J.C. Thames and other Southeastern district leaders as the South-Eastern Bible Institute. Originally located in a former high school building in New Brockton, Alabama, SEBI opened its doors to students on November 4, 1935, under the direction of four faculty members. Edgar W. Bethany, Karl M. Gygax, Helen B. Stewart, and Myrtle G. Eason composed the original faculty. Two years later, in June, the first graduation exercises were held. Seventeen students received diplomas for the two-year academic program.

SEBI continued classes in New Brockton until 1940 when a decision was made to consolidate the school with Beulah Heights Bible Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. The school was known from 1940 to 1942 as the Beulah Heights—South-Eastern Bible Institute. In the fall of 1942, the district superintendents of the Southeastern districts accepted the invitation of the Rev. Ralph Byrd and his congregation to move the school to another location in Atlanta. For two years, Byrd served the school, without remuneration, as principal and business manager. In 1946, the school’s board of directors voted to secure a permanent location for the full development of the school. A new campus location was purchased later that year in Lakeland, Florida. The Atlanta campus was sold, and development of the new site began. Student body growth continued at the new central Florida campus along with the academic program.

SEBI became South-Eastern Bible College in 1956 when the school began offering four-year, bachelor’s degree programs. After adding education degrees, the college’s board of directors changed the school name to Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God. In 1986, Southeastern was granted regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation was reaffirmed in 1991 and 2001. In 2005, Southeastern College officially became Southeastern University, and began offering its first master’s degree programs, and formed the colleges of arts and sciences, business, Christian ministries and religion, and education.

What began in 1935 as a Bible-training school is now the largest Assemblies of God educational institution in the U.S., producing Christian leaders in church ministries, education, medicine, law, business, communication, psychology, social work, literature, and music.