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Nelson University, formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), is a Private university, private Christian university in Waxahachie, Texas, United States. Nelson is Higher education accreditation in the United States, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and endorsed by the Assemblies of God USA. The university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in liberal arts programs as well as programs in Bible and church ministries.
On August 1, 2024, Southwestern Assemblies of God University changed its name to Nelson University.
Nelson University began life as three separate Bible schools. The first, known as Southwestern Bible School, was established in 1927 in Enid, Oklahoma, Enid, Oklahoma, under the leadership of P.C. Nelson. The second, Shield of Faith Bible Institute, was founded in Amarillo, Texas, Amarillo, Texas, in 1931 under the direction of Guy Shields. It included a Bible school, a grade school and a high school. The third, which was operated as Southern Bible College in connection with the Richey Evangelistic Temple, began in 1931 at Goose Creek, Texas (now Baytown, Texas, Baytown), in 1931. It was started by J. T. Little in Trinity Tabernacle and moved to Houston, Texas, Houston in 1933. The school's name was then changed to Southern Bible Institute.
The 2012–13 school year made 2013 a record-setting year for the Nelson Lions basketball team (formerly known as the SAGU Lions), with the Lions achieving the NAIA second-place championship ranking.
Official athletics website
{{authority control Nelson University, Sooner Athletic Conference Universities and colleges in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex Universities and colleges affiliated with the Assemblies of God Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Waxahachie, Texas Education in Ellis County, Texas Buildings and structures in Ellis County, Texas Universities and colleges established in 1927 1927 establishments in Texas Private universities and colleges in Texas
History
Merger
Nelson University began life as three separate Bible schools. The first, known as Southwestern Bible School, was established in 1927 in Enid, Oklahoma, Enid, Oklahoma, under the leadership of P.C. Nelson. The second, Shield of Faith Bible Institute, was founded in Amarillo, Texas, Amarillo, Texas, in 1931 under the direction of Guy Shields. It included a Bible school, a grade school and a high school. The third, which was operated as Southern Bible College in connection with the Richey Evangelistic Temple, began in 1931 at Goose Creek, Texas (now Baytown, Texas, Baytown), in 1931. It was started by J. T. Little in Trinity Tabernacle and moved to Houston, Texas, Houston in 1933. The school's name was then changed to Southern Bible Institute.
Discrimination law exception
In 2015, Nelson University was granted an exception to Title IX, allowing it to discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons. In 2016, the organization Campus Pride ranked the college among the worst schools in Texas for LGBT students. Nelson University responded to the negative ranking by saying that the anti-LGBT student policy is clearly articulated to prospective students before they attend. The university's handbook lists homosexuality as an offense for which a student can be expelled. In 2008, three members of LGBT rights group Soulforce were arrested for trying to start a protest on campus.Academics
Amidst the physical expansion, Nelson University experienced consecutive record enrollments in Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, and Fall 2010 reaching a milestone of 2,064.Athletics
The Nelson athletic teams are called the Lions. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) since the 2013–14 academic year.Accomplishments
The 2012–13 school year made 2013 a record-setting year for the Nelson Lions basketball team (formerly known as the SAGU Lions), with the Lions achieving the NAIA second-place championship ranking.
Judah the Lion
Influenced by Vice President George Brazell's acquisition of a four-month-old lion cub named Judah, Southwestern adopted the "Lion of Judah" as its mascot in 1963.Notable alumni
*Gary Elkins (Texas politician), Gary Elkins (BS '78), former Republican Party (United States), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from his native Houston, Texas, Houston, Texas *Mike Evans (journalist), Mike Evans, author, journalist, Middle East commentator. *Marla Hanson, screenwriter and ex-Model (person), model *Jerry Lee Lewis, expelled for having played a boogie-woogie rendition of "My God Is Real". *Marlin Maddoux, conservative Christian radio host and founder of ''Point of View Ministries''. *Mike Murdock, televangelist and contemporary Christian singer-songwriter. Left in 1966 after three semesters.References
External links
*Official athletics website
{{authority control Nelson University, Sooner Athletic Conference Universities and colleges in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex Universities and colleges affiliated with the Assemblies of God Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Waxahachie, Texas Education in Ellis County, Texas Buildings and structures in Ellis County, Texas Universities and colleges established in 1927 1927 establishments in Texas Private universities and colleges in Texas