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Columbia Union College

Columbia Union College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Takoma Park, Maryland, USA, and associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Columbia Union College, (CUC) offers more than 40 majors to its nearly 1100 students. Students come from around the country and around the world—40 states and 47 different countries—for its distinctive pre-law, pre-medicine, nursing, education, business, religion, music, and science programs. More than 150 employees serve the student body, creating a 13:1 student instructor ratio. CUC utilizes the city of Washington, D.C. as an extension of the classroom, and career-boosting internships in prestigious companies and government offices are a regular part of the challenging academic environment.

CUC is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; the Adventist Accrediting Association of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; and approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Professional accreditations include the Department of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs of the National League for Nursing, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, and the Maryland State Department of Education.

The college offers undergraduate Associate and Bachelors degrees, as well as several Certificate programs. Graduate programs include the following: MBA, Masters of Nursing with Business Leadership, and Masters of Religion. Adult evening courses towards accelerated bachelors degree programs are also available from the School of Graduate and Professional Services.

History

Established in 1904 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Columbia Union College is open to people of all faiths and includes community service as part of its curriculum. The school was once known as Washington Missionary College.

The current president of the college is Dr. Weymouth Spence, who has announced plans for structural changes to revitalize the school. The changes are described in detail in a document called The Plan. President Spence succeeded Dr. Randal Wisbey, who left in 2007 to become the president of sister institution, La Sierra University. The resident agent is The Corporation Trust, Inc., in Baltimore, MD.

Environment/Campus

The campus occupies 19 suburban acres just north of the Washington D.C. line. There are 17 buildings including residence halls on campus.

The college operates a radio station, WGTS, that plays Christian music.

Student life

Students at CUC may choose to participate in 16 separate student clubs/organizations, including 6 honor societies. Musical and Art student groups include a touring orchestra, band, chorale, and black gospel choir. Other groups include the following:

Mock Trial team
Newspaper/college journal
Ethnic groups
Political groups
Social service groups
Student Association

CUC has an active sports program, which includes both intercollegiate and intramural sports for men and women. Sports facilities and activities available to students includes NCAA Division II Athletics (baseball and basketball), volleyball club, running club, fitness club, racquetball and tennis courts, sports fields, and a weight room. The school's team name is the Columbia Union College Pioneers. The 2008 men's baseball team won the USCAA National Championship, the first national championship in the school's history.

The campus newspaper is the Columbia Journal. The Columbia Journal is commonly referred to as the "CJ." The Columbia Journal has an online blog

The majority of the student body are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, though students of all faiths and belief systems may enroll. Weekly church services are held at the campus church, Sligo Church

Study Abroad Opportunities

Columbia Union College co-sponsors Adventist Colleges Abroad, a program in which qualified students study overseas while completing requirements for graduation at Columbia Union College. This language and cultural immersion is available in nine locations: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, France, Greece, Italy, Singapore, Spain, and Taiwan. Undergraduate students may also study business courses in England at Newbold College program.

Notable alumni

Dr. Leonard L Bailey - 1964 - pediatric heart surgeon
Roscoe Bartlett - 1947 - Republican in United States House of Representatives representing Maryland's 6th congressional district
Professor Claude A. Buss - 1922 - American diplomat and academic specializing in East Asia
David Curfman - 1965 - neurological surgeon, musician, historian
Faith Esham - Grammy award winning performer (opera) and recitalist
Dr. Nirmala Hidalgo, anesthesiologist
Hans-Jørgen Holman, Norwegian-American musicologist and educationalist
Cynthia Ellen Northrop - 1972 - attorney, nurse and author, founder of the American Association of Nurse Attorneys
H.M.S. Richards - 1919 - pioneer radio broadcaster and founder of the Voice of Prophecy media ministry
Rachel Roy - 1996 - fashion designer
Thomas L. Saaty - 1948 - mathematician and inventor of the Analytic Hierarchy Process
Benjamin G. Wilkinson, contributor to the King-James-Only Movement with his book Our Authorized Bible Vindicated
Ted N. C. Wilson - 1971 - General Vice President of the Adventist church