Association of Baptist colleges changes name

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Members of the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools voted June 5 to change the name of the 51-member organization to the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities. Association leaders say the change expresses the group’s vision and desire to expand its mission and ministry to a more global focus.

Bob Agee, executive director of the association, said the presidents and chief academic officers who are the voting members of the association voted to change the name in an effort to expand its outreach to all colleges and universities that lay claim to their Baptist history and heritage. “The name change positions the association to serve a larger number of Baptist-related schools both in the United States and abroad,” Agee said. “In 1996 the Southern Baptist Convention voted to do away with the Education Commission, and at that time, the association made the decision to assume the essential functions of the Education Commission as an independent member-owned and governed voluntary association.

“We believe the time has come for the member schools of the association to expand our outreach to a more global family. In addition, schools across the United States with roots in Baptist history and heritage who want to value that heritage could benefit greatly by participating with us in cooperative endeavors.

“Just as LifeWay, formerly the Baptist Sunday School Board, and GuideStone Financial Services, formerly the Southern Baptist Annuity Board, changed their names to serve the larger Christian family and expand the outreach of their missions, so the name International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities will reflect the association’s desire to offer our services, support and influence to a global family of Baptist–related Christian higher education institutions,” Agee said.