Southwestern College

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“The sense of community here is what I like best. I love feeling like this is my family and my home away from home.” Amy Palmisano, Junior, majoring in Behavioral Health/Family Studies

History & Heritage

Two girls on retreat from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles

Miss Ida Clouse, Circa 1940's

Miss Ida Clouse, a devout Christian, courageous missionary, and registered nurse from the Midwest wanted to make a difference for the cause of Christ. On September 29, 1917, under the Homestead Act, Miss Ida settled 160 barren acres in what was Cactus, Arizona. In the years to follow, Clouse Ranch became a favorite spot for Christian conferences for people all over the southwest. It was not unusual for teenage girls visiting from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (now known as Biola University) to throw out their bedrolls and sleep under the awnings of Miss Ida's front porch.

In 1959, thirteen years after Miss Ida's death, 35 acres of her land was donated to the Arizona Baptist Convention to create a Bible College. Under the leadership of pastors from the Sun Valley Conservative Baptist Association a proposal was presented and subsequently adopted. In June 1960, Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College was officially founded.

First graduate, Alvin Barber, 1963

Classes were initially held in the educational facilities of Bethel Baptist Church as construction for the new campus began. In June 1961, Al Barber became the first person to graduate from Southwestern College.

Dr. Wallace Woods, first President of Southwestern College

It wasn't until September 1964, however, that forty students and sixteen faculty members started classes on the new Southwestern College campus located at its present location. In 1965, Dr. Wallace Woods became the first College President. Dedication Day for the New Student Activity Building was November 19, 1966 (this building was later converted to the Dining Hall when a larger and more modern activity building was completed).

Since then, the college has continued to grow. In 1970, Dr. Woods wrote,

"With the close of the 1960's, we observed what seemed to be an ever-quickening pace of change. Great strides forward in technology have been startling. Pressures have been strong for revolutionary changes also in social institutions, accepted customs, and traditional values. Many anchors seem to have shaken loose, and even historic Christian doctrines have been brought into question.

At Southwestern we want to be current in our thinking and up-to-date in our methods. We want to be relevant to the changing needs of people. Nevertheless, there are foundations upon which we stand as a Bible college, and we fix our anchor in the authority of the scriptures.

By God's grace we want to be flexible in the application of Biblical principles to the training of students for effective service in their respective careers and yet hold steadfastly to the Statement of Faith which has characterized the College since its founding.”

Some things never change, Dr Woods! Southwestern College continues to hold fast to the foundations upon which it was founded.

The 1970's, 80's, 90's brought the construction of more new buildings, more students, more faculty, new majors, and new Presidents. In 1975, the Arizona State Board of Education approved the teacher training degree program.

THEN

NOW

Dr. Brent Garrison joined the Southwestern family in 1995. Just as Dr. Woods in the 1960's, Dr. Garrison has continued to lead this Intentionally Christian College holding faithfully to our Statement of Faith.

In 1996, a Secondary Education major was added and the Christian Ministries major began to offer minors in Youth, Counseling, and Business as part of its professional program. Business and Counseling majors were added in 1999. A Music major was added in 2002. The new millennium brought the completion of the Student Activity Center and state-of-the-arts Residence Hall. Programs continue to expand, student population continues to grow— and the Lord continues to bless this plot of land that was once dedicated for His use by a single missionary woman with great faith and vision!

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