Spring Arbor University (SAU) is a private Free Methodist university located in Spring Arbor, Michigan. It grew from an earlier academy and junior college and began offering bachelor's degrees in 1963. In 1994, it became a university and is now the second-largest evangelical Christian university in Michigan. The university is approved by the Higher Learning Commission.

History

Spring Arbor University was created in the late 20th century from a school started in 1873 by leaders of the Free Methodist Church, especially Edward Payson Hart. The first school, called Spring Arbor Seminary, was a private school for students in elementary and secondary grades. It was built near the site of a former Potawatomi Indian village on land that once belonged to Central Michigan College, which later moved to Hillsdale and became Hillsdale College.

In 1923, the school’s leaders decided to add a junior college to the academy. In 1929, the school was renamed Spring Arbor Seminary and Junior College. Classes for younger students were stopped in 1930.

In 1960, the school received official approval from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The school’s name was changed to Spring Arbor College. The high school program was removed, and the school began offering four-year college programs in 1963.

In 1981, Spring Arbor started programs to help adult learners earn degrees in Jackson, Michigan. Later, the school added programs in health-related fields and opened locations in Lansing and Flint, Michigan. Graduate-level classes began at Spring Arbor in 1994. In 2001, the school changed its name to Spring Arbor University.

A sign marking the college as a Michigan Historic Site was placed by the Michigan Historical Commission in 1963. The sign reads:

Academics

Spring Arbor University (SAU) provides more than 70 undergraduate majors and programs at its main campus in Spring Arbor, Michigan. In 2021, the most popular undergraduate majors, based on the number of graduates, included:

SAU also offers online undergraduate degrees, such as Associate of Arts and Associate of Science in business, Bachelor of Science in business, Bachelor of Science in Management, Bachelor of Social Work, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

For graduate programs, SAU offers Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Science in Management, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Arts in Social Work, and Master of Arts in Counseling degrees.

The university is part of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and is connected to the Free Methodist Church. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and also holds accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

In the late 1980s, Michael A. O'Donnell, Ph.D., and Nick Stinnett, Ph.D. (a professor at the University of Alabama) co-founded The International Family Life Institute, Inc. in Montgomery, Alabama. This organization was hired by SAU to help create the first B.S. degree program in Family Life Education at Spring Arbor University, which prepares professionals for certification as Certified Family Life Educators (CFLE).

In 2020, the university ended contracts with 11 faculty members, including several tenured faculty. In response, the faculty voted to express no confidence in the VPAA.

Student life

As of Fall 2018, the total number of students was 3,436. Of these, 1,145 were on campus, 662 were enrolled in professional studies, and 1,629 were graduate students. By Fall 2021, the number of on-campus students had decreased to 961. Approximately 42 different religious groups are represented on campus. About 84 percent of students are from Michigan, 15 percent are from 22 other states, and 1 percent are from other countries.

Spring Arbor University has two radio stations: 106.9 HOME.fm and 89.3 The Arbor. 89.3 The Arbor was previously known as 89.3 The Vibe and 89.3 The Message.

Spring Arbor University places a strong focus on spiritual life. All students are required to attend chapel services on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:05 a.m. These services include student-led worship, and speakers are selected by the Chaplain. Speakers include pastors, entrepreneurs, professors, and missionaries. In addition to chapel services, the university offers programs and events to support spiritual growth, such as the Spiritual Life Retreat, small groups, and the Community of Learners program. Each year, the university hosts a one-day event called The Focus Series. During this event, classes are canceled, and workshops and seminars are held on campus. Past speakers have included Brian McLaren, an author and spokesperson for the emergent church.

Discrimination against LGBTQ people

Spring Arbor University has been accused of treating LGBTQ students and faculty unfairly. In 2007, a teacher was fired after sharing that they are transgender.

In 2017, a guest speaker at SAU’s weekly chapel service received applause after comparing LGBTQ people to drug users and criminals in a speech. The speaker said, “I don’t have time to share stories of LGBTQ people who come to our church and change their lives. I don’t have time to talk about criminals or drug users who change their lives through faith. It is God’s power that helps them, not mine.”

In 2018, Dr. Everett Piper, a former SAU leader and graduate, wrote a detailed and strongly worded response to a student newspaper article. The article discussed LGBTQ students wanting support and understanding. Piper compared LGBTQ students to white supremacists, asking, “Why do we accept one harmful behavior but criticize another?”

SAU’s student handbook currently bans “same-sex dating” and requires clothing to “match the gender a person was assigned at birth.” Students who break these rules may receive counseling or face suspension or expulsion. The handbook also says the university will not support actions that “clearly conflict with a person’s assigned gender.”

In 2014, SAU received a Title IX exemption, which allows the university to make decisions based on religious beliefs. This exemption is still in place today.

Athletics

The Spring Arbor athletic teams are called the Cougars. The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and has competed in the Crossroads League since the 2004–05 academic year. The Crossroads League was previously called the Mid-Central College Conference (MCCC) until after the 2011–12 school year. The Cougars were also part of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and mainly competed as an independent team in the Midwest Region of Division I. Before joining the Crossroads League, the Cougars were part of the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) from 1992–93 to 2003–04.

Spring Arbor offers 18 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track & field. Women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Cheerleading is a co-ed sport.

In the 2019–20 season, Spring Arbor's competitive cheer and dance teams took part in their first competitions, adding co-ed sports to the school's athletic programs.

The women's soccer team won the NAIA National Championships in 2015, 2017, and 2022. After a 42-game unbeaten streak, the women's team finished as runners-up in the 2016 NAIA National Championship. The men's basketball team from the 2019 season was the NAIA Division II National Champions.

Notable alumni

• Michael Ashford
• Bethany Balcer
• Rick Baxter
• Heidi Campbell
• Sam Costentino
• Jake Crull
• Keith A. Elford
• Josh Fines
• Donald Gould
• Wendell Harrison
• Jennell Jaquays
• Lewis Jones
• Micah Lancaster
• Nathan Martin
• Babbie Mason
• Rogelio Mills
• Gayle Moran
• Mike Nofs
• Richard Morthland
• Everett Piper
• Xavier Prather
• Mary Taylor Previte
• Arleta Richardson
• Steven Waterhouse