Crowley's Ridge College
Crowley's Ridge College is a private Christian college in Paragould, Arkansas. While the college is affiliated with the Churches of Christ, students of all religious backgrounds are welcome. The fall 2021 student population of 197 comprises both non-traditional and traditional residential and commuter students.
 | |
| Type | Private college |
|---|---|
| Established | 1964 |
Religious affiliation | Church of Christ |
| President | Richard Johnson |
| Students | 197 (Fall 2021)[1] |
| Location | , U.S. |
| Campus | Rural, 150 acres (61 ha) |
| Colors | Green and white |
| Nickname | Pioneers |
Sporting affiliations | NAIA – Independent |
| Website | www |
History
Crowley's Ridge College began in 1964. Its spiritual origins, if not its direct lineage, go back to two earlier institutions in the area, MONEA Christian College, in Rector, Arkansas, and Croft College, which was located in rural Greene County, Arkansas, both of which were defunct by the end of the 1930s. The school achieved a major milestone in 2000 when it was formally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and was included in membership in the North Central Association. After many years as the only two-year college in the United States affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Crowley’s Ridge College began transiting to become a four-year institution in 2007, when it received approval from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to offer degrees at the baccalaureate level. In September 2008, the transition was completed when the Higher Learning Commission extended the college's accreditation to include the new degrees of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies.[2]
In addition to three Associate level Degrees, the college now offers eleven degrees at the baccalaureate level in Business Administration, Business Management, Accounting, Marketing, Sports Management, Biblical Studies, Youth and Family Ministry, Christian Leadership and Management, Physical Education (K-12), Elementary Education (K-6).
Location
The 150-acre (0.61 km2) campus is located atop the namesake geographic feature, Crowley's Ridge, one of the main terrain features of Eastern Arkansas. The pine tree covered campus has a lake at the center of campus. There are eight buildings, containing 85,000 square feet (7,900 m2), located on the college campus that is located on Highway 412 at the western city limits of Paragould, Arkansas.
Athletics
The "Pioneers" are members of the NAIA, competing as a Division I independent. Intercollegiate sports activities include men's basketball, baseball, golf, women's basketball, volleyball, and softball. The Pioneers added a cheerleading squad in 2019 and introduced jiu-jitsu in 2020.
Prior to 2016, the Pioneers were affilitated with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Crowley's Ridge College was approved for membership in the NAIA, effective July 1, 2016.[3]