Nelson University

{{Infobox university

| name = Nelson University

| image =

| image_size = 200px

| former_names = Southwestern Assemblies of God College (1927–1994)
{{space|3}}Southwestern Bible School
{{space|3}}{{nowrap|Shield of Faith Bible School}}
{{space|3}}Southern Bible Institute
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (1994–2024)

| motto = Higher Education for a Higher Purpose

| established = {{start date|1927}}

| type = Private university

| religious_affiliation = Assemblies of God

| president = Kermit Bridges

| provost = Kimberly Trewern

| academic_staff = 125

| students = 2,012

| undergrad = 1,700

| postgrad = 312

| city = Waxahachie

| state = Texas

| country = United States

| coor = {{coord|32.4038|N|96.8530|W|source:googleearth_type:edu_region:US-TX|display=inline, title}}

| campus = Suburban|campus_size= {{convert|70|acre|km2}}

| colors = Purple & Gold{{cite book|url=http://www.sagu.edu/documents/Marketing/Styleguide/StyleguidePDF022613.pdf |title=University Branding & Communication: Style & Policy Guide |publisher=SAGU Marketing and Public Relations |date=2014-10-01 |access-date=2015-09-21}}
{{color box|#502d7f}} {{color box|#fdbb30}}

| sports_nickname = Lions

| mascot = Judah the Lion

| athletics_affiliations = NAIA – Sooner
NCCAA Division I – Central

| website = {{URL|https://nelson.edu/}}

| logo =

}}

Nelson University, formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), is a private Christian university in Waxahachie, Texas, United States. Nelson is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges[http://www.sacscoc.org/2012%20December%20Actions%20and%20Disclosure%20Statements/12cract%20dec.pdf SACS COC listing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911094958/http://sacscoc.org/2012%20December%20Actions%20and%20Disclosure%20Statements/12cract%20dec.pdf |date=2013-09-11 }}. SACSCOC.org. Retrieved on 2012-03-22. and endorsed by the Assemblies of God USA.[http://colleges.ag.org/schools/sagu.cfm AG Colleges]. AG.org. Retrieved on 2012-03-22. The university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in liberal arts programs as well as programs in Bible and church ministries.

On August 1, 2024, Southwestern Assemblies of God University changed its name to Nelson University.[https://www.sagu.edu/news/campus-news/the-future-is-here-sagu-to-become-nelson-university/ Nelson University Press Release]. SAGU.edu. Retrieved on 2024-03-01.

History

= Merger =

File:SAGU logo.PNG

Nelson University began life as three separate Bible schools. The first, known as Southwestern Bible School, was established in 1927 in Enid, Oklahoma, under the leadership of P.C. Nelson. The second, Shield of Faith Bible Institute, was founded in Amarillo, Texas, in 1931 under the direction of Guy Shields. It included a Bible school, a grade school and a high school. The third, which was operated as Southern Bible College in connection with the Richey Evangelistic Temple, began in 1931 at Goose Creek, Texas (now Baytown), in 1931. It was started by J. T. Little in Trinity Tabernacle and moved to Houston in 1933. The school's name was then changed to Southern Bible Institute.[http://www.sagu.edu/about-sagu About SAGU] Sagu.edu. Retrieved on 2012-05-29.

=Discrimination law exception=

In 2015, Nelson University was granted an exception to Title IX, allowing it to discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons. In 2016, the organization Campus Pride ranked the college among the worst schools in Texas for LGBT students.{{cite news |last=Hacker |first=Holly K. |date=August 29, 2016 |title= 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says |url= https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2016/08/29/9-texas-colleges-rank-among-the-absolute-worst-for-lgbt-students-gay-rights-group-says/ |work=The Dallas Morning News |access-date=August 22, 2021}} Nelson University responded to the negative ranking by saying that the anti-LGBT student policy is clearly articulated to prospective students before they attend.{{cite news |last=Poynor |first=Kelsey |date=September 1, 2016 |title=SAGU releases statement regarding Campus Pride 'Shame List' |url=https://www.waxahachietx.com/news/20160901/sagu-releases-statement-regarding-campus-pride-shame-list |work=Waxahachie Daily Light |access-date=August 23, 2021}}

The university's handbook lists homosexuality as an offense for which a student can be expelled. In 2008, three members of LGBT rights group Soulforce were arrested for trying to start a protest on campus.{{cite news |author= |date=January 30, 2008 |title=3 Soulforce Equality Riders arrested on SAGU campus |url=https://dallasvoice.com/3-soulforce-equality-riders-arrested-on-sagu-campus/ |work=Dallas Voice |agency=Associated Press |access-date=August 23, 2021}}

Academics

Amidst the physical expansion, Nelson University experienced consecutive record enrollments in Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, and Fall 2010 reaching a milestone of 2,064.[http://www.sagu.edu/news/enrollment-news/4-sagu-sees-8th-consecutive-semester-increase SAGU Sees 8th Consecutive Semester Increase]. Sagu.edu. Retrieved on 2012-05-29.

Athletics

The Nelson athletic teams are called the Lions. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) since the 2013–14 academic year.[http://www.sagu.edu/news/athletic-news/general-athletic-news/1733-sagu-and-two-other-texas-schools-join-sooner-athletic-conference SAGU To Join Sooner Athletic Conference]. SAGU.edu. Retrieved on 2012-03-22.

=Accomplishments=

File:Lumpkins Stadium Waxahachie TX 2016.jpg at Lumpkins Stadium for football.]]

The 2012–13 school year made 2013 a record-setting year for the Nelson Lions basketball team (formerly known as the SAGU Lions), with the Lions achieving the NAIA second-place championship ranking.[http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=206718709 SAGU in NAIA Semifinal Game]. NAIA.org. Retrieved on 2012-03-22.[http://www.sagu.edu/news/athletic-news/mens-basketball-news/2163-sagu-is-setback-in-national-championship SAGU Setback in National Championship]. SAGU.edu. Retrieved on 2012-03-22.

=Judah the Lion=

Influenced by Vice President George Brazell's acquisition of a four-month-old lion cub named Judah, Southwestern adopted the "Lion of Judah" as its mascot in 1963.For the Whole World: A History of Southwestern Assemblies of God University, p.134[http://www.sagu.edu/about-sagu/mascot-judah-the-lion Mascot – Judah the Lion]. Sagu.edu. Retrieved on 2012-05-29.

Notable alumni

Gary Elkins (BS '78), former Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from his native Houston, Texas{{cite news|url=http://www.texastribune.org/directory/gary-elkins/#ui-tabs-1|title=State Rep. Gary W. Elkins District 135 (R-Houston)|work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=March 30, 2014}}
Mike Evans, author, journalist, Middle East commentator.{{cite web|url=http://jerusalemprayerteam.org/AboutDrMikeEvans.asp|title=About Dr. Mike Evans |access-date=19 May 2014|publisher=Jerusalem Prayer Team}}
Marla Hanson, screenwriter and ex-model
Jerry Lee Lewis, expelled for having played a boogie-woogie rendition of "My God Is Real".
Marlin Maddoux, conservative Christian radio host and founder of Point of View Ministries.
Mike Murdock, televangelist and contemporary Christian singer-songwriter. Left in 1966 after three semesters.