Clearwater, FLOn December 8, 2009 the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) announced that Clearwater Christian College is approved to award the Master of Education in Educational Leadership. This decision was made at the annual meeting held in Atlanta, GA.
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Dr. Gary SmithDr. Gary Smith, Chairman of Graduate Studies, commented on this approval. "Receiving SACS accreditation for the Master of Education in Educational Leadership is gratifying. SACS holds high standards of excellence, and this confirms that the graduate program offers quality and rigor."
In April 2007, the Florida Department of Education granted CCC the authority to offer the graduate program. In June 2007, Clearwater submitted an application to SACS with the intention to offer graduate courses and programs with the first being a Master of Education in Educational Leadership through online education. This submission was accompanied by supporting documents affirming the validity of the request for substantive change, i.e., the offering of a new program on an advanced degree level. At the December 2007 SACS meeting, the commission announced its preliminary approval for Clearwater to offer graduate programs and to use online instruction as the primary delivery mode for both undergraduate and graduate courses and programs. Clearwater held the first M.Ed. classes during summer 2008.
The SACS Commission sent a substantive change committee to visit the campus in April 2009. During their visit, the committee interviewed undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators to learn more about Clearwater Christian College. The SACS accreditation requirements and standards for an institution such as CCCan institution already accreditedcall for careful scrutiny of how a new graduate level program will relate to the college's mission and goals. The SACS decision on December 8 represents the final step for approval of the substantive change.
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare and equip teachers and administrators with the knowledge and skills to be effective educational administrators. In 2010, the program will be offered totally online with no residency requirements, allowing students world-wide the opportunity to pursue their graduate studies from CCC. At the May 2010 commencement, the first M.Ed. students will receive their degrees.
"The master's degree in Educational leadership adds another dimension of learning and opportunity for the college and its graduates. Alumni and educators have been asking for a graduate program; this program answers their request. The quality of our undergrad education programs is mirrored on the graduate level: all of the graduate faculty have academic and experiential credentials," said Dr. Mary Draper, Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Clearwater Christian College received initial accreditation from SACS in 1984, then reaffirmation in 1989 and 1999. The college is currently undergoing another reaffirmation process and will be notified of the Commission's decision at the December 2010 annual meeting. Mr. Eric Lovik, Director of Institutional Research and Clearwater's SACS liaison, said, "The substantive change site visit earlier this year was a good experience that has helped us prepare for the upcoming reaffirmation site visit in February 2010. The work that we put into developing our self-study for the substantive change gave us an excellent foundation for the institutional compliance report that we submitted three months ago."
If you have questions or comments regarding CCC's regional accreditation, please email them to accreditation@clearwater.edu.
Dr. Gary Smith
In April 2007, the Florida Department of Education granted CCC the authority to offer the graduate program. In June 2007, Clearwater submitted an application to SACS with the intention to offer graduate courses and programs with the first being a Master of Education in Educational Leadership through online education. This submission was accompanied by supporting documents affirming the validity of the request for substantive change, i.e., the offering of a new program on an advanced degree level. At the December 2007 SACS meeting, the commission announced its preliminary approval for Clearwater to offer graduate programs and to use online instruction as the primary delivery mode for both undergraduate and graduate courses and programs. Clearwater held the first M.Ed. classes during summer 2008.
The SACS Commission sent a substantive change committee to visit the campus in April 2009. During their visit, the committee interviewed undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators to learn more about Clearwater Christian College. The SACS accreditation requirements and standards for an institution such as CCCan institution already accreditedcall for careful scrutiny of how a new graduate level program will relate to the college's mission and goals. The SACS decision on December 8 represents the final step for approval of the substantive change.
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare and equip teachers and administrators with the knowledge and skills to be effective educational administrators. In 2010, the program will be offered totally online with no residency requirements, allowing students world-wide the opportunity to pursue their graduate studies from CCC. At the May 2010 commencement, the first M.Ed. students will receive their degrees.
"The master's degree in Educational leadership adds another dimension of learning and opportunity for the college and its graduates. Alumni and educators have been asking for a graduate program; this program answers their request. The quality of our undergrad education programs is mirrored on the graduate level: all of the graduate faculty have academic and experiential credentials," said Dr. Mary Draper, Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Clearwater Christian College received initial accreditation from SACS in 1984, then reaffirmation in 1989 and 1999. The college is currently undergoing another reaffirmation process and will be notified of the Commission's decision at the December 2010 annual meeting. Mr. Eric Lovik, Director of Institutional Research and Clearwater's SACS liaison, said, "The substantive change site visit earlier this year was a good experience that has helped us prepare for the upcoming reaffirmation site visit in February 2010. The work that we put into developing our self-study for the substantive change gave us an excellent foundation for the institutional compliance report that we submitted three months ago."
If you have questions or comments regarding CCC's regional accreditation, please email them to accreditation@clearwater.edu.
"My heart's desire is to see my students mature spiritually, intellectually, and socially. I want them to become beacons for Christ in this present spiritually-darkened world. Teaching at Clearwater Christian College has fulfilled my dream of being a member of a community of Christian scholars and students whose common purpose is to serve our God. My passion for teaching stems from the joy of observing students increase in faith and knowledge as they prepare for their chosen life's work."
Clearwater Christian College celebrated its annual Homecoming in grand style on Saturday, January 16. Traditional homecoming events included the annual alumni baseball game and home basketball contests against Pensacola Christian College. Coming off two weeks of atypical cold weather, including four consecutive days of subfreezing cold, the 2010 baseball team officially opened their season with a game in balmy, but acceptable, 70° temperature. The strong 2010 alumni team was led by former coach, Ron Edson and included fourteen representatives from a number of graduating classes: Michael Surles ('08), Phil Knight ('06), Jonathan Domico ('04), Will Burgos ('09), Matt Stenberg ('02), Andrew Stenberg ('05), Shawn Lockhart ('03), Nathan Brown ('07), Rob Copenhaver ('09), Chad Luke ('03) , James Coffman ('07), Martin Hughes (staff), Chris Seely ('08), and Ryan Mayer ('09). While the alumni team lost 13-10, everyone said it was a close game. The difference of one or two plays made the CCC Cougars the 2010 alumni game winners.
From baseball, we ran to the gym for the annual CCC vs. PCC home game. In both contests, the Cougar teams came out fighting. Early on in each game, CCC established a solid lead. A packed crowd (standing room only) witnessed a tremendous effort by both Cougar teams. In the girl's contest, the Cougars went into half-time with a 43-25 lead and finished the game with a 76-55 win. Katie Mullins led the Cougars in scoring with 18 points. 
The men's game started much the same with the Cougars leading 50-32 at half time. PCC attempted to come back in the second half, but the Cougars held their own, winning 86-78. While the point scoring was spread pretty evenly throughout the team, freshman Andy Carson led with 17 points. Alumni from the classes of 2005, 2000, 1990, 1980, and 1970 were recognized at half time. Students and alumni participated in a peanut guessing contest with CCC student Ashley Lawson winning the grand prizean IPod Shuffle.
Plenty of questions and possible scenarios helped participants focus on their current needs. Sarah's sessions were more hands-on. In her first session, she led her students in making photo and scrapbook albums using paper bags and crafts supplies. In her second session, she introduced her students to the world of digital scrapbooking. Lecturing was kept to a minimum, as Sarah moved from individual to individual, helping them design their own unique gift. Participants for all sessions included interested alumni and current CCC students. 
In December 2009, CCC Psychology Professor, Dr. Kris DeWitt, moved one step closer to her goal of publishing an in-depth study book about the value and necessity of forgiveness. In conjunction with VDM Publishers, Dr. DeWitt has published Finding Freedom in Forgiveness, the intellectual foundation for her future book. 
(2/2/10) This past weekend the Cougars hosted the annual Cougar Classic High School Basketball Tournament. The tournament field was made up of 7 Christian schools from Florida including Berean Christian School (W. Palm Beach), Lakeland Christian School (Lakeland), Florida Christian School (Miami), Indian Rocks Christian School (Largo), Highlands Christian Academy (Pompano Beach), Keswick Christian School (St. Petersburg), Faith Baptist Christian School (Brandon), and Wilmington Christian Academy from Wilmington, North Carolina. 
All-Tournament Team
Although the season ended in November, the Lady Cougars Volleyball Team recently scored another victorythis time in the classroom. Last week, when the National Christian College Athletic Association announced their Fall Scholar Team Awards, the Lady Cougars were among twenty different fall athletic teams recognized as Team Scholars from colleges and universities across division I and II.
Men's Basketball Coach Keith Champion recently achieved his 500th career win! 
CCC Professor Dr. Pattye Casarow recently appeared as a guest director at the ProMusica Arizona Warland Workshop. Chosen from among a large number of applicants, Dr. Casarow was blessed to work with Mr. Dale Warland, well-known American conductor. 
Associate Librarian Elizabeth Werner was appointed Director of the Library in February 2010. 
Ian Duncan has been chosen to present his doctoral dissertation to the American Institute of Higher Learning during their International Conference, March 17-19. 
Melanee Halstead has been named the Cougars' women's basketball coach for the 2010-2011 season. Coach Halstead has been involved in coaching for over 20 years, most recently at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, Minnesota where she served as both women's basketball and volleyball coach. In her ten years at the helm of the Pillsbury program, Melanee was one of the most respected coaches in the North Central region and was twice selected the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. Coach Halstead also serves the NCCAA as the Division II Women's Basketball National Vice-Chair and will move into the role of National Chair after another year. In addition to her responsibilities as assistant dean of women, she served as assistant coach to the Lady Cougars during the 2009-2010 season. A graduate of Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Melanee also has her Master's Degree in Sport Coaching from the United States Sports Academy.
The first-ever Twenties Reunion featuring individuals from the first twenty years of the college was held March 5-7, 2010 on the college campus. Over 75 faculty, staff, administrators, board members, and alumni, along with spouses and other family members from those early years participated in either or both the Remembrance Dinner held Friday evening and the Founders' Banquet on Saturday at noon. 
That evening we enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by our CCC Food Service Department in the Cathcart dining hall and then all proceeded to the chapel for the program, including a CCC Trivia game, video clips and photos from the past, and testimonials from almost everyone in attendance. The evening concluded with a tribute to Dr. Steele and a rousing word of encouragement from our Founder who in June will turn 90 years old. 
Other alumni and former staff joined us on Saturday at the Founders' Banquet. 1981 Alumnus Perry Cunningham opened our event with prayer. Three other alumni representing the 60's (Priscilla Cartwright), 70's (Joe Olachea), and 80's (David Altman) decades gave testimony of the impact of the college on their lives, ministries, and families. Everyone who attended commented on how much they enjoyed seeing one another again, how encouraged they were to see the college staying true to the founding purposes, and how much those who were unable to attend had missed.
One unique blessing of our weekend was the good representation of graduates from the Bahamas. Perry Cunningham arrived earlier to speak in chapel to the student body on Thursday, March 4. His message from I Corinthians 10:13 will probably go down as one of the students' favorites from this semester (go to 
One of Clearwater Christian College's finest, 2nd Lt. Brooke Begemann, USAF, is pursuing excellence in the clouds, but is destined for greatness among the stars. The 2009 Bachelor of Science (mathematics) graduate is currently pursuing her dream to become a NASA astronaut. 
"God has given you your own unique identity that perfectly matches His own unique purpose for you... and when your identity meets His purpose, it's called God's perfect will. It means a life of glory to Him and blessing for you." 
Inspired by the story of Rick Husband, Commander of the space shuttle Columbia, she knows that God has His hand upon her life and is guiding her in the direction that He has planned. "God has allowed me to keep chasing my dream [of becoming an astronaut], while using every step of the way for His ultimate glory. Regardless of our vocation, we all have the same purpose and mission as believersthat is, to share Christ and glorify God with our lives. That's what I'm striving for whether it leads to the stars or not."
The Causeway 2009 received honorable mention in Taylor's Yearbook Yearbook national competition and publication. Through this recognition, Taylor features the 'best of the best' in scholastic journalism of its thousands of clients on the high school, college, and university levels. 
Associate Professor of Exercise & Sport Science Daryl Mullholand has qualified to run in the famed Boston Marathon! Clocking a race time of 3:30:18 at the 26.2 mile Gasparilla Marathon held the last weekend of February in Tampa, Daryl praises the Lord for his strength. 
On March 2, senior music major, Elizabeth Perry, presented her senior recital to a full chapel of friends, family, and guests. 
