Changes

Louisiana Baptist University was founded in 1973 as a graduate school distinct from the four-year Baptist Christian College. The stated purpose of LBU is to provide graduate educational opportunities for pastors and Christian workers while they are simultaneously working at their churches. LBU has trained thousands of pastors and church workers, including more than a dozen  Christian college or seminary presidents. Tharpe retired from LBU in 1992 and was succeeded by [[Neal Weaver]] (born 1940). LBU serves about 100 in-class ministerial students and another approximately 1,200 in distance education from 48 states and some 40 other nations. The institution has strived to maintain the latest technology in distance education.<ref name=weaver>Statement of Dr. [[Neal Weaver]], Shreveport, Louisiana, December 12, 2008</ref>

Louisiana Baptist University was founded in 1973 as a graduate school distinct from the four-year Baptist Christian College. The stated purpose of LBU is to provide graduate educational opportunities for pastors and Christian workers while they are simultaneously working at their churches. LBU has trained thousands of pastors and church workers, including more than a dozen  Christian college or seminary presidents. Tharpe retired from LBU in 1992 and was succeeded by [[Neal Weaver]] (born 1940). LBU serves about 100 in-class ministerial students and another approximately 1,200 in distance education from 48 states and some 40 other nations. The institution has strived to maintain the latest technology in distance education.<ref name=weaver>Statement of Dr. [[Neal Weaver]], Shreveport, Louisiana, December 12, 2008</ref>

The name Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary was coined in 1994 to separate the identity of the school more clearly from Baptist Christian College, which, as it developed, closed two years thereafter. LBU was previously housed in the Centrum Building on Hollywood Avenue. It relocated to a 12,500-square-foot facility off [[Interstate 20]] at 6301 Westport Avenue in the center of West Shreveport.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 135-137</ref>

The name Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary was coined in 1994 to separate the identity of the school more clearly from Baptist Christian College, which, as it developed, closed two years thereafter. LBU was previously housed in the Centrum Building on Hollywood Avenue. It relocated to a 12,500-square-foot facility off Interstate 20 at 6301 Westport Avenue in the center of West Shreveport.<ref>Tharpe, ''Mr. Baptist'', pp. 135-137</ref>

Numerous LBU faculty and administrators procured degrees from LBU, a practice questioned by the accrediting bodies. Rick Walston, who compiled ''Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning'' said that LBU has not sought accreditation from either a secular board or a Christian agency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OIFgESgQlzsC&pg=PA243&lpg=PA243&dq=jimmy+g.+tharpe&source=web&ots=drBbJ1clNw&sig=znfYkNxtXO4FqIe9r0CLf-Y1UrE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result|title=''Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning''|publisher=Google Books|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref>

Numerous LBU faculty and administrators procured degrees from LBU, a practice questioned by the accrediting bodies. Rick Walston, who compiled ''Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning'' said that LBU has not sought accreditation from either a secular board or a Christian agency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OIFgESgQlzsC&pg=PA243&lpg=PA243&dq=jimmy+g.+tharpe&source=web&ots=drBbJ1clNw&sig=znfYkNxtXO4FqIe9r0CLf-Y1UrE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result|title=''Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning''|publisher=Google Books|access date=December 24, 2008}}</ref>