King's to become independent of Campus Crusade
Financial District, NEW YORK—The King’s College is slated to become independent from college ministry organization Campus Crusade for Christ, now called Cru, sometime this fall if the state government gives final approval. Financial stability, a diverging mission and the “natural maturity” of the college prompted the separation, King’s Chief Administrative Officer Duanne Moeller said.
Increased donations enabled TKC’s financial independence from Cru, including $10 million from the DeVos Foundation, $1 million from an anonymous donor and continued support from the Board of Regents.
“Looking at the maturity of the college as an organization and the size of the college, certainly finances were part of [the decision]. We’re on a trajectory to grow and mature,” Moeller said.
Accrediting agencies prefer schools to be independent. King’s must renew its accreditation between 2014 and 2015.
Moeller declined to comment on the amount of Cru’s financial aid to King’s but said Cru has “been very supportive.”
Dean of Students David Leedy said Cru was “very gracious to give us a line of credit. When separation happens, that debt will be taken care of—either forgiven or otherwise eradicated.”
Another reason to split emerged as King’s became an established educational institution. Cru “has been a great friend,” Moeller said, “but King’s is an educational institution and Cru is an evangelistic institution. We have complementary missions, but at the same time they’re different. We both understand that, and it’s a fitting thing to go forward.”
Leedy believes King’s will keep an ongoing relationship with Cru, most notably as Cru President Steve Douglass remains on the school’s board. “I’m not sure students will even feel the difference,” Leedy said.
Douglass has provided and will continue to provide direction to the school. He has helped organize some international ventures, especially the less-accessible Muslim nations, and maintains working relationships with contacts in several foreign countries.
Douglass may also help City Engagement develop its Here’s Life Inner City partnership, a ministry for high school students in New York City, Leedy said.
Cru began aiding TKC’s financial recovery process in 1997. The school’s Briarcliff Manor location had closed in 1994 but retained its charter. Cru Founder Bill Bright, Director of Faculty Commons Stanley Oakes and then-Vice-President Douglass worked closely with King’s to resurrect it in the city.
Connections and the central urban location of the Empire State Building convinced Cru and the board to choose it for the new King's site in 1998. The college was accredited and reopened in 1999.
Leedy said Bright’s original vision included using education to train leaders globally to influence the world. The school was founded upon a focus on the Great Commission.
“The King’s College was born out of the vision of Dr. Bill Bright,” Moeller said. “The whole process has been a testimony to the character and the Christian maturity of both boards, and we walked through everything arm in arm.”
Cru shared space with the old King’s in Briarcliff Manor, using it as a training ground for overseas mission trips.
“I remember being at Briarcliff Manor in the early 90s doing training and prep,” Moeller, former Campus Crusade missionary, said. “Funny, little did I know that a few years down the road I’d be actually working at The King’s College.”
Plans are underway to recognize Cru in the celebration of TKC’s 75-year anniversary in 2013.