Olivet University
TypePrivate university
Established2000 (2000)
Religious affiliation
World Olivet Assembly
Endowment$42.3 million (2019)[1]
PresidentMatthias Gebhardt
Location
Anza
,
California
,
United States
Colors   Burgundy, gold
Websitewww.olivetuniversity.edu

Olivet University is a private Christian university in Anza, California. It is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) to award certificates, bachelor's, master's, D. Min., and Ph.D. degrees.[2]

History

Olivet Theological College and Seminary (OTCS) was founded in 2000, in Seoul, South Korea, where it was co-located with the Southern Cross College Korea Campus, by evangelical pastor David J. Jang,[3][4] and in Los Angeles. Jang was a member of the faculty of Southern Cross College and the first director of its Korea campus.[5] The bible college was intended to train the denomination's ministers. OTCS eventually functioned more as a "seedbed" for mission, offering multiple study fields and distance learning to ministry-bound students.

By 2004, the seminary expanded and incorporated into a university comprising five colleges - Olivet Theological College & Seminary, Jubilee College of Music, Olivet College of Art & Design, Olivet College of Journalism, and Olivet Institute of Technology - in the institution's new home in San Francisco.[6] Ralph D. Winter advised Jang on the relocation and expansion plan, and later served as the honorary chairman of Olivet University.[7][8] The university moved into the former University of California, Berkeley Downtown Extension Campus, near the Moscone Center in 2005.[9] They also founded Olivet Business School, which offers MBA programs[10] and opened extension sites in Nashville, TN (at 141 Belle Forest Circle), New York City (at 6 Barclay Street in Lower Manhattan), San Francisco (at 1025 Howard Street), and Washington, D.C. (at 1400 Eye Street NW).[11]

Olivet's flagship college, Olivet Theological College & Seminary ("OTCS"), developed several major changes to accommodate the school's diverse student body. It was broken into separate institutions, each offering different degree programs. These include: The Jubilee College of Music, Olivet Business School, Olivet Institute of Technology, Olivet School of Art & Design, Olivet School of Language Education, Olivet School of Media and Communication, and Olivet School of Language Education.

On 26 November 2018, the Manhattan District Attorney charged the university and three of its officials with money laundering, fraud, and conspiracy in connection with the investigation into IBT Media. The indictment alleged that the university and it officials overstated the university's financial health to lenders and created a fictional auditor to approve its financial statements, then used funds for operational purposes rather than purchasing equipment.[12][13] The logic of the indictment, however, was questioned as no one involved enriched themselves and no lender lost money.[14] On February 20, 2020, Olivet University pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and falsifying business records[15] and paid $1.25 million in forfeiture.[15][16]

In 2022, a new probe, conducted by the federal government, is also investigating money laundering in addition to human and labor trafficking and visa fraud, a former senior official of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek.[17] The former official, who was briefed on the investigation, characterized it as "complex and significant."[18] On June 30, the New York State Education Department did not renew Olivet University's temporary Permission to Operate in New York, which led to the University using the premises for its originally indended purpose as Evangelical Center.[19] The University's charter application with New York State remains pending.

The university continues to be under scrutiny by the state of California and its accreditor, with the state holding several surprise visits to the university and moving to close the university or revoke its ability to operate in California because it "lacked certain advertised courses, resources to ensure a quality education, and properly trained faculty." In March 2023, it was widely reported that California's Attorney General had filed a complaint to close down Olivet University due to several violations.[20][21][22][23]

Campus and student life

Olivet University's main campus is located at 36401 Tripp Flats Road,[24] in Anza, CA 92539.

According to university's website it still operates campuses at the following locations:

  • San Francisco, CA campus is located at 201 Seminary Dr, Mill Valley, CA 94941
  • Washington, D.C. campus is located at 201 Rittenhouse St NW, Washington, DC 20011
  • St. Louis, MO campus is located at 5341 Emerson Ave. St. Louis, MO 63120
  • Nashville, TN campus is located at 141 Belle Forest Circle Nashville, TN 37221

Academics

Olivet University is divided into eight colleges: Jubilee College of Music, Olivet Business School, Olivet Institute of Technology, Olivet School of Art & Design, Olivet School of Language Education, Olivet School of Media & Communication, Olivet Theological College & Seminary, and Zinzendorf School of Doctoral Studies.[25] The university is approved by the BPPE (Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education) to grant bachelors, master's, and doctoral degrees, and certificates.[26]

Ralph D. Winter Library

In July 2007, the Ralph D. Winter Library was named for missiologist and Olivet University Honorary Chairman, the late Ralph D. Winter. The library currently features 150,000 physical and electronic items for Biblical higher education and research,[27][28] and is a repository for academic and theological resources in multiple formats and languages in service for world mission. Its collection of educational resources are distributed throughout the university's main library, the William L. Wagner Mission Library, the Asian library, and seven specialized libraries supporting Olivet's educational programs.[29]

Partnership with IBT Media

IBT Media says it has an ongoing "working relationship" with Olivet University which includes the school's providing design assistance and computer resources, and IBT Media's providing internships for students. IBT characterizes this relationship as similar to those Silicon Valley companies have with local universities.[30] However, publication Christianity Today alleges that IBT Media has a close relationship both with Olivet and with its founder, controversial[30][31] evangelical pastor David J. Jang. It claims that Jang is an investor in and has exercised control over IBT Media.[30][32][33] Executives characterize the relationship as being between the institutions and not the founders, and that it is purely operational.[30][33] Additionally, students of Olivet worked for IBT Media in the early days of the International Business Times.[34]

Johnathan Davis is a co-owner of Newsweek and a former member of World Olivet Assembly.[35] In June 2022, Newsweek filed a suit against IBT Media, David Jang, Olivet University, and others but it was subsequently dismissed by the judge.[36] In June 2023, Newsweek's shareholders stated that they resolved their legal disputes.[37][38]

References

  1. ↑ As of June 30, 2019. "U.S. and Canadian 2019 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2019 Endowment Market Value, and Percentage Change in Market Value from FY18 to FY19 (Revised)". National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Memberships & Approvals". Olivetuniversity.edu. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  3. ↑ "Dr. David Jang New Role at HBS". Olivetnews.com. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  4. ↑ "Dr. David Jang WEA NAC Member". worldea.org. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  5. ↑ "David Jang Bio". Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  6. ↑ "History". Olivet University. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017.
  7. ↑ "Library". Olivet University. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Dedication Service Marks Renaming of Library". Olivet University. 2007-09-11.
  9. ↑ "Olivet University Public Statement to Recent Media Publications". Olivet University Seminary Blog. 2012-08-23.
  10. ↑ "Olivet Business School". Olivet University.
  11. ↑ "About Olivet: Extensions". Olivet University. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  12. ↑ Kellner, Mark (November 26, 2018). "DA adds evangelical university to fraud case against Christian Post owners". Religion News Service. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  13. ↑ "DA Vance Announces Indictment of Olivet University Officials and Christian Media CEO in $25 Million Fraud Probe Arising out of Newsweek Investigation" (Press release). New York: Manhattan District Attorney. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  14. ↑ Henning, Peter J. (2018-10-19). "The Challenge With Prosecuting Newsweek's Former Owner for Fraud: There Were No Losses". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  15. 1 2 Alejandra Molina (20 February 2020). "Bible college and former Newsweek and Christian Post publishers plead guilty in $35 million fraud probe". religionnews.com. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  16. ↑ Kelly, Keith J. (February 20, 2020). "Bible school Olivet University pleads guilty in money-laundering case". New York Post.
  17. ↑ Rouhandeh, Alex J.; Jamali, Naveed (December 1, 2022). "Olivet University Faces Accreditor Ultimatum as Probes, Violations Pile Up". Newsweek.
  18. ↑ Jamali, Naveed; O'Connor, Tom (April 22, 2022). "Christian University at the Center of Federal Trafficking and Fraud Probe". Newsweek.
  19. ↑ "Olivet University Statement on the Conclusion of Olivet University New York on June 30, 2022". OLIVET UNIVERSITY. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  20. ↑ Nelson, Joe (March 30, 2023). "Olivet University target of AG Bonta complaint that could shut down the California-based Christian college". The Mercury News.
  21. ↑ Cochrane, Deborah (March 17, 2023). "ACCUSATION BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOR THE BUREAU FOR PRIVATE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA" (PDF). Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education - BPPE.
  22. ↑ Bauer-Wolf, Jeremy (March 29, 2023). "California attorney general complaint could shut down Olivet University". Higher Ed Dive.
  23. ↑ Jamali, Naveed; Rouhandeh, Alex J. (March 28, 2023). "California Moves to Shut Down David Jang's Olivet University as Feds Circle". Newsweek.
  24. ↑ "Payment - Admissions & Aid". Olivet University.
  25. ↑ "Olivet University". Olivetuniversity.edu. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  26. ↑ "School Detail: Olivet University". Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Olivet University celebrated the official renaming of University library to the Ralph D. Winter Library on September 10, 2007 with a dedication service held in the library facilities of the main campus building immediately after the Fall Convocation ceremony". Olivet News. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  28. ↑ "The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America". TIME Magazine. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  29. ↑ "Olivet University's Ralph D. Winter Library". Ralph D. Winter Library Official Website. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Lauria, Peter (3 August 2013). "Newsweek's New Owners Say They Bought "A Lot Of Cachet"". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  31. ↑ Smietana, Bob (16 July 2012). "LifeWay land deal with Calif. school faces scrutiny". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  32. ↑ McCarthy, Tom (5 August 2013). "Newsweek is dead. Long live Newsweek?". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  33. 1 2 Bercovici, Jeff (5 August 2013). "Meet The Mysterious Duo Who Just Bought Newsweek". Forbes. New York. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  34. ↑ Dooley, Ben (31 March 2014). "Who's Behind Newsweek?". Mother Jones. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  35. ↑ Rouh, Alex J. (3 July 2022). "IBT Media Sues Newsweek CEO, Demanding He Return the Magazine". Newsweek.
  36. ↑ "WOA Statement Regarding Baseless Allegations in Recent Newsweek Article". Olivet News. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  37. ↑ Fischer, Sara (July 26, 2022). "Newsweek execs speak out amid legal drama". Axios.
  38. ↑ Rouhandeh, Alex J.; Jamali, Naveed (June 29, 2023). "Newsweek Shareholders End Legal Dispute, Co-owner Davis Leaves Olivet Sect". Newsweek.
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