History of Regent
The history of Regent University is an inspiring testament of what vision backed by excellence, innovation and integrity can accomplish. In 1977, under the leadership of Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, the institution was incorporated in Virginia Beach, Va., as "CBN University." Focused strategy and Divine Providence have accelerated Regent's reputation as a global center for Christian thought and action.
Divine Mission
The university was founded for the specific purpose of preparing leaders who would not only succeed in their professions, but also advance as Christians equipped to effectively impact their world. It was that cause that brought 70 CBN University students together in 1978 to pursue their graduate degrees in communication, albeit in rented classroom space under the guidance of seven faculty members.
The Regent Timeline emphasizes the university's steady growth since those humble beginnings, as well as its commitment to academic excellence. Highlights of then and now include:
- 1980 - opening of the School of Education, which has since produced a National Middle School Principal of the Year among other honors.
- 1983 - opening of the Robertson School of Government, known today for hosting the highly acclaimed Ronald Reagan Symposium on American Conservatism.
- 1986 - opening of the School of Law, which produced the winning team of the American Bar Association's 2007 Negotiation Competition, succeeding Harvard.
- 1989 - CBN University had grown from a School of Communication & the Arts to seven professional schools. Today, Regent consists of eight flourishing schools.
- 1990 - Board of Trustees changed the name of CBN University to Regent University.
- 1997 - development of an online M.A. in Organizational Leadership program, marking Regent as a model for online graduate education.
- 2003 - Regent celebrated 25 years of growth and influence with the kick-off of the Clash of the Titans debate series. Since then the debate has featured world leaders such as Bob Dole, Al Gore, Newt Gingrich, Lt. Col. Oliver North and others.
Regent Today
The future is bright for Regent University. Today, more than 4,000 students earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at the school’s Virginia Beach Campus or via online learning. Our student body represents 57 countries; and approximately 10,000 alumni are making an impact in all sectors around the world.
Our academic programs are as rigorous as they are rewarding. Regent student teams regularly win national competitions in their fields of study, and our alumni have been honored for professional achievements in their disciplines.
Likewise, Regent campus buildings, designed within an architectural master plan, reflect a commitment to our nation's colonial heritage but are also equipped with the latest educational technologies.
Certainly, the distinct mission of Regent has drawn students, administrators, and distinguished faculty and guest lecturers from around the world to contribute to its fulfillment. Regent employs 162 full-time and almost 500 adjunct faculty, including Attorney General John Ashcroft, a Distinguished Professor of Law and Government; Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a visiting faculty member in the School of Undergraduate Studies; and Admiral Vern Clark, former Chief of Naval Operations, a Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Government. Review Regent University Facts for a closer look at the accomplishments and prominence Regent shares with schools many times our age.
Beyond milestone events and dates or facts and figures, Regent's mission to combine Christianity and world-class education has kept the university on course. True to its well-established roots, Regent remains a premiere educational institution dedicated to combining quality education with biblical teachings. The dramatic changes that have taken place are the result of divine inspiration and unwavering dedication to the mission—Christian Leadership to Change the World.
Regent Timeline
| 1977 | The university was incorporated as CBN University, a nonprofit graduate education institution. |
| 1978 | Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson was officially appointed president of, then, CBN University. |
| Students in the School of Communication & the Arts began classes in September. | |
| 1980 | The first class graduated in May. |
| The School of Education opened in October. | |
| The university dedicated its first building, the Administration Building, on the Virginia Beach Campus. | |
| 1982 | Ground was broken for the University Library. |
| The School of Business and the School of Divinity opened. | |
| 1983 | Robertson School of Government opened. |
| 1984 | The university received full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). |
| 1986 | Regent School of Law opened. |
| 1988 | The School of Psychology & Counseling was founded. |
| 1990 | The Board of Trustees voted to change the name of CBN University to Regent University. |
| 1995 | Regent opened its Washington, D.C. Campus. |
| 1997 | The School of Leadership Studies developed an online M.A. in Organizational Leadership program, marking Regent as a model for online graduate education. |
| 2000 | An undergraduate degree-completion program was introduced to give working adults opportunities to complete bachelor's degrees in an accelerated format. |
| 2002 | The 135,000-square-foot Communication & Performing Arts Center opened, one of the most technologically advanced communication buildings on the East Coast. |
| 2003 | The 31,000-square-foot Student Center on the Virginia Beach campus opened in 2003, offering a great sense of community. |
| 2006 | Regent created its School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship, the result of combining its School of Leadership Studies and School of Business. |
| The School of Communication & the Arts opened the Center for Digital Media and will offer a new graduate degree major in Digital Media Studies in the fall of 2007. |
