Bethune-Cookman University News January 11, 2016 B-CU Opens New School of Religion Bethune-Cookman University welcomes its first official class of students for their new School of Religion today, January 11th. The School of Religion will offer degrees in Religion and Philosophy, as well as Christian Ministry (pending SACSCOC approval). B-CU leadership has tapped Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy, a well-respected teaching pastor, to lead this effort as the new dean. The new School of Religion will add the practical aspect to the previously developed theoretical program. Dean Bracy is extremely excited and optimistic about the impact of the School of Religion. "This is a historical moment for B-CU, a school that was founded and operates on Christian principles. This focused program will enable us to promote and encourage ministry. It is going to prove very beneficial for the university and the community, as a whole," says Dean Bracy. Bracy is looking forward to his first class of graduates and expanding the program to offer masters degrees in the future. The school will not only train pastors, but will also develop youth ministers, administrators and others interested in serving in ministry. Dean Bracy brings more than 35 years of experience in divinity. He has the distinction of preaching on six of the seven continents, with the exception of Antarctica. Bracy has served as a visiting professor and lecturer at the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia; the Palmer Theological Seminary of Philadelphia; the Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in New York; and as adjunct professor of Homiletics and Black Church History at the Asbury Theological Seminary in Florida. He is a former trustee at Bethune-Cookman University and has served on the Board of Advisors at the Florida A&M University Law School. He and his wife, Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy, founded the New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando. They both retired from the New Covenant Baptist Church in 2012. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.