We are a top-ranked Christ-centered, interdenominational university committed to integrating faith and learning, fostering holistic spiritual formation, promoting pragmatic liberal arts education, and preparing people to follow Christ’s call to serve others in all areas of life.
Established in 1919 by evangelist Dr. John E. Brown Sr., JBU was created to combine Christian liberal arts education with an emphasis on specialized vocational training. While we may not train airplane mechanics today, a "head, heart, hand" education with "Christ Over All" is still our focus.
The university has no denominational affiliation and admits students of any faith. JBU is a vibrant and growing independent Christian university of the arts, sciences and professions.
As a Christian institution, John Brown University holds to the interdenominational doctrinal position identified by the following statements:
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative word of God.
- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
- We believe that, for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary.
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
- We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
As adopted by the National Association of Evangelicals.
Mission
John Brown University provides Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives. JBU’s mission is summarized in its two historic mottos: "Christ Over All" and "Head, Heart and Hand."
Vision
A Christ-centered, interdenominational university that leads the nation in integrating faith and learning, fostering holistic spiritual formation, promoting pragmatic liberal arts education, and preparing people to follow Christ’s call to serve others in all areas of life.
Values
- Christ-centered. We pray and worship together as a community; we submit to God’s truth and authority as expressed faithfully through His inspired Scriptures; we seek to restrain evil and to promote good through our work and service; and we educate students to serve Christ and His Kingdom because we are followers of Jesus Christ, the incarnate and visible person of the triune God.
- Pursuit of Learning. We educate students to seek, and exemplify ourselves, a globally-aware, holistic, curious and lifelong pursuit of learning because God created the world good and it is part of our worship of God to learn as much as we can about Him and His world.
- People. We make decisions that benefit students; we extend hospitality to strangers; we recognize the God-given gifts of our colleagues; we act and treat each other with integrity; we respectfully engage and encourage a variety of differences among people; we nourish relationships; and we study and learn in community because God has created people in His image.
- Service. We listen and learn from others, recognize and meet their needs and engage and create cultures to imagine new opportunities for people to flourish because God has called us to love our neighbor.
- Stewardship. We strive to be wise stewards of our time, talents, and financial and natural resources because this world belongs to God.
- Excellence. We seek to do all things well and then strive to do them better because God calls us to do all things in honor of Him.
JBU President Dr. Charles Pollard oversees the mission of JBU — educating the whole person "head, heart, hand." During President Pollard's tenure, which began in 2004, the university has been blessed to receive over $312 million in gifts, to grow its endowment from $50 million to over $160 million, and to complete 17 major building projects.
The following are members of the Presidential Cabinet:
- Dr. Kim Hadley, Executive Vice President
- Dr. Jim Krall, Senior VP for University Advancement
- Dr. Ryan Ladner, VP for Enrollment Management
- Dr. Robert Norwood, VP for Academic Affairs
- Mrs. Anne Tohme, VP for Student Development
- Mrs. Julie Gumm, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
- Dr. Ted Song, Chief Intercultural Engagement Officer
Nearly 1,200 students are enrolled in one of JBU's more than 40 traditional undergraduate programs where we are committed to providing them with an academically-challenging educational experience.
Online Undergraduate
JBU Online allows students with no prior college credit to earn their bachelor's degree in organizational leadership, management, liberal arts and psychology completely online.
Graduate Programs
JBU offers master’s degrees in professional disciplines through full-time or part-time enrollment. Graduate programs include degrees in the areas of business, counseling, education, higher education and cybersecurity. Classes are offered in Northwest Arkansas, Little Rock, Siloam Springs and online, depending on the program.
