Past Presidents
     of York College

History

York College was founded on August 26, 1890, by the United Brethren Church in conjunction with local citizens who wanted a church-related college in the city of York. In 1946, a merger with the Evangelical Church resulted in control of the college passing to the newly-formed Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church. In 1954, that body decided to transfer its support to another EUB institution, Westmar University in LeMars, Iowa, at the end of the summer term, July 1, 1954. Control of the corporate structure, which has remained continuous since 1890, was transferred to members of the churches of Christ in 1956.

The new administration reopened York College in the fall of 1956 as a senior college with 89 students. After two years, the administration recommended that York College focus on the Associate Degree programs, cease offering the baccalaureate program, and work toward accreditation by the prestigious North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). In 1970, NCA awarded accreditation to York College, the first junior college in Nebraska to receive that distinction. In 1988, York College began the transition to senior college status with the strong support of both the York community and the church constituencies. The important first step came in 1989 when the North Central Association granted its approval of the College awarding the Bachelor of Arts Degree with majors in Biblical Studies and Religious Studies. Approval of other programs soon followed. Following a comprehensive site visit in March of 1994, the NCA team of consultants/evaluators recommended removing any remaining stipulations from York College's affiliation with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as a senior institution. The North Central Association's Commission on Institutions of Higher Education unanimously approved that recommendation in August, 1994. The State of Nebraska Department of Education approved the Teacher Education programs in April of 1994, the first such new approval in over half a century. On September 9, 1994, the State Board of Education granted continuing approval to York College's Teacher Education programs for the five year maximum. The College acquired the South Campus, including the Dean Sack Hall of Science, in July of 1995. Wayne Baker became the 19th President in September of 1996. The Higher Learning Commission granted York College 10 year accreditation in 2003.  In 2005 York College's Teacher Education program received national accreditation by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCATE) program.

Today, York College is a senior liberal arts college affiliated with churches of Christ, enrolling approximately 500 students in numerous programs leading to various Baccalaureate and Associate degrees. York College, now in its second century, continues to grow in service to students, to the York community, and to churches of Christ throughout North America and the world.