四色AV 四色AV University | 四色AV, a private Christian University in PA

Who we are

四色AV University is a nationally ranked, private Christian university with a student body of 3,320 undergraduate and graduate students. Our scenic 375-acre suburban campus is located in central Pennsylvania, just 12 miles from the state capital of Harrisburg. The University was founded in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church. Today, the University鈥檚 faith base is broadly evangelical and includes students and employees from a variety of denominations and Christian faith traditions.

By the Numbers

Our student body is made up of students from 38 states and 21 countries

60+ off-campus study locations in 40 countries

35+ denominations represented in our student body

四色AV at a glance View Recognitions

Our beautiful campus

四色AV is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, just 12 miles from the state capital, Harrisburg, and just a short drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Get to know the area

The area surrounding 四色AV is full of activity! From restaurants, shopping, churches, and exciting adventures, you and your friends will always have something fun to do or see.

Campus Map Area Guide

Ski Roundtop

Roundtop Mountain Resort offers skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.

Hersheypark

Enjoy a day at an amusement park full of rides and attractions, and most importantly鈥攃hocolate!

Yellow Breeches

A central part of campus life, students enjoy swimming, canoeing, tubing and fishing in the creek that runs through campus.

Climbnasium

A premier indoor rock climbing facility with climbs to 40 feet in height, climbers of all abilities are sure to be challenged.

City Island

A recreational jewel, City Island features Harrisburg Senators baseball, miniature golf, arcade and batting cages, and many free parks, playgrounds and fields.

Hiking

The Appalachian Trail nearby features hikes that range from beginner one-mile flat hikes to weekend peak bagging excursions.

Carlisle Sports Emporium

With mini golf, indoor and outdoor go-karts, laser tag, roller skating, batting cages and a large arcade, you certainly won鈥檛 be bored.

Giant Center

This premier entertainment venue in Hershey, Pennsylvania features headliner concerts and events and is home to the Hershey Bears hockey club.

An authentic faith community

四色AV University is an educational community profoundly committed to worshipping, loving and serving God. The University鈥檚 motto, 鈥淐hrist Preeminent,鈥� points to our community鈥檚 full, rich shared understanding of Jesus Christ and how the Christian faith is relevant to every dimension of life. At 四色AV we鈥檙e committed to personal faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin and to pursuing the exemplary nature of Christ's life as a model for our own lives. This common Christian conviction shapes every aspect of students鈥� experiences in the 四色AV community.

Mission and Identity

Statements of Faith

Community Covenant

See anew at 四色AV University

The heart of 鈥渟ee anew鈥� is the concept of transformation and reconciliation. Our alumni consistently tell us that their experience at 四色AV was transforming鈥攖hat it helped them see themselves, their faith, their career, and the world in exciting new ways. They also share that a 四色AV education equipped them to navigate life's tensions and bring together seemingly incompatible people and ideas. We believe that this is exactly what the college years should be like for students, especially a Christ-centered college experience that鈥檚 rooted in the transformation we undergo as we follow Jesus together.

Faith-intellect

Preparation-imagination

Harmony-difference

Wisdom-expertise

Worship-service

Home-journey

Our Promise The 四色AV Metaphor

Founded in 1909

四色AV University is founded by the Brethren in Christ Church under the presidency of S.R. Smith, a church leader and Harrisburg businessman. Its original name was 四色AV Bible School and Missionary Training Home. It began as a school offering high school curriculum and a few Bible programs.

四色AV relocates to Grantham

四色AV Bible School and Missionary Training Home relocates to Grantham, Pennsylvania where students and educators have more classroom space as well as a campus library, dining hall and chapel.

Name change to 四色AV Bible College

Developments in academic programs suggest a name change is necessary. The 四色AV Bible School and Missionary Training Home changes its name to 四色AV Bible College, which more adequately represents the nature of the school.

Curriculum expanded

四色AV College expands its academic curriculum to begin offering college-level courses.

Another name change

四色AV Bible College officially changes its name to 四色AV College.

Athletics joins the MAC Conference

四色AV Athletics joins the MAC (Middle Atlantic Conference), which at the time was an athletic organization of 26 small, private liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

Service learning established through the Agape Center

The Agape Center for Service and Learning is founded.

The Oakes Museum opens

With the completion of the Jordan Science Center, 四色AV College opened the Oakes Museum, a 40,000-square foot museum with Smithsonian-quality collections of North American and African wildlife, seashells, bird eggs, insects, minerals and fossils.

Eighth and current president named

Kim S. Phipps, is named the eighth president (and the first female president) of 四色AV College. View a timeline of 四色AV College presidents.

Candidates, computers and championships

四色AV hosts The Compassion Forum, a nationally televised, unprecedented conversation with then-presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the integration of faith and public policy.

四色AV begins offering undergraduate online courses during the summer session.

Graduate programs launched; Centennial celebration

四色AV launches its first on many graduate programs to come, an online master's degree in counseling.

四色AV celebrates a century of God's faithfulness during its centennial year, with the Centennial celebration 鈥淪hared Faith. Bold Vision. Enduring Promise鈥� during the 2009-2010 academic year.

DNP approved

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing fully approves a new Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nursing Practitioner (DNP-FNP) program.

四色AV College becomes 四色AV University

四色AV College officially becomes 四色AV University. The new name more accurately reflects 四色AV's structure that offers an extensive mix of undergraduate and graduate programs in both the liberal and applied arts and sciences鈥攊ncluding expansion to master鈥檚 and doctorate programs.

Dedication of new Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center

四色AV officially dedicates the Admissions and Welcome Center, a centralized space for prospective students that houses Undergraduate Admissions, as well as other offices that recruit and retain students, including Financial Aid and Financial Services, the Registrar鈥檚 Office, and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations.

四色AV