History of Regent University

Extended Timeline

1977

The university is incorporated as CBN University, a nonprofit graduate education institution.

1978

Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson is officially appointed president of, then, CBN University.

Students in the School of Communication & the Arts begin classes in September.

1980

The first class graduates in May.

The School of Education opens in October.

The university dedicates its first building, the Administration Building, on campus in Virginia Beach.

1982

Ground is broken for the University Library.

The School of Business and the School of Divinity open.

1983

Robertson School of Government opens.

1984

The university receives full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

1986

Regent University School of Law opens.

1988

The School of Psychology & Counseling is founded.

1990

The Board of Trustees votes to change the name of CBN University to Regent University.

1995

Regent opens its Washington, D.C., location.

1997

The School of Leadership Studies develops an online M.A. program in Organizational Leadership, marking Regent as a model for online graduate education.

2000

An undergraduate degree-completion program is 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 opens as one of the most technologically advanced communication buildings on the East Coast.

2003

The 31,000-square-foot Student Center opens on campus in Virginia Beach, offering a close sense of community.

Regent celebrates 25 years of growth and influence with the kick-off of the Clash of the Titans® debate series.

2004

Kick-off of the annual intramural flag football championship game, dubbed the “Chili Bowl” in 2009 with the addition of an annual chili cook-off.

2006

Regent creates its School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship, the result of combining its School of Leadership Studies and School of Business.

2007

Regent Law produces the winning team of the American Bar Association’s 2007 Negotiation Competition, succeeding Harvard.

Regent Commons fully furnished residential apartments open, boasting four floor plans, a laundry room, a fitness center, and other amenities for students.

2008

Regent celebrates its 30th anniversary. The School of Undergraduate Studies launches Regent’s first associate degree programs.

2011

Regent Law celebrates its 25th anniversary. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito visits campus to commemorate the milestone.

2012

Regent University’s Board of Trustees approves the name change of the School of Undergraduate Studies to College of Arts & Sciences. Likewise, the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship is renamed School of Business & Leadership.

2013

The 22,000-square-foot Chapel and connecting 36,000-square-foot Divinity Building open, providing a unifying venue where students, faculty, staff and the community can experience the presence of God as well as classrooms, offices and a welcome center.

2014

Regent opens its first science laboratory to support a new degree in Biophysical Sciences, marking the university’s entry into deeper study of the natural and physical sciences.

2015

Regent’s 20,000th graduate crosses the stage at Commencement on May 9, 2015.

Regent Law’s Moot Court program ranks in the Top 10 nationally.

Distinguished Professors, Attorney General John Ashcroft and Admiral Vern Clark, mark 10 years of teaching at Regent.

The first of five 2016 White House hopefuls, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, speaks at Regent-hosted Presidential Candidate Forums. Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks one month later. Then, over the span of six days in February 2016, three more top contenders for the GOP presidential nomination visited the campus: Donald Trump, Senator Ted Cruz and former Regent trustee Dr. Ben Carson. (Candidates from both parties were given the opportunity to share political ideas and campaign platforms in a balanced, non-debate format. Regent University does not endorse candidates for public office.)

2016

Regent achieves historic enrollment of 8,000 students for its March session.

Regent introduces plans for a state-of-the-art Athletic Complex and welcomes its first athletic director and competitive track team.

Regent launches a partnership with Corbin Bernson’s Home Theater films to produce In-Lawfully Yours. The film was written by a Communication & the Arts professor, and many COM students received a professional film credit for their participation on set in production, editing, filming and acting roles.

2017

Regent’s School of Divinity achieves historic enrollment of 1,000 students for its March session. The university also celebrated its 10,000th student in total enrollment.

Regent announces its new team name, Regent Royals, derived from 1 Peter 2:9: “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Regent launches a multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art Cyber Range within the Institute for Cybersecurity. This hyper-realistic simulation platform is one of the nation’s most powerful platforms offering real-world cyber attack and defense training.

2018

Regent Law receives top overall bar passage rate in the Commonwealth of Virginia (February 2018).

Regent hosts first cybersecurity summit and also graduates first cybersecurity students.

College of Healthcare Sciences and School of Nursing launched, after unanimous approval in 2017 by the Regent University Board of Trustees. First RN to B.S. in Nursing students graduate.

Regent is ranked among Top National Universities – U.S. News & World Report, 2019.

Regent is named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). First B.S. in Cybersecurity students graduate.

Regent launches the Center for Christian Thought & Action, inspiring thought leaders from all over the world to tackle the profound and unsolvable problems of today’s culture.

CBN and Regent Christmas Village Inaugural event welcomed several thousand community members to campus for a free German town-inspired Christmas village complete with live nativity and a 40-foot Christmas tree.

Regent’s RN to B.S. in Nursing program receives accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

2019

Regent Chapel dedicated to Jack and Jane Shaw and renamed Shaw Chapel in their honor.

Regent Law launches the Grace Community Law Clinic in downtown Norfolk.

Regent Theatre named Dede Robertson Theatre in honor of Regent’s longtime board member and wife of the school’s founder, chancellor and CEO, Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson.

2020

Regent responds to COVID-19 pandemic with Ready, Set, Regent initiative, including: expanded online resources, Healthcare Hero Scholarship® and Social Distancing Scholarship®, early college incentives, a tuition freeze, and a series of free Great Talks® webinars to help individuals navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 environment.

Study.com ranks Regent University the #1 Accredited Online College in the United States.

Regent celebrates its 40th Commencement Ceremony and first virtual commencement, conferring nearly 2,300 degrees.

Regent Law unveils Robertson Center for Constitutional Law.

Regent develops state-of-the-art Regent Ready: COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.

Regent launches The Honors College, welcoming nearly 100 on-campus students into its inaugural class.

#RegentPrays campaign kicks off, to encourage global prayer and revival.

Regent’s Master of Science in Nursing program receives accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

2021

Hon. Michele Bachmann is named dean of the Robertson School of Government.

Regent is ranked #1 Best Online Program in Virginia by USNWR for the ninth consecutive year and also listed among top national universities.

Regent hosts Election Integrity Conference with keynote speakers including Dr. Ben Carson, Eric Metaxas, and other prominent thought leaders.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gives keynote address at Commencement.

Dr. William Hathaway assumes the role of Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dr. Anna Ord is named new dean of the School of Psychology & Counseling.

Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson announces his transition from host of The 700 Club to dedicate more time to teaching Regent University students.

Regent announces the formation of the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, to include the School of Psychology & Counseling, the School of Nursing, and the School of Allied Health.

Regent received the following top-ranking accolades:

#1 Online Christian College in America (BibleCollegeOnline)

#1 Best Online College in Virginia (Intelligent.com)

#1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity)

#1 Most Affordable Private College in Virginia (Student Loan Hero)

#1 Best Value College in Virginia (Best Value Schools)

#1 Theological & Ministerial Online Doctoral Degree (GradDegree)

2022

Regent enrolled more than 13,000 students on campus and online during the 2021-2022 academic year.

With 2,559 degrees conferred, the class of 2022 was the largest graduating class in Regent’s history. Regent’s 42nd Commencement exercises were celebrated on campus with the three highest-ranking officials in the Commonwealth of Virginia: Gov. Glenn Youngkin gave the keynote address at Commencement; Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was honored as Regent’s Alumna of the Year; and Atty. Gen. Jason Miyares gave the keynote address at the School of Law Commissioning ceremony.

The fall 2022 on-campus freshman cohort was 10% larger than last fall, and these incoming freshmen had an average GPA of 3.67—the highest average GPA in Regent history.

The Regent University Honors College welcomed its largest cohort of entering freshmen—with an average entering GPA of 3.98. The Honors College also welcomed a new dean, Dr. Simon Tarr, in July 2022.

Regent launched 17 new undergraduate certificates—with three to six classes each—offered both online and on-campus.

Regent formed a new study abroad partnership with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a public research university founded by Albert Einstein.

To honor the nation’s first responders, Regent deployed a 25% tuition discount for firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and rescue workers.

Regent unveiled a new Institute of Music & Worship—a world-class center for innovative training in music and worship arts to train the next generation of musicians and worship leaders for global impact.

Regent University School of Law received a reaffirmation of accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA). Regent Law also welcomed a new dean, Bradley J. Lingo, J.D., and launched a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Law degree program in Fall 2022. 

Regent’s MBA, B.S. in Business and B.S. in Accounting received a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The B.S. in Marketing, B.S. in Management and B.S. in Human Resources received a 10-year initial accreditation from ACBSP.

Regent mourned the loss of Mrs. Adelia “Dede” Robertson, beloved wife of Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson. The Dede Robertson Student Center was officially named in her honor, and Regent announced expansion plans, including a new patio addition. Regent also mourned the loss of Hon. Kenneth W. Starr, who served on the Regent University Board of Trustees.

Regent University launched an official podcast, How to Actually Change the World.

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"A far-reaching Word from the Lord... 

I was late for my lunch meeting on the top floor of the Grand Hotel, but I was famished, so I slipped into the coffee shop on the ground floor to get a quick bite. California is noted for its delicious, big cantaloupes, so I ordered a half of a cantaloupe with some cottage cheese. I bowed my head to say thanks, and then God began to speak to me. The waitress must have thought I wasn't hungry because I continued to pray at length before I started to eat. Here's what God was telling me before I started eating that modest lunch: 'I want you to return home, buy all of the land, and build your headquarters, and build a school for My glory.'"

Pat Robertson, "Cantaloupe and Cottage Cheese," in I Have Walked with the Living God (Chicago: Charisma House, 2020), pp. 99.

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Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson

(1978) & (2001-2010)

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Richard Gottier

(1979 - 1984)

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Bob Slosser

(1984 - 1990)

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David Gyertson

(1991 - 1993)

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Terrence Lindvall

(1993 - 1997)

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Paul Cerjan, Lt. Gen.

(1997 - 2000)

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Dr. Carlos Campo

(2010 - 2013)

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Chancellor of Regent University

Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson

(1980 - 2023)

First Dean: Dr. David Clark

Notable Events:

- School of Communication & the Arts opens (1978)

- SCA graduates Regent's first ever class (May 1980).

- School of Communication Institute of Journalism launched (1984)

- Regent launches a partnership with Corbin Bernson’s Home Theater films to produce In-Lawfully Yours. The film was written by a Communication & the Arts professor, and many COM students received a professional film credit for their participation on set in production, editing, filming and acting roles (2016).

First Dean: Dr. Philip Frost

Notable Events:

- School of Education opens (1980).

- Sing, Spell, Read, & Write education program begins (1983).

- School of Education launches pre-school (1984).

First Dean: Dr. Homer Figler

Notable Events:

- School of Business opens (1982).

- The School of Leadership Studies develops an online M.A. program in Organizational Leadership, marking Regent as a model for online graduate education (1997).

- Regent creates its School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship, the result of combining its School of Leadership Studies and School of Business (2006).

- School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship changes name to School of Business & Leadership (2012).

First Dean: Dr. Jerry Horner

Notable Events:

- School of Divinity opens (1982).

- MDiv program launches (1985).

- School of Divinity achieves historic enrollment of 1,000 students for its March session (2017).

- School of Divinity launches their podcast "Voices of Renewal" (2020).

- School of Divinity launches a new residential Masters of Divinity in Biblical Literature & Languages (2023).

First Dean: Dr. Herbert Titus

Notable Events:

- Robertson School of Government opens (1983) 

- School of Public Policy changes its name to School of Government (1992), which then becomes Robertson School of Government (1993).

- Hon. Michele Bachmann is named dean of the Robertson School of Government (2021).

- Robertson School of Government launches a new PhD. in Government degree (2023).

First Dean: Dr. Herbert Titus

Notable Events:

- School of Law opens (1986).

- Regent Law produces the winning team of the American Bar Association’s 2007 Negotiation Competition, succeeding Harvard (2007).

- Regent Law’s Moot Court program ranks in the Top 10 nationally (2015).

- Regent Law receives top overall bar passage rate in the Commonwealth of Virginia (2018).

- Regent Law launches the Grace Community Law Clinic in downtown Norfolk (2019).

- Regent Law unveils Robertson Center for Constitutional Law (2020).

- Regent Law launches a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Law degree program (2022). 

First Dean: Dr. George Selig

Notable Events:

- School of Psychology & Counseling opens (1988).

- The Doctorate Program in Clinical Psychology begins (1996).

- Regent announces the formation of the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, to include the School of Psychology & Counseling, the School of Nursing, and the School of Allied Health (2021).

First Dean: Dr. James Downey

Notable Events:

- School of Undergraduate Studies opens (2008).

- The School of Undergraduate Studies launches Regent’s first associate degree programs (2008).

- Regent University’s Board of Trustees approves the name change of the School of Undergraduate Studies to College of Arts & Sciences (2012).

- Regent launches 17 new undergraduate certificates—with three to six classes each—offered both online and on-campus (2022).

- Regent receives the awards: 

• #1 Online Christian College in America (BibleCollegeOnline) (2020)
• #1 Online Bachelor’s in Virginia for the 10th consecutive year (U.S. News & World Report) (2022).
• #1 Online Christian College (Bible College Online) (2022).

First Dean: Dr. Simon Tarr

Notable Events:

- Honor's College opens (2020).

- Regent appoints Dr. Simon Tarr as the first dean of the Honors College taking over from Dr. Joshua McMullen who served as its director (2022).