# Bethany University

> four-year private coeducational Christian university located in Scotts Valley, California

**Wikidata**: [Q4897794](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4897794)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bethany-university

## Summary  
Bethany University was a four-year private coeducational Christian university located in Scotts Valley, California, founded in 1919 and affiliated with the Assemblies of God USA. It offered undergraduate programs grounded in evangelical Christian principles before closing in 2013.  

## Key Facts  
- **Founded**: 1919 (references: inception).  
- **Closed**: 2013 (implied by cessation of operations).  
- **Location**: Scotts Valley, California, U.S. (coordinates: 37.075° N, 121.994° W).  
- **Type**: Private Christian university (wikidata_description).  
- **Religious Affiliation**: Assemblies of God USA (affiliation).  
- **Former Names**: Glad Tidings Bible Institute, Bethany Bible College, Bethany College (aliases).  
- **Identifiers**:  
  - ROR ID: 03xbgnq70.  
  - GRID ID: grid.470507.1.  
  - GNIS Feature ID: 219096.  
  - Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) ID: 110051.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When did Bethany University operate?  
A: It was founded in 1919 and closed in 2013, serving as an educational institution for nearly 94 years.  

### Q: What religious denomination was Bethany University associated with?  
A: It was affiliated with the Assemblies of God USA, a Pentecostal Christian organization.  

### Q: What types of academic programs did Bethany University offer?  
A: As a four-year university, it provided undergraduate degrees with a focus on Christian education, though specific programs are not detailed in available records.  

### Q: Why did Bethany University close?  
A: The closure in 2013 followed financial challenges and declining enrollment, common issues among small private colleges during that period.  

## Why It Matters  
Bethany University played a role in evangelical Christian higher education on the West Coast, training ministers and leaders aligned with the Assemblies of God USA. Its closure reflected broader trends in U.S. higher education, including financial pressures on small religious institutions. The university’s legacy persists through its alumni and archival records, offering insights into 20th-century Christian education.  

## Notable For  
- **Denominational Ties**: One of several U.S. universities affiliated with the Assemblies of God USA.  
- **Name Evolution**: Transitioned from Glad Tidings Bible Institute (1919) to Bethany University, reflecting expanded academic offerings.  
- **Unique Identifier**: ROR ID 03xbgnq70 distinguishes it in global research institution registries.  

## Body  
### History  
Bethany University was established in 1919 as Glad Tidings Bible Institute in San Francisco, later relocating to Scotts Valley. It underwent multiple name changes, becoming Bethany Bible College in 1959, Bethany College in 1977, and Bethany University in 1997. The institution closed in 2013 due to financial constraints.  

### Academic Profile  
The university offered four-year undergraduate programs emphasizing biblical studies, theology, and liberal arts from an evangelical Christian perspective. Its curriculum catered to students seeking careers in ministry or Christian service, aligned with Assemblies of God doctrines.  

### Location  
The campus was situated in Scotts Valley, California (37.075° N, 121.994° W), within Santa Cruz County. This location placed it near Silicon Valley while maintaining a rural setting conducive to focused religious study.  

### Identifiers and Classifications  
Bethany University is cataloged under multiple international identifiers:  
- **ROR ID**: 03xbgnq70 (research organization registry).  
- **GRID ID**: grid.470507.1 (Global Research Identifiers Database).  
- **IPEDS ID**: 110051 (U.S. Department of Education).  
- **GNIS Feature ID**: 219096 (U.S. Geological Survey).  

### Legacy  
Though closed, the university remains a subject of study in the history of American Christian education. Its archives are preserved through projects like the Wikipedia category "Bethany University alumni" and references in *The Encyclopedia of Pentecostalism*. The campus site has since been repurposed for commercial and community use.  

### Religious and Denominational Context  
As an Assemblies of God institution, Bethany University adhered to Pentecostal beliefs, emphasizing spiritual growth, evangelism, and the authority of the Bible. It belonged to a network of Assemblies of God-affiliated schools, including Vanguard University and Evangel University, though it operated independently.  

### Geographical and Cultural Impact  
As one of few Christian universities in Northern California, Bethany served students from the western U.S. and internationally. Its closure left a gap in regional religious education, prompting former students to transfer to institutions like Simpson University or Azusa Pacific University.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Google Knowledge Graph
3. GeoNames
4. Freebase Data Dumps
5. GRID Release 2016-12-06
6. Quora
7. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
8. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
9. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)