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Featured image (above): Graduates celebrate during commencement at Lubbock Christian University in Texas, which recently earned classification as a Hispanic-serving institution.
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Kirk Brothers
FLORENCE, ALA. — After eight years as president of Heritage Christian University, Kirk Brothers will step down at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, the university announced.
Under Brothers’ guidance, HCU has expanded its academic offerings, increased student enrollment, invested in campus development and gained additional accreditation for its graduate programs.
Brothers plans to remain with the university as a faculty member.
“My feelings about the mission of HCU have only grown stronger,” he said.
LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
LUBBOCK, TEXAS — The U.S. Department of Education has classified Lubbock Christian University as a Hispanic-serving institution.
The federal designation recognizes higher education institutions where at least 25 percent of the total undergraduate enrollment is Hispanic.
LCU’s Hispanic population hit 28.6 percent this past academic year.

Graduates celebrate during commencement at Lubbock Christian University in Texas.
The university’s president, Scott McDowell, noted that Hispanic students make up more than 60 percent of the Lubbock public school system.
“We look forward to walking with this significant cohort of students and continuing to grow in ways that reflect our strong commitment to the Lubbock community,” McDowell said.
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON — The Religious Freedom Institute has relocated its D.C.-based headquarters to Pepperdine University’s branch campus in the nation’s capital.
While RFI remains on Pennsylvania Avenue, the move to Pepperdine’s campus “further solidifies our growing partnership, which is based on our shared commitment to defend religious freedom for everyone and our shared conviction that education must lead the way in bringing about needed change in this area,” said David Trimble, the institute’s president.
Danny DeWalt, Pepperdine’s senior vice president for global impact, said: “RFI has demonstrated transformative impact on shaping religious freedom policy and influence in the U.S. and across the globe. Pepperdine is honored to partner with RFI and to punctuate that partnership by integrating our offices for heightened effectiveness.”