The seminary adds an undergraduate college, then expands into a university.
Eastern’s 100-year history is built upon a vision that began with the founding of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (EBTS), whose legacy continues to shape the institution today. The addition of a liberal arts college to the Seminary was a transformative step that reflected the changing needs of students, society, and the institution itself. As the institution expanded, Eastern’s faith-rooted foundation endured, providing a constant guiding force throughout its progression.
In 1952, Eastern Baptist College (EBC) was established as a separate entity from EBTS as a response to a growing demand for a more robust collegiate education. Many of the Seminary’s students lacked formal collegiate degrees, which limited their academic and professional opportunities. After purchasing and moving to the former Charles S. Walton estate in St. Davids, PA, the College began offering a four-year liberal arts degree, with a focus on laying academic foundations in order to train students for ministry and leadership roles. The decision to offer a full four-year degree program helped bridge the academic gap that students were missing while equipping them with a broad-based undergraduate education that enabled them to better serve their communities, the Church, and the world.
Although EBC’s geographical roots were planted on a different campus than EBTS, it remained deeply committed to its faith-filled identity. Students were encouraged to take courses on religion, attend chapel services, and participate in spiritual practices. Similar to the Eastern we know today, faculty members would often begin class with prayer, ensuring that the school’s Christian ethos permeated all aspects of campus life. Faith remained the cornerstone of the institution’s identity.
The early years of EBC were not without their struggles. The College faced financial difficulties, enrollment challenges, and periods of uncertainty that threatened its future. Through persistence, prayer, a shared commitment to the school’s mission, and the grace of God, EBC weathered these storms.
As the student body grew, it became clear that it was essential to create opportunities for fellowship and social connection in order to develop a close-knit, communal culture. Traditions like Sadie Hawkins Day—a lighthearted event where women asked men to be their dates—and Senior Sneak—where the senior class would secretly escape campus overnight—became beloved aspects of student life that changed with each new generation.
Athletics, particularly basketball, also became a key source of school spirit. The basketball team was a center of energy, and students packed the gym to cheer on their peers, creating a lively atmosphere on campus and a sense of belonging. Students became interested in the College not only for its academic offerings and the opportunity to grow spiritually but also for the community-oriented culture, which has grown even stronger today.
In 1972, after nearly two decades as Eastern Baptist College, the institution changed its legal name to Eastern College: A Baptist Institution.
A few years later, in 1982, Eastern launched its first graduate program, the Master of Business Administration (MBA), marking a significant milestone in its development as a comprehensive institution of higher education. This expansion was part of a larger effort to meet the evolving needs of a society that was increasingly seeking professional and graduate-level education.
By the turn of the 21st century, Eastern College had grown into a vibrant institution, offering a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, leading it to achieve university status in December of 2001. This status reflected its expanded academic offerings, larger student body, and greater impact on the surrounding community.
Eastern College took another significant step forward in 2003 when EBTS rejoined the institution and was later renamed Palmer Theological Seminary in 2005 in honor of the Seminary’s third president, Dr. Gordon Palmer. This move solidified the connection between the College’s theological roots and its expanding academic offerings, ensuring that Eastern and Palmer’s commitment to faith-based education stayed at the heart of its mission, where it remains today.
Today, Eastern University’s flourishing academic community is a testament to the vision and persistence of those who came before, from the founders of EBTS to the many individuals who shepherded and stewarded the growth of Eastern Baptist College and Eastern College. While the institution has grown and changed over the decades and overcome many challenges, its faith-rooted foundation has remained a constant, shaping the lives of thousands of students who have gone on to make meaningful contributions in ministry, business, education, and beyond.
As we look to the future of the institution, we do so with a deep gratitude for our past and a continued commitment to providing faith-centered, transformative education for generations to come.