Patrick Henry College
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2008-07-13T23:54:53Z
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{{Infobox_University
|name =Patrick Henry College
|native_name =
|latin_name =
|image =[[Image:PatrickHenryCollege-seal.gif]]
|motto =''Pro Christo et Libertate''
|mottoeng =For Christ and for Liberty
|established =2000
|type =Private
|endowment =
|staff =
|faculty =25 full-time<br>8 adjunct<ref name=catalog>[http://www.phc.edu/admissions/catalog/Final%202006-7%20catalog.pdf Academic Catalog] Retrieved on: [[May 25]], [[2007]]</ref>
|president =Graham Walker
|provost =Gene Edward Veith
|principal =
|rector =
|chancellor =[[Mike Farris]]
|vice_chancellor =
|dean =
|head_label =
|head =
|students =325
|undergrad =
|postgrad =
|doctoral =
|profess =
|city =[[Purcellville, Virginia|Purcellville]]
|state =[[Virginia|VA]]
|country =[[United States|U.S.]]
|campus =Suburban 100+ acres (400,000 m²)
|free_label =
|free =
|colors =Blue and Gold
|colours =
|mascot =Sentinel
|nickname =
|affiliations =
|footnotes =
|website =[http://www.phc.edu www.phc.edu]
|address =One Patrick Henry Circle<br>Purcellville, VA 20132
|telephone =540-338-1776
|coor =
|logo =
}}
'''Patrick Henry College''', or '''PHC''', is a private, non-denominational [[Protestant]] [[college]] that focuses on teaching classical [[liberal arts]] and [[government]], located in [[Purcellville, Virginia]]. It is the first college in America founded specifically for [[Christian]] [[homeschooling|home-schooled]] students,<ref name=TIME>{{cite web | title=From Home to Harvard | publisher=TIME | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,53959,00.html | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Rosin | first=Hanna | authorlink=Hanna Rosin | date=[[September 3]], [[2000]]}}</ref> and is known for its [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] Christian focus. As of [[April 17]], [[2007]], the college was nationally accredited by the [[Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools]], an accrediting organization recognized by the [[United States Department of Education|Department of Education]] and the [[Council for Higher Education Accreditation]].
The school was founded with the help of the [[Home School Legal Defense Association]], and now serves as the headquarters for the organization, with which it is still closely connected.
The college has gained much publicity because of its strong ties with the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and the Bush administration,<ref name=NewZealand>{{cite news
|last=Buncombe
|first=Andrew
|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=3563816
|title=Thou shalt be like Bush
|publisher=New Zealand Herald
|date=2004-05-01
|accessdate=2007-05-24}}</ref> and its high emphasis on debate and [[moot court]].<ref name="Oxford">[http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/050328Media.asp "Patrick Henry College Defeats Oxford Moot Court Team Again,"] Craig Smith, Patrick Henry College, [[March 28]], [[2005]] Retrieved on: [[May 25]], [[2007]]</ref> The school has also been criticized for the religious interpretations of science that all students and faculty must agree to and continually uphold.<ref name=NewScience>{{cite news
|last=Gefter
|first=Amanda
|url=http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg19225776.100
|title=Home-schooling special: Preach your children well
|publisher=New Scientist
|date=2006-11-11
|accessdate=2007-05-24}}</ref>
==History==
[[Image:Patrick Henry.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Patrick Henry College - Purcellville, Virginia]]Patrick Henry College was incorporated in 1998 by [[Michael P. Farris|Michael Farris]], founder of the [[Home School Legal Defense Association]]. It officially opened [[September 20]], [[2000]], with a class of 92 students. Since then the school has grown to approximately 325 students. Because the school does not ask for race on applications the ethnic demographics are unknown. The college refuses to accept any federal financial aid and therefore is relieved from Department of Education reporting requirements on the racial makeup of its student body.<ref name=race>{{cite journal
| title = Patrick Henry College: White, Bright, and Christian
| journal = The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
| issue = 33
| date = [[October 31]], [[2001]]
| doi = 10.2307/2678918
| accessdate = 2007-08-08 | pages = 67
}}</ref>
Patrick Henry College receives all of its funding from tuition money or personal donors. The college states that it does not accept any money "from government, or any other source that includes terms which supersede the authority of our Board of Trustees or conflict with our foundational statements. Patrick Henry College also operates without debt, adding new facilities and programs only as funds are available. Instead, it relies heavily on giving of people across the country to meet their financial obligations.<ref>{{cite web | title=How Can I Support PHC | url=http://www.phc.edu/support/default.asp | accessdate=2007-05-30}}</ref> The Home School Legal Defense Association remains one of the primary benefactors of the school and all members of the association receive a thirteen hundred dollar grant if accepted as students.<ref>{{cite news
|last=Smith
|first=J. Michael
|url=http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/washingtontimes/200606060.asp
|title=Patrick Henry College Gains Notice
|publisher=Washington Times Op-ed
|date=2006-06-06
|accessdate=2007-06-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Financial Aid | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/admissions/financialaid/offer2007-2008.asp | accessdate=2007-06-02}}</ref>
===Media attention===
The school has been the subject of media attention from its inception, attracting reports from every major network and cable news organization, and being the subject of articles in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'',<ref name=TIME>{{cite web | title=From Home to Harvard | publisher=TIME | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,53959,00.html | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Rosin | first=Hanna | authorlink=Hanna Rosin | date=[[September 3]], [[2000]]}}</ref> ''[[The New Yorker]]'',<ref name=NewYorker>{{cite web | title=God and Country | publisher=The New Yorker | url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/06/27/050627fa_fact | accessdate=2007-08-08 | last=Rosin | first=Hanna | authorlink=Hanna Rosin | date=[[September 3]], [[2000]]}}</ref> ''[[The Economist]]'',<ref name=Economist>{{Citation
| title = Dreaming of spires; The next stage. (What home-schoolers do next)
| newspaper = The Economist
| year = 2004
| date = [[February 28]], [[2004]]
| accessdate = 2007-08-08
| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113730963.html}}</ref> the ''[[New York Times]]'',<ref name=NYTimes>{{cite news
| last = Kirkpatrick
| first = David D
| title =
College for the Home-Schooled Is Shaping Leaders for the Right
| publisher = New York Times
| date = [[March 8]], [[2004]]
| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/08/education/08HOME.html?ex=1394168400&en=15fb7af553c976b8&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND
| accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref> and others. Most recently, the college was the subject of the [[television documentary]] ''God's Next Army'', which aired in the spring of 2006 on Britain's [[Channel 4]] and the [[Discovery Channel|Discovery Times Channel]] in the United States.<ref name=Godsnextarmy>{{cite web | title=God's Next Army | publisher=Chanel 4 | url=http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/can_you_believe_it/debates/godsarmy.html | accessdate=2007-06-13 }}</ref> Initial media interest stemmed from the fact that the college deliberately sought students with [[Homeschooling|homeschooled]] backgrounds.<ref>{{cite web | title=Distinctives and Nonnegotiable Principles | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/about/DistinctivesNonnegotiables.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29}}</ref> As time went on, it also attracted notice because of a perceived closeness with the [[George W. Bush|Bush administration]], which had given the school's students a number of White House [[internship]]s and opportunities. In the spring of 2004, of the almost 100 student [[intern]]s working in the White House, seven were from Patrick Henry College, which had only 240 students at the time.<ref name=NYTimes>{{cite news
| last = Kirkpatrick
| first = David D
| title =
College for the Home-Schooled Is Shaping Leaders for the Right
| publisher = New York Times
| date = [[March 8]], [[2004]]
| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/08/education/08HOME.html?ex=1394168400&en=15fb7af553c976b8&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND
| accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref> This is the same number of interns [[Georgetown University]] had during the same period.<ref name=BumpyBusRide>{{cite web | title=Young, Gay Christians On a Bumpy Bus Ride | publisher=The Washington Post | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041202438.html?hpid=sec-artsliving | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Rosin | first=Hanna | date=[[April 13]], [[2007]]}}</ref> [[Hanna Rosin]], a well-known writer who has covered religion and politics for the [[Washington Post]], the [[The New Yorker|New Yorker]], [[The New Republic]], [[GQ]], and the [[New York Times]], wrote a book about Patrick Henry College entitled, "God's Harvard: A Christian College on a Mission to Save America", released [[September 10]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite book
| last = Rosin
| first = Hanna
| title = God's Harvard: A Christian College on a Mission to Save America
| publisher = Harcourt Trade Publisher
| date = September 2007
| pages = 320 pp.
| isbn = 9780151012626
| url = http://www.harcourtbooks.com/bookcatalogs/bookpages/9780151012626.asp
| accessdate = 2007-09-17}}</ref> Additionally, the college's moot court team was the subject of an independent feature film shot on campus during summer 2007 by Advent Film Group, a startup Christian production company. The film is marketed primarily to a homeschooling audience, and was released in the summer of 2008.<ref>{{cite news
|last=Pride
|first=Sarah
|url=http://phc.edu/news/docs/20070711Media.asp
|title=Advent Films Brings Full-length Feature to College
|publisher=Patrick Henry College
|date=2007-07-11
|accessdate=2007-07-12}}</ref>
===Accreditation===
The school is nationally [[school accreditation|accredited]] by the [[Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools]], which announced its decision to grant full accreditation on [[April 17]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite web | title=TRACS GRANTS PHC FULL ACCREDITATION STATUS | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/04182007Media.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Halbrook | first=David | date=[[April 17]], [[2007]]}}</ref> The college previously suffered a setback in the spring of 2002 when it was refused accreditation by the [[American Academy for Liberal Education]] because of its requirement that faculty teach in favor of [[Young Earth Creationism|creationism]].<ref>{{cite web | title=PHC Appeals Discriminatory Accreditation | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/200205100.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29 | date=[[May 9]], [[2002]]}}</ref> Likewise, the college filed for preliminary accreditation with the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] (SACS), the principal accreditation institution for the Southeast, but then stopped pursuing accreditation from the association.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Chandler
| first = Michael Alison
| title = Christian Group Accredits School
| publisher = Washington Post
| date = [[April 20]], [[2007]]
| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/19/AR2007041902584.html
| accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref> On [[June 30]], [[2005]], the school was officially recognized by the [[United States Department of Education]] as an eligible institution for DOE programs. It also allowed students to use more scholarships and grants and made donors and students eligible for various tax benefits.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ruling Opens Up Tax Benefits to PHC Parents | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/050718Media.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Kiser | first=Michael | date=[[July 18]], [[2005]]}}</ref>
===Administrative and faculty changes===
In a dispute in March 2006, five of the college's sixteen faculty members—Erik Root, Robert Stacey, Kevin Culberson, Todd Bates, and David Noe—resigned in protest, claiming that the President's interpretation of the college's Biblical Worldview policy, which all faculty must sign, restricted [[academic freedom]].<ref name=pbs>{{cite web | title=Interview: Erik Root | publisher=PBS | work=Religion & Ethics Newsweekly (PBS) | url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week939/interview2.html | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Lawton | first=Kim | date=[[May 26]], [[2006]]}}</ref><ref name=latimes>{{cite web | title=A Clash of Ideas at Evangelical College | publisher=LA Times | work=5 of Patrick Henry's 16 faculty members leave over its mission and curriculum | url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1036057571.html?dids=1036057571:1036057571&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+13%2C+2006&author=Molly+Hennessy-Fiske&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.4&desc=THE+NATION | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Henessy-Fiske | first=Molly | date=[[May 13]], [[2006]]}}</ref> All resulting faculty vacancies were filled by the beginning of the fall 2006 semester.<ref>{{cite web | title=Faculty Positions at PHC Filled | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/07282006Media.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Halbrook | first= David | date=[[May 28]], [[2006]]}}</ref>
Farris announced his resignation as president of the college on [[March 6]], [[2006]], to take on a new role as [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]]. Graham Walker, formerly of [[Oklahoma Wesleyan University]], was named the new president on [[April 3]]. Farris' resignation took effect once Walker assumed the role and responsibilities of president in July 2006.
In April 2006, the college named author and educator Gene Edward Veith as Academic Dean. Formerly the cultural editor of ''[[World (magazine)|WORLD Magazine]]'', Veith began his new position on [[July 1]], [[2006]].<ref name=pbs>{{cite web | title=Interview: Erik Root | publisher=PBS | work=Religion & Ethics Newsweekly (PBS) | url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week939/interview2.html | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Lawton | first=Kim | date=[[May 26]], [[2006]]}}</ref><ref name=phc01>{{cite web | title=Patrick Henry College Names New Academic Dean | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/05102006Media.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Halbrook | first=David | date=[[May 10]], [[2006]]}}</ref> As part of multiple structural and administrative changes implemented in November 2006, Veith was appointed to the position of provost and oversees the departments of Academic Affairs and Student Life.
[[Image:Founders Hall.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Founders Hall and Patrick Henry Circle]]
==Religious affirmations==
All students sign a Statement of Faith before they arrive, affirming belief in what the college considers core Christian doctrines. For example, students are asked to acknowledge "[[Satan]] exists as a personal, malevolent being who acts as tempter and accuser, for whom [[Hell]], the place of [[Eternity|eternal]] punishment, was prepared, where all who die outside of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]] shall be confined in conscious torment for eternity", and that "[[Christ]]'s death provides substitutionary [[atonement]] for our [[sin]]s."<ref>{{cite web | title=Statement of Faith | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/about/faith.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29}}</ref> The college has [[non-denominational]] [[Christian]] beliefs.
Teaching faculty must also sign a statement of faith and "Biblical Worldview"<ref name=BiblicalWorldview>{{cite web | title=Statement of Biblical Worldview | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/about/BiblicalWorldview.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29}}</ref> stating that they believe that the [[Bible]] is the authoritative word of God. This includes [[Young Earth creationism| the Young Earth interpretation of Genesis]]. The claims of both [[evolution]] and [[creation (theology)|creation]] are part of the curriculum at Patrick Henry, though the college's official position on the issue is that six-day creation is "both biblically true and is the best fit to observed data".<ref name=BiblicalWorldview>{{cite web | title=Statement of Biblical Worldview | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/about/BiblicalWorldview.asp | accessdate=2007-05-29}}</ref> New Scientist, a science publication, has claimed that Patrick Henry College and the homeschooling community in general are "possibly threatening the public school system that has fought hard against imposing a Christian viewpoint on science teaching."<ref name=NewScience>{{cite news
|last=Gefter
|first=Amanda
|url=http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg19225776.100
|title=Home-schooling special: Preach your children well
|publisher=New Scientist
|date=2006-11-11
|accessdate=2007-05-24}}</ref> The New Scientist article protests what its author views as false scientific teaching in that, while the claims of [[macroevolution]] are presented in the classroom, those claims are typically viewed from a critical perspective.
In a recent radio phone in to ''[[Fresh Air]]'' on [[National Public Radio]],<ref>{{Citation
| last =Halbrook
| first =David
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| year =2006
| date =June 22
| accessdate =2007-06-01
| title =Dr. Farris Appears on NPR’s “Fresh Air”
| place =
| publisher =Patrick Henry College
| edition =
| volume =
| id =
| isbn =
| url =http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/06022006Media.asp
}}</ref> the former president of Patrick Henry College, [[Michael Farris]], commented that the college held the view that its [[faith]] was the only true faith and path to [[heaven]], and expressed disapproval of certain views of religious [[toleration]]. Concerns were expressed that this viewpoint was a threat to American [[democracy]], considering that the [[Founding Fathers]] of America made no mention of a particular religion in their original documents.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Clooney
| first = Nick
| authorlink = Nick Clooney
| title = Tolerance Collides with Intolerance
| work = Op-Ed
| publisher = Cincinnati Post
| date = [[June 9]], [[2006]]
| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-146858276.html
| accessdate = 2007-05-30}}</ref>
On [[April 12]], [[2007]], [[Soulforce (organization)|Soulforce]], a group advocating the acceptance of a variety of sexual practices, selected Patrick Henry College as the location for one of the group's stops on its annual "Equality Ride", the purpose of which is to protest the stance of conservative Christian colleges concerning homosexuality. Like many other Christian colleges, Patrick Henry did not allow Soulforce to enter the university premises, though the college did offer to send student representatives to conduct a formal debate at a neutral location on the merits of the proposed [[Federal Marriage Amendment]] to the [[U.S. Constitution]].<ref name=FedMarriage>{{cite news
|last=Halbrook
|first=David
|url=http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/04092007Media.asp
|title="Soulforce Equality Ride" Targets PHC
|publisher=Patrick Henry College
|date=2007-04-09
|accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref> Soulforce organizers declined this offer and notified the college of their intent to enter the campus to speak directly with students. When the college again refused to allow the group on campus, Soulforce formed a picket line outside the entrance to the campus, where they protested for approximately five hours before leaving because of inclement weather.<ref>[http://www.soulforce.org/article/1158 "2007 Equality Ride East Bus Route: Patrick Henry College,"] retrieved [[16 January]] [[2009]].</ref> The protest was largely peaceful and without incident, though two protesters were peacefully arrested for trespassing after attempting to enter the campus.<ref name=peaceful>{{cite news
|last=Halbrook
|first=David
|url=http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/04132007Media.asp
|title="Soulforce Equality Ride" Passes Peacefully
|publisher=Patrick Henry College
|date=2007-04-13
|accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref><ref name=BumpyBusRide>{{cite web | title=Young, Gay Christians On a Bumpy Bus Ride | publisher=The Washington Post | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041202438.html?hpid=sec-artsliving | accessdate=2007-05-29 | last=Rosin | first=Hanna | date=[[April 13]], [[2007]]}}</ref><ref name=arrest>{{cite news
|last=Jackson
|first=Charlie
|url=http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/2007/04/13/news/fp9890phc041207.txt
|title=Two Arrested As Gay Rights Group Gathers At Patrick Henry College
|publisher=Patrick Henry College
|date=2007-04-12
|accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref>
==Campus==
[[Image:Red Hill.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Red Hill]]
[[Image:Residential Village.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Patrick Henry College Residential Village]]
Patrick Henry College is located in the town of Purcellville in rural northern Virginia, approximately 40 miles northwest of Washington D.C. The campus currently consists of six buildings arranged around a retention pond popularly called "Lake Bob",<ref>{{cite news
| first =Libby
| last =Copeland
| authorlink =
| author =
| coauthors =
| title =Higher Yearning: At Patrick Henry College, Home-Schooled Students Learn to Confront the World
| url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A19351-2001Nov26¬Found=true
| format =
| work =
| publisher =Washington Post
| id =
| pages =
| page =Page C01
| date =[[November 27]], [[2001]]
| accessdate =2007-06-01
| language =
| quote =
}}</ref> as well as several athletic fields. The largest and most prominent structure, Founders Hall, opened in 2000 and contains three classrooms, a dining hall, a library, a weight room, and various administrative and faculty offices. It is also home to the offices of the Home School Legal Defense Association.
The school's residential village is composed of five residence halls located along the edges of the lake. There are two men's dorms (Red Hill and Oak Hill) and three women's dorms (Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Montpelier). The four smaller dorms opened in 2001, while the largest residence hall, Red Hill, opened in 2003.<ref>{{cite web | title=Dorm Life | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/studentlife/DormLife.asp | accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref> In addition to student housing, Red Hill also contains three classrooms and an office suite on its basement level. Located in the basement of Mount Vernon is an auditorium referred to as Town Hall, where the school's daily chapel sessions and other special events are held.
The college is currently in the process of constructing a 105,000-square-foot Student Life Center, which when completed will house a new food court, an indoor gymnasium and running track, and multiple other athletic facilities. Construction of the building's superstructure began in late November 2006.<ref>{{cite news
| first =David
| last =Halbrook
| authorlink =
| author =
| coauthors =
| title =New Student Life Center Underway
| url =http://phc.edu/news/docs/03122007Media.asp
| format =
| work =
| publisher =Patrick Henry College
| id =
| pages =
| page =
| date =[[March 12]], [[2007]]
| accessdate =2007-06-01
| language =
| quote =
}}</ref>
==Academics==
Students at the school can specialize within one of two tracks of study: [[Political science|Government]] or [[Classical education movement|Classical]] [[Liberal arts|Liberal Arts]]. The Government department offers majors in Government and the option to specialize in [[public policy|Domestic Policy]], [[International relations|International Policy]], [[Political philosophy|Political Theory]], [[Espionage|Strategic Intelligence]], or an "undeclared general" government track. Patrick Henry College also offers a degree in [[Journalism]], while the Classical Liberal Arts department offer degrees in [[Classical education movement|Classical Liberal Arts Education]], [[History]], and [[Literature]].
The Government department's Public Policy degree was the first one offered by the college, and is still largely seen as its "[[flagship]]" program, with close connections to the [[George W. Bush]] administration, Washington, DC [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]], and conservative [[think tank]]s and organizations. In late November 2006, the school announced plans to split this track into separate domestic and foreign policy tracks.
The college has a 100% placement rate among graduates who have applied to law school, with the majority of students receiving admission to [[Law school in the United States#Top tier law schools|first tier]] law schools, such as [[Georgetown University Law Center]] and [[University of Virginia Law School]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Are You Considering Law School After College | publisher=Patrick Henry College (as saved by the Internet Archive on [[February 7]], [[2007]]) | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070207030048/http://phc.edu/news/docs/200405040.asp | accessdate=2007-11-01}}</ref> including two students who have been accepted to [[Harvard Law School]].<ref>{{cite news
| last = Braund
| first = Allison
| title = PHC Grad Accepted to Harvard Law
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| date = [[May 1]], [[2007]]
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/05012007Media.asp
| accessdate = 2007-05-31}}</ref>
Patrick Henry College is currently accredited through the [[Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools]], a federally-recognized accrediting agency. On [[January 24]], [[2007]], the school successfully completed an on-site review by a TRACS assessment team, and was granted full accreditation in April.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Halbrook
| first = David
| title = TRACS Completes PHC Accreditation Site Review
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| date = [[January 25]], [[2007]]
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/01252007Media.asp
| accessdate = 2007-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last = Halbrook
| first = David
| title = PHC Granted Accreditation by TRACS
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| date = [[April 17]], [[2007]]
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/04182007Media.asp
| accessdate = 2007-05-31}}]</ref>
Patrick Henry offers many of its core classes online, utilizing ANGEL technology. ANGEL is an online program which hosts chats, forums, uploads, and email for students. This website enables students to participate in a class with other students from their own homes. Tuition for the program is less than the cost of on-campus education.
===Faculty===
Of the twenty-five full-time professors, twenty-one have at least one [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]]; one professor has a [[D.M.A.]], and another holds an [[Ed.D.]]<ref name=liberalarts>{{cite web | title=Department of Classical Liberal Arts Professors | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/academics/liberalarts/default.asp | accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Department of Government Professors | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/academics/government/default.asp | accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref> The college's founder and chancellor, [[Mike Farris]], has a [[J.D.]]<ref name=catalog>[http://www.phc.edu/admissions/catalog/Final%202006-7%20catalog.pdf Academic Catalog] Retrieved on: [[May 25]], [[2007]]</ref> Several of the faculty are well known having authored multiple books and been involved in national and global issues. These professors include chancellor Mike Farris who has authored several novels and critiques of constitutional law, and has argued numerous cases before federal and state high courts, as well as the United States Supreme Court. Provost Gene Edward Veith is the author of seventeen books on topics involving Christianity and culture, classical education, literature, and the arts; and is the culture editor of [[World (magazine)]].<ref name=liberalarts>{{cite web | title=Department of Classical Liberal Arts Professors | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/academics/liberalarts/default.asp | accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref> Recent faculty addition [[John Warwick Montgomery]] has distinguished himself by specializing in religious freedom in global [[human rights]] cases.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Halbrook
| first = David
| title = Renowned Apologist John Warwick Montgomery Joins PHC Faculty
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| date = [[July 31]], [[2007]]
| url = http://phc.edu/news/docs/20070802Media.asp
| accessdate = 2007-08-04 }}</ref> Finally, best-selling author David Aikman was a journalist for ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine for twenty-three years.<ref name=liberalarts>{{cite web | title=Department of Classical Liberal Arts Professors | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/academics/liberalarts/default.asp | accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref>
===Political views===
Patrick Henry College has been criticized for what some see as extreme [[conservatism]] and evangelical Christian [[ethos]], including [[creationism]] and its [[pro-life]] stance by many newspapers such as the New Zealand Herald<ref name=NewZealand>{{cite news
|last=Buncombe
|first=Andrew
|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=3563816
|title=Thou shalt be like Bush
|publisher=New Zealand Herald
|date=2004-05-01
|accessdate=2007-05-24}}</ref> New Scientist.<ref name=NewScience>{{cite news
|last=Gefter
|first=Amanda
|url=http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg19225776.100
|title=Home-schooling special: Preach your children well
|publisher=New Scientist
|date=2006-11-11
|accessdate=2007-05-24}}</ref> The school has also been criticized for an alleged Republican bias<ref name=FreshAir>{{cite news
|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5427797
|title=Patrick Henry College's Michael Farris
|publisher=Fresh Air from WHYY
|date=2006-05-24
|accessdate=2007-06-01}}</ref> with a New Zealand journalist criticising the college for its connections to the Bush administration.<ref name=NewZealand>{{cite news
|last=Buncombe
|first=Andrew
|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=3563816
|title=Thou shalt be like Bush
|publisher=New Zealand Herald
|date=2004-05-01
|accessdate=2007-05-24}}</ref> Janet Ashcroft, wife of [[John Ashcroft]], serves on the Board of Trustees.<ref>{{cite web | title=Patrick Henry College Board of Trustees | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/about/trustees/default.asp | accessdate=2007-06-01}}</ref> This has prompted the British newspaper ''[[The Independent]]'' to dub Patrick Henry College "The Bible College That Leads to the White House."<ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0421-09.htm The Bible College That Leads to the White House] Andrew Buncombe, Originally published on [[April 21]], [[2004]] by the Independent/UK</ref>
[[Image:PHC Student Center.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Artist's rendering of the Barbara Hodel student center building]]
===Civic involvement===
Patrick Henry College's educational model emphasizes both a firm grounding in classical liberal arts and active hands-on experience in students' areas of study. As a result, it encourages students to participate in off-campus activities and real-world activism outside the college experience. Government students are required to fulfill up to 24 credits of apprenticeship projects, which include internships, research and writing projects, and extracurricular activities such as [[Moot Court]] and [[Model United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Bachelor of Arts in the Government Major | publisher=Patrick Henry College | url=http://www.phc.edu/academics/government/bagovernment.asp | accessdate=2007-06-01}}</ref> Students currently serve as interns in a wide variety of organizations, including the White House, congressional offices, and think-tanks. Students are active in local and national politics, and members of the Patrick Henry [[College Republicans]] chapter often work with local political action groups to lobby for conservative issues at the federal and state levels. Classes are canceled the Monday before and Tuesday of the national elections so that students may volunteer on political campaigns if they so choose; and many students act as Student Action Team leaders for [[Generation Joshua]], leading groups of usually homeschooled high school students volunteering on campaigns across the United States. A number of students volunteer with the Purcellville Rescue Squad and The Vibe (formerly known as the Purcellville Teen Center).<ref>{{cite web | title=Volunteering at The Vibe at Purcellville Teen Center | publisher=Purcellville Teen Center | url=http://www.the-teen-center.com/volunteers.html | accessdate=2007-06-01}}</ref>
==Student life==
[[Image:Bobtism.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A male student is dunked in Lake Bob after announcing his engagement.]]As of November 2006, The Student Life Department is presided over by Administrative Dean for Student Life, Sandra Corbitt, and falls under the authority of the Provost. The college has many rules of behavior typical of conservative, religious colleges. Students may not show [[Public display of affection|public displays of affection]] in college buildings. Students may not have sex outside of marriage, or use [[alcohol]] or [[tobacco]] while under the authority of the college, which is defined as any time during a semester while enrolled, on or off campus. Men and women are not allowed in each others' dorm rooms, and underclassmen are subject to a curfew. Firearms are prohibited on campus.<ref name=StudentHandbook>{{cite news
| title = 2006 Student Handbook
| pages = 60
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| url = http://www.phc.edu/studentlife/2006StudentHandbook.pdf
| accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref> The college has a number of traditions rooted in dorm life, including "bobtisms"--a [[portmanteau]] of [[Baptism]] and "Lake Bob", in which newly-affianced males are dunked.<ref>{{cite web | title=Izzy's Bobtism | publisher=HomeSchoolDebate Forum | url=http://www.homeschooldebate.com/phorum/viewtopic.php?p=42541&sid=6941127efcc5d7a9600a6be1871ba729 | accessdate=2007-06-02 | last=Dark Lord of Debate | date=[[September 25]], [[2005]]}}</ref>
Dancing is not allowed on campus, but students hold several school dances off-campus, including the annual spring Liberty Ball, usually held at a historic Civil War era manor or plantation. The first Liberty Ball, held during Patrick Henry College's inaugural year on the anniversary of [[Patrick Henry]]'s famous "[[Give me liberty or give me death]]" speech of [[March 23]] [[1775]], was organized by a parent and has since been assumed by student coordinators.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Social Activities - Liberty Ball
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| url = http://www.phc.edu/studentlife/Social/LibertyBall.asp
| accessdate = 2007-08-08 }}</ref> Another popular dance is the annual fall hoedown, which is a student sponsored barn dance which usually occurs in mid fall.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Social Activities - Hoedown
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| url = http://www.phc.edu/studentlife/Social/HoeDown.asp
| accessdate = 2007-08-08 }}</ref>
Students are active in multiple campus clubs including the [[College Republicans]], Eden Troupe (which produces regular stage dramas), the Streaming Media Network (which produces student films), and several philosophical and literary societies. Students also participate in the school's student government, which consists of a student senate composed of approximately 25 members, elected every fall semester; and a student president and vice president who run as a ticket and are elected every spring semester. Though it serves primarily as an advisory body to the college administration, it does have limited powers to enact campus policies and is considered an important part of life at Patrick Henry College.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Student Government
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| url = http://www.phc.edu/studentlife/StudentGovernment.asp
| accessdate = 2007-08-08 }}</ref> [[Image:PHC Debate Team.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Patrick Henry College has brought multiple trophies in every category that they compete in [[National Educational Debate Association|NEDA]] debate.]]
===Debate===
Debate is one of Patrick Henry College's primary extracurricular activities. The college is active in the [[National Educational Debate Association]] (NEDA), where students have consistently won many of the top awards at tournaments around the country.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Halbrook
| first = David
| title = PHC Debate Team Dominates Early Contests
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| url = http://phc.edu/news/docs/12042006Media.asp
| date = 2006-12-4
| accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref> The school is also active in the much larger invitational [[National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence]] (NPTE), though they have not been as successful on the national circuit.<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2007 NPTE Ranking Ordered By NPTE Points
| publisher = National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence
| url = http://npte.debateaddict.com/unleashed/rank.php?npteyear=2007&sort=points&start=1&end=713
| accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| title = 2006 NPTE Ranking Ordered By NPTE Points
| publisher = National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence
| url = http://npte.debateaddict.com/unleashed/rank.php?npteyear=2006&sort=points&start=1&end=1042
| accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| title = 2005 NPTE Ranking Ordered By NPTE Points
| publisher = National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence
| url = http://npte.debateaddict.com/unleashed/rank.php?npteyear=2005&sort=points&start=1&end=1078
| accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref> However, another large national tournament that Patrick Henry College is involved in is the [[National Parliamentary Debate Association]], which is America's largest college debate organization. Patrick Henry College also won the first place team trophy in the novice division at one regional tournament in 2003, against schools such as Purdue, University of South Carolina, Ball State, and Notre Dame.<ref>{{cite journal
| title = Debate Team Triumphs Again
| journal = The Trumpet Monthly - Patrick Henry College
| volume = Volume 3
| issue = No. 4
| date = Fall 2003
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/trumpet/2003_11/2003_11_03.asp
| accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref>
Students also compete in the American Collegiate Moot Court Association (ACMA), and had the winning teams at both the 2005 and 2006 ACMA National Tournaments. Moot court is a form of debate competition designed to simulate appellate arguments before the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]], in which teams of two students function as co-counsels and stand before a panel of judges to argue legal matters. Patrick Henry College won the ACMA National Tournaments back-to-back years in 2004 and 2005.<ref name=Mike>{{cite news
| last = Farris
| first = Mike
| title = Letter from the Chancellor
| publisher = Trumpet of Liberty (Patrick Henry College)
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/trumpet/monthly/2007/Winter_07_web.pdf
| date = Spring, 2007
| accessdate = 2007-06-05}}</ref><ref name=Defends>{{cite news
| last = Smith
| first = Craig
| title = PHC Moot Court Team Defends National Championship
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/06242006Media.asp
| date = January 24, 2006
| accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref> In 2005, Patrick Henry College not only won first overall but also won second, third, and fifth place, a feat that had never before been accomplished in ACMA history.<ref name=Mike>{{cite news
| last = Farris
| first = Mike
| title = Letter from the Chancellor
| publisher = Trumpet of Liberty (Patrick Henry College)
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/trumpet/monthly/2007/Winter_07_web.pdf
| date = Spring, 2007
| accessdate = 2007-06-05}}</ref><ref name=Defends>{{cite news
| last = Smith
| first = Craig
| title = PHC Moot Court Team Defends National Championship
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/06242006Media.asp
| date = January 24, 2006
| accessdate = 2007-08-20}}</ref> In 2006, the college took home the most trophies out of any school for the fifth straight year.<ref name=Mike>{{cite news
| last = Farris
| first = Mike
| title = Letter from the Chancellor
| publisher = Trumpet of Liberty (Patrick Henry College)
| url = http://www.phc.edu/news/trumpet/monthly/2007/Winter_07_web.pdf
| date = Spring, 2007
| accessdate = 2007-06-05}}</ref> In a much publicized event during the 2004-2005 academic year, Patrick Henry College's moot court team defeated that of [[Oxford University]]'s [[Balliol College]] in two separate competitions — one held in England using British law, and the other in Virginia using American law.<ref name="Oxford">[http://www.phc.edu/news/docs/050328Media.asp "Patrick Henry College Defeats Oxford Moot Court Team Again,"] Craig Smith, Patrick Henry College, [[March 28]], [[2005]], Retrieved on: [[May 25]], [[2007]]</ref>
===Athletics===
[[Image:PHC Basketball Court.jpg|right|thumb|250px|PHC's Basketball Court]]
Patrick Henry College competes as the Sentinels, fielding intercollegiate teams in men's and women's [[Football (soccer)|soccer]] and [[basketball]], and is a member of the [[National Christian College Athletic Association]] (NCCAA) and the Shenandoah-Chesapeake Conference. Students also participate in various intramural sports including [[softball]], [[volleyball]], [[fencing]], and [[ultimate (sport)|ultimate frisbee]]. Patrick Henry's Student Handbook states, "Our intercollegiate athletic program will always be secondary to our academic program,".<ref name=StudentHandbook>{{cite news
| title = 2006 Student Handbook
| pages = 60
| publisher = Patrick Henry College
| url = http://www.phc.edu/studentlife/2006StudentHandbook.pdf
| accessdate = 2007-06-01}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{sisterlinks}}
===Official===
*[http://www.phc.edu Patrick Henry College Official Website]
===Articles===
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/crossing_continents/4311709.stm Educating America's Christian Right] - An article by [[BBC]] on the college.
*[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0B17FA3D5A0C7B8CDDAA0894DC404482 College for the Homeschooled is Shaping Leaders for the Right] - [[New York Times]] article.
*[http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/050627fa_fact God and Country] - ''[[The New Yorker]]'' article.
*[http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0421-09.htm The Bible College That Leads to the White House]
* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/07/AR2005080701004.html Divide on Doctrine Fuels Fight Between Va. College, Ousted Clerk] - [[Washington Post]] article.
* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/120/12.0.html Shakeup at Patrick Henry College] - [[Christianity Today]] article.
* [http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:chronicle.com/daily/2006/05/2006051202n.htm 5 Departures on Patrick Henry Faculty Pose Question: Are Christianity and Liberal Arts Contradictory Missions?] - [[May 12]], [[2006]] article in [[The Chronicle of Higher Education]].
*[http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/can_you_believe_it/debates/godsarmy.html God's Next Army] - [[Channel 4]]'s June 2006 documentary film about PHC and its students.
*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/11/AR2006091101483.html Is He a Bridge or a Barrier: Christian College Hires New President After a Faculty Revolt] - Michael Alison Chandler, The Washington Post. Thursday, [[September 14]], [[2006]]
*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041202438.html?hpid=sec-artsliving Young, Gay Christians, On a Bumpy Bus Ride] (account of the Soulforce protest at PHC) - Hanna Rosin, The Washington Post. [[April 13]], [[2007]]
===See also===
*[http://adventfilmgroup.com/Site/Home.html Advent Film Group]
*[http://hslda.org Home School Legal Defense Association]
{{Colleges and universities in Virginia}}
[[Category:Christian universities and colleges]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 2000]]
[[Category:Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Virginia]]
[[Category:Conservative organizations in the United States]]
[[la:Collegium Patricii Henrici]]
[[sv:Patrick Henry College]]