Regent University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Regent University, a private Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been shaping leaders since its founding by Pat Robertson in 1977 as Christian Broadcasting Network University. Renamed Regent University in 1990, the institution offers a wide array of programs, both on-campus and through distance education, encompassing associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees across more than 70 fields of study. With a strong emphasis on Christian leadership and academic excellence, Regent University has produced a diverse network of alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, both nationally and internationally.
A Foundation of Faith and Learning
The university's history is marked by steady growth and expansion. The first class, comprising seventy-seven students, began in the fall of 1978, utilizing leased classroom space in Chesapeake, Virginia. By 1980, the first graduating class celebrated its commencement, and the School of Education was established. That same year, the university established its presence on its current campus in Virginia Beach. The 1980s witnessed the addition of the schools of business, divinity, government, and law. Regent University received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1984.
In 1995, Regent briefly operated a secondary campus in Alexandria, Virginia. The Center for Professional Studies, launched in 2000, introduced an undergraduate degree-completion curriculum.
A Campus of Historicist Neo-Georgian Architecture
Regent University's 70-acre campus features historicist neo-Georgian architecture, situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Key buildings include the University Library Building, Robertson Hall (housing the Schools of Government, Law, and Undergraduate Studies), and the Communication & Performing Arts Center. The Communication & Performing Arts Center is a 135,000-square-foot building with two theaters, a production studio, sound stage, screening theaters, and a backlot. The 31,000-square-foot Student Center includes a bookstore, student organization offices, dining hall, computer lab, and student lounge. The Administration Building houses administrative offices and the School of Education. The Founders Inn and Spa hotel, completed in 1990, was initially part of the Christian Broadcasting Network before being acquired by Regent University. In 2018, it was sold to the Hilton Hotel company.
Academic Rigor and Notable Faculty
Regent University boasts a dedicated faculty, including Fulbright Scholars and individuals with backgrounds in politics. Former Attorney General under the Bush administration, John Ashcroft, joined as a distinguished professor in 2005, teaching courses in the Robertson School of Government. Former chief of naval operations Admiral Vern Clark also serves as a distinguished professor, teaching courses in leadership and government. In 2006, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak was a visiting faculty member for the school of undergraduate studies. Herb Titus, founding dean of the law school, was the 1996 vice-presidential candidate of the Constitution Party. Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell began teaching at Robertson School of Government in 2017. The School of Divinity includes theologians Graham Twelftree, Dean Emeritus H. Vinson Synan, Pentecostal theologian Amos Yong, and church historian Stanley M. Burgess.
Read also: Regent University Diploma Mill?
Athletics: The Royals
Regent University's athletic teams, known as the Royals, compete in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) as a member of the South Region of the Division I level. The primary logo consists of the letter "R" adorned with a crown. Notable Royals include 3x National Champion Marelly Balentina. On September 1, 2024, Regent University began its exploratory year in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and on November 19, 2024, the Royals joined the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference (C2C).
Notable Alumni: Leaders and Achievers
Regent University has produced a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. These individuals exemplify the university's mission of Christian Leadership to Change the World. The university has over 37,000 alumni across the globe, creating a positive impact on lives.
Here are some notable Regent University alumni:
Tony Hale: An acclaimed actor and comedian, best known for his roles as Buster Bluth in the Fox series Arrested Development and Gary Walsh in the HBO series Veep. Hale has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on Veep.
Jay Sekulow: A prominent American lawyer, radio and television talk show host, and politically conservative media personality. He has served as chief counsel of the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) since 1991. He was also a member of President Donald Trump's legal team and served as lead outside counsel for Trump's first impeachment trial in the United States Senate. Sekulow holds a J.D., Ph.D.
Bob McDonnell: An American politician, attorney, businessman, academic administrator, and former military officer who served as the 71st governor of Virginia from 2010 to 2014. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Jordan Sekulow: An American lawyer, radio talk show host, former Washington Post blogger, political consultant, and author. He is the executive director at the American Center for Law & Justice.
Daniel Kelly: An American attorney and former judge who served as a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice from August 1, 2016, through July 31, 2020.
Charles Martin: A New York Times best-selling author from the Southern United States. Martin earned his B.A. in English from Florida State University and went on to receive an M.A. in Journalism and a Ph.D. in Communication from Regent University.
Sharon Weston Broome: A Louisiana politician who served as mayor-president of Baton Rouge, Louisiana between 2017 and 2025. She was elected mayor-president in a runoff election held on December 10, 2016. Broome is the first African-American woman to serve as mayor-president. Broome, M.A.
Nicole Johnson: An American beauty queen, author, public health professional and activist. Crowned Miss America 1999 and Miss Virginia 1998, she became the first Miss America with diabetes and the first contestant to publicize the use of an insulin pump.
Scott Rigell: Represented Virginia's 2nd congressional district from 2011 to 2017. He declined to run for re-election in 2016, and he left office in January 2017.
Richard Corcoran: An American politician who was speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. From 2019 to 2022, Corcoran was the state's education commissioner. In 2023, he became president of the New College of Florida.
Bobby Dyer: An American politician serving as the mayor of Virginia Beach, Virginia since 2018. Dyer has also been a physical therapist for over 40 years and a professor of government at his alma mater, Regent University. Dyer, Ph.D.
Gordon Klingenschmitt: An American religious figure, former US Navy chaplain, and former politician.
Tom Kmiec: A Polish-Canadian politician who serves as the Member of Parliament for Calgary Shepard in the House of Commons of Canada under the Conservative Party of Canada, first elected in 2015.
Tom Thompson: An American former college football player. He has been the kicking coach for the football team at Austin College since the 2010 season.
Peter M. McCoy Jr: An American attorney and politician who served as the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina from 2020 to 2021.
Winsome Sears: An American politician and Marine Corps veteran serving as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Virginia. She is running for the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election.
Leroy Gilbert: A former officer in the United States Navy and Chaplain of the United States Coast Guard. Enrolled in Regent University Graduated with Doctor of Philosophy.
Zach Whiting: An American politician and policy analyst.
Allan Day: A retired United States Air Force major general who recently served as the director of logistics operations of the Defense Logistics Agency.
These alumni, through their diverse accomplishments and commitment to their respective fields, embody the values and principles instilled by Regent University.
Accreditation and Rankings
Regent University holds numerous accreditations from bodies including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Specialty accreditations include American Bar Association (ABA), Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), American Psychological Association (APA), The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Regent University is a premier Christian university. U.S. News & World Reportâs 2022 Best College review. Regentâs online bachelorâs program is top-rated in Virginia by USNWR. The university is also in the top two percent of schools nationally to receive an âAâ rating for its comprehensive undergraduate liberal arts curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni and is a top military-friendly university. The schoolâs online Education and Business programs also rank in the top 5 in Virginia by USNWR.
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