Feature ARTICLE

Fall in Love with SAGU AIC

by Keilah Villa,
SAGU-AIC LIBRARIAN and SAGU M.A. GRADUATE

Get ready for a mouthful! Southwestern Assemblies of God University American Indian College might be the longest name of any college campus in existence. Those who have fallen in love with the school simply call it SAGU AIC.

This beautiful campus in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, experienced humble beginnings. Alta Washburn, an Assemblies of God missionary, had a heart for reaching and training Native Americans in Christian ministry. Her mission was firmly established when she opened All Tribes Indian Bible School (ATBS) in 1957. As it grew, ATBS became American Indian Bible Institute (AIBI), then American Indian Bible College (AIBC), and finally American Indian College (AIC). When SAGU and AIC partnered in 2016, the school was renamed once again — its official title now being SAGU American Indian College.

Alta Washburn’s mission remains today. SAGU AIC exists to equip Native Americans for Christian service, emphasizing Biblical truths and academic excellence within a Christian community. It has successfully done so. SAGU AIC alumni include pastors, educators, business professionals, tribal leaders, and others who are bringing positive change and the light of the gospel to their communities.

SAGU AIC offers eight on-campus degrees, a growing athletics program, campus life activities, and spiritual formation experiences. The campus prides itself on being Christ-centered, uniquely cultural, and destiny driven. Many assume that only Native Americans can attend, but the campus welcomes students of all colors and ethnicities. In the fall 2020 semester, enrollment hit a record high of 110 students. At its core, SAGU AIC is a family where everyone knows your name — even the campus president. There are countless reasons for prospective students to choose SAGU AIC.

In the coming years, SAGU AIC plans to significantly update the campus infrastructure to serve the next generations of students. This incredible project, GENERATIONS, will leave no building untouched. For example, the brand-new dormitories will have the capacity to house approximately 200 students (about three times the current capacity). The Lee Academic Center will be updated to include larger classrooms and a lecture hall. Every part of campus will be positively impacted. GENERATIONS will cost over $50 million, an amount that can only be raised through prayer.

Have you fallen in love with SAGU AIC? If so, please commit to praying for the campus. Pray that God knocks on the hearts of students to attend. Pray for the smooth daily operations of the campus. Pray for generous donors who will fund GENERATIONS. Pray for the campus to be continually filled with the presence of God. Pray that SAGU AIC has a powerful and eternal impact on the kingdom.

Want to learn more about SAGU American Indian College? First, connect with the campus on social media. Then visit Nelson Memorial Library (SAGU) or Dorothy Cummings Memorial Library (SAGU AIC) to read American Indian College: A Witness to the Tribes, edited by Dr. Joseph J. Saggio and Jim Dempsey.

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