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LCC History

A work in progress

The story of Lithuania Christian College's first decade is an account of how a seemingly impossible vision became reality. This "miracle" required, besides vision, a wide range of skills such as negotiating with government officials, construction and renovation of buildings, teaching, administering programs and more. People from various professional, academic and church backgrounds, many of them volunteers, were drawn into the task of building the College. You will find their stories and testimonies in this book.

Read a book here >

Timeline of history

At the invitation of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Lithuania Christian Fund began the establishment of Lithuania Christian College in the summer of 1991 in Panevėžys. That summer the college began with classes in the English language at the first Summer Language Institute. During the fall and spring of 1991-1992, students studied English full-time in the English Language Institute.

Following a move to Klaipėda in the summer of 1992, the second Summer Language Institute took place. The four-year college program began in the fall of 1992 when students began first year courses. May of 1996 saw the college's first commencement exercises. Twenty-two graduated.

From 1992 to 1999 LCC rented facilities within the Klaipėda University campus. In August 1994, after significant renovations, students and staff moved into Karklu Dormitory after the confirmation of a 20-year lease from Klaipeda's Maritime College.

In August 1999, LCC moved to new facilities on Kretingos gatvė in Klaipėda. Three hundred and fifty college students began the 1999-2000 academic year in the new facilities, DeFehr Center. Another 150 enrolled in the English language program.

In the fall of 2003 the Michealsen Center, a multi-purpose gymnasium auditorium, was dedicated. The facility provides LCC with space for all-campus gatherings and a wide variety of other activities, including many external rentals.

In the fall of 2007, Neumann Hall, a 196-bed residence hall, was dedicated. This greatly relieved the housing pressure as Karklu was unable to contain all residential students. The Karklu lease was terminated in 2011 and LCC's second campus-based residence hall, Enns Hall, was dedicated in the fall of 2011.

On August 1, 2007 the official name of the institution became LCC International University. In addition to over 600 degree-seeking students, LCC International University also offers a variety of courses in English. Each July the university hosts an intensive English language course for professionals, university students, and secondary students in Klaipeda. Regional Summer Language Programs have also been conducted in locations including Ukraine, Albania, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.

With regards to the development of academic programs over the years, in September 2000, the English Language and Literature and Business Administration majors were recognized by the Lithuanian Ministry of Education as B.A. degrees. In Summer 2002, Theology was recognized by the Ministry as a B.A. degree. In Summer 2008 the Ministry recognized Psychology as a B.A. degree and TESOL as an M.A. degree. In 2014 the MA in International Management program and the BA Communication programs were approved, and in 2015 the BA International Relations and Development program was approved. All undergraduate degree programs have been accredited.

LCC International University is a non-state higher education institution accredited as a university under the laws of Lithuania. It is a joint ministry initiative of its two stakeholders LCC International Fund Inc. (Canada), a Canadian registered charity, and LCC International Fund Inc. (US), a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. LCC International University is governed pursuant to a Lithuanian Statute and has an independent Board of Directors with representatives from Lithuania, Europe and North America.