Southeastern University 
The information on this page was last updated 4/11/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Southeastern University is a Christ-centered institution of higher learning. We are committed to providing a Christian college education designed to equip the next generation to go into the world as influential servant leaders in their careers and their communities.
Our campus is in sunny Lakeland, Florida, meaning students are treated to great weather and outdoor activities throughout the year. Lakeland is a vibrant community with a small-town feel and plenty of things to do. If you're looking for more, SEU is within an hour's drive of some of the nation's best beaches, as well as theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Southeastern University
1000 Longfellow Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33801
Website: seu.edu
Phone: 800-500-8760
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 590722789
CEO/President: Dr. Kent Ingle
Chairman: Rev. Terry Raburn
Board size: 32
Founder: J.C. Thames
Ruling year: 1947
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 05/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Southeastern University is anchored by Spirit-empowered education in a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community. Southeastern's global impact is marked by a deep commitment to transforming minds and engaging culture through the integration of faith, learning and service. Each student's divine design is nurtured and unleashed through the investment of faculty and staff, relationships within the community, the rigor of scholarship, diverse learning experiences and the discipline of spiritual formation, which propels students into a lifetime of serving the world in the Spirit of Christ.
Mission statement
Equipping students to discover and develop their divine design to serve Christ and the world through Spirit-empowered life, learning and leadership.
Statement of faith
In addition to our mission and vision statement, we hold fundamental truths about the Christian faith that include the following:
The Scriptures are inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
There is only one true God who is revealed in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
Jesus Christ, as God's son, was both fully human and divine.
We are proud of our affiliation with the Assemblies of God and our Pentecostal tradition. We are also proud to be a welcoming community for students from all Christian backgrounds and denominations. Our campus includes many Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc., as well as nondenominational students. Everyone shares a strong commitment to knowing Christ and making Him known, and we celebrate our theological similarities while appreciating our differences.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 114 of 1106 | 7 of 129 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 445 of 1107 | 50 of 129 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 258 of 1107 | 27 of 129 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 77 of 1106 | 7 of 129 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 10% | 7% | 5% | 11% | 40% | 40% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 22% | 12% | 14% | 8% | 2% | 2% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 78% | 88% | 86% | 92% | 98% | 98% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 88% | 88% | 85% | 86% | 86% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 92% | 99% | 96% | 105% | 105% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 81% | 87% | 82% | 91% | 91% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 8% | 1% | 4% | -5% | -5% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | 23% | 5% | 20% | -26% | -26% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 11% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 13% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.51 | 0.97 | 0.93 | 0.92 | 1.12 | 1.12 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.64 | 6.10 | 5.40 | 6.91 | 6.57 | 6.57 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.40 | 5.89 | 5.03 | 6.34 | 7.37 | 7.37 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.60 | 2.67 | 2.02 | 1.48 | 1.17 | 1.17 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.12 | 0.37 | 0.49 | 0.68 | 0.85 | 0.85 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.34 | 1.27 | 1.21 | 0.61 | 0.24 | 0.24 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 63% | 78% | 80% | 78% | 78% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 55% | 60% | 65% | 61% | 61% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 38% | 24% | 22% | 19% | 19% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $5,563,499 | $10,144,511 | $7,672,602 | $2,521,084 | $2,521,084 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $7,707,068 | $6,520,932 | $11,547,715 | $5,760,773 | $5,760,773 |
| Short-term investments | $9,092,453 | $9,068,378 | $328,064 | $8,896,568 | $8,896,568 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $22,363,020 | $25,733,821 | $19,548,381 | $17,178,425 | $17,178,425 |
| Long-term investments | $22,453,065 | $17,927,153 | $17,121,856 | $1,022,788 | $1,022,788 |
| Fixed assets | $91,384,771 | $94,944,356 | $97,972,571 | $94,176,271 | $94,176,271 |
| Other long-term assets | $282,268 | $304,079 | $418,528 | $555,361 | $555,361 |
| Total long-term assets | $114,120,104 | $113,175,588 | $115,512,955 | $95,754,420 | $95,754,420 |
| Total assets | $136,483,124 | $138,909,409 | $135,061,336 | $112,932,845 | $112,932,845 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $6,836,281 | $8,675,319 | $9,387,988 | $12,194,028 | $12,194,028 |
| Other current liabilities | $1,533,525 | $4,054,725 | $3,830,061 | $2,454,816 | $2,454,816 |
| Total current liabilities | $8,369,806 | $12,730,044 | $13,218,049 | $14,648,844 | $14,648,844 |
| Debt | $74,609,349 | $82,681,579 | $87,503,091 | $69,345,157 | $69,345,157 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $3,635,488 | $12,540,882 | $6,830,020 | $4,303,284 | $4,303,284 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $78,244,837 | $95,222,461 | $94,333,111 | $73,648,441 | $73,648,441 |
| Total liabilities | $86,614,643 | $107,952,505 | $107,551,160 | $88,297,285 | $88,297,285 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $34,709,873 | $16,623,275 | $12,762,053 | $12,888,588 | $12,888,588 |
| With donor restrictions | $15,158,608 | $14,333,629 | $14,748,123 | $11,746,972 | $11,746,972 |
| Net assets | $49,868,481 | $30,956,904 | $27,510,176 | $24,635,560 | $24,635,560 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $17,311,654 | $18,653,090 | $10,096,021 | $2,861,432 | $2,861,432 |
| Program service revenue | $124,688,048 | $111,917,808 | $118,462,802 | $117,011,069 | $117,011,069 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,012,826 | $170,087 | $452,092 | $327,630 | $327,630 |
| Other revenue | $20,847 | $27,798 | $405,104 | $95,433 | $95,433 |
| Total other revenue | $125,721,721 | $112,115,693 | $119,319,998 | $117,434,132 | $117,434,132 |
| Total revenue | $143,033,375 | $130,768,783 | $129,416,019 | $120,295,564 | $120,295,564 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $116,471,219 | $113,347,383 | $105,661,435 | $108,992,186 | $108,992,186 |
| Management and general | $14,062,762 | $14,965,916 | $17,090,280 | $16,482,566 | $16,482,566 |
| Fundraising | $1,198,332 | $1,019,536 | $1,145,582 | $1,145,463 | $1,145,463 |
| Total expenses | $131,732,313 | $129,332,835 | $123,897,297 | $126,620,215 | $126,620,215 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $11,301,062 | $1,435,948 | $5,518,722 | ($6,324,651) | ($6,324,651) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $11,301,062 | $1,435,948 | $5,518,722 | ($6,324,651) | ($6,324,651) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Dr Kent Ingle | President | $479,031 |
| Dr J Chris Owen | Executive Vice President | $357,081 |
| Jeffrey Spear Left 1221 | Former VP Finance/CFO | $217,096 |
| Roy Rowland IV | VP For Enrollment Management | $216,143 |
| Dr William Hackett | Provost Emeritus | $190,716 |
| Dennis Ross | Professor, Political Science | $190,082 |
| Dr Bethany Thomas | VP For Student Development | $172,932 |
| Dr Cody Lloyd | VP For Institutional Research | $161,286 |
| Phillip J Schmitt | VP Finance/Cfo (start 01/22) | $134,606 |
Compensation data as of: 5/31/2022
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 4/11/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Southeastern University has been training servant leaders since our founding in 1935 as Alabama Shield of Faith Institute. Through the 20th and into the 21st century, we have changed locations, expanded programs and buildings and graduated some of the most talented, dedicated servant leaders in the world, who have engaged the culture and made an influence for Jesus Christ. This brief timeline highlights some of the milestones of our university, and we expect many more to come in the future.
1935 - Founded in New Brockton, Alabama, as Alabama Shield of Faith Institute
1936 - Name changed to South-Eastern Bible Institute
1937 - First graduating class
1940 - Campus moved to Atlanta and renamed Beulah Heights Southeastern Bible Institute
1942 - Relocated to Capitol Avenue in Atlanta and renamed South-Eastern Bible Institute
1946 - Campus moved to Lakeland, Florida, at the former site of Lodwick School of Aeronautics, located at the current Tiger Town/Joker Marchant Stadium facility
1952 - Relocated to the current campus site on Longfellow Boulevard between Lake Bonny and Lake Holloway in Lakeland
1956 - Renamed South-Eastern Bible College
1973 - Bush Chapel dedicated and opened for worship
1977 - Renamed Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God
1986 - Received regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
1999 - Joined the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU)
2001 - Construction began on new residence halls, beginning with Aventura and followed by Esperanza and Destino
2003 - Construction completed on Sportsplex and Pansler Alumni-Student Union
2005 - Renamed Southeastern University
2007 - Tuscana Ristorante (on-campus restaurant) opened
2009 - Fire Athletics joined The Sun Conference of the NAIA
2010 - Longfellow Boulevard entrance renovation completed
2012 - Announced addition of new degree programs and multiple sports, including football, to begin play in 2014
2013 - Construction began on our new football stadium (later named Victory Field) and the College of Natural & Health Sciences building
2014 - Mi Casa Cafe renovated to accommodate Chick-fil-A Express; construction began on the choral rehearsal hall
2014 - Football kicked off at Victory Field, earning the Fire a 31-7 win at our inaugural home game
2014 - Plans approved for another major campus expansion, including new residence halls, classroom space and athletic venues
2015 - Construction began on Buena Vida 125,000-square-foot live/learn facility and the Student Activities Center expansion
2015 - Construction completed on the College of Natural & Health Sciences building, including a state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab, patient exam rooms, and laboratory classrooms
2016 - Student Activities Center expansion completed, enabling SEU to add wrestling to our available athletics
2016 - Construction of dormitories, classrooms and offices of Buena Vida completed
2016 - Pathways School of Excellence, a school dedicated to middle and high school students with disabilities, opened in the College of Education building
2016 - SEU's second doctoral degree, the Doctor of Ministry, launched with our first cohort
2016 - The first SEU student to earn a doctoral degree, Dr. Candi Ring, graduated with an EdD
2017 - The Buena Vida Food Court opened, featuring Back Yard Burgers, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Papa Johns Pizza
2021 - The SEU Welcome Center opened. The building serves as the official front door to the campus and connects to Addison Hall.
Program accomplishments
Top 1% fastest-growing institutions in the U.S.
Top 25% in affordability nationwide
10,000+ students worldwide