810 W. Maine Street
Enid, Oklahoma 73701

Before its closing in 1998 due to financial difficulties, Phillips University was a well-respected private university known for providing a solid Christian education. Phillips was associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which was founded in the 1800s and modeled on the New Testament and whose reach extends to approximately 3,800 congregations world-wide. The campus, located on 40 acres in Enid, Oklahoma, has since been purchased by Northern Oklahoma College, which uses it as a satellite campus.

Phillips University was founded as Oklahoma Christan University by Dr. Ely Vaughn Zollars in 1906. Zollars was a member of the Christian Church and imagined a new school to prepare preachers for the rapidly growing congregation. He got his wish. The school was renamed at Zollars' insistence upon the death of Thomas W. Phillips, Sr., a major donor in the early days of the school. Phillips' financial contributions funded the building of a library and helped start the school's endowment.

Phillips University filed for bankruptcy in 1998 and closed its doors the same year, although Phillips Theological seminary still operates in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Although Phillips University closed, the school's mission is being carried out as much as possible by the Phillips University Legacy Foundation, which provides scholarships for young people interested in attending one of the 17 colleges and universities affiliated with the Christian Church. Selected undergraduate students receive annually renewable scholarship awards of up to $5,000.

Quick Facts:

In addition to providing scholarships, the Phillips University Legacy Foundation sponsors leadership conferences and seminars and maintains artifacts from the university.

A museum for Phillips University artifacts and memorabilia is being created within the new Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, which will preserve and present the history of the region.

Phillips University student transcripts are available upon request through the Phillips Theological seminary.

The Phillips University Legacy Foundation is seeking $500,000 to fund an endowment for cultural and educational programming.

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.