Corban College:
Questions and Answers About the Name Selection Process

Q: What does the name "Corban" mean?

A: Our new identity, Corban (used 82 times in the Old Testament), is a biblical word, referring to an offering or sacrifice, meaning "a gift dedicated to God." We are committed to see our students and our ongoing institutional mission remain just that. It is the goal of the Trustees and administration to protect our spiritual integrity as a college and to ensure that even a hundred years from now, the name will remain a description of why we exist.

Q: Why was Corban selected over other names?

A: We believe that after much prayer and a commitment to be open to God's leading, the name has consistently re-emerged in such a way that made it clear that it needed serious consideration. The name and its meaning best describe the continuing, internal core purpose of the College and its mission. There is little room for misunderstanding about our mission when taken in context with the new name.

Around 40 years ago when the college was in El Cerrito, California, the name appeared scrawled in a cement sidewalk on campus. It was put there by a volunteer worker during the construction of a new building, etched as a declaration of his personal sacrifice--that his work and the building itself was "dedicated to God". 

Here's what our campus pastor, Kent Kersey has to say....

I'm very excited about this word (Corban) taking a prominent place in our lives as students, faculty, and staff. Throughout Leviticus God teaches the Israelites about holiness and being set apart for His purposes. The word Corban is used in Leviticus to describe the ways Israelites could actually draw near to their God.

The word Corban reflects the idea of self-sacrifice. A flawless offering (Corban) demonstrated the worshipper's love and devotion to God. In giving the best, an Israelite used the Corban to demonstrate an absolute dependence on God.

Q

I can imagine an Israelite father watching over the births of the new spring lambs. One young male is the biggest, the strongest, the most spirited, and the most beautiful lamb he has ever seen. A thought goes through his mind, "this lamb could be the alpha male of my flock. This one Super-Lamb could make my flock the strongest for miles around."

This father has a choice to make. Either this flawless lamb will be his ticket to financial success, or it will be his Corban, his gift dedicated to God. This perfect lamb will either be his trophy or his offering. Giving up the prized lamb is not easy. Dedicating the best to God is never simple.

Although Corban is an Old Testament word, it has great implications for the Christian. The ideas of offering and sacrifice permeate the New Testament. We are still challenged to bring our best to God. The New Century Version translates Rom 12:1 this way: "So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship." It is not easy to dedicate your life as a living sacrifice.

Please pray with me that we will all see our lives as gifts dedicated to God.

Q: What is the history of the name change process?

A:  In 2003, the Trustees voted to pursue a name change, and an outside consulting firm was selected to objectively create a thorough branding process. They started with a list of about 150 names and added another 50 or more from various stakeholders and their own research. Testing of the names was done over a four month period. From that list, it was narrowed to 28 names and then ultimately to five of the top names. It was from this list that the Board made their final selection.

Q: Why did you not use the word "Christian" in your new name?

A: One of the criteria from the outset was to find a unique, one-word name. (Almost every college in the nation is identified by either a person's name or a geographical location). Choosing a word that might be combined with the word Christian did not meet our criteria.

Since one of our goals was to eliminate the word Western from our name to distinguish us from nearby Western Oregon University and Western Seminary, we did not want to create the same scenario with nearby Northwest Christian College who uses that name because of their affiliation with the Disciples of Christ Christian denomination.

Q

Q: When will you begin in the work of adopting this new image?

A: On October 18th, Dr. Hoff began by encouraging our students, faculty and staff to see themselves as Corban men and women--dedicating themselves to God to make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that you will join us in this endeavor.

Actual use of the name will begin on May 7, 2005. Until then, we will be developing all of the systems and materials to prepare for that day.

Q: What name will appear on past and present diplomas?
A: All diplomas for WB students and alumni through May 2005 will be inscribed as Western Baptist College. Current freshmen, sophomores and juniors, as well as the adult studies graduating class of July 2005, will graduate from Corban College. However, any alumni who have graduated prior to May 2005 and who wish to have the new name inscribed on their diplomas may have them changed to the new name upon request.

All past, present, and future alumni will, however, will be considered part of the alumni association of Corban College as of May 2005.