Brief History of Ibaraki Christian Education Community
As with many institutions of service and education, Ibaraki Christian University has a fascinating history. Situated near the Pacific Ocean in the small town of Omika, Ibaraki Christian University has developed into an important academic institution including: Graduate Schools of Literature (2 programs: Language & Linguistics, Education), Life Sciences (2 programs: Food Sciences & Human Nutrition), and Nursing (2 programs: Basic Nursing Sciences & Practical Nursing Studies), The College of Literature, The College of Life Sciences, The College of Nursing, and the College of Business Administration.
The evolution of the institution can be traced to the opening of a kindergarden in Taga in 1948 and a high school and junior college on our current campus. The founders of the school included both Japanese and Americans. Shunzo Asano and Sakari Nagano were employees of Hitachi Manufacturing Company. They were men of business who recognized that Japan needed a spiritual as well as financial recovery from the war. Ryohachi Shigekuni and Shoichi Oka were two other Christian visionaries who dedicated their talents to the establishment of the school. The American founders included such names as Orvil Dean Bixler, Harry Robert Fox, Sr. (both served in Japan as missionaries before the war), E. W. McMillan (a minister in Memphis, Tennessee) and the sons of H.R. Fox, Sr: Harry Robert Fox, Jr, and Logan Fox.
The institution has had an international focus from its inception. In the early days, the schools were largely funded by contributions from American Christians, and the campus was a training ground for evangelists. Ibaraki Christian University is no longer a mission school, but we remain a school with a mission: educating and equipping students from diverse backgrounds in order that they might contribute to the advancement of society. Although the majority of present students and faculty come from non-Christian backgrounds, the university encourages respect for its unique heritage, and continues to base its education on principles found at the heart of the Christian faith.
| 1947 | Establishment of Taga Kindergarten |
| 1948 | Purchase of Shion (Ibaraki Christian) Campus |
| 1949 | Establishment of Shion Junior College and Senior High School |
| 1950 | Institutions' names changed to Ibaraki Christian Junior College (ICJC) (Department of Liberal Arts and Department of English) and Ibaraki Christian High School (ICHS) |
| 1950 | Establishment of Hitachi Kindergarten |
| 1951 | Department of Home Economics established (ICJC) |
| 1953 | Establishment of Takahagi Kindergarten |
| 1955 | Counseling Center (Present Institute of Counseling) established (ICJC) |
| 1962 | Junior High School established (ICJHS) |
| 1967 | Ibaraki Christian College (Bachelor's Degree Program) established (ICC) |
| 1974 | Department of Japanese Literature established (ICJC) |
| 1982 | Department of Elementary Education established (ICC) |
| 1987 | The Institute of Language and Culture established (ICC) |
| 1995 | Graduate School of Literature established (ICC) (Two programs: Education, and English Literature and Linguistics) |
| 1998 | Department of Cross-Cultural Studies established (ICC) |
| 2000 | College of Life Sciences established (Department of Human Welfare and Department of Food Sciences) Institutional name changed to Ibaraki Christian University with initials of IC |
| 2004 | College of Nursing established (IC) (Department of Nursing) |
| 2006 | Hitachi Kindergarten becomes first Pre-school/Kindergarten school |
| 2007 | Ibaraki Christian University Recieved Accreditation from the Japan University Accreditation Association |
| 2011 | College of Business Administration (IC) (Department of Business Administration) |
| 2011 | Graduate School of Life Sciences (IC) (with Food Sciences and Human Nutrition Programs) |
| 2011 | Graduate School of Nursing (IC) |
| 2012 | Takahagi Kindergarten closed |
| 2013 | College of Life Sciences Departrment of Human Welfare renamed Department of Psychology and Welfare |
| 2014 | Renewal of Accreditation Received (every 7 years) from Japan University Accreditation Association |
| 2015 | Memorandum of Agreement between University of Riau (Indonesia) and Ibaraki Christian University on the Regulations Concerning the Student Exchange Program |
| 2015 | Memorandum of Agreement between University of Nanhua (Taiwan) and Ibaraki Christian University on the Regulations Concerning the Student Exchange Program |
| 2015 | Agreement between Oklahoma Christian University and Ibaraki Christian University on the Regulations Concerning the Undergraduate Dual Degree Program |
| 2015 | Agreement between Hanseo University and Ibaraki Christian University on the Regulations Concerning the Undergraduate Dual Degree Program |
| 2016 | McMillan Hall (University Bldg. #1) razed. Preparation of new entrance on west side of Omika station. |
| 2017 | University Club House built. Satellite IC closed. 70th Anniversary Memorial Book published. |