Pop quiz: Which Lakeland school has students worldwide, 100+ customizable degree paths, thousands of local alumni, and is among the top 1% of fastest-growing private universities nationwide?
If you answered Southeastern University, you’d be correct — but these stats haven’t always been the case.
Let’s roll back the clock and take a look at how SEU grew from a small Bible college to a thriving, purpose-driven university and one of our area’s leading educational institutions.
- 1935: SEU was founded in New Brockton, Alabama as Alabama Shield of Faith Institute. As of the 2020 census, the town of New Brockton still has less than 1,500 residents.
- 1937: The Alabama Shield of Faith Institute celebrated its first graduating class.
- 1952: The school moved to its forever home on Longfellow Boulevard in Lakeland, between Lake Bonny and Lake Holloway. Shortly after, it was renamed to Southeastern Bible College.
- 1986: SEU received accreditation (read: recognized as providing a high-quality education) from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
- 2001: Construction began on three new residence halls as enrollment continued to grow.
- 2005: The school was renamed to Southeastern University, changing its branding but maintaining its faith-forward values.
- 2014: The SEU Fire won its inaugural football game 31-7 at the newly-opened Victory Field.
- 2025: SEU now celebrates global reach with 200+ partner site locations and 12,000+ students worldwide, continuing its mission to offer Christianity-centered education across diverse communities.
SEU has expanded to include initiatives like Pathways School of Excellence, a school dedicated to middle and high school students with disabilities. The university also boasts study abroad opportunities, cutting-edge tech for hands-on career prep, and 25+ graduate programs, including multiple doctoral degrees.
Check out the full timeline to learn more about what’s to come, and apply to start your Southeastern story.
