
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 11, 1995                   TAG: 9504110103
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                                LENGTH: Short

REGENT WEANING ITSELF FROM CBN

Regent University officials are conducting an ambitious fund-raising drive as the school tries to wean itself financially from founder Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network.

The evangelical Virginia Beach graduate school, founded by religious broadcaster Robertson in 1977, has tried to become self-sufficient for several years. To do that successfully, said President Terry Lindvall, the school will have to go after new funding sources.

``We are the adolescent child of a very powerful father. He's been very generous,'' Lindvall said. ``But every 17-year-old needs to establish his or her own identity.''

In July, CBN will cut one of its last direct cash links to the school as it stops paying about $2 million a year in general services.

Lindvall and other officials said many people think the school doesn't need money.

``We have such a media image,'' said Vinson Synan, dean of the divinity school. ``People think money grows on trees at Regent.''

by CNB