Gary Campbell planned to resume classes at Clarks Summit University in the fall, earning online the final six credits he needs for a bachelor's degree and a job working with recovering addicts.

But last month, the school dismissed the 35-year-old for violating one of its policies.

Campbell is gay.

The South Abington Twp. school prohibits its students from engaging in same-sex relationships and "reserves the right to dismiss or deny the enrollment of those whose behavior or influence upon our community should prove to be contrary to the best interests of our students, the Clarks Summit University Community Commitment and to our Lord Jesus Christ."

With $30,000 in student loan debt and unable to find a school that will accept most of the credits he earned at the school, Campbell feels betrayed.

"It breaks my heart," he said. "The school, they teach love and grace, and I'm not being shown that."

Campbell first attended the school, then known as Baptist Bible College, from 2001-2003. He knew at the time he was gay, but thought by attending the Baptist school, he could change.

"Long story short, it didn't work out that way," said Campbell, who lives in Youngstown, Ohio.

Campbell dropped out, hoping to save money by attending community college. He never graduated.

He enlisted in the Navy but became an alcoholic. The Navy discharged him after he drove drunk on base, and he faced a long road to recovery. Now sober for 19 months, finishing his degree is part of his plan to stay clean, he said.

This spring, Campbell contacted Clarks Summit University and learned he was only two classes shy of a degree in integrated studies. He worked to save money for tuition and books. Friends and family donated $700 to help him pay for expenses.

In late August, school officials contacted him after learning he was gay and told him he was no longer welcome as a student. In an email to Theodore Boykin, associate dean of students, Campbell asked the school to reconsider.

"One of my top goals being in recovery was to finish my bachelor's degree. Having a degree is much more to me than a certificate, it's a culmination of hard work, sweat and tears, and I owe it to myself and to my recovery to accomplish this goal," he wrote.

"I ask that you not view me only as a homosexual, but as a determined, compassionate, hard-working man who is of good moral character. My goal again is to assist my community and help those who are struggling in the grip of addiction."

The university denied his request.

For more than 80 years, the independent Baptist school has promised to prepare students to serve Christ in a variety of ministries and careers. In recent years, the university has struggled with declining enrollment. From 2000 to 2016, on-campus undergraduate enrollment decreased by nearly 50 percent, from 650 to 340.

Total enrollment, including undergraduate, graduate and seminary students — both on campus and online — is now 990. Efforts last week to learn the current on-campus undergraduate enrollment were unsuccessful. The college changed its name in 2015 in an attempt to open more doors for students after they graduate.

Students are required to attend chapel, cannot be alone with members of the opposite sex and are forbidden from displaying physical affection, including holding hands. They cannot smoke or drink, even if over the age of 21, and are prohibited from watching R-rated movies, according to the student handbook.

Breaking the rules, including to "engage in and maintain same-sex romantic or sexual relationships," can result in dismissal.

"As a Christian college, we expect all students to act in a way that is consistent with our biblical belief system. We have always clearly stated those beliefs and have exercised the freedom to uphold our faith," university officials said in a statement.

"To prepare students for worldwide service opportunities, CSU clearly affirms biblical sexuality. We clearly communicate to all prospective students that we adhere to biblical truths, and expect them to do the same. That is part of what has made CSU a successful educator for more than 80 years."

Barry Dyller, a Wilkes-Barre attorney who specializes in civil rights, called the issue a "complicated situation." There is no law that prohibits a religious school from excluding a student who is gay. For example, the federal Title IX statute prohibits universities from discriminating against people on the basis of sex. Even if that applied to same-sex relationships, the statute provides an exception for educational institutions with contrary religious beliefs.

A statute that required a school like CSU to let gay students enroll would likely be unconstitutional since it would infringe on religious beliefs, Dyller said. The Pennsylvania office of the American Civil Liberties Union declined to comment.

In a statement, CSU officials said they would be happy to assist any former or prospective student "who does not choose to agree with those faith standards" to find another school in order to finish a degree.

Campbell said he has tried to transfer credits to other schools, but schools will only accept about half of the 109 credits he earned from Baptist Bible.

"All I'm asking is for the school to make an exception," Campbell said. "It's for an online class. They weren't even going to see me."

Contact the writer:

shofius@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT