A defunct Lutheran liberal arts college in Everett, Washington that closed in 2016.
Trinity Lutheran College was founded in 1944 as the Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle, an extension of the Minneapolis-based Lutheran Bible Institute. It became independent in 1959 and initially focused on biblical studies and enrichment courses. The institution evolved significantly over its 72-year history, expanding from biblical studies to offer bachelor's degree programs in global missions, Christian education, youth ministry, music and worship, early childhood education, business management, psychology, and communications. The college achieved regional accreditation in 1982 and changed its name to Trinity Lutheran College in 1999 to reflect its status as an accredited four-year institution.
Trinity Lutheran operated from multiple locations throughout its history. After moving from downtown Seattle to the Greenwood Avenue campus in 1949, the college relocated to the former Providence Heights College campus in Issaquah in 1979. Facing financial challenges and declining enrollment, the college relocated to downtown Everett in fall 2008. The final campus center was located at 2802 Wetmore Avenue and featured six floors with classrooms, administrative offices, faculty offices, a library, student store, and commons area. A chapel and additional classroom space were added in 2014. Student housing was provided in nearby apartment complexes and the adjacent YMCA offered recreational facilities.
Trinity Lutheran's athletic teams were known as the Eagles and competed in ten intercollegiate varsity sports, including cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, track and field, and tennis for both men and women. The college held membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), competing primarily as an independent institution. The college maintained an urban campus culture with school colors of blue and yellow.
On January 12, 2016, the college's board of directors announced plans to end operations due to financial uncertainty and declining enrollment. Academic instruction ceased on May 7, 2016, with more than 70 students receiving degrees at the final commencement ceremony. The campus center was subsequently sold to Funko, which converted it into its corporate headquarters. The Trinity Education Foundation, the college's supporting organization, continues to exist and provides scholarship support to students attending private Christian colleges in the Pacific Northwest.