George Fox University
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| George Fox University | |
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| Established: | 1885 |
| Type: | Private |
| Religious affiliation: | Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends |
| Endowment: | $20,406,542 USD[1] |
| President: | Robin E. Baker |
| Faculty: | 348 |
| Undergraduates: | 1,739 |
| Postgraduates: | 1,304 |
| Other students: | 210 degree completion |
| Location: | Newberg, Oregon, Oregon, United States |
| Campus: | Suburban, 85 acres |
| Former names: | George Fox College, Pacific College, Friends Pacific Academy |
| Colors: | Old Gold, Navy Blue |
| Mascot: | Bruin |
| Affiliations: | Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Northwest Conference, NCAA Division III, Christian College Consortium |
| Website: | www.georgefox.edu |
George Fox University (GFU) is a Christian university of the liberal arts & sciences, and professional studies located in Newberg, Oregon, United States. Founded as a school for Quakers in 1885, the private school has more than 3,000 students combined between its main campus and several satellite sites. Graduate studies include psychology, business, education, and theology. George Fox has an endowment of over $20 million. The 85 acre main campus is located near downtown Newberg close to the junction of Oregon Route 99W and Oregon Route 219. George Fox competes athletically at the NCAA Division III in the Northwest Conference. Known as the Bruins, the school colors are navy blue and old gold.
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[edit] History
The university was founded in Newberg, Oregon, in 1885 by Quaker pioneers, originally serving as Friends Pacific Academy for several years before becoming a college in 1891 as Pacific College.[1] In 1893, the school was incorporated as a joint-stock company and became a four-year school in 1925.[2] Herbert Hoover’s uncle Dr. H. J. Minthorn served as the school’s first president, and Hoover was an early student at the academy.[2]
The school’s name was changed to George Fox College in 1949 to honor the founder of the Quaker movement.[2] In 1996, the college merged with Western Evangelical Seminary to form George Fox University.[3] Today, nearly 3,200 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, at its Portland, Salem, and Boise centers, and at other teaching sites in Oregon.[4]
The Bruin mascot name comes from a real bear cub found in 1887, in the Coast Range's foothills near Carlton, about 15 miles west of Newberg.[5] The cub's mother had been shot and a student from Pacific Academy found the young bear and brought it back to campus.
[edit] Academics
George Fox offers numerous graduate-level degree programs, including psychology, business, education, and theology.
GFU is noted as a participant in the Richter Scholars program, which sponsors 15-25 students per year to perform original research.[6]
George Fox offers an extensive study-abroad program allowing academically-eligible students a semester of transferrable credit throughout the U.S., England (at Oxford University), Spain, France, Russia, Africa, and other destinations[citation needed]. Students work in special programs alongside students from other CCCU institutions, and semesters abroad usually include significant travel and cultural components[citation needed].
[edit] Student life
George Fox University is a full member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. As such, students sign a "lifestyle" agreement, attend required chapel/current-event gatherings, and participate in service projects. No statement of faith or religious preference are required to attend, although the student body is overwhelmingly Christian.[7] Faculty members and staff are required to sign a statement professing faith in traditionally Christian doctrines. Like many Christian colleges of late, GFU has enjoyed enormous growth in its student population, enlarging over 300% in the last 20 years.[3]
The university hosts dozens of noted Christian speakers each year through twice-weekly chapel/current-event gatherings[citation needed]. Hundreds of students each year participate in Winter and Spring "Serve trips" throughout the Western United States, Mexico, and Canada[citation needed]. In groups of 8-20, students give a week of either break to provide volunteer labor for missions, homeless shelters, nonprofits, and other charitable causes. Faculty, staff, and students also participate in "Serve Day" each September[citation needed]. A weekday off from work and classes allows over 90% of eligible individuals the opportunity to volunteer in groups of 10-20 at local churches, schools, nonprofits, etc. performing manual labor and maintenance work[citation needed].
GFU is a center for Quaker thought, although only about 5% of the student body are Quakers,[7] and houses an extensive library of historical Quaker and non-violence literature. The Northwest Yearly Meeting gathers each summer on campus and is headquartered adjacent to GFU. In 1984, the university founded its Center for Peace Learning, now known as the Center for Peace and Justice, as an outgrowth of its connection to the Friends peace testimony.[8]
[edit] Rankings
George Fox University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a “Best Value” and as a top-tier master's-level university in the West[citation needed]. According to data compiled by U.S. News & World Report magazine for its 2008 “America’s Best Colleges” issue, George Fox ranks No. 20 out of approximately 1,400 accredited institutions[9] in the nation in percentage of students (68%) studying outside the country before graduation. George Fox ranks only behind American Jewish University (CA) for colleges on the West Coast[citation needed].
[edit] Notable faculty
- Mark Hatfield, former Oregon governor and U.S. Senator, teaches one class per term at George Fox.
- Paul N. Anderson, professor of New Testament, is internationally recognized as an expert and authority on the Gospel of John and the New Testament in general. [10]
[edit] Notable alumni
- Herbert Hoover, thirty-first President of the United States, attended Pacific Academy before his admission to Stanford.
- Jesse Merz, professional actor, director, producer and writer.
- Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline.
- Peggy Fowler, CEO of Portland General Electric.
- Darleen Ortega, judge, Oregon Court of Appeals.
- Pat Casey, head baseball coach of the Oregon State Beavers.
- "Coach" Ken Carter (Coach Carter), high school basketball coach, inspired 2005 movie starring Samuel L. Jackson.[11]
[edit] References
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008) |
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This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of the article are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please include more appropriate citations from reliable sources, or discuss the issue on the talk page. This article has been tagged since April 2008. |
- ^ Horner, John B. (1919). Oregon: Her History, Her Great Men, Her Literature. The J.K. Gill Co.: Portland. p. 255.
- ^ a b c Corning, Howard M. (1989) Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 98.
- ^ a b George Fox University: About George Fox University: Quick Facts: History
- ^ George Fox University: About George Fox University: Quick Facts
- ^ George Fox University: Athletics at George Fox University: The Bruin Mascot
- ^ George Fox University: Academics Home: Richter Scholars Guidelines
- ^ a b George Fox University: About George Fox University: Quick Facts: Student Profile
- ^ George Fox University: Offices and Services: Center for Peace and Justice
- ^ George Fox University: News Releases: Study Abroad Blog
- ^ Discerning the Leadership of Christ: Paul Anderson
- ^ About the Coach - Bio
[edit] External links
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