North Central University

Not to be confused with Northcentral University.

North Central University
Motto	"Your Life, Our Mission"
Established	1930
Type	Private
Religious affiliation	Assemblies of God
President	Dr. Gordon Anderson
Students	1200
Location	Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Campus	Urban
Colors	Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Nickname	Rams
Mascot	Bama the Rama
Website	Northcentral.edu

North Central University is a coeducational, undergraduate, primarily residential college owned and operated by 11 Assemblies of God districts of the upper Midwest. It is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The school was founded in 1930 and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Distinctives

Mission statement

The official mission statement is reproduced below.

North Central University is a Christ-centered Pentecostal school with a commitment to academic excellence that prepares students to fulfill biblical models of leadership and ministry throughout the world. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Academic and spiritual requirements

NCU requires a minimum 30-credit Bible/theology core for all majors, as well as a 45-credit general education core, 9 credits of the Bible/Theology core are included in the general education core. It also requires daily chapel attendance and other methods of spiritual formation.

Student lifestyle

Students must agree to conduct themselves according to biblical & NCU community-life standards.^[1]

Ministry focus

Many majors are geared toward church-oriented vocations. All majors are designed to be ministry-focused, training students to serve God in a variety of ways according to their calling and gifts. Program focus at North Central is particularly centered upon urban and international settings.

Bible college heritage

Founded in 1930 as North Central Bible Institute, program offerings were expanded in 1955 to include a four-year degree. In 1957, the institution's name was changed to North Central Bible College and in 1964, North Central was accredited by the American Association of Bible Colleges. North Central continued expanding its offerings and was accredited in 1986 by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1998, the college's name was changed to North Central University.

Governing structure

In a move to share ownership and management with neighboring districts, the Board of Directors authorized transfer of the title to a corporation with the membership drawn from the Wisconsin-Northern Michigan, Minnesota and South Dakota Districts in 1962 . The Iowa and Illinois Districts voted to join in the ownership and management of the college in May 1969 . During the 1970s, Michigan, Indiana and Nebraska also became regent districts. In 1981, Northern Missouri joined, and in 1985 North Dakota joined. In 1993, the Midwest Latin American District joined to become the 11th district. Thus, the University today is operated and supported by 11 Assemblies of God districts of the upper Midwest.

Athletics

The Rams are members of the NCAA Division III and NCCAA Division II intercollegiate teams for men—baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field; for women— basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross country, track and field, tennis, and softball. A variety of club and intramural sports are available. The Clark-Danielson College Life Center Gymnasium is the home court for the basketball and volleyball teams. Prior to 1998, the school's nickname had been the "Flames" with black and red the school colors.

North Central became an associate member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference in five sports: men's & women's cross country, men's golf, and men's & women's tennis in 2008.

Presidents

• Rev F. J Lindquist 1930-1961
• Dr. G. Raymond Carlson 1961-1969
• Rev Cyril E. Homer 1970-1971
• Dr. E. M. Clark 1971-1979
• Dr. Don Argue 1979-1995
• Dr. Gordon Anderson 1995–present

History

1930-1933

North Central University enrolled its first classes beginning October 1, 1930, under the name of North Central Bible Institute. The Institute's original home was in a newly erected Assemblies of God church, the Minneapolis Gospel Tabernacle (now Christ Church International), in downtown Minneapolis. Female students were placed in homes where they could work for their board and room, and male students were housed in rooms or apartments near the Institute. Ownership of the Institute was in the hands of the North Central District Council of the Assemblies of God which at that time included territory extending from the Great Lakes west to the Continental Divide in the northern tier of US states.

1933-1969

The Institute's graduating classes from 1933 to 1936 increased steadily. In 1936, when over 200 students registered, it was evident that new quarters were needed. The following September, students and faculty relocated to NCU's new home, the former Asbury Hospital at 910 Elliot Avenue Minneapolis. This five-story building, a city block in length, included adequate dormitory, office and classroom space to accommodate 500 students.

In February 1955, the Minnesota District of the Assemblies of God authorized the change to a four-year program, and the Institute graduated its first bachelor's degree class of eight students in 1956 . In April 1957, the parent district requested that the school name be changed to North Central Bible College.

1970-1999

A five-story building providing housing for male students and the cafeteria was added to the campus, along with a library building. In 1973, the new F.J. Lindquist Chapel was dedicated, and in the spring of 1981, the Clark/Danielson College Life Center was constructed to the south of the chapel. This CLC building contains classrooms, administrative offices and a gymnasium. Also completed at this time were the skyways connecting the College Life Center to Carlson Hall and the chapel to Miller Hall (the original building at 910 Elliot Avenue).

In December 1981, five apartment buildings located directly behind Miller Hall became part of the campus. In March 1988, the University purchased a building located behind the chapel. In 1989, NCU acquired a renovated storefront called the Del Kingsriter Center for Intercultural Relations. This building houses the Carlstrom Deaf Studies, Intercultural Studies and Languages, English, and Psychology departments, and classrooms.

The college began purchasing the Elliot East Condominiums in 1993 . Today it owns the majority of the 32 units, which are available for rent by students. In 1994, the college also purchased the American Legion on South Tenth Street which is now used as classrooms, and the Trestman property on the southwest quadrant of Chicago Avenue and Fourteenth Street which is home to the University Bookstore and the Center for Youth and Leadership. At the spring 1998 meeting of the Board of Regents, the college's name was changed to North Central University.

2000-present

In 2001, the new Phillipps Hall dormitories were completed, as was the remodeling and refurbishing of the Carlson Hall Cafeteria. During that same period, significant remodeling efforts were made in a variety of campus buildings.

In 2005, the University broke ground for the Thomas E. Trask Word and Worship Center, a project that includes the additions of a 200-seat auditorium and two-story atrium and the remodeling of the Lindquist Chapel. In the same year, North Central acquired the Mensing Fine Arts Building, a 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m²) building located two blocks from campus. In 2006, the University held its 75th anniversary celebration.

In 2007, North Central University acquired two buildings, affectionately called "The Fortress" or "The Yellow Building" and "The Mansion". The Mansion was renovated to become the new home of the Intercultural Studies department and the Business department. Plans are currently in development to renovate "The Fortress" into what will become the new Communication Arts Center.

In 2011, the decision was made by the University to phase out the Deaf Studies Program. Though the administration recognized that the program greatly benefited the ASL students, giving them great advantage in their field, and that the program helped train ministers and missionaries to an unreached group that needed the Gospel as much as any other person, the University could no longer financially support the program. Just days before the 2010-2011 school year ended, however, it was announced that the University had received a donation that would keep the program open for many years to come and the University reversed the decision to phase out the program.

NCU in Documentary - Equality Ride: 2006

One of the most publicized events in North Central University's history is found in the feature documentary called Equality U, in which activists come to protest the school alongside the president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and celebrity George Takei. According to the Associated Press, NCU simultaneously dismissed two student newspaper editors for publishing sympathetic articles prior to the activists' visit.

On April 17, 2006, North Central University was visited by the Soulforce Equality Ride. The Equality Ride, a youth activist group that visits and confronts colleges about policies they consider anti-LGBT, challenged North Central University's specific policy banning “homosexual behavior.” [4] As an admission requirement, NCU students must sign a contract promising not to engage in homosexual behavior. Former students report being disciplined, harassed, and even dismissed from the school for being gay. Media attention focused on North Central due to the Equality Ride visit.

The Equality Ride made official contact with the University in late 2005. NCU declined Soulforce’s request to carry out its programs on campus. The University kept the activists out of all buildings, posting security guards at every doorway. Other colleges on the Equality Ride route also took this precaution to maintain campus security during these highly publicized visits. Two hours into the visit, Equality Riders and one alum responded by initiating a sit-in blocking numerous campus entrances.

Later that evening, a rally attended by over 300 people was held in Elliot Park, Minneapolis, which is adjacent to the campus. Actor George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek) opened the rally. Equality Ride co-director Jacob Reitan condemned North Central’s actions in dismissing fellow Equality Rider David Coleman who came forward as openly gay. Coleman, who attended NCU as a full-time student from 2001-2005, closed the rally by telling his experiences at the college. He explained how the college dismissed him after he sought protection from another student in 2005. His story can be found in the "Equality U" film.

Residence hall changes

In 2009, it was decided to close the Residence Areas of Zimmerman House, the men's honor community, and The floors on the third floor of TJ Jones Memorial Library, the women's honor floor, due to decreased enrollment. Future plans hope to reopen the Zimmerman House sometime in the future; however, the third floor of TJ Jones Memorial Library is slated to become offices.

Currently, the third floor of Carlson Hall is coed, with women living on the East side and men on the West side. For the 09-10 school year, the east side will become a men's floor. As a result of these closures, Carlson Hall will be an all-male living area. The first floor of Phillipps Hall, currently male living areas, will house women next year to accommodate those no longer in Carlson or TJ.

Due to the influx in the number of students for the 2010-2011 school year, Zimmerman House was reopened as a women's dormitory.

Major Changes: 2011

Program Changes

In 2011, North Central announced permanent changes in all of it's B.A. and B.S. programs that would reduce the number of credits in every program. Most of the programs were reduced to 124 credits, having over 130 credits to them previously. This was done in an effort to assist students in completing their programs and graduating in 4 years.

Introduction of Colleges, Schools, and Institute

On March 22, 2011, at the start of the daily Chapel service, the President of North Central University, Dr. Gordon Anderson, announced the formation of four new Colleges within the University. This was a move to change the nomenclature of certain campus entities in order to better support the current program offerings, as well as continued program growth. It was cited as part of the change that the standard University has under it Colleges, then Schools under those, and Departments under the schools. North Central University had been operating solely as Departments under the University banner. In accordance with the new nomenclature structure of the University, several Schools were also named. The Institute for Biblical and Theological Studies was later introduced to focus on preparing students wishing to enter into seminary after graduating. The current structure of the University is as follows:

• North Central University
  • College of Ministry - Dean: Dr. Tracy Paino
    • Departments of Church Leadership
      • Children & Family Ministries Department
      • Pastoral Ministries Department
      • Student Ministries Department
    • Center for Youth & Leadership
  • College of Missions - Dean: Dr. Gordon Anderson, Interim
    • Intercultural Studies & Languages
    • Carlstrom ASL/English Interpreting
    • The Antioch Center
    • The Center for Biblical Justice
    • Study Abroad Programs
  • College of Fine Arts - Dean: Larry Bach
    • Fine Arts
    • Worship Arts
    • Theatrical & Live Music Productions
    • Fine Arts Endowment
    • McPherson Recording Studio
    • Ensembles & Traveling Music Groups
  • College of Arts & Sciences - Dean: Dr. Dan Nelson
    • School of Business
    • School of Education
    • School of Liberal Arts
      • English Department
      • Communications Department
      • Arts & Sciences Department
    • School of Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Institute for Biblical and Theological Studies - Dean: Dr. Glen Menzies

Notable alumni

Dallas Holm, Christian Singer/Songwriter and 2 time Dove Award Winner, who wrote the Award Winning song, "Rise Again", about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and numerous other songs.

• Robert Andrescik oversaw the magazine division at Strang Communications and served as senior editor of New Man magazine. He was awarded several times for his work by the Evangelical Press Association and the Florida Magazine Association. In 2002, he was named Emerging Leader of the Year by the National Coalition of Men's Ministries.

• Reggie Dabbs - Evangelist

• Colin Young - exceptional student athlete and worldl-traveler Cross Country

• Eric Samuel Timm - Christian Author, Speaker, & Artist

Other notable attendees

Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker attended, but never graduated.^[2] Large contributions from the now defunct Heritage USA (of the PTL Network) built the skyways at the school.

Perry Dissmore, holder of the Guinness World Record for making 1,968 basketball free throws in one hour. He performed this feat on September 14, 2010 live on national television on Regis and Kelly, breaking his own record of 1,926, set in October 2009.^[3][4][5]

Sara Groves -a musician, took a few Songwriting classes at North Central.^[6]

Dan Needham, Nashville producer and session drummer. Needham has worked in various capacities with a broad range of well-known recording artists, including Michael McDonald, the Neville Brothers, Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Garth Brooks, Kathy Mattea, and numerous others.^[7]

Radio station

Since 2007, the University has owned and operated FM radio station KNOF, which broadcasted a Full Gospel schedule of programs and southern gospel music. Recently, a partnership was formed between Praise FM and the University to offer a variety of worship music throughout the day. At the start of the Fall 2008 semester, it was announced that the radio station would be moved to the former Comm Arts building right behind the Trask Worship Center.

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ Tammy Faye (Bakker) Messner Biography - Biography.com
3. ^ http://www.whbf.com/Global/story.asp?S=13158710
4. ^ http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/television/gail-pennington/article_fbadcc38-c028-11df-b9d8-0017a4a78c22.html
5. ^ http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_Most-basketball-free-throws-made-in-one-hour-/PHOTO/10651975/7691.html
6. ^ [2]
7. ^ [3]

External links

About NCU

• Official site
• Campus Newspaper "The Northerner" website
• Virtual tour
• Academic catalog
• Colleges & Schools
• NCU Way (lifestyle statement)
• News & events (with RSS feed)
• Athletics
• North Central Student Association

Related

• Assemblies of God
• National Christian College Athletic Association
• Northcentral University