George Fox University

Infobox_University


name = George Fox University
established = 1885
type = Private
affiliation = [http://www.nwfriends.org/ Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends]
endowment = $20,406,542 USD [http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_3194_brief.php]
president = Robin E. Baker
city = Newberg
state = Oregon
country = USA
undergrad = 1,739
other = 210 degree completion
postgrad = 1,304
faculty = 348
campus = Suburban, 85 acres
city = Newberg, Oregon
state = Oregon
country = United States
affiliations = Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Northwest Conference, NCAA Division III, Christian College Consortium
mascot = Bruin
former_names = George Fox College, Pacific College, Friends Pacific Academy
colors = Old Gold, Navy Blue color_box|#988344color_box|#051844
website= [http://www.georgefox.edu/ 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.

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.Horner, John B. (1919). "Oregon: Her History, Her Great Men, Her Literature". The J.K. Gill Co.: Portland. p. 255.] In 1893, the school was incorporated as a joint-stock company and became a four-year school in 1925.Corning, Howard M. (1989) "Dictionary of Oregon History". Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 98.] Herbert Hoover’s uncle Dr. H. J. Minthorn served as the school’s first president, and Hoover was an early student at the academy.

The school’s name was changed to George Fox College in 1949 to honor the founder of the Quaker movement. In 1996, the college merged with Western Evangelical Seminary to form George Fox University. [http://www.georgefox.edu/about/glance/history.html George Fox University: About George Fox University: Quick Facts: History ] ] 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. [http://www.georgefox.edu/about/glance/index.html George Fox University: About George Fox University: Quick Facts ] ]

The Bruin mascot name comes from a real bear cub found in 1887, in the Coast Range's foothills near Carlton, about convert|15|mi|km west of Newberg. [http://www.georgefox.edu/athletics/about/mascot.html George Fox University: Athletics at George Fox University: The Bruin Mascot] ] The cub's mother had been shot and a student from Pacific Academy found the young bear and brought it back to campus.

In September 2008, four students hanged a cutout of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in effigy. Campus officials condemned the incident and punished the students with long-term suspension and public service.

Academics

Undergraduate
*Accounting (B.A.)
*Allied Health (B.S.)
*Applied Science (B.S.)
*Art (B.A.)
*Athletic Training (B.S.A.T.)
*Biblical Studies (B.A.)
*Biology (B.S.)
*Business Administration (B.A.)
*Chemistry (B.S.)
*Christian Ministries (B.A.)
*Cinema and Media Communications (B.A.)
*Cognitive Science (B.S.)
*Communication Arts (B.A.)
*Computer and Information Science (B.S.)
*Economics (B.A.)
*Elementary Education (B.S.)
*Engineering (B.S.)
*Family and Consumer Sciences (B.S.)
*Health and Human Performance (B.S.)
*History (B.A.)
*Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A., B.S.)
*International Studies (B.A.)
*Mathematics (B.S.)
*Music (B.A.)
*Music Education (B.A.)
*Nursing (B.S.)
*Organizational Communication (B.A.)
*Philosophy (B.A.)
*Political Science (B.A.)
*Psychology (B.A., B.S.)
*Religion (B.A.)
*Social Work (B.S.W.)
*Sociology (B.A.)
*Spanish (B.A.)
*Theatre (B.A.)
*Writing/Literature (B.A.)
Adult Degree Completion
*Health Administration (B.A.)
*Management and Organizational Leadership (B.A.)
*Management and Business Information Systems (B.S.)
*Project Management (B.S.)
*Social and Behavioral Studies (B.A.)
Graduate
*Master of Business Administration
*Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership
*Master of Arts in Counseling
*Master of Arts in School Counseling
*Master of Science in School Psychology
*Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
*Doctor of Psychology
*Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
*Master of Education
*Master of Arts in Teaching
*Doctor of Education
*Doctor of Management

George Fox University is noted as a participant in the Richter Scholars program, which sponsors 15-25 students per year to perform original research. [http://www.georgefox.edu/academics/richter/index.html George Fox University: Academics Home: Richter Scholars Guidelines ] ]

George Fox offers an extensive study-abroad program allowing academically-eligible students a semester of transferable credit throughout the U.S., England (at Oxford University), Spain, France, Russia, Africa, China and other destinations. [http://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/overseas/index.html George Fox University: Off-Campus Study Programs] ] Students work in special programs alongside students from other CCCU institutions, and semesters abroad usually include significant service and cultural components. [http://www.cccu.org/news/beyond_the_classroom_how_service_learning_works_in_bestsemester_programs Council for Christian Colleges & Universities - Beyond the Classroom: How service learning works in BestSemester programs] ]

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. [http://www.georgefox.edu/about/glance/studentprofile.html George Fox University: About George Fox University: Quick Facts: Student Profile ] ] Faculty members and staff are required to sign a statement professing faith in traditionally Christian doctrines. GFU has grown by 300% in the last 14 years.

The university hosts dozens of Christian speakers each year through twice-weekly chapel/current-event gatherings. [http://blogs.georgefox.edu/chapel/?page_id=2 George Fox University Chapel » What Is Chapel?] ] Hundreds of students each year participate in Winter and Spring "Serve trips" throughout the Western United States, Mexico, and Canada. In groups of 10-25, students give a week of either break to provide volunteer labor for missions, homeless shelters, nonprofits, and other charitable causes. [http://www.georgefox.edu/about/community.html George Fox University: Community Contributions] ] Faculty, staff, and students also participate in "Serve Day" each September. A weekday off from work and classes allows over 90% of eligible individuals the opportunity to volunteer at local churches, schools, nonprofits, etc. performing manual labor and maintenance work. [http://www.georgefox.edu/serveday/about.html George Fox University: About Serve Day] ]

George Fox University is a center for Quaker thought, although only about 5% of the student body are Quakers, [http://www.georgefox.edu/about/glance/studentprofile.html George Fox University: About George Fox University: Quick Facts: Student Profile ] ] 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. [ [http://www.nwfriends.org/] ] 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. [http://www.georgefox.edu/offices/peace_justice/ George Fox University: Offices and Services: Center for Peace and Justice ] ]

Campus

The campus includes two structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.cite web
title = Oregon National Register List
work =
publisher = State of Oregon
date =
url = http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/NATREG/docs/oregon_nr_list.pdf
accessdate = 2008-10-01] One, Minthorn Hall, was built in 1886 and is still used for holding classes. [http://hcap.artstor.org/cgi-bin/library?a=d&d=p639 Historic Campus Architecture Project: Minthorn Hall.] The Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved on October 1 2008.] The other, Jesse Edwards House, was constructed in 1883 as serves as the residence for the university president. [http://hcap.artstor.org/cgi-bin/library?a=d&d=p642 Historic Campus Architecture Project: Jesse Edwards House (President's House).] The Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved on October 1 2008.]

Rankings

George Fox University is the only Christian university in the Pacific Northwest classified by U.S. News & World Report as a national university. 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 [http://blogs.georgefox.edu/newsreleases/?p=4420 George Fox University: News Releases: Study Abroad Blog] ] 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 CoastFact|date=January 2008.

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. [ [http://www.georgefox.edu/discernment/anderson.html Discerning the Leadership of Christ: Paul Anderson ] ]

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. [ [http://www.coachcarter.com/about.htm About the Coach - Bio ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.georgefox.edu/ George Fox University Official website]