North Central University
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| North Central University | |
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| Established: | 1930 |
| Type: | Private |
| Students: | 1200 |
| Location: | Minneapolis, MN, USA |
| Campus: | Urban |
| Colors: | navy blue and vegas gold |
| Nickname: | Rams |
| 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.
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[edit] Distinctives
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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. It also requires daily chapel attendance and other meaningful methods of spiritual formation.
[edit] Student Lifestyle
Because North Central is a Christian community, it requires all students to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In addition, students must agree to conduct themselves according to biblical & NCU community-life standards. (Responsibilities of Membership)
[edit] Ministry focus
Most 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Athletics
The Rams are members of the NCAA Division III and NCCAA Division II intercollegiate teams for men—baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track and field; for women— basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross country, track and field and softball. A variety of club and intramural sports are available. The Clark-Danielson Student Life Center Gymnasium is the home court for the basketball and volleyball teams.
[edit] 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
[edit] History
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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. During that time the University saw the departure of its famed project specialist, Ben Weiss, who left to begin a career in Christian education in Louisiana. In the same year, North Central acquired the Mensing Fine Arts Building, a 35,000 square-foot building located two blocks from campus.
In 2006, the University held its 75th anniversary celebration.
[edit] Equality Ride stops at NCU: 2006
- 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.” [1] As an admission requirement, NCU students must sign a contract promising to uphold that community standard. 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 visiting the school.
- - 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 Equality Ride's response can be found here; NCU's response can be found here.)
- - The University states the following in its March 6, 2006 press release:
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The President’s Cabinet of the University reviewed the Equality Ride information and their event plans, which included forums, worship services, literature distribution, speeches, debates, meals, classroom attendance, and the filming of a documentary on our campus. After this review, the Cabinet decided to decline their request.
- - The Equality Ride came anyway, distributing literature and answering questions when approached. 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.
- - North Central students were routed to unblocked entrances by student security officers. Students also moved from building to building through campus skyways. Riders left campus at 3:30 p.m.
- - Later that evening, a rally attended by over 300 peoplewas 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. North Central University is restricted by federal law from releasing information on specific students' academic, financial and disciplinary records.
- - According to the Associated Press, NCU dismissed two student newspaper editors in part for publishing articles prior to the Soulforce Equality Ride's visit. According to www.nlnews.org web site, "Nlnews.org is a privately owned website and is not affiliated with North Central University. The purpose of the website is to unofficially represent the university's student newspaper, The Northern Light."
[edit] Notable Alumni
- 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.
- Jerry Brooks - Senior Pastor of Oak Creek Assembly of God in Oak Creek, Wisconsin
- Reggie Dabbs - Evangelist
- Rocky Grams - Missionary to Argentina
- Tim Baias - The Baias Blog. Tim is famous in his country of Romania especially among the Gypsy people
[edit] Other Famous Attendees
Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker attended, but never graduated[1]. Large contributions from the now defunct Heritage USA (of the PTL Network) built the skyways at the school.
[edit] Radio station
Since 2007, the University has owned and operated FM radio station KNOF, which broadcasts a Full Gospel schedule of programs and southern gospel music.
[edit] External links
[edit] About NCU
- Official site
- Virtual tour
- Academic catalog
- NCU Way (lifestyle statement)
- News & events (with RSS feed)
- Athletics
[edit] Related
- Assemblies of God
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- National Christian College Athletic Association
- Northcentral University
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