George Fox University (GFU) is a
Christian university of liberal arts and sciences and professional studies
located in Newberg,Oregon, United States. Founded as a school for Quakers in
1885, the private school has more than 3,900 students combined between its main
campus in Newberg and its centers in Portland, Salem and Redmond. Graduate
studies include psychology, social work, business, education, counseling,
physical therapy and seminary. The 108-acre (0.44 km2) main campus is located
near downtown Newberg, near the junction of Oregon Route 99W and Oregon Route
219. George Fox competes athletically at the NCAADivision III level in the Northwest
Conference as the Bruins. The school colors are navy blue and old gold. 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.The Bruin mascot name comes from a real
bear cub found in 1887, in the Coast Range's foothills near Carlton, about 15
miles (24 km) west of Newberg.The cub's mother had been shot and a student from
Pacific Academy found the young bear and brought it back to campus. Years
later, the bear hide became an unofficial mascot for the senior class and other
students often attempted to steal it away. After the hide deteriorated, a
leather replica was created and called Bruin Jr. Students today still
participate in student-government-sponsored class competitions called
"Bruin brawls" for possession of Bruin Jr.
In 1893, the school was incorporated
as a joint-stock company and became a four-year school in 1925. 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 George Fox, the founder of the Quaker
movement.
From 1991 to 2010, George Fox
provided each traditional undergraduate student with a computer.[citation
needed] In 1996, the college merged with Western Evangelical Seminary to form
George Fox University. Dwight Kimberly, an associate professor of biology,
received the Carnegie Foundation's Oregon Professor of the Year award in 2000.
Rhett Luedtke, an associate professor of Theatre, was one of just three faculty
members chosen nationally to receive a National Directing Fellow Award from the
John F. Kennedy Center in 2010.
The university student body has grown
more than 500% since 1986, when enrollment was 549.With more than 3,900
students in Newberg, Portland, Salem, and at other teaching sites in Oregon,
George Fox is now the second-largest private university in Oregon.
In 2014, prompted by a housing dispute
involving a transgender student, George Fox University sought and received an
exemption from Title IX's requirements with respect to transgender
students.
In 2015, the school completed
construction of a new residence hall, Brandt Hall, named in honor of former
school president David H. Brandt and his wife, Melva. Construction work also
began on a new dining hall to be opened in 2016.
George Fox grants bachelor's,
master's, and doctoral degrees. The university is a participant in the Richter
Scholars program, which sponsors 15-25 students per year to perform original
research. George Fox offers study-abroad opportunities through the "Best
Semester" program offered by the Council for Christian Colleges and
Universities (CCCU). Students may pursue a career in the following majors:
Accounting, Applied Science, Art,
Athletic Training, Biblical Studies, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry,
Christian Ministries, Cinema & Media Communication, Cognitive Science,
Communication Arts, Computer Science, Economics, Elementary Education,
Engineering, English, Entrepreneurship, Exercise Science, Finance, Global
Business, Health and Human Performance, History, Information Systems,
Interdisciplinary Studies, International Studies, Journalism, Management,
Marketing, Mathematics, Music, Music Education, Nursing, Organizational
Communication, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology,
Spanish and Theatre.
School of Education programs include
a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), a Master of Arts in Counseling (MA), a
Master of Education (MEd), a Doctor of Education (EdD), a Master of Arts in
School Counseling (MA), a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MA),
Administrative License Programs and both a Library Media Endorsement and
Reading Endorsement.The university's School of Business offers full- and
part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs and a Doctor of
Business Administration (DBA) degree. George Fox also confers a Doctor of
Psychology (PsyD) degreeand a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. A Master
of Social Work (MSW) program was launched in autumn 2015.
In addition, George Fox Evangelical
Seminary confers a Doctor of Ministry program in three tracks: Leadership and
Spiritual Formation, Semiotics and Future Studies, and Leadership and Global
Perspectives. Also offered are a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MA), a
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation (MA), a Master of Arts in Theological
Studies (MA),a Master of Divinity (MDiv), and a certificate in spiritual
formation and discipleship.
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. Faculty members and staff are required to sign a
statement professing faith in traditionally Christian doctrines.
The university hosts dozens of Christian
speakers each year through twice-weekly chapel/current-event gatherings.
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.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.
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