| North Central University | |
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| Established | 1930 |
| Type | |Public |
| 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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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. It also requires daily chapel attendance and other meaningful methods of spiritual formation.
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)
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 Fotress" 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 2009, the North Central University community celebrated as Liechty Hall was officially dedicated on Friday, October 30. Through the generous gift of the Liechty family, North Central was able to obtain the property, located at the corner of Elliot Ave. and 17th Street. The building serves as home to both the Business Administrative and the Intercultural Studies and Language Departments. Liechty Hall also offers space for offices, classrooms, and an extra areas for students to study and socialize.
The dedication began as part of the daily chapel service and included special music by the NCU Chorale, a narative history of the building, and words from President Dr. Gordon Anderson. The Liechty Family was also recognized and presented with a plaque that will be hung in Liechty Hall's main entrance.
“The Liechty family has invested in the ministry of North Central over three generations, giving their time, talents and resources to advance the ministry of preparing missionaries and church leaders,” said Vice President of Advancement, Dr. Paul Freitag. “Their exemplary leadership will be remembered through the ministry and training that occurs within the building.”
The dedication service concluded as faculty, staff, alumni, students, and friends gathered for a responsive reading and prayer outside of the Liechty building. Brothers Jon and Si Liechty took part in a ribbon cutting as members of their family supported them from behind. The ribbon cutting officially renamed the building that was formerly known on campus as the ‘Mansion,’ Liechty Hall.
http://www.northcentral.edu/news/09/11/liechty-hall-officially-dedicated
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.
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.
- Reggie Dabbs - Evangelist
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.
Sara Groves -a musician, took a few Songwriting classes at North Central. [2]
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. [3]
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.
External links
About NCU
- Official site
- Virtual tour
- Academic catalog
- NCU Way (lifestyle statement)
- News & events (with RSS feed)
- Athletics
Related
- Assemblies of God
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- National Christian College Athletic Association
- Northcentral University
References
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