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,
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
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.
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, and track and field; for women—
basketball,
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 building located two blocks from campus.
In 2006, the University held its 75th anniversary celebration.
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.
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
| Assemblies of God Institutes, Colleges, Universities, and Seminary |
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| Institutes Latin American Bible Institute - California • Latin American Bible Institute - Texas Colleges American Indian College • Caribbean Theological College • Central Bible College • Native American Bible College • Trinity Bible College • Valley Forge Christian College • Western Bible College • Zion Bible College Universities Bethany University • Evangel University • Global University • North Central University • Northwest University • Southeastern University • Southwestern Assemblies of God University • Vanguard University Seminary Assemblies of God Theological Seminary |
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