For Immediate Release: July 2, 2008

Contact:  Pat Walsh, The Ulum Group, (541) 434-7021, pwalsh@ulum.com

Northwest Christian Celebrates Becoming a University

Click Here for a Photo Gallery of the Event

EUGENE, Ore.----A crowd of more than 300—a mix of students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and community members—gathered on the campus “quad” yesterday (July 1, 2008) to celebrate Northwest Christian’s new name: Northwest Christian University.

NCU President David Wilson led the festivities which included speeches by community and campus leaders, the singing of the school’s alma mater, jazz music, and a picnic lunch.

Wilson was joined on stage by Greg Strausbaugh, chair of the school’s Board of Trustees; Jenifer Rider, 2008-09 President of Associated Students of Northwest Christian University; Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy; and Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken.  Both mayors signed proclamations declaring Tuesday, July 1, as “Northwest Christian University Day” in their respective communities.

After the name change celebration, a new School of Christian Ministry was launched with a special worship service in the campus chapel led by Doug Dornhecker, director.

Affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Northwest Christian University is the school’s fifth name.  Originally, it was named the Eugene Divinity School (1895-1908), then Eugene Bible University (1908-1930), Eugene Bible College (1930-1934), and after a merger with Spokane University, Northwest Christian College (1934-2008).