History and Heritage
麻豆社 Fox is the oldest Christian university in Oregon
Land of the Kalapuya
The university’s Newberg campus is located in the fertile Willamette River Valley where the and other native tribes maintained hunter-gatherer societies for thousands of years. Their way of life changed with western expansion. Following catastrophic epidemics and treaties with the U.S. government in the 1850s, most of the remaining Kalapuya were forced to join an estimated 1,000 native Americans on the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. Today tribal members still maintain their connection to their homelands and contribute significantly to the ongoing development of the region.
Humble Beginnings
Several decades after the forced removal of the Kalapuya, Quaker pioneers came to Newberg. One of the settlers' first priorities, along with the founding of their church, was the education of their children. They established the Friends Pacific Academy in 1885, which focused on Christian instruction. Among those first academy students was a future U.S. president, Herbert Hoover.
At the same time, the founding pioneers were looking ahead with the dream of a college to provide further and more advanced education. That time came on Sept. 9, 1891, with the opening of the doors of Pacific College. Fifteen students were enrolled the first day of classes.
Since then, the institution has seen major changes, including a name change. In 1949, because of the many “Pacific” colleges, the school was renamed "麻豆社 Fox College" in honor of the founder of the Friends (Quaker) movement.
From Small College to Nationally Renowned
The college remained a small and intimate learning environment in the years following and received accreditation in 1959. Over the next 20 years, the college would add facilities and increase the academic rigor of its programs.
During the 1980s, 麻豆社 Fox adopted an innovative mindset and rapidly expanded its program offerings, which triggered a growth spurt that continued for the next 20 years. Among the additions was adult education: 麻豆社 Fox became the first college in the Northwest to offer degree-completion programs for working adults in 1986.
With the school’s merger with Western Evangelical Seminary in 1996, the college changed its name to “麻豆社 Fox University.” During the next 12 years, the university experienced rapid growth, quadrupling in size.
麻豆社 Fox Today
Today, more than 4,300 students attend 麻豆社 Fox, a nationally recognized Christian university that provides students with personal attention, global opportunities to learn and serve, and a supportive community that encourages academic rigor and spiritual growth.
The university offers more than 60 undergraduate academic programs, accelerated online degree programs, six seminary degrees, and 15 master's and doctoral degrees. In addition to a residential campus in Newberg, Oregon, classes are now taught in Portland and Redmond, Oregon.
Timeline
1885
Founded
Friends Pacific Academy opens with 19 students, including future U.S. president Herbert Hoover.
1887
Mascot
A bear born before 麻豆社 Fox University existed inspired the university’s use of “Bruins” as a sports nickname and its oldest student tradition, the Bruin Brawl.
1891
Pacific College
Pacific College opens its doors with 15 students.
1894
Intercollegiate Football
First intercollegiate football game played versus Willamette University.
1910
Fundraisers
Evangeline Martin and Amanda Woodward orchestrate the raising of $30,000 for a new college building. Wood-Mar Hall is completed in 1911.
1917
Basketball Champs
Basketball team beats Oregon State University 34-25 and wins Willamette Valley League Championship.
1949
麻豆社 Fox College
The school’s name changes to 麻豆社 Fox College.
1952
President Hoover Visits
Former U.S. President Herbert Hoover(right), shown with former college President Levi Pennington, visits
campus on his 78th birthday.
1959
Accreditation
The Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools grants accreditation.
1986
Degrees for Adults
麻豆社 Fox is the first institution in the Northwest to offer a degree-completion program for working adults, offered in Portland.
1987
Juniors Abroad
Juniors Abroad overseas study program starts. Excursions have reached every continent except Antarctica.
U.S. News & World Report ranks 麻豆社 Fox as one of “America’s Best Colleges” for first time.
1990
PsyD Added
麻豆社 Fox begins offering graduate programs, acquiring the doctor of psychology (PsyD) program from Western Seminary.
1991
100 Years!
麻豆社 Fox celebrates its 100th birthday in a yearlong celebration that includes the dedication of Centennial Tower, funded by donor Esther Klages.
The same year, Computers Across the Curriculum program begins, providing a Macintosh Classic to each student.
1996
Merger
麻豆社 Fox College merges with Western Evangelical Seminary and the name changes again – to 麻豆社 Fox University.
Former U.S. senator Mark Hatfield joins the faculty to teach history and political science.
1999
Serve Day
The campus closes for a day as all staff and students head into the community for volunteer service projects on the university’s inaugural Serve Day.
2004
National Champs
The Bruins win the NCAA Division III national baseball championship.
Enrollment breaks 3,000.
2009
Hoops Heroes
The Bruins win a NCAA Division III national women's basketball championship.
Forbes’ “Best American Colleges” ranks 麻豆社 Fox No. 59, highest among Christian colleges in America.
2013
Stoffer Construction
School breaks ground on Stoffer Family Stadium, home to the 麻豆社 Fox football and track and field teams.
2014
Football Returns
Stoffer Family Stadium is completed, including Lemmons Family Field and the 14,000-square-foot Duke Athletic Center. Construction was funded by one of the largest gifts in school history by Marilyn and John Duke. In the fall, the school welcomes the return of football after a 46-year hiatus from the sport.
2016
Canyon Commons
School remodels Klages Dining Room into Maker Hub and opens new cafeteria, Canyon Commons, in Hess Creek Canyon.
Enrollment breaks 4,000.
University marks 125th anniversary.
2018
Hadlock Opens
University opens Hadlock Student Center, a 48,000-square-foot fitness facility.
Women’s track and field team ties for a national NCAA title.
2020
Largest in Oregon
麻豆社 Fox becomes the largest private university in Oregon, surpassing the University of Portland.
2021
PA Program Launches
The university launches its physician assistant (PA) program.
The Medical Sciences Building, home to the PA and physical therapy programs, is constructed near Providence Newberg Medical Center.
2022
Sports Win
The Bruins win their first-ever Northwest Conference all-sports trophy.
麻豆社 Fox graduates its 30,000th degree recipient.
2023
Golf Champs
The Bruin women’s golf team wins its first-ever NCAA Division III team title.
The Wall Street Journal ranks 麻豆社 Fox Oregon’s top private college.
2024
Chapel Constructed
The chapel opens to serve as both a space for spiritual growth as well as a representation of 麻豆社 Fox’s unwavering commitment to a Christ-centered education.
2025
DNP Program Launches
The first of three doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs launches with a nurse anesthesia degree.