- For other universities with a similar name, see Northwestern University (disambiguation).
University of Northwestern â€" St. Paul is a private evangelical Christian college located primarily in Roseville, Minnesota, United States, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Established in 1902 as Northwestern Bible and Missionary Training School by Dr. William Bell Riley, a pastor at First Baptist Church of Minneapolis. Prior to July 1, 2013 the school was called Northwestern College.
Billy Graham served as the school's second president from 1948 to 1952.
Mission statement
"University of Northwestern â€" St. Paul exists to provide Christ-centered higher education equipping students to grow intellectually and spiritually, to serve effectively in their professions, and to give God-honoring leadership in the home, church, community, and world."
Undergraduate and graduate programs
Northwestern offers 70+ areas of study, six of which are through its FOCUS Adult Undergraduate Program. Northwestern offers six master's degrees. Areas of undergraduate study offered include elementary and secondary education, music, business, psychology, broadcasting/electronic media, art, English, mathematics, criminal justice, life sciences, Biblical studies, Christian ministries and others. Areas of graduate study include education, human services, business administration, organizational leadership and theological studies. In addition to a mandatory daily chapel program featuring local, national, and international speakers, traditional undergraduate students are required to earn a minor in Bible by taking 30 credits of Bible classes throughout their college career.
Alternative education programs
The FOCUS Adult Undergraduate Program offers an Associate of Arts degree as well as degree-completion programs in accounting, business, psychology, ministries, and communication studies.
The Graduate Studies program offers the following graduate degrees:
- Master of Organizational Leadership
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Arts in Human Services
- Master of Arts in Education
- Master of Business Administration
Other non-traditional programs include:
- Online Programs
- Early College
- Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Science and mathematics
Northwestern offers accredited bachelor of science and arts degrees in traditional and applied mathematics, mathematics education, biology, biochemistry, criminal justice, psychology and engineering sciences.
Media
The campus houses the KTIS and KTIS-FM radio stations, broadcasting contemporary Christian music and programming to the Twin Cities area. In addition to KTIS, which began broadcasting in 1949, University of Northwestern â€" St. Paul owns and operates media outlets in 7 other cities: KFNW AM and KFNW-FM in Fargo, ND; KDNW and KDNI in Duluth, MN; WNWC-FM and AM in Madison, WI; KNWS-FM and AM in Waterloo, IA; KNWI and KNWM in Des Moines, IA; KNWC (AM), and KNWC-FM in Sioux Falls, SD, and KJNW in Kansas City, MO.
Until July 2010, University of Northwestern â€" St. Paul also owned WSMR in Sarasota, Florida; due to financial troubles, this station was closed down and sold to the University of South Florida, who reformatted the station with a classical music format. Also, in March 2012, Northwestern sold KFNL in Fargo, North Dakota to Robert Ingstad's Mediactive, LCC, who would reformat the station with an active rock format.
The mission statement for Northwestern's media ministry is: "The purpose of Northwestern Media is to lead people to Christ and to nurture them in their spiritual growth through Christ Centered media!"
In addition to KTIS, University of Northwestern â€" St. Paul operates a Campus radio station, The Remnant, and a Student television station. The Remnant is a station that broadcasts on KTIS HD4 as well as a live Internet stream. In 2011, The Remnant won its third straight College Radio Station of the Year award from the National Religious Broadcasters.
Music
Music at Northwestern has a long and proud heritage of serving the college and the greater Twin Cities area through its preparation of students to serve in their homes, churches, and communities through Christian leadership. Ensembles include nationally renowned Northwestern Choir and Orchestra, as well as Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Varsity Men's Chorus, Women's Chorale, and numerous chamber ensembles. The Music Department is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Majors include Music Education, Music Performance, Music Composition and General Music. A music minor is available to those who want a concentration of coursework in music but have other educational goals.
Athletics
Northwestern sponsors 19 varsity intercollegiate athletic sports, including football, women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's lacrosse. Northwestern is a member of the NCAA Division III, a Division I member of the National Christian College Athletic Association, and is one of eight full-time members of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). Prior to its NCAA Division III membership, which began on a full-time basis prior to the 2008-2009 academic year, the Eagles were a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Since becoming a Division III member in 2006, Northwestern teams have been invited to 15 NCAA Tournaments. In 2015 two Northwestern teams advanced to NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in men's basketball and women's volleyball. The Eagles volleyball team has advanced to six consecutive NCAA Tournaments and was a recipient of the NCAA's Sportsmanship Award for all divisions in 2009. The men's basketball team has also advanced to six straight NCAA national tournaments. Northwestern became the first college football team in modern history to play two games on the same day. On October 8, 2005, under head coach Kirk Talley, the Eagles defeated Trinity Bible College 59â€"0 in a 12 noon kickoff before defeating Macalester College 6.5 miles down Snelling Avenue at 7 p.m. that night, 47â€"14. The UNW football team has won two NCCAA Victory Bowls in 2000 and 2008. The Northwestern men's basketball team won the 2010 NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Tournament, defeating King College (Tennessee), for its first ever Division I championship by a score of 58â€"54.
Northwestern's athletic and recreation facilities consist of the Ericksen Center (1996) (volleyball, men's and women's basketball) and the Reynolds Field complex (2014), which houses the Johnson Tennis Complex and 100 percent artificially turfed fields for baseball, softball, football, soccer and lacrosse. The outdoor facility also offers a running and jumping pit for track and field participants, a stadium, and four locker rooms.
In addition to the Eagles' success on the court and field of play, Northwestern's coaching staff has an average tenure of over 10 years, with five head coaches logging at least 15 years at UNW.
Associations
University of Northwestern â€" St. Paul is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
The FOCUS Adult Undergraduate program is a member of the Twin Cities Adult Education Alliance.
The Music Department is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Presidents of University of Northwestern â€" St. Paul
- Dr. William Bell Riley 1902 to 1947
- Dr. Billy Graham 1948 to 1952
- Dr. Richard Elvee 1953 to 1956
- Dr. Curtis B. Akenson 1957 to 1966
- Dr. William Berntsen 1966 to 1985
- Dr. Donald Ericksen 1985 to 1997
- Dr. Wesley Willis 1997 to 2000
- Dr. Alan Cureton 2002 to present
Notable alumni
- Kenneth L. Barker â€" Author, Biblical Scholar, Bible Translator
- Jo Bender â€" Broadcaster, Meteorologist, inspirational speaker
- Ron Carey â€" former MN Republican Party Chairman (2005â€"09)
- Roger Youderian â€" Christian missionary who was killed in Ecuador
See also
- List of colleges and universities in Minnesota
- Higher education in Minnesota
References
External links
- Official website
- Official Student Television Station Site