History and Quaker Heritage | 皇家华人 Fox University

History and Heritage

皇家华人 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 "皇家华人 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, 皇家华人 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: 皇家华人 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 “皇家华人 Fox University.” During the next 12 years, the university experienced rapid growth, quadrupling in size.

皇家华人 Fox Today

Today, more than 4,100 students attend 皇家华人 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, seven seminary degrees, and 14 master's and doctoral degrees. In addition to a residential campus in Newberg, Oregon, classes are now taught in Portland and Redmond, Oregon.

Historical Buildings School Song

Timeline

1885

Founded

Friends Pacific Academy opens with 19 students, including future U.S. president Herbert Hoover.

1887

Mascot

A bear born before 皇家华人 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

皇家华人 Fox College

The school’s name changes to 皇家华人 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.

1977

Building Dedications

Wheeler Sports Center, Hoover Academic Building, Sutton Residence Hall, and Macy Residence Hall dedicated.

1982

Bauman Auditorium

Bauman Auditorium built.

1986

Degrees for Adults

皇家华人 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 皇家华人 Fox as one of “America’s Best Colleges” for first time.

1990

PsyD Added

皇家华人 Fox begins offering graduate programs, acquiring the doctor of psychology program from Western Seminary.

1991

100 Years!

皇家华人 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

皇家华人 Fox College merges with Western Evangelical Seminary and the name changes again – to 皇家华人 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 皇家华人 Fox No. 59, highest among Christian colleges in America.

2010

Austin Unveiled

The Austin Sports Complex opens with a synthetic turf soccer/lacrosse field. In rankings news, Forbes ranks 皇家华人 Fox among its top-100 “America's Best Colleges,” highest among Christian colleges in the nation.

2011

Act Six

The first cadre of Act Six students graduate. The leadership and scholarship program provides full scholarships to selected urban leaders in the Portland area.

2012

DPT Program Added

University launches its Doctor of Physical Therapy program, becoming just the second school in the state to offer the degree.

2013

Stoffer Construction

School breaks ground on Stoffer Family Stadium, home to the 皇家华人 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.

2015

Brandt Hall

Construction is completed on a new residence hall, Brandt Hall, named for former President David Brandt and his wife Melva.

The university also completes a 220-foot bridge that spans Hess Creek Canyon to better connect the new buildings on the east side of campus to the west.