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Miller Hall on the campus of North Central University.

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, USA.

History

Early Days: 1930-33

North Central University enrolled its first 26 students in 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 states.

Growth & Expansion: 1933-present

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. 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 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.

For the next 16 years, 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 building 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. In 2001, the new Phillipps Hall dormitories were completed, as was the remodeling and refurbishing of the Carlson Hall Cafeteria.

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 Fine Arts Building, a 35,000 square-foot building located two blocks from campus.

Equality Ride: 2006

On April 17, 2006, North Central University earned unwanted notoriety when the Soulforce Equality Ride visited campus. The Equality Ride is a youth activist group that visits and confronts colleges about policies they consider anti-LGBT. North Central University has a specific policy banning “homosexual behavior,” [1] and requires students to sign a contract promising to uphold that community standard. Former students report being disciplined and even dismissed from the school for being gay. Worldwide media attention resulted from the Equality Ride confronting these issues.

The Equality Ride made official contact with the University in late 2005; however, NCU declined Soulforce’s requests to hold educational forums on campus.

The University states the following in its March 6, 2006 press release:[2]

The President’s Cabinet of the University reviewed the Equality Ride information and their event plans, which included forums, worship services, literature distribution, speeches, debates, meals, classroom attendance, and the filming of a documentary on our campus. After this review, the Cabinet decided to decline their request.

The Equality Ride came to the school anyway, setting up tables around campus buildings. Riders distributed literature, gave away beverages, and answered questions when approached. The University kept the activists out of all buildings, posting security guards at every doorway. Two hours into the visit, Equality Riders and one alum responded by initiating a sit-in blocking numerous campus entrances.

Later that evening, a rally was held in Elliot Park, Minneapolis, which is adjacent to the campus on two sides. Celebrity actor George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek) made a surprise visit, opening the rally. Equality Ride co-director Jacob Reitan condemned North Central’s actions in dismissing fellow Equality Rider David Coleman who came forward as openly gay. Coleman, who attended NCU as a full-time student from 2001-2005, closed the rally by telling his experiences at the college. He explained how the college dismissed him after he sought protection from another student in 2005. Over 300 people attended the rally.

According to the Equality Ride’s official press release, other speakers at the rally were:[3]

Neil Giuliano, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD); Rev. Laurie Crelly, North Central graduate, UCC minister and head of Minnesota's Faith, Family and Fairness Coalition; Rev. Mark Blakesley, former North Central student and coordinator of the Minnesota chapter of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns.

According to the Associated Press, NCU dismissed two student newspaper editors in part for publishing articles prior to the Soulforce Equality Ride's visit. [4]

See http://www.nlnews.org, the former URL of the student newspaper, which now unofficially speaks out about the dismissals.

Relevant links regarding the Equality Ride’s NCU visit:
NCU March 6, 2006 press release:
http://www.northcentral.edu/news/soulforce.php
NCU April 17, 2006 press release:
http://www.northcentral.edu/mediarelations/April17release.php
Equality Ride April 17, 2006 press release:
http://www.equalityride.com/article.php?article_id=241
Equality Ride NCU rally registration:
http://www.equalityride.com/northcentral

Media Stories:

Twin Cities Star Tribune [5]
KARE 11 News (NBC Affiliate) [6]
WCCO 4 News (CBS Affiliate) [7]
ABC News [8]
Star Tribune on Laurie Crelly [9]

Distinctives

Mission Statement

The official mission statement is reproduced below.

North Central University, owned and operated by the Assemblies of God, exists to provide Christian higher education in a Pentecostal environment, training students for ministry to God, the Church and the world. The University is committed to enable students to become knowledgeable in God's inerrant Word and competent in its application and proclamation; to develop spiritually mature, dedicated persons; and to maintain academic excellence in the highest tradition of Christian scholarship. Students are trained in all aspects of church-related ministry, with emphasis on pastoral leadership, preaching, teaching, evangelism, church planting, missions and music.

Vision Statement

The official vision statement is reproduced below.

North Central University is a Christ-centered school in the Bible college tradition, with urban and international focus, whose purpose is to prepare Pentecostal leaders to serve God in the church and in the world.

Academic & 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.

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. At the spring 1998 meeting of the Board of Regents, 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.

Presidents

Various personalities figured prominently in the operation of the college from its inception: Rev. F.J. Lindquist, founder-president and pastor of the Minneapolis Gospel Tabernacle, first home of the college; Rev. I.O. Miller, member of the Board of Directors from 1933-36, and after 1936, a member of the executive committee and faculty; and Rev. H.R. Snyder, treasurer. All three resigned from their official positions as president, executive vice-president and treasurer, respectively, in the spring of 1961. Rev. Lindquist continued to teach on a part-time basis until June 1, 1964.

Dr. G. Raymond Carlson, who had been a member of the Board of Directors since 1944, was chosen as the second president of the college. He assumed his duties as president May 1, 1961 and served in this office until Dec. 31, 1969. The Rev. Cyril E. Homer was elected by the Board of Regents to serve as the third president of the college in the fall of 1969. Dr. E.M. Clark, a member of the Board of Regents and superintendent of the Illinois District of the Assemblies of God, was called by that Board to serve as the fourth president of the college, serving president, during which time the college experienced much enrollment and campus growth. He left the college in May 1995 to serve as the president of the National Association of Evangelicals.

After 13 years of teaching at North Central, Dr. Gordon Anderson became the sixth president in May 1995. Prior to his appointment as president of North Central, Dr. Anderson's diverse experiences included pastoral leadership, professor and chair for the Department of Liberal Arts, and director for the G. Raymond Carlson Institute for Church Leadership. He also served on the mission field as director of the Eurasia Office for the Assemblies of God Division of World Missions.

Quick Facts

Founded: 1930

Affiliation: Assemblies of God

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Enrollment: 1,239 (2004-05 academic year)

Type: Private, Christian, co-educational, residential

Campus: 14 buildings and residence hall facilities located on 9 acres in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Campus Map)

Academic System: Semesters

Academic Majors: 28 (Complete list)

Undergraduate Degrees Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), three-year diploma, Associate of Arts (two-year), one-year certificate.

Faculty/student ratio: 18:1

Financial Aid: Approximately 90 percent of students receive some form of financial aid. $8.5 million in aid is awarded each year. (Financial Aid details)

Student Profile: Average ACT score is 22; 46 states and 6 foreign countries represented.

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)

Clubs and Organizations: More than 20 student organizations (Complete list)

Athletics: NCCAA intercollegiate teams for men—basketball, soccer, cross country and track and field; for women—basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross country and track and field. A variety of club and intramural sports are available. (Athletics details)

External links

About NCU

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 <blockquote>''Neil Giuliano, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD); Rev. Laurie Crelly, North Central graduate, UCC minister and head of Minnesota's Faith, Family and Fairness Coalition; Rev. Mark Blakesley, former North Central student and coordinator of the Minnesota chapter of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns.''</blockquote>
-According to the Associated Press, NCU dismissed two newspaper editors in part for publishing articles prior to the Soulforce [[Equality Ride]]'s visit. [http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/14297116.htm]
+According to the Associated Press, NCU dismissed two student newspaper editors in part for publishing articles prior to the Soulforce [[Equality Ride]]'s visit. [http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/14297116.htm]
+See http://www.nlnews.org, the former URL of the student newspaper, which now unofficially speaks out about the dismissals.