Our Legacy of Student Leadership

is bound and knotted together by the love that each person has for their Savior, His people and the world.

The residential life of campus provides the context for powerful memories and transformational growth, and sharing life together has always provided students with memorable stories to tell and re-tell. Many alumni share fond memories of “bread parties” where students gathered over freshly baked bread in Burke-Griffeth halls. Those parties now take the form of themed Late-Night Breakfasts on the last night of classes or barbeques on the patio of the Hilyard Apartments. Resident Assistants (RAs) build community and provide accountability to the mission of the University as a place for students to grow in their faith. While we’ve lost the “houses” through the years that once provided aspects of group identity, bonding over dorm identity remains a special part of campus life, particularly when dorm pride is on the line in Hall Music Videos competition.

While some traditions, such as “tubbings”, initiations in the Millrace, candle passings and “stand-up concerts” have been long absent from campus, other long-standing traditions live on. The Bash-Whisler Bible Reading contest has been bringing the Word to life for many years and winners still experience the joy that comes from the memorizing and declaration of Scripture. Some new traditions have become campus favorites as well, including Beacon Madness and Mr. Beacon—two can’t-miss events that bring the whole student body together.

Student passions and interests have always been a driving force in the evolution of campus life. Student journalism has taken many forms over the years, whether published in student newspapers, yearbooks, literary journals, or online publications. The Gleam, The Northwest Christian, The Crusader, The Mishpat and The Beacon Bolt reflect each generation’s passions and concerns as they tell the ongoing NCU student story. Student clubs have continued to serve as places of shared interest, sometimes bringing students with shared heritage or geography together. The “California Club” and “Idaho Club” helped out-of-state students feel more at home in years gone by, while the current Pacific Islander Club provides students the opportunity to celebrate their shared ethnic and cultural roots.

Another constant throughout NCU history has been the role of student government. Elected students share significant

Campus Follies, early 20th Century

California Club, 1960’s

Our Legacy of Community

responsibility for the campus community and serve as the voice of the student body to the administration, faculty and staff. Student leaders reflect the best of wisdom, faith and service as they strive to make the NCU experience the best it can be. Perhaps the most visible expression of this is the role that student leaders play in orientation, welcoming new students to the Beacon family during Fish Week every August.

As the book closes for undergraduates at the end of four years, one last tradition still brings them together. The Cutting of the Ivy takes place at the final chapel service of their NCU journey, reminding them of the day they twined their hearts together at orientation. The ceremony forever reminds them of the knots that bind them to their fellow Beacons as they now go into the world to shine their light for the years to come.

Twining of the Ivy, 2000’s

Student Leadership Our Legacy of Student Leadership

“Christ said, ‘Take up thy cross and follow me.’ Through study, service, song and surrender, Northwest Christian College [now University] students prepare to respond to that call.” LeRoy Lawson ‘60 Student Body President Quoted in The Crusader, 1960

Roy’s legacy of leadership continued for his whole career. He went on to earn his Ph.D., eventually serving as President of Hope International University (formerly Pacific Christian College), one of NCU's sister universities. Dr. Lawson and his wife Joy (Whitney) '63 recently returned to the Pacific Northwest to once again to serve the Body of Christ, this time at Northwest Christian Church (Newberg, Tigard and McMinnville campuses).

Dr. LeRoy Lawson '60, Student Body President

“But serve each other humbly in love.” I have been humbled by NCU students, staff, and faculty who have gone the extra mile to help me. These hearts in our community have inspired me to serve. Through strong faith and commitment to service, this community has truly taught me the meaning of serving one another “humbly in love.” It is this lesson that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on my life.

Katia Burke ‘20 ASNCU President

Katia was raised in Sydney, Australia and has lived all around the world. She is a double major in interpersonal communication and business. After graduation she hopes to teach English overseas to grow in her understanding of who God is by seeing what He has done and is doing for people all over the world.