THE INAUGURATION OF
JOSEPH D. WOMACK AS THE TENTH PRESIDENT OF
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
THURSDAY OCTOBER 7, 2010 AT THREE O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY MORSE EVENT CENTER EUGENE, OREGON
History of
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
115 YEARS N
orthwest Christian University has been a vital part of Eugene’s heritage and the development of higher education in the Northwest for more than 115 years. Founded by pastor-educator Eugene C. Sanderson, it was originally named Eugene Divinity School, and strategically located adjacent to the University of Oregon so its students could make use of the resources of the U of O while studying for Christian ministry. Tuition was free and five students enrolled in the fall of 1895.
Although known as Eugene Bible University by 1908, it was much more than its name implied. Between 1908 and 1929, EBU constructed the Administration and Music Buildings, as well as other now non-existent structures, and operated the Pacific Christian Hospital (known today as the Sacred Heart Medical Center), a home for the aged, a home for wayward boys, a two-year women’s college in south Eugene, and colleges in four other states. It also offered a student nursing program and a school of oratory and fine arts. Unfortunately when the nation’s economy collapsed in 1929, the institution was over-extended and under-capitalized. The board of trustees struggled to keep the college open and in 1930 eliminated all extraneous corporations and activities and reinvented EBU as Eugene Bible College, choosing to focus primarily on training students for ministry. When Spokane University, founded by the Christian Churches in 1912, failed due to financial challenges in 1934, its remaining students and assets were sent south to Eugene Bible College. That same year the college changed its name to Northwest Christian College, organizing its efforts under then-president, Kendall E. Burke. After struggling through the Depression, enrollment was bolstered in the 1940’s and early 1950’s by returning G.I.’s. Campus housing for women (Burke Hall) was erected in 1950, the Kellenberger Library built in 1957 on the site of the old Klinger Gymnasium, and the Griffeth dormitory addition to Burke Hall was completed in 1963. Several homes adjacent to campus were also purchased during these years to provide on-campus housing for an increasing number of students.
During the presidency of Dr. Ross J. Griffeth, 1944-65, NCC achieved regional accreditation and the College began to expand its curriculum with double majors in Bible and Theology, and other disciplines. Enrollment grew to 400 students by 1971 and additional properties were secured to meet the demand for increased campus housing and faculty offices. However, by the late 1970s and early 1980s the College again faced difficult financial circumstances and saw its enrollment plummet to less than 200 by 1986. In an attempt to offer more academic offerings to students, the College began to offer combination majors with the U of O in the early 1980’s and in 1986, with the calling of Dr. James E. Womack as president, began the process of broadening its curriculum to include liberal arts and professional studies programs as well as a degree completion program for adult learners. Graduate programs were added in the late 1980s and early 1990s. By the early 2000s, enrollment reached the 500-student level. In 1995, the College’s 100th Anniversary, the Music and Library buildings underwent significant renovations and a building connecting the two was constructed. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the College significantly expanded its student programs including student athletics where today 12 collegiate NAIA athletic programs are offered. In 2003, as the result of the $13.5 “Vision for Our Second Century” capital campaign led by President James Womack, the board of trustees, and members of the community, the Morse Event Center was completed. The campaign also provided for increased endowment for scholarship funding and the funding of a significant technology upgrade for the campus. Between 2004-2010 and during the presidency of Dr. David W. Wilson, an adjacent former fraternity was purchased and renovated to provide much-needed faculty offices and increased classroom space. The Pomajevich Faculty Building was dedicated in 2006. The institution officially changed its name to Northwest Christian University in 2008 to reflect its growing academic program that now offers 17 majors, with some 25 concentrations in its undergraduate and professional studies programs, as well as four master’s degree programs in its business program and School of Education. Today with a record enrollment of 625 students, NCU remains committed to quality Christian higher education. With expanded curriculum, faculty, and facilities, NCU is the faithful heir to the pioneer conviction that led to the institution’s founding 115 years ago.
PRESIDENTS Eugene C. Sanderson 1895 – 1929 S. Earl Childers 1929 – 1934 Victor P. Morris 1934 – 1936 1943 – 1944 Kendall E. Burke 1936 – 1943 Ross J. Griffeth 1944 – 1965 Barton A. Dowdy 1965 – 1978 William E. Hays 1978 – 1985 James E. Womack* 1986 – 2004 David W. Wilson 2004 – 2010 Joseph D. Womack 2010 –
INTERIM PRESIDENT Charles Pyron 1985 – 1986
*President Emeritus
Joseph D. Womack President of Northwest Christian University
A
fter a nationwide search, Dr. Joseph D. Womack was selected to succeed Dr. David Wilson as the 10th president of Northwest Christian University. With a passion to provide students with a transformative educational experience and a desire to communicate the value of Christian higher education, Dr. Womack is committed to inspire NCU’s faculty, staff, board, alumni, as well as churches and the community to work enthusiastically toward a common vision for excellence. Dr. Womack came to NCU from William Jessup University in Rocklin, California, where he served as vice president for advancement and student life (1999-2004), and dean of students (1997-1999) before assuming the role of vice president for university advancement. His responsibilities as “I believe the best of what the VPUA at WJU included fund-raising (annual, planned, and we do is manifest through capital giving), strategic planning, institutional marketing, as a collegiate atmosphere well as public, media, and alumni and church relations. that is transformative in He additionally served as the executive director of the WJU experience, rigorous in study, Foundation and led the University’s relocation from San Jose to and reverent in posture; an Rocklin in 2004. Dr. Womack’s tenure at WJU was punctuated environment where students by the University’s naming of the Womack Student Life Building are encouraged to passionately on campus in honor of his exemplary service and the contribuseek God’s call on their lives tions of his father, Jim Womack (NCU president emeritus, 1986and endowed with the 2004), to WJU and to Christian higher education as a whole. knowledge, experiences, skills, Dr. Womack previously served in a number of capacities in and character to answer that student affairs and admissions at California Baptist University call successfully.” in Riverside, California, and in recruitment and marketing at NCU. He earned an A.A. from Northwest Christian College in 1989; a B.S. from Texas Christian University in 1991; and a M.Ed. and Ed.D. from Azusa Pacific University (1998, 2009). Joe and his wife, R. Kristine (Rhee) ’89, are the proud parents of four sons: James, Benjamin, Daniel, and Andrew; and the siblings of six [Pam (Rhee) Elling ’86, Kathleen (Rhee) Pauley ’89, Tim Womack ’89, Steve Womack ’92, Margo (Pasco) Womack ’92, and Marilee Womack ’93] and the children of four [Sue (Bartholomew) ’61 and Song Rhee ’58, and Sharron Kay (McCullough) ’65, M.Th. ’90 and James Womack ’63] NCU alums.
ACADEMIC PROCESSION
UNIVERSITY MARSHALS John Hakes, M.A. Associate Professor of Music, Voice Charles Sturms, M.A. Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies FLAG BEARER DELEGATES OF UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND SOCIETIES In order of date of founding
FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNIVERSITY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PLATFORM PARTY
ORDER OF CEREMONIES
PRELUDE Melissa Stock, B.A. Assistant Professor of Music PROCESSIONAL INVOCATION Cathy Myers-Wirt, M.A., M.Div. Co-regional Minister, Christian Church in Oregon (Disciples of Christ), past member of the Board of Trustees WELCOME Clayton W. Walker Chair, NCU Board of Trustees FROM THE GOVERNMENT Michael R. Hogan, J.D., D.Hum. ’02 U.S. District Court Judge FROM THE COMMUNITY Mel Pyne, M.A. CEO, PeaceHealth Oregon Region FROM HIGHER EDUCATION Scott McDowell, Ed.D. Vice President of Student Development, Lipscomb University
FROM SCHOOL DISTRICT 4-J George Russell, D.Hum. ’08 Superintendent, Eugene School District 4-J, member of the presidential search committee MUSICAL INTERLUDE Virtue Alex Davies, Julie Farnsworth, Rachel Nott, Matt Trevarrow FROM THE STUDENTS Jenna Royce President, Associated Students of Northwest Christian University Deborah Tobar Student representative from adult studies FROM THE ALUMNI Clifford Berger, D.Min. ’80 Associate Director, Doctor of Ministry Program, George Fox Evangelical Seminary FROM THE UNIVERSITY FACULTY Michael Bollenbaugh, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy and Biblical Studies FROM THE UNIVERSITY STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION Dennis Lindsay, Dr.Theol. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty MUSICAL INTERLUDE The Stock Brothers Jim ’91, Matthew ’88-91, and Joel Stock
INAUGURAL ADDRESS & INVESTITURE OF THE PRESIDENT J. Frank Morse, D.D. ’66 Oregon State Senator, NCU Board of Trustees Song Nai Rhee, Ph.D, Ph.D. ’58 Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Studies, Archaeology, and Anthropology, emeritus, Northwest Christian University James E. Womack, D.Hum. ’63 President Emeritus, Northwest Christian University PRESENTATION OF THE PRESIDENT Bryce Jessup, D.D. ’92 President Emeritus, William Jessup University INAUGURAL RESPONSE Joseph D. Womack, Ed.D. ’89 President ALMA MATER BENEDICTION Clare Buhler, M.S. ’80 Senior Minister, Harrisburg Christian Church, member of the presidential search committee RECESSIONAL
DELEGATES AND INSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED
1860 WHEATON COLLEGE Doris L. Payne, Ph.D. Alumnus 1873 BRITE DIVINITY SCHOOL AT TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Douglas A. Rose, M.Div. ’69 Alumnus 1885 GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY Dale Seipp, Ph.D. Vice President for Enrollment Services 1891 LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY Scott McDowell, Ed.D. Vice President of Student Development 1894 HIGHER EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP MINISTRIES OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) April Oristano, M.Div. Member, Council on Ministries in Higher Education 1895 PENSION FUND OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) T. Eugene Fisher, M.Div. Vice President for Employer Services 1899 AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY Willie Hamlett, M.A. Associate Vice President for Student Life
1911 SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY Stephen J. Womack, J.D. ’92 Alumnus 1935 CORBAN UNIVERSITY Matthew Lucas, Ph.D. Provost 1936 MULTNOMAH UNIVERSITY Daniel R. Lockwood, Ph.D. President 1937 WARNER PACIFIC COLLEGE Cole Dawson, Ph.D. Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the Faculty 1939 WILLIAM JESSUP UNIVERSITY Paul Blezien, Ed.D. Vice President for Student Development 1964 LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE Mary Spilde, Ph.D. President 1965 EMMANUEL SCHOOL OF RELIGION Erin Layton, M.A.R. Director of Admission and Recruitment 1969 OREGON INDEPENDENT COLLEGES ASSOCIATION Gary Andeen, Ph.D. President and CEO
ALMA MATER All Hail to you; dear N.C.U. Hail Alma Mater brave and true; We pledge our best, our all to you, Of youth and loyalty. Chorus: The Blue and Gold float proudly o’er Best college on Pacific shore, Each year we love you more and more. Hail dear old N.C.U. May future years add to your fame, May great and glorious be your name; We’ll praise you e’er with loud acclaim, Dear Alma mater fair. Chorus: The Blue and Gold float proudly o’er Best college on Pacific shore, Each year we love you more and more. Hail dear old N.C.U. O Lord of all, your truth we hold; to all the world it must be told. Our Alma Mater makes us bold. Hail dear old N.C.U. Chorus: The Blue and Gold float proudly o’er best college on Pacific shore, Each year we love you more and more. Hail dear old N.C.U.