Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a private Christian liberal arts college with its main campus on the Point Loma oceanfront in San Diego, California. It was founded in 1902 as a Bible college by the Church of the Nazarene.

"Pasadena College" redirects here. For other uses, see Pasadena College (disambiguation).
Point Loma Nazarene University
Seal of Point Loma Nazarene University
Former names
Pacific Bible College (1902-1906), Deets Pacific Bible College (1906-1910), Nazarene University (1910-1917), Pasadena University (1917-1949), Pasadena College (1949-1973), Point Loma College: An Institution of the Church of the Nazarene (1973-1983), Point Loma Nazarene College (1983-1998)
TypePrivate liberal arts college
Established1902
Religious affiliation
Church of the Nazarene
EndowmentUS $37,360,494[1]
PresidentBob Brower
Students3,480
Undergraduates2,346
Postgraduates1,134
Location
San Diego
,
California
,
United States

32.716853°N 117.250686°W / 32.716853; -117.250686
CampusSuburban
ColorsGreen and gold         
AthleticsNCAA Division II – PacWest
NCCAA – West Region (D-I)
NicknameSea Lions
AffiliationsCCCU
CIC
Sports11 varsity teams
MascotRoary the Sea Lion
Websitewww.pointloma.edu

History

The college was founded by several female laypersons in the Church of the Nazarene with the assistance of Phineas F. Bresee, co-founder of the Nazarene Church in Los Angeles. The "initiators," in the words of historian Timothy L. Smith, convinced "a reluctant Bresee to support the venture."[2]

The institution envisioned was "a simple Bible college" to train ministerial and lay leadership for the newly established Nazarene denomination; however, a Bible college did not fit Bresee's notion of a real Christian school, and he "promised little or no assistance." The women went ahead with their plan, with money raised from their husbands, and Pacific Bible College opened in 1902 under Principal Mary Hill.[2] In 1906, Bresee's interest in the college was piqued with a large donation from Jackson Deets. Bresee now saw the possibility for a real liberal arts college in the newly renamed Deets Pacific Bible College. Bresee and Deets were soon planning Nazarene University together: academy, liberal arts college, and bible school. It became one of the first three "official" educational institutions affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene in 1908, and was named Deets Pacific Bible College in 1909.[3] In 1910, it was renamed Nazarene University and, against the wishes of Jackson Deets and the advice of Nazarene General Superintendent John W. Goodwin, the college moved to the Hugus Ranch property in Pasadena, California.[2] It was renamed again to Pasadena University following a theological dispute and near bankruptcy in 1917.

In 1924, the name was changed again, this time to Pasadena College.[3] The school received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 1949.[4] The college preparatory program was ended in the 1950s. In 1973, the college was relocated to the former California Western University campus on Point Loma in San Diego, after a rejected plan to move the school to Santa Ana. The Pasadena campus was later purchased by the U.S. Center for World Mission. After the move to San Diego, the college existed for ten years as "Point Loma College: An Institution of the Church of the Nazarene" until the name was changed to Point Loma Nazarene College (PLNC) in 1983.[3] In 1998, the name was changed again, to Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU).

Presidents
Presidents
1.Phineas F. Bresee1902-1911
2.Edgar P. Ellyson1911-1913
3.H. Orton Wiley1913-1916
4.Edward F. Walker1917-1918
5.Andrew O. Hendricks1918-1923
6.C. B. Widmeyer1923-1926
7.H. Orton Wiley1926-1928
8.Orval J. Nease1928-1933
9.H. Orton Wiley1933-1949
10.W. T. Purkiser1949-1957
11.Russell V. DeLong1957-1960
12.Oscar J. Finch1960-1964
13.W. Shelburne Brown1964-1978
14.Bill Draper1978-1983
15.Jim Bond1983-1997
16.Bob Brower1998–present

Campus

PLNU has different locations besides the main campus in Point Loma, with graduate programs at regional centers in Bakersfield, and Mission Valley San Diego.[5] Once owned by the Theosophical Society, the Point Loma site has a lengthy pre-PLNU history.

Lomaland

Before it served as the Point Loma Nazarene University campus, the area was the location of a Theosophical commune run by Katherine Tingley. It became known as "Lomaland". By 1900, the campus was dominated by the imposing Academy Building and the adjoining Temple of Peace of the Theosophical Society. Both buildings were constructed in the Theosophical vernacular that included the flattened arch motif and whimsical references to antiquity. The buildings were topped by amethyst domes, which were lighted at night and could be seen offshore. The entrance to the Academy Building was dominated by two massive carved doors that symbolized the Theosophical Principles of "spiritual enlightenment" and "human potential." The sculptor, Reginald Machell, was educated in England, but moved to Lomaland in 1896.[6] The interior furnishings he carved for the Academy Building were influenced by the Symbolist style popular in Europe at that time. Machell also supervised the woodworking school at Point Loma.

Greek theater

Lomaland had public buildings for the entire community and several private homes. The home of Albert Spalding, the sporting goods tycoon, was built in 1901. The building combines late-Victorian wooden architecture with historical motifs such as the modified Corinthian column (now shaped like a papyrus leaf) and flattened arches. The amethyst dome was restored by a team of scholars led by Dr. Dwayne Little of the PLNC department of History and Political Science in 1983.[7] The first Greek theater in North America was built on this site in 1901. It was used for sporting events and theatrical performances.[8] The tessellated pavement and stoa were added in 1909. The theatre was the site of a number of productions of Greek and Shakespearean dramas. Cabrillo Hall, which served as the International Center Headquarters, the Brotherhood Headquarters, and "Wachere Crest" building, was completed in 1909. It served as office space for the Theosophical Society and as a residence for Katherine Tingley after 1909. It was originally located on the west side of Pepper Tree lane. The hall is currently the location for the Communication Studies Department.[9]

Lomaland dissolved in the aftermath of World War I and was used for bootlegging during the Prohibition period. The tunnel systems and site were later taken over by Fort Rosecrans before World War II. It served as an observation point and several barracks were installed on the site, which constitute some of the campus dormitories for PLNU. In 1952, California Western University relocated to Point Loma. In 1968, California Western changed its name to United States International University and moved to Scripps Ranch, while the California Western School of Law retained its old name and relocated from its Point Loma location to downtown in 1973. Pasadena College moved from Pasadena to Point Loma to replace it.

Affiliation

PLNU is one of the eight U.S. liberal arts colleges[10] and universities affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene.[11] Although its name might suggest that it is the college for the "Point Loma" region, no such region currently exists;[12] PLNU is the college for the "Southwest Region" of the United States, comprising the northern California, Sacramento, central California, Los Angeles, Anaheim, southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii districts, which include California, Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, and parts of Nevada, Utah, and Texas.[13] Each college receives financial backing from the Nazarene churches on its region; part of each church budget is paid into a fund for its regional school. Each college or university is also bound by a gentlemen's agreement not to actively recruit outside its respective "educational region."[14] PLNU has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 1949.[15]

Academics

Point Loma Nazarene University has a "commitment to educating students as whole people."[16] The University offers more than 60 areas of scholarship as Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, as well as graduate degrees. There were 3,480 students at the college in 2007, 2,346 of whom were undergraduates.[17] The 2007 acceptance rate for students who applied to the college was 53.5 percent.[18]

In 2017, PLNU launched its first doctoral-level curriculum in the form of a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.[19]

Accreditations

The university is accredited by the following organizations:[20]

Rankings
University rankings
National
Forbes[21] 263
Regional
U.S. News & World Report[22] 9

U.S. News & World Report 2019 ranks PLNU #9 in the Regional Universities West category out of 128 schools listed in that section.[23] Forbes ranks PLNU as #263 in the country among all universities as of 2019, and #54 in the West.[24]

The average high school GPA for admitted freshmen in 2018 (unweighted) was 3.79, while the average SAT was 1,690/2,400.[25] According to PayScale, the median mid-career salary of PLNU graduates in 2019 (bachelor's degrees only) was $90,100.[26]

Student life

The institution has a debate team that won the National Parliamentary Debate Association championship in 2007 and met success as Sweepstakes Champions three times since 2003.[27][28][29] PLNU has also won the Christian College National Championship in 7 times since 1998.[30] PLNU has a lot of resources for students, as well as a lot of opportunities for involvement on campus. For example, they have an Honors Program, Career Services, Study Abroad opportunities and more.[31] Additionally, PLNU hosts numerous denominational and local community events: arts & culture gatherings,[32] outdoor activities,[33] and faith and ministry opportunities.[34]

Athletics
Main article: Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions

PLNU is currently a member of the Pacific West Conference in NCAA Division II. The university sponsors 11 athletic programs, four for men and seven for women, in cross-country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's and women's tennis, women's track & field, women's volleyball, and women's golf. In 2002, the mascot was changed from the Crusaders to the Sea Lions.[35]

Faith

Point Loma Nazarene University is associated with the Church of the Nazarene. The campus offers many ministry opportunities including chapel, community and discipleship ministries, international and worship ministries. Attendance to chapel is based on the number of units the student is enrolled. Full-time students are required to attend chapel. Freshman and sophomores must attend 33 chapels, and juniors and seniors must attend 25 chapels. Students can be fined for being absent from chapel too many times.[36]

Notable persons

Notable alumni include Edward J. Blakely, educator and researcher on urban and suburban issues,[37] James Dobson, prominent evangelical psychologist, Greg Laswell, musician and producer, and Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, noted Nazarene theologian. The school has produced four college presidents. Two were presidents of the Eastern Nazarene College: Fred J. Shields and Floyd W. Nease, 1919-1923 and 1924-1930, respectively. One, Orval J. Nease, was president of his alma mater from 1928 to 1933. The fourth, David Alexander, has been president of Northwest Nazarene since 2008. Hoku, singer and daughter of the late Don Ho studied business at PLNU briefly, but left during her first semester. William De Los Santos, Author, Poet, Screenwriter and Motion-Picture Director (enrolled as William Hilbert). Micah Albert, award winning photojournalist who has covered issues in Africa and the Middle East. Robert Pierce, the evangelist who founded World Vision and Samaritan's Purse, studied on the Pasadena campus. Mark McClain, the CEO and Co-founder of Sailpoint Technologies is also a graduate. Tim Gaines, current Assistant Professor of Religion at Trevecca, graduated from Point Loma in 2003 alongside his wife, Shawna Songer-Gaines who graduated in 2006. They both went on to write Hud York Times Best-Selling Books, A Seat At the Table and Kings and Presidents.

Notable faculty members include Frank G. Carver, Wesleyan Center Scholar in Residence, Darrel R. Falk, author of Coming to Peace with Science and director of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute outreach program, Michael Lodahl. Another notable former faculty member is Olive Winchester.

Notes and references
  1. "Point Loma Nazarene University – Best Colleges". U.S. News and World Report. Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  2. "Why These Schools? Historical Perspectives on Nazarene Higher Education," by Stan Ingersol Archived 2008-06-24 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Raser, Harold E. (1996). "Chapter 23: Church of the Nazarene Universities, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries". In Hunt, Thomas C.; Carper, James C. (eds.). Religious Higher Education in the United States: A Source Book. Routledge. pp. 548–549. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  4. Westlake Taylor, Purkiser (1983). Called Unto Holiness Volume Two: The Second Twenty-five Years, 1933–58 (PDF). Nazarene Publishing House. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  5. "Locations". Point Loma Nazarene University. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  6. "Theosophy and Symbolist Art: The Point Loma Art School". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  7. "Mieras Hall". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  8. "Lomaland ~ Theosophical Society". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  9. "Cabrillo Hall". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  10. LIBERAL ARTS AND THE PRIORITIES OF NAZARENE HIGHER EDUCATION by J. Matthew Price, Ph.D. Archived 2008-06-27 at the Wayback Machine Eastern Nazarene College is the only Nazarene institution to retain the "college" moniker. Different states hold different standards for university status, but none of the Nazarene "universities" are research universities. Rather, Nazarene higher education is based on the liberal arts model.
  11. Nazarene Educational Regions Archived 2008-06-24 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Eastern and Northwest are the only Nazarene schools to use their regional names. Point Loma is named for its location on the Point Loma oceanfront.
  13. Southwest Region Archived 2007-08-09 at the Wayback Machine
  14. Guidelines and Handbook for Educational Institutions of the Church of the Nazarene (PDF). Church of the Nazarene International Board of Education. 1997. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-10-10.
  15. "Institutions". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  16. "About PLNU". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  17. "Search for Schools, Colleges, and Libraries". U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
  18. "Point Loma Nazarene University". Guide to Best Colleges. U.S. News and World Report. Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  19. PLNU: DNP.
  20. PLNU Accreditations.
  21. "America's Top Colleges 2019". Forbes. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  22. "Best Colleges 2020: Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  23. U.S. News and World Report: Point Loma Nazarene University. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  24. Forbes: America's Top Colleges: Point Loma Nazarene University. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  25. Prep Scholar.
  26. PayScale: Best Universities and Colleges by Salary Potential. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  27. "Search". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  28. "Search". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  29. "Search". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  30. http://cas.bethel.edu/dept/comm/nccfi/debate.html
  31. "Academic Resources & Student Success". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  32. "Arts & Culture". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  33. "Outdoor Leadership". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  34. "Faith". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  35. "Search". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  36. "Attendance Policy". Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  37. Edward J. Blakely Center for Sustainable Suburban Development at the University of California Riverside
gollark: I see.
gollark: Why a WAV file?
gollark: *Slightly*, not significantly.
gollark: Yes, I saw, but hardcoding the TLD list is inelegant, means you end up being slightly worse for your user's internet connection (if this runs on the client), and is prone to issues if the list updates.
gollark: Maybe `<link>`.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.