Multnomah University: A Legacy of Faith and Influence

Multnomah University (MU), formerly known as Multnomah School of the Bible and Multnomah Bible College, was a private Christian university located in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1936, it provided undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in both in-person and online settings, before its closure on May 1, 2024. This article explores the history, academic offerings, notable alumni, and overall impact of Multnomah University.

A Foundation of Faith

The story of Multnomah University began on February 14, 1936, when John G. Mitchell convened a meeting of Portland-area ministers and Christian businessmen. Their shared vision was to establish a Bible school in the Pacific Northwest. Mitchell, along with B.B. Sutcliffe and others, brought this vision to life, founding Multnomah School of the Bible that same year. Classes commenced in October with 49 students and a small faculty, housed in a converted mortuary.

Leadership and Growth

B.B. Sutcliffe served as the first president from 1936 to 1939. In 1943, Willard Aldrich assumed the presidency. At the age of 34, Aldrich was the youngest college president in the United States at the time. He served until his retirement in 1978. During his tenure, Multnomah transitioned into a degree-granting college and established its main campus, which it occupied until its closure. Joseph C. Aldrich, Willard's son, succeeded him as president, continuing the family's commitment to the institution. The Multnomah Graduate School of Ministry was established in 1986 as a related institution, later renamed Multnomah Biblical Seminary. In 1993, the college became Multnomah Bible College, and on July 1, 2008, the institution adopted the name Multnomah University.

Campus and Expansion

The original campus was located near the present-day Lloyd Center shopping mall in Northeast Portland. In 1952, the school acquired the 17-acre former campus of the Oregon Blind Trades School at NE 82nd Avenue and NE Glisan Street, which became one of the university's main locations. In 2008, Multnomah expanded with a satellite campus in Reno, Nevada, offering bachelor's and graduate degrees in biblical and theological studies, as well as church leadership. The Reno campus also housed the Reno Technology Academy, aimed at addressing the IT labor shortage in Northern Nevada by providing industry certifications.

Academic Programs

Multnomah University offered a range of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, along with professional certifications and endorsements. Historically, all undergraduate students were required to major in Bible and Theology, with the option to choose a second major.

Undergraduate Programs: Multnomah offered a variety of undergraduate majors, including:

Accounting
Bible and Theology
Biology
Business
Business and Organizational Psychology
Educational Ministries
Elementary Education
English
Global Studies
Greek
Hebrew
History
Music
Pastoral Ministry
Pre-Law
Psychology
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Youth Ministry

The Summit program allowed students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology and a Master of Divinity in five years instead of the traditional seven. The university also offered TESOL certificate options.

Graduate Programs: Multnomah Graduate School offered several graduate degrees:

Master of Arts in Counseling
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Arts in Global Development and Justice
Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

An online version of the Master of Arts in Global Development and Justice degree included an initial two-week session in Rwanda or Thailand before transitioning to online coursework.

Seminary Programs: Multnomah Biblical Seminary offered numerous master's programs:

Master of Arts in Applied Theology
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
Master of Arts in Christian Leadership
Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Master of Divinity
Master of Theology

The seminary provided a standard track for students without formal Bible and theology education and an advanced track for those with prior training, reducing the length of study by one year. The seminary program emphasized both classroom learning and practical application through internships, with pastoral mentors providing guidance and experience.

The seminary also offered a Doctor of Ministry program with emphases in:

Church Revitalization
Cross-Cultural Engagement
Missional Leadership
Global Evangelism
Spiritual Formation
Youth Ministry

Adult Degree Completion Program: Multnomah's adult degree completion program allowed students with 48 or more credit hours and significant work experience to complete their undergraduate education while working full-time. Classes were held one night a week, and students worked in cohorts, choosing from majors in Applied Psychology, Biblical Studies, Business Management, or Leadership and Ministry.

Athletics

Multnomah's athletic teams were known as the Lions. The university competed in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports, including men's and women's basketball, men's soccer, men's and women's cross-country, men's and women's golf, women's volleyball, and men's and women's track and field.

Rankings and Admissions

Multnomah University's rankings included:

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

#6419 of 14,131 in the World
#1777 of 2,597 in North America
#1690 of 2,496 in the United States
#22 of 31 in Oregon
#10 of 15 in Portland

The university's acceptance rate was approximately 50%. Admission requirements included a secondary school GPA and record. While not required, the university considered college-preparatory programs, formal demonstrations of competencies, recommendations, and SAT/ACT scores.

Student Demographics and Costs

The enrollment demographics by race or ethnicity were:

White: 243 (46%)
Hispanic: 82 (16%)
Black or African American: 67 (13%)
Nonresident Alien: 50 (9%)
Two or more races: 45 (9%)
Asian: 20 (4%)
Race or Ethnicity unknown: 15 (3%)
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 4 (0.8%)
American Indian or Alaska Native: 1 (0.2%)

The average net cost to attend Multnomah University was $23,072 per year, calculated as the sum of tuition, room and board, books, and supplies, minus the average financial aid received. Average aid awarded was $18,214, with 100% of students receiving aid.

Graduation and Retention Rates

Multnomah University had a graduation rate of 51%, placing it among the lowest 44% of universities in the US. The full-time retention rate was 34%.

Publications and Citations

Multnomah University published 61 scientific papers with 495 citations. The research profile covered fields such as Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, Political Science, Medicine, Geology, Law, Ecology, and Chemistry.

Notable Alumni

Multnomah University has produced several notable alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields:

Bettie Page: An American model who gained fame in the 1950s for her pin-up photos. Known as the "Queen of Pinups," her style influenced artists for generations.
Luis Palau: An Argentine-American international Christian evangelist who traveled the world preaching the Gospel.
Dan Kimball: An author and a prominent voice in the Emerging Church movement in the United States.
Craig Williford: Spent over five decades serving in both ministry and higher education. His career includes more than 20 years as the CEO and President of three esteemed institutions: Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon; Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois; and Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado.
Carolyn Williford: Has played an equally vital role in their shared mission, using her gifts as an educator, author, and mentor. She has served as an instructor of English at Bryan College and made a significant impact as a conference speaker, leadership network facilitator, and retreat leader. Her work in Christian literature is notable, as she has authored nine books, three of which she co-wrote with Dr. Williford.

Closure

According to United States Federal data for college enrollment, Multnomah's numbers had been declining since 2013. In the 2010s, enrollment was steady and between 900 and 1000 students, but in 2013, it had declined to 777 enrolled students. Multnomah University closed on May 1, 2024. Students enrolled at the time were offered the option to participate in teach-out programs through other universities, allowing them to complete their degrees by April 30, 2027.

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