Olivet Nazarene University: A Legacy of Faith, Academics, and Community
Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) stands as a private institution rooted in Bourbonnais, Illinois, deeply affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Its history is a testament to resilience, growth, and a commitment to providing a "university-level liberal arts Education with a Christian Purpose." This article delves into the university's history, academics, campus life, and its place within the broader context of Nazarene higher education.
A Journey Through Time: From Grammar School to University
ONU traces its origins to 1907 when the Eastern Illinois Holiness Association established Miss Mary Nesbitt's Grammar School in Georgetown, Illinois. Just two years later, in 1909, the institution was chartered as a liberal arts college under the name Illinois Holiness University. A. M. Hills from Texas Holiness University served as its first president. In 1912, the university was entrusted to the Church of the Nazarene, with E. F.
The 1920s brought financial challenges, forcing the trustees to declare bankruptcy in 1926. However, T. W. Willingham, the school's treasurer, purchased the school back at an auction and was elected president and ensured the continuation of the institution. A fire in 1939 destroyed the main building on campus, prompting a relocation. In 1940, under President A.L. Parrott, the school moved to its current 250-acre (1.0 km2) campus in Bourbonnais, Illinois, which was previously St. Viator College.
Growth and Transformation
The past decades have ushered in significant changes in ONU's culture and image. Under the leadership of President John C. Bowling, the university broadened its appeal to students from various Christian denominations. This era was marked by construction projects reflecting the institution's overall growth.
Academic Excellence and Diverse Programs
Olivet Nazarene University is organized into seven academic units: the College of Arts and Sciences, the McGraw School of Business, and the Martin D. Walker School of Science and Technology.
Read also: History of Olivet Academics
ONU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1956 and offers bachelor's degrees in 67 academic majors. The School of Graduate and Continuing Studies provides master's degrees, nontraditional adult degree-completion programs, and a Doctor of Education degree offered only at Bourbonnais main campus as well as a master of "professional counseling" degree offered at a site in Hong Kong and distance education for a master in education degree. The Doctor of Education degree was offered through a unique hybrid/cohort model (both in-class and online). Starting late 2018, the doctor of education program was switched to full online only version.
The Department of History and Political Science integrates a biblically-based philosophy of history and politics with current scholarship, offering conceptual frameworks that are rigorous and innovative. Students have opportunities for field experience through study abroad programs and an annual trip to Washington D.C., focusing on political structures and activism.
Campus Life: A Vibrant Community
ONU's campus in Bourbonnais features 30 buildings, including four original structures from St. Viator College: Burke Administration, Chapman Hall, Miller Business Center, and Birchard Gymnasium. Subsequent construction has added seven academic buildings, two gymnasiums, and six residence halls. The university also provides off-campus apartment buildings and a student life and recreation center, opened in 2012.
The university offers over 80 clubs and student organizations, sponsored by the Olivet Nazarene University Associated Student Council.
Athletics: The Olivet Nazarene Tigers
The Olivet Nazarene athletic teams, known as the Tigers, compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) since 1996-97. They are also members of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Olivet Nazarene competes in 21 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading and marching bands.
Read also: Affording NNU: A Guide
The Chicago Bears held their summer training camp at the school from 2002 to 2019.
Controversy and Academic Freedom
In 2007, President John C. Bowling prohibited ONU alumnus and faculty member Richard G. Colling from teaching the general education biology course which he had taught since 1991. President Bowling banned professors from assigning Colling's 2004 book: Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with the Creator. Colling argued that evolution through random mutation and natural selection is "fully compatible with" faith.
In 2009, an American Association of University Professors (AAUP) investigation found problems with shared governance at ONU and that Colling's rights had been violated when Bowling placed the concerns of the more conservative members of its Nazarene constituency higher than its principles of academic freedom.
Stance on Homosexuality
Olivet Nazarene University's stance on homosexuality aligns with the 2009-2013 Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, which states that homosexual acts are sinful. The university offers counseling services to students seeking help with same-sex attractions, but not to those seeking to accept a gay lifestyle.
Affiliations and Regional Significance
ONU is one of several liberal arts colleges affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, serving as the college for the "Central USA Region" which includes the Wisconsin, Northwestern Illinois, Illinois, Chicago Central, Northern Michigan, Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northwest Indiana, Northeastern Indiana, Indianapolis, and Southwest Indiana districts. Each college receives financial backing from the Nazarene churches on its region.
Read also: Affording Trevecca: A Guide
A Commitment to Christian Education
Olivet Nazarene University's founders envisioned an institution that would "encourage, promote, maintain, and support Christian education in all its branches." This vision continues to guide the university today, as it strives to provide a transformative education grounded in Wesleyan faith. The university aims to equip students with critical thinking skills, a sense of purpose, and a commitment to service in a global context.
tags: #Olivet #Nazarene #University #history #academics #campus
