Northwood University (NU) is a private university in the United States located in Midland, Michigan (opened in 1961). A location in West Palm Beach, Florida (opened in 1984) was sold in July 2015 as part of a restructuring. In 2014, Northwood University suspended its residential operations at the Texas location (opened in 1968), while continuing to expand its adult degree program and graduate programs there. Also, the university has four international joint programs, including one with Hotel Institute Montreux in Montreux, Switzerland, which began in 2001. More than 33,000 people have graduated from the institution.
History
Northwood University opened as Northwood Institute in 1959 by Arthur E. Turner and R. Gary Stauffer. One hundred students enrolled at the new school, which was initially located in a 19th-century mansion in Alma, Michigan. Northwood Institute moved to Midland, Michigan, in 1961.
The Jesuits operated a seminary known as West Baden College at the former West Baden Springs Hotel, in Orange County, Indiana, from 1934 until June 1964, when declining enrollment forced the closure of the facility. They sold the property to a Michigan couple, who in turn donated it to Northwood Institute, which operated a satellite campus of their business management school under the great dome on the property from 1966 until 1983, when it was closed. During the same time frame during which the Indiana campus was opened, a Northwood facility was also established in Texas, which continues to serve students in the Southwest United States.
In 1982, David E. Fry became president of the school. The Florida residential campus was added and the academic curricula was expanded. The school was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
In 1993, the name was changed from Northwood Institute to Northwood University and The DeVos Graduate School of Management was created. A joint program with the Hotel Institute Montreux was established in 2001 to combine Swiss hospitality traditions with American management practices. The school, located in Montreux, Switzerland was Northwood University's first international venture. University College program centers were expanded for a total of 40 locations in eight states and program centers were begun in Bahrain, Malaysia, People's Republic of China, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland.
In October 2007, Keith A. Pretty was named Northwood's third President and CEO.
In 2014, Northwood announced that it would close its residential operations at the Texas location, while continuing to expand its adult degree program and graduate program there. One year later, the university sold its Florida location to Keiser University. Northwood also announced a focus on expansion and growth of the Midland, Michigan Campus and Operations.
Graduate programs
Master of Business Administration
The DeVos Graduate School provides a Master of Business Administration degree and utilizes case study methodology to learn management by practicing management.
Master of Science
The DeVos Graduate School also provides a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
Athletics
The teams of the Northwood University's Michigan campus are known as the Timberwolves. The campus is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level; primarily competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer, tennis and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
Notable alumni
- Candice Miller, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
- Rob Childress, college baseball coach
- Dick DeVos, 2006 Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate, son of Amway co-founder
- Richard Conrad, College Football Coach
- Chris Wilson, Washington Redskins defensive end
- Jerry Pettway, American Basketball Association, Houston Mavericks guard
- Jose Jono Jumamoy, Municipal Mayor of Inabanga, Bohol, Philippines
- Robert Height, 2007 Continental Indoor Football League MVP
- Carole Gist, Miss USA 1990.
- Blake Koch, NASCAR driver
References
External links
- Northwood University
- Northwood University Athletics
