Northwood University: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Private university in Midland, Michigan, US}}

== About Northwood University ==

{{citation style|date=October 2019}}

[[Image:NorthwoodMI.png|frame|right|Northwood]]

{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}

'''Northwood University''' is a private university, with locations in many U.S. states. Northwood hosts three residential campuses in [[Midland, Michigan]] (opened in 1959), [[West Palm Beach, Florida]] (opened in 1984), and [[Cedar Hill, Texas]] (opened in 1966) as well as the University College for adult-learners, and the Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management.

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}

{{Infobox university

| name = Northwood University

| image = Northwood univ seal.png

| image_size = 150

| caption = Northwood Logo, fiftieth anniversary

| established = {{start date and age|1959}}

| founder = Arthur Turner, Gary Stauffer

| type = [[Private university]]

| budget =

| chairman = Jennifer Panning

| endowment = $90.0 million (2020) {{as of|2020|6|30|df=US}} <ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

| undergrad = 2,116 (Fall 2021)<ref name="Fast Facts 2013-2014 Academic Year ">http://www.northwood.edu/about/fast-facts.aspx|access-date{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} = August 12, 2015</ref>

| postgrad = 306 (Fall 2021)

| president = Kent MacDonald<ref name=meet/>

| vice-president =

| city = [[Midland, Michigan]]

| country = U.S.

| campus = Suburban, {{cvt|90|acre}}

| former_names = Northwood Institute<br>(1959–1993)

| colors = NU Dark Blue & NU Light Blue<br>{{color box|#081e3f}}&nbsp;{{color box|#0076bb}}

| athletics_affiliations = [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] – [[Great Midwest Athletic Conference|G-MAC]]

| sports_nickname = [[Northwood Timberwolves|Timberwolves]]

| mascot = "Woody" Timberwolf

| accreditation = [[Higher Learning Commission|HLC]]

| website = {{url|https://www.northwood.edu/| northwood.edu}}

| logo = Northwood univ logo.png

| logo_size = 200

}}

'''Northwood University''' ('''NU''') is a [[private university]] focused on business education with its main campus in [[Midland, Michigan]], United States. Opened in 1959, more than 33,000 people have graduated from the institution.<ref name=HISTORY>[http://www.northwood.edu/aboutus/ Northwood University: About Us-History]</ref>

In [[January]] [[2006]], Northwood starting offering a bachelor's degree program for [[business administration]] at [[Cerritos College]].

==History==

Northwood University is a special purpose university with a defined philosophy about management education - The Northwood Idea. The Northwood Idea permeates everything we do and forms all that we aspire for our students.

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.<ref name=PETE>[https://books.google.com/books?id=gUOLgwyEUKAC&pg=PA2104 Peterson's Four-Year Coilleges by Thomson Peterson, page 2101-2104, Northwood University]</ref>

The [[Society of Jesus|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, "Northwood University-West Baden", under the dome on the property from 1966 until 1983, when it was closed.<ref name=RESORT>[https://www.frenchlick.com/history French Lick Resort website: History-West Baden Springs Hotel]</ref> During the same time frame during which the Indiana campus was opened, a Northwood facility was also established in Texas.

The university provides bachelor of business administration degrees in Accounting, Management, Advertising/Marketing, Entertainment, Sports Promotion & Management, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Fashion Marketing & Management, and Automotive Marketing, Automotive Aftermarket, and more.

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]].<ref name=ACCREDITED>[https://www.hlcommission.org/?option=com_directory&Action=ShowBasic&instid=1356 Higher Learning Commission]</ref>

== Distinguished Alumni ==

*John P. Morrisey '74

*James W. Bazinet '92

*[[Dick DeVos]]

*Caleb L. Brown '05

*Brian D. Williams '05

*Luke M. Tompary '08

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, China, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland.

== Athletics ==

In October 2007, [[Keith A. Pretty]] was named Northwood's third President and CEO. [[Kent MacDonald]] became president in 2019.<ref name=meet>{{cite web |last=Beacom |first=Ron |title=Meet Northwood University's new president |url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Meet-Northwood-s-new-president-14375264.php |website=Midland Daily News |date=24 August 2019|access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref>

=== Michigan Campus Timberwolves ===

[[Image:timberwolflogo.gif|left|Timberwolf logo]]

The Michigan campus of Northwood University competes as the Timberwolves, and is a member of the [[NCAA]], competing at the Division II level and is a member of the [[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]]. Varsity sports on the Michigan campus consist of [[football]], men's and women's [[tennis]], women's [[volleyball]], men’s and women's [[soccer]], men's and women's [[basketball]], [[baseball]], men’s and women’s [[golf]], women's [[softball]], men's and women's [[track & field]], men's and women's [[cross country running]], and [[cheerleading]]. In addition, men’s club programs are offered in [[ice hockey]], [[soccer]] and [[baseball]].

In 2014, Northwood announced that it would close its residential operations at its Texas ___location, while continuing to expand its adult degree program and graduate program there.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wirtz|first=Ralph|title=Northwood closing residential operations in Texas|url=http://www.ourmidland.com/news/northwood-closing-residential-operations-in-texas/article_62412509-9e47-5ecc-b7be-20c233a846fd.html|access-date=29 March 2014|newspaper=Midland Daily News|date=5 March 2014}}</ref> A year later in 2015, the university sold its Florida ___location to [[Keiser University]].<ref name=FLSALE>[http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2015/03/18/keiser-university-to-take-over-northwood.html Keiser University to take over Northwood University's West Palm Beach campus]</ref>

Club Sports National Runners-up:

* 2006 - Men's Ice Hockey - ACHA Divison III

==Academics==

[[File:NorthwoodAdmin.jpg|thumb|Midland's Church Family Administration building]]

Northwood focuses on business education. Its most popular undergraduate majors, based on 2021 graduates (including by distance learning), were:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Northwood+University&s=all&id=171492#programs |website=nces.ed.gov |publisher=U.S. Dept of Education |title=Northwood University |access-date=January 21, 2023}}</ref>

::Business Administration and Management (343)

::Accounting (108)

::Marketing/Marketing Management (79)

::Vehicle & Vehicle Parts & Accessories Marketing Operations (47)

::Finance (39)

::Management Science (24)

::Sport & Fitness Administration/Management (22)

==Athletics==

[http://www.northwood.edu/mi/athletics/ Michigan Timberwolves Athletics Michigan Timberwolves Athletics]

===Current campuses===

====Michigan Timberwolves====

{{Main|Northwood Timberwolves}}

[[File:HantzStadium.JPG|thumb|Hantz Stadium in Midland]]

The athletic teams of Northwood University's Michigan (main) campus are called the Timberwolves. The campus is a member of the [[NCAA Division II]] ranks, primarily competing in the [[Great Midwest Athletic Conference]] (G-MAC) since the 2022–23 academic year. The Timberwolves previously competed in the [[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (GLIAC) from 1972–73 to 1986–87, and again from 1992–93 to 2021–22.

Northwood competes in 16 varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Club sports include men's ice hockey.

=== Florida Campus Seahawks ===

[[Image:seahawklogo.gif|left|Seahawk logo]]

The Florida campus of Northwood University is a member of [[NAIA]], competing as the Seahawks in the Florida Sun Conference. Varsity sports sponsored by the campus include [[baseball]], men's and women's [[basketball]], men's and women's [[golf]], men's and women's [[soccer]], [[softball]], men's and women's [[tennis]], and women's [[volleyball]].

On April 29, 2021, Northwood announced that it will leave the GLIAC to join the G-MAC in July 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Northwood University Athletics Changing Conference Affiliation |url=https://www.gonorthwood.com/general/2020-21/releases/20210428roa2rd |access-date=April 29, 2021 |publisher=Richland Source |date=April 29, 2021}}</ref>

[http://www.northwood.edu/fl/athletics/ Florida Seahawks Athletics Florida Seahawks Athletics]

===Former Texas Campus Knights campuses===

====Texas Knights====

[[Image:knightlogo.gif|left|Knight logo]]

The Texasathletic campusteams of Northwood University's competesTexas ascampus were called the Knights. atThe the Divisioncampus IIwas levellocated in the [[NAIACedar Hill, Texas]], and iswas a member of the Red[[National RiverAssociation Athleticof Conference.Intercollegiate VarsityAthletics]] sports(NAIA); offeringsprimarily includecompeting in the [[baseballSooner Athletic Conference]], men's(SAC) andfor women'sthe [[cross2013–14 countryacademic running]],year. men'sThey andalso women'scompeted in the [[golfRed River Athletic Conference]], men's(RRAC) andfrom women's1998–99 [[soccer]],to and [[softball]]2012–13.

Northwood University–Texas competed in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included football, baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track & field; while women's sports included basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and track & field.

[http://www.northwood.edu/tx/athletics/ Texas Knights Athletics Texas Knights Athletics]

====Florida Seahawks====

The athletic teams of Northwood University's Florida campus were called the Seahawks. The campus was located in [[West Palm Beach, Florida]], and was a member of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA); primarily competing in the [[Sun Conference]] (formerly known as the Florida Sun Conference (FSC) until after the 2007–08 school year) from 1994–95 to 2014–15.

Northwood University–Florida competed in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, and tennis; while women's sports included basketball, cheerleading, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

==Notable alumni==

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

* [[Jeffrey Ajluni]], businessman

* [[Robb Brent]], NASCAR/ARCA driver<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver/Robb_Brent|title=Driver Robb Brent Career Statistics - Racing-Reference.info|website=Racing Reference |access-date=August 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.robbbrentracing.com/pages/bio.html|title=ARCA Racing Series Driver - Robb Brent 36 - Driver Information|website=Robbbrent Racing.com|access-date=August 27, 2018}}</ref>

* [[Julie Calley]], politician and former [[second lady]] from Michigan

* [[Rob Childress]], [[college baseball]] coach<ref name="InsidePitching.com Mound Visit with Rob Childress">{{cite web|url=http://www.insidepitching.com/?p=1636|publisher=InsidePitching.com| title=Mound Visit with Rob Childress|access-date=2016-05-15}}</ref>

* [[Dick DeVos]], 2006 Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate, son of [[Amway]] co-founder<ref>{{cite web|title=Outstanding Business Leaders Archives|url=http://www.northwood.edu/about/honorees/outstanding-business-leaders-archive.aspx|publisher=Northwood University|access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref>

* [[Dan DeVos]], American businessman and sports executive<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dan DeVos|url=https://www.northwood.edu/obl/archives/1642_A|website=Northwood.edu}}</ref>

* [[Carole Gist]], [[Miss USA 1990]]

*[[Rina Harun|Rina Mohd Harun]], Malaysian politician

* [[Charleston Hughes]], [[Canadian Football League]] All-Star defensive linemen and Grey Cup champion

* [[Maurice Jones (basketball)|Maurice Jones]], [[National Basketball League of Canada|NBL Canada]] player, 2017 NBL Canada Rookie of the Year

* [[Blake Koch]], NASCAR driver

*[[Lisa McClain]], Representative of [[Michigan's 9th congressional district]]

* [[Jermaine Middleton]], former basketball player for the [[Harlem Globetrotters]]

* [[Candice Miller]], Member of the [[U.S. House of Representatives]]<ref name="Full Biography">{{Cite web|url=http://candicemiller.house.gov/about/full-biography|title=Full Biography|website=Congresswoman Candice Miller|access-date=2016-05-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507032403/http://candicemiller.house.gov/about/full-biography|archive-date=2016-05-07}}</ref>

* [[Jerry Pettway]], [[American Basketball Association]], [[Houston Mavericks]] guard<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pettwje01.html|title=Jerry Pettway Stats {{!}} Basketball-Reference.com|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-27}}</ref>

*[[Deborah Renshaw]], NASCAR driver<ref name="WomenInRacing">{{cite web |title=Deborah Renshaw |url=http://www.womeninracing.org/archives/renshaw.html |website=Women In Racing |access-date=April 10, 2022}}</ref>

*[[Jim Stamas]], businessman and politician

* [[Chris Wilson (gridiron football)|Chris Wilson]], [[National Football League|NFL]] defensive end<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/chriswilson/2507022/profile|title=Chris Wilson|website=NFL.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-27}}</ref>

* [[Ernie Zeigler]], [[college basketball]] coach

{{div col end}}

<gallery mode=packed heights=100>

File:Candice Miller, official portrait, 112th Congress.jpg|Candice Miller

File:Lisa McClain 117th U.S Congress.jpg|Lisa McClain

File: Dick DeVos 2022.jpg|Dick DeVos

File:RobbBrent2010Bucyrus200RoadAmerica.jpg|Robb Brent

file:Carole_Gist.jpg|Carole Gist

File:39, Charleston Hughes, Oct 6, 2021.jpg|Charleston Hughes

file:Rina_Mohd_Harun_%2812_March_2021%29.jpg|Rina Harun

File:Maurice_Jones_USC.jpg|Maurice Jones

</gallery>

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

{{ccat}}

*[http://www.northwood.edu/ Northwood University]

* {{oweb}}

* [https://www.gonorthwood.com/landing/index Athletics website]

{{Colleges and universities in Michigan}}

*[http://www.northwoodhockey.com/ Northwood University Hockey]

{{Private colleges and universities in Texas}}

{{Great Midwest Athletic Conference navbox}}

{{authority control}}

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{{Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference}}

[[Category:UniversitiesNorthwood andUniversity| colleges in Michigan]]

[[Category:Universities and colleges established in Dallas1959]]

[[Category:UniversitiesMidland, and colleges in TexasMichigan]]

[[Category:Private universities and colleges in Michigan]]

[[Category:Education in Midland County, Michigan]]

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Midland County, Michigan]]

[[Category:1959 establishments in Michigan]]

[[Category:Private universities and colleges in Texas]]