NNU to hold online Information Night Jan.24

Northwest Nazarene University will host an online information night for those interested in graduate, adult and professional programs in accounting, business, education, Christian ministries, nursing, religion and theology.

To participate an online meeting, log onto www.nnu.edu/infonight_online and RSVP to join one of the online sessions that begin at 5 p.m.

Whatever your passion is—whether it’s business, nursing or something in between—we think you should love what you do. Our graduate, adult and professional programs are designed for just that. Come see if an NNU education is one you can love. We sure think so!

To learn more, log on to www.nnu.edu/infonight or call 208.467.8107.

2011 Eugene Emerson Award presented to the Boise Philharmonic

Northwest Nazarene University honored the Boise Philharmonic with the 2011 Eugene Emerson Award. Each year NNU recognizes an organization that  shares its goals of enriching and educating the local community.

Although the Boise Philharmonic is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this season, its roots in the community extend far beyond those 50 years. The Boise Philharmonic Society first began performing in the 1880’s when Boise’s population was less than 2,000. The group changed names, venues and size over the next 80 years, but never its vision, which is to encourage appreciation appreciation of the arts and provide a new cultural awareness.

It was in 1961 that the Boise Philharmonic was established under the direction of Jacques Brourman. At that time, regular concerts were being held at Boise High School. Today, the Philharmonic is directed by Robert Franz and their Boise concerts are performed at the Ann Morrison Center.

In the fall of 1998, through the leadership of Ken Harward from the City of Nampa, the Boise Philharmonic moved its Nampa performances from the Civic Center to NNU’s new Swayne Auditorium in the John and Orah Brandt Fine Arts and Convocation Center. The partnership between NNU and the Boise Philharmonic has been key in helping the University realize its goal of using the Brandt Center as a community resource.

President Emeritus Richard Hagood remembers the partnership saying, “Bringing the Boise Philharmonic to the campus soon after the opening of the Brandt Center affirmed the growing spirit of cooperation between our university and our community.  It gave us a chance to showcase a marvelous auditorium and practice hospitality with our neighbors. The Boise Philharmonic has had a significant role in building bridges between NNU, the community of Nampa and beyond.”

This relationship has benefited both the University and the surrounding community in countless ways. Members of the NNU’s women’s choir and mixed ensembles have had the opportunity to join the Boise Philharmonic on stage in large choral works. Students have had the opportunity to learn directly from members of the Philharmonic who have offered private instruction on campus. And, NNU faculty, staff and students have been able to attend concerts without charge.

“We are humbled by this tremendous honor from Dr. Alexander and NNU,” said Boise Philharmonic Music Director Robert Franz.  “We are grateful for this relationship to serve more of the Treasure Valley with our concerts.  Receiving the Eugene Emerson Award from NNU is an incredible testament to our collaboration.”

The Eugene Emerson Award was established in 1985 to acknowledge the spirit of cooperation that exists between the Treasure Valley and the University. The award was named for NNU founder Eugene Emerson, a Nampa businessman who also established a lumber company and later sold it to Windsor Lloyd of Lloyd Lumber Company. The award honors those who have contributed significantly to fostering that cooperation, and by so doing, draw attention to the mutual benefit gained by both the community and the University.

NNU announces first doctoral degree in education

Northwest Nazarene University announces the launching of a doctorate of education (Ed.D.) beginning September 2011 as approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and NNU’s Doctor of Education (EdD) program will provide advanced study and research for educators interested in educational leadership in school administration. This program, as developed by the expert educators and faculty of NNU’s Department of Education: Graduate Education, will provide opportunities for in-depth exploration, study, research and analysis regarding administrative practices in the school/district setting.

“We are delighted that NNU is poised to launch its first doctoral degree; it is truly an historic day.  As a regional university of significance and graduate study substance we will now be able to build upon NNU’s century-long tradition of educating some of the most highly sought after elementary and secondary teachers and school administrators in the Northwest.  The doctorate in education will become the capstone of educational offerings in the NNU Department of Education” said President David Alexander.

Northwest Nazarene University believes that learner-centered teachers have accepted the call to make a positive difference in the lives of students through teaching and relationships.  Educators in any position requiring strong leadership and decision-making abilities are strong candidates for this program.

The program consists of a minimum of 60 semester credits (30 in the Education Specialist (EdS) program and 30 in the EdD) and will take approximately four years to complete. Most doctoral students will come directly through NNU’s EdS program, which provides at least 30 credits of educational leadership content. In the EdD program, students will be required to complete six additional credits in research methods, 12 credits in an educational leadership core, and at least 12 credits in dissertation. The program will utilize a cohort model and will be offered predominately online, with all three-credit online courses eight weeks in length.

For more detailed information on the Ed.D program visit http://www.nnu.edu/edd or call 208-467-8341.

NNU MAKES STUDENT COMFORT A TOP PRIORITY

ABOVE: A digital rendering of the courtyard renovation between Culver and Dooley Halls.

NAMPA, Idaho – With the Thomas Family Health and Science Center now complete, Northwest Nazarene University has moved its operational focus to completing its 20 other campus improvement projects. With the completion of the Helstrom Business Center only a few years past, current renovations taking place in the theology building and the old science building, now to be known as the graduate education, social work and counseling building, scheduled for remodeling, NNU continues to invest heavily in the academic futures of its students.

But, this has been the summer of student housing, said Dick Van Schyndel, director of campus operations and the $1.5 million project. The students will be flabbergasted when they return,he added with a chuckle. And with good cause by the end of the summer two of the residence halls on campus will have been completely renovated on the inside: new bathrooms, new fixtures, new carpeting and tile throughout and new energy efficient windows. Additionally, there will be a courtyard added between these two residence halls complete with amphitheatre and bike racks.

Elsewhere on campus, new roofing is being replaced on three dormitories, new fences are being added surrounding the campus, 29 trees are being planted, sidewalks are being replaced, duplexes are being remodeled and a back-up power supply has been added.

NNU understands that it is a destination campus, said Van Schyndel. Students live here the majority of the year, so we want to make sure that they are comfortable at their academic home.
The campus renovations are scheduled to be complete by the end of August when the students return for the semester, and $1.5 million will have been invested into their comfort.

Northwest Nazarene University, a Christian comprehensive university, offers over 60 areas of study and seven master’s programs in 18 different disciplines. In addition to its 85-acre campus located in Nampa, Idaho, the University now offers online programs and works in cooperation with programs in 10 other countries. Founded in 1913, the university now serves over 1,900 undergraduate and graduate students, more than 10,000 continuing education students, and 1,900 high school students through the concurrent credit program.