Archive for July, 2008

Online Education – One Year After the Launch

Comments Off Written on July 31st, 2008 by
Categories: Programs
Tags: , ,

One year has passed since the launch of Connect, the Seminary's online course program. Online classes are in such high demand that both semesters' courses were filled to capacity. Most importantly, we met our goal of providing students with classes that helped them accomplish their learning goals, in their own communities, and on their own schedules.

Here's what some of the students had to say in their anonymous, end-of-the-term evaluations:
Connect Convenient

"...everything went very smoothly and I look forward to taking more courses online. Excellent vision from Multnomah to provide this opportunity for those of us still in ministry that live some distance from campus."

Connect Learning

"I loved this class, the books, the prof, the chatting, the case studies, but especially the discussion questions. Those required specific thought & study."

Connect Community

"This course was an excellent compliment to my on-campus studies and the on-line classes offer an added measure of flexibility to scheduling. Overall this has been an excellent experience and I would highly recommend this to future students. Thanks for a job very well done."

Connect Interaction

"Answering the questions online and the chat times made the course feel more personal than on-campus classes feel sometimes."

As Connect looks forward to its second year operating as a pilot program, we will double the number of courses offered, evaluate and sharpen the program, and do our very best to provide a quality learning option for anyone, anywhere.

If you are interested in taking Seminary courses online through Connect, contact Student Enrollment for more information.

Faculty Tour of Ministries in Asia

1 Comment » Written on July 24th, 2008 by
Categories: Alumni, Missions
Tags: ,

Multnomah professors Tom and Bonnie Kopp recently returned from a two-week trip to Asia with Norm and Muriel Cook. On their trip, they visited South Korea, China, Thailand, and Taiwan and connected with various ministries, Multnomah alumni, and some of the Cook’s friends from the time they spent doing missions work there.

Here’s what Tom had to say about their trip:

The passion to reach the world for Christ that we witnessed among Asian believers was memorable indeed, especially in light of the immense religious, political, & social challenges they face in their countries. Because existing churches are growing and new kinds of churches are being structured, an educated and experienced assistance from believers worldwide is desired and invited. We were particularly delighted that Multnomah was directly asked to send people for a variety of meaningful short-term internship and strategic long-term ministry options. We’ve already asked the Lord to send more Multnomah individuals into Asia in the coming months, and will continue to do so!

This is a wonderful opportunity for God to continue to expand Multnomah’s ministry around the world for His kingdom. Please join the Kopps as they pray for representatives of Multnomah to minister in Asia.

During their travels, the Kopps also took many photographs. This is just a taste of what they saw and experienced (I wish I could post more photos than what you see here). Enjoy!

Reno-Tahoe Rolls into Town

3 comments Written on July 17th, 2008 by
Categories: General
Tags: ,

As we welcomed the Reno-Tahoe campus to the Multnomah University family we received a funny little gift in the mail.

Tumbleweed Break

It's a tumbleweed. We kind of just stared at it for a while. Multnomah being in Portland means we don't see much tumbleweed in these parts. Sure, I think we all recognize these sand dwellers from the movies, but we really couldn't understand why someone would mail us one (let alone three). Then we received an email from Jason Daniels the Administrative Director of the Reno-Tahoe campus detailing some facts about our new "friend"...

  • It is sharp. (Check!)
  • It is Nevada's answer to the pet rock.

He also sent some display ideas...

  • Hang it from the ceiling.
  • Put it in your yard next to a wagon wheel!

We here at MU Portland are really excited about how our expansion east will extend the reach of Multnomah's mission. Well, we want you all to know that the Reno-Tahoe campus connection is already being felt (or seen) on campus.

Tumbleweed, don't be anxiousTumbleweed near chapel

Tumbleweed looking at Seminary buildingTumbleweed inspiration



It is obvious that Multnomah University Reno-Tahoe is going to be a fun group to work with.

Here is a question for you. What do you think would be the Portland equivalent to a tumbleweed?

Multnomah YOU-niversity

1 Comment » Written on July 9th, 2008 by
Categories: Alumni, Missions
Tags: ,

Multnomah has been in existence since Valentines Day, 1936. Since then – like many other colleges – we’ve been known by many names starting with “Multnomah School of the Bible” to “Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary” to the latest (and most likely last) “Multnomah University.”

The Conundrum
After 72 years, many people still call us by many different names…so we wondered how best to inform the community about who we are and what we stand for…and definitely what to call us. We have done many of the typical letters, advertising, news stories and other promotions...

But it just didn’t seem to "hit the spot"...

Letting Our Hands, Hearts, and Feet Do the Talking
We heard that Luis Palau (Alum, 1961) was coming back home to Portland and that his Luis Palau Association (LPA) was putting on CityFest 2008 for the Portland-Metro-SW Washington region.

So, we decided to jump on as their first major sponsor, and provide as much support for the Season of Service and CityFest 2008 weekend as possible. Not only will our “Multnomah University” name and logo get out to hundreds of thousands of people – but our vast base of students, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and friends can have many ways to SHOW what we’re all about with THEIR hands, hearts, and feet!

The YOU in YOU-niversity
YOU are the ones who tell folks what we're about! Multnomah is YOURS, afterall. YOU do it better than any type of promotion or advertising ever could!

  • Students volunteering can earn ministry credit
  • Alumni’s PDX chapter event at CityFest
  • Decision counselor training is open to the public
  • Volunteers working with kids, maintenance, and support
  • Volunteers running various Season of Service activities
  • Putting out signs, stickers, and getting your church involved
  • Join our alumni during a “call party” to get other volunteers committed

Evangelizing to folks who actually WANT to know more about Jesus – it’s a brilliant plan!
And who better to do it than a Biblically trained - Multnomah affiliated - committed follower of Christ?

Oh yeah, you don't have to be an Alumnus to participate...students, employees, donors, friends, and community members are all welcome!

Get Involved
Contact the Alumni Department:

Multnomah University in Reno-Tahoe?

6 comments Written on July 1st, 2008 by
Categories: Dr. Lockwood
Tags:

Today marks an important beginning for Multnomah—for two reasons. First, on this day we begin operating as Multnomah University. And second, as Multnomah University we now occupy a significant footprint in Reno, Nevada, right in the heart of the mountain west.

Background
Our Reno-Tahoe presence has been a long time in the making. Conversations began over nine years ago when several church and business leaders from northern Nevada approached Multnomah about the possibility of creating a Bible college in Reno.

“Many of our young people leave Reno for their college education,” says Multnomah alum Tony Slavin, one of the original trustees who serves on the pastoral staff of Grace Community Church, “but then they would never return to Nevada. We needed a place in Reno where they could be equipped to minister in the church here.”

For seven years, Multnomah, pursuing regional accreditation with NWCCU, could not launch extension education. However, Dr. Larry Ayers, a Multnomah adjunct faculty with higher education experience, spent a year in Reno organizing their board and securing approval from the State of Nevada to operate Meadows Bible Institute (MBI) as a state-authorized Bible institute, the only faith-based institution of its kind.

Agreement
Then, last February, Multnomah’s board of trustees approved a recommendation to take over the facility in Reno for the purpose of offering accredited, biblical education for northern Nevada. After MBI’s board accepted this recommendation, Multnomah and Meadows negotiated an agreement that would transfer all its assets to Multnomah. We signed this historic agreement the evening of June 30, 2008, with joy, prayer, and celebration.

Looking Ahead
Now the work begins. Jason Daniels will continue as administrative director of the Reno-Tahoe site, reporting to me and working with each of the Portland campus departments. In cooperation with our accrediting agencies, we hope to begin offering accredited courses, perhaps as early as this fall.

Rejoice with us! God has, I believe, opened a portal of opportunity to enlarge Multnomah’s mission and ministry into the mountain west region of the United States!

Read the official press release here