NWC ranked among most beautiful Christian college campuses

Northwestern College is ranked 33rd in Christian Universities Online’s 2016 ranking of the 50 Most Beautiful Christian Colleges and Universities.

The ranking, which only includes members or member-eligible institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, is based on the cumulative evaluation of specific criteria. Each school was scored on the continuity of campus, architectural style, signature buildings and natural setting.

“Visitors to Northwestern often mention how impressed they are with the attractiveness of the campus,” says Mark Bloemendaal, Northwestern’s dean of enrollment and marketing. “The natural beauty of trees, shrubs and flowers mixed with well-maintained historic and new buildings make a great impression on many who see Northwestern for the first time.”

More than $40 million has been spent on construction and renovation projects on Northwestern’s 100-acre campus since 2003. Some of the most recent improvements include the addition of the $14 million DeWitt Learning Commons; the renovation of the former library into Ramaker Center, which now houses various student-serving offices; and the Ron and Peg Juffer Athletic Fieldhouse.

The ranking, at www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/most-beautiful-christian-colleges-2016, highlights Northwestern’s beautiful grounds and vicinity to residential neighborhoods, local parks and eating areas. The website also mentions impressive facilities that surround the campus green, including Zwemer Hall, Northwestern’s signature building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The physical attraction of the campus can be credited to a creative, dedicated and hard-working maintenance staff and to many supporters of the college who have invested in capital projects and the annual operations of the college,” says Bloemendaal. 

Christian Universities Online is an independent online resource for students and families researching Christian higher education. The site publishes rankings and reviews of colleges and universities across the nation, information about scholarships and financial aid, and other materials for families and students pursuing a distinctly Christian education.