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Former names | Pacific Bible College (1902–1906), Deets Pacific Bible College (1906–1910), Nazarene University (1910–1917), Pasadena University (1917–1949), Pasadena College (1949–1973), Point Loma College: An Institution of the Church of the Nazarene (1973–1983), Point Loma Nazarene College (1983–1998) |
|---|---|
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1902; 123 years ago (1902) |
Religious affiliation | Church of the Nazarene |
| Endowment | US$37,360,494[1] |
| President | Kerry Fulcher |
| Students | 4,494 (fall 2023)[2] |
| Undergraduates | 3,158 (fall 2023)[2] |
| Postgraduates | 1,336 (fall 2023)[2] |
| Location | , United States 32°43′01″N117°15′03″W / 32.7169°N 117.2507°W /32.7169; -117.2507 |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Colors | Green & gold |
| Nickname | Sea Lions |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division II –PacWest NCCAA –West Region (D-I) |
| Mascot | Splash theSea Lion |
| Website | pointloma.edu |
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Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is aprivate university with its main campus inPoint Loma inSan Diego, California, United States. It was founded in 1902 as aBible college by theChurch of the Nazarene.
The university was founded by six female laypersons in theChurch of the Nazarene with the assistance ofPhineas F. Bresee, co-founder of the Nazarene Church inLos Angeles.[3] The "initiators," in the words of historian Timothy L. Smith, convinced "a reluctant Bresee to support the venture."[4]
The institution envisioned was "a simple Bible college" to train ministerial and lay leadership for the newly established Nazarene denomination; however, aBible college did not fit Bresee's notion of a real Christian school, and he "promised little or no assistance." The women went ahead with their plan, with money raised from their husbands, and Pacific Bible College opened in 1902 under Principal Mary Hill with 41 students.[4][3] In 1906, Bresee's interest in the college was piqued with a large donation from Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Deets.[5] Bresee now saw the possibility for a realliberal arts college in the newly renamed Deets Pacific Bible College. Bresee and Deets were soon planning Nazarene University together: academy, liberal arts college, and bible school. It became one of the first three "official" educational institutions affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene in 1908, and was named Deets Pacific Bible College in 1909.[6] In 1910, it was renamed Nazarene University and, against the wishes of Jackson Deets and the advice ofNazarene General SuperintendentJohn W. Goodwin, the college moved to the Hugh Ranch property inPasadena, California, after it was purchased by Bresee.[3] It was renamed again to Pasadena University following a theological dispute and near bankruptcy in 1917.
By 1919, the name had changed once again to Pasadena College.[3] The school received accreditation from theWestern Association of Schools and Colleges in 1949.[7] The college preparatory program was ended in the 1950s.
Pasadena College continued to face issues during the late 1960s to the early 1970s. In 1964, when Brown was elected president, the school had an operating deficit of between $500,000 and $800,000. The campus space sat at only 17 acres blocking any potential of growth. And there were health concerns regarding the smog that surrounded the school at the time. But, during a conference in San Diego in 1971, Beryl Dillman had learned that USIU's California Western campus was for sale. In 1973, Pasadena College was then moved to the former California Western university campus on Point Loma in San Diego after a rejected plan to move the school to Santa Ana.[3] The Pasadena campus was later purchased by theU.S. Center for World Mission and currently housesWilliam Carey International University. After the move to San Diego, the college existed for ten years as "Point Loma College: An Institution of the Church of the Nazarene" until the name was changed to Point Loma Nazarene College (PLNC) in 1983.[6] In 1998, the name was changed again, to Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU).
| 1. | Phineas F. Bresee | 1902–1911 |
| 2. | Edgar P. Ellyson | 1911–1913 |
| 3. | H. Orton Wiley | 1913–1916 |
| 4. | Edward F. Walker | 1917–1918 |
| 5. | Andrew O. Hendricks | 1918–1923 |
| 6. | C. B. Widmeyer | 1923–1926 |
| 7. | H. Orton Wiley | 1926–1928 |
| 8. | Orval J. Nease | 1928–1933 |
| 9. | H. Orton Wiley | 1933–1949 |
| 10. | W. T. Purkiser | 1949–1957 |
| 11. | Russell V. DeLong | 1957–1960 |
| 12. | Oscar J. Finch | 1960–1964 |
| 13. | W. Shelburne Brown | 1964–1978 |
| 14. | Bill Draper | 1978–1983 |
| 15. | Jim Bond | 1983–1997 |
| 16. | Bob Brower | 1998–2024 |
| 17. | Kerry Fulcher | 2024–present |
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PLNU has different locations besides the main campus in Point Loma for bothundergraduate andgraduate programs to study from. This includes the Bakersfield, Balboa, and Mission Valley Regional Centers.[8] Other locations also include the Liberty Station Conference Center or online programs with the university.[9] Once owned by theTheosophical Society, the Point Loma site has a lengthy pre-PLNU history.
Before it served as the Point Loma Nazarene University campus, the area was the location of a Theosophical commune run byKatherine Tingley. It became known as "Lomaland". By 1900, the campus was dominated by the imposing Academy Building and the adjoining Temple of Peace of the Theosophical Society. Both buildings were constructed in theTheosophical vernacular that included the flattened archmotif and whimsical references toantiquity. The buildings were topped byamethyst domes, which were lighted at night and could be seen offshore. The entrance to the Academy Building was dominated by two massive carved doors that symbolized the Theosophical Principles of "spiritual enlightenment" and "human potential." The sculptor, Reginald Machell, was educated in England, but moved toLomaland in 1896.[10] The interior furnishings he carved for the Academy Building were influenced by theSymbolist style popular in Europe at that time. Machell also supervised the woodworking school at Point Loma.
Lomaland had public buildings for the entire community and several private homes. The home ofAlbert Spalding, the sporting goodstycoon, was built in 1901. The building combines late-Victorian wooden architecture with historical motifs such as the modifiedCorinthian column (now shaped like a papyrus leaf) and flattened arches. The amethyst dome was restored by a team of scholars led by Dr. Dwayne Little of the PLNC department of History and Political Science in 1983.[11] The firstGreek theater in North America was built on this site in 1901. It was used for sporting events and theatrical performances.[12] Thetessellated pavement andstoa were added in 1909. The theatre was the site of a number of productions of Greek andShakespearean dramas. Cabrillo Hall, which served as the International Center Headquarters, the Brotherhood Headquarters, and "Wachere Crest" building, was completed in 1909. It served as office space for the Theosophical Society and as a residence forKatherine Tingley after 1909. It was originally located on the west side of Pepper Tree lane. The hall is currently the location for the Communication Studies Department.[13]
Lomaland dissolved in the aftermath ofWorld War I and was used forbootlegging during theProhibition period. The tunnel systems and site were later taken over byFort Rosecrans beforeWorld War II. It served as an observation point and several barracks were installed on the site, which constitute some of the campus dormitories for PLNU. In 1952, California Western University relocated to Point Loma. In 1968, California Western changed its name toUnited States International University and moved toScripps Ranch, while theCalifornia Western School of Law retained its old name and relocated from its Point Loma location to downtown in 1973. Pasadena College moved from Pasadena to Point Loma to replace it.
PLNU is one of the eight U.S.liberal arts colleges[14] and universities affiliated with theChurch of the Nazarene.[15] PLNU is the university for the "Southwest Region" of the United States, comprising the northern California, Sacramento, central California, Los Angeles, Anaheim, southern California,Arizona,New Mexico, andHawaii districts, which includeCalifornia,Arizona,New Mexico,Hawaii, and parts ofNevada,Utah, andTexas.[16] Each college receives financial backing from the Nazarene churches on its region; part of each church budget is paid into a fund for its regional school. Each college or university is also bound by agentlemen's agreement not to actively recruit outside its respective "educational region."[17]
Point Loma Nazarene University offers many ministry opportunities including chapel, community and discipleship ministries, international and worship ministries. Attendance to chapel is based on the number of units the student is enrolled. Full-time students are required to attend chapel. Freshmen and sophomores must attend 33 chapels, and juniors and seniors must attend 25 chapels. If a student does not complete all of their chapel credits by the end of the semester, they will be fined for each chapel credit missed.[18]
In 2024, the university offered more than 60 academic programs inBachelor of Arts andBachelor of Science degrees as well asgraduate degrees. In 2025,U.S. News & World Report reported that the university's most popular undergraduate majors included Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Psychology; Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences.[19] There were 4,494 students at the university in fall 2023, 3,158 of whom wereundergraduate students.[2]
In 2017, PLNU launched its first doctoral-level curriculum in the form of aDoctor of Nursing Practice program.[20]
The university isaccredited by theWASC Senior College and University Commission. Some programs and units at the university are accredited by specific organizations:
| Academic rankings | |
|---|---|
| Regional | |
| U.S. News & World Report[21] | 9 |
| National | |
| Forbes[22] | 263 |
U.S. News & World Report 2019 ranked PLNU #9 in the Regional Universities West category out of 128 schools listed in that section.[23]Forbes ranked PLNU as #263 in the country among all universities as of 2019 and #54 in the West.[24]
According to PayScale, the median mid-career salary of PLNU graduates in 2019 (bachelor's degrees only) was $90,100.[25]
The institution has a debate team that won theNational Parliamentary Debate Association championship in 2007 and met success as Sweepstakes Champions three times since 2003.[26][27][28] PLNU has won the Christian College National Championship seven times since 1998.[29]
PLNU's resources include an honors program, career services, and study abroad opportunities.[30] PLNU hosts numerous denominational and local community events: arts & culture gatherings,[31] outdoor activities,[32] and faith and ministry opportunities.[33]
The Point Loma Nazarene (PLNU) athletic teams are called the Sea Lions. The university is a member of theDivision II level of theNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in thePacific West Conference (PacWest) since the 2012–13 academic year. They were also a member of theNational Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the West Region of the Division I level. The Sea Lions previously competed in theGolden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) of theNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1986–87 to 2011–12.
Point Loma became an active member in the NCAA since the summer of 2014, which signified the conclusion of their three-year transition process from the NAIA to NCAA Division II.[34][35]
Point Loma competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, soccer and tennis; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field and volleyball.[36]
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Notable alumni includeEdward J. Blakely, educator and researcher on urban and suburban issues,[37]James Dobson,evangelicalpsychologist,Greg Laswell, musician and producer,Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, andNazarenetheologian. Alumni include four college presidents. Two were presidents of theEastern Nazarene College:Fred J. Shields andFloyd W. Nease, 1919–1923 and 1924–1930, respectively. One,Orval J. Nease, was president of hisalma mater from 1928 to 1933. The fourth, David Alexander, has been president ofNorthwest Nazarene since 2008.Hoku, singer and daughter of the lateDon Ho, studied business at PLNU briefly, but left during her first semester.William De Los Santos, author, poet, screenwriter and motion-picture director, attended (enrolled as William Hilbert).Micah Albert, photojournalist who has covered issues in Africa and the Middle East, earned a degree in graphic communications.Robert Pierce, the evangelist who foundedWorld Vision andSamaritan's Purse, studied on the Pasadena campus.Destin Daniel Cretton, a filmmaker, majored in communications. Dawson Daughtery and Luke Fabry of the bandAlmost Monday also attended Point Loma Nazarene University.Ally Beardsley, a regular member of theDropout (streaming service) cast, attended and graduated Point Loma Nazarene University; the debt she accrued attending the college was a plot point for the 2019 web seriesTotal Forgiveness.
Major League Baseball playersMarty Decker,Mike Ekstrom, andOtto Kemp all played for Point Loma Nazarene University.[38]
Notable faculty members includeFrank G. Carver, Wesleyan Center Scholar in Residence;Darrel R. Falk, author ofComing to Peace with Science; and director of theHoward Hughes Medical Instituteoutreach program, Michael Lodahl. Another notable former faculty member isOlive Winchester.
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