Pacific University, based in Oregon, has roots dating back to 1849 when it was formed at the Tualatin Academy. The original, and main campus is just 20 miles from Portland, while there are three other campuses in the cities of Eugene, Hillsboro, and Woodburn.
While it was founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC), it has long been independent.
Pacific is home to a number of colleges, which include: Arts & Sciences, Education, Optometry, Health Professions and Business. Approximately half of all students are undergraduates, while the other half are postgraduate and professional students.
The College of Optometry is just one of 21 schools in the US and Canada which offer a doctorate programme in optometry.
The university has a student written and produced newspaper, which is called The Pacific Index, and was first published in 1893.
Pacific students are able to join and participate in a number of clubs and organisations based on campus. Activities range from intramural sports, forensics, student government and Greek life to outdoor adventures. Specifically, clubs include: Exercise Science Club, Mathematics Club, Philosophy Club, Japan Club, PDA (Animal Ethics), and Hip Hop Club.
Sports teams at Pacific University compete as members of the Northwest Conference in the NCAA Division III. In fact, Pacific was one of the founding members of the conference back in 1926. Sports on offer for students to participate in include: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, wrestling, and lacrosse.
Notable alumni include Les AuCoin, an American politician who was the first from the Democratic Party to be elected to the US, Nancy Wilson, an American musician, singer, songwriter, actress, and producer, and Rick Dancer, an American journalist and politician in the state of Oregon.
