# Northwood University

Northwood University (NU) is a private university focused on business education with its main campus in Midland, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1959, more than 33,000 people have graduated from the institution.

## History

Northwood University opened as Northwood Institute in 1959 by Arthur E. Turner and R. Gary Stauffer. One hundred students enrolled at the new school, which was initially located in a 19th-century mansion in Alma, Michigan. Northwood Institute moved to Midland, Michigan, in 1961.
The Jesuits operated a seminary known as West Baden College at the former West Baden Springs Hotel, in Orange County, Indiana, from 1934 until June 1964, when declining enrollment forced the closure of the facility. They sold the property to a Michigan couple, who in turn donated it to Northwood Institute, which operated a satellite campus of their business management school, Northwood University-West Baden, under the dome on the property from 1966 until 1983, when it was closed. During the same time frame during which the Indiana campus was opened, a Northwood facility was also established in Texas.
In 1982, David E. Fry became president of the school. The Florida residential campus was added and the academic curricula was expanded. The school was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
In 1993, the name was changed from Northwood Institute to Northwood University and The DeVos Graduate School of Management was created. A joint program with the Hotel Institute Montreux was established in 2001 to combine Swiss hospitality traditions with American management practices. The school, located in Montreux, Switzerland was Northwood University's first international venture. University College program centers were expanded for a total of 40 locations in eight states and program centers were begun in Bahrain, China, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland.
In October 2007, Keith A. Pretty was named Northwood's third President and CEO. Kent MacDonald became president in 2019.
In 2014, Northwood announced that it would close its residential operations at its Texas location, while continuing to expand its adult degree program and graduate program there. A year later in 2015, the university sold its Florida location to Keiser University.

## Academics

Northwood focuses on business education. Its most popular undergraduate majors, based on 2021 graduates (including by distance learning), were:
       Business Administration and Management (343)
       Accounting (108)
       Marketing/Marketing Management (79)
       Vehicle & Vehicle Parts & Accessories Marketing Operations (47)
       Finance (39)
       Management Science (24)
       Sport & Fitness Administration/Management (22)

## Athletics
### Current campuses
#### Michigan Timberwolves

The athletic teams of Northwood University's Michigan (main) campus are called the Timberwolves. The campus is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) since the 2022–23 academic year. The Timberwolves previously competed in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) from 1972–73 to 1986–87, and again from 1992–93 to 2021–22.
Northwood competes in 16 varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Club sports include men's ice hockey.
On April 29, 2021, Northwood announced that it will leave the GLIAC to join the G-MAC in July 2022.

### Former campuses
#### Texas Knights

The athletic teams of Northwood University's Texas campus were called the Knights. The campus was located in Cedar Hill, Texas, and was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); primarily competing in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) for the 2013–14 academic year. They also competed in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) from 1998–99 to 2012–13.
Northwood University–Texas competed in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included football, baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track & field; while women's sports included basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and track & field.

#### Florida Seahawks

The athletic teams of Northwood University's Florida campus were called the Seahawks. The campus was located in West Palm Beach, Florida, and was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); primarily competing in the Sun Conference (formerly known as the Florida Sun Conference (FSC) until after the 2007–08 school year) from 1994–95 to 2014–15.
Northwood University–Florida competed in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, and tennis; while women's sports included basketball, cheerleading, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

## Notable alumni

* Jeffrey Ajluni, businessman
* Robb Brent, NASCAR/ARCA driver
* Julie Calley, politician and former second lady from Michigan
* Rob Childress, college baseball coach
* Dick DeVos, 2006 Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate, son of Amway co-founder
* Dan DeVos, American businessman and sports executive
* Carole Gist, Miss USA 1990
* Rina Mohd Harun, Malaysian politician
* Charleston Hughes, Canadian Football League All-Star defensive linemen and Grey Cup champion
* Maurice Jones, NBL Canada player, 2017 NBL Canada Rookie of the Year
* Blake Koch, NASCAR driver
* Lisa McClain, Representative of Michigan's 9th congressional district
* Jermaine Middleton, former basketball player for the Harlem Globetrotters
* Candice Miller, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
* Jerry Pettway, American Basketball Association, Houston Mavericks guard
* Deborah Renshaw, NASCAR driver
* Jim Stamas, businessman and politician
* Chris Wilson, NFL defensive end
* Ernie Zeigler, college basketball coach