Learn about what makes University of Jamestown who we are today.
The original charter that led to the opening of what is now University of Jamestown read:
“We therefore form this association for the purpose of establishing and perpetuating an institution of higher learning in order that the young people of our state and nation may have an opportunity of increasing their knowledge in the liberal arts and for the development of character under the guidance of correct moral and religious influences.”
These words ring true today. The University was, and still is, a liberal arts college dedicated to creating wholeness in students. We celebrate our history, and look forward to the future, guided by our mission and vision.
We adhere to a curriculum of academic excellence which blends the liberal arts with sound professional preparation. Our commitment to the Christian faith encourages an atmosphere of self-discipline, responsibility, and concern for the continuing growth of the individual.
To become the best career-oriented liberal arts university in the Midwest.
We will do so by innovatively blending the liberal arts with professional programs in an engaged, student-centered, Christian environment that fosters long-term success.
The University of Jamestown exists to develop wholeness in all members of our community and to serve its students in a friendly, caring environment. Supported by faculty and staff who are committed to the success of our students, we make the transitions into college and from college-to-career as stress-free as possible.
We value academic excellence as well as a highly engaged student body, faculty, and staff. We blend the liberal arts with professional programs with the goal of graduating students who are well rounded and foundationally prepared for careers that are ever changing in an expanding global economy and lives that are lived in an increasingly complex society.
We believe that students can thrive in a variety of learning environments, whenever and however courses are offered. We promote a residential experience for our traditional undergraduate students, recognizing that a living-learning environment provides an outstanding opportunity for academic, social, and spiritual maturation and persistence. We provide online and hybrid offerings for learners who prefer the flexibility such formats offer while demanding a level of academic rigor that builds character, promotes ethical development, and leads to success in the workplace and further educational endeavors.
We are a Christian university founded in the Presbyterian tradition which welcomes students, faculty, and staff members of all faiths and denominations and fosters the spiritual lives of all members of our community.
University of Jamestown (formerly Jamestown College) was the first college to be chartered in what is now North Dakota. It was founded in 1883, six years before North Dakota became a state. When first classes began on September 29, 1886, 35 students enrolled. Four courses of study were available: scientific, classical, commercial, and music.
Jamestown College saw seven years of success. And yet, it also faced severe economic struggles. Like many new colleges of its time, the University was established with the right intent and vision. Unfortunately, it developed before there was sufficient population or an economic base to support it. From 1893 to 1909, the college closed due to extreme financial conditions in the Midwest.
By 1909, the college reopened with 11 instructors and 52 students. Dr. Barend Kroeze came from Whitworth College to become the first president. By the end of the first school year, the debts from the earlier days were paid, current finances were met, and two new buildings were being added to campus. After his retirement in 1946, after 37 years of service, the Association of American Colleges proclaimed, “Jamestown College is truly the lengthened shadow of this great man.”
Since it’s re-opening in 1909, The University has seen years of growth and achievement, because leaders have had the courage to stay true to the vision of its founders. On August 21, 2013, Jamestown College changed its name to University of Jamestown. The students, alumni, faculty, staff, and all who support the University’s mission continue to strive for excellence—as have generations before them and as will generations to come.
As we listen to executives and leaders across the globe, the message is consistent: there is demand for skilled workers who can lead and can lead now. In response to the growing need for talent, University of Jamestown Accelerated was born in 2013 to provide all learners the opportunity to skill, reskill or upskill through courses that get them there faster.
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