Multnomah University

co-founder Aldrich

dies at age 100

     PORTLAND — Willard M. Aldrich, one of the co-founders of what is now Multnomah University in Portland and president of the school for 35 years, passed away due to natural causes Nov. 27. He was 100 years old.
     Memorial service was held Dec. 12 at Bethel Community Church in Washougal, Wash.
     Aldrich’s death followed by nine months the passing of his son, Joe, who also served as president for 19 years.
     The elder Aldrich, who in his latter years carried the title of president emeritus for the university, founded Multnomah School of the Bible with B.B. Sutcliffe and John Mitchell in 1936. He served as Multnomah’s first registrar, and married the dean of women, Doris Coffin. They had nine children. After Doris died in a tragic auto accident, he married Multnomah alumna Mildred “Mimi” Boukaert in 1959. He and Mimi were married 47 years until her death in 2007.
     Aldrich became president in 1943 at Sutcliffe's retirement. Age 34 at the time, Aldrich was the youngest college president in the United States. During his service as president, Multnomah relocated to a new campus and became a degree-granting college.
    As Multnomah's second president, Aldrich served until his retirement in 1978. He subsequently served on the board of trustees until his retirement in 2004 and was an honorary life member.
    Aldrich assumed presidential leadership during the school’s fragile beginnings. From its start during depression years, through low enrollments during World War II, the boom of materialism and the free spirit of the hippie years, Multnomah’s survival depended on a man committed to the long haul and to the vision he shared with Mitchell.
     As a co-founder, Aldrich shared the commitment to biblical values and ministry emphasis that characterized Multnomah’s position in the Bible college movement. Describing Multnomah’s emphasis, he coined the slogan,     “If it’s Bible you want, then you want Multnomah.” Personally he was known for exemplifying both priorities — theological and pastoral.
     Aldrich held a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College (1931) and a master’s in theology. (1934) and doctorate in theology (1936) from Dallas (Texas) Theological Seminary. He pastored a church in Washington and served on the board of reference for several mission societies.
He wrote and published a monthly, The Doorstep Evangel, used in door-to-door and leaflet evangelism; authored several books, including When God Was Taken Captive; and was an early founder and later president of the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges.
     Known for his graciousness, faithfulness, and friendliness, Aldrich was greatly loved in the Multnomah community. He influenced many people for Christ, both at Multnomah and throughout his life.
     The Willard M. Aldrich Hall was dedicated in February 2000 in his honor. Today, both North and South Aldrich Hall buildings are used as a college men’s residence hall.
     Today, Multnomah University is a fully accredited, private, non-denominational, Christian institution of higher education. Made up of an undergraduate Bible college, a biblical seminary, graduate programs, an adult degree completion program, and an online distance-learning program, Multnomah issues bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and professional certifications and endorsements.