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Heritage University
3240 Fort Road,
Toppenish, WA 98948
www.heritage.edu
Heritage University is a non-profit, independent, non-denominational
accredited institution of higher education offering undergraduate and
graduate education. Its mission is to provide quality, accessible higher
education to multicultural populations which have been educationally
isolated. Within its liberal arts curriculum, Heritage offers strong
professional and career-oriented programs designed to enrich the quality
of life for students and their communities.
Originally known as Heritage College, the school was founded as a
successor to Spokane's Fort Wright College (formerly Holy Names
College). Fort Wright College was founded in 1907 by the Sisters of the
Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. A new institution was born in 1981
through a change in name, location of administrative offices, ownership
and sponsorship. Under the impetus of two Yakama Nation women, leaders
from business, religious and education communities in the Yakima Valley
incorporated as Heritage College so they could acquire the outreach
programs that Fort Wright College operated in Omak and Toppenish.
On July 1, 1982, the transition to Heritage College became official. The
new institution began offering undergraduate and graduate degrees as an
independent, non-profit college. Its main campus was established near
Toppenish. Over the years, Heritage has partnered with various
educational and community organizations to bring higher education to
isolated populations. Through collaboration with community colleges
across the state, Heritage now offers degree programs at regional sites
in Omak, Wenatchee, Tri-Cities, Yakima, Seattle, Centralia, and Moses
Lake.
Heritage College became Heritage University in August 2004, a change
that reflects the school’s ever-increasing impact on students’ lives and
communities. Heritage continues to help students achieve their full
potential by making higher education accessible for everyone.
The University completed its first financing through the Authority with
a STEP financing in 2007. The University borrowed $5 million, with a
net interest cost of 5.07 percent to partially finance the construction
and equipping of a one-story, 34,000 square foot new teaching and
resource complex. |
