Many universities have blazed a new trail in recent decades with their first female president. But at Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles County’s San Gabriel Valley, the first four university presidents were women. That’s all the more notable considering the university was founded as the co-ed Training School for Christian Workers in 1899.
Azusa Pacific holds the distinction of being the oldest Bible college on the West Coast. But it didn’t settle down to its permanent home in the San Gabriel foothills until 1946.
In its first half century, the school changed locations several times. With low enrollment, it barely survived such hardships as World War I, the Great Depression and World War II.
But under the leadership of its 13th president, Cornelius Haggard, the school transformed into a respected Christian education institution in Los Angeles County, renowned for its research (it currently has R2 research status) and accessible in-person and virtual degree options. By 1981, it was a university and had its current name.
Among Azusa Pacific’s noted alumni are Los Angeles area pastor and founder of The Master’s College John MacArthur, leadership coach and writer John Maxwell, and actor and photographer Austin O’Brien.
For more on the university’s history, see Ken Otto’s campus history book, available by Kindle or print – the latter format sold at stores throughout the city of Azusa.
Not One Campus But Two: The Azusa Pacific Footprint Defines Its Community
Because of continued expansion amidst an established late Victorian community, Azusa Pacific University is technically two separate campuses. The West and East campuses are separated by several blocks of residential neighborhoods.
That makes it easy for the campus community to get daily exercise in! But a fleet of trolleys, operating Monday through Friday during semesters from 6:45 a.m. to 11 p.m., offer an alternative free way to get around for students, faculty, staff and visitors.
If you’re visiting, stop by the Welcome Center in the Wynn Academic Center on East Campus to get started and learn more about the university, its mission and degree offerings.
Music ensembles at the Warren Music Center on East Campus give the community an opportunity to take in the brightest young talent in a variety of choral and instrumental performances.
On the West Campus, no less than five art galleries display the creations of Cougars and guests.
Baseball and softball, basketball, soccer, track and field, tennis, swimming, volleyball, and water polo are among Azusa Pacific’s varsity sports, played at state-of-the-art facilities that include the 3,500-seat West Campus Felix Event Center. Site of regular chapel services, the arena is used for basketball and volleyball games, concerts, conventions, and various community functions.
Azusa: The Canyon City
The surrounding city of Azusa is a mix of old and new, suburban and natural, bedroom community and quaint small town.
Situated 25 miles northeast of Downtown Los Angeles, the city of 50,000 is known as “The Canyon City,” a reference to the San Gabriel Canyon that begins just north of town.
The main thoroughfares here are the northbound one-way Azusa Avenue and the southbound one-way San Gabriel Avenue, which headline a commercial district that is a mixture of late Victorian downtown, 21st century ultramodern, and every architecture in between. It’s pedestrian-friendly, and a great spot to spend an afternoon shopping or dining.
With a climate a few degrees cooler than San Fernando Valley and Inland Empire towns during summer and virtually identical in winter, there’s no bad time to visit Azusa. But when Santa Ana winds are blowing, the community might be a welcome respite, since the granite monolith of the San Gabriel Mountains effectively blocks offshore winds during all but the most extreme wind events.
Explore Southern California 
Excellent article Daniel and excellent photos. 🙂
Gail J.
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Thanks, Gail! I really like how this article turned out, too. And it highlights some surprising and little-known history!
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