George Fox Students Share Impressions of Newberg

This article is published in collaboration with “The Crescent,” George Fox University’s student publication. 

 By Jayden Forsyth, George Fox University

NEWBERG, Ore. – Whether public or private, universities often bring acclaim to their cities and become central to their identity — hence the term “college town.” Newberg, home to George Fox University, fits that description, though not in the traditional sense.

While most college towns are larger than the students’ hometowns, surveys show that Newberg is smaller than where many George Fox students grew up. Despite its size, Newberg plays an important role for the university, offering amenities and community benefits that students and faculty often praise.

Newberg was officially incorporated as a city in 1889, and George Fox University — then Pacific College — was founded two years later. Only twice in the city’s history has it not been home to the university.

For 134 years, the city and university have coexisted, providing higher education and a small-town environment for students and residents alike. Newberg has become a defining part of the George Fox experience, drawing a range of opinions from students.

Two surveys — a Google Form distributed through The Daily Bruin and a poll on The Crescent’s Instagram — gathered about 100 student responses about life in Newberg. The goal was to understand how students spend their time in town and how they view their college community. Because not every student answered each question, totals vary by response.

Across both surveys, all respondents said they spend time in Newberg, with most visiting regularly. When asked how they spend their time, the most common response was shopping. In The Daily Bruin survey, 17 students said they shop in Newberg, while another 30 said they primarily grocery shop in town.

In The Crescent’s Instagram poll, shopping ranked second overall. Sixteen students said they go into town to buy groceries, following 25 who said they eat at local or fast-food restaurants. In The Daily Bruin poll, 20 students said they prefer local eateries, compared with 16 who choose fast food, suggesting a stronger preference for local options.

Thrifting was another popular pastime. Eleven students listed it as their top activity in the Instagram poll, while 17 said the same in The Daily Bruin survey. Thirteen students — 12 from The Daily Bruin and one from Instagram — said they enjoy visiting Newberg’s parks, and six Daily Bruin respondents said they work in town.

When it comes to getting around, students primarily rely on two methods: walking and driving. Fifty-seven students — 33 from the Instagram poll and 24 from The Daily Bruin — said they walk or run through Newberg, while 44 students — 28 from Instagram and 16 from The Daily Bruin — said they drive. Only two students, both from Instagram, said they use bikes or scooters.

Many students said they appreciate Newberg’s size, noting that it’s easy to explore and feels safe for walking.

Overall, survey responses were overwhelmingly positive: 81 students said they liked the city, 19 were neutral, and eight said they did not.

For 75 respondents, Newberg is smaller than their hometown. Even so, many said they have adjusted well to its slower pace and close-knit community. Anonymous comments reflected this sentiment:

“Newberg is a delightful little town. I love how centrally located everything is.”

“The community is very tight-knit, and I love the smaller size.”

“I think Newberg is a wonderful city that is centered on community and connection. I enjoy the smaller feel of it.”

Though Newberg may feel small to many students, its impact is largely positive. Most said they regularly visit town to socialize, shop, explore and enjoy its cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

The Crescent is George Fox University’s student-run newspaper publishing every two weeks. Learn more at The Crescent website.