Cascade College is a private, four-year, liberal arts college located in Portland, Oregon affiliated with the Church of Christ. The college is a branch campus of Oklahoma Christian University and emphasizes spiritual growth and career preparation. The school was formerly known as Columbia Christian College. For several years, Columbia had serious financial difficulties. Partially as a consequence, its regional accreditation was revoked. The school's board sought help from other Church of Christ-affiliated colleges. Oklahoma Christian University agreed to fund the college as a branch campus. The newly-renamed Cascade College opened in 1994 after its acceptance as a branch by Oklahoma Christian University in 1993 with 143 students attending the first semster. As a branch campus of Oklahoma Christian, Cascade College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and is authorized by the State of Oregon to offer and confer academic degrees. The college is on the semester system and offers degree programs in pre-nursing, religion, business, marketing english, interdisciplinary studies, elementary education, biology, communications and psychology. Cascade College also offers international study programs through its parent institution that create opportunities for students to experience other cultures. Cascade College has a variety of activities which include: service clubs (Delta Sigma Rho, Kappa Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Omega, Phi Alpha Sigma, Phi Phi Phi), SIFE, drama club (Grease Paint), psychology club (Psi Beta Sigma), diversity club (Naked Souls), instrumental groups, The Nature Society, Witness, campus ministry, academic clubs (Alpha Chi & Summit Society), theater (Second Story) and choir opportunities. Cascade College's athletics program is part of the Cascade Collegiate Conference, with teams in basketball, soccer, track, cross country, volleyball. Their mascot is the Thunderbird.
Mission statement
"Cascade College is a higher learning community which transforms lives for Christian faith, leadership, and service.”
