The Emergence of a University: 1970–90
20世纪70年代, the decision to pursue a university model as the standard for 西雅图 Pacific’s future led to a new academic curriculum, academic reorganization, and higher professional standards for faculty. The College officially became 西雅图 Pacific University on June 5, 1977, by a vote of the Board of Trustees and began a new era of academic offerings and achievement.
The decade of the 1970s saw the most dramatic development of resources and programs for learning in SPU’s first century. In 1982, 麦肯纳大厅 was constructed, housing the University’s AACSB-accredited School of Business, Government, and 经济学.
新课程, 专业, academic programs, and approaches to learning demonstrated the innovative character of 西雅图 Pacific. For example, in 1976, 西雅图 Pacific received a gift of 965 acres on 布莱克岛 in the San Juan Islands. A cutting-edge research station was built on site for faculty and students studying marine and wildlife biology.
During the 1980s, SPU continued to strengthen its relationship with the church community, and student participation in city and overseas ministry grew rapidly. 冲刺 (西雅图 Pacific Reachout International) teams served from Alberta, 加拿大, 到印度, 孟加拉国, 和尼泊尔.