Eastern Nazarene College

from a variety of denominations. Only one-quarter to one-third of the student body was affiliated with the school's supporting denomination during any given academic year. In 1907, the APCA merged with the Church of the Nazarene. In 1908 PCI was one of the first three schools chosen to be officially affiliated with the Nazarenes.
In 1917, it was decided to develop the planned liberal arts college. On June 14, 1918, the Eastern Nazarene College was chartered with degree-granting authority in the state of Rhode Island. Secondary education was conducted by the Eastern Nazarene Academy. Choosing a new name, however, would be difficult: the school was now a liberal arts college and a Nazarene institution. Candidates included: "Northeastern Nazarene College", "Bresee Memorial College", "Nazarene College of the Northeast", and "Nazarene College and Bresee Theological Institute". General Superintendent John W. Goodwin is credited with the chosen name. He wrote to Hiram F. Reynolds, a general superintendent and long-time …