Edwards Residence Hall is named after Jesse and Mary Edwards. Jesse Edwards was one of the first Quakers to settle in the area, and is known as the “Father of Newberg,” as he is considered the founder of the city of Newberg. Four acres of his property was purchased by the Newberg Friends Church in 1883, and on this property both the Newberg Friends Church and the original buildings for Friends Pacific Academy were built. Jesse was a member of the first Pacific College board of trustees, serving for 39 years until his death in 1924. Mary Edwards also donated 300 volumes to the college’s first library in 1897.
Edwards Hall was constructed in 1964, and donations from Jesse Edwards’ great-grandson, Miles Lowell Edwards and his wife Margaret helped furnish the new dorm. The building has always been used for university housing and was renovated in 1995.
Today, the three-story residence hall houses 113 men and women first-year students.
