Herbert Hoover journeyed to Newberg at age 11 to live with his aunt and uncle, Dr. Henry John, and Laura Ellen Minthorn. Later, Herbert Hoover would become a president of the University donating money and books to the college during and after his presidency. The Hoover Academic Building was constructed and dedicated in his honor in 1977 and completely remodeled in 2006. This building is not to be confused with the original Hoover Hall, which sat near the present location of Centennial Tower and was demolished in 1954.
In 1930 Levi Pennington dedicated a tablet to Herbert Hoover, covered by two American flags. The tablet reads “In honor of Herbert Hoover, humble country boy, earnest student, distinguished engineer, effective administrator, world philanthropist, promoter of peace, eminent stat1esman, President of the United States. A Tribute of love and esteem from his boyhood school, Pacific College.” Levi Pennington was the president of the college at the time and dedicated the tablet with these words, “The greatest of all those who has served humanity once said to his disciples, ‘He that would be greatest among you, let him be the servant of all.’ It would be hard to name a man in any age of the world’s history who has served humanity in a larger way than Herbert Hoover.” The tablet was originally placed in Wood-Mar Hal, facing the entrance; however, it was later moved to its present location in the parking lot entrance of Hoover, next to his bust statue.
