For-profit Christian school is awarded a free campus

A for-profit Christian university in Arizona has won one of the education world’s most sought-after prizes: a free, historic, freshly renovated campus in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts.

Phoenix-based Grand Canyon University plans to open an extension campus in Northfield on a 217-acre site formerly owned by Northfield Mount Hermon School. The private secondary school sold the campus in 2009 to Hobby Lobby, a craft store chain owned by the billionaire Green family of Oklahoma.

The Greens invested $5 million in upgrades with the intent to give it to a Christian institution. “We hope this campus will provide a home for students to find their purpose in Christ and realize their full potential in life,” said Hobby Lobby president Steve Green in a statement on September 21. “We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this historic campus and for this community.”