Whitworth University is a private Christian liberal arts college located in Spokane, Washington, United States, that offers bachelor's and master's degrees in a variety of academic disciplines. In 1883 founder George F. Whitworth established the Sumner Academy in Sumner, a small town in Washington Territory. The school was incorporated in 1890 as Whitworth College. In 1899, the college moved to Tacoma. When a Spokane developer offered land just before World War I, the college moved once more. In September 1914 classes were held for the first time in Spokane.The board of trustees voted to change the institution's name to Whitworth University in 2006, which became effective July 1, 2007.