Vanguard University

Vanguard University officials are taking steps to beautify their campus in Costa Mesa and increase its visibility with new signage, landscaping and construction.

On Friday, officials gathered for a ribbon cutting and celebration of the Landmark Campaign, which added a large Vanguard University sign to the heavily trafficked corner of Newport Boulevard and Fair Dive, across the street from the OC Fair & Event Center.

The 50-by-10-foot monument sign, fencing and landscaping advertises the university, which at 102-years-old is still relatively unknown.

The university was founded in Los Angeles in 1920, moved to Pasadena in 1927 and to its current Costa Mesa location in 1950.

The private Christian school has 2,200 students, many of whom live on campus, and offers more than 30 undergraduate programs.

The first phase of the university’s construction plan was the completion of the Waugh Student Center in February 2020.

The two-story, $12.9 million student center features a 3,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art gym, recreational basketball court and coffee bar.

“The student body of Vanguard really reflects the demographic variety of Orange County,” Vanguard President Michael Beals said.

“It’s really a privilege and a pleasure to serve Orange County as a Christian university,” he said.

The third building project will be the Freed Center for Leadership and Service, which will feature a 2,000-person gymnasium.