Lifesize Obama figure hanged on campus

NEWBERG, Ore., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Custodians at George Fox University in Oregon found a lifesize cardboard figure of Barack Obama hanging from a tree on the Newberg campus.

A label called Obama a "Act Six" reject, referring to a scholarship program for students from Portland aimed at bringing more minority students to the Christian college, The Oregonian reported. The figure was discovered at 7 a.m. Tuesday and removed before classes began for the day.

At a meeting Wednesday, President Robin Baker urged students to reject racism. Baker was surrounded by students at George Fox on Act Six scholarships.

"We absolutely cannot hate those around us and say we love God," he said. "It is not possible. Yesterday was not a good example of what it means to follow Jesus."

George Fox has been actively recruiting minority students. This year's freshman class is about one-quarter minority, up from 16 percent three years ago. The university began Act Six last year, offering up to 10 full scholarships every year to students from Portland high schools.

The university was founded by Quakers in the 19th century but now has an evangelical orientation.