Point University
Motto | Κήρυξον τὸν λόγον (Greek: Preach the Word) |
---|---|
Type | Private |
Established | 1937 |
Affiliation | Christian churches and churches of Christ |
President | Dean C. Collins |
Academic staff | 21 |
Students | 1,582 (Fall 2015) |
Location | , , U.S. |
Campus | Suburban 54 acres (0.22 km2) |
Colors | Blue and Gold[1] |
Nickname | Skyhawks[2] |
Affiliations | Appalachian Athletic Conference (NAIA) |
Website | www |
Point University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university in West Point, Georgia, 60 miles (97 km) southwest of Atlanta. The liberal arts institution was founded in 1937 as Atlanta Christian College, located in the Atlanta suburb of East Point. In 2011, the college announced a name change to Point University. It relocated its main campus to West Point, Georgia, in June 2012.
History
Atlanta Christian College
Atlanta Christian College was founded in 1937 by Judge Thomas Olin Hathcock (1879–1966), who served as a judge in Fulton County, Georgia, from 1914 until 1942. He and his wife, Nora Head Hathcock, were members of the Christian churches and churches of Christ, and the college has continued to maintain its affiliation with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.[4] Atlanta Christian College opened in 1937 on its 300 acres (1.2 km2) campus in East Point. The property was originally a farm inherited by Mrs. Hathcock.[4][5]
Following its founding, Atlanta Christian College devoted attention primarily to the education of ministers, missionaries and other church-related workers.[4] In 1965, the college became an accredited member of the American Association of Bible Colleges (AABC).[4] In 1990, in conjunction with a broadening of the curriculum, the college was accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.[4]
Point University
On February 2, 2011, student leaders and administrators of Atlanta Christian College announced a name change to Point University, which became effective on July 1, 2011.[6] In addition to the name change, the college announced the 2012 relocation of its main campus to West Point, Georgia, an hour southwest of the current campus near Atlanta.[7] Adult learning classes will continue to be held at the East Point location, as well as an adult learning program and dual-credit enrollment program for high school students at the current off-site locations in Peachtree City, Savannah, and Birmingham, Ala.[8]
In addition to renovating the former West Point-Stevens headquarters for use as the primary academic building for traditional program studies in West Point, the University also has apartment-style student housing in nearby Valley, Ala.
In addition to the relocation announcement, the university was accepted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).[9] The university also announced the athletics program would undergo expansion as part of the transition from the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) to the NAIA, including the addition of intercollegiate football, softball and cross country beginning in fall 2011.[10] The athletics nickname was also changed from the Chargers to the Skyhawks.[2] In Spring 2014, the Point University Skyhawks were admitted to the recently started Sun conference as a charter member.[11]
Academics
Point University offers degrees in biblical studies, biology, exercise science, business, marketing, accounting, management, child and youth development, counseling and human services, sociology, criminal justice, early childhood education, middle grades education, English, history, humanities, music and psychology. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award the associate and baccalaureate degrees. Its accreditation was most recently affirmed in 2006 and is scheduled for review in 2016.[12] The early childhood education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) of the State of Georgia.[13]
Athletics
Point University athletic teams are known as the Skyhawks. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Football was a member of The Sun Conference for 2014 and 2015, moving to the Appalachian Division of the Mid-South Conference in the fall of 2017. The rest of its sports compete in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).[14] Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer and tennis; women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, lacrosse, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.[9]
The university is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I. The Skyhawks (previously known as the Atlanta Christian College Chargers) have won a number of regional and national championships, most recently the 2010 NCCAA Division II national championship in baseball. [15]
Presidents
- George W. BonDurant (1937–1947)
- Orvel C. Crowder (1947–1955)
- James C. Redmon (1955–1978)
- Paul K. Carrier (1978–1984)
- James C. Donovan (1984–1993)
- R. Edwin Groover (1993–2006)
- Dean C. Collins (2006–present)
Notable students and alumni
- Jamie Grace (Class of 2012) – Christian singer-songwriter signed to TobyMac-founded label, Gotee Records.[16]
References
- ^ "Brand Standards - Point University". Point.edu. Retrieved 2015-07-27.
- ^ a b "School Year Launches with New Mascot, New Name, Record Enrollment". Point University. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- ^ a b [1] Archived October 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e "History of the University". Point University. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ "Judge Thomas Olin Hathcock". Find a Grave. October 14, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
- ^ "ACC is now Point University". Point University. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ "Atlanta Christian to locate in West Point". Newnan Times-Herald. February 4, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ [2] Archived February 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "The NAIA Announces New Members at 70th Annual Convention". NAIA. April 19, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ "Christian college to open at West Point". Birmingham, AL: WBRC. February 3, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ "Point University Athletics - Point football joins The Sun Conference". Pointskyhawks.com. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2015-07-27.
- ^ [Point University: Accreditation https://point.edu/accreditation/]
- ^ "Institutional Accreditation". U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ "Atlanta Christian/Point University Joins AAC". Appalachian Athletic Conference. May 9, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ "Point University Athletics - 2016 Baseball Coaches". pointskyhawks.com.
- ^ [3][dead link ]
External links
- Point University
- Universities and colleges affiliated with the Christian churches and churches of Christ
- Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Educational institutions established in 1937
- Education in Fulton County, Georgia
- Buildings and structures in Fulton County, Georgia
- 1937 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Liberal arts colleges in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Appalachian Athletic Conference schools