Mid-Atlantic Christian University was founded as Roanoke Bible College in 1948 by George and Sarah BonDurant to train preachers for churches in eastern North Carolina and the Tidewater region of Virginia. The BonDurants had previously founded Atlanta Christian College in 1937, and George BonDurant served as its first President until 1947, when he left over a dispute with the trustees. He then found employment as an evangelist of the Roanoke District Churches of Christ in eastern North Carolina in 1947.
Less than a year later, the BonDurants founded MACU due to the extreme lack of preachers in the area at the time.[2] Classes began in 1948 with 12 full-time students.[3] The first group of transfer students graduated in 1950 and the first class to complete all four years at MACU graduated in 1952. MACU has graduated a class every year since.
MACU absorbed the remaining funds, library holdings, and equipment of Eastern Christian College when it closed in 2005 after nearly 60 years of operation.[6][7] Eastern's academic records are now archived at MACU.
MACU officially changed its name to Mid-Atlantic Christian University in the summer of 2009.[8] Enrollment at MACU reached 178 students in the fall semester of 2010.
On October 3, 2010, sophomore Jonathan Schipper was shot to death in his room in the Pearl A. Presley Hall, bringing MACU national news attention. The school's official policy does not allow guns on campus.[9] This is the only violent crime ever reported on MACU's campus during its history.[10] Fellow student Christopher Amyx, a part-time police officer, was later convicted of first-degree murder in 2013.[11][9]
The university offers Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science degrees. All students major in biblical studies, and can double major in Applied Linguistics, Cross-Cultural Ministry, General Ministry, Leadership & Administration, Preaching, or Youth and Family Ministry. MACU added a military science minor through Army ROTC in 2010.
MACU currently fields seven varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, baseball, golf and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, soccer and volleyball.[14]
MACU also has intramural sports that vary by semester. These have included flag football, basketball, volleyball, kickball, wiffle ball, and many more. There are also tournaments played among the students in the lobbies utilizing the pool table, ping pong table and foosball table.
Campus
Heritage HallAlbert C. Blanton III Campus Life Center
The MACU campus is located on the Pasquotank River, less than a mile from downtown Elizabeth City, North Carolina. East and West campuses are divided by North Poindexter Street.[15]
West Campus
Wilkinson Hall, original building: administration
Faith Hall, 1951: faculty offices
Heritage Hall, 1965: classrooms and cafeteria
East Campus
Pearl A. Presley Hall, 1976: women's dormitory
Harold C. Turner Hall, 1985: men's dormitory, student center and coffee shop
Albert C. Blanton III Campus Life Center, 1998: Watson-Griffin Library, Chesson Gymnasium, and Davenport Chapel
North Campus
Park, recreational, and picnic area
Traditions
Sneak Day
Every year during the fall semester, the seniors organize a "Sneak Day". They wake up the rest of the students shortly after 5:00 AM and take them to a secret location off campus for a day of fun and relaxation. Faculty and staff are unaware of the exact date of Sneak Day until they find no one attending morning classes.[16] Sneak day is now officially recognized in the student handbook.
Alumni Rally & Homecoming
MACU's annual Alumni Rally & Homecoming has been held in Elizabeth City every year since 1949.[17] It takes place in March and has been on MACU's campus since 1999. Typical rallies include an alumni basketball game, praise and worship sessions, and a variety of speaking sessions.
Notable alumni
As of 2010, over 3,000 students have attended MACU and 1,140 have graduated.[18][19][20] The school's notable alumni include:
