Point University

This article is about the university in West Point, GA. For university in High Point, NC, see High Point University. For university in Pittsburgh, PA, see Point Park University.
Point University

Seal of Point University
Motto Κήρυξον τὸν λόγον (Greek: Preach the Word)
Established 1937
Type Private
Affiliation Christian churches and churches of Christ
President Dean C. Collins
Academic staff
 21
Students 1,439 (Fall 2013)
Location West Point, Georgia, U.S.
Campus Suburban 54 acres (0.22 km2)
Colors Blue and Gold         
Nickname Skyhawks[1]
Affiliations Appalachian Athletic Conference (NAIA)
Website www.point.edu

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.[2] 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.[2][3]

Following its founding, Atlanta Christian College devoted attention primarily to the education of ministers, missionaries and other church-related workers.[2] In 1965, the college became an accredited member of the American Association of Bible Colleges (AABC).[2] 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.[2]

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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

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).[7] 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.[8] The athletics nickname was also changed from the Chargers to the Skyhawks.[1] In Spring 2014, the Point University Skyhawks were admitted to the recently started Sun conference as a charter member.[9]

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. The early childhood education program has earned accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) of the State of Georgia.[10]

Athletics

Point University athletic teams are known as the Skyhawks. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Football is a member of The Sun Conference (TSC), while the rest of its sports compete in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).[11] 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.[7]

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. [12]

Presidents

Notable students and alumni

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "School Year Launches with New Mascot, New Name, Record Enrollment". Point University. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "History of the University". Point University. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Judge Thomas Olin Hathcock". Find a Grave. October 14, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  4. ↑ "ACC is now Point University". Point University. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Atlanta Christian to locate in West Point". Newnan Times-Herald. February 4, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  6. ↑ http://point.edu/locations
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "The NAIA Announces New Members at 70th Annual Convention". NAIA. April 19, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Christian college to open at West Point". Birmingham, AL: WBRC. February 3, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  9. ↑ http://www.pointskyhawks.com/article/845.php
  10. ↑ "Institutional Accreditation". U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Atlanta Christian/Point University Joins AAC". Appalachian Athletic Conference. May 9, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  12. ↑ http://www.pointskyhawks.com/coach/0/1.php. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ http://point.edu/jamiegrace

External links