Rochester College Heritage

In 1954, members of the Churches of Christ formed a Board of Trustees to establish an educational institution in the North Central region of the United States. After months of consideration, the board decided to establish a liberal arts college and purchased a beautiful country estate in rural Rochester, Michigan, for a campus site. In September of 1959, the college opened as North Central Christian College, retaining that name until 1961.

In the years that followed, the institution operated under the name of Michigan Christian College. In 1997, the board adopted the name Rochester College in order to more clearly portray the institution's nature as a liberal arts college in a Christian setting. In the initial college catalog, leaders affirmed their dedication “to the task of leading students toward higher academic achievement.” The founders also stated their belief “that the development of Christian ideals in the life of an individual is highly important.” Leaders of Rochester College remain firmly committed to those ideals.

The campus of Rochester College has grown to exceed eighty acres, assuring space for continued expansion. During the same time, college leaders have continued to develop and modify programs to meet the needs of students and a changing society.