1 HISTORY, MISSION, ORGANZIATION, AND GOVERNANCE
1.1 FOUNDING
Roanoke College was founded in 1842 by two Gettysburg College graduates, David F. Bittle and Christopher C. Baughman, who established "The Virginia Institute" near Mt. Tabor Church, about eight miles southwest of Staunton, Virginia; in 1845 the school was incorporated by the Virginia Legislature as "The Virginia Collegiate Institute." In 1847 it was moved to Salem, and in 1853 it was incorporated as "The Trustees of Roanoke College, Inc." by the Virginia Legislature. The First Hundred Years, An Authentic History by William Edward Eisenberg, published by the Trustees of Roanoke College, gives a continuous picture of the institution from its founding up to 1942. “Dear Old Roanoke”: A Sesquicentennial Portrait, 1842-1992, a book by Dr. Mark F. Miller, gives a fifty year update on the College’s history.1.1.1 ACCREDITATION
Roanoke College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: telephone number 404-679-4501) to award the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. It is accredited by the American Chemical Society and is a member of the National Commission on Accrediting and the College Entrance Examination Board. The Business Administration Program is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. It is on the approved list of the American Medical Association and the American Association of University Women, and holds membership in a number of non-accrediting organizations. The College conducts a Fall Semester, Spring Semester, May Term, Summer Sessions, and an Evening Program to serve the needs of the community as well as a year-long non credit Community Education program.