Victory University 2012-2013 Academic Catalog

2 | GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT VICTORY UNIVERSITY
Victory University is a private, four-year, co-educational institution governed by an
independent, self-perpetuating Board of Directors. The Biblical basis of all programs, a
distinctive part of our curriculum, ensures the centrality of Christian principles in the academic
programs, philosophy, and life of the University.
History
In the fall of 1941, the Reverend Thomas McKinney, a then-recent graduate from Dallas
Theological Seminary, established an evening Bible study class in Memphis, Tennessee. The
response to the class was so encouraging that a group of Christian men began investigating the
potential of establishing a permanent institution that would provide an opportunity for the
study of the Bible and Bible-related subjects.
On December 13, 1944, a Board of Directors met to establish such an institution as allowed
under the laws of the State of Tennessee. Dr. T. Stanley Soltau was the first Chairman of the
Board, and the Reverend Thomas McKinney was the Director of the Mid-South Bible Center.
The MSBC received its charter of incorporation on December 19, 1944.
Reverend McKinney resigned in 1947 and was succeeded by Dr. J. Howard Goddard in 1948.
Under Dr. Goddard’s direction, the MSBC established a three-year Bible Institute and enrolled
ten students in the fall semester of 1948. The State of Tennessee authorized an amendment to
the Charter of the MSBC to change the name to Mid-South Bible Institute.
In May 1955, Dr. James B. Crichton was elected as the successor of Dr. Goddard. A non-credit
Adult Education Program was established in September 1955, and, simultaneously, a one-year
Basic Bible Course was introduced in the Day School curriculum.
On February 14, 1957, the Education Committee recommended to the Board that the Mid-
South Bible Institute introduce a four-year Bible College program into the curriculum. The
program was formally approved on April 10, 1958 and was introduced that fall. A second
amendment was granted by the state on May 26, 1960, changing the college name to Mid-
South Bible College.
Mid-South Bible College began a Teacher Education program in 1982 to prepare Christian men
and women to teach in schools. Majors were offered in social sciences, natural sciences,
elementary education, music education, and church music. The decision was subsequently
made to seek accreditation by the University Commission of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools. Accreditation was granted in January 1986. A four-year Bachelor’s degree
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