Malone College to mark 50th anniversary

CANTON — Malone College will mark its 50th anniversary as “Canton’s college” Sept. 25.

The date is 50 years to the day that the former Cleveland Bible College opened its doors to 267 students in its new location here.

The institution was founded in 1892 and reinvented itself in the mid-1950s when a highway project forced it to find a new home.

It became Malone College in 1956 in honor of founders, J. Walter and Emma B. Malone, and changed its focus to a Christian liberal arts curriculum. It moved to its current 25th Street location in 1957.

Today, Malone is still the only four-year college within Canton city limits and has an enrollment of more than 2,300 students and awards baccalaureate degrees in 49 undergraduate and five master’s degree programs.

It was ranked among the top colleges and universities in the Midwest in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges 2008.”

It is also recognized as a leader in character development by the Templeton Foundation.

The college plans to celebrate its golden anniversary by incorporating the 50th anniversary theme into scheduled events throughout the academic year.

Events scheduled are:

Oct. 5-6: Jubilee Homecoming.

Oct. 25-27: Presidential inauguration for Dr. Gary Streit.

Nov. 16: Over the Rhine in Concert.