Contributed

WEST POINT —As Point University celebrates its 80th anniversary, President Dean Collins takes a look back at life in 1937, the year of the university’s founding. He also encourages students to continue contributing to the growing community of West Point.

“On Sept. 13, 1937, a small school called Atlanta Christian College was born. Back then, a loaf of bread cost nine cents, a gallon of gasoline 10 cents and you could go to the movies for a quarter. Franklin D. Roosevelt was president, Amelia Earhart disappeared and J.R.R. Tolkien released The Hobbit. The Hindenburg airship exploded, the Golden Gate Bridge opened and the University of Pittsburgh won the NCAA football championship,” said Collins. “During the past 80 years, much has changed, but much has stayed the same. To my surprise, cars still don’t fly, the sun still sets in the west and just like my grandfather, I still put my pants on one leg at a time. Though Point University is no longer known as Atlanta Christian College and we’ve found a new home in West Point, we continue to offer affordable, high-quality Christian education and have expanded availability to a diverse and growing population.”

One-third of Point’s student population is local, and 99 percent of the student body receives financial aid. In the 2016-17 academic year, students participated in 102 community service projects directly benefiting the Greater Valley area, with total man-hours served equaling 16,181. That has an estimated man-hour value of $394,642. Point University is committed to continuing to be a light in the community.

Homecoming festivities will include a lunch for the newly formed 25 and 50-year alumni clubs, alumni sports games, a downtown pep rally, tailgating and football. It will be a time for reflecting and sharing stories, and expressing gratitude for all the students, alumni, faculty and staff have accomplished.

Point University Homecoming Events Open to Public:

Saturday, Oct. 21: Downtown pep rally on Fourth Avenue at 10 a.m.

Tailgate outside Ram Stadium in Valley, Alabama, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Tickets are $9.45 for adults and $7.45 for seniors and kids 12 and under.)

Football game vs. St. Andrews’ Knights at 1:30 p.m. (Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 – 12 and free for children under 5 years old.)

80th anniversary celebration at West Point River Park, from 5 to 9 p.m. — free access to live music, food trucks, kayak rides with GLL and Touch-a-Truck with West Point Public Safety

For more details and times for each of these events, visit Point.edu/homecoming.