Fifty years ago this month, Michigan Christian College (now Rochester College) began a 54-acre expansion of its campus on West Avon Road. In 1957, the North Central Christian College Association had acquired the former Maxon estate on Avon as the location of a new school. North Central Christian College welcomed its first students in 1959, and changed its name to Michigan Christian College in 1961. It became Rochester College in 1997.
Back in August of 1965, college leaders were planning for an expected student enrollment of 250 to 275 students by starting construction of a new classroom and office building, as well as a student center and library facility. Today, Rochester College has an enrollment well over 1,000 students and offers bachelor's and master's degree programs.