David R. Hopkins

(Born Sep 15, 1941) David Roger Hopkins, the seventh and current President of Emmanuel College, was born on September 15, 1941, in Wilmington, North Carolina. Son of Rev. and Mrs. W. P. Hopkins, he grew up in Conway, South Carolina, where his father pastored the Savannah Bluff and Conway Pentecostal Holiness Churches. In 1952 David's father decided he needed more education, so the Hopkins family moved to Franklin Springs where Rev. W. P. Hopkins enrolled at Emmanuel College. From Emmanuel Rev. Hopkins went on to pastor churches in Athens, Georgia, and Memphis, Tennessee, where David graduated from high school.

In the fall of 1959, David Hopkins enrolled at Emmanuel College, and for the next two years God began shaping his life. He served as president of the freshman and sophomore classes and at graduation was valedictorian of 1961. Receiving an education major scholarship, he transferred to Towson State University in Baltimore, Maryland where he received the B.S. and M.Ed. degrees. In Maryland he with his wife, the former Claudia Fountain, pastored, served as Mid-Atlantic Conference youth director, taught high school, and attended graduate school.

In the spring of 1969 Dean C. Y. Melton contacted Hopkins about coming to Emmanuel College to teach English. There was no doubt of God's direction at this time, for in his heart this is what he had been preparing for over the years. In 1971 he enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Georgia while continuing to teach and serve as associate pastor of the Franklin Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church and graduated in 1974. Following his completion of the doctorate, President C. Y. Melton appointed Dr. Hopkins to the academic dean's position, where he continued to serve until he was named president in 1983.

During the twenty-year tenure of Dr. David Hopkins the most dramatic and far-reaching changes have taken place. In the first ten years of his administration several goals were met to open a full-time Admissions Center to increase enrollment, renovate and refurbish all buildings on campus, including central heat and air conditioning in all buildings, and to begin a long-term strategic planning process. Through the establishment of Emmanuel Endowment, Inc. and increased involvement of the board of Trustees, endowment funds grew considerably, privately endowed scholarships multiplied, and the campus expanded through property purchases.

In 1990 Emmanuel College took a monumental step by applying for four-year accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Having successfully completed a number of years with two-year accreditation and having added the four-year School of Christian Ministries some years before, the College received full Level II (baccalaureate degree level) accreditation in 1991. Level II accreditation brought unprecedented growth and advancement.

From 1990 to the present Emmanuel has experienced miraculous transition. Twenty-two new four-year majors have been added including Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades Education, Secondary Education, English, History, Computer Information Systems, Pre-Law, Communication Studies, Psychology, and others. Several new buildings were added including the Wellons Science Resources Center, the John W. Swails Center, Culbreth Y. Melton Hall, King Street Residence Hall, a Student Activity Center, Student Union, School of Education Building, Student Life Office Center, and the Alumni and Advancement Center. Major renovations have occurred in the gymnasium, cafeteria, and Wellons Hall.

In addition, with a major focus upon campus and external communications, a constantly improving information system has been implemented and expanded to include all faculty and staff offices, student rooms, five campus computer labs, and library access. The College’s website is outstanding, and the computer system is among the finest of any college or university in the country.

With financial stability and security in place, a Campus Master Plan developed, and the College’s Mission affirmed, the future for Emmanuel is bright. Today Emmanuel College is a respected institution of higher learning widely recognized for quality Christian education.