What one first notices about the Mars Hill College campus is the unusual combination of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern. A two-story brick building, Founders Hall, erected in 1892, stands in stark simplicity alongside a contemporary three-story structure, Blackwell Hall. The college's programs also reflect the merging of the traditional and the contemporary. In the changes that are underway at Mars Hill College, based on our mission statement, we are conscious of both the non-negotiable core values of our heritage and of the demands of the twenty-first century.

The old symbolically represents the rich 151-year heritage of Mars Hill College and its tradition of serving many thousands of young people from throughout North Carolina, the United States, and the world. The traditional also points to the strong emphasis, throughout our existence, on providing students a broad liberal arts education which includes academic skills and knowledge that have been valued for centuries; and we note our Baptist roots, which are a significant part of our long commitment to education in a Christian context.

The new, the modern, symbolically represents the commitment of Mars Hill to offering the kind of education that will make our students aware of the practical benefits of the knowledge and skills provided by a liberal arts education. It also speaks of our continuing efforts to keep our eye on the needs of the community and of society in our programs, our facilities, and our technology.

In the fusing of the traditional and the modern, Mars Hill College asserts that we value, cultivate, and build on a rich heritage of liberal arts education; and we strive to give our students the skills and knowledge they will need to adapt to and function well in the rapidly changing world which they will enter. We intend to empower our graduates for service and leadership within their chosen vocations.

Mars Hill College is located in one of the most beautiful and healthful regions of the Eastern United States, the mountains of Western North Carolina. The town, which derives its name from the college, has a population of about 2,200. It is 18 miles north of Asheville via Highway 19-23 (Future Interstate 26). Asheville is the largest city in the western third of the state with a population of approximately 65,000. Asheville has the sophisticated attractions of a major metropolis and is known for its quality arts, crafts, and music offerings. Its annual Bele Chere festival each summer draws about 300,000 people. The campus is also 10 miles east of Marshall, the county seat of Madison County.

From the 194-acre campus, which sits at an elevation of 2,330 feet, an inspiring panorama of lofty peaks may be viewed, including the Craggies, Clingman's Peak, and Mount Pisgah. Such scenic attractions as Mount Mitchell, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Craggy Gardens, Linville Falls and Cavern, Biltmore House and Gardens, Big Bald Mountain, and the Blue Ridge Parkway are within easy driving distance.

Mars Hill is well suited as a residence college. Located in a small town surrounded by mountains, rivers, woods, and all the outdoor activities they offer, the college's environment offers ample opportunity for study and reflection. However, its proximity to Asheville (about 20 minutes by car) allows access to city amenities like shopping, restaurants, entertainment, transportation, healthcare, and other facilities.