Pastor of the Church until his retirement in 1995. In 1975 the college and the Mountain Retreat Association conference center formed two separate organizations: Dr. Vaughn served as College President and Monroe Ashley, a Baptist minister who had done extensive work in camp and conference ministry, served as the President of the Mountain Retreat Association. In the 1980s, Montreat was expanded again to offer a four-year curriculum. Later it also offered graduate programs. In the 1990s, it expanded the number of sites where it offered classes, in addition to offerings online. After the Great Recession of 2008, Montreat College had financial problems. In 2013, it considered a merger with Point University. This idea was later dropped. In March 2014, after a $6 million anonymous gift, trustees decided to raise money and hire a new president. Dr. Paul J. Maurer took office the next summer. Presidents Dr. Robert Campbell Anderson (1916–1947) Dr. J. Rupert McGregor (1947–1957) Dr. Calvin Grier Davis (1959–1972) Dr. Silas M. Vaughn (1972–1991) William W. Hurt (1991–2002) Dr. John S. Lindberg (2002–2003) Dr. Dan Struble (2004–2013) Dr. Paul Maurer (2014 to present) Campus Many of the older buildings are constructed of stone. In the early days Emilie Miller Vaughan described it thus: "I wish I could tell you of the scenery around here & at the retreat. People who have travelled say it is only equaled by Switzerland" Academic profile Montreat College's traditional program attracts more than 662 students who seek a Christ-centered liberal arts education in areas of study that range from business administration and cybersecurity, to outdoor recreation studies, communications, and music business. It has more than 90 majors, minors, and concentrations. The School of Adult and Graduate Studies began offering classes on September 19, 1994. With online programs and physical campuses in Asheville, Charlotte, and Morganton, the college seeks to serve adults in the work force, or who are retired, who want to earn a college degree, as well as those who want to expand their horizons. In June 1998 Montreat College was accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a level three institution to offer the master's degree in business administration. This accreditation was reaffirmed in December 2012. Student life As of the fall of 2021, Montreat's traditional campus student body consists of 662 undergraduate students. The School of Adult and Graduate Studies consists of 311