Victory University, formerly Crichton College, was a private for-profit university in Memphis, Tennessee. It closed in May 2014 and was owned by California-based Significant Education. Victory University was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and offered on-campus and distance learning courses.
History
Victory University was founded as the Mid-South Bible Center in 1944. Shortly after, the institution became the Mid-South Bible Institute with a non-credit Adult Education Program and a one-year Basic Bible Course.
In 1958, a four-year Bible college program was initiated and in 1960, the institution changed its name to Mid-South Bible College. In 1971, the institution earned accreditation from the Association of Biblical Higher Education. The institution continued to grow and in 1982, it began a Teacher Education program to "prepare Christian men and women to teach in schools." In 1986, with the addition of majors in the social and natural sciences, education, and music, the institution gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
In 1987, the institution changed its name to Crichton College to honor its long-time president James B. Crichton, who died in 1984. The institution relocated twice: in 1989, sharing a campus with local megachurch Central Church and again in March 2002, moving to its final location on Highland Avenue.
During 2009, Dr. John M. Borek, Jr. was appointed president and California-based Significant Federation bought the financially troubled institution, which became a for-profit business. One year later, the college changed its name to Victory University. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was given the title of Chancellor and became a fundraiser for the institution, although Huckabee did not take up residence in Memphis.
