University of Mount Olive Launches 75th Anniversary Celebration Year

Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations

The University of Mount Olive officially launched its 75th anniversary celebration year with a campus gathering that honored the institution’s deep history and continued growth. President H. Edward Croom briefly spoke about the University’s beginnings, noting that from its founding, the institution has been sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. Chartered in 1951 and opened in 1952 at Cragmont Assembly near Black Mountain as Mount Allen Junior College, the school relocated to Mount Olive in 1953 to be closer to the center of denominational strength in eastern North Carolina.

(Center) Former First Lady Rose Raper, whose husband, W. Burkette Raper, presided over Mount Olive College for 40 years, cut the cake commemorating UMO’s 75th year.(Left) UMO current First Lady Phyllis Croom and (right) UMO President H. Edward Croom.

Under the leadership of the late Dr. W. Burkette Raper, who became president in 1954, the College welcomed its first collegiate class of 22 students. Over the decades, the institution evolved from a junior college to Mount Olive College, became a four-year institution in 1986, achieved university status in 2014, and began offering its first doctoral programs in 2025. Reflecting on the milestone, Croom said, “Seventy-five years is monumental. As the leader of an institution, you always hope the seeds you are planting now will pay off for future generations, and that each year we continue building a stronger institution dedicated to educating students and advancing the communities in which they live, serve, and work.”

Former First Lady Rose Raper, whose husband presided over the institution for 40 years, cut the cake commemorating UMO’s 75th year. “It’s almost unbelievable,” Raper said. “I’m very happy to have lived and worked here and to be a part of it. I hope everybody will do their part to keep it as good as it is now.” Students, faculty, and staff joined together in singing “Happy Birthday,” led by current First Lady Phyllis Croom, and students received custom-designed Trojan mascot LEGO kits as a commemorative gift. The University has a full year of activities planned, with special events scheduled monthly throughout the anniversary celebration year.

Students received custom-designed Trojan mascot LEGO kits as a commemorative gift.