BY MID-ATLANTIC CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU) partnered with Roanoke Christian Service Camp (RCSC) to host this year’s Music and Drama (MAD) Camp from July 20-25, 2025. This week-long camp gives teens with a passion for music and performance a chance to rehearse and present a full musical program — while growing in their faith and forming lasting friendships.

As part of this special week, the community is invited to attend the final performance at 7 p.m. Friday, July 25, at MACU, 715 N. Poindexter St., Elizabeth City. Admission is free and all are welcome.

This creative and faith-filled week led by MACU alumnus Patrick Harrison, campers will explore their creative gifts in worship arts through acting, singing, and teamwork. The week includes script preparation, auditions, rehearsals, and outreach performances at local churches.

“We’re honored to serve alongside Roanoke Christian Service Camp and provide a Christ-centered space for teens to grow in their talents and faith,” said Dr. Bane Angles, MACU faculty member and RCSC board member.

Come support these talented teens and celebrate a week of hard work, worship, and creativity.

Students Excel

Two MACU students scored among the highest in the nation on the Major Field Test in Biology, a national exam administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Taken by students across the United States to assess their academic proficiency in core biology disciplines, the exam serves as a benchmark for evaluating student learning outcomes and program effectiveness. After a year without biology graduates, MACU had two seniors preparing to graduate in August 2025 take the test this past April. Their results, received last week, place them in the top percentile nationwide.

One student earned a raw score of 179, placing in the 97th percentile, while the other achieved an outstanding score of 182 — ranking in the 98th percentile. For context, half of all test takers across the country score between 143 and 162.

The Major Field Test evaluates students across four critical areas of biological science: cell biology; molecular biology and genetics; organismal biology; and population biology, evolution, and ecology. Both MACU students scored well above the national average in each category.

Dr. Robert Smith, Chair of the Department of Arts and Sciences, commented, “I am encouraged by how the biology program has grown over the short time that MACU has offered this academic program.”

Kevin Larsen, Vice President for Academic Affairs, added, “At MACU, we desire that everything we do brings glory to God. In an effort to understand God’s creation, we have put together a rigorous undergraduate biology program that is producing amazing results. This school year, one of our students presented at an international microbiology conference in Vienna, Austria. Now, these two students rise to the top of a nationally recognized exam. I am so proud of how our biology faculty and students are learning about God’s creation.”

Academic Partnerships

MACU recently announced a significant expansion of its global academic partnerships following a successful series of scholarly engagements in Europe this past spring.

In April 2025, Dr. John Pace and Dr. Kevin Larsen represented MACU during a strategic visit to Austria and Slovakia, where they participated in high-profile academic forums and delivered guest lectures at leading institutions.

The European tour began in Vienna, Austria, where the MACU team attended the Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID Global). A highlight of the event was a poster session featuring MACU student Dalon, who presented original research titled, “In vitro antibacterial activity of a fosfomycin/trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole combination plus anti-mycobacterial agents
against reference strains of non-tubercular Mycobacterium spp.” His work received recognition for its innovative approach and relevance to the field of microbiology.

Following the conference, the MACU delegation continued to Slovakia for a series of academic lectures and collaborative sessions. Notable stops included:

• Bratislava: Presentations at the Slovak Academy of Sciences – Institute of Molecular Biology, and the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Faculty at Comenius University.
• Prešov: Interactive lectures and academic discussions at the University of Prešov, where MACU faculty engaged with master’s and doctoral students in flexible-format sessions.

These international engagements mark a strategic step in MACU’s mission to blend academic excellence with faith-based leadership. The trip not only fostered meaningful cross-cultural and scholarly exchanges but also reinforced the university’s commitment to building a vibrant, globally connected academic community.

“We are excited about the growing opportunities for MACU to collaborate internationally,” said Dr. Kevin Larsen, MACU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Our presence in Central Europe reflects the university’s dedication to advancing Christian higher education and meaningful scholarship on a global scale.”