MVC was founded by
Andrew Nathaniel Nelson primarily in response to the growing interest in Christian education within the Philippines. A 584% increase for a six-year period in the college enrollment of
Philippine Union College when he was then president, magnified the problems associated with the less-than-ideal location of the campus, leading him to the formulation of nine-point criteria for the location of an Adventist college. They were founded on Adventist principles and prior experience (involvement in the founding of Seattle Junior Academy in 1915 and the relocation of
Japan Missionary College in 1926). Nelson and his team arrived at MVC's current site in 1950. Negotiations for the purchase of property were then started. After the purchase, initial structures were set up. In 1952, the name "Mountain View College" was chosen from a list that included "Philippine Missionary College" and "Oriental Missionary College". In 1953, classes officially started at the new location. MVC's first offerings were certificates or associate degrees in business, education, and religion. It held its first graduation exercises in 1957. == Presidents ==