The ENC Legacy
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is proud to be the custodian of record for Eastern Nazarene College.
Learn More About MVNU
MVNU is Committed to the ENC Legacy
Following the closure of Eastern Nazarene College, MVNU is humbled to serve the needs of ENC alumni and friends.
ENC Transition Board Reaches Agreement to Sell Campus Property to City of Quincy
QUINCY, MASS., April 29, 2026 — The Transition Board of Eastern Nazarene College announced it has reached an agreement with Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch to sell ENC's campus to the City of Quincy, pending the approval of the City Council and the Attorney General of Massachusetts.
"Throughout the process of determining the future of ENC's campus, the Board prioritized finding a buyer who shared our commitment to ensuring it continues to enhance and serve the community," said Dr. David W. Bowser, Chair of the ENC Transition Board. "There is perhaps no buyer better positioned to do that than the city itself, and we appreciate Mayor Koch and his staff's partnership through this process. We appreciate that the city's intent for the property will honor ENC's legacy by preserving key landmarks of the campus and respecting the shared use of some campus spaces with the Wollaston Church of the Nazarene."
The proposed purchase includes the property and buildings that comprise ENC's 27-acre main campus as 23 E. Elm Ave, as well as 14 residential properties nearby. Finalization of the sale is pending the completion of due diligence and approval by the City Council and the Attorney General. Proceeds from the sale would be used to cover ENC's debt obligations, with any remaining funds distributed in a manner that honors ENC's legacy and meets with regulatory approval.
ENC Transcripts available through MVNU
As the institution of record for Eastern Nazarene College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is proud to store and manage ENC's student records.
Individuals who attended or graduated from ENC prior to 1988 should contact us via email at registrar@mvnu.edu with a request for records.
Individuals who attended or graduated from ENC from 1988 to 2025 can click the link below to order transcripts.
There is an $15 fee for each official MVNU transcript. Express mail does incur additional charges. The link posted below requires you to create an account and pay with a credit card. Two types of transcripts are available for you to choose from:
- E-transcript — Sent electronically to any third party via secure web link; fastest option and quickly becoming industry standard, but you may want to check with receiver to verify if they accept e-transcripts.
- Mailed paper transcript — Printed on security transcript paper and sent through USPS; also options for domestic and international express delivery at additional cost.
Transcripts are issued only upon request by the student. Official transcripts may be held until financial obligations to the University are met.
Have Additional Needs Regarding ENC?
Questions or concerns about ENC can be directed to enc@mvnu.edu.
History of Eastern Nazarene University
A Foundation of Faith
The history of Eastern Nazarene College began when several ministers and laypersons decided to establish a Christian collegiate institute in the city of Saratoga Springs, New York. The founders had a remarkably ambitious vision: in an age when most Christian educational institutions began as Bible colleges and missionary training schools, their goal was to establish an integrated preparatory academy, liberal arts college, and theological seminary. With a sound academic foundation, the school opened its doors as a fully accredited institution on September 25, 1900. Not long after, the Institute was relocated to the small village of North Scituate, Rhode Island, and became one of the first three schools to be officially supported by the Church of the Nazarene. On June 14, 1918, Eastern Nazarene College was chartered as a liberal arts college with degree-granting authority in the state of Rhode Island. It had been resolved that the college curriculum be reinvigorated and the name of the Institute changed to reflect both its evolving religious identity and its goal of providing a iberal arts education. Nazarene College of the Northeast, Nazarene College, and Bresee Theological Institute (named for Phineas Bresee) were just a few of the names considered. Ultimately, Eastern Nazarene College was selected.
Under the Eaves of Harvard
The founders decided to relocate the college to Massachusetts because the educational standards and requirements were the most rigorous in the nation. In 1919, Eastern Nazarene College purchased the old summer home of Boston mayor Josiah Quincy, Jr. and moved to Wollaston Park, approximately a quarter-mile from Quincy Bay and Wollaston Beach. Bertha Munro, the first Dean of the College, was thrilled at the prospect of establishing a Christian college “under the eaves of Harvard” and immediately began drafting a new college curriculum. By 1920, the school established a solid reputation as a Christian liberal arts college in New England. Its status as an institution of higher learning became increasingly enviable over the next several decades, as the College instituted its first graduate degree program, gained accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and joined the Association of American Colleges. In 1955, a new era began when the College decided to commit itself entirely to higher education. Over the next several decades, it expanded its bachelor’s degree programs, introduced graduate programs, and offered accelerated degrees at satellite campuses to accommodate the needs of working adults.
On June 22, 2024, the Board voted unanimously to direct the President to begin the process of closing ENC. On August 29, 2024, the Board voted unanimously for formal dissolution of the college. The college ceased all academic activities in May 2025.
