 Formerly known as the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy, the Martin Center changed its name in January 2017 and is named after former North Carolina Governor James G. Martin (1985-1993).The Martin Center has attained the GuideStar Exchange Gold participation level, a symbol of transparency and accountability.The Martin Center originated in 1996 as a project of the John Locke Foundation (also founded by Art Pope), a nonprofit think tank concerned especially with free markets, limited constitutional government, and personal responsibility.