by Anna Pinson | Sep 24, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College has been ranked 10th among “Best Regional Colleges–South” in the 2027 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges, according to President Matt Pinson. The Regional Colleges−South category comprises 94 other colleges and universities in the South.
“It’s exciting to see Welch ranked 10th overall and 1st in social mobility in U.S. News Best Colleges,” President Pinson said. “This gives students, parents, and alumni confidence in our academic excellence and the competitiveness and recognition of Welch in the academic community.”
The Best Regional Colleges category includes institutions that focus on teaching undergraduate students. These schools offer a range of degree programs in the liberal arts and in professional fields.
“Colleges go up and down in these rankings each year,” Pinson said. “When we first entered the rankings sixteen years ago, we were ranked 52nd. Our ranking this year at 10th is exciting.”
“This ranking offers an external benchmark for our institution’s commitment to academic excellence,” Provost Matthew McAffee said. “The diligence of our faculty and staff is making the increases in Welch's excellence possible. They are deeply committed to our mission of educating Christian leaders for kingdom transformation.”
U.S. News rankings judge the relative quality of institutions based on widely accepted indicators of excellence in higher education: what peer institutions think of the institution, how many freshmen return their sophomore year, how many of them go on to graduate, student-faculty ratio, faculty quality, financial resources, how many economically challenged students go on to graduate, and more.
“To put our ranking in perspective,” Pinson said, “the other top-ten institutions in our category have an average enrollment more than 3 times higher than Welch’s and an average endowment more than 20 times higher than Welch’s. We’re striving to be good stewards of the resources God has given us.”
Out of the 95 institutions in the Best Regional Colleges−South category, Welch received especially high marks in three strategic areas, ranking as 1st in freshman-to-sophomore retention, 1st in social mobility (tied), and 2nd in graduation rate for students with financial need (Pell-eligible students).
For more information about Welch, email gotowelch@welch.edu or click here.
by Anna Pinson | Sep 16, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College enrolled 429 students for its fall 2026 semester, with full-time enrollment increasing by 15% and dorm enrollment increasing by 9%, according to Welch Provost Dr. Matthew McAffee.
“This year’s incoming class of new students at Welch College has brought renewed excitement to our campus,” McAffee said. “These students are eager to engage in the discipline of the mind in preparation for Christian leadership. Even though our overall headcount was slightly down because of scheduling issues at local high schools for dual enrollment students, we’re thrilled to see a significant increase in dorm and full-time students.”
At press time, college officials reported 168 dormitory students (24 of whom are graduate students), 47 commuter students, 44 non-residential graduate students, 78 Adult Studies/Online students, and 92 dual enrollment students. Full-time equivalency (FTE) was 306 students. Total enrollment statistics indicate students from 26 states, 1 U.S. territory, and 11 other countries.
“Enrollment increased from last fall’s numbers in every undergraduate and graduate category except dual enrollment,” McAffee said. “Full-time student enrollment was up 15%. This fall there were 29 fewer dual enrollment students, owing to scheduling issues at area high schools. Still, dual enrollment students took more courses this fall, making the number of dual enrollment credit hours registered for similar to last fall.”
“It’s always a blessing to have students back on campus, and this year, there are even more!” Welch President Matt Pinson said. “Sizeable dorm and full-time enrollment increases indicate another year of enrollment bounce-back. Last fall our on-campus ‘18−22-year-old’ number was 81. This year it was 80. So the trend is in the right direction. If we keep this up—especially in these areas of dorm and full-time enrollment—in three years we’ll be back to pre-pandemic norms, almost maxing out the dorms, as we did before the pandemic.”
“Students are enthusiastic about the year to come, and the spiritual atmosphere on campus is exciting,” Pinson said. “Our excellent faculty and staff are coming around these students with the kind of spiritual mentoring that has always been rooted in the college’s mission of educating leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life.”
For more information about Welch College, email recruit@welch.edu or visit the college’s website here. To give, click here.
by Anna Pinson | Aug 5, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Tim Owen will retire as Director of the Welch Fund later this year, after serving in that role since April 2021, according to Dr. Todd Parrish, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
This fall, Owen will retire from his day-to-day responsibilities at Welch College and transition into the next chapter of ministry, a chapter that is deeply familiar to him: pastoral ministry.
“It has been such a joy to work with Tim Owen these past five years,” Parrish said. “He’s a consummate professional and a wonderful fundraiser who has forged relationships with many of the college's new donors, including some of its largest, and strengthened relationships with long-standing donors. He’s also the ultimate booster for Welch! What’s more, he’s a fast friend. His wisdom and hard work for our department and his love for his alma mater have helped position Welch for a brighter future!”
Having served for 30 years as a pastor before coming to Welch, Owen has continued to carry a heart for the local church throughout his years of service at the college. He will continue serving part-time as an ambassador for Welch.
“When Brother Owen came to serve Welch five years ago, we hoped we could hang on to him for a while, and it has been wonderful,” said President Matt Pinson. “This transition comes as no surprise. We’ve long known of Tim’s love for pastoral ministry and his desire to return to the pastorate following retirement. Brother Owen is a wonderful advocate for Welch who has kindled in many new donors a love for the mission and ministry of Welch College. Tim and Karen are dear friends, and while we hate to see them leave Welch full-time, they’ll always be two of the college’s best friends and supporters.”
Before coming to serve at Welch, Owen served as long-time moderator of the Florida Free Will Baptist Association and as Board Chairman and later Director of Events at D6 Family Ministry.
For more information on Welch College or to support the college, click here.
by Anna Pinson | Jul 14, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Mrs. Whitney Lute has been named Dean of Students at Welch College, according to Dr. Daniel Webster, Vice President for Administration and Student Engagement.
Lute has served in Student Services at Welch College since 2020, most recently as Women’s Resident Director and Interim Dean of Students. “During her six years of service, Mrs. Lute has demonstrated effective leadership in residence life, student development and conduct, as well as counseling support and crisis response,” Webster said. “Her service has earned the confidence of the college’s administration and the respect and support of Welch students.”
President Matt Pinson expressed gratitude for Lute’s commitment to the college: “I’m so happy to announce Mrs. Lute’s appointment as Dean of Students. Whitney is deeply committed to the mission of Welch College and to the spiritual, personal, and academic development of our students. We look forward to her continued leadership in Student Services.”
Webster, who led the search process, said Lute emerged as the strongest candidate. “Having observed Whitney’s leadership over the past six years, we have seen her compassion and effectiveness,” Webster said. “She has the relational gifts to serve students and the administrative ability to lead this program.”
Lute’s commitment to students has also been recognized by the Welch student body. Earlier this year, students selected her to receive the Bert and Dianne Tippett Award, one of the college’s highest student-selected honors, reflecting the appreciation students have for her investment in their lives.
Lute earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Welch College and a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from Tennessee State University. Throughout the search process, she demonstrated a vision for a Christ-centered campus community where faith and learning are intentionally integrated.
Her qualifications were also affirmed by respected leaders beyond the Welch community. Even prior to the public announcement of the position, the administration received strong letters of recommendation that commended her character and leadership. These endorsements affirmed that Lute’s gifts and abilities are recognized not only by those who serve alongside her at Welch but also by leaders beyond the institution.
Lute said she is honored by the institution’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Welch students. “It is a privilege to serve the student body as Dean of Students at Welch,” she said. “I look forward to continuing the legacy of those who have served before me. I am grateful for the trust the administration and Board have placed in me and am excited to continue facilitating holistic student growth in an atmosphere centered on Christ.”
Welch College is a Christian college in Gallatin, Tennessee, whose mission is to educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life. For more information about Welch, visit the college’s website at welch.edu.
by Anna Pinson | Jul 6, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College will begin offering a Theater Education major in the Secondary Education bachelor’s degree in the fall of 2026, according to Provost Matthew McAffee. Welch has a history of offering extracurricular theater performances that have been well received by students, alumni, and community guests since former Speech and Drama faculty member Mrs. Laura Thigpen first arrived at the college in the 1940s.
In recent years, AnnaGee Harris, Theater Director and Coordinator for Enrollment Events and Student Reps, has produced and directed many popular plays and musicals at Welch, such as Fiddler on the Roof, The Hunchback of Notre Dame,and Sense and Sensibility, as well as Welch’s touring theater team The Evangel Players. These productions have coincided with her roles in Enrollment Services and as Adjunct Instructor of Theater for the Humanities and Arts degree since the fall of 2021.
The new program will be under the direction of Dr. Stephen Beck, Undergraduate Dean of the School of Education, and its primary instructor will be Harris, who has served as Welch’s director of theater for sixteen years. Harris is a 2005 Secondary Education and Theology graduate of Welch and holds two master’s degrees, one in Teaching from Trevecca Nazarene University and one in Theater from Regent University.
“Serving as the theater director at Welch College continues to be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience,” said Harris. “The students at Welch have a thirst for creating meaningful and edifying art, and I am excited for another opportunity for students not only to further their theater studies but also to be equipped to impart their passion for the arts to the next generation.”
Dr. Beck said about the new major, “I am really excited about the new opportunities this degree is going to bring for students who are passionate about theater! Our desire is that this program will prepare students to share their love of the arts with the next generation from the perspective of a Christian worldview.”
Students studying Secondary Education with a major in Theater will be prepared to pursue state licensure for teaching theater, continue their studies in theater on the graduate level, and engage in professional work as an actor, director, and dramatic writer.
Those interested in Theater or the bachelor’s degree in Theater Education should contact GoToWelch@welch.edu for questions and welch.edu/GoToWelch to apply. Visit welch.edu/theater for more information about the Welch College Theater Department.
