by Anna Pinson | Apr 2, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College is seeking a Dean of Students with a strong commitment to student development, spiritual formation, and campus community life to provide leadership across all areas of student services.
The Dean of Students will report to Dr. Daniel Webster, Vice President of Administration and Student Engagement. This individual will provide strategic direction and day-to-day oversight for student life, ensuring that programs, policies, and practices align with the mission and values of Welch College.
Key Responsibilities
The Dean of Students will supervise resident directors and related personnel; establish and enforce policies governing student conduct; and ensure the consistent application of institutional standards. The position will also oversee student counseling and support services, working closely with campus leadership to promote student well-being and success.
Additional responsibilities include advising and supporting the student council and other student organizations; providing leadership for student activities and campus engagement; and collaborating with faculty and staff to address student concerns effectively. The Dean will also assume other responsibilities as assigned by the President and the Vice President of Administration and Student Engagement, consistent with institutional needs.
Minimum Qualifications
- A master’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related field
- At least five years of leadership experience in student services or a closely related area
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
- Commitment to student development, discipleship, and community life
- Active church involvement, Christian commitment, and alignment with the mission of the college
- Deep understanding of and commitment to the Christian worldview and its application to life in a Christian community of faith and learning
Interested candidates should submit the following:
- A cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position
- A detailed resume
- A 1,000 to 2,000-word essay discussing the application of the Christian worldview to the creation of a Christ-centered atmosphere for Christian college students living in a residential community that fosters the integration of faith and learning
- Contact information for three professional references
Please send this information to Daniel Webster, Vice President of Administration and Student Engagement, at the address listed below or via email at daniel.webster@welch.edu by April 20.
Welch College is a Christian college located in Gallatin, Tennessee, whose mission is to educate Christian leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life. The college is committed to providing high-quality education in a supportive, spiritually enriching environment.
The college looks forward to welcoming a dedicated leader who will invest in the students of our Christian community of faith and learning.
Daniel Webster
Welch College
1045 Bison Trail
Gallatin, TN 37066
by Anna Pinson | Apr 1, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Dr. Edward E. Moody, Jr., Executive Director of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, and Chris Truett, Pastor of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church in Kinston, North Carolina, will be addressing the Welch College graduating class of 2026 on May 7–8, according to Welch President Matt Pinson. Truett will bring the Baccalaureate sermon Thursday evening, May 7, at 7:00 p.m. Moody will address the graduates during the Commencement ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8.
Moody has served as Executive Director of the National Association of Free Will Baptists since 2019. He earned his B.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Welch College, his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University, and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from North Carolina State University. Dr. Moody and his wife Lynne have two adult children, Mackenzie and Mitchell, both graduates of Welch.
Chris Truett has served as Lead Pastor of Bethel Church since 2013, previously serving as Worship Pastor and Executive Pastor since 1997. He holds a B.S. in Church Music from Welch College and an M.A. in Worship Studies from Liberty University. Truett is an active member of the Free Will Baptist denomination and is a Welch College trustee. He and his wife Kim have three sons, Hunter, Jonathan, a graduate of Welch, and Easton, who is a member of the Welch Class of 2026.
“Commencement activities are moments of profound importance in the Welch campus community, especially for our graduates and their families,” Pinson said. “It highlights our mission to educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life. We invite friends, family, and alumni to join us in this special time of celebration.”
To learn more about Welch College, visit welch.edu.
by Anna Pinson | Mar 27, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College proudly announces that Katie Bryan, head coach of the Welch College Lady Flames basketball team, has been named the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II National Coach of the Year. The honor recognizes Bryan’s outstanding leadership during a historic season for Welch College women’s basketball.
Bryan, who has served as head coach of the Lady Flames for 12 years, led the team to a record-breaking season highlighted by winning the program’s Regional Championship. Her leadership has helped elevate the women’s basketball program and establish the Lady Flames as a competitive force within the division.
Under Bryan’s direction, the Lady Flames have emphasized not only athletic excellence but also the Christian character and development of student-athletes. The program’s recent success reflects years of dedication to building a culture of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.
Bryan is a graduate of Welch College, earning an associate’s degree in biology in 2012 before completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Belmont University in 2014.
Her passion for basketball began at a young age through middle school and high school competition and continued into her collegiate years. Bryan later served alongside her father in coaching before eventually taking the helm of the Lady Flames program.
Karilyn Wieting also received the honor of First Team All-American for the NCCAA Division II. These prestigious acknowledgements further cement a historic season for the Welch College Lady Flames.
To inquire about participating in Welch athletics, email recruit@welch.edu.
Photo Credit: Joao Boent
by Anna Pinson | Mar 13, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Dr. Gavin Ortlund, President of Truth Unites, will deliver a series of guest lectures during the 2026 Leroy Forlines Lectures at Welch College, according to President Matt Pinson. The presentations are scheduled for April 13–14, 10:00 to 12:00, in Celorio Auditorium on the Welch campus. Ortlund’s topic will be “Reasons to Be Protestant.”
The Leroy Forlines Lectures began in 1993 at Welch College as a means of bringing well known speakers to campus who could address challenging issues of the day related to theology, philosophy, worldview, world mission, and other topics. They are named for long-time Welch professor and dean F. Leroy Forlines. The lectureship is made possible by means of a generous endowment by Professor Forlines’s wife Dr. Fay Forlines.
“It’s a special privilege to host Dr. Ortlund at Welch to deliver the Forlines Lectures,” President Pinson said. “He has done more than anyone to discuss with generations young and old the importance and biblical reasons for being Protestant in an era where many in Generation Z are decrying the shallowness of evangelical church life, looking for a way out, and even questioning Protestantism. Gavin is the best person to address this topic, and it’s such an honor to have him speak at Welch.”
Ortlund is President of the Christian apologetics ministry Truth Unites, Theologian-in-Residence at Immanuel Nashville, and Visiting Professor of Historical Theology at Phoenix Seminary. He has a Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary in historical theology, an M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from the University of Georgia.
Dr. Ortlund is the author of nine books as well as numerous academic and popular articles. His book What It Means to Be Protestant won the Christianity Today 2024 Book of the Year award. He is also author of the award-winning 2021 book Why God Makes Sense in a World that Doesn’t. He is a sought-after speaker at churches and conferences around the country. He and his wife Esther have five children.
The Forlines Lectures are open and free of charge to the public. Gifts to help make the Forlines Lectures possible may be made to Welch College by sending a check marked “Forlines Lectures” to Welch College, 1045 Bison Trail, Gallatin, TN 37066, or by giving online at welch.edu/give with designation to the lecture series.
by Anna Pinson | Mar 2, 2026
For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College is proud to announce a banner year for the Lady Flames basketball program, highlighted by extraordinary individual honors and team success that will be remembered in Welch history.
The 2025–26 season marked one of the most successful campaigns in program history for the Lady Flames. Under the leadership of Head Coach Katie Bryan, the team achieved remarkable accomplishments on and off the court, earning recognition across the region and drawing national attention. The Lady Flames received the ranking in the February Coach’s Poll of 2nd overall—the highest rank in Welch history.
Coach Katie Bryan was selected as Mideast Region Coach of the Year in recognition of her outstanding leadership, strategic excellence, and commitment to developing student-athletes. This prestigious honor reflects a season in which the Lady Flames demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and competitive excellence.
Senior Karilyn Wieting was named Mideast Region Player of the Year, a testament to her dominant play throughout the season. Wieting’s leadership and performance were instrumental in many of the team’s key victories, and she closed out her season as one of the most impactful players in Welch College history.
In a feat rarely seen in college basketball, Karilyn Wieting and teammate Faithe Johnstone each reached the milestone of 1,000 career points this season. Their scoring achievements highlight not only their individual talent but the offensive versatility and balance that defined the Lady Flames’ attack. Up to this point in her career, Wieting has 1,414 points and 734 rebounds. Johnstone has 1,015 points, 302 assists, and 518 rebounds.
The Lady Flames capped their exceptional season by winning the Regional Championship, securing their place in the upcoming National Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota, scheduled for March 11–14. This marks the first time in program history that the Lady Flames will participate in the National Tournament, setting the stage for an exciting postseason run.
Welch College Athletics is committed to developing leaders who combine academic excellence, Christian character, and athletic achievement. The Lady Flames’ historic season stands as a testament to that mission and to the continued growth of the athletic department. The Lady Flames look forward to representing Welch College in Minnesota at the National Tournament.
If you are interested in following their journey, you can do so at this website: https://thenccaa.org/tournaments/?id=4898&path=wbball2.
To learn more about becoming a student at Welch College, email recruit@welch.edu.
