by jowens | Feb 21, 2014
The Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory conducted nationwide among national, four-year colleges ranked Welch College above the national averages in all but 6 of 45 measures of student satisfaction, according to President Matt Pinson. Some 88% of Welch students report that the college met their expectations for a college experience, with 67% reporting that the college exceeded their expectations (compared to 84% and 53% respectively at national, four-year colleges).
Dr. Pinson said, “The areas where we received our highest marks in comparison to other private colleges happen to be the areas we emphasize that distinguish Welch from other colleges and universities. These traits make our campus attractive to students and parents who desire excellent academics combined with a deep, personalized investment in the spiritual and academic life of each individual student.”
Asked if they were likely to enroll again if they had it to do over, 87% of Welch students surveyed responded “Yes” (compared to 73% of students at other national, four-year colleges).
The 10 areas where Welch received the highest marks when compared to other colleges and universities that participated in the survey were as follows:
|
1.
|
Caring and helpful campus staff |
|
2.
|
Students made to feel welcome |
|
3.
|
Excellent personal academic advising |
|
4.
|
Excellent instruction in classes |
|
5.
|
Convenient registration |
|
6.
|
Administrators available to hear students’ concerns |
|
7.
|
Adequate library services |
|
8.
|
Fair and unbiased faculty in their treatment of individual students |
|
9.
|
Availability of sufficient courses in major |
|
10.
|
Residence hall staff concerned about me as an individual |
Provost Greg Ketteman said, “We are always eager to participate in nationwide surveys like the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, because it gives us a chance to see how Welch College compares with other four-year private colleges. This summary of the recent survey confirms just what we thought about Welch—the vast majority of our students believe they are getting what they came here to find, and our denominational constituency can be assured that Welch College is a name they can trust with tomorrow and with their children.”
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the survey as well as the 24% increase in dorm student enrollment,” President Pinson said. “There is a renewed sense of excitement on the campus of Welch College, and we believe the high marks on this survey, as well as the major increase in dorm student enrollment, are a testament to this.”
by jowens | Feb 17, 2014
Georgia Northwestern Tech 81
Welch College 67
February 17, 2014. Putting two halves together seem to be a pretty tough order this season for the Flames as they fell To Georgia Northwestern Tech on Monday by a score of 81-67.
Recently, Welch College has struggled in the first half of their games, and then played outstanding in the second half. Monday was the reverse as the Flames put up 41 first half points, but could only score 26 in the second due to poor shooting. In the first half, WC shot nearly 50% from the floor, but in final twenty minutes, it dropped down to 30%.
“We just couldn’t seem to find our range in the second half,” said Flames’ coach Nathan Willhite. “It was disappointing.”
Carson Outlaw had another big game for the Flames, scoring 30 points on the night. Lim Chol chipped in 14 and David Reeves added 10.
by jowens | Feb 15, 2014
Kentucky Christian University 88
Welch College 74
February 15, 2014. If only Welch College could put together two complete halves. Once again the Flames were able to play an excellent second half, but fell to visiting Kentucky Christian University, 88-74.
In the first half, KCU went on the offensive and attacked the Flames’ defense every trip down the floor with their fast breaks. The fast pace allowed the Knights to take a 48-34 lead into the locker room.
Coming out after half-time, the Flames were able to neutralize the KCU fast break enough to play even the entire rest of the game.
“We played much better in the second half,” said Flames’ coach Nathan Willhite. “We need to be more consistent for forty minutes.”
Freshman standout, Carson Outlaw led the Flames in scoring with 27 points and five assists. David Reeves had a good game off the bench, scoring 18 points. Tim Hutchinson added 16 points and nine rebounds. Lim Chol was the fourth Flame in double-digits with 11 points.
by jowens | Feb 14, 2014
NASVHILLE, TN—Dr. Eric L. Johnson, Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Professor of Pastoral Care at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, will serve as the guest lecturer for the 2014 Leroy Forlines Lectures at Welch College, according to President Matt Pinson. The lectures will be held April 2-3.
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, worldviews, global evangelism, and other topics.
Dr. Johnson received his B.Th. from Toronto Baptist Seminary, M.A.C.S. from Calvin College, and M.A. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He began his teaching tenure at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2009, prior to which time he taught courses in psychology, theology, and Christian worldview at Northwestern College in Roseville, Minnesota for nine years.
President Matt Pinson said, “It’s fitting that Dr. Eric Johnson will be our Forlines Lecturer this year, speaking about the Christian worldview and how it affects our studies, with reference to counseling and psychology. These topics represent the two sides of Leroy Forlines’s career: teaching theology and counseling students in his long-time role as Dean of Men/Students.”
Eric Johnson is the author of Foundations of Soul Care: A Christian Psychology Proposal (InterVarsity) and editor of Christianity and Psychology: Five Views (InterVarsity) and the apologetics text God Under Fire (Zondervan). He is a leader in the movement known as Christian Psychology, which seeks to forge a faithful Christian approach to counseling, psychology, and the human condition.
Dr. Johnson will speak twice daily April 2-3 (Wednesday and Thursday), 10:00 a.m. until noon and will address topics centered around bringing together faith and learning for a lifetime of learning and study, as well as the need for Christians in the twenty-first century to forge a genuinely Christian approach to counseling, psychology, and human behavior. The lectures will be held in Memorial Auditorium at 3607 Richland Avenue and provided free of charge.
“Eric Johnson is at the forefront of an effort to transform psychology and the human sciences with the ancient wisdom of Scripture, theology, and the Christian Tradition.” President Pinson said. “We invite everyone to come and take part in these lectures.”
by jowens | Feb 14, 2014
NASHVILLE, TN—A $50,000 gift to Welch College from the estate of the late Bill and Peggy Harbison has established a scholarship for deserving ministerial students, according to President Matt Pinson. The scholarship commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. Ken Riggs’s graduation, acknowledges his ministry of more than 50 years, and his marriage of 50 + years. The scholarship will be known as The Ken and Carolyn Riggs Ministerial Scholarship.
President Pinson said, “We are grateful that Robert Robeson, executor of the Billy D. Harbison Living Trust, allocated funds from the Harbison estate to establish this scholarship. I hope other supporters follow the example of the Harbisons who arranged before their deaths for contributions from their estate to continue spreading the gospel. Many Welch College students struggle financially. Estate decisions like that of the Harbisons make it possible for students to remain in college even when difficult economic times place incredible financial stress on parents and students.”
Bill and Peggy Harbison were charter members of West Meade Fellowship, a church in Nashville’s Bellevue community where Dr. Riggs served as the first senior pastor, 1993-2003. Peggy grew up in Bethlehem FWB Church in nearby Ashland City, Tennessee.
Dr. Riggs enrolled at what is now Welch College in 1960, graduating in 1964 with a B.A. degree. He subsequently earned graduate degrees at Old Dominion University (1971) and Middle Tennessee State University in 1973, and the Ph.D. degree at George Peabody College for Teachers, 1978.
Dr. Riggs married Carolyn Rutledge in 1962. He was the first national youth director with the Church Training Service Department and served as principal of the first Christian school established in the National Association of Free Will Baptists, at a Virginia church where his father, Reverend Raymond Riggs, pastored. He also traveled two years as a full-time evangelist.
Dr. Riggs served as interim pastor at five Nashville area Free Will Baptist churches and authored three books: By the Way, a biography of the life and ministry of his father, Rev. Raymond Riggs; They Call Me Doc, an autobiography of Ken’s philosophy of education and classroom experiences; and Teaching Techniques, Becoming an Effective Teacher, a publication of the Evangelical Training Association.
Dr. Riggs’s signature educational contribution began in 1971 when he joined the Welch College faculty to help establish a Teacher Education Program, serving until May 1993. An adjunct professor of psychology at Nashville State Community College for 21 years, Riggs served as administrator at Pleasant View Christian School (PVCS), 2004-2010, during which time several PVCS graduates enrolled at Welch College. Dr. Riggs rejoined the Welch College faculty in 2010.
Dr. Riggs said, “Bill and Peggy Harbison were great friends and encouragers at the West Meade Church. They worked tirelessly for long years as examples of Christian believers. I thank God for their influence, love, and commitment to worldwide evangelism.”
