by jowens | May 7, 2019
Earlier this month Welch College signed an articulation agreement with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) for transfer of credit, according to Kevin Hester, Dean of the School of Theology and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Welch. “This agreement, signed May 2019, will provide an easy pathway for Welch College graduates into graduate degree programs at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,” Hester said. “This transfer-of-credit agreement is a pre-approval of Welch College courses for comparable New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary courses.” “Graduates from Welch College’s Master of Arts (M.A.) in Theology and Ministry may transfer twenty-seven hours of the thirty-three-hour program into the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Such a graduate could complete his or her first year of seminary study at Welch College and complete the remainder of NOBTS’s three-year M.Div. in two additional years of study.” The agreement also states that graduates of Welch College’s bachelor’s degree programs in ministry studies with a grade of “B” in associated courses will receive up to twenty-three hours of credit or 25% of the required coursework in NOBTS’s accelerated M.Div. program. All Welch graduates with sufficient coursework will enjoy advanced standing at the seminary. The agreement also allows students who have taken Welch Greek and Hebrew courses to move seamlessly into more advanced language courses as NOBTS. “Our work with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in securing this articulation agreement provides an important external confirmation of the excellence of our existing biblical, theological, and ministry programs on the graduate and undergraduate level and will prove very helpful to our graduates moving forward,” Hester said. “New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a conservative Baptist seminary which has given voice to the Arminian side of the Baptist tradition. I pray that this relationship will be fruitful for both institutions for many years to come.” Questions about Welch College’s M.A. in Theology and Ministry or undergraduate programs in biblical studies, theology, or ministry can be directed to Dr. Jeff Cockrell, Program Coordinator of the M.A. in Theology and Ministry, at (615) 675-5255 or jcockrell@welch.edu.
![Welch College Announces Congressman John Rose as Banquet Speaker]()
by jowens | May 2, 2019
Welch College is excited to announce that the Honorable John Rose, Congressman of Tennessee’s 6thCongressional District, will be speaking at the 2019 Strong and Courageous banquet sponsored by Sumner Regional Medical Center and HighPoint Health System. The event, held on the campus of Welch College, honors the Christian faith that is a vital part of the Sumner County community. The banquet will feature entertainment, an inspirational message, and presentation of the 2019 Strong and Courageous award. The event will take place on Monday evening, May 13, 2019, at 7:00.
This second annual banquet highlights Christians in the community who work to have a positive impact on their work, neighborhood, and community through their strong and courageous faith. Dr. Matt Pinson, President of Welch College, said, “We are happy that Congressman Rose will share a challenge at our Strong and Courageous banquet. He has worked diligently to make the community and state a better place in which to live.”
The Welch College Rejoice!ensemble and Dr. James Stevens, Chairman of the Welch Music Department, will provide inspirational music before Congressman Rose presents his address. John Rose is an eighth generation farmer from Cookeville, TN. He has a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness economics, a Master of Science in agricultural economics, as well as a Juris Doctorate. He co-founded Transcender Corporation which earned the Music City Future 50 Award five consecutive years, and currently owns Boson Software, LLC which trains IT professionals across the country. Congressman Rose has also served as Commissioner of Agriculture for Tennessee since 2002 and has chaired the Tennessee State Fair Association since 2010.
For more information on sponsorships for this event, contact Derek Altom, 615-675-5262, or go to the event website at welch.edu/strongandcourageous. Proceeds from the event will support student scholarships at Welch College.
Welch College offers over 40 different programs of study with degrees at the Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s levels. The college partners with other higher education institutions to offer unique programs of study in traditional and online settings. Welch participates in both the Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect scholarship financial aid programs. U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked Welch as one of the outstanding colleges in the South.
by jowens | Apr 4, 2019
Dr. Mark Stripling and Dr. Bruce Ashford will address the Welch College class of 2019, according to President Matt Pinson. Stripling, Senior Pastor of North Little Rock Free Will Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, will present the baccalaureate sermon Thursday evening, May 9, at 7:00. Ashford, Provost and Professor of Theology and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, will address the graduates at the 10:00 a.m. commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10.
Stripling, who has served Free Will Baptist churches in a number of capacities for 36 years, has served at the North Little Rock Church since 1990. A Georgia native, he has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Executive Board of Arkansas Free Will Baptists and the Executive Board of the Central Association of Arkansas Free Will Baptists. He recently ended his second term as a member of the Welch Board of Trustees, serving most of his twelve years on the Board as its secretary.
Ashford is well-known in Christian higher education circles, having taught at Southeastern Seminary since 2003 and provost since 2013. An ordained Southern Baptist minister, he is a well-known conference speaker and prolific author. His best known book is Every Square Inch: An Introduction to Cultural Engagement for Christians (Lexham, 2015). He is co-author of One Nation under God: A Christian Hope for American Politics (B&H, 2015) and editor of Theology and Practice of Mission (B&H, 2011).
President Matt Pinson said, “Commencement activities are such important events in the life of our college community at Welch, and especially for the graduating seniors. Commencement always highlights our mission to educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life. We’re grateful for the opportunity to have two great speakers address the graduating class. We invite friends, family, and alumni to join us in this special time of celebration.”
by jowens | Apr 4, 2019
On March 12, Welch College President Matt Pinson led a dedication ceremony for a brick walkway installed with over 700 engraved bricks given in honor and memory of Welch supporters, according to David Williford, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
The brick walkway is located on the quad side of the Welch library at Coffman Hall where all can enjoy looking for the name or names of loved ones memorialized or honored. “We are delighted at the response to the Pave the Way campaign,” Williford said. “The bricks honor those who have paved the way for current and future students to enjoy the new Welch campus.”
Many churches and Women Active for Christ groups purchased bricks to show support for students from their area. The Advancement office placed a brick for every 2018 Welch graduate and plans to do this for the 2019 graduates as well.
If you missed the opportunity to place a brick in this first installation, Welch is offering a special promotion of Buy One/Get One ½ Price. The bricks are $250 regular price. Contact Merinda Parrish (615-675-5360 or email mparrish@welch.edu) for more information.
This brief dedication service can be viewed on the Welch College Facebook page.
by jowens | Apr 4, 2019
The forty-member Welch College Choir, under the direction of Dr. James Stevens, completed a three-state tour during spring break covering 1700 miles and ministering in ten locations over seven days, according to according to Todd Parrish, Director of Church Relations.
“Church members in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia worshiped joyfully as the choir sang through the O Praise the Name program,” Parrish said. “The choir did a variety of music, which included anthems, hymn arrangements, spirituals, and contemporary worship songs. Alumni and former choir members stated that this was one of the best Welch choirs in years.”
Choir members spent time with residents at the Governor’s Bend Assisted Living Center in Erwin, TN, as well as with students at Gateway Christian Academy (VA) and Bethel Christian Academy (NC). “One teacher expressed how grateful she was that the college students went out of their way to make her fifth graders feel important,” Parrish said. Over 300 academy students signed up to receive more information about Welch College. From these student information cards, Andrea Sosa (VA) was selected to win a free Apple watch.
by jowens | Mar 28, 2019
Welch College Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Coach Greg Fawbush will be inducted into the National Athletic Association of Private Schools Hall of Fame on March 29, according to Welch President Matt Pinson.
“We’re very proud of Coach Fawbush achieving this honor,” Pinson said. “The Hall of Fame is for private school coaches, players, and athletic directors who help build and advance the cause of private schools.”
Fawbush coached at Seffner Christian Academy in Florida for 22 years before coming to work at Welch in 2017. On January 26, 2019, Fawbush achieved his 400th win at the Welch vs. Georgia Northwestern Tech game (104-71). Since his start at Welch, Fawbush has added soccer (men’s and women’s) to the college sports program and has led the school to rejoin regional play in NCCAA Division II.
For more information on Welch College athletics, go to welch.edu/athletics.
