by jowens | Apr 10, 2018
Welch College and HomeLife Academy have completed a dual enrollment agreement that will speed the admissions process for HLA students who want to enroll at Welch for college credit under the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant program, according to Dr. Greg Ketteman, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Welch.
The Dual Enrollment Grant, funded through the state’s Tennessee Promise initiative, makes it possible for Tennessee HLA students to take up to twelve hours of college credit while completing their junior and senior years of high school. “Tennessee’s Dual Enrollment Grant, combined with Welch College’s special tuition rate for DE students, makes it possible for HLA students to take the first six hours at no out-of-pocket cost and the next six hours at very low cost,” Ketteman said.
HomeLife Academy’s Director of Academics and Counseling, Mrs. Lynn Knowlton, said, “We are pleased to partner with Welch College to make it easier for HLA students to earn college credit at a Christian college.”
Welch College is a four-year, residential college in Gallatin, Tennessee, that offers over 40 majors. The college is accredited regionally by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is ranked among top regional colleges by US News and World Report. That same publication also ranked Welch College among the top-ten best higher educational values in the state of Tennessee.
HomeLife Academy is a non-traditional K-12 private “umbrella” school and ministry that has served thousands of homeschoolers over the last fifteen years. The vision and mission of HomeLife Academy, a member of the Association of Christian Schools International, is, “We believe that God gives every child unique and wonderful gifts to use for His glory and honor. Our mission is to inspire and equip parents to help develop those gifts.”
For more information contact Kayla Newland at knewland@welch.edu or 615-675-5343.
by jowens | Apr 9, 2018
Welch College has recently added a new B.A. degree program for students interested in the humanities and arts, according to Welch Provost Matthew McAffee. “This interdisciplinary program will provide new avenues for helping students to be creators of culture that will reflect the Christian worldview,” program coordinator Phillip Morgan said. “Students will choose three areas of study from among our English, History, Music, and Psychology programs.”
The Humanities and Arts degree is designed to provide a solid foundation for graduate study in students’ focus areas, as well as entry into such fields as law, journalism, ministry, music, and counseling, among others.
Dr. James Stevens, chairman of the Department of Music at Welch, said, “This exciting new Humanities and Arts degree will bring further diversity to the program offerings at Welch College, allowing students to focus on several different disciplines within a biblical setting and Christian worldview.” Stevens was instrumental in the degree approval process and believes it will further diversify and grow the music program.
McAffee said, “I am delighted to see our Welch faculty members developing programs like this one. It allows us to maximize our current course offerings by providing creative new combinations to meet the diversity of interests among current and future students. Furthermore, this degree showcases our mission-driven focus to bring the Christian worldview to bear on all fields of knowledge.”
Those interested in the bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Arts should contact GoToWelch@welch.edu for questions and Welch.edu/GoToWelch to apply.
by jowens | Apr 4, 2018
Dr. Robert E. Picirilli and Dr. Claude Pressnell, Jr. will address the Welch College class of 2018, according to President Matt Pinson. Robert Picirilli, professor emeritus and former academic dean at Welch College, will present the baccalaureate sermon Thursday evening, May 10, at 7:00. Claude Pressnell, president of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) will address the graduates at the 10:00 a.m. commencement ceremony on Friday, May 11.
Picirilli, professor emeritus at Welch College, taught New Testament and philosophy at Welch, serving long-term as Academic Dean. He is author of Free Will Revisited and numerous other books and journal articles. He is also the editor of the Randall House Bible Commentary series. Picirilli served as president of the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges and moderator of the National Association of Free Will Baptists.
Pressnell has spent over thirty years in higher education administration, serving as president of TICUA since 2000. In 2003 the United States Senate appointed Pressnell to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, of which he served as Vice Chair from 2007 until his second and final term expired in 2008. In 2017 Pressnell was approached by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to consider being appointed as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education. Pressnell respectfully declined the offer in order to remain in Tennessee and continue his work with TICUA.
Pressnell serves on numerous international, national, and state-level boards. He also has served as an international advisor on higher education reform to foreign governments in the Middle East, South Asia, the Balkan region of Europe, and South America.
President Matt Pinson said, “This is such an important occasion for the entire college family, and especially for the graduating seniors. Commencement week always brings us face-to-face with our mission as a college—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 such excellent speakers address the graduating class, and we hope that you will join us in this special time of celebration.”
by jowens | Apr 2, 2018
Welch College President Matt Pinson announced today a new event to celebrate the Christian faith in our community: Strong and Courageous. The event, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. on the Welch College campus, will include entertainment, inspirational speakers, and the awarding of the Strong and Courageous award.
“The inspiration for the event comes from the charge given to Joshua in Joshua 1:9 for him to be strong and very courageous as he leads the children of Israel,” Pinson remarked. “Likewise today, Christians who continue to be strong and courageous in their faith positively affect their work, neighborhood, and community with Kingdom values.”
Headlining the entertainment for the evening will be Ricky and Sharon Skaggs. Also featured will be musical performances by the Welch College ensemble Rejoice! and other musical talent at Welch. These musical performances will provide a setting for inspirational challenges by individuals such as noted physician and scientist Dr. Ming Wang.
Pinson said, “Ricky and Sharon Skaggs are residents of Sumner County who have dedicated their lives not only to writing and producing outstanding music, but also to sharing with others the impact of Christ upon their lives. They are great examples of combining faith, work, and life. We are also privileged to hear from Dr. Ming Wang, a compelling speaker whose career has ably demonstrated the integration of faith, science, and community impact.”
Sponsorship opportunities as well as individual tickets remain available. To learn more, contact Derek Altom at 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 | Feb 22, 2018
The 39-voice Welch College Choir will give seven performances March 14-20 in a seven-day tour through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois, according to David Williford, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Dr. James Stevens, choir conductor and chairman of the Welch Music Department, invites area churches to join with host congregations for the choir’s vocal presentation. The tour program will consist of sacred choral selections and gospel songs designed to evangelize and encourage.
“We really want to encourage local churches and youth groups to mark their calendars and make every effort to attend a service in their area,” Williford said. “We also want to ask people to pray for the health and safety of the choir as they travel and present God’s Word, and to pray that God would bless in every service.”
Spring Tour Schedule
|
March 14, 2018 |
7:00 p.m. |
Sutton Free Will Baptist Church |
Pocahontas, AR |
March 15, 2018 |
7:00 p.m. |
First Free Will Baptist Church |
North Little Rock, AR |
March 16, 2018 |
7:00 p.m. |
First Free Will Baptist Church |
Greenwood, AR |
March 18, 2018 |
11:00 a.m. |
Crossroads Free Will Baptist Church |
Jenks, OK |
March 18, 2018 |
6:00 p.m. |
Wellington Free Will Baptist Church |
Wellington, KS |
March 19, 2018 |
7:00 p.m. |
First Free Will Baptist Church |
Ozark, MO |
March 20, 2018 |
7:00 p.m. |
Calvary Free Will Baptist Church |
Salem, IL |
by jowens | Feb 22, 2018
Welch College received notification that it has been certified as a 2018 Best Christian Workplace in the United States, according to Dr. Kevin Hester, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness. This is the fourth time the college has participated in the BCW survey. The survey has been conducted for the past twelve years by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI)—anonymously surveying over 100,000 employees to date.
“This is the most widely used assessment instrument for gauging the health of workplace culture,” Hester said. “Welch regularly uses it as one of several means whereby we judge the health of the overall organization and constantly strive for improvement. We’re excited to learn that once again our results have qualified us as a Best Christian Workplace. The survey results indicate that not only is Welch College a great place to study and learn, but it has a flourishing culture and engaged staff committed to our mission of educating leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world. I love going to work at Welch College, and I am grateful to have such a Christ-like, committed group of fellow believers as coworkers.”
To be certified as a Best Christian Workplace, organizations must complete the BCWI employee engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence. The survey covers such issues as job satisfaction, organizational commitment, Christian witness, supervisory effectiveness, work satisfaction, personal growth and development, management effectiveness, supporter satisfaction, teamwork, communications, and pay and benefits.
The top five most favorable responses from Welch employees, in comparison to other Certified Best Christian Workplaces, were:
–Over the past year, Welch College has met its goals.
–Welch College retains highly capable staff/employees.
–I would prefer to remain with Welch College even if a comparable role at a higher pay level were
available in another organization.
–Welch College has an effective strategy for meeting the needs of those we serve.
–There is a high level of trust between leaders and staff/employees at Welch College.
The anonymous survey of full-time employees at Welch College had a 97% response rate. The survey posed 60 questions to employees, grouped under nine major areas: Fantastic Teams, Life-Giving Work, Outstanding Talent, Uplifting Growth, Rewarding Compensation, Inspirational Leadership, Sustainable Strategy, Healthy Communication, and Engagement Overall. Welch scored above the average of Certified Best Christian Workplaces in all nine areas.
Welch Provost Dr. Matthew McAffee said, “One of the top marks of effective organizations is that a lot of people want to work there, and when they come to work there, they don’t want to leave. We’re grateful we have this at Welch, and it’s gratifying to see it evidenced in this national survey.”
The top eleven questions employees rated Welch highest on, and which received a rating of greater than 4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being “strongly agree,” were:
–In my area we work effectively as a team.
–I am very satisfied with the opportunities I have to use my spiritual gifts in my role.
–The mission and goals at Welch College make me feel my work is important.
–My supervisor cares about me as a person.
–My supervisor helps me to solve work-related problems.
–Leaders at Welch College exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
–Leaders at Welch College demonstrate compassion for people at all levels.
–Leaders at Welch College keep a focus on putting Christ first in daily decision-making.
–Welch College reflects Christ to the world.
–I would recommend that my family/friends use or support the programs/services of Welch College.
–I am motivated to put in extra effort beyond what is expected to help Welch College succeed.
BCWI is a research-based organization and human resources consulting firm based in Mercer Island, Washington. Its purpose is to serve faith-based organizations by creating processes of discovery, facilitating organizational effectiveness, and encouraging practices that build healthy workplaces.
For more information on Welch College, visit Welch.edu. To give a gift to fund the construction of the new Welch campus, visit BuildingontheLegacy.com.