by jowens | Jan 15, 2013
NASHVILLE, TN— Welch College launched its new website on Tuesday, January 15, to replace the former “fwbbc.edu” url, according to Josh Owens, director of media and marketing. The new site combines aesthetics with easy-to-navigate menus and will be the hub for all things Welch College. The new site can be found at www.welch.edu.
Visitors can access all information on the site with a simple scroll and click. Prospective students will find admission and financial aid information, as well as helpful data about campus life and the surrounding Nashville area, all conveniently located and easily accessed.
Josh Owens said, “In a world of ever-changing technology being accessed daily by prospective students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors, Welch College needed a new footprint on the web. We only have one chance to make a first impression, and our old site did not allow us to make the most of that opportunity.”
The new site is designed to do just that. From the brilliant blue and gold themed pages to the pictures depicting student life, to the efficient design, the college’s new website will make a positive impression on visitors.
While the new site is a major leap forward in aiding prospective students as they make their college decision, it will also be a breath of fresh air for current students, parents, faculty and staff members, and the extended Welch College family. Visitors to the site will have access to up-to-date news and events occurring at the college including the latest press releases and athletics information. Students will also find handy links to the Populi student information system as well as contact data for professors and staff members.
“Since July 2012, the college has updated its social media platforms (Facebook, twitter, instagram) to better communicate the happenings at Welch College,” Owens said. “The new website is the last and largest element needed to complete our media upgrade. Users will find the site very informative and easy to navigate.”
President Matt Pinson said, “It’s exciting that Welch College has a new website to match its new name. I look forward to how this change–the first new website in a decade–will help us communicate our mission more effectively to all interested visitors.”
Check out the new website at www.welch.edu.
by jowens | Jan 11, 2013
Nashville, TN—The fall 2012 semester at Welch College ended with 106 students receiving academic recognition, according to Provost Greg Ketteman. Twenty-nine students made all A’s and were placed on the President’s List—nine seniors, six juniors, seven sophomores, and seven freshmen. Seventy-seven students earned a B average or higher and were placed on the Provost’s (formerly Dean’s) list—12 seniors, 14 juniors, 27 sophomores, and 24 freshmen.
President’s List: “A” Honor Roll
Ailworth, Kameron (Fr.) TN
Ayers, Rebekah (Sr.) AL
Bellar, Brandi (So.) TN
Brown, Brittany (Sr.) VA
Clem, Kristina (Sr.) TN
Cloninger, John (Jr.) TN
Conner, Emily (So.) MI
Cozby, Tina (So.) TN
Dankson, Charity (Jr.) TN
Deel, Austin (So.) TN
Freeman, Amber (Sr.) TN
Hewett, Samantha (So.) AR
Hicks, Kelly (Sr.) TN
Hill, Elizabeth (So.) VA
Hoffmaster, Thomas (Fr.) WV
Hovis, Bethany (Jr.) MO
Jackson, Rachel (Sr.) TN
Lewis, Casey (So.) NC
Manning, Jacob (Jr.) NC
Morgan, Rebekah (Fr.) TN
Parrish, Emily (Fr.) NC
Pierce, Aaron (Sr.) MS
Ramos, Leigha (Sr.) TN
Sample, Kayla (Sr.) IL
Smith, Candice (Fr.) Canada
Trotter, Audrey (Jr.) TN
Tuttobene, Raven (Fr.) TN
Williams, Samantha (Jr.) AR
Zuniga, Zuri (Fr.) AR
Provost’s List: “B” Honor Roll
Seniors
Coker, Daniel (MS)
Culwell, Jacob (TN)
Cyrus, Christian (KY)
Hampton, Nicholas (TN)
Horton, Toney (TN)
Looney, Jordan (TN)
Pointer, Catherine (AR)
Shope, Bethany (TN)
Sims, Brittani (MI)
Stone, Kacy (KY)
Thornsbury, Frank (KY)
Wilkerson, Allison (AL)
Juniors
Cox, Cassandra (TN)
Forlines, Joel (TN)
Frisbee, Tracy (TN)
Fry, Katy (MO)
Hall, Mary (NC)
Ham, Pamela (TN)
Hutchinson, Tim (MI)
Kyburz, Richie (MO)
Monroe, Jade (TX)
Mouser, Matthew (TN)
Nelson, Melissa (NC)
Sisk, Hope (TN)
Suarez, Josue (FL)
Whitworth, Emily (TN)
Sophomores
Bell, Victoria (NC)
Brown, Reese (TN)
Burns, Rachel (OH)
Coats, Bethany (SD)
Dunbar, Joshua (AR)
Fondren, Brooke (MS)
Herren, Dakota NC)
Houske, Russell (TN)
Lane, Collin (AR)
Lindgren, Madison (CA)
Lindsay, Deandra (AL)
Lute, Derreck (OH)
Mouser, Amanda (TN)
Nelson, Kelsey (NC)
Petty, Maria (IL)
Pool, Mary-Catherine (NC)
Pugh, Daniel (TN)
Reeves, David (KY)
Riggs, Johanna (France)
Riggs, Laura (France)
Shamblin, John (MS)
Smith, Wayne (SC)
Snow, Elizabeth (TN)
Trussell, Kristin (FL)
Tucker, Gregory (TN)
Wilson, Christian (TN)
Wilson, Derek (TN)
Freshmen
Armstrong, Eric (AL)
Campbell, Anna (TN)
Clarke, Staci (OH)
Congleton, Jacy (NC)
Driggers, Hannah (SC)
Forlines, Jared (TN)
Hampton, Rachel (TN)
Heeter, Marissa (OH)
Hester, Spencer (TN)
Holden, Trevor (AR)
Hollis, Michael (NC)
Jenkins, Lesley (TN)
Melvin, Jessica (TN)
Merkh, Caroline (TN)
Milling, Caleb (TN)
Newland, John (TN)
Owen, Melissa (GA)
Pickett, Amy (AR)
Price, Hannah (OH)
Simpson, Keri (VA)
Stonerock, Paula (OH)
Thrasher, Emily (MI)
Trimble, Alyssa (CA)
Williams, Hannah (FL)
by jowens | Jan 1, 2013
NASHVILLE, TN—The Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) met at the State Capitol November 15 – 18, and selected Welch College Student Body President Frank Thornsbury to receive its prestigious Carlisle Award. Sixty colleges and universities were represented at the model legislature which takes place annually and provides Tennessee college students an opportunity to learn about, and be involved in, the law-?making processes of the state.
Frank Thornsbury, a graduating senior from Kentucky, led a four-person delegation from Welch College. This marks the second year this team has represented Welch College at TISL. Collin Lane, a sophomore from Arkansas, served as alternate senator. Sophomore Bethany Coats (South Dakota) and senior Daniel Coker (Mississippi) both served in the House of Representatives.
“Our students had a very successful session.” Thornsbury said. “We represented the conservative Christian values espoused by our campus. Although we as conservatives were in the minority, we were able to push through some excellent legislation and block bad legislation. We took that role seriously in that TISL bills have the potential to become actual legislation.”
The 2011 session saw TISL participants vote Frank Thornsbury “Best Senator.” This year, Thornsbury was given the oldest and most prestigious award TISL offers participants: the Carlisle Award, voted on by the executive council.
“Receiving the Carlisle Award was a bit of a surprise. Honestly, I went in focused on defending my ‘Best Senator’ title,” Thornsbury remarked. “I was honored to receive this prestigious award and grateful for the opportunity to represent Welch College in the process.”
Welch College Provost Greg Ketteman said, “The Carlisle Award is evidence of Mr. Thornsbury’s commitment to excellence. I commend Mr. Thornsbury and our other TISL representatives for their voluntary service and for exercising their right and responsibility to bring Christian principles to bear in the public arena.”
by jowens | Dec 19, 2012
Reverend Archie Ratliff, who served on the Welch College Board of Trustees from 1996 – 2008, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2012, in Houston, Texas, after a three-year battle with cancer.
Pastor Ratliff was ordained in 1972 in Glennville, Georgia, where he served five years as pastor of Glennville Free Will Baptist Church. He also served as Moderator of the South Georgia Association from 1974 – 1976.
He returned to his home state of Indiana the following year to pastor Peace Free Will Baptist Church in Beech Grove. He also served as Moderator of the Indiana State Association for seven of his 14-year tenure there.
In 1991, Reverend Ratliff accepted the pastorate at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church and Bethel Christian Academy in Kinston, North Carolina. He served 12 years (1996 – 2008) on the Welch College Board of Trustees, including several years as vice chairman.
Pastor Ratliff was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2009. While he was able to overcome the cancer, he developed leukemia as a result of the radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
President Matt Pinson said, “The Welch College family mourns the loss of this servant of God. We thank the Lord for his service to Welch College and the Free Will Baptist denomination and will be praying for his family in the coming days.”
Pastor Ratliff is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Portia; three daughters Kim Truett, Michelle Williams, and Jennifer Carnes; brother Steve Ratliff; and nine grandchildren.
by jowens | Oct 11, 2012
Nineteen high school seniors from ten states attended the fall 2012 Senior Days on October 4-5 at Welch College. The students hailed from Tennessee (8), North Carolina (2), Ohio (2), Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Missouri (1), South Carolina (1), and Virginia (1).
The seniors participated in a number of activities representing different aspects of campus life—they attended classes, experienced dorm life, and worshipped with Welch College students in chapel. Their two-day schedule included a campus tour and “Glow-in-the-Dark Soccer” Thursday evening.
Friday morning, the visiting seniors had breakfast with President Matt Pinson and later heard about college life from Welch College students during a Q&A-style panel discussion. During the concluding Faculty Reception, seniors met with professors from their particular fields of interest.
Debbie Mouser, director of enrollment services, said, “This event gave our prospective students the opportunity to be a college student for a day. They met with an advisor, stayed with a personal host, attended classes, and learned how the enrollment process works at Welch College. Our goal is to help students to know if Welch College is a good fit for them.”
The seniors were asked to complete a survey rating their Senior Days experience. They gave high marks to faculty, staff, and students for their knowledge and helpfulness. On a scale of one to five (1 = poor; 5 = excellent), the visitors rated student and faculty hospitality 4.79 and 4.89 respectively. Regarding academics, the seniors gave a 4.68 satisfaction rating to the classes they attended. All 19 students agreed that their visit increased their interest in attending Welch College.
One student said, “Senior Days helped a lot with my decision-making. I felt like I was Welch College student while I was there and loved it.”
The Next Senior days is set for January 31- February 1, 2013. For more information, contact the Enrollment Management Office at recruit@welch.edu.
by jowens | Oct 3, 2012
Seven Welch College ministerial students travelled six hours to Columbus, Georgia, to preach in local churches belonging to Georgia/Alabama’s Chattahoochee and Twin Cities Associations.
The group left campus at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29. John Murray, Welch College’s Christian service director, said, “There was excitement in the air as we left Saturday. The men kept the van buzzing about preaching, the Bible, theology, and of course, plenty of good-natured humor. They have been asking me for weeks about going on this trip.”
The Preaching Team arrived in Columbus at 2:30 p.m. and then gathered for a 6:00 p.m. rally at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church. Sophomore ministerial student Stephen Bozeman led the singing, and freshman preacher Mike Hollis preached.
Sunday morning, the team split up to preach at their respective churches, ministering to more than 350 people and receiving over $1,800 for the college. The group reported one rededication as a result of their labors.
Several students commented on their experience preaching in Georgia.
Aaron Pierce (Senior): “White Rock Free Will Baptist Church (Phenix City, AL) was a very friendly congregation and receptive to the Word. It was one of my favorite preaching trips so far.
Derreck Lute (Sophomore): “I loved preaching at Turner’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church (Butler, GA). The people were willing to grow together through the preaching of the Word. Pastor Phil Bozeman was a great host. Not many things can beat good southern cooking!”
Mike Hollis (Freshman): “First Free Will Baptist in Columbus was such an encouraging church. The people were welcoming and made me feel right at home. Pastor Martin was a blessing, and I enjoyed preaching God’s Word to God’s people. We had one rededication. This was my first preaching trip with Welch College, and it was a great opportunity to grow and learn with some brothers in the faith.”
Tim Hutchinson (Junior): “Preaching trips are one of my favorite things that Welch College does. It was a phenomenal trip to Georgia. I’m thankful to spend this time with some of my closest friends. I can’t wait for more trips the rest of the year.”
Stephen Bozeman (Sophomore): “Calvary Free Will Baptist Church (Columbus, GA) was a great church. The people were receptive, encouraging, and supportive of what we did.”
Cody Balfour (Junior): “I usually learn a lot about preaching when I go on these trips. This time was different though: I learned about loving the people in the congregation.”
Phill Easley (Junior): “I loved this trip. I enjoyed getting to know some of the pastoral majors better and gain experience driving a 15-passenger van. I felt like God moved in the service mightily.”
The men returned to campus at 8:00 p.m. Sunday night bringing their trip to a close after a 700-mile round-trip. “Sunday when we gathered to return, every pastor commented on what a blessing their student-preacher had been,” said John Murray.
The group plans to make six trips this year. The next preaching trip is scheduled for November 3-4 to Kansas.
