by jowens | Sep 24, 2012
The 2012 Theological Symposium will meet October 22-23 on the campus of Welch College in Nashville, Tennessee. The symposium begins at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 22, and will end at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23.
The symposium will be a time for presentation of papers and lively discussion of important issues facing the church today. This year’s program features nine papers on a variety of subjects. Three of the papers focus on specific areas of Jonathan Edwards’s theology: free will, effectual and ineffectual grace, and learning from the spirituality of Jonathan Edwards. The Commission plans to publish the papers in a book.
For more information on the symposium, contact Commission chairman Matt Pinson (president@fwbbc.edu).
The symposium is an annual event sponsored by the Commission for Theological Integrity of the National Association of Free Will Baptists.
Theological Symposium Presenters and Papers
Aaron Baldridge: “Reclaiming the Church‘s Mission by Rediscovering Our Understanding of Covenant”
Keith Kenemer: “The Call to Christian Education”
Greg Ketteman: “Toward a Christian View of Sport”
Denny Kuhn: “Jonathan Edwards’s Theology of Free Will”
Thomas Marberry: “The Lucan Travel Narrative: A Journey into Discipleship”
Matthew McAffee: “The Old Testament Covenant Context of the Good Word and Its Significance for Interpreting Hebrews 6:5”
Matt Pinson: “Effectual and Ineffectual Grace in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards”
Barry Raper: “Saints in the Hands of an Authentic Guide: Learning from the Spirituality of Jonathan Edwards”
Jackson Watts: “’In One Accord’: Bridging the Divide Between Doctrine and Practice”
by jowens | Sep 20, 2012
Two Welch College alumni from Arkansas, Mr. Cameron Lane and his wife Krista, donated a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban to the college in September 2012 to be used as a maintenance vehicle, according to Craig Mahler, vice president for financial affairs. The Lanes reside in Russellville, Arkansas.
The five-door, V-8, four-wheel drive Suburban is valued at $17,000-$20,000. The bronze-colored Chevy stands high off the ground with 17-inch tires and will be especially appreciated by the college’s maintenance staff during severe weather conditions. The vehicle has been professionally serviced and maintained.
Mr. Mahler said, “We are thankful for the generosity demonstrated by Cameron and Krista Lane. We hope their example encourages other alumni and friends to donate useful in-kind gifts. This is another way that supporters of the college can make a difference in a time of economic difficulty.”
The Lanes attended Welch College in the 1980s. They are members of First Free Will Baptist Church (Russellville). Mr. Lane, owner of Lane Physical Therapy Center, is a licensed physical therapist specializing in sports medicine and McKenzie Diagnosis Therapy. He also serves on the board of the 1040i mission group. Collin Lane, son of Cameron and Krista, is a sophomore at Welch College.
David Williford, vice president for institutional advancement, said, “In addition to this recent timely gift by Cameron and Krista Lane, they are also faithful supporters of Welch College’s annual fund, as well as active supporters of the college’s ongoing relocation efforts. We thank God for them and their commitment to the college.”
by jowens | Sep 19, 2012
For the first time since 2007, fall enrollment numbers at Welch College rose two consecutive years, according to Provost Greg Ketteman. College administrators reported a five percent rise in student full-time-equivalency (FTE) to 235. Total enrollment statistics indicate 315 students from 22 states and five international countries enrolled for the fall semester. Rebounding from a nine-year low of 283 students in 2010, enrollment climbed to 290 in 2011 and increased another 8.6% to 315 in 2012.
The most significant enrollment rise came in two areas—the state of Tennessee and international students. The Tennessee student population jumped 40% from 95 in 2011 to 136 in 2012, while international students increased 20% from 46 to 57. The rise among international students is due in large part to the warm and growing Welch College partnerships in Cuba and Panama.
Dr. Ketteman said, “We may have turned the corner with student enrollment. Numbers are up for the second consecutive year. Thank God for our students! They have a sense of optimism in spite of uncertainty about the national economy and world-wide political unrest. They’re serious about serving God, and we’re eager to prepare them for ministry in local churches, schools, medical and science fields, and the business community.”
At press time September 19, the college reported 157 dormitory students, 55 commuter students, 18 Adult Degree Program students, 74 Lifetime Learning students, and 17 Online students. Almost one-third of the students are enrolled in ministry-related fields.
By classes, they include 40 seniors, 42 juniors, 77 sophomores, 80 freshmen, 57 non-degree/part-time students, and 19 special students. There are 161 women and 154 men in the student body. Enrollment personnel were pleased that in spite of a harsh economic climate, the number of new students (first-time-in-college and transfer) increased nine percent from last fall, while dormitory student numbers registered a slight increase with a 1.2% rise.
“Enrollment for our Adult Degree Program will continue through mid-semester,” Dr. Ketteman said. “We are still enrolling new students, since enrollment takes place throughout the fall term due to multiple modules. We project a total enrollment of 325 students for the fall term.”
By states, students number:
Alabama 12
Arkansas 13
California 4
Florida 8
Georgia 6
Illinois 3
Indiana 1
Kansas 1
Kentucky 6
Louisiana 1
Michigan 13
Mississippi 7
Missouri 7
North Carolina 17
Ohio 8
South Carolina 4
South Dakota 1
Tennessee 136
Texas 1
Virginia 3
West Virginia 3
Wisconsin 1
International 57 (Canada, Cuba, France, Kazakhstan, Panama)
President Matt Pinson said, “This marks the first time the college has operated with a new name in 70 years. What a great way to launch the ‘Welch College’ era, with a five percent increase in FTE enrollment. We’re excited about relocation efforts as potential buyers inquire about purchasing our current campus. Expanding academic programs in pre-nursing and science, and our Online/Lifetime Learning outreach keep us focused on the denomination’s educational needs.”
To contact Welch College for more information: Email recruit@welch.edu or visit the college’s website at www.welch.edu.
by jowens | Sep 17, 2012
NASHVILLE, TN—Two months after Welch College changed its name from Free Will Baptist Bible College, the name Welch College appeared for the first time in U.S. News & World Report ranked 42nd among “Best Regional Colleges” (South Region) in U.S. News’ 2013 edition of America’s Best Colleges guidebook. The numerical ranking of 42nd in the 2013 South Region was driven by a high graduation rate, peer assessment scores, and strong alumni giving. Highlights of college rankings will be published in the September 18, 2012, issue of U.S. News.
President Matt Pinson said, “This is exactly what we hoped to see happen when the college name change occurred—immediate national recognition as a top quality educational institution. We are so pleased that Welch College is not only ranked among America’s best colleges but is creating name- recognition that will attract prospective students and their parents. This confirms that the college’s academic programs are recognized by the broader academic community as well as our supporters. It’s also another reminder that Welch College delivers on its educational promise.”
The “Best Regional Colleges” category where Welch College is ranked includes 370 institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in the liberal arts, and in professional fields such as business, nursing, and education. Colleges in this category are ranked within four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest, and West.
U.S. News rankings offer opportunity to judge the relative quality of institutions based on widely accepted indicators of excellence: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and more.
Welch College received especially high marks in five strategic areas—percent of freshmen in top 25% of high school class (57%), percent of classes with under 20 students (89%), student/faculty ratio (9/1), freshman retention rate (62%), and graduation rate (51%).
Provost Greg Ketteman said, “We are so pleased that Welch College is included in U.S. News’ list of best colleges. Our dedicated faculty and staff pour their lives into our students. They make a difference that matters. Our goal is to create a stimulating learning environment for our students where education is more than books and classes. At Welch College, we are truly a community of faith and learning. We want every Free Will Baptist student to consider Welch College first when looking for a college.”
More information is available about the rankings and methodology in the annual America’s Best Colleges guidebook at: www.usnews.com/collegemeth.
by jowens | Sep 13, 2012
NASHVILLE, TN—Dr. Ken Riggs, interim Psychology program coordinator at Welch College (formerly Free Will Baptist Bible College), has written a 104-page, 12-chapter book for the Evangelical Training Association titled Teaching Techniques: Becoming an Effective Teacher. The soft-cover book came off the press in August 2012.
Dr. Riggs said, “This book is an attempt to define effective teaching by looking at three aspects: the teaching methods of Jesus, examining one of the most influential books for Christian teachers (The Seven Laws of Teaching by John Milton Gregory), and the two key ingredients of teaching—preparation and presentation.”
The book concludes with an eight-page section titled “Three That Mattered,” focusing on the impact of three influential teachers on society—John Amos Comenius (1592-1670), Robert Raikes (1736-1811), and Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827).
“I may do more writing for the Evangelical Training Association,” Riggs said. “I believe in ETA’s biblical philosophy of education and support their commitment to publish materials that help good teachers to become great teachers.”
Ken and Carolyn Riggs have been married 50 years. They have three sons.
The first four chapters in the book study Jesus’ example as a teacher. The next three chapters address what it takes to be an effective teacher. The last five chapters deal with understanding the psychology of learning.
Dr. Riggs has written two other books. They Call Me Doc (2011) follows his own journey from new convert to professional educator. By the Way (2012) chronicles his father’s ministry as a Free Will Baptist visionary, pastor, and international missions leader. Riggs also wrote three booklets—The Runaway, How to Live Right, and You Can Know—as well as several gospel tracts.
A long-tenured educator, Dr. Riggs taught 23 years (1971-1993) on the Welch College Teacher Education faculty. He has been an adjunct professor at Nashville State Community College since 1992 and served as administrator at Pleasant View Christian School (2004-2010).
by jowens | Sep 7, 2012
NASHVILLE, TN—Reverend Ralph Hampton, former chairman of the Biblical and Ministry Studies Department at Welch College and a member of the college faculty for 50 years, died September 7, 2012, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 77. The Oklahoma native was converted at age 12 during a youth camp and ordained to preach in 1960.
President Matt Pinson said, “Ralph Hampton was a rock of stability on campus for five decades—a man of prayer, a scholar with a warm heart, and a teacher who challenged students to give their best. He demonstrated spiritual and intellectual leadership as a faculty member, and faithfulness in his local church. We thank God for the influence of this great man.”
Hampton’s ministry to the broader denomination included six pastorates in Tennessee and Missouri, articles for Contact and ONE Magazine, and curriculum writing for Randall House Publications. His signature leadership role came during a 15-year span when the National Association of Free Will Baptists elected him moderator nine times (1987-1996) and assistant moderator six times (1981-1987). He moderated during several controversial and pivotal sessions, including the emotionally-charged 1995 national convention.
“That was a crisis moment in our history,” Reverend Hampton said during a 2008 interview. “Men had reached a point where they felt they couldn’t be brethren and friends with those who disagreed with them. The 1995 convention and Leadership Conference called us back to our roots as Christian brothers and Free Will Baptists.”
Ralph began his 50-year tenure at Welch College in 1958 at age 23. Like most young educators, he wore several hats, which meant that he taught 15 hours per semester, served as Christian Service director, and was the dormitory supervisor. The son of a Free Will Baptist preacher and oldest of four brothers, he spent half a century changing the landscape of denominational education, preparing students for ministry in a world-wide community, and raising a family of three children with his wife Margaret—all three children graduated from Welch College.
He pushed himself hard as an educator, earning five degrees—A.A. degree from East Contra Costa Junior College (1955), B.A. degree from Welch College (1958), M.A. degree from Winona Lake School of Theology (1961), M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary (1970), and the D.Min. (ABD) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Dr. Robert Picirilli, Professor Emeritus and retired academic dean at Welch College, said, “Ralph graced the campus with a lifetime of quiet, dependable service. We could always count on him to be there, to do what was needed, and to do it without making a fuss. He was dedicated to keeping the school true to its founding mission, and he never swerved in his thinking from that ideal.”
Two of Ralph’s brothers (Charles and Larry) eventually joined him on the faculty at Welch College. His younger brother Larry said, “Ralph had a profound influence on my life. I came to the college as a student because of him. He was my teacher—one of the best I ever had. I am convinced there has been no better man who has taught here. I once told a young lady I dated that I wished I was more like Ralph. She asked why and I replied, ‘Because he’s more like Jesus than I am.’ ’’
Old Testament Professor Dr. Garnett Reid served alongside Reverend Hampton. He said, “Ralph left an indelible imprint on this school and on all of us he taught, and that imprint bears a striking resemblance to the Savior whom he loved and whom he taught us to love.”
Ralph Hampton is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mrs. Margaret Evans Hampton, who served 37 years at Welch College as manager of Welch Library; daughter Mrs. Laura Fleming; sons Reverend Clayton Hampton and Mr. Kenny Hampton; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one brother, Reverend Larry D. Hampton.
