Whatever your future occupation may be, we want you to know that life is about God. That’s why we dedicate ourselves to the spiritual formation of our students.
At Welch College, you will be part of a community where students and professors know who you are.
Our students love it here, and you will too! You will have a great time making friendships that last a lifetime while learning in a safe, wholesome environment.
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College recently received notification that it ranks 8th among “Best Regional Colleges—South” in U.S. News & World Report’s2022 edition of America’s Best Colleges, according to President Matt Pinson. This also included a ranking of #1 for “Top Performers on Social Mobility” in the Regional Colleges—South category, which comprises 92 other colleges and universities in the South.
“We’re so pleased that Welch is moving up in the rankings,” President Pinson said. “We’d hoped to get into the top ten in our category in the next five to seven years. So this is welcome news. This respected national study confirms that the college’s academic programs are recognized not only by our supporters but also by the broader academic community. It’s also another reminder to prospective students and their parents that Welch College remains a top-quality institution of higher learning that delivers its educational promise.”
“We’re delighted that, for the first time, we were ranked #1 in ‘Top Performers on Social Mobility’ for our category,” Pinson continued. “This ranking measures how well colleges and universities do at graduating students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We are especially thankful for this distinction.”
The “Best Regional Colleges—South” category where Welch College is ranked includes 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. Most of these institutions award fewer than fifty graduate degrees annually.
Provost Matthew McAffee said, “To be among the top ten institutions in our category is remarkable. This accomplishment is a testimony to the hard work of our faculty and staff over the years and its cumulative effect on our institutional success. Our rise to 8th place indicates measurable success. It demonstrates to our constituents that Welch College is increasingly being recognized by the broader educational community as a quality institution of higher learning.”
U.S. News rankings judge the relative quality of institutions based on widely-accepted indicators of excellence in higher education: what peer institutions think of the institution, how many freshmen return their sophomore year, how many of them go on to graduate, student-faculty ratio, faculty quality, financial resources, alumni giving, and more.
“To put our ranking in perspective,” Pinson said, “the other institutions in the top ten in our category have an average enrollment of 1,952—five times higher than Welch’s—and an average endowment of $77 million—17 times higher than Welch’s.”
U.S. News ranked the top-ten institutions in the Regional Colleges—South category as follows:
[1] High Point University (NC) [2] Ouachita Baptist University (AR) [3] Florida Polytechnic University [4] Flagler College (FL) [5] (tie) Maryville College (TN) [5] (tie) University of the Ozarks (AR) [7] Claflin University (SC) [8] (tie) Catawba College (NC) [8] (tie) Welch College (TN [10] LaGrange College (GA)
Welch received especially high marks in three strategic areas, ranking as follows:
1st in student-faculty ratio 1st in classes under 50 students (tied) 3rd in graduation rate 5th in classes under 20 students 8th in freshman-to-sophomore retention 8th in alumni giving
Welch College Enrollment Services is conducting a search to add a full-time Admissions Counselor to the Enrollment Services Team. If you are a self-starter with people skills who is interested in engaging high school-aged students in the Christian college selection process, then the role of Admissions Counselor may be the perfect fit for you.
The Admissions Counselor works to recruit, admit, and enroll high school students in the undergraduate, on-campus program at Welch College. The Admissions Counselor travels to off-campus recruiting events (camps, conferences, high schools, churches, college fairs), gives on-campus tours, assists with on-campus recruiting events, counsels and equips students and parents to make a college decision, and helps to transition the student to life on campus.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and references to Daniel Webster, Director of Enrollment Services, at daniel.webster@welch.edu
Welch College has appointed Dr. Martin Sheldon to serve as the Director of Administration for the newly formed Welch Divinity School, according to Provost Matthew McAffee, who also serves as dean of the Divinity School.
A 1987 Welch pastoral ministry graduate, Sheldon received his M.Div. and Th.M. from Liberty University and his Ph.D. (2012) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His dissertation was entitled, “The Apostle Paul’s Theology of Good Works; With Special Emphasis on 1 Tim 6:17–19.”
He comes to his role at Welch with a proven record of teaching and academic administrative experience. He entered the faculty of Liberty University as Assistant Professor of Religion and was promoted to Associate Professor of Religion. During his tenure at Liberty, he also held the administrative position of Department Chair for both the online undergraduate and graduate programs.
Throughout his career, Sheldon has invested himself in local church ministry, including serving as a Free Will Baptist pastor. Even as his ministry focus shifted toward the classroom, he continued in pastoral and Bible teaching roles in local churches.
Sheldon began his position as Director of Administration remotely in February of this year and relocated to Gallatin in July. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he will also serve as an adjunct instructor teaching select New Testament undergraduate and graduate courses.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Sheldon to the Welch College family,” McAffee said. “I have already been impressed by his efforts in helping us start the M.Div. program. We believe his extensive academic administrative experience is just what we need to get this program started on the right track. His background in New Testament studies will make him a great asset in the classroom as well.”
Sheldon is married to Pam, a Welch alumnus, and they have two children, Sarah and Jared (Rachael), and one grandson, Dillon.
For more information about the residential M.Div. degree or the online M.A. degree in Theology and Ministry, please contact Dr. Martin Sheldon (divinity@welch.edu).
GALLATIN, TN—Welch College men’s basketball team has agreed to play Presbyterian College next season according to Greg Fawbush, Athletic Director and head men’s basketball coach. This will be the first time in the history of the college that a Welch athletic team will play an NCAA Division I team. The game will be played on the campus of Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, at 7:00 p.m. on November 12.
Welch College is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association division II and primarily plays NAIA and NCAA III colleges for out-of-conference games. Presbyterian College is a member of the Big South Conference and plays some of the top teams in the nation. “Our student-athletes work hard, and this gives them an opportunity to showcase their God given talents,” Coach Fawbush said. “We hope this opportunity not only gives us the chance to display our testimonies through competition but also demonstrates the uniqueness of Welch College.”
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.
