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
These have been challenging times for all of us as we have coped with a global pandemic that had farther-reaching consequences than I ever imagined it would have. Our community has been resilient, however, and has navigated these troubled waters with prudence and with grace.
I was so saddened to have to announce to the Class of 2020 last year that we would have to cancel their normal 2020 Commencement activities. After meeting with the executive council of the Senior Class, we decided that the best way forward was to have Commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 at the same time as that of the Class of 2021.
While there are still many details to be finalized, and while anything could change given the current unpredictable situation with COVID-19, I wanted to announce the date of the Commencement exercises for both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 so that students and their guests could mark it on their calendars and make travel plans.
All Commencement activities for both classes will take place on Friday, May 7th. The times, locations, and details of the gatherings will be forthcoming. Guest seating will be limited owing to COVID-19 and the need for physically distanced seating. Thus a limited number of free tickets will be provided to each graduate for his or her family and friends.
Neither the graduate breakfast nor a Baccalaureate service will be held. An awards ceremony for the Class of 2021 will be held virtually, similar to what we held last year for the Class of 2020. Also forthcoming will be details regarding hooding for master’s degree recipients.
More details will follow as we finalize them. Thank you for your patience as we work through what will be a very different celebration in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. And continue to pray for us here at Welch as we continue to make key decisions and fulfill our mission in these difficult times.
For the Fall 2018 semester, Welch College enrolled the highest number of students in 34 years, according to Provost Matthew McAffee. Total enrollment statistics indicate 404 students from 22 states and five foreign countries.
“I am delighted to see this impressive increase in our enrollment numbers,” McAffee said. “We pray the Lord will continue His transformative work in the lives of these students He has entrusted to our care.”
“Particularly exciting is the increase in new students this year, both freshmen and transfer students,” McAffee said. This fall 93 new students enrolled in on-campus programs at Welch, a 21% increase from last year’s new freshman and transfer enrollment of 77. A total of 116 new students joined the student body for the new school year, including graduate, online, and adult studies enrollments. 1984 was the last year fall enrollment was higher, with a headcount of 417.
At press time the college reported 200 dormitory students, 53 commuter students, 27 graduate students, 18 Enriched Adult Studies students, 38 Online/Lifetime Learning students, and 68 dual enrollment students. The fall’s full-time equivalency (FTE) is 300 students, the highest in 12 years.
President Matt Pinson said, “We’re thankful to God for this blessing of another increase in dormitory and FTE enrollment. This is the most dorm students we’ve had in many years, and we’re grateful to the Lord for His providential blessing. In a time when most college and university dorm enrollment is flat or declining, it’s wonderful to see ours going up.”
President Pinson continued, “I commend Daniel Wester, Debbie Mouser, and the entire enrollment team for their diligent work in bringing in this excellent class of new students, our largest incoming class since 2006.”
The Grand Opening of the Welch College Student Activities Center is scheduled for Friday, November 10, according to President Matt Pinson.
Friends and members of the Welch College community are invited to celebrate with an evening of festivities. A brief grand opening ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m. followed by a tailgate party and cookout at 5:00. The Flames basketball team will then play the first game in the brand new gymnasium as they face St. Louis Christian at 7:00.
The Student Activities Center houses the gymnasium, coffee shop, student recreation area, and fitness center. A tour will be given following the 4:00 ceremony.
“We invite all our friends to come celebrate this wonderful occasion of the completion of the Student Activities Center, which also marks the conclusion of phase one of the construction of the new Welch campus,” President Pinson said. “The students have been eagerly anticipating the opening of this new facility that will be at the center of student life. It’s going to be great to have our first Flames basketball game in the new facilities in conjunction with Welcome Days.”
To see photographs of the new campus and get information about giving toward the funding of this effort, visit Buildingonthelegacy.com.
GALLATIN, TN— Over 900 people gathered at Welch College recently to dedicate its new campus and celebrate 75 years of service to Christ’s kingdom, according to Welch President Matt Pinson. Guests at the September 29 celebration included alumni, donors, denominational leaders, local and state political figures, Free Will Baptist supporters, local community leaders, and academic representatives from various institutions of higher education.
“Our people were there to celebrate three quarters of a century of God’s goodness and faithfulness,” President Pinson said. “They came to celebrate the culmination of a vision for campus relocation that spread over two presidential administrations at Welch. And they came to celebrate a future that is exciting and promising.”
The celebration began with an academic convocation, which was immediately followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Leaders from the Free Will Baptist denomination, community and governmental leaders, and higher education representatives expressed words of gratitude and commendation, and hymns and songs resonated from the audience, college choir, and alumni choir.
Following a barbeque luncheon under a tent on the quadrangle, guests enjoyed campus tours, a musical concert, children’s activities, and alumni reunions. The day ended with an encore presentation of The Slipper and the Rose performed by the Welch College Drama Department and Choral Union.
The public phase of the Building on the Legacy campaign was formally announced at the celebration, with the unveiling of the Pave the Way brick campaign. The campaign provides the opportunity for bricks to be purchased and installed at a future time on the Gallatin campus. Bricks are $250 and can be purchased in memory of, in honor of, or in the donor’s name. More information can be found at buildingonthelegacy.com.
To see videos of the dedication ceremony and events, please visit welch.edu/dedication.
