Welch College
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
 | |
Former name | Free Will Baptist Bible College |
|---|---|
| Motto | O Send out Thy Light and Thy Truth |
| Type | Private college |
| Established | 1942 |
| Accreditation | SACS-COC |
| Affiliation | National Association of Free Will Baptists |
Religious affiliation | Free Will Baptist |
Academic affiliation | ABHE |
| Endowment | US$2.2 million (2016)[1] |
| President | J. Matthew Pinson |
| Provost | Matthew McAffee[2] |
| Undergraduates | 394 (fall 2022)[3] |
| Location | , , United States 36°22′04″N 86°32′57″W / 36.367753°N 86.549267°W |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Blue, white & gold |
| Nickname | Flames |
Sporting affiliations | NCCAA |
| Website | www |
Welch College, formerly the Free Will Baptist Bible College,[4] is a private Free Will Baptist college in Gallatin, Tennessee.[5] Founded in 1942, it is one of several higher learning institutions associated with the National Association of Free Will Baptists. Welch College offers 40 majors, including theological studies, premed/nursing, business, teacher education and music.[6]
History
[edit]The National Association of Free Will Baptists in general session in Nashville, Tennessee, called for the creation of Free Will Baptist Bible College and its doors opened in 1942 as a two-year institution. Linton C. Johnson was its first President. Eight students composed the original student body. The college added a third year of study in 1949, a fourth year in 1950 and awarded its first Bachelor's degrees to five students in 1951.
In August 2008 the college purchased a 66-acre (270,000 m2) tract in Gallatin, Tennessee, to become the site of a larger campus. The college sold its West End Avenue campus and as of March 2017[update] is completing the new campus on the Gallatin site.[7]
In July 2012 at the National Association of Free Will Baptists in Memphis, the denomination voted to change the name of the college to Welch College.[8] It was renamed for John L. Welch and his wife Mary; Welch was a prominent figure in the merger of Free Will Baptist bodies into the NAFWB denomination.[9]
Controversies
[edit]In August 2019, the college briefly attracted national attention when administrators suspended a transgender student, attributing the action to a conflict in student policy.[10] The student had undergone a double mastectomy as part of his transition process days prior to the suspension.[11][12]
Academics
[edit]
The college offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music Education degree programs. Two- and three-year associate degree programs are also offered as well as a Master of Arts in Theology, Teaching, Humanities, and Organizational Leadership in addition to a Master of Divinity.[13] [14]
Athletics
[edit]The athletic teams of Welch College are called the "Flames" and compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Currently there are five varsity teams.
Men's sports
[edit]- Basketball
- Golf
- Cross Country
- Soccer (Fall 2018)[15]
Women's sports
[edit]- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Golf
- Cross Country
- Soccer (Fall 2018)[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Welch College". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ "Welch College Rises in U.S. News & World Report's Top College Rankings" (Press release). Welch College. September 18, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ "Welch College Annual Report". Welch College. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "Free Will Baptist changes name to Welch College". Nashville Post. July 23, 2012. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017.
- ^ "Welch College | Cappex.com". www.cappex.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ "Education: Welch College".
- ^ Todd, Jen (March 15, 2017). "Welch College students home at new campus". The Tennessean.
- ^ "Free Will Baptist Bible College Changes Name". Welch College. July 18, 2012. Archived from the original on April 8, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ^ "About Welch College in Gallatin, TN".
- ^ "Statement from Welch College President Matt Pinson". Welch College. August 9, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ Strapagiel, Lauren (August 9, 2019). "This Transgender Man Was Kicked Out Of His College After Getting Top Surgery". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ Aviles, Gwen (August 9, 2019). "Transgender student suspended from Christian college after top surgery". NBC News. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "Certificates and Degrees Offered". Welch College. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "Graduate Programs". Welch College. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Welch College Adds Men's and Women's Soccer". Welch College. December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
External links
[edit]
