news at welch college   Welch College (formerly Free Will Baptist Bible College) in Nashville, TN, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1942. To find out more information about the school, visit their website.

 

Student Body Elects 2012-2013 Officers

Five undergraduate students were elected by their peers to serve as 2012-2013 Student Body officers.

Frank Thornsbury, a senior History major from Kentucky, was elected to his second term as president and will preside at both Student Body and Student Council meetings. The vice-president is Audrey Trotter, a junior Child Development and Learning major from Tennessee. Missouri English major Bethany Hovis will serve as secretary/treasurer.

Senior Biblical Ministry Studies major Aaron Pierce from Mississippi was elected chaplain and will provide spiritual leadership for the Student Body. Cody Truett, a junior Theological Studies major from Florida will serve as worship leader.

Students Score Above National Averages on CAAP Tests

Students achieved above average scores in all areas of the nationally administered Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) for the first time since the test began to be administered in 2001, according to Provost Greg Ketteman.

The national CAAP assessment is given to exiting U.S. college students every year in order to determine proficiency in several key areas of learning. The assessment is especially important in that it displays the student’s abilities and knowledge in multiple areas, including those outside their particular field of study. These areas include writing, math, reading, critical thinking, and science.

Dr. Ketteman said, “Success on these exit exams is no accident. These good outcomes are a result of careful planning, quality curriculum and instruction, and students who take learning seriously.”

All academic programs at the college require students to undergo training in these general areas of study, often referred to as the “general education core curriculum.” This area of the college curriculum is designed to “broaden and deepen the general education of the students, to enhance their position as citizens and servants in the world, to cultivate Christian culture, and to develop refinement and social skills.”

Welch College began administering the writing, math, and reading assessments in 2001. The critical thinking assessment was added in 2003, with the science assessment added in 2006. The CAAP assessment was not administered at FWBBC in 2005 due to a change in scheduling of the assessment that year.

With the inclusion of 2011 assessments, students’ reading and writing scores have been above the national norm for eight and nine of the ten years (respectively) the test has been administered. Critical thinking has been at or above the national average for seven of the ten years the test has been administered. And for the first time since the test began to be administered in 2001, math and science scores were above the national norm.

“The CAAP assessment results are further proof that our graduates are getting a quality education that prepares them for life and ministry after graduation,” President Matt Pinson said. “While the college has for many years been recognized for excellence in biblical higher education and in specific fields of ministry or vocation such as teacher education, history, music, and English, the proficiency of our students on CAAP assessments demonstrates that students are responding well to a well-rounded, quality education.”

Student Satisfaction Survey Reveals High Marks for Personalized Attention

The Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, conducted nationwide among national four-year colleges, ranked the college in the top 20% in key areas of college experience and student expectations, according to President Matt Pinson. Some 90% of FWBBC students report that the college met their expectations for a college experience, with 63% reporting that the college exceeded their expectations (compared to 83% and 50% respectively at national, four-year colleges).

Dr. Pinson said, “The areas where we received our highest marks in comparison to other private colleges happen to be the areas we emphasize that distinguish our school from other colleges and universities. These traits make our campus attractive to students and parents who desire excellent academics combined with a deep, personalized investment in the spiritual and academic life of each individual student.”

Eighty-three percent of students surveyed said they were satisfied with their college experience (compared to 76% of students at other national, four-year private colleges). Asked if they were likely to enroll again if they had it to do over, 83% responded “Yes” (compared to 72% of students at other national, four-year colleges).

The nine areas thatb received the highest marks when compared to other colleges and universities that participated in the survey:

• Caring and helpful staff
  

• Convenient registration
  

• Administrators available to hear student concerns
  

• Campus safety and security
  

• Adequate library services
  

• Excellent personal academic advising
  

• Fair and unbiased faculty in treatment of individual students
  

• Availability of sufficient courses in major
  

• Residence hall staff concerned about the individual
  

The student survey also indicated areas needing improvement: better technology, more food selections, and campus maintenance. The first and third areas will be enhanced by relocation to the new campus in Gallatin.

Provost Greg Ketteman said, “This summary of the recent survey confirms what we thought —the vast majority of our students believe they are getting what they came here to find, and our denominational constituency can be assured that FWBBC is a name they can trust with tomorrow and with their children.”

Fifty-Seven Graduate in Commencement Exercises

Welch College conferred degrees on 57 students from 16 states and two foreign countries in commencement exercises at Memorial Auditorium on Friday, May 4, according to President Matt Pinson. This was the largest graduating class since 2008. Students completed degrees in multiple programs ranging from two-year associate’s degrees to four-year bachelor’s degrees. Thirty-seven percent of the class graduated with honors.

Reverend Terry Forrest, pastoral ministry program coordinator, delivered the commencement address on the importance of the college. He challenged graduates to remember three things: what you have seen here, what you have heard, and what you have felt. He brought the crowd to their feet for a standing ovation honoring President Pinson and his family for their sacrifices on behalf of the college. Forrest’s youngest daughter Lauren is a member of the 2012 graduating class.

Georgia pastor Billy D. Hanna (First FWB Church, Albany) presented Thursday evening’s baccalaureate message from Matthew 9:35-38, reminding graduates they were “blessed because they had been introduced to the wisdom of the ages in Jesus Christ.” He advocated learning four principles to diffuse the knowledge they received: see as Jesus saw, feel as Jesus felt, pray as Jesus prayed, and do as Jesus did. Hanna, a member of the Board of Trustees and 1973 graduate, also served 12 years on the Randall House Board.

Ron Callaway, a member of the Theological Studies faculty and Missions program coordinator, was named Academic Advisor of the Year. President Pinson presented plaques to retiring vice president and senior financial counsel Tom Sass for 40 years of faithful service, and to Jack Williams who is shifting to a volunteer/mentor role as director of communications. The college commends to you and to the work of the Lord the members of the 2012 graduating class.

Associate of Science Degrees

Katie June Bryan
Mt. Juliet, TN
Biology

Morgan Brittany Fite +
Mt. Juliet, TN
Business

Andre Jabbar Grayson
Birmingham, AL
Business

Kimberly Gail Hagood
Whitesburg, TN
Ministry

Nathaniel Matthew Hagood
Whitesburg, TN
Ministry

Michael Edward Hunt +
Wagoner, OK
Ministry

Michael William Martin
Mantua, OH
Ministry

Jeffrey Kyle Moore
Rogersville, MO
Ministry

Jacquelyn Nicole Owen +
Jacksonville, NC
Biology

Josue Israel Suarez +
Hialeah, FL
Ministry

Jonathan David Weeks
Nashville, TN
Business

Bachelor of Science Degrees

Daniel Craig Armstrong
Wheelersburg, OH
Exercise Science

James Dale Bradford *
Silver Lake, IN
History
Licensure 7-12

Matthew Grady Calhoun
Colquitt, GA
Pastoral Ministry

Christy L. Carnathan **
Tupelo, MS
Exercise Science

Alice Marie Caudill
Pierceton, IN
Psychology

Timothy Randall Clements
Durham, NC
Christian Education

Christopher Mykel Davenport
Chattanooga, TN
General Christian Ministries

Nicholas O’Nale Dennis *
Vilonia, AR
Christian Education

Laura Jean Dooley +
Austintown, OH
Psychology

Thaddaeus Lawton Douglas *
Macon, GA
History
Licensure 7-12

Lauren Leigh Forrest *
Ashland City, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6

Alyssa Anne Franks *
Chapmansboro, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6

Jack Gilbert French
Knoxville, TN
Youth Ministry

Ricky Lee Hogue
Gastonia, NC
Youth Ministry

Georgia Brenteney Jeffreys **
Red Bay, AL
Youth Ministry

Caleb Elisha Jones
Olive Branch, MS
Business Administration

David Lee Landers
Batesville, AR
Pastoral Ministry

Zachery Paul Maloney
Morehead, KY
Pastoral Ministry

Jaclyn Monique Martin *
Minford, OH
Psychology

Hanna Gabrielle McCuin *
Dodge City, KS
Psychology

Megan Laurel Nelson **
Old Hickory, TN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6

Judson Michael Phenicie
Nauvoo, AL
Pastoral Ministry

Amanda Michelle Reeder
Sainte Genevieve, MO
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6

Rebecca Leah Rish
Roann, IN
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6

Stephanie Marcum Rowlett
LaVergne, TN
Child Development and Learning

Ashley Nicole Santiago
Hazel Park, MI
Psychology

Hannah Elizabeth Shaffer
Saint George, WV
Music Performance

David Ryan Snow *
Old Hickory, TN
English
Licensure 7-12

Carl Robert Spruill
Virginia Beach, VA
General Christian Ministries

Christopher Glen Talbot
Tecumseh, MI
Pastoral Ministry

Phillip Kyle Tolbert **
Paw Paw, MI
Youth Ministry

Rachel Gracealene Trimble ***
Greeneville, TN
Psychology

Faith Elizabeth Wilkerson
De Soto, MO
Child Development and Learning
Licensure K-6

Bachelor of Arts Degrees

Suzanne Michelle Anderson
Bethpage, TN
Missions

Munkhtulga Baasandamba
Mongolia
Psychology

Douglas Scott Bishop
Japan
Missions

Elijah Gale Carpenter ***
Church Hill, TN
History

Katie Grace Duttine *
Sod, WV
History

Thomas Wayne Howard ***
Troy, MI
English

Jennifer Ashley McGhee
Dayton, OH
Pastoral Ministry

Stephen Wesley Nelson **
New Bern, NC
English

Shawn Matthew Richards **
Ashland City, TN
Missions

Jimmie Donovan Riley *
Clay, KY
Pastoral Ministry

Jason Gentry Willaford **
Jacksonville, NC
Pastoral Ministry

Bachelor of Music Education Degrees

Kimberly Dawn Harden **
Kirksville, MO
Music Education
Licensure K-12

Lacey Jane Price *
Wheelersburg, OH
Music Education
Licensure K-12

*** Suma Cum Laude
** Magna Cum Laude
* Cum Laude
+ Not Present