news at welch college   Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1942. To find out more information about the school, visit www.Welch.edu.

Welch Announces Administrative Shift

Gallatin, TN — Dr. Daniel Webster (pictured below) has been named vice president for administration and student engagement at Welch College, according to President Matt Pinson.

In a major administrative reconfiguration, Webster will strengthen coordination across campus operations, fostering a more cohesive and effective experience for current and prospective students and employees.

“In recent years, many institutions have consolidated the campus experience under one vice president who oversees multiple department directors and coordinators,” Pinson said. “I’m so excited about Dr. Webster’s appointment. Not only is he a stellar leader and administrator, but he has just the skillset we need for this streamlining of campus operations.”

After Dr. Jon Forlines’ retirement from student services in October 2025, Webster was named interim director of student services. Then, following Craig Mahler’s resignation as vice president for financial affairs, Webster became interim vice president for administration and student engagement.

“In this restructuring, a single vice president will supervise three departments with corresponding directors or coordinators in the areas of enrollment, student services, and the business office,” Pinson said. “Dr. Webster will be supervising these departments, not taking on the jobs of the former VPs in these areas. We’ll be hiring three new employees to ensure the workload is adequately spread out.”

Webster began serving part-time in 2016 as director of marketing and recruiting for Welch Online. In 2017, he became the full-time director of enrollment services. Then, in 2022, he was named director of enrollment and marketing, while overseeing chapel worship and the worship ministry program. Webster also holds a faculty appointment, teaching part-time as assistant professor of music and theology.

A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Webster holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Gateway Christian College, a master’s degree in biblical studies from Virginia Beach Theological Seminary, and two master’s degrees from Maranatha Baptist University, in theology and church music.

Webster was recently awarded the Ph.D. in church music and worship from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also served extensively as an author for D6 Family Ministry, has written numerous popular and academic articles and papers, and serves on the Music Commission of the National Association of Free Will Baptists.

“This restructuring aligns Welch College with best practices in higher education and positions us strategically for continued growth as an institution,” Provost Matthew McAffee said. “I can think of no one more uniquely qualified to lead this particular effort than Dr. Webster. His diverse experience and expertise are just what we need in someone to lead these three crucial departments.”

To facilitate this transition, Welch will employ three full-time-equivalent employees and shift existing employees. Former Student Accounts Coordinator Alyssa Hill has been named director of financial services. A 2018 Welch graduate with a B.S. in business administration, Hill served four years in financial aid and the business office before assuming the role of student accounts coordinator in 2022.

Women’s Resident Director Whitney Lute has been named interim dean of students. Currently assisting President Pinson part-time, Lute is in her sixth year in student services. She holds a B.S. in psychology from Welch (2018) and an M.S.W. from Tennessee State University in social work. She has served as an adjunct instructor in psychology for the past three years.

Dr. Webster will continue to provide direct, daily oversight and strategic leadership in enrollment services, working closely with Pam Buck, AnnaGee Harris, and Abby Settle. Together, this experienced team brings nearly forty years of combined undergraduate recruiting and admissions experience and will continue building on the 42-year high enrollment the college had last fall.

“I’m excited about what the future holds as these stellar, proven leaders assume these new positions with fresh ideas and a firm commitment to the mission of Welch College to educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world,” Pinson said.

For more information about Welch, visit the college’s website at welch.edu/.

University of Tennessee Press Publishes The Free Will Baptists: A New History

Gallatin, TN — In January, the University of Tennessee Press released Welch President Matt Pinson’s book The Free Will Baptists: A New History.

Pinson’s book is the latest in the America’s Baptists series, edited by Dr. Andrew Smith of Carson-Newman University. The series explores the complex history of Baptist tradition through scholarly monographs and edited collections of primary and secondary documents.

Pinson offers a comprehensive history of the Free Will Baptist movement — a distinct theological tradition within the larger Baptist family.

The Free Will Baptists: A New History is available for purchase at utpress.org and wherever books are sold.