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 www.Welch.edu.

 

Daniel Webster to Serve as Director of Enrollment Services

North Carolina pastor Daniel Webster (pictured below with his wife Kimberly) has been selected as director of enrollment services at Welch College, according to David Williford, vice president for institutional advancement.

“We’re so excited to announce Daniel’s appointment,” Williford said. “He is already working part-time as director of marketing and recruitment for the online program. He’ll come on in a full-time capacity in February 2017, continuing his online work and also serving as a field representative and enrollment counselor for the college. Then he’ll move to Middle Tennessee in June and assume his role as director of enrollment services.”

Williford continued, “When Debbie Mouser began her more intensive role as director of recruitment, we needed someone to direct the administrative and strategic operation of enrollment and retention at Welch. As we discussed potential candidates, Daniel’s name quickly rose to the top.”

Webster will continue to serve as an adjunct instructor in theological studies, a post he assumed earlier this year. Derek Altom, acting director of enrollment services, said, “Daniel has been doing an excellent job as director of recruitment and marketing for the online program, and this year he helped us plan Welcome Days and Senior Days. He’s a natural with numerous ideas on how to make on-campus events better, and with the ability to look at things from all angles. When we began discussing Daniel’s candidacy for this position, I thought, ‘What a wonderful fit for this job!’”

Webster comes to Welch with 13 years of full-time ministry experience and a background in promotion, marketing, and recruiting. During and after college, Webster played an active role in the promotional department at Gateway Christian College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Music. His ministry there included singing in groups, preparing and leading student groups, and representing the college at conferences and association meetings. He has also worked in marketing and customer relations for GEICO.

Webster served ten years as an associate pastor at Gateway FWB Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he managed various ministries, including music, media, worship, and single young adult ministry. Since 2013, he has served as lead pastor of Glad Tidings FWB Church in Asheboro, North Carolina. Webster has written for The Brink, the young adult curriculum at Randall House Publications, since 2014, and he currently serves as clerk of the North Carolina State Association.
Webster holds two master’s degrees, a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Maranatha Baptist Seminary and a Master of Biblical Studies from Virginia Beach Theological Seminary. He is concurrently seeking a M.Div. and a M.A. in Church Music at Maranatha.

Daniel met his wife Kimberly (Fisher) while in college at Southeastern FWB College. Daniel and Kimberly have three children: Aaron (8), Julianna (6), and Noah (4).

President Matt Pinson said, “We’re elated to have Daniel Webster coming on board full time in this capacity. He has just the right combination of background, talents, and skills for this job. But what’s more, he sees this as a calling and ministry. Daniel is a great fit and will move us forward at our new campus in Gallatin.”

Welch College Ranks #31 Among U.S. News & World Report’s Best

Welch College received notification that it ranks 31st among “Best Regional Colleges” (South Region) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 edition of America’s Best Colleges guidebook according to President Matt Pinson.

“We are so pleased that Welch College is not only ranked among America’s best colleges but is moving up in the rankings,” President Pinson said. “This respected national study confirms that the college’s academic programs are recognized by the broader academic community as well as our supporters. 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.”

The “Best Regional Colleges” category includes 334 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. Colleges in this category are ranked within four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest, and West.

U.S. News rankings offer opportunity to judge the relative quality of institutions based on widely accepted indicators of excellence: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and more.
Welch College received especially high marks in three strategic areas—percent of classes under 20 students (89%), average first-year retention rate (69%), and freshmen in top 25% of high school class (52%).

Provost Greg Ketteman said, “This marks the tenth time Welch College has been included in the U.S. News listing of best colleges. This is a testimony to the hard work our faculty and staff pour into our students. Their commitment to excellence is paying off in national recognition among professional educators that Welch provides a rigorous collegiate academic setting for serious students. Our goal is to create a stimulating learning environment where education is more than books and classes. We are truly a community of faith and learning.”

Enrollment Increases Again

Welch College enrolled 348 students from 23 states, one U.S. territory, and three other countries for the 2016 fall semester, according to Provost Greg Ketteman. Enrollment statistics indicate a diverse student body with a wide range of academic interests.

Ketteman said, “We are pleased to see a healthy fall enrollment that includes a promising freshman class. Enrollment in our graduate, online, and Lifetime Learning programs will continue through the semester, and we anticipate final semester enrollment to approach 375 students.”

At press time, the college reported 173 dormitory students, 28 commuter students, 19 graduate students, 5 Adult Degree Program students, 66 Online/Lifetime Learning students, and 57 dual enrollment students. Officials set the fall semester 2016 full-time student equivalency (FTE) at 262.

By classification they include 63 Freshmen, 58 Sophomores, 66 Juniors, and 51 Seniors, as well as graduate, non-degree part-time, and dual enrollment students.

By states, students number:
Alabama – 18
Arkansas – 13
California – 1
Connecticut – 1
Florida – 13
Georgia – 11
Illinois – 14
Indiana – 2
Kansas – 2
Kentucky – 4
Michigan – 4
Mississippi – 6
Missouri – 8
North Carolina – 26
Ohio – 6
Oklahoma – 4
Pennsylvania – 2
Rhode Island – 3
South Carolina – 11
Tennessee – 145
Texas – 5
Virginia – 12
West Virginia – 1
Virgin Islands – 4
International – 32
(Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba)

President Pinson said, “With 348 enrolled students at Welch College, this fall represents the highest number we’ve seen in ten years. Our FTE is up nearly 5%, and dorm, online, and dual enrollment also continue to grow. Last spring, Welch launched its graduate program, and already we have nearly 20 students enrolled in graduate courses. These developments are positive and encouraging, and we are thankful to God for His provisions during this momentous time of excitement and transition.”

To contact Welch College for more information, email recruit@welch.edu or visit www.welch.edu.