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Welch College

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Coordinates: 36°22′04″N 86°32′57″W / 36.367753°N 86.549267°W / 36.367753; -86.549267
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Welch College
Former name
Free Will Baptist Bible College
MottoO Send out Thy Light and Thy Truth
TypePrivate college
Established1942
AccreditationSACS-COC
AffiliationNational Association of Free Will Baptists
Religious affiliation
Free Will Baptist
Academic affiliation
ABHE
EndowmentUS$2.2 million (2016)[1]
PresidentJ. Matthew Pinson
ProvostMatthew McAffee[2]
Undergraduates394 (fall 2022)[3]
Location
Gallatin
,
Tennessee
,
United States

36°22′04″N 86°32′57″W / 36.367753°N 86.549267°W / 36.367753; -86.549267
CampusUrban
Colors    Blue, white & gold
NicknameFlames
Sporting affiliations
NCCAA
Websitewww.welch.edu

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

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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 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

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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

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Administration building at the old Welch College campus

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

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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

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  • Basketball
  • Golf
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer (Fall 2018)[15]

Women's sports

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  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Golf
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer (Fall 2018)[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Welch College". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  2. ^ "Welch College Rises in U.S. News & World Report's Top College Rankings" (Press release). Welch College. September 18, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  3. ^ "Welch College Annual Report". Welch College. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  4. ^ "Free Will Baptist changes name to Welch College". Nashville Post. July 23, 2012. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017.
  5. ^ "Welch College | Cappex.com". www.cappex.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  6. ^ "Education: Welch College".
  7. ^ Todd, Jen (March 15, 2017). "Welch College students home at new campus". The Tennessean.
  8. ^ "Free Will Baptist Bible College Changes Name". Welch College. July 18, 2012. Archived from the original on April 8, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  9. ^ "About Welch College in Gallatin, TN".
  10. ^ "Statement from Welch College President Matt Pinson". Welch College. August 9, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  11. ^ Strapagiel, Lauren (August 9, 2019). "This Transgender Man Was Kicked Out Of His College After Getting Top Surgery". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  12. ^ Aviles, Gwen (August 9, 2019). "Transgender student suspended from Christian college after top surgery". NBC News. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  13. ^ "Certificates and Degrees Offered". Welch College. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  14. ^ "Graduate Programs". Welch College. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Welch College Adds Men's and Women's Soccer". Welch College. December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
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