Stephens College Revamps Equestrian Studies Program

 

The Columbia Missourian posted "Stephens College initiatives expand equestrian program" on May 24, 2024 with reporting by Michael Baniewicz.

I am not a horse person, though I am fascinated by equestrian studies as a curricular subject. We are blessed in our area with two small institutions that have maintained strong programs over many years. 

Stephens has added courses as it redesigned the program to better align with industry needs and standards. There is also a new research collaboration between Stephens College and the University of Missouri. I enjoyed the reporting, including the comment that the Stephens College Equestrian Studies Program has the highest retention rates at the institution. 

The article also traces program history back to 1925 when horseback riding was added to Stephens’ curriculum by physical education instructor Wilma Haynes as an extracurricular activity.

Manor College Commemorates Anniversary of Most Recent Invasion of Ukraine

Manor College in Pennsylvania highlighted activities this week commemorating the first anniversary of the most recent invasion of Ukraine.

Manor College is a unique private, Catholic, co-educational, independent institution of higher learning founded in 1947 by the Byzantine Ukrainian Sisters of Saint Basil the Great. The institutional vision centers its Catholic Basilian and Ukrainian foundations and seeks maintain a diverse community that participates in and leads in a dynamic global society. 

A quick scan of the Manor College website reveals numerous efforts to raise funds and build awareness of the situation Ukraine is currently facing.

Originally founded as St. Macrina’s, in 1959, the institution was chartered and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as Manor Junior College. The name changed in 1999 to Manor College.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, Canadian Microcollege

A fascinating extended article offers insights on several levels into a Canadian microcollege, "Our Lady Seat of Wisdom President talks candidly." President Christine Schintgen was interviewed by Barry Conway of The Eganville (Ontario, CA) Leader.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy began in the fall of 1999 "...as a small study centre with a few dedicated teachers and a group of six eager young students. The small “proto-college” was named, appropriately enough, after a title of Our Lady officially authorized by the Second Vatican Council, Mater Ecclesiae. Students and teachers would meet in living rooms, hay lofts, basements, wherever they could find room, and together discuss the truths of our faith, history, and civilization."

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, is now officially a college, offering a three-year Bachelor of Catholic Studies degree and enrolls roughly 100 students. The college is located in Barry's Bay, Ontario, CA.

Bennett College Successfully Focuses on Students

Interesting article on the EdDaily EDNC site, "Bennett College: Boldly moving through complex moments," with reporting by Nation Hahn.

President Suzanne Walsh and her team of faculty and staff are successfully redesigning the institution to serve a small student body.

You can also review several other Small College Garden posts featuring Bennett College:

• March 27, 2021 Bennett College Releases Strategic Statement Setting New Course as an Innovative Microcollege
• January 9, 2019 Overwhelming Support Emerges for Bennett College
• January 25, 2016 Bennett College is Featured...Impressive Changes over the past Decade

Mount Tamalpais College Receives Accreditation

IHE reports in "A Newly Accredited College for Incarcerated Students," with reporting by Sara Weissman that Mount Tamalpais College was formally accredited as a two-year college last month by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Mount Tamalpais College becomes the only accredited, independent liberal arts college in the country that operates its main campus out of a prison. The institution serves roughly 300 students with a dozen staff and volunteers.

Norwalk Conservatory College set to open in 2022

 

Inside Higher Ed posted "A New Arts College in Connecticut" in July 2021 with reporting by Emma Whitford. Whitford interviewed founders of the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, a nonprofit organization in Connecticut who are working to open Norwalk Conservatory College in 2022. 

You can visit the conservatory web site to learn more about the programs in musical theatre performance, musical theatre dance, and television/film performance.

Endicott College Appears to Thrive during a Stressful Year

Interesting reporting by Emma Whitford of Inside Higher Ed, "A Pandemic Financial Success Story? Endicott College’s strength during the pandemic highlights the importance of diverse revenue streams. What might it teach other small private colleges?" 

We will hopefully see additional reporting on other institutions that have managed to take make needed changes and strengthen operations.

Whitford notes that an institutional press release indicates that the, "...endowment has grown to $119 million, no employees were laid off or furloughed during the pandemic, enrollment hasn’t wavered and the college maintained its study abroad program this academic year." 

Endicott College is located in Beverly, MA. It was founded by Dr. Eleanor Tupper and her husband, the Reverend Dr. George O. Bierkoe in 1939 to educate young women. Accreditation was granted in 1952 and the first baccalaureate class graduated in 1990. Endicott was coeducational after 1994 and the first graduate programs were introduced in 1996.