Press Release: John Witherspoon College Achieves Accredited Status

The Trustees of John Witherspoon College are pleased to announce that the institution has been granted full accreditation by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). TRACS officials issued their decision on Tuesday, April 25, at the Accreditation Commission Meeting in Orlando, Florida. JWC President, Dr. Richard Wells, and Dr. Jamin Hübner, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, were on hand in Orlando for the announcement.

“This is a milestone achievement,” noted President Wells. “It is evidence of God’s continuing faithfulness in the founding and development of this institution. It is a testament to the hard work and sacrifice of trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff over these past five years—as well as their outstanding competence, and commitment to excellence. It opens doors of opportunity for our students and graduates; and enables us to serve our region more and more effectively.”

TRACS is a national accreditation agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education. TRACS accreditation recognizes institutional excellence in areas such as governance, finances, administration, curriculum, faculty qualifications, support services, facilities, institutional effectiveness, planning, learning resources, policies, and publications. TRACS-accredited institutions, such as JWC, meet or exceed national norms for curriculum, programs, faculty credentials, and student learning outcomes.

The accreditation announcement culminates an intensive five-year effort by JWC—completing the accreditation process in the shortest time possible. The College submitted its initial application for accreditation in December 2013, achieved Candidate status in April 2015, and immediately began work on completing the process for full accreditation, culminating in a site visit by TRACS examiners last January.

JWC offers diploma, associate’s, and baccalaureate degree programs in three areas of study, all built on a core curriculum of the classic liberal arts. The College is named for John Witherspoon, the only active pastor and only college president to sign the Declaration of Independence. JWC is an “unapologetically Christian” institution, but non-denominational, welcoming students, faculty, staff, and trustees from many denominational traditions.

For more information about John Witherspoon College, visit www.JohnWitherspoonCollege.org. For information on the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, go to www.tracs.org.

Contact: Dr. Richard Wells, President – (605) 484-7837