Points of Progress
Progress made under the planning process that began in 2000

Quality of the College

• Attained top tier status among comprehensive colleges in U.S. News and World Report annual college guide (2004, 2005, 2006)
• Academic reputation best among Kansas comprehensive colleges in U.S. News and World Report annual college guide (2003)
• Selected as College of Distinction (2005)
• Church-college program and linkage gained respect (chosen to lead worship in annual conference; busy outreach program; growing academic program in religion; vibrant campus ministry programs)
• Trustees engaged financially and personally (trustee campaign goal of 100 percent donor participation reached)

Relationally

• Alumni connections growing each year (college volunteers in 2000-2001, 127 / in 2003-2004, 331; alumni participation in alumni gatherings 2000-2001, 1,422 / in 2003-2004, 4,114)
• Leadership giving (annual gifts of $1,000+) has increased from 240 donors in 2000-2001 to 334 in 2003-2004.
• Increased Web communication in all aspects of college life (recruitment materials on Web, JinxTale, Rumor Mill, e-newsletters, online honor roll of donors, online donations)
• Halls of Fames added (Scholars Hall of Fame, Business Hall of Fame, Educators Hall of Fame, Science Hall of Fame)
• Class host and class gift agent alumni in place
• Regional President’s Advisory Councils in place

Financially

• Reliance on endowment earnings significantly reduced (draw for 04-05 and 05-06 fiscal years: $1.3 million; 06-07 fiscal year: $900,000)
• Completed the most successful campaign in school's history in June 2006; Builders of Excellence Campaign secured $26 million in commitments; campaign effort recognized with CASE Gold Award for Excellence
• Campaign cash donation goal met one year before campaign completion (January 2005)

Educationally

• Successful work in two educational settings: traditional age 18-24 year olds, primarily full time on the main campus (fall of 2004, 90% of students under age 25), and working adults, primarily part time in Professional Studies and graduate studies
• Active academic review supports continual adjustment of programs
• Campus academic division structure supports division chair leadership, planning and budgeting
• Highest five-year graduation rate for all colleges and universities in Kansas for main campus students; second in state among four-year graduation rates (www.collegeresults.org)
• Only school in Kansas to provide a mobile computing campus environment supporting the academic process (fall 2000, freshmen and sophomores receive laptops; fall 2002, all students have laptops and campus installs wireless internet access)
• Academic engagement surveys show student-faculty learning above national norms in all areas
• Several programs win national awards – Beta Beta Beta, Leadership, SIFE
• Online learners now located in 48 states and 20 countries
• A new Professional Studies site located in Oklahoma City (open January 2005)
• Five master's programs developed and operating: master of business administration; master of education (special education); master of science in leadership; master of arts in specialized ministry; master of science in security administration
• Admitted to Academic Quality Improvement Program
• Successfully completed specialized accreditation reviews in teacher education, education of young children, nursing, music, and athletic training
• Selected for eArmyU participation
• Online courses for high school students offered

Enrollment

• Professional Studies achieves impressive growth (fall 2000, 648 course enrollments; spring 2005, 1,000+ course enrollments )
• Main campus surpasses diversity targets of 15% underrepresented populations, with 17.7% enrolled in fall 2004
• Main campus maintains a balanced male-female ratio and balanced male-female graduation rates
• Enrollment targets, financial aid discounting, and tuition revenues accurately budgeted and attained
• Number of on-campus residents grows (fall 2000, 379; fall 2004, 397)
• Retention efforts reveal student satisfaction above national norms at an all-time high (source: Student Satisfaction Inventory)

Facilities and Technology

• Cole Hall completed ($4 million project, occupied in fall 2002)
• Mossman renovation completed ($1.5 million project, occupied in fall 2003)
• 77 Steps and Mound rebuilt (2004, 2006)
• Wireless network to complement laptops installed (fall 2002)
• SCT administrative software conversion completed
• Wireless network expanded to all campus housing units
• Funding for library renovation secured, work underway and to be completed summer 2008
• Drive underway to plant 125 new trees on campus by 2010 celebration of the college's 125th anniversary

Faculty and Staff

• A wide range of human resource functions now in place. Improvements in employee surveys, new employee orientation, job description and performance review being formulated
• Increased investment in professional training and development

Thanks to all who have participated in the planning process at Southwestern College, and in the implementation of the plan. Many thanks to the college’s donors, whose support has aided the college. Your commitment and hard work are building a better Southwestern.

Dick Merriman, president
May 2007