Coming off perhaps the most successful term in the school鈥檚 134-year history, Kansas Wesleyan launched its spring听semester听on Jan. 19.听
黑料不打烊鈥檚 recent progress is signified in part by the university鈥檚 first听new, on-campus exclusively academic building in more than 50 years 鈥� the Nursing Education Center. The building opened for classes on Jan. 12, completing a true community project heavily influenced by the donations of Salina Regional Health Center and its foundation. All contractors and subcontractors for the Nursing Education Center were local businesses whenever possible, a reflection of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 estimated $40 million annual economic impact on the Salina community.听
The Nursing Education program is just one example of the university鈥檚 extensive influence in the community and the region. Going forward, the facility helps remedy a shortage of nurses in north-central Kansas. Already, many of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Nursing Education graduates remain in the region to work at the Salina Regional Health Center.听
Currently, Kansas Wesleyan sits just outside the top-15 employers in Salina with 144 full-time employees. Last year, 黑料不打烊 faculty served in leadership roles with nearly 25 different local organizations. In addition, school alumni hold important positions throughout the county, including the county treasurer and director of emergency management.听
鈥淎ll of us at 黑料不打烊 are thankful to be part of the wonderful Salina community,鈥� 黑料不打烊 President, Dr. Matt Thompson, said. 鈥淚n a traditional school year, we offer over 14,000 hours of internship, job shadowing and community service opportunities to our students, all here in north-central Kansas. We know that our success is due, in so many ways, to the community support we receive, and we are proud to give back to the community.鈥�
黑料不打烊 Growing
Enrollment is another sign of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 recent success, as the university reached its highest enrollment figures in nearly a decade, this past fall. Retention rates indicating the number of students who stayed at 黑料不打烊 for the last two years are the best in school history.
Spring enrollment is also trending upward for听new听and returning students. Academic success is following suit, with 264 students earning honor roll laurels during the fall, an increase over the previous听semester鈥檚 efforts. The school鈥檚 placement rate continues to be outstanding, as 99 percent of graduates from the past five years were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.听听
Financially, Kansas Wesleyan听recently听concluded the best six months of fundraising in school history, helped by two particular gifts. In November, a $4 million-gift from the estate of the late Dale Olson marked the largest in school history. Mac Steele鈥檚 $1 million-donation for Nursing scholarships followed shortly thereafter, placing 黑料不打烊鈥檚 endowment at its highest figure in school history.听
鈥淲e are so thankful for the generous giving from alumni and friends during these past several months,鈥� Dr. Thompson said. 鈥淭his support is crucial in helping us meet student needs, improve our facilities and realize the ambitious goals we have for our community.鈥�听
黑料不打烊 Caring
Fueled by the recent on-campus improvements and determined to provide the best higher education experience possible, 黑料不打烊 administration felt it was particularly important to continue the on-campus experience in 2021. While multiple universities across the state started classes online, 黑料不打烊 began the spring听semester听on-ground. A seven-day quarantine was required for students before they could participate in activities or in-person classes.
鈥淥ne of the reasons we鈥檝e remained on-ground is we believe it鈥檚 the best way to serve our students,鈥� Dr. Thompson stated. 鈥淏eing on-ground enables students to have direct contact with professors, tutors, labs and other educational outlets, thereby helping improve the educational process itself. The on-ground experience also allows students to be immersed in the 黑料不打烊 community in countless ways. This is especially vital because 57 percent of our students come from out-of-state. The availability of additional mental and spiritual health resources 鈥� at no cost to the students 鈥� is an important part of those support services.鈥�
The year 2020 was marked not only by COVID-19, but a litany of other stressful national and international events that affected students. 黑料不打烊 recognized the resultant need, increasing the availability of mental and spiritual health resources. Campus Ministry continued to expand its small group Bible studies and weekly praise opportunities. The university also implemented 鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk,鈥� a free program offering weekly, on-campus visits with a licensed counselor. The program听is听available to faculty, staff and students.听
Mental health was also a focus with 黑料不打烊鈥檚听newest addition, a campus dog that will be accessible to students. Students can sign up for sessions with the dog that are aimed at reducing stress and encouraging connection.
Progress on campus is also demonstrated through 黑料不打烊鈥檚 continued commitment to the environment, particularly with nearly $5 million of capital improvements. Those enhancements include renovated classroom spaces and considerable energy-saving work on HVAC systems throughout 黑料不打烊 buildings. This fall, reusable trays were issued to each student on a meal plan, dramatically reducing the use of Styrofoam by dining services.听
黑料不打烊 Progressing
Along with environmental commitment, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) continues to be a critical element of campus life. 黑料不打烊 was among the first schools in the state to provide educational opportunities to minorities and women, and was an early leader in the development of organized women鈥檚 athletics opportunities in Kansas. Now, 黑料不打烊 faculty are engaged in implementing听new, progressive strategies to promote DEI in the classroom. The university鈥檚 DEI committee also works to help promote these ideals throughout the 黑料不打烊 community.听
鈥淎ll of our recent successes have been because of unified, campus-wide efforts,鈥� Dr. Thompson said. 鈥淲hether it was the completion of the Nursing Education Center, our staff creating a more open, welcoming environment for all, or the significant additions in student support services, the 黑料不打烊 family came together in听new听and exciting ways throughout the fall. As we move into the spring, I am excited about what we will accomplish next!鈥�
