New bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a new forward-thinking general education curriculum, a new sport, new facility updates, new faces. We certainly have a lot to look forward to for the new academic year. Here are some highlights:
Archways general education curriculum. The new curriculum replaces the 16-year-old “Preparing for Global Citizenship” curriculum. Students no longer choose general education classes from several large categories. The Archways curriculum connects learning across all academic departments. Students choose one to two “threads” and take courses in two to four disciplines within each thread, meaning students will see connections through all learning experiences.
New BSN degree. Undergraduates interested in nursing can now earn a bachelor of science in nursing while participating in the liberal arts college experience. The first cohort of nursing students will take pre-requisite courses this year then begin their nursing classes next year, with an anticipated graduation of May 2018. Plans are underway for a skills lab that will include patient care beds, an exam room, classrooms and manikins to provide hands-on experience. NWU will also partner with area hospitals, and students will get clinical experience in urban and rural settings.
Dining hall renovation. Students will return to a dining hall that looks more like a restaurant than a cafeteria. New wall colors, carpet, tables, chairs and booths surrounded by televisions and NWU memorabilia will add to students’ residential experience. A grand opening will be held August 25th when new names for the dining hall and coffee house will also be announced.
Master’s Degrees. Nebraska Wesleyan’s new MBA begins this fall and enrollment has exceeded expectations in Lincoln and Omaha. Weekly classes meet in eight-week sessions. Students choose from tracks in traditional MBA, health care management, leadership, design your own, and accounting. Students use real case studies and work alongside mentors at local businesses and organizations. Along with the MBA launch, NWU will offer the state’s only joint MSN-MBA degree. Nurses who have already earned their MSN can earn an MBA in the new MSN to MBA Bridge Program. Other new adult programs this year include degrees in health science and organizational leadership.
New Omaha Location. The ceremonial red ribbon has been cut and classes are well underway at our new Omaha site, atop the seventh floor of the First National Bank Building, located near 140th and Dodge. The new site provides over 12,000 square feet of classroom and study space, administrative offices, and space for alumni events and undergraduate activities.
Gardner Foundation Strength Complex. Completion of the strength complex was made possible by a $99,964 grant from the Gardner Foundation. Student athletes are using new weights and strength equipment that are personalized with Prairie Wolves colors and logos. The strength complex will be dedicated later this fall.
New Swimming Program. Men’s and women’s swimming will compete for the first time as a varsity sport. Greg Fleming, who served as the head boy’s and girl’s swimming and diving coach at Lincoln East High School for 29 years, is the Prairie Wolves’ new coach. Competition begins in October.
New Faces. Bill Motzer joins Nebraska Wesleyan University as Vice President for Enrollment Management. He leads the university’s enrollment planning, admissions, financial aid, retention, and marketing and communication efforts. For the past 22 years he served Lake Forest College, an independent liberal arts college located north of Chicago. T.J. McDowell has been hired as the Assistant Dean of Students for Multicultural Programs and Community Connections. He most recently served as the graduation initiative coordinator at Lincoln Public Schools. New full-time faculty include Steven Hegemann, Business Administration/Economics/Accounting Department, Melissa Donovick, Psychology Department, Amy Spears, Music Department, Marin Nader, Political Science Department, Kellie Long, Nursing, and Joshua Cohen, Theatre Department. Dale Wellman has been hired as the full-time men’s head basketball coach.
Happy 40th Anniversary! William Wyman, Director of Choral Activities, will celebrate his 40th year at NWU with an alumni reunion concert at homecoming. The concert will be held on Sunday, October 12 at 3 p.m. in O’Donnell Auditorium. The Psychology Department also celebrates a long-standing milestone this year: the 40th year of the Xtreme Rat Challenge, formerly known as the Rat Olympics. This year’s event will include the traditional events: hurdles, rope climb, tightrope walk, long jump, wall climb and lever press as well as a special 40th anniversary event, the Wesleyan warrior rat dash. The event will be held on November 25 at 3 p.m.
100 Years. The Prairie Wolves football team will meet up with the Doane Tigers for the 100th time. The big game takes place on Saturday, October 4 at 1 p.m. in Crete. The day will include an NWU tailgate event, an All-Time Team, and special commemorative t-shirts.