Top News of 2016: A Look Back at the Year’s Best Moments from Westminster

Fall at Westminster with Westminster Hall in the background

As 2016 draws to a close, here’s a look at what the Westminster family celebrated throughout this year.

Westminster College Named to Top Ten of Most Focused American College International Studies Programs

The data-driven national education firm, College Factual, in partnership with USA Today newspaper, named Westminster 9th out of all 236 college and university programs ranked nationwide for 2016.

Westminster College Ranks Third in Nation for Most Focused Undergraduate Science Programs

College Factual, in partnership with USA Today, named Westminster 3rd out of all 536 college and university programs ranked nationwide for most focused in the fields of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology.

Celebration of the 70th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s visit to Westminster

On March 5, 2016, Westminster College (Fulton, MO) marked the 70th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech with a look at the relevance of Churchill’s leadership today. A new “Iron Curtain” is falling across America, creating a self-inflicted wall of intolerance in violation of the Churchill’s leadership principals.

More stories from the anniversary celebration:

A Conversation with the NSA: Speech by Richard Ledgett

Churchill Weekend with Garry Kasparov

“Churchill’s Legacy: A Speech to Save the World,” by Lord Watson

New Sports and Entertainment Business Management Degree

Starting fall 2016, students can pursue a degree in sports and entertainment business management administered by one of the region’s top sports and entertainment industry leaders, Jack Croghan.

Adults Offered New Degree Program to “Finish Up”

Adults with some college credit who would like to complete their degree can now do so and gain college credit for their work experience with the new “Finish Up” program.

Soyinka Urges Grads to Fight Complacency

Renowned Nigerian political activist, playwright, poet, author, teacher and Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka used President Obama’s 2008 campaign theme to remind graduating seniors of their responsibility to never be complacent in life, their careers, and in guiding the nation’s political future.

Westminster Partners with Washington University on Accelerated Master’s Degree in Accounting

Westminster College students will have a new and accelerated pathway to earn a Master’s degree in Accounting from one of the top business schools in the country, thanks to an agreement between Westminster and Washington University’s Olin Business School in St. Louis, MO.

Marsh’s Million Dollar Gift Establishes Economic Chair

An estate gift of one million dollars from the late Westminster alumnus John Marsh,‘49 and his late wife Joyce has endowed a new Chair of Economics at the College.

Bill and Judy Blank Pay Westminster Back

Westminster students wanting to attend medical school will benefit greatly from the new Dr. William and Judith Blank Pre-Med Scholarship.

Westminster Women’s Basketball Named #2 in Nation on Academic Honor Roll

The Westminster College women’s basketball team earned the rank of second in the nation on the academic honor roll compiled annually by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

Westminster Family Members Come Home for President’s First Alumni Retreat

Westminster’s inaugural President’s Summer Alumni Retreat was a resounding success as 83 Blue Jays came home to campus July 29 to 31 to engage with their alma mater. Read below for a look at the event through the eyes of Serena Lowe ’97.

Alumni Lead Efforts for Professorship

A group of Westminster alumni have come forward to secure commitments of over $1 million to endow the Dr. John Langton Professorship of Legal Studies and Political Science.

Westminster in Top 5 Percent of Best American Colleges for the Money

Westminster College has been ranked among the top five percent of the “Best Colleges for the Money for 2017” among all American colleges and universities, by College Factual and USA Today.

Internationally Recognized Pathologist Calls NFL Initiative a Sham at Hancock Symposium

Dr. Bennet Omalu, the forensic pathologist who identified and named a brain disease directly related to high impact sports, called the National Football League’s Play Smart. Play Safe initiative a sham during a the annual Green Foundation Lecture at the 2016 Hancock Symposium.

Westminster Launches First Missouri Division III Wrestling Program

Westminster College has introduced the first NCAA Division III collegiate women’s and men’s wrestling programs in Missouri for the 2017-18 school year. Brothers Tony and Mike Eierman have been hired by the College to coach the two teams.

What was your favorite Westminster moment from 2016? Tell us in the comments!

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This is the editorial account for Westminster College news team. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or comments.