Dr. Darrin Good became the 17th President of Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2019. He is a native of Illinois. Nebraska Wesleyan University is an academic community dedicated to intellectual and personal grwoth within the context of a liberal arts education in an environment of Christian Concern. Dr. Good said the University has a long tradition of changing lives through academic excellence, impractical experiences, and highly impressive outcomes. Nebraska Wesleyan provides a more holistic environment that goes beyond classroom learning. Nebraska Wesleyan is a small college that affirms its commitment to provide programs, resources, and policies that broaden perspectives on humanity and its diverse cultural expressions locally, nationally and internationally.
Dr. Good expects about 1,600 to 1.625 students this fall. One third of these are athletes. There are no athletic scholarships given. All scholarships given are for academics. Each year they sent out a survey to graduates about employment to see what they are currently doing. About 90% of these graduates are full-time employed.
Since March 2020, during the Void-19 pandemic hit, the students at Nebraska Wesleyan were on Spring Break. They asked the students to take an extra week of Spring Break so that faculty and staff could figure out how classes could resume on-line. This fall, they hope that all students will be able to return to the campus. The classes will be small, with some classes still going on-line. They have a group of faculty and staff who are working hard to make the classroom experience, the dorms, and the complete campus a safe environment for the student while attending Nebraska Wesleyan. The group has been working with health professionals, and Nebraska Health Department to make sure they are following all guidelines necessary to keep the campus environment safe for these students.
A few years ago Nebraska Wesleyan built a new Science Hall with a donation from the Acklie family, which is called the Acklie Hall of Science. When this building was finished their was no debt because through other donations it was totally paid off. Nebraska Wesleyan University is financially stable. If you were to send a child to Nebraska Wesleyan it would cost you about $48,000 per year (which includes tuition and board/room). The Scholarships that these students receive usually cover the expenses and after their graduation leave them with very little debt. Nebraska Wesleyan has the second highest graduation rate, where Creighton University is first.
Nebraska Wesleyan offers classes to high school students, which can be applied toward a college degree. There are about 2,000 students who take advantage of this program each year. The University also has a program for someone who originally started college, had to drop out before completing their courses, and later wants to come back to finish that degree. They also have scholarships that can also help that individual with their cost to get that degree finished.
The spiritual connection is through the United Methodist Church and many students do community service projects through the United Methodist or through other organizations that they might come in contact with who need help. There is a professor who holes a chapel service each week and a Bible Study which students can attend.
Nebraska Wesleyan University's Vision Statement says: "It will be an outstanding national liberal arts university, where the educational experience transforms each student to lead a life of learning, service, leadership, and success in a diverse world."