Westminster University: A Comprehensive Overview
Nestled amidst the stunning Wasatch Mountains, Westminster University stands as a private, comprehensive institution with strong liberal arts underpinnings in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 1875, the university offers a welcoming, socially relaxed culture and a wide array of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
A History of Growth and Adaptation
Westminster University's journey began as the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute, a preparatory school established in 1875. In 1897, it started offering college classes under the name Sheldon Jackson College. The institution adopted the name Westminster College in 1902, aiming to reflect a more general Protestant education, drawing inspiration from the Westminster Confession of Faith. By 1945, high school-level classes were discontinued, and Westminster became the first accredited two-year junior college in the intermountain area. While originally affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, Westminster welcomes students of all religions since severing its official ties in 1974. Initially situated in downtown Salt Lake City, the college relocated to its current 27-acre campus in the Sugar House neighborhood in 1911, thanks to a donation from Civil War veteran Colonel William M. Emigration Creek gracefully traverses the campus, adding to its scenic appeal.
Recognizing the need to expand and integrate with the surrounding Sugar House community, the sixteenth president, Michael S. Bassis, spearheaded the acquisition of the Garfield School to the east, with plans to transform it into an arts center. Bassis also arranged for Westminster to occupy space at the Draw, a seven-story building located across from Sugar House Park.
Academics: Rigor and Collaboration
Westminster University emphasizes theory and practice in its academic and co-curricular programs. Undergraduates appreciate the "very rigorous academic load" and a collaborative environment that fosters "academic empowerment" rather than competition. The university comprises four schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business, the School of Education, and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Westminster offers 38 undergraduate majors conferring BS, BBA, BA, and BFA degrees, which do not include its customized majors and pre-med, pre-law, and pre-dental programs. Westminster University recently launched a new program within the Gore School of Business focusing on training students to be entrepreneurs. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
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The university's faculty is described as "attentive and understanding," with professors being "very accessible" and willing to meet with students outside of regular office hours. Students generally consider professors to be "experts in their fields" and "extremely knowledgeable." However, some concerns have been raised regarding the commitment of adjunct professors. The small campus and class sizes facilitate close interactions between students and professors, as well as among classmates. Despite its size, Westminster provides abundant resources, including hands-on research opportunities, internships, study abroad programs, and conferences.
U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked Westminster in its "Best Colleges" guide.
Campus Life and Culture
The culture at Westminster University is welcoming and socially relaxed. Students describe a mix of artistic and intellectual individuals who are driven by learning. There is also a strong awareness of social issues, with students readily engaging in conversations about topics such as gender bias and cultural inequality. The university has over 70 campus clubs and organizations. The Associated Students of Westminster is the student association on campus. The school newspaper is a bi-weekly called "The Forum". There is also a nationally recognized literary journal known as Ellipsis.
Admissions and Financial Aid
Westminster University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. For first-year students, a complete application includes an application for admission, high school transcripts, and either test scores or a personal essay. Transfer students with fewer than 60 college credits must also submit a high school transcript when applying.
Fifty-one percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $26,457.
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Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor activities are a significant draw for students at Westminster. With six ski resorts located within a half-hour drive, snowboarding and skiing are popular pastimes. In fact, some students are so passionate about skiing that it becomes their primary focus.
Athletics
The Westminster athletic teams are called the Griffins. The university is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) for most of its sports since the 2015-16 academic year (which they were a member on a previous stint from 1967-68 to 1978-79 before suspending its athletics program); while its men's and women's alpine skiing teams compete in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA) affiliated with the NCAA. Westminster competes in 15 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include alpine ski, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include alpine ski, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track & field and volleyball. More than 50 Olympians have pursued their educational aspirations at Westminster, earning degrees along with 10 medals. The Griffins have competed in at least four Winter Olympic Games.
Notable Alumni
Westminster University boasts a diverse and accomplished alumni network, including:
- Richard D. Wood: Eminent molecular biologist.
- Geoff Stradling: Composer and pianist.
- Kaitlyn Farrington: Snowboarding gold medalist at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Leadership
Westminster University has had nineteen presidents since its founding; the current president, Bethami Dobkin, was appointed in July 2018.
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