BETHANY COLLEGE
Bethany, West Virginia
The College
Bethany, a four-year private liberal arts college, is the oldest degree-granting institution of higher learning in West Virginia. The College was founded in 1840 by Alexander Campbell, educator, Christian reformer, celebrated debater, author, agriculturist, and businessman. Since its inception, Bethany has been affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This religious body, of which Campbell was one of the principal founders, continues to support and encourage the College, although it exercises no sectarian control.
The student body represents a broad spectrum of economic, social, and religious backgrounds. Students from twenty-two states, the District of Columbia, and fourteen other countries live in the College's small chalet-style residences in the hills, overlooking the College and in larger dormitories in the heart of the campus. Campbell Village, Bethany's newest residential community, provides suite-style living. These residence halls also provide quarters for Bethany's five national fraternities and three national sororities.
Bethany's student union houses an activities area, a spacious lounge, an art gallery, and the College bookstore. Intercollegiate activities involve more than 44 percent of the men and women on campus. Approximately 40 percent of the students participate in intramural sports. There are forty clubs, organizations, and student groups. Student theater, choir, jazz, and wind ensembles offer numerous concerts and programs. The College brings an array of nationally known speakers and entertainers to the campus for in-depth conferences and seminars on current topics.
Townspeople, consisting mainly of faculty and staff families, are closely involved with the 900 Bethany students. Faculty-student interaction is natural in this environment and student-administration relations are friendly and informal. Student input is sought in both academic and extracurricular matters.
Location
The 1,600-acre campus is located in the Allegheny foothills in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, 2 miles from Pennsylvania and 5 miles from Ohio. The center of the Wheeling metropolitan area is 15 miles away, and Pittsburgh is 44 miles to the northeast. The Bethany community has a rich history, and the College has gained national recognition by having five sites placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two sites are National Historic Landmarks. The cultural activities and attractions of Pittsburgh and Wheeling are readily available, as are professional sporting events. Parks and museums, as well as a zoo, are just a few miles away. Bethany's location combines the advantages of a rural campus with proximity to a metropolitan community.
Majors and Degrees
Bethany College confers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Major work is offered in accounting, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, communication (with options for emphasis in advertising, electronic media, graphics, print media, and public relations), computer science, economics (with options for emphasis in financial economics, international economics, and managerial economics), education (elementary education, middle childhood education and secondary education through individual department programs, and education in a nonschool setting), English, environmental science, environmental studies, equine studies, fine arts, French, German, history, interdisciplinary studies, international relations, mathematics, music, philosophy, physical education and sports studies (with options for emphasis on sports communication, sports management, sports services and teaching physical education), physics, political communication, political science, psychology (with options for emphasis in scientific psychology, human services and prephysical therapy), psychology and education, religious studies, social studies, social work, Spanish, theater arts (with options for emphasis in acting and technical theater), and visual art.
Students may include as part of their program of study one or more of the thirty-two optional minors offered.
Preprofessional study is available in engineering, the medical and health professions, law, ministry, and prephysical therapy.
Academic Programs
Bethany provides a four-year liberal arts education that combines freedom in designing individual programs with sufficient structure to ensure depth, breadth, and integration of knowledge. This plan includes a first-year seminar program, a writing requirement, a senior project, a senior comprehensive examination with oral and written parts, a seminar in biblical literature, a wellness course, a creative arts experience, and a foreign language requirement.
The academic calendar includes two 15-week semesters and a Mayterm. The fall semester begins in late Augustand ends before Christmas; the spring semester is from mid-Januaryto late April. Students may choose to use the Mayterm for intensive study on campus or for working off campus. Some courses are offered for the full fifteen weeks, others for the first or second half of the semester. This division provides additional flexibility for students involved in off-campus study and internships. The College's Office of Career and Professional Development offers placement, interviewing, and counseling services.
Off-Campus Programs
Special arrangements with Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University, and Washington University in St. Louis provide opportunities for students interested in engineering. Students in history, political science, or economics can participate in a West Virginia legislative program and a semester in Washington, D.C.
Bethany's study-abroad programs are at the Pdagogische Hochschule in Heidelberg, Germany; the Sorbonne program in Paris; the Seigakuin University program in Saitamaken, Japan; and the Spain program at the University of Navarra in Pamplona. Tuition and airfare allowance are included as part of the student's regular charges for most of these Bethany programs.
Exchange opportunities available through the consortium of East Central Colleges are those at the American College of Thessalonia, Greece; Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology in China; Blas Pascal University in Crdoba, Argentina; the Inter-American University in San Germn, Puerto Rico; Kansai Gadai University in Osaka, Japan; the University of Karlstad in Sweden; the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, Canada; the University of Qubec at any of its six campuses in Canada; and the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada.
Academic Facilities
The center for library services and resources is the T.W. Phillips Memorial Library, which also houses archives and special collections. The library assists in maintaining specialized library reading rooms for chemistry and law at other locations on campus. Other special facilities are a student-operated FM radio station and television station; student publication center; Kirkpatrick Hall, which has laboratories and classrooms for biology and psychology; Richardson Hall, which houses the computer center and facilities for chemistry, physics, and mathematics; and a modern recreation center. Steinman Fine Arts Center provides facilities for education, music, and theater and has a fully-equipped theater, teaching studios, studio-classrooms, a rehearsal room for choral and instrumental groups, and individual practice rooms. Mountainside Conference Center houses offices, seminar rooms, exhibition areas, and a circular conference room for education activities. The campus also maintains a high-speed fiber-optic network.
Costs
Tuition and fees for 200405 were $13,228; room ranged from $3960 to $4160, depending upon the particular housing arrangement; board was $3308. The Student Government Association fee was $394. The charge for tuition and fees includes tuition and activities and services such as athletics, health service, library, lectures, plays, concerts, publications, student union, student activities, and some laboratory services. It does not include the academic fees, course fees, music fees, and special fees.
Financial Aid
Bethany maintains an extensive scholarship and financial aid program. Approximately 90 percent of the College's students receive financial aid in the form of a package, which may include scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment. Awards are made on the basis of need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The College attempts to provide adequate aid to enable all qualified students to attend Bethany.
Faculty
The College has a dedicated and talented faculty of 63 full-time members, who encourage free discussion and independent thought. The College's relationship with the town of Bethany allows an easy interaction between students and faculty members. Often what is started in the classroom is finished outside of that classroom and insight often comes in the informal, after-class meetings between professor and student that are an integral part of the Bethany education.
Student Government
The Student Government Association, with representatives from all residence groups, manages a substantial budget and appropriate funds for diverse student activities. Student representatives are appointed to many faculty committees, including those concerned with curricula, cultural programs, calendars, athletics, religious life, international education, student life, and the library.
Admission Requirements
Bethany accepts applications for admission from candidates who feel they would benefit from a Bethany education and contribute to the campus community. Admission is competitive and is based on a careful review of all credentials presented by the candidates.
The College seeks students who have prepared themselves for a liberal arts curriculum by taking at least 15 units of college-preparatory work. Students who have completed individual programs (i.e., home schooling) will be given special evaluation by the Admission Committee. Prospective freshman students must take the SAT or the ACT examination.
Transfer and international students are welcome. Students who have received or will receive an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree are especially encouraged to apply.
An interview with an admission counselor is strongly recommended, but not required. Appointments for an on-campus interview, a tour of the College, and/or classroom visitations may be arranged through the Office of Admission. Students who are not able to visit the campus may be able to arrange for an interview with an admission counselor near their home.
Application and Information
Application for admission to the freshman class should be made during the final year of high school. Students are notified of their decisions by mail, beginning in Octoberand continuing throughout the year as completed applications are received.
To be considered for admission, students must submit an application for admission, an application fee ($25), an official secondary school transcript, one recommendation, and SAT or ACT scores. Supporting documents that might be of help in the admission process (e.g., poetry, plays, music, artwork, photography, and journalistic writings) may also be submitted.
Requests for further information should be sent to:
