Waldorf University
43°15′48″N 93°38′24″W / 43.263365°N 93.639992°W
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Former names | Waldorf College |
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Motto | Lux et Veritas |
Motto in English | Light and Truth |
Type | Private for-profit |
Established | 1903 |
Affiliation | Columbia Southern University |
President | Robert Alsop, Ph.D. |
Academic staff | 71 |
Students | 4500 |
Location | , , United States |
Campus | Rural, 50 acres |
Colors | Purple and gold[1] |
Nickname | Warriors |
Sporting affiliations | NAIA – North Star Athletic Association |
Website | www |
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Waldorf University is a private for-profit university in Forest City, Iowa.[2] It was founded in 1903 and for most of its life was a non-profit college associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its predecessors. In 2010, it was sold to Columbia Southern University and became a for-profit institution.
History
Waldorf University, founded in 1903 as Waldorf College, was a result of "The Great Hotel War of Forest City", a competitive battle between Forest City's two upper-class hotels, which were built at the same time. The end result was the Waldorf Hotel being left vacant after only four months of operation. The vacant hotel provided an opportunity for Rev. C.S. Salveson to create a Christian college. Waldorf started out as an academy and business college, not just a preparatory program for future pastors. From its earliest days, Waldorf viewed education sponsored by the church as essential for success in society.[3]
Since 1920, Waldorf's curriculum has evolved to reflect a liberal arts emphasis. Today almost all Waldorf students intend to earn a bachelor's degree. In the spring of 1994, Waldorf (College) was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.[3] In January 2010, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sold the college to a subsidiary of Columbia Southern University and it became a for-profit institution.[4] Waldorf College became Waldorf University in March 2016.[5]
Accreditation
Waldorf University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).[6][7] It is a member of the Council of Independent Colleges and the Council of Higher Education Accreditation.
Academics
Admissions
According to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report, Waldorf University is considered "less selective" and had an admissions acceptance rate of 72%.[8] Peterson's - The Real Guide to Colleges and Universities ranked Waldorf College admission as being moderately difficult.[9]
Academic program
Waldorf University offers associate, bachelor, and master's degree programs, as well as several undergraduate certificate options and online career-prep programs.[10][11]
Honor societies
Waldorf University is home to Iowa Iota, Chapter 364 of Region IV of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. Alpha Chi is a national college honor society that admits, by invitation, college juniors, seniors and graduate students in any academic discipline who are in the top 10% of their class.[12]
Waldorf University Theatre is home to the Alpha Epsilon Omega cast of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society (APO). Waldorf University is also an active member in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.[13]
The university is also home to the Alpha Iota Lambda chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda, the is the oldest and largest national honor society for non-traditional students.[14]
Athletics
Waldorf University teams are known as the Warriors. The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in the North Star Athletic Association. The Warriors formerly competed in the Midwest Collegiate Conference and Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.[15] Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling.
The Waldorf Warriors Football team represents the university in college football.
The Waldorf Warriors Men's Soccer team represents the university in college soccer. They play in the North Star Athletic Association conference which is a part of the Association of Independence Institutions independent conference. Waldorf Warriors Men's Soccer are the current champions of the Association of Independence Institutions conference having beat Georgia Gwinnett College Men's Soccer in 2017 to claim their first conference title in the sport.
The Waldorf University Cheerleaders are a competitive squad recognized for all-female stunting routines. The university expanded athletics in 2010 by adding men's ice hockey and women's wrestling.[16] The ice hockey began play during the 2011–12 academic year and plays an independent schedule of club programs, as the NAIA does not currently sponsor a championship for ice hockey.[17] The program is coached by Brett Shelanski, former head coach at Minnesota Flying Aces junior A team.[18] The college launched Iowa's first collegiate women's wrestling program in 2010.[19]
Notable alumni
- Brad Anderson, CEO of Best Buy; received his A.A. from Waldorf College in 1969
- Bob Backlund, former professional wrestler; twice wrestling All-American
- Ian Beckles, football player in the NFL
- Greg Davids, Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Rebecca Fjelland Davis, novelist and college instructor
- Karl Dehesa, professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association
- Jeff Martin, Midwest Correspondent for USA Today
- Josh Neer, wrestler; current mixed martial artist, formerly for the Ultimate Fighting Championship[20]
- Lazaro Nyalandu, Tanzanian Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism
- Henry Waechter, former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, and Washington Redskins[21]
References
- ^ Waldorf University Brand Standards Interactive. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
- ^ "About Us". www.waldorf.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
- ^ a b "History". www.waldorf.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
- ^ "Waldorf College Sold, No Longer Affiliated with ELCA". Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. January 13, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ AJ Taylor (2016-03-17). "Waldorf College is Changing It's [sic] Name Today – Mix 107.3 KIOW". Kiow.com. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
- ^ "Accreditation & Licensure". www.waldorf.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
- ^ Yost, by Rae. "Waldorf College reaches a gold standard". Mason City Globe Gazette. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
- ^ "Waldorf College | Best College | US News". colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
- ^ "Waldorf College in Forest City, IA - Find information about admissions, tuition, majors and campus life at Petersons.com". Petersons's. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
- ^ "Academics". www.waldorf.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
- ^ "Programs of Study". www.waldorf.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
- ^ "List of Chapters by Region – Alpha Chi". Alpha Chi National College Honorary. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ "Get Involved with Theatre". Waldorf University. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ "Chapter Directory". Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ "Members". Midwest Collegiate Conference. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
- ^ "Waldorf to Launch Hockey Team". Waldorf College. September 22, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
- ^ Yost, Rae (September 16, 2010). "Waldorf College adds hockey program". Forest City Summit. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
- ^ Dyrdal, Andrew (August 27, 2011). "Waldorf hockey hires new coach". Albert Lea Tribune. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
- ^ "Waldorf College launches new women's wrestling program". Access News. 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
- ^ "Josh Neer MMA Bio". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ^ "Henry Waechter". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.