Morthland College
 | |
| Motto | Lux Beneficium Veritas |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Light, Service, and Truth |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 2009 |
| Affiliation | Christian |
| President | Tim Morthland, MD, PhD |
| Students | approx. 300 |
| Undergraduates | approx. 300 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Small City |
| Colors | Forrest Green, Crimson |
| Nickname | Patriots |
| Website | www.morthland.edu |
Morthland College (MC) was a private Classical Christian Liberal Arts college in West Frankfort, Illinois, United States. The school was founded in 2009 by Dr. Tim Morthland and opened in 2011 as a small, co-educational liberal arts college. The college had an initial enrollment of forty students and now is host to 300-400 students both traditional and online. The school confers degrees in Biblical Studies, Biological Sciences, Classics, Computer Information Systems and Business Administration, as well as minors in Christian Counseling, Ministry Training, Music Ministry and Worship, Accounting, and Management. Morthland College athletic teams are known as the Patriots. The college is a member of the NCCAA in the Division-I Mid-East Region.
In January of 2017 the United States Department of Education and state investigators began investigating the college for financial irregularities.[1] As a result, the college is closing and will not open for the fall semester of 2018.[2]
Academics
Morthland College offers the Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biblical Studies, Classics, Biological Sciences, Computer Information Systems and Business Administration within a Classical and Christian framework. The college also offers minors in Christian Counseling, Ministry Training, Music Ministry and Worship, Accounting, and Management. Most courses are offered in the traditional classroom-based learning; however, Morthland College does offer several classes online.
Morthland College was approved to operate with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) in 2011 and received full accreditation by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) in April 2014. TRACS is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).
In the fall of 2013, Morthland College was approved by the United States Department of Education to disburse Pell Grants, Direct, and Indirect Student Loans. The college also disburses the GI Bill through the state of Illinois.
The college expanded its facilities to include Washington Hall, Coleman-Rhoads Hall, and Whitfield Hall in its first four years of operation. In 2015 a private investor, Brad McMillin Inc., constructed Mount Vernon House student dorm that can house 98 students. In 2015 the college officially launched their online programs who now serve 300-400 additional students.
Athletics
The Morthland College Athletic Department was launched in fall 2012 with the Patriot as its official mascot. The Morthland College Patriots compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in the Mid-East Region.[3] As of Fall 2013, the athletic department included Men's Basketball, Baseball, Football, and Wrestling. Women's sports include Softball, Volleyball, and Basketball. In 2015, the men's basketball team won the Christian College National Invitational Tournament (CCNIT) under the leadership of Coach Rich Herrin.
On May 17, 2017, school trustees voted to shutter the athletic program in its entirety.
References
- ^ Smith, Issac (September 25, 2017). "Morthland College investigated by state, federal agencies; fined millions over alleged mishandling of federal funds". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Isaac (May 26, 2018). "Morthland College is closing, according to an attorney for the West Frankfort school". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
- ^ Spitler, Pete (June 15, 2012). "Birth of a program, Morthland College laying foundation for sports teams". The Southern. Retrieved December 16, 2012.