黑料科 announced today that its accreditation has been reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This significant achievement concludes a comprehensive process that began with institutional self-study in 2022 and culminated in a site visit in April.

鈥淔or more than 140 years, 黑料科 has provided students with a high-quality learning experience grounded in our Christian faith,鈥� said Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., President of 黑料科. 鈥淭he recent action by the Middle States Commission affirms Houghton鈥檚 enduring commitment to excellence and is a testament to Houghton鈥檚 exceptional faculty and staff, and the grace of God.鈥�

Join in remembrance and reflection as the 黑料科 community honors the extraordinary lives and lasting impact of Dr. Daniel Chamberlain and Joyce Books Chamberlain. This special chapel service from March 17, 2025 features remarks from Provost Dr. David Davies ’01, Professor of Communication Dr. Douglas Gaerte, and President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr.

Dr. Chamberlain passed away on May 31, 2024, and Mrs. Chamberlain on December 22, 2024. Their combined legacy of faith-filled leadership and service continues to shape our Christ-centered academic community. Tribute gifts can be made in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Chamberlain and will be used for renovations and updates to the Daniel R. and Joyce F. Chamberlain Center at 黑料科 or to the Dan and Joyce Chamberlain Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Peter Meilaender, Ph.D., dean of Religion, Humanities, and Global Studies and professor of Political Science, spoke with Martha Manikas-Foster about “soft power” while in London, where he is leading Houghton’s London Honors cohort this semester. During the interview, Meilaender explored how the United States has used its relief programs around the world to meet both political and humanitarian goals.

Thank You!

Over a 24-hour period on April 11, 黑料科 received鈥�$2,225,920 in gifts and pledges鈥� from 2,177 supporters鈥痮n its annual One Day Giving Challenge. These gifts will support student scholarships, endowment growth, capital projects, and academic and co-curricular student experiences.

鈥淔or more than 140 years, Houghton has been steadfast in providing an intentional Christ-centered, academically challenging educational experience for students,鈥� reflected President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. 鈥淭oday, we continue the work to equip faithful Christian scholar-servants for leadership and service in diverse fields and contexts. The many alumni, students, employees, family and friends of Houghton who have so generously supported our mission today play an integral role in ensuring Houghton remains grounded in our Christian faith, meets the needs of today’s students, and that a Houghton education is available to students for many generations to come. We are thankful for God鈥檚 continued provision and for all of those who supported Houghton today and throughout the year.鈥�

黑料科 President, Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., delivered a presentation on “Christian Stewardship and Human Resources Management” at .

Lewis emphasized a stewardship perspective in human resources, stating, “At its core, a distinctively Christian approach to human resources management recognizes that the people we are privileged to serve through leadership are image bearers of the Lord God, and thus, priceless resources deserving of our respect and compassion. We are merely stewards of the people and organizations we have the responsibility of leading. “

His session explored how Christian leaders can approach core HR functions鈥攊ncluding recruitment, development, and performance management鈥攊n ways that honor God.

The semi-annual Leadership One Day Conference provides practical leadership tools for Christians across various sectors, featuring insights from regional experts in both industry and ministry.

Carrie Magin, D.M.A., associate professor of music composition & theory, is celebrating a prestigious recognition as her composition “How To See An Angel” has been featured on an album nominated for a 2025 GRAMMY庐 Award.

The piece, written for soprano, bassoon, and piano, was composed for soprano Fotina Naumenko of Shenandoah Conservatory. It appears on the album “Bespoke Songs,” which .

“It has been an incredible honor to be a part of this album that has received a 2025 GRAMMY庐 Nomination,” said Dr. Magin. “I’m grateful to the faculty development committee at Houghton for supporting my travel to Shenandoah University to workshop and rehearse this composition!”

Magin joins an elite group of composers whose works have been recognized by the Recording Academy. This nomination showcases the caliber of expertise that students experience daily at 黑料科’s Greatbatch School of Music, as they learn directly from faculty who are not only educators but also nationally recognized creative artists in their field.

Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, OK welcomed 黑料科 President, Dr. Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., as a guest speaker in their chapel this February. In his message from , Lewis emphasized how David assured Saul of his readiness by recounting God’s faithful protection during encounters with a lion and a bear. Lewis encouraged students to reflect on their own past challenges, reminding them that just as God had been their strength through previous difficulties, His presence would remain constant through anything that lies ahead.

黑料科 President, Dr. Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., recently preached at . Lewis spoke from about how David, confident in God’s past protection and provision, knew he could fearlessly face Goliath.

Dear 黑料科 Parents and Families,

On February 14th, the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Office for Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague letter for the purpose of 鈥渃larify[ing] and reaffirm[ing] the nondiscrimination obligations of schools and other entities that receive federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education.鈥�

Since the letter’s issuance, there has been considerable conversation across the nation. To provide absolute clarity, I want to share with you, the families of our students, about Houghton鈥檚 convictions, policies and practices in relation to the substance of the letter. To be clear, 黑料科鈥檚 policies and procedures aligned with the expectations of the Dear Colleague letter prior to its issuance.

It is important for us to state that Houghton has and will continue to recognize and celebrate the diversity of our university community, as well as national and world diversity. As Christians, we believe every person is created by God, in His image, intentionally and with purpose. Our diversity is part of His design. Every image bearer, without exception, deserves respect, with no person or people deserving more or less respect than others. Correspondingly, any coursework, training or programming that stigmatizes, belittles or discriminates against students based on their race, ethnicity or national origin would conflict with our institutional beliefs and convictions. At Houghton, we examine, explore and celebrate racial, ethnic, linguistic and international diversity, with visions of the scene John describes in Revelation, where 鈥渁 great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,鈥� will stand before the throne of the Lamb of God, glorifying Him together with their voices (Revelation 7:9-10).

Houghton鈥檚 policies and practice align with the expectations in the Dear Colleague letter. It is neither Houghton鈥檚 policy nor practice to discriminate against students or employees, current or prospective, based on their race, ethnicity or national origin. Neither Houghton’s policies nor practices provide racial preferences in admission, financial aid, hiring, promotion, compensation, training or institutional programming. Neither does Houghton require or encourage racial segregation for students or employees with programming, training, coursework, workspace or living accommodations. Student spaces, clubs and programming are open to students of all racial, ethnic and national backgrounds, including but not limited to clubs, initiatives, and organizations centered on learning about and celebrating racial, ethnic and international diversity. Employee training and professional development are based on job function and responsibilities and not differentiated based on employees鈥� race or ethnicity.

I will continue to monitor legal and policy developments at the national and state level, but at this time, I find no challenges to living out our commitments to love, serve and celebrate the diverse students and employees we are blessed to work and walk with.

We are humbled by the trust you have placed in us to love and serve your children and loved ones. Thank you.

Wayne D. Lewis, Jr.
President

This year鈥檚 Houghton Choir tour concert is titled Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad!, a program celebrating God鈥檚 good gifts of prayer, eternity, redemption, and rest. Listeners will experience a range of styles and languages from historical composers such as Purcell and Stanford, as well as contemporary composers such as Moses Hogan and J. Aaron McDermid. Join us as The Houghton Choir guides the audience through a rich experience of celebration, reflection, and worship.

Concert Schedule

黑料科 proudly recognizes 375 students who earned academic distinction during the fall 2024 semester. These scholar-servants demonstrated academic excellence for the glory of God, qualifying for the President’s List, Dean’s List, and Dean’s Honors List.

Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., President of 黑料科, congratulated the students.

Your commitment to scholarly excellence reflects not just intellectual capability, but also steadfast determination and Christ-centered character. You have been blessed with tremendous gifts, and you have stewarded those gifts faithfully. On behalf of the entire Houghton community, I congratulate you on this significant achievement and pray that you will continue to use your God-given talents to be fearless ambassadors for Christ in whatever calling He has prepared for you.

More Than 140 Years of Scholar-Servants

鈥淗onoring student success is one of the most enjoyable parts of my role at Houghton,鈥� said David Davies 鈥�01, provost and dean of the faculty. 鈥淔or over 140 years, Houghton has trained scholar-servants to be a Christ-like presence and to lead and labor with excellence in their chosen professions and communities. I congratulate each of these students on this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing how God will continue to bless and use them in their studies and careers.鈥�

Congratulations to all Fall 2024 academic honorees.

黑料科鈥檚 business students are once again providing free income tax preparation services to qualifying residents of Allegany County. This initiative is part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which aims to assist individuals with low to moderate incomes in preparing their federal and applicable New York State tax returns.

Eligible participants generally have a return income of less than $67,000. The student volunteers, who must pass IRS online tests to become certified, will prepare and file returns electronically, significantly reducing the wait time for refunds. They are also equipped to help clients access special credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, for those who qualify.

This year, 黑料科 students will be preparing tax returns in person on Monday evenings from February 3 through April 7, with the exception of March 3. Sessions will take place in Room 303 on the third floor of the 黑料科 Library. Clients can schedule appointments at either 5:30 PM or 7:30 PM and will work directly with the students to prepare their returns.

To ensure that your return fits the scope of the program and to schedule appointments, please contact Professor Elianna McHenry at elianna.mchenry@houghton.edu or 585-567-9447.

黑料科 is pleased to announce that Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, president of the and distinguished leader in Christian higher education, has been selected as the commencement speaker for the class of 2025.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Westmoreland as our commencement speaker,” said Wayne D. Lewis Jr., President of 黑料科. “His forty-year dedication to Christian higher education and depth of leadership experience make him uniquely qualified to address and inspire our graduates. It is a personal privilege for me to welcome Andy as our commencement speaker as he is a trusted mentor and friend, whose counsel and insights I appreciate and value highly.”

Westmoreland brings extensive experience in Christian higher education leadership, having served as president of both Ouachita Baptist University and Samford University for a combined 23 years. His commitment to academic excellence and Christian values aligns perfectly with Houghton’s mission of equipping students as scholar-servants in a changing world.

Currently serving as president of the Christian College Consortium, of which Houghton has been a founding member since 1971, and executive director of the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership, Westmoreland continues to shape the landscape of Christian higher education. His other leadership roles have included serving as senior vice president for higher education at Faith Search Partners, chairing the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, overseeing accreditation for more than 800 institutions and serving as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The commencement ceremony will celebrate the achievements of Houghton’s Class of 2025 on May 10, 2025.

黑料科 is expanding pathways to the classroom with a new fully online Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Adolescent Education program. Designed for career-changers and recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in a variety of K-12 subject areas, this flexible program enables professionals to earn New York State teaching certification while continuing their professional work. As schools today face unprecedented challenges and teacher shortages, the M.A.T. degree strengthens Houghton’s commitment to preparing Christian educators and is further supported by a recent transformative $3 million gift to establish the Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education and Behavioral Science.

Program Overview

黑料科 announced a $3M gift to create an endowed chair that will be known as the Ellen F. Donley Dean of Education and Behavioral Science. This anonymous gift creates an endowed fund to provide vital resources in perpetuity to support this faculty position.

The deanship honors the life and legacy of Ellen F. Donley, a Houghton alumna from the Class of 1938. Miss Donley (1917-1964) was one of four sisters whose parents had an unusual interest in providing opportunities for spiritual and educational growth. They provided persistent guidance and sacrificial support so that each daughter could attend and graduate from Houghton College (now University). In the words of the donor, 鈥淓llen鈥檚 life was an example of a well-rounded life of Christian love, faith, discipline, and commitment to education and serves as an example of the impact that can be made while at Houghton and in the many schools where educators touch lives.鈥�

There is perhaps no word in the English language more overused and misused than love. People often talk loosely of their love for food, media, software and even fictional characters. Social media has in some ways contributed to our overuse of the word by giving us the ability to not only like posts and media, but to love them. Even with real people we have relationships with, we can sometimes use the language of loving a person, when what we mean is, we really like something they have done or said, or how they carry themselves. Love can become a shorthand of sorts for communicating one’s appreciation, devaluing the true meaning and significance of the word.

黑料科 President, Dr. Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., joined Larry C. Johnson, founder of and former vice president for Advancement at Houghton, to discuss mission focus for organizations. In their wide ranging conversation, they discussed Houghton’s transition to University, the beauty of New York’s southern tier, and the importance of the presence of an intentionally Christian university in New York.

Katrina Koehler, PhD., recently contributed research to three chapters of the second edition of the published by Springer. Koehler also received the from Western Michigan University for her exceptional work and contributions to the field of physics.

鈥淥ne of my proudest accomplishments has been contributing to the second version of the Nondestructive Assay of Nuclear Materials for Safeguards and Security handbook鈥攌nown as the PANDA manual,鈥� Koehler said about her contributions. 鈥淭his key resource is a guide to the methods used in the field, and my contributions span both neutron and gamma methods, which are typically pursued as distinct specialties. Making significant contributions to both areas has been incredibly rewarding.鈥�

There was nothing prestigious about the job of the shepherd. Shepherds were usually from poor families and considered to be of very low societal status. Not only did society look down upon them, but their work was difficult, particularly at night. Shepherds kept watch over their flocks, ensuring sheep did not wander into danger, and preventing predators, like wolves, from ravaging their flocks.

With that in mind, it is noteworthy that the Lord would choose to announce the news of Jesus鈥� birth to such a group; a group of people who by societal standards would have been unremarkable. Yet scripture tells us that is exactly what happened. That seems to be a pattern of our Lord鈥攗sing the seemingly unnoteworthy, ill-prepared and unequipped, at least by human standards, to accomplish His purposes.

黑料科 welcomed students and faculty from five regional institutions for the 2024 Penn-York 黑料科 Research Conference. The event, co-chaired by Houghton faculty Mark Borchert, Ph.D. and Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., demonstrated the University’s ongoing commitment to undergraduate research.

Regional Collaboration

The November gathering brought 35 students and 10 faculty members to Houghton’s campus, representing Alfred University, St. Bonaventure University, PennWest University, St. John Fisher University and University of Pitt-Bradford. Houghton’s Eli Knapp, Ph.D. delivered the keynote address, “Shacking Up with [Aldo] Leopold: Research as the Ultimate Inclusive Sport.”

The presentations showcased the depth and variety of undergraduate research opportunities available at Houghton, where students work closely with faculty mentors to pursue their academic interests.

“Participating in the post-pandemic revival of this conference鈥攚hich Houghton has been affiliated with since 2005 and which last occurred virtually in 2020鈥攚as extremely gratifying,” remarked Dashnau. “We already are looking forward to taking many Houghton students to next year’s conference, which will be hosted at the University of Pennsylvania at Bradford.”

Worldview is most simply described as a person鈥檚 or a people鈥檚 way of viewing and thinking about the world. It includes beliefs about a creator (God), the physical world, humankind, the beginnings and continuance of human life, death and the end of human life and afterlife. It also includes beliefs about peoples鈥� interaction with a creator, the physical world and other people. Worldview matters, particularly when considering the role it plays in education. While often not explicitly discussed, the beliefs and assumptions that form worldview affect every aspect of curriculum, instruction and administration.

The Foundation of a Christ-centered Education

Worldviews, whether named or unnamed, are foundational for all educational experiences. Different than public institutions that often espouse ideological neutrality, Christ-centered institutions like 黑料科 are explicit about their worldview. Students at Christian institutions study and receive diplomas, degrees and credentials in many of the same areas as their peers at public institutions, including the humanities, natural sciences, computer science, education, business and the arts. Of course, some students at Christian institutions are preparing for lives and careers in vocational ministry. But regardless of their selected area of study, from education to exercise science, a Bible-based set of assumptions and beliefs underly a Christian education. Many of those core assumptions that are foundational to such a Christian worldview are summarized succinctly with the Apostles鈥� Creed:

The angel Gabriel had delivered news to Mary the likes of which she could not have comprehended with human logic or reason. Mary had found favor with God鈥攗ndeserving, unmerited grace. What wonderful news to receive! Which of us would not like to hear news of God鈥檚 grace and presence in our lives? But God鈥檚 favor in Mary’s life, as is often the case in our lives, did not come聽sunshine and roses. In Mary鈥檚 life, as in our own lives, God鈥檚 favor and calling was not for her comfort and acclaim, it was for God鈥檚 purposes and His glory. For Mary this meant hearing the news Gabriel spoke to her and even in a state of bewilderment, responding, 鈥�…Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word鈥澛�(Luke 1:38). Mary did not understand the biology of how she would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit. She would have been incapable of debating such a happening with any disbelieving learned men of her time. She likely did not yet have the words to explain such an occurrence to Joseph, the man she was legally and publicly committed to marry. Yet with faith in her heart, she leaned not to her own understanding, but trusted God completely (Proverbs 3:5).

Cross-Generational Conversations Shape Student Essays

While some writing assignments require a prompt or an initial idea to get the ball rolling for college students, some require a little more than the courage to sit down and talk with a complete stranger. Susan Bruxvoort Lipscomb, Ph.D.鈥檚 WRIT 101 students recounted their conversations with members of ENCORE, 黑料科鈥檚 senior adult program. In speaking with people from different generations, these students gained experience and perspective, which they summarized in their essay.

鈥淚 spoke with a woman named Lillian,鈥� said Melanie Cogan 鈥�27. 鈥淚 got to hear about how she became a teacher, I got to hear about how she met her husband and how much they travel together and just everything about her life, and it was really interesting and she was very, very sweet鈥t was just nice to hear about someone鈥檚 experience and see life from a different perspective.鈥� Cogan later drew upon her experience talking to Lillian when she wrote her essay for the class.

I often marvel over Christians working through the uncertainties and difficulties of life while remaining people of great and sincere hope. Seared into my memory are examples of faithful Christians whose lives have exhibited such hope, even in the midst of great human strain and turmoil. Notable figures like John the Baptist, Stephen (Acts 6-7) and the Apostle Peter loom large in our collective Christian experience, but many of us also carry a mental rolodex of Christians we have personally known and touched, whose lives are testaments of the hope of Jesus Christ, even in trying times.

There was a time, however, when hopelessness abounded. Because of the sin and defiance of man, he was separated from our holy and perfect God. God had given His perfect law to His people, but they found themselves incapable of keeping it. The world needed a Savior. And because God loves us so much and He desires for us, men and women, Jew and Gentile, to be reconciled with Him, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus make it such that:

Christmas Prism concert-goers will witness an exciting premiere next month at 黑料科 as Provost David Davies ’01, D.M.A., debuts his new arrangement of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” The piece, commissioned specifically for this year’s performances, will combine all university choirs and orchestra, featuring nearly 200 student musicians.