According to national reports, colleges
are closing or merging at an accelerating
rate, from about eight per year between
2004 and 2014 to an estimated 20 per year
moving forward, with small private colleges
particularly vulnerable. It was a business
decision for Hiwassee College as it faced an
enrollment of 225 with a sustained need for
at least 500. As the pool of college-bound
students shrinks, elite schools will recruit
more from populations once left to the
smaller regional colleges. Sweet Briar College,
a women’s liberal arts college about 12 miles
north of Lynchburg, Virginia, had the fiercely
loyal alumnae bring their school back from
extinction. But there are not enough alumni
and, increasingly, not enough students
to replicate that everywhere. Sadly, many
communities are experiencing the same loss
of institutions that is currently being grieved
in Monroe County.
It is a harsh reality that we wish did not
happen anywhere, but especially our Monroe
County, our Hiwassee College. The experience
has also brought reflection into a time of
our lives somewhat forgotten. When asked,
Charles Brakebill was unable to express the
hurting within his heart on the closing.
Brittany Tipton shared about finding
comfort in the memories, stories being
shared of Hiwassee greatness. Lisa Bingham
hopes that something will revive the
beautiful campus and continue providing
educational opportunities in the area. The
responses are varied, the grief at different
stages; however, they are the voices for
the buildings that cannot talk, they are
sharing the stories of those 60 acres, they
were a part of the history and, along with
the countless others, they will continue the
legacy of Hiwassee College.
In this scripture, the Apostle Paul is giving
instructions to the Galatian Christians about
how to live with each other. It is a reminder
that God provides the ability to deal with
life’s issues and instruction that one of
those empowerments is the ability to help
others. Since its founding in 1857, Tennessee
Wesleyan University has been dedicated
to helping students live a meaningful
life. Located in Athens, Tennessee, TWU
provides experiences one expects from
a major university with the attention and
nurturing a liberal arts education offers. It is
the culture of dedication to students, faculty
and community that has created hope for so
many in the recent months. When Hiwassee
College announced their closing after 170
years, without hesitation, Tennessee Wesleyan
University opened wide the doors to lend a
helping hand.
It started with words of comfort and
encouragement in a March 28, 2019 letter
from TWU President, Dr. Harley Knowles: “a
fellow United Methodist-affiliated institution,
Hiwassee College made the difficult decision
to close at the end of their spring semester.
Upon notification of this announcement,
our faculty and staff immediately began
identifying ways Tennessee Wesleyan
University could support their prospective
and current student populations, as well as
their alumni, during this transition.” The
letter continues with a pledge of commitment
that was put into action immediately. To
date, TWU has purchased the Dental
Hygiene Program to keep the vital offering
in the community and brought the Upward
Bound program onto their Athens campus.
Specifically addressing the needs of the
students, Dr. Knowles stated, “Tennessee
Wesleyan welcomes all Hiwassee students,
current and future, to find a new home
here in Athens. There is no application
deadline, and we still have institutional
scholarships available to help make the
college experience affordable.”
In the words of Maya Angelou, “When
someone shows you who they are, believe
them.” For which it is clear that Tennessee
Wesleyan has shown they are an institution
of higher education with a priority of
developing future leaders to positively impact
their communities, the world. In a time of
significant need, Tennessee Wesleyan rose to
meet the challenges of another and taught us
all by example how to help those in need.
“ Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 kjv
SUMMER 2019 MONROE LIFE 13