NWC Accreditation: Giving In or Moving Up?

Abstract

John A. Beck’s essay examines the decade-long process (1974–1984) by which Northwestern College (NWC) in Watertown, Wisconsin, pursued accreditation through the North Central Association (NCA). The paper explores the theological, educational, and institutional tensions surrounding accreditation, particularly concerns about secular influence on a confessional Lutheran college. Beck traces the history of NWC’s self-studies, NCA evaluations, and faculty responses, highlighting key issues such as curriculum balance, faculty qualifications, teaching style, and library resources. Through detailed analysis and survey data from NWC faculty, Beck argues that accreditation prompted valuable self-reflection and institutional improvement without compromising doctrinal integrity. He concludes that NWC’s pursuit of accreditation was not a matter of “giving in” to secular standards but of “moving up” in educational quality while remaining faithful to its mission of preparing pastors for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)