Academic Updates

TWU undergraduates are challenged to think critically, problem solve, and understand the complexity of the world in our general education curriculum, Wesleyan Essentials. All TWU students are presented with opportunities to apply their major courses of study to future goals and to explore a host of minors to augment their skill set. TWU students are presented with opportunities to lead and serve through the intentional connection between academics and the co-curricular. On the whole, the Office of Academic Affairs is interested in the whole student experience, with the goal of sending out into our world the next generation of leaders.

Becomes a Learning Commons

As a result of the Title III funds received to increase first-year student success, the Merner Pfeiffer Library has transitioned into a learning commons. New furniture on the first floor, new computer stations and interactive touch screens create spaces for TWU students to connect and learn together. Loanable technology puts video and audio technology in the hands of students and faculty to stimulate creativity. In addition, a completely renovated tutoring center allows for students to connect with trained, paid peer tutors when they encounter academic challenges.

The TWU Occupational Therapy Program Welcomes First Class

In the fall semester of 2019, TWU welcomed 30 graduate students into the Master of Occupational Therapy program. These students were met with an enthusiastic faculty and a state-ofthe-art facility in the Newland Building on the campus of Fort Sanders Hospital in the heart of Downtown Knoxville.

Nursing Simulates Real-Life Clinical Experience

The TWU-Fort Sanders Nursing program values significant clinical experience, resulting in a reputation for the most clinically prepared BSN graduates in the Knoxville area. Now, the program is augmenting that clinical experience with a state-of-the-art simulation lab at their West Knoxville site. The simulation center currently houses three simulated hospital rooms with three simulation mannequins from Lifecast. These simulated patients are cast from real people giving them an incredibly lifelike look and feel (pictured below).

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Blossom in the Goodfriend School of Business

The Goodfriend School of Business continues to pursue initiatives related to entrepreneurship and innovation. The launch of the LITE House (Leading Innovators To Excel) center for entrepreneurship created a space for local entrepreneurs from the community to engage in programming aimed at exploring their ideas and setting the foundation for new business ventures. Success in the LITE House resulted in the re-envisioning of the basement space in Elliott Hall into a creative space for students in the Goodfriend School. Through the generosity of Ms. Ginny Elliott, the LITE House 2.0 was opened in the fall of 2019.

TWU Social Work Program Achieves Accreditation

TWU received word in July of 2019 that the Social Work program has been granted initial accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. The intensive work on the part of Ms. Linda Garza and Ms. Tammy Walker in program development and implementation has received the ultimate validation. Graduates of this accredited program can now attain special status when applying to graduate programs in social work.

TWU Students Study, Travel and Serve Abroad

Through the Study Abroad Office, students can arrange to study virtually anywhere in the world, including at Nagasaki Wesleyan University through a recently created exchange program.

The Natural Sciences Department sponsored a trip to Costa Rica for a course in Tropical Ecology and Biodiversity.

The Goodfriend School of Business sponsored a trip, with an accompanying International Business course, to the British Isles.

Student Life and the Nursing program sponsored trips to the Bahamas and Nicaragua to provide medical aid and other mission services to underserved populations.

Additional sponsored trips offered to Ireland, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, Vietnam, Guatemala, and Costa Rica will provide students with an enriching cultural experience.

The Merner Pfeiffer Library