By Jax Caddell, Editor-in-Chief of KnightWire

WAVERLY, Iowa- As the new school year begins, changes are occurring with Wartburg College. President Rebecca Ehretsman has made big plans for the college to help improve student life all across campus.

One change at Wartburg College has been the majors that students can take. Some majors have been cut, such as the Art program, which was dissolved this past summer. Even though the major was cut, students who were in those majors will still be able to finish it with a teach-out planned. President Ehretsman explained how the school comes to tough decisions such as cutting a department.

“One factor is the faculty that were retiring, but also the size of the programs,” said Ehretsman. “When we look at scale and look at scope, we ask how many students are in the programs and if the cost of the program is justified by the number of students who are curious about those programs. This year the art program as well as public health, those were very small number of students, but they will be able to finish those degrees at Wartburg College.”

While some programs have been cut, Wartburg College is taking action into adding graduate programs to elevate students’ lives and their careers. The Higher Learning Commision came to campus on September 30 and October 1st to check on the proposed graduate programs and to provide approval so Wartburg College can admit students into those programs in the summer of 2025. 

“What we are really trying to do is add graduate programs that will foster and sustain the undergraduate four-year experience that we all know and love,” Ehretsman said.

There have also been new redesigns to hit Wartburg College, as the school has adapted to a new logo to better connect with the school’s history. The college is named after one of Europe’s best known landmarks, the Wartburg Castle, and President Ehretsman wanted to make sure that Wartburg stays loyal to its history. 

“It’s a good representation of that heritage and that history and I’m excited to see it all over campus,” said Ehrestman. “Adding to the tagline [experience more], I feel like now our brand and our identity is clear and easy for people to interpret.”

New plans are also being put in place to better support student life at campus. Student success is important to Ehretsman, as she has helped set in a five-year step process to better the lives of students. Wartburg is working with Credo Consultants for the years to come to fully work in the plan they have put in place.

“[Credo] is coming in and working with us to make sure that we are doing everything necessary for students to have an excellent experience from start to finish,” said Ehrestman. “This will be year one of five, but this will be a big year where we ask a lot of questions, dive deep to find what’s working, what’s not working and really lean into opportunities to be better. It’s not that we aren’t good now, but we can always be better.”

Additionally, the W will be experiencing change this year. On October 17, during Wartburg College’s Homecoming week, the W will be renamed in honor of former President Jack Ohle and his wife, Kris. In 2004, former President Ohle was responsible for partnering with city officials that led to the building of the W, which opened up in 2008.

“President Ohle really envisioned the science center, as well as the W, as well as the newer resident halls,” said Ehretsman. “So President Ohle had a huge impact on the physical plant of our campus, and we are excited to celebrate [Ohle] and Kris and their vision for the college.”

With President Ehretsman going into her third year at Wartburg, she has seen how the school has grown, alongside herself, but what she credits all these amazing changes to are the students of Wartburg College.

“I love this college,” said Ehrestman. “The students are incredible. I always feel blessed to know each [student], to hear their stories, to travel with the choir, be with the athletes at their events, to be with students at campus. Getting to know our students, it makes this an easy college to fall in love with and a place that helps me understand why people just keep coming back because they really care about this place.”

To see more information about the changes coming to Wartburg College, go to https://www.wartburg.edu/ to read more.to read more.