Academy Secondary Schools
Managing Director Jim Adams noted that the strategic plan has
been completed and approved by the Board. It includes seven goals with
accompanying tasks, plus the incorporation of 12 MSA accrediting standards
which will make the next accreditation process more integrated.
The admissions goal for 2017-18 is 240 students, with 65 in the
dormitories. There is an enrollment bubble in the freshman and sophomore
classes, requiring triple sectioning and additional faculty expense.
The Girls School has completed a years-long study of Conjugial Love
which looks to ways to infuse its concepts throughout the curriculum and
make its teachings more relevant to today’s students.
Advancement
Board chair Sue McGrath reported that 30% of four-year graduates of the
College are contributing, compared to a national average of 15%. And 38% of
Secondary Schools parents are contributing and participating in many “friend
raising” activities. The goal is to get the parent participation rate up to 60%.
Executive Committee
Charlie Cole reported that the committee is developing a purpose
statement for joint meetings with the General Church Board’s Executive
Committee.
swedenborg and the arts conference
(From a report in the Bryn Athyn Post by Drs. Jane Williams-Hogan and
Devin Zuber, Co-Chairs of the Swedenborg and the Arts International
Conference held at Bryn Athyn College in June.)
The Swedenborg and the Arts Team wants to thank all who came to the
conference, whether for one day or the whole week. It was wonderful to have
you there in the audience and the presenters were delighted to meet you. They
left with a “kind and caring” image of Bryn Athyn and its residents. Many of
them have written to us to share their experience attending the conference.
They were impressed by the quality of each other’s papers, the insights they
got, the level of the comments and the conversations they had, the collegiality
they witnessed, the amazing architectural gems of Bryn Athyn, and the warm
and friendly atmosphere of the community.
The conference was calle d “splendid,” “marvelous,” “fabulous,” “spectacular
and transformative,” with “so much to think about and build on.” “It was
one of the best, most cohesive conferences I’ve ever attended. Everything
was beautifully executed.” “I am home now, a bit tired but very happy about
everything I have heard and seen in Bryn Athyn.” “It was a highly praised and
wonderful conference.” “The conference was a work of art.”
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