July 8, 2004

Morningside College receives continuing accreditation
from The Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) has formally awarded Morningside College continuing accreditation. Morningside has held continuous accreditation from the NCA since 1913.

Dr. William Deeds, vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the college, said, “Morningside College is very pleased with the continuing accreditation, which is an indication of the quality of our institution and allows our students to continue to receive federal financial aid.”

The accreditation is for both the college’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Morningside, founded in 1894 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, offers five bachelor’s degrees, including bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of music, bachelor of music education, and bachelor of nursing, and a master of arts in teaching degree.

The HLC requires NCA member institutions to undergo evaluation every 10 years. In February, a 5-member evaluation team from the HLC was on Morningside’s campus to visit with college constituencies and to review supporting documents and evidence for the self-study report that college staff had prepared during the previous year.

Morningside’s last evaluation had been in 1994.

Members of the HLC evaluation team included: Dr. Richard Hanson, dean of the college and vice president, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Dr. Elizabeth Brent, vice president for student development and administration, Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Mo.; Dr. Thomas Courtice, president, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio; Joni Blake, director of library and information services, Stephens College, Columbia, Mo.; and Dr. Elizabeth Fischer, health professions advisor and lecturer in chemistry, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Ill.

The college’s 15-member self-study steering committee was co-chaired by Dr. Mary Leida, dean of advising, and Dr. Steve Nimmo, associate dean for Academic Affairs. Morningside sought input from alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the Siouxland community for the self-study report.

For more information on Morningside College and the accreditation process, go to webs.morningside.edu/hlc or contact Cathee Phillips, director of Public Relations, at 712-274-5320.

For more information on the HLC, go to www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org or call 1-800-621-7440.