Meeting with Officials from Wheaton College, Il, US | A Report

Meeting with Officials from Wheaton College, Illinois, US

26th October 2024 | A Report

The interaction with the dignitaries from Wheaton College, lllinois, the U.S was hosted on Saturday, 26th October 2024 at 10.30 a.m. in the Council Room.

The honourable guests for the day were Prof. Bryant Kong and Mr. Silvio Vasquez, from Wheaton College. Prof. Bryant Kong is Director of Global Engagement — Asia Pacific. He earned his B.A in Biblical/Theological Studies and in Business/Economics from Wheaton College in 1999. He was previously the Executive Director of the Christian College Consultancy — Asia, based in Seoul, South Korea, and has been working in the International Education sector for the past 12 years.

Mr.Silvio Vasquez is the chief enrollment officer at Wheaton College. In this role, Silvio provides leadership for all aspects of enrollment strategy and services, including Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions, Student Financial Services, Global Initiatives for Asia Pacific, and the residential Wheaton College Summer Institute and summer BRIDGE Pre-College Programs for high school students.

Established in 1860 as a co-ed institution, Wheaton College is a private, residential, and interdenominational Christian liberal arts college, where the pursuit of faith and learning is taken seriously. The HoneyRock Center for Leadership Programmes is a major attraction at Wheaton.

Our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson addressed the meeting about the efforts MCC has put to connect globally. He affirmed that it is time for us to understand the traits of each other and learn from them.

He reiterated that MCC has always been ready to repurpose and realign ourselves, according to the demands of the students.

In a world where Education is seen as a commodity and no more a charity, the ecosystem provided by many institutions may not align with the money given. It is the need of the hour that the College should promote in a genuine way. Dr. Wilson sees global satellite Programmes as the way ahead, and relevant in this era moving into skill-based education.

The value of industry has also changed. It is now a mandatory norm that the value of money is the return of investment. Global engagements would thus be a game changer for the students and the college.

In his response, Prof. Bryant thanked everyone for this opportunity and spoke about the importance of Innovation and ideation, to hail the new waves for Christian sake, and what it means for us to engage and serve in this world.

Mr. Vasques too expressed his heartfelt thanks for the welcome and remembered his travel to India about 38 years ago as an athlete. He acknowledged MCC for the values it uphold and stated that we are all brothers and sisters together in Christ.

Education is utilitarian now and therefore we must help build each other. More than money, Wheaton values service and dedication to the calling, said he.

Following this, Dr. R. BeIinda, Director of Extension Office initiated the interactions between the faculties and students. She presented the opportunity for Wheaties to do short term courses, community engagement and Internship opportunities.

Dr. Joshua Jeyaseelan, Staff advisor of SCM introduction its initiatives to the dignitaries like the Childrens ministry Evangelism activities and Fellowship meetings. He also brought to their notice the initiatives of the Community colleges in Tambaram and Kothagiri that serves the deprived and the tribal communities.

Mr. Allen Eben from II M.A English shared his passion for pipe organ, and enquired about Wheaton's provisions for musical education to imbibe spirituality. They responded by highlighting the presence of a Conservatory in Wheaton and the presence of choir and instrumental music. On behalf of Think Tank of MCC a propsoal was also put forth to teach pipe organ building.

Regarding the scholarship opportunities for 2025-26 UG/PG admissions, the direct cost would be 62,000 USD. Academic scholarships will be given based on various criteria put forth by the College.

The maximum academic scholarship a student can receive is 33,000 USD per year. An additional grant upto 5,000 USD too could be alloted based on other criteria. The Christian Missionary Scholarship foundation, offers an exceptional opportunity for students from a missionary family background to pursue quality education as well.

For PG courses, the Billy Graham Scholarship, an initiative that funds your entire tuition but the students must to go back their country to serve after completing the course. It also gives a small living stipend to the student as well. If not the scholarship becomes a loan which requires repayment.

About the job prospects after the studies?

The students could either serve the university as Deans, VPs etc or may get into other services too.

They also offered a partnership with ministries or NGOs where they could send a group of students to get their fee remittance. The meeting concluded with the Vote of Thanks followed by the closing prayer.

Mr. Sabarinathan led the opening Prayer, and Dr. Samuel Rufus, Dean of International Programmes welcomed the gathering. The event was coordinated by Mr. Sabarinathan, Ms. Catherin Sabu and Ms. Zibiah Merin Kuriakose. Ms. Catherin moderated the event as the master of ceremonies.

Summary of Proceedings by Ms. Zibiah Merin Kuriakose.