News + headlines
Northwestern receives reaffirmation of accreditation by Higher Learning Commission
Northwestern College has received formal notification of reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The decision follows a campus visit Dec. 8–9 in which a five-member evaluation team met with faculty, staff, students, board members, alumni and community leaders in response to the college’s self-study.
April 27, 2026
NWC partners with Western Theological Seminary for streamlined pathway to M.Div. degreeNorthwestern College is partnering with Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, to enable theology students to complete their Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in as little as two years. The new advanced degree partnership program will reduce the cost for students to earn an M.Div. and prepare them to begin their ministry quicker.
April 22, 2026
Northwestern College to award 435 degrees during May 9 commencement ceremonyNorthwestern College will award degrees to 435 students during its annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9.
April 9, 2026
Northwestern music presents band, choir and strings concertsThe Northwestern College music department will present a series of concerts in late April and early May, featuring performances by the Symphonic Band, Women’s Choir and Orchestra, and Jazz Band. All concerts will be held in Christ Chapel and are free and open to the public.
April 1, 2026
Northwestern to host theatre camp for high school students June 28–July 2Northwestern College will host a summer theatre camp for high school students Sunday through Thursday, June 28–July 2.
March 26, 2026
Northwestern College to host festival of cultureA festival celebrating the diversity of people and cultures represented on the Northwestern College campus is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, beginning at 5 p.m. The annual Beloved Festival of Culture will be held in the four-court area of the Rowenhorst Student Center.
March 18, 2026
Northwestern College to present 1776 musicalThe Northwestern College theatre department will present the musical “1776” April 10–11 and 16–18 in the DeWitt Theatre Arts Center’s England Theatre. Performances will begin at 7:30 each of those evenings; there will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, April 11.
March 16, 2026
Northwestern College Symphonic Band to tour IowaThe Northwestern College Symphonic Band will embark on its spring tour March 26–29, performing in communities across Iowa. For performance times and details, visit nwciowa.edu/2026-band-tour.
March 11, 2026
New Northwestern College MSN degree to address national nurse educator shortageNorthwestern College will launch a new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in nursing education in August. The fully online program can be completed in two years.
February 18, 2026
Northwestern theatre ensemble to tour in two countries during spring breakNorthwestern College’s Drama Ministries Ensemble (DME) will travel internationally during spring break, March 1–7, performing and leading workshops in the Netherlands and Germany.
February 18, 2026
Northwestern choir to present tour repertoire at March 13 concertThe Northwestern College A cappella Choir will perform its touring concert Friday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.