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A private liberal arts school in Bridgewater, Virginia, Bridgewater College offers their students more than 60 majors. Located on a 300-acre campus, two hours from Washington D.C., students have several options for both academic and recreational activities.
Bridgewater College places great emphasis on the faculty they hire, as the administrators of the college believe that personal guidance between teacher and student is important for a student to achieve a well-rounded education. With over 1,700 undergraduate students, giving each student individualized attention can be difficult. At Bridgewater College they make it look easy with an average class size of 19 and over 100 full-time faculty members.
Students can study a number of majors including; engineering, communications studies, and political studies. Being so close to the capital of the United States, students can become involved in politics and government. Students also gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history by viewing museums such as the Smithsonian and visiting some of the most beloved monuments in the country.
History
Having ties to the Church of Brethren, Bridgewater College was established in 1880. It was founded by Daniel Christian Flory as Spring Creek Normal and Collegiate Institute. It wasn’t until 1889 that the school came to be known as Bridgewater College.
Bridgewater College was the first private co-educational liberal arts college in Virginia that accepted women upon its inception. Founders not only emphasized academics, but also wanted students to gain personal integrity and social consciousness while attending Bridgewater College.
There have been many notable alumni that have graduated from Bridgewater College. Many of them have been politicians and judges such as: Senior Federal Judge on the United States of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; U.S. Representative from 1929-1931 Jacob Garber, and Nathan H. Miller.
Campus Life
Located in a small town, Bridgewater College encompasses 300-acres where students can lounge, study, and play. Bridgewater College is home to 11 resident halls that accommodate 85% of students. Most students are required to live on campus so that they can build lasting friendships that will continue long after college.
Bridgewater College participates in Division III athletics, with more than 22 Varsity sports. The most successful sports team by far is the Equestrian team, which has won many awards and championships throughout the years. In both 2006 and 2011, the team won the IHSA title in Zone 4, Region 2. The Equestrian team also won the ODAC championship in 2007 and then again in 2009.
With everything from student government to athletics to outdoor programs and guest speakers, administrators at Bridgewater College feel that college should be more than just academics. In the past, Bridgewater College has held many cultural events on campus. Acts such as the Jazz Ensemble and comedians such as Andrew Norelli not only entertain students but the community as well.
Financial Aid
Students attending Bridgewater College can obtain scholarships, loans, grants and work-study through the financial aid department of the college. The average financial award package given to each student was over $22,000 in the 2011-2012 school year.
Total fees each year cost each student nearly $40,000 a year. That being said, Bridgewater College is proud to announce that in the 2011-2012 school year, 100% of students who demonstrate financial need received it. Although only 26% of those students saw their needs fully met, the college was able to satisfy an average of 80% of each student’s financial need.
