Gordon College

Gordon College is a distinctive blend - a multidenominational Christian liberal arts institution, with a strong residential community and a splendid location near the intellectual hub of Boston and the shoreline of Cape Ann. It has both a strong heritage of community service and a long tradition of international education. The College offers 38 majors and 42 concentrations in the arts and sciences, with graduate programs in education and music education. Its overarching mission is to graduate men and women distinguished by intellectual maturity and Christian character, committed to lives of service and prepared for leadership worldwide. Gordon's Christian identity is broadly evangelical; more than 40 denominations are represented by students, faculty and staff. The College emphasizes "freedom within a framework of faith," a commitment to both vigorous inquiry and earnest faith. At Gordon, students are encouraged to develop moral integrity and the critical thinking skills. Consistent with its founding vision, Gordon's identity and reach are worldwide. Through its own and affiliated programs, Gordon offers study options around the whole - from an urban program in nearby Boston to Italy, Romania and China. The College also has a long history of humanitarian service both domestically and abroad, which is evident in high student participation in spring-, summer- and winter-break service trips, and in community-engagement and internship programs. Many of these opportunities have led to careers that blend compassion with the high-level business and professional skills. Along with its affiliations with the Christian College Consortium, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the Council of Independent Colleges, Gordon is actively involved with the Annapolis Group, an alliance of 130 of the nation's leading independent liberal arts colleges including Cornell, Wellesley, Williams, Pomona, Claremont and Scripps. Gordon's president and provost regularly join other presidents and chief academic officers to share best practices, seek higher levels of excellence, and advance the cause of liberal arts education. Our location on the Eastern seaboard, just 20 miles from Boston, allows faculty ready access to vibrant intellectual and research communities. For instance, biology professor Craig Story has been involved with colleagues at M.I.T. in groundbreaking microengraving research; social work professor Judith Oleson is a respected player in a movement to promote peace and reconciliation studies. Marvin Wilson's public leadership and books on interfaith understanding have been recognized internationally; biology professor Dorothy Boorse is a frequent contributor to forums on environmental issues and has testified before Congress. These connections, in which Gordon faculty are valued contributors to major cultural conversations and research have paved the way for excellent internship, graduate school, and career opportunities for Gordon students. About 85 percent of current Gordon students aim to pursue graduate studies. Within five years of graduation, 65 percent of them will have either earned graduate degrees or be enrolled in graduate programs, and 87 percent of those same surveyed will have entered full- or part-time work in their fields. Currently, Gordon graduates are pursuing or have received advanced degrees from institutions, including Harvard Medical School, M.I.T., Yale, Tufts, Princeton and the University of Notre Dame. Gordon College, also included on the Forbes Best Colleges list in August 2010, has been chosen for this year's Kiplinger 100. Using data from over 600 private colleges across the country, the magazine based its "best value" awards on a combination of quality and affordability.