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Robert Welch University

Robert Welch University (RWU), formerly John Birch University,[1] was an American university, and later an online university, based in Appleton, Wisconsin. It offered programs in U.S. history, American studies, Latin, Ancient Greek, biblical Hebrew, modern Hebrew and Arabic.

John Birch Society (JBS) founder Robert W. Welch, Jr. announced plans for the institution, then known as John Birch University, at the organization's tenth anniversary celebration in 1968. The goal was "a fundamental education in history, science, literature, and languages",[2] and later an "alternative to the socialist/internationalist/atheist education afforded by the major government-controlled colleges and universities."[3][4] Similar to the organization's youth camps, the idea was to focus on education in laissez-faire economics and anti-communism in order to "immunize the young person against radical victimization."[5][6] Welch initially hoped to open the university in California by 1979 and later planned to open it in New England.[7][5]

In 1987, as part of a discrimination lawsuit, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination alleged that John Birch University "has never held classes or developed a curriculum".[8] John Birch University primarily served as a library and educational resource for decades, running nine summer youth camps around the United States as of 1993.[9][10]

In the late 1980s the JBS began to centralize its operations in Appleton, Wisconsin.[10] In 1995, land was purchased in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, for JBS headquarters and the university, which was renamed Robert Welch University at that time.[1]

Robert Welch University Press was founded in connection with the JBS' 40th anniversary in 1998.[11]

In 2005, Robert Welch University was approved as an online university by the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board, granting two-year associates' degrees.[12] On June 15, 2007, the university had its first graduating class. Lisa St. Louis, the dean, presented associate degrees and an award for excellence in Latin.[13]

As of 2010, the Wisconsin Educational Advisory Board describes the company as "inactive".[14] As of 2025, the university states its two-year program is paused while it works to develop a four-year degree program.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "A good place to grow: Birchers have been reborn in Fox Cities". The Post-Crescent. June 2, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "John Birch University Envisioned". The Courier-Journal. December 8, 1968. p. 36. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Society: Group fighting number of misconceptions". The Post-Crescent. July 17, 2002. pp. A8. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Veseley, James (December 11, 1968). "10 Years Later, Birch Doctrine Revisited". The Daily Herald. pp. 4A. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "A school for Birchers?". Bennington Banner. July 6, 1981. p. 2. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Birch Head Plans To Start University". Muncie Evening Press. Associated Press. December 9, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "John Birch Project: University Planned". The Los Angeles Times. January 3, 1975. p. 10. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Ipswich woman sues Birch for discrimination". The Daily Item. February 18, 1987. p. 12. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  9. ^ "Camp offers politics with right-wing twist". Sun Journal. Associated Press. July 25, 1993. pp. 2B. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Society: Anti-communist period was group's heyday". The Post-Crescent. October 17, 2003. pp. C8. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Birch Society marks 40th birthday". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Associated Press. October 16, 1998. pp. B6. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Online university gets state approval". Green Bay Press-Gazette. March 7, 2005. pp. B2. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Robert Welch University". The Post-Crescent. June 30, 2007. pp. A5. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  14. ^ "Wisconsin Directory of Private Postsecondary Schools Approved by the Educational Approval Board" (PDF). Wisconsin Educational Approval Board. May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016.
  15. ^ "Robert Welch University". Robert Welch University. Archived from the original on February 20, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
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