When we asked what you think of your decision to attend Wheaton College, most of you—94.5%—reported that your decision was good or great. Most—82%—also said that your overall current opinion of the College is good or great. What has the most impact on these opinions? The survey results show that among all alumni, four factors primarily influence opinions of the College:
- the consistency of the respondent’s theology with Wheaton’s theological identity,
- Wheaton’s commitment to its historical evangelical identity,
- the value or respect for the respondent’s degree,
- and the College’s history and tradition.
It should be no surprise that Wheaties are concerned deeply with history and religious identity. For nearly 160 years, Wheaton has educated students to reason clearly and think theologically. Whether our personal theology is consistent with Wheaton’s or not, we must admit that our ability to evaluate theological claims has at least been influenced by—and maybe even founded upon—what we learned during our time at Wheaton.
It is not only that respondents’ opinions are colored by the degree of agreement between their theological identity and Wheaton’s; their opinions are also similarly shaped by perceptions of Wheaton's commitment to its own evangelical identity. Wheaton has been a mainstay in evangelicalism since the College’s founding in 1860, and Wheaton's commitment to this identity remains a measuring rod for our alumni across all age groups.
Consider this alongside the results of another specific survey question. When asked to gauge your current theological alignment with the College, 45% of respondents said that they are theologically aligned with Wheaton, 21% said they are somewhat more liberal, and 19% said they are somewhat more conservative. Only 15% of respondents consider themselves much more liberal (11%) or much more conservative (4%).
So, many of our alumni consider themselves close to Wheaton theologically, and consistency with Wheaton’s theological identity counts for the lion’s share of the impact on the opinions of alumni. What is more, Wheaton’s commitment to its own evangelical identity bears meaning even for those who do not consider themselves theologically aligned with the College.
What is especially interesting about this report is that three of the top four influencers of alumni opinion are related to heritage: commitment to historical evangelical identity, consistency of personal theology with Wheaton’s, and history/tradition. I think this highlights something of the Wheaton character—the type of institution Wheaton is and the kind of person Wheaton graduates.
Wheaton is steeped in its history. But this is not a shallow, simplistic sort of nostalgia found at some institutions. It is one of substance—and it is deeply Christian and vigorously engaged. Perhaps this ethos explains why there is so much force in alumni opinions and why our alumni are not bashful about voicing criticism when they feel the College is not living up to its identity. Wheaton’s leaders accept that passionate engagement comes with the territory at this sacred place. The College’s administrators, faculty, staff, and students are fallible people, but Wheaton’s institutional history stands as a guidepost. This history is a story of faithfulness, through changing times, to the original and enduring purpose of the College—to provide a Christian liberal arts education that prepares our graduates to serve Christ and advance his kingdom.
This history, both interesting and complex, is also a story of those who have traversed the corridors of Blanchard Hall. Founded by abolitionists and sustained by thought leaders, Wheaton has prepared evangelists, polished civic leaders, propelled business people, and primed scholars—people who have been effective servants and leaders in society and church.
In this way, the fourth opinion-shaping factor—value or respect for a Whea-ton degree—is also related to this heritage. A Wheaton education carries clout. This, of course, is also connected with accomplishments of faculty (64%), students (61%), and alumni (60%), which are the next three shapers of alumni opinions.
If you peruse the survey results below, you will notice that factors like our national rankings, scholarship distribution, and media visibility also contribute to alumni opinions. Yet notwithstanding their importance, the consistent drivers remain theological commitments, evangelical identity, value, and history. The fact is, most of us are invested in our rich heritage and its ongoing flourishing more than we are in things that may change from year to year.
One may think that the common theme of heritage means that Wheaton and its alumni are backward-facing, consumed with a past image of the College. Instead, the survey results reveal that we are firmly guided by our past as we look to the future. Wheaton’s degrees are valuable. The accomplishments of its people are remarkable. However imperfectly they may be embodied by each of us, the College’s history, traditions, theological commitments, and evangelical identity are firm.
PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THE ITEM SIGNIFICANTLY OR CRITICALLY IMPACTS THEIR CURRENT OPINION OF WHEATON COLLEGE
- 85% Consistency of my theology with Wheaton’s theological identity
- 82% Wheaton’s commitment to its historical evangelical identity
- 82% Value or respect for my degree
- 77% History and tradition
- 64% Accomplishments of faculty
- 61% Accomplishments of students
- 60% Accomplishments of alumni
- 57% School rankings
- 56% Providing scholarships
- 36% Media visibility
- 15% Success of athletic teams