A decade of diversity shows significant changes in Trevecca community

By Michelle Loria Alvarado

Contributor

Ten years ago, around 83% of Trevecca’s undergraduate student population was white. This fall, around 53% of undergraduate students reported being white while around 46% come from various racial and cultural backgrounds.

The large increase in diversity among undergraduate students over the past decade has included an 11.8% growth in the Hispanic community on campus. The number of Black students has increased by 1.5%.

“Having a diverse community on our campus is as a Christian community should be,” said Thomas Middendorf, provost and senior vice president. “If we call ourselves a Christian community, I really hope that we’re a diverse community because you know that’s more representative of the body of Christ.”

The highest increase was from a category called “non-resident aliens” with 12% growth. This increase was the result of Trevecca’s initiative to serve the undocumented population.

“We really began serving the undocumented population. I think Trevecca was really one of the first to do that,” said Middendorf. “That really, I think, became a source of hope, which I think as a Christian university, you want to be a source of hope.”

Campus leaders say a more diverse campus is also a large education benefit for all students.

“It expands the education environment when more people come here from different places,” said Terrence Schofield, ASC provost for mission excellence and reconciliation. “That is a learning environment where you can just travel the world without leaving your living room.”

Different backgrounds, perspectives and stories provide students and faculty with an opportunity to grow as a community, he said.

“It’s been proven [that] the more you are engaging people who have different perspectives, different journeys, different skills, different competencies, it makes you sharper,” said Iris Gordon, director of the Neighborhood Empowerment Program at the Center for Social Justice, “So, our students, our faculty, all of us will be wiser. We’ll be better because we have opportunities to learn and grow.”