Navigating Goshen College: A Comprehensive Guide to the Campus

Goshen College, a private Mennonite liberal arts college situated in Goshen, Indiana, has a rich history and a vibrant campus that has evolved significantly since its founding in 1894. Originally established as the Elkhart Institute of Science, Industry and the Arts, the institution's journey from Elkhart to Goshen has shaped its unique identity and physical layout. This article provides a detailed exploration of the Goshen College campus, encompassing its history, key buildings, sustainability initiatives, and distinctive features.

Historical Overview and Campus Evolution

The story of Goshen College begins with the "Old" Mennonites, who sought to create an institution to prepare young Mennonites for higher education. In August 1894, the Elkhart Institute of Science, Industry and the Arts was founded in Elkhart, Indiana. Led by H.A. Mumaw, a physician, and supported by 15 "Old" Mennonite ministers and laymen, the Elkhart Institute Association was formed.

In September 1903, the Institute relocated to Goshen, Indiana, enticed by local businessmen. With the move, a junior college course list was added, and the institution was renamed Goshen College. By 1905, the Mennonite Board of Education assumed control, dissolving the Elkhart Institute Association. After 1910, the majority of students were enrolled in college courses, marking a significant shift in the institution's focus.

During the 1940s, Goshen played a vital role as one of the Mennonite Central Committee's key sites for a "relief training school." This school trained volunteers for unpaid positions in the Civilian Public Service, an alternative to military service chosen by many Mennonites due to their beliefs in Biblical pacifism and nonresistance. Many young women pacifists volunteered for unpaid Civilian Public Service jobs to demonstrate their patriotism; many worked in mental hospitals. Also during this time, Lois Gunden, a French professor at the college, volunteered for the Mennonite Central Committee and established an orphanage for refuge children of the Spanish Civil War and Jewish children from Rivesaltes internment camp; she rescued children who were malnourished, in poor health, and had lice.

The late 1990s saw a significant building boom on campus. In 1993, longtime friends of the college, Harold and Wilma Good, bequeathed their estate, consisting primarily of J.M. Smucker Company stock, to Goshen, further contributing to the college's growth and development.

Read also: Leaders from Goshen

Academic and Extracurricular Hubs

Goshen College offers a wide array of academic programs, with 46 majors and 52 minors for undergraduates. Popular programs include nursing, biology, business, communication, education, American Sign Language, and environmental science.

A distinctive feature of the Goshen College experience is the emphasis on intercultural learning. Students have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad or complete an intercultural experience within the United States. The International Students Club (ISC) enriches campus life by hosting the annual Coffeehouse, where international students showcase their artistic talents.

Beyond academics, Goshen College provides a variety of extracurricular activities. Intramural athletics offer recreational opportunities for students. The Music Center's Sauder Concert Hall and Rieth Recital Hall, along with the Umble Center, serve as venues for theatrical productions and performances. The Performing Arts Series brings nationally renowned artists to campus, enhancing the cultural experience for students and the wider community.

While welcoming individuals of diverse faiths, Goshen College emphasizes Judeo-Christian values in its operations, commitment to justice, and educational approach.

Athletic Facilities and Traditions

Goshen College competes in 14 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. In October 2022, Goshen College introduced Dash, the first official mascot in school history, chosen through a poll of faculty and students.

Read also: Unsettling Discovery in Goshen

Residence Life and Campus Planning

The campus provides various housing options, including four dormitories, apartment living, and several small group houses. Until the mid-1970s, four-year residency was the norm. However, increasing student enrollment led to a shift, allowing upperclassmen to live off campus. In 2005, Goshen College announced its plan to return to four-year residency.

Unlike campuses designed with a single master plan, Goshen's campus has evolved organically, with buildings added incrementally as the institution expanded.

Key Buildings and Facilities

The Roman Gingerich Recreation and Fitness Center, constructed in 1994, features three full-sized basketball courts, four racquetball courts, a 200-meter indoor track, a climbing wall, and a weight room.

The Music Center, completed in October 2002 at a cost of $24 million, is renowned for its design and acoustics. It comprises Sauder Concert Hall, Rieth Recital Hall, the Art Gallery, classrooms, practice rooms, and offices.

Small Group Housing (SGH) and Intentional Living Communities (ILC) offer alternative housing options for juniors and seniors, fostering community living in a house setting with shared kitchen and living spaces.

Sustainability Initiatives

Goshen College is committed to environmental sustainability. In 2007, then-President Jim Brenneman signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, joining other institutions in the effort to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2008, Rieth Village at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College became the first platinum-rated LEED building in Indiana. The college purchases 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources through renewable energy credits. A computerized building temperature regulation system, motion light sensors, and open-loop ground-source heat pumps further reduce energy consumption.

The campus has converted nearly 20 percent of its lawn space to native plants and prairie restoration. Students and staff have developed a food composting system, planted a community garden, built a solar hot water collection system, and continue to reduce energy consumption. In 2014, the college earned a silver rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) report.

Navigating the Campus: Directions and Resources

Goshen College is located at 1700 S. Main Street, Goshen, IN 46526.

Directions:

From the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90): Take the Bristol exit, which is also State Road 15.
From the South (US 33): Take US 33 into the town of Goshen, where it intersects with State Road 15.
From the North (US 20): At the intersection of US 20 and State Road 15, take State Road 15 south 8 miles to the campus.

Transportation:

Greyhound and Amtrak stop in Elkhart, approximately 10 miles from Goshen.
The Interurban Trolley connects Elkhart and Goshen (near campus).
The South Shore Line runs between the South Bend Airport and downtown Chicago.
The South Bend Airport is about 45 minutes from campus.

Mapping and Wayfinding

To aid navigation, Goshen College provides campus maps. These maps are designed to be functional for print, signage, and web-based projects, supporting the college's branding and identity efforts. Consistent imagery across various platforms reduces confusion for visitors.

High-resolution oblique aerial photographs are essential for creating accurate 3D perspective campus maps. Site plans and previous campus maps are also valuable resources.

Digital Map Maintenance

Goshen College offers options for maintaining digital campus maps. Clients can maintain the images themselves, hire mapformation, or use a third party. Finished artwork is typically delivered in SketchUp (.skp) format, along with various 2D output formats.

Notable Events and Controversies

In 2010, a decision by The President's Council to allow an instrumental version of the national anthem to be played prior to some college sporting events sparked controversy among students, faculty, and alumni. This decision thrust Goshen College into the national spotlight, with media outlets reporting on the college's initial refusal to play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at athletic events.

Culture for Service

Goshen's motto, "Culture for Service," is reflected in the achievements of its graduates and faculty. The college emphasizes service and engagement with the wider community.

In 2006, Goshen College received a $12.5 million Lilly grant to establish the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning (CITL). The purpose of this grant was to research challenges that come with changing demographics in rural towns with small colleges.

Campus Traditions

One of Goshen College's unique traditions involves "sampling" sap from the city of Goshen's official Maple Tree, located on campus, to "test" how many more weeks of winter there will be. In 2006, the original maple tree was removed due to disease and replaced with a new tree.

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